CrownLeadSop

Ahaha you and I both know there is video of me being elbowed by Chad, taking the horn off my face and the note still going. It was great, because it was like.. the dawn of camera phones. Space-age technology, at the time! I did it a number of times, but that was not one of those times. Texas with the Blue Devils in 07? Uhh, yeah, maybe I had something to do with that. :)

Because excellence attracts talent, not necessarily winning. The scores are a result of excellence, so the two happen to line up, but if Crown were still hitting on all cylinders in brass land and getting 4th overall at Finals (as they did a few times), I still think the kids would come in droves to audition for that hornline.

I've come to learn that drum corps is a lot more fun for the members when they don't worry about the scores, and most of them have adopted that philosophy, I think.

I loved encore. SCV trying to stand on my foot, Boston trying to walk on my shoes, unsavory jokes and lemon drops and high notes and instrument switching with Devils, jolly ranchers with Cavies, getting elbowed by my own horn sergeant when he thought I was playing octaves when video revealed it was the Blue Knights lead guys, hanging out with the Spirit leads that started marching when they were 14 and were familiar faces year after year... Too many good stories, man. Stories aplenty.

My dog thinks she's a horse and eats grass and pukes aplenty. I like Crown's drum scores aplenty.

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Interesting to see the criticism/disappointment/curiosity over the programming. There are only a few Crown shows I'd put ahead of this one in that regard - 2009, 2013, 2007 immediately come to mind. Otherwise, it comes across very well in the stands as a canvas that will (hopefully) look very good when it's all said and done.

Sat with a bunch of guys from 06-12 era inside the circle on Saturday/Sunday. It was a constant half-joke that "No, none of us would've made this line."

Spent Saturday and Sunday at GW watching the corps. After observing rehearsal and the show in uniform (and getting an idea of the direction it may go with the changes that are sure to come), it feels like a combination of 09's programming and 13's technicality. The unis are very cool in person. I don't know how well the galaxy stripe will come off over the summer, but the package is very good from where I was (50, top of the stands). I think the field clutter could be broken up a little by having different tarps - my guess is they're coming, but it's entirely a guess. I can't see the drum corps that changes its uniform each year to suit the show deciding to use plain white tarps. The important thing is all of the members seem to be having a lot of fun, and it's fun to watch them rehearse, something I've not been able to say about many drum corps - previous iterations of Crown included.

This is a good point. We often hear about how bad the new stuff is, but rarely do we hear about how bad the old stuff was. Either way, I think most CMMs are a bit more educated than this. I know Scouts and Troopers specifically talk a lot about heritage and history over the course of the summer, and even at Crown we had education night on the bus, because STORMWORKS WAS THE ####!!!!!!

Heat, bugs, completely out of the way of every other state on the tour (it takes how many hours to actually get down the middle of the peninsula?) are probably the contributing factors.

See you all on Saturday night/Sunday.

I don't think they currently do (though they may - I could be totally wrong) and any that you'd get would be existing stock. But maybe you're right, they may make them, especially if the right corps asks. No.

HOW DARE YOU SPEAK ILL OF LORD WHITACRE, SIR etc.

I'm not talking about what-ifs, I'm talking about reality. The reality is it's unlikely anyone would elect to use a marching french horn instead of a concert french horn because good luck convincing Yamaha to let you keep your deal while using a Kanstul on the field.

#purplepantsband is more an alumni gag that just happened to catch on (we used to call ourselves the Cream Band). I think a lot of high school kids still cringe when they hear it - especially the ones that think they really know what drum corps is all about. Tee shirt sales may prove otherwise, though. I misinterpreted, I thought you were more talking about marketing an identity to the incoming drum corps fandom (high school kids). Cavaliers and Cadets have had their identities for so, so long that they're immediately recognizable across decades of photo and video. On the contrary, groups like Star and Crown have periods of uniformity from year to year, but they're hardly comparable to the aforementioned groups. I could see the concerns over changing the uniform so drastically and confusing someone new to the activity, but I don't think the uniform style will push away those that are not familiar with the marching arts because of the "less-traditional" look. If anything, it's a point of differentiation from something like traditional high school or college marching bands. That said, it's my contention that the activity should stop trying to pander to a broader outside audience that is more enamored with Ke$ha than Stravinsky.

Right, but that's not the point. The post I quoted was worried about marketing, and yet... #purplepantsband.

What I don't think is up for contention is overall difficulty between 2013 and even 2006.

#purplepantsband

LeBron or Michael, in drum corps form.

That (pre-Simple Gifts) closer is hot.

It's been a rough life, man. You should see my body right about now.

Other notes: Whether you plan to return to the drum corps and audition in the Fall as of writing that e-mail is entirely irrelevant. That's a decision for after the Summer, but you should sell it as though you are interested, because if you're interested enough in filling a hole there, you should be interested in auditioning there in the Fall. The first few questions out of the gate (and thanks to soccerguy for reminding me) are about physical fitness, experience and money. Be prepared with answers for each of those questions so that you can respond immediately. Anyone that's looking to fill a hole is trying to do it sooner rather than later, and the quicker you can get good, responsible answers to them, the better they'll feel about bringing you in. Be open to an alternate position. It's a lower rate ($$$) with a similar level of pedagogical experience, like technique blocks, sectionals, etc. Not only that, but a lot of alternates end up in spots, and alternates always get preferential treatment when they come back, so long as they showed improvement. Be open to trying new and different instruments. I know a guy who marched four years of Blue Stars and winded up playing every horn but tuba. Have some pre-prepared "licks" or etudes that you can lay down on tape and send via YouTube to corps directors and brass caption heads. This is pivotal. Be ready to show that you can march and play. The more prepared, the better. The guys that just need to get bodies in may not go to this extent, but it's better to have it and not need it than the reverse. As someone who has had to fill holes in various brass sections as part of a brass staff, I can tell you that more is more when it comes to information. I'm sure more will come to me.

"To whom it may concern: My name is Little Johnny, I am a trumpet player interested in participating in the 2014 summer tour with the Blue Crown Phantom Vanguard. I wanted to reach out and ask that you consider giving me a chance to audition for any openings or alternate positions in this year's hornline. It is my goal to be a full member of the 2015 corps and I feel that the opportunity to audition into any unexpected openings will be invaluable experience and go a long way to prepare me for the 2015 camp season. Below you will find my relevant performance experience. Thank you in advance for your consideration. 2013 Carolina Crown - Drum Major 1991 Star of Indiana - Trumpet Section Leader, Soloist 1975 Muchachos - Lead Trumpet Player Best wishes, Little Johnny littlejohnnyplaysthetrumpet@gmail.com 867-5309" Now, I had been marching for like a hundred years before my age out (four years of high school, three of drum corps, two of college) so I had a full resume together, including teaching experience. You may not have that kind of experience due only to your age, so a short list with relevant stuff will suffice.

Lots of e-mails. I sent emails to all but one of the Top 6 when I decided I was fit to march and got responses from everyone I e-mailed. Never hurts to just ask. People are looking to fill holes or even take on alternates all the time.