lucas97

Not really. But I'll leave it alone. :)

OK, I'm trying to piece this together: So far, it has been said by the Bridgemen side in another post (Topic: 1977 Bridgemen, i was curious and found out about the DQ, page 2, posted by gmanbay41) that they did indeed have two members marching in the corps who would have turned 22 during the 1977 season. But (and maybe I'm reading this wrong), they never intended to have them actually march past their 22nd birthday, which I'm assuming took place sometime before DCI Finals. They had two other people with them who were ready to take their place once they turned 22. At the DCI Midwest show, those two "overaged" people were pulled from the show and the corps performed with 2 blanks. Here's where I start getting curious...I'm not sure if those two "overaged" people remained with the corps and didn't march anymore, or if the other two people filled their spots immediately, or what. That has never been specified, and it's kind of important to the rest of the story. Then the corps gets to Denver for Nationals and they are told they won't be allowed to perform because they marched two overaged members during the season. And somehow, DCI is the one who didn't handle this correctly? My question is...why were the Bridgemen marching two people during the season who they knew were going to turn 22 before Finals in the first place??? If that's indeed what they did, then I have no sympathy for them, no matter how much I love the corps and their show. This is sheer stupidity in action, and they would have no one to blame but themselves for putting their corps and their members in this position to be questioned. I'm most likely going to get skewered for this, but until that question can be answered, that's my position on the matter.

Just curious, but how often were corps DQ'd before DCI?? A relative of mine marched in the 50's and 60's and I've heard him talk about it happening several times. Just interested to know if there are some official numbers floating around somewhere. It certainly was not uncommon for many junior corps to have over-aged members back then, even well into the 1970's during the three most recent DCI DQs.

Baroque Samba is one of drum corps' all-time classic openers, IMO.

I think it had more to do with the fact that by the time he announced the Cadets in second place, the audience was up for grabs. That was one of the loudest reactions to scores being announced I have ever heard live. It was bedlam. The crowd came down in volume just barely enough to hear the winning score of 97.5 and then they erupted again. Brandt Crocker had to scream just to be heard over all that noise to say "the Cavaliers!" THAT was a great night of drum corps.

D minor. It really is the saddest of all the keys. Makes people instantly weep when they hear it. Like in that Mozart-Bach (Mach) inspired piece by Spinal Tap, "Lick My Love Pump."

We're talking hornlines though...a mic can't create a fracked note or cause overblowing or cause the line to play out of tune. Phantom had a good line this summer, very good. They weren't the best, though. And the three times I heard them late in the season last year (West Chester, Semis and Finals), I heard some nasty sounds in there.

Not for nuthin, but it does make a difference to a buyer. I do know people who might be interested, but this whole "whatever" attitude is making me think twice. So, no thanks.

Wouldn't they be F Mellos??

By rivals, I mean the two corps really didn't like each other. At least that's how some friends of mine who were in Muchachos describe it. They hated the Cavaliers. Maybe it was a full-out corps thing, maybe it wasn't, but I got the impression that they were really intense rivals in the emotional sense. So if that stands to reason, the Cavaliers would benefit by sticking it to the Muchachos.

Heard many versions from those who were there. Don't choose to believe anything without more proof, but in this case it is fun to speculate. 1) Troopers wanted in at 12th place. Why not get Muchachos biggest rival to do the dirty deed? Enter the Cavaliers. 2) The Muchachos were FAR from being the only corps to march overaged members back then. 3) I've heard from different people who saw the recaps that they won, that they came in 2nd, and that they came in 3rd. Not sure which to believe, but then again why destroy the recaps if they didn't win?? Hmmm, mysterious indeed.

If there is no other justification for it to be there, other than "just because" then I am not in favor of it. If you look at my original post in this thread, my contention was that if used properly, props and such can really enhance a show (and gave a specific nod to SCV who used them masterfully, IMO). It stands to reason, then, if they are NOT used properly, and are just there to be there, then they can distract and do more harm than good. The only other contention I made, and stand by, is that the use is not that widespread. A flag used for 8 counts is not, IMO, a prop. I am speaking specifically about items that are not flags, rifles, or sabers.

Ya know, I really don't have a problem that anyone disagrees with me on any subject. Honestly, I don't. I will admit that I am passionate about what I believe in and I can be relentless when I want to be in regards to defending my position. If that comes off as a bad attitude, then that's unfortunate for me, I guess. It is not my intent. I've tried to present logical arguments to this discussion, citing that any prop examples given are relatively minor in nature, if not specifically limited to one corps using them. I don't feel as if I have crossed any line in this thread. Yet I get called out for being "sorry", for having an "attitude problem", bowing down to worship me as if I think I'm omnipotent on all things drum corps, and being an "irritant on purpose." Let's just not pretend that I'm the only one with attitude perception issues here...

Hehe...If you only knew...

In comparison to those who haven't used props in the last 5-10 years, those who have are in the definite and considerable minority. Prove me wrong.

Well, the ratchets are one corps. The tires are one corps. You are citing examples of an extremely limited nature. In comparison to those who haven't used props in the last 5-10 years, those who have are in the definite and considerable minority. I'm sorry if you refuse to see it.

Please do. I've seen the many different flags, maybe a couple sets of rifles, and sabers. But last time I checked, those were accepted forms of color guard equipment, not props. Poles? A few corps have. In comparison to those who haven't, it's a very small number. Swing flags? Those are considered props?? Tires? Well, that's one corps. Wratchets? Never seen that one...please enlighten me. Flags with elastics? One corps that I can think of. Boxes? In comparison to those who haven't, it's a very small number. Words written? In comparison to those who haven't, it's a very small number. So I say again...In comparison to those who haven't used props in the last 5-10 years, those who have are in the definite and considerable minority.

In drum corps at least, I don't think props are all that much of an issue. How many corps actually use them? In comparison to those who don't, it's really not all that many. And like someone else here said, if they're used with the right amount of care and forethought, they can do a very good job of enhancing a show. SCV made a living out of it in the mid/late 80's.

I think the new Yammie tubas have a 20" bell.

Where did you come up with that number?? Not true.

...like the Olympics did with the Cadets in 1996 during their closing ceremonies performance. No rifles or sabres (mock weaponry) allowed. For the chance to perform in front of 80,000 people live and over a billion worldwide on TV, I'd say it was a worthwhile sacrifice.

It totally was the multi-key rule allowance in 2000. Simply calling them what they are.

Just so you know, EVERY corps in the top 12 arranges their music (to an extent) to accomodate something in the drill. Phrases will be extended, or manipulated from its original idea to help create a visual effect. The Cavaliers, contrary to popular belief, do NOT write their drill first and then write the music to fit the drill. They do what everyone else does...the brass and percussion arrangers sit down with the visual designer during the winter and they sketch out how the show will be paced, what kinds of visual and musical impacts will take place, and plot out a course to best make that happen. And like every other corps out there, the visual designer makes his comments that will help shape the musical program to coordinate with what's going on visually. Yes, the Cavaliers have had an unbelievable visual program in the last several years. However, it is the coordination of their musical and visual programs that has really pushed them over the top.

How about this one? And this was taken at DCI Finals in 2000. (yikes!) http://www.geocities.com/rmcbell82/finals.html

If you don't make it at Phantom, march somewhere else. It's cool that you really want to march there, but there are tons of corps out there who will be looking for members and there is unbelievably valuable experience to be gained. And who knows? Maybe you'll find a place that you really enjoy and you'll want to stay and make that your home. Or maybe you'll use that experience and make a go for Phantom in 2004. Point is...if you're eligible to march, you have the resources to march, and you want to march, then MARCH!