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ranintothedoor

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    The Cadets 2023

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    BTW...

    When I first saw the props and uniforms, I literally thought, "ALRIGHT CADETS! They're not spending a ton of money on a bunch of extra junk!!! WOOO!"  

    The fiscal conservative inside me ran around in joyous circles throwing cheap handmade confetti for, like, 5 minutes.  

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    The Cadets 2023

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

     

    On 7/12/2023 at 10:47 AM, Rufus67 said:

    ... Just go and enjoy the show for what it is without trying to make it all connected to a larger storyline. Once I let go of that contemporary drum corps became much more enjoyable.

    As a band director, parent, and alum, I must say that this is a great piece of wisdom when it comes enjoying a show.  

    However, I 100% agree that having a unifying concept that ties everything together is probably much more interesting for a judging community, an ensemble, and a staff that live and re-live the show for months on end.    

    As an anecdote, a couple years ago my band kids played Ravel's Pavane for a Dead Princess.  We went through lots of discussions about what each part of the piece might represent (the parents' sorrow, the moment of the child's passing, etc.).  Later on, after they put a ton of work into investing meaning into the music itself, I told them the truth: 

    Quote

    Ravel smiled coyly[, replying to a performer,] and replied, "Do not be surprised, that title has nothing to do with the composition. I simply liked the sound of those words and I put them there, c'est tout".

    They felt cheated and hurt.  Ravel may have been joking, but... ugh.  Gut punch.  

    We then had a great discussion about how the artist and the art can stand separate from each other.  I ruined the piece for them, I think, but it was a huge learning moment.  

    I'm waiting for the day when drum corps just start coming out with "Show #78" and then imbed their own private meanings into their shows... just like they did back before everyone had to have a title.  🙃 lol

     

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    A Modest Proposal

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    On 1/4/2023 at 1:58 AM, Tenoris4Jazz said:

      I might be harsh in saying this, but DCI has gone so far beyond what drum corps was supposed to be that it's coming back to bite them in the ###... and I think they deserve it.  Banks were "too big to fail" back in '07... well, so was Vanguard.

    I hear what you're saying, but if you're talking about what drum corps' roots were (ie, community ensembles that got kids off the streets with great touring and performance opportunities), that has been supplanted by the public school and the school band.  I think that if DCI were to survive, they had to shift to providing "elite" "next level" experience in order to stay relevant.  This worked for a while, but now it's just too expensive. 

    You're right, though.  The business model is breaking down.  DCI needs to consider moving to a different model to stay affloat.   

    The Cadets 2023

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    53 minutes ago, Terri Schehr said:

    I was a charter donor to Cadets2.  Loved the corps. But when Cadets decided to disband them. I told Jim he should get on the phone and try to get their housing site in Williamsport for CT.  He did BTW. So I guess that makes me insensitive. Oh well, I can live with that.  Been called worse. 

    This is a good point. 

    While still a youth activity (which is why we get so emotional about all this, I think), we are all constantly pushing for these groups to run themselves like real, honest-to-goodness businesses.  When a corps makes a shrewd and perhaps aggressive move which will benefit their bottom line (ie, full, talented corps roster), I find a lack of tact easy to forgive.    

    Time to make all electronics part of the performance?

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    1 hour ago, ironlips said:

    An interesting point. What does the member get for $5K tuition?

    - the opportunity to perform for large audiences, on various instruments and implements

    - excellent training which may pay off professionally

    A person could say, "I was a (dancer, synth, trombone...etc.) in a top 12 drum corps". This can lead to some fine future opportunities.

    So, would that not also apply to someone who mixed live sound for  a similarly successful corps for a season or two, at large stadium venues? Would that be worth the tuition?

    Actually, I think kids getting a ba-jillion hours of mixing practice in all types acoustic situations... I'd think this would almost be as good as a taking 9 credits of a music technology minor.  Especially if the kids got to contribute to creating the soundscapes, the work of running the hardware at shows, etc.  

    PLUS>>> the corps would save money!! Hire less staff and more income from members!

    Treat it like another specialized section (guard, drumline, front ensemble, brass... aaaand the sound crew!).  

     

    Time to make all electronics part of the performance?

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Alright, I'll bite.  

    I'm a HS Band Director.  I train my kids to become audio engineers, then they run the live sound.  I run it like an apprenticeship.  I start some kids in my middle school Music Technology class, then pick one or two to work under my high schooler "pro".  They run it together. 

    I also started a non-profit (StreetWise Studios, Inc.) which will one day have the capacity to start this kind of program in schools across America to solve the exact problem the OP presents.   Don't know how we'll get there yet (lol) but one step at a time.  🙂  

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    Finals Scores

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    On 7/27/2022 at 8:13 PM, BlueStainGlass said:

    Well it happened with Phantom in 08 and to be on the field when those scores were announced was crazy energy 

    This, right here, kind of washes everything else away for me in this discussion.  To have the possibility of a Phantom 08, to allow for a magical connection between audience and corps for that one final run... mmmmm.  

    THE CADETS 2022 SHOW

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    3 hours ago, ndrudy2013 said:

    I need to see this show live, I like the first part and last part but they lose my interest in the middle jazzy part but what a difference in the brass line from 2019

    Speaking of the last part... AT 11:57, TO THE LEFT OF THE 50, ON THE CRASH CYMBAL... THAT'S MY KID!!! (well former student... but...)  AAAAA!!! I'm so proud of him!!! 🙂

     

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    Diesel shortages?

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Not only the diesel... we're facing a huge economic collapse a la 2008... but probably more like 1929.

    What do our corps do if this hits while they're on the road? 

    Just hoping the poop misses the fan until after tour finishes.  

    (I know right?... quite cheerful today... lol)

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