MetalTones2012

Sorry Mr. Boo, missed the "possible" part. Should have known better.

Thoughts on this? It's hard to tell how much of this is just a joke. They are doing a Bridgemen show, after all. http://www.jerseysurf.org/articles/254/1/2012-Surf-Seeks-Wide-Variety-of-Student-Performers/Page1.html

What about schools without marching bands? My college doesn't have one but I've been in classes with people that marched Bluecoats, Cadets, Teal Sound, Kiwanis Kavaliers, Jersey Surf, Glassmen, Black Watch (WGI), United (also WGI), Crossmen, Crown, and a few others. I didn't even include some of the corps I marched with.

Of the two, I like playing euphonium better. It feels more natural and some of the brands used in drum corps are more centered with their weight than their baritone counterparts. That being said, I think a full drum corps should have both, with the euphoniums playing the third part. However, I'll go even further and say that the high brass should have a similar set-up, with flugelhorns playing the third trumpet part. Think it's crazy, watch Teal Sound.

I'm honest, but I try to word it like a tech. So for example if I thought the show was flat I would say something like "Give it a lot of energy and really pay attention to your crescendos." Then I would follow it with "But other than that, I thought it was great!"

This, and also it wouldn't come close to feeling the same. Sure for judging purposes it would be fine, but the live drum corps experience is what this activity is all about. Without the musicians right in front of you the audience would be better off seeing a musical or the Philharmonic, and without an audience to perform for and get applause from or the excitement of tour the performers would be better off playing in a concert band or playing a "normal" sport. Make it virtual, and everything that's great about drum corps is gone.

I've actually had this in my head for a while: a show about alchemy. I doubt many of you have ever watched the anime called Fullmetal Alchemist (it does NOT have "Brotherhood" in the name, that's just a spinoff series), but if you get a chance go to "that site" and listen to some of the music (especially "Bratja") or watch some episodes. It's nothing like you've ever seen before. There are also many striking symbols from the series that were once used in real-life alchemy and would make memorable formations on the field. DCP isn't letting me post images right now, but search for images of transmutation circles or use the name of the anime. In my opinion, this show seems like a natural fit for either Phantom or Boston.

I don't really agree this. Jersey Surf will most likely have low brass spots open in May for me, but coming in late would be really unfair to the staff and other members. If I don't make Cadets, I'm going straight to the next Surf rehearsal.

I completely understand where you're coming from. Look at my "Corps Fees" thread. I don't know how accessible Open Class corps are for you, but if you can march in one do so. Drum corps is MUCH different from any marching band and previous experience looks really good when you audition for World Class. Also, depending on the corps it's usually cheaper and has a less demanding schedule so it's a good negotiation between you and your parents. If you really need help with tour fees, check out helpmemarch.org As for your mellophone experience, it all really depends on how good you are. I played sax before I started marching too, although I've only done Open Class and DCA so far. A better example would be a friend I marched with for one year. Previously a clarinet player, picked up a bari for the first time when he joined the corps I was in, the following year he was marching World Class. The same thing happened with another friend of mine who switched from pit instruments. It all depends on the player and his drive to achieve. Unfortunately I don't know much about your implants, but the drum major for Blue Saints a couple of years ago was also deaf and he may have had implants too.

Like I said (that's starting to become my catchphrase ), I'm not expecting to walk right in and get a spot. I've been involved with drum corps long enough and seen enough of my friends march World Class to know what it takes, and I want to prepare for that. If I don't make Cadets/Spirit/etc., I'll march Jersey Surf. If I don't make that, I'll accept a contract with an Open Class corps. I'm determined to age out, one way or another. Anyway, I think I figured out what I'm going to do. Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback. It was really helpful! I personally think the admins should keep this thread open for other people who have the same concerns as me, but it's up to them.

Thanks for the first negative post in this entire thread, but you're arguing about nothing. First of all, I do have drum corps experience as I have stated in my original post. And second, I never said I was going to make it immediately, nor do I think I would ever stand a chance if I actually thought that way. One of the reasons I'm bringing up this topic less than a week after the 2011 season is because I want to start making decisions so I can get the audition packets and start working my ### off. Also, once again, look at my other posts regarding working for money. If it was an option I would get a job, but my parents would cut me off if I ever spent time that I could be using to study on other things (the only reason why drum corps is okay is because it's only 1-2 weekends a month until school is over). And they would never speak to me again if I even considered taking a year off from school for ANY reason. I love drum corps and will do anything in my power to age out with a corps I like, but family and education do take priority.

Well I've already sent e-mails to the corps director and the brass caption head, but no response yet. I'm not expecting a response too soon either. I'm hoping maybe I can work out a deal with them involving video auditions and a special plan for members coming from far away (like BD has). We'll see. Like I said though, if I march Cadets or Surf I won't be disappointed one bit. I just want to see what's possible first before I commit to anybody. Audition fees are nothing compared to the rest of the cost of a corps, but it's a lot wasted if you don't end up marching there so I want to be at least 51% sure beforehand that the corps I'm auditioning for is one that I can be happy with.

I'm talking about by today's standards. Drum corps as it is today is much more complex than it was back then. if BSGK competed today with the same show they performed in 1970 (which I'm listening to right now as I type this so I'm not completely clueless) they would not do well at all. But if Jersey Surf performed Petal Tones back then it would have blown everyone's mind. And no, I was not around in the 1970's. 2012 is in my username for a reason. But I have done my research, I'm not stupid.

Thanks! Honestly the corps I really want to join is Spirit of Atlanta. I loved their 2010 and 2011 shows more than most of the better corps. If I can't do that then I'm perfectly content with the Cadets or Jersey Surf, but like I said before I want to explore several options. If anybody on the Spirit staff is reading this, can you please PM me?

I have a question about the Blue Knights recording. Will the prerecorded vocal song at the beginning be included? What about the vocal opener for BAC? Also, what about the prerecorded vocals in the Cavies show? Sorry about all the questions at once, but after the prerecorded vocal track at the beginning of the 2010 Cavies show was cut out I was kind of upset. I was wondering if that's going to happen again.

Cadets Blue Knights (especially if they include the prerecorded song at the beginning) Spirit

Thanks, that really is a big help! :)

I'm doing my best. The big problem is my parents, who (putting it lightly) don't appreciate drum corps as much as I do and have a serious problem with me putting too much extra time an effort into it, especially since I'm in college and they think I'll get distracted from that if I have other commitments like a job while classes are in session. Even though I'm paying for drum corps out of my own savings, they're paying for my education and can pull the plug on that if they don't think I'm making it a full priority (and they have threatened it before).

I played the saxophone throughout middle school and was really good at it, but I originally had no interest in marching band. My parents forced me to do it because they wanted me to do a team activity and my brother was in it. My idea of marching band changed almost instantly after band camp. By my sophomore year I was really into it to the point of obsession (which was odd considering my band was non-competitive) and was looking for some shows by other bands in my area on the site-that-shall-not-be-named, and out of nowhere I stumbled upon Cavies 2002. That show got me really interested, and after watching my second show on the site (Cavies 2006), I started realizing that this was not just another marching band. So I did dozens of Google searches to find out what it was and one thing led to another. I decided I wanted to perform in shows like that so I looked for a corps near me and they taught me how to play baritone, and by the end of the season I was better at it than I was at the sax. After my first year of drum corps in Open Class (at the time Division II/III) I felt like I didn't achieve the level that the Cavaliers did in those videos and wasn't sure if I wanted to keep up with it, but little did I know at the time that my high school's guard designer is pretty well-known in the drum corps world. She saw me wearing my corps jacket at band camp and we shared a few stories, and then I decided to keep doing it regardless of what kind of show I performed. Now I'm hooked!

I may have, but I'm not sure. I was really into marching band (which was odd considering my band was non-competitive) and was looking for some shows by other bands in my area, and out of nowhere I stumbled upon Cavies 2002. That show got me really interested, and after watching my second show on the site (Cavies 2006), I started realizing that this was not just another marching band. So I did dozens of Google searches to find out what it was and one thing led to another. After my first year of drum corps in Open Class (at the time Division II/III) I felt like I didn't achieve the level that the Cavaliers did in those videos and wasn't sure if I wanted to keep up with it, but little did I know at the time that my high school's guard designer is pretty well-known in the drum corps world. She saw me wearing my corps jacket at band camp and we shared a few stories, and then I decided to keep doing it regardless of what kind of show I performed. Now I'm hooked!

I'd give anything to age out with The Cadets, but they're actually a lot more than $3,000. That's just the tour fees. They also charge you for individual winter camps, spring training, equipment maintenance, etc.

I sent a few e-mails already (no responses yet). I was hoping to get some feedback from alumni/parents/fans too, that's why I posted here.

I'm not a fan of field logos at DCI events, it takes away from the show a bit. Even though their reasons had nothing to do with DCI and it's only temporary, I'm glad they took it out this year.

Jersey Surf is actually one of my top choices, but I'm trying to look at every possibility because I would prefer a full tour. If Jersey surf decides to make the trip to San Antonio this year (I heard they've been talking about it ever since they went World Class), then I'd be 100% in. The other problem is that they're on average the youngest corps in World Class. This shouldn't really matter much, but I only have one chance to age out and I'd like to share that experience with a good number of other age-outs.

That's actually a really great idea! It's a good way to help more kids discover drum corps. Funny story, I didn't know DCI existed until I accidentally found it on "the site that shall not be named."