Stick Stack

The confetti during retreat was pretty sweet!

Ok, I appreciate the opinion but starting two topics and a post that say the same thing maybe isn't the best choice to get it out there.... I responded to one of them about Sacred Heart and Flanagan. Now to some of the others... WGI is not rigged. SCV's book was not the easiest in the top 15, that's just a blatant exaggeration. Nothing sounds fishy about Nei losing a medal that they never had in the first place, because placements change from show to show just as judges do with different subjective tastes and understandings. Nei was great Saturday night by the way. They are also not the first guard that had a great show but did not medal. Nei should be proud of their accomplishments of a great show and should know that a 3rd place finish in prelims and a 4th place finish at finals in Independent World was the envy of probably just about every guard below them. Their members probably already know this. WGI, an organization, hasn't lost it's mind because it's not a person. The people within it, however, are hard workers that are striving for excellence because they LOVE this activity, otherwise they wouldn't bother. The consistency of judging seems to be an issue for many people. I imagine they will address this.

As much as I didn't like Sacred Heart's show, I think calling them an A guard is unfounded. Their strong training was very evident, and they were certainly not doing A class work as you would suggest. I did, however, see Fahrenheit's show from the side and thought that they were wonderful! They had a great prelims run and I would have had them higher! (At least in 15th)

Thanks! Go Amichi...! I got to see their show and I really liked it! Double turn around ripples, lots of use of the Pride guys spinning together, some integratiion with them and duets with the Aimachi girls. I really like how they made it much like a more seperated feature of the guys rather than a complete integration. Didn't get to see the show from the front though.

Yeah, also, that might have just not been a good run for Corona. It's easy to pick apart since that run has been immortalized on the Fan Network, but it could be just be one of those shows. I watched their first show on there and it's not nearly as droptastic. If you watch Crown Guard from their recent performance, one would probably think that their show would need to be watered down too, but yet again, their other regional finals performance was wonderful, so one viewing of the show can be deceiving. While it might be easy to look at that one run and say make it easier, it is also apparent that these performers CAN pull off their show. And if they do when it matters, it will be really exciting, something really worth seeing.

That's funny, because in every world guard I've marched in there have been a few members who spin very little flag in the show, much less rifle and sabre. They're always great dancers though, and CAN spin flag well. Sometimes, there are also performers who simply prefer to spin flag an entire show and never touch a weapon. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I see seven's from a section of the guard as kind of a required move in world class nowadays, at least on rifle. Kind of gives the judges something to compare one group to the next. Why does it stop at seven's though? If you can achieve a seven consistently, an eight's only so far off. I honestly think that sometimes, people just can't tell enough of a difference for it to matter enough. My ideal world class vocabulary, would be something that challenges the members beyond what they think they can be able to do-spin faster, toss higher, spin with more finesse, spin with more control, filling and connecting each movement seamlessly with a high level of professionalism. Corona does an excellent job of challenging their performers, and I really appreciate their style. I also don't think they're the only ones who are taking this approach though, it's out there if you look for it. I would like to see world class guards continue to challenge their members in all aspects of performance- I guess as an example from last year- Pride challenged their members by performing a show that was very delicate and sensitive. Alright, maybe not the dance movement, but the weapon work and flag statements were very tasteful and not written to hit the audience over the head with how many skills they could do in 5 seconds. Different kind of challenge, but challenge none the less.

Ahhh, spoken like a true critic! Perhaps the issue then is that the audience is not critical enough. In the end, though, I guess judges will reward accordingly.

I shall try to answer your rhetorical question! Perhaps because it's performed at a level that makes it more than the sum of it's parts? Perhaps the audience just loves color guard? Perhaps that audience does not properly stop to consider the class and it's expected appropriate skill set before rewarding the soloist accordingly? (Or unaccordingly I suppose) Or, simply, perhaps the performer was a guy and the audience is full of high school girls. Put two and two together, and bam, screamtastic. (See also Northern Lights, Cavaliers) Ahh, I see you made it more difficult for me, changing it from open class skills to A class skills. I don't know, perhaps an example of this phenomenon would help? More investigation needed on my part. These days, anyways, I've seen A class soloists tossing 6's with turn arounds. So, is that what was meant, or did I just completely misunderstand?!

Sorry, it took me a long time to respond to this! To me, there is so much out there other than Pride and Fantasia. They are as everyone knows two excellent guards that will be missed, but with them gone, it makes me wonder who will rise up to take their place. I think even the judges are asking themselves that question, with many of the top guards in IW scoring in that early 80's range. It's exciting to watch on the Fan Network World guards seizing that opportunity that has risen in their absence. That, plus Scholastic World, and really all classes have fascinating shows to watch with talented performers throughout if I take the time to look through the onslaught of shows. I personally love all levels of color guard, so I suppose the Fan Network is great for me, being, well, a fan of course! Anyone with me on this?

I was watching the Fan Network and noticed that South Shore competed in Open class at Nashville. I love watching their shows! Some highlights included an awesome dance feature, toss-turn arounds turning with a chair, double rifles, and... At the end, one guy does I think a back-handspring and then a forward roll under a toss, then precedes to break his rifle in half. Meanwhile, a guy next to him does about 4 turn arounds, which is funny because the last one is painfully slow. This was followed by a well deserved audience response. This show has some must see stunts! They received 3rd place behind Nothgate Independent and Capella. Those who have the fan Network, I'm sure there are plenty of people here who have it, what are some of your other favorite shows you've seen on-line? I'd love to see more discussion on here about everyone's shows since there is such a great resource for watching WGI now!

Good advice I always hear regarding solos... Try and use all of the space, every corner of the floor. Make sure transitions are thought out. (Is there a reason, or is it at least smooth and connected?) Maybe consider breaking it up with a different flag for a different verse or part of the song, if it is longer. Keeping the motif (of heaviness, or lightness...playing with weight) isn't a bad idea, throwing it in every once in a while. (Especially on Flag as well as movement) Lastly, is there variety? Variety of body facings, release points, body and equipment efforts, playing with time, phrasing...These all help. Of course, it's the person's solo, so it's kind of their vision. There's nothing wrong with some good old fashioned mentoring and guidance though.

I say spin a broom. Real easy to see if you're twisting it that way! If done correctly, you would only see one side of it. If done incorrectly, it would revolve as you turn it. This is how I learned to stop rolling up the flag.

I THINK I understand your question! The instructor is probably emphasizing the up and down motion of the flag. Can't tell exactly what spin they're doing but in general, you want to stay in the spin spot with both of your hands. I think that's the origin you are talking about. The reason why her hands are moving up and down is because she is seperating her hands. She might be doing that to get further down the pole so she can spin out of the silk. In general, though, I would recommend grabbing with as little space between your hands as possible.

I can't remember which thread, but I thought I read here that they were continuing an old tradition of a game played at retreat that involved seeing which bass line could hold out on the field the longest. This would explain it the best, although I am still holding stock on the "White Pants" theory.

Probably right about the whole purple/red capes thing. My guess is they probably wikipedia'd it, got the wrong information, OR said, "Well, Phantom's known for the red, so let's go with red for the Emperor." An artistic license if you will! Did your history buff friend go see the movie 300 with you? In regards to color guard equipment, I believe there needs to be a suspension of disbelief going on?! Color guard members are trained on particular pieces of equipment, and it's harder to learn new pieces of equipment (Like giant swords in Spartacus, Scimitars for Scherazade, lightning bolts for Crown's show in 02) Some of the technique transfers, some does not. It is harder to look for a theme that would call for rifle, sabre, and flag, and so instead designers in a sense ask the audience to overlook this in a way. Other shows that I can think of where the equipment doesn't really make sense- Planet X, or really any Planet show - Sabres in space? Niagra Falls - Are weapons really even allowed there? Bluecoats - When's the last time you ever saw a boxer with any piece of color guard equipment? Cavaliers 05 - Shouldn't Firemen carry axes? Phantom 07 - Birds with weapons in their hands, quite a sight. The list could go much further on. The point is, color guard and many theatrical events fall under the artistic side of drum corps. They are an abstraction of a concept in a non-literal sense. The only problem is, it is a little more noticeable in a show that is more literal in theme. (Boxer shows about boxers, samurai shows about samurais, Spartacus shows about Spartaci)Shows that are more abstract in theme like most Blue Devils shows are a little harder to criticize because they are also abstract, like "Constantly risking absurdity" or "Winged Victory", which provide imagery which is less direct than the others mentioned. I actually thought the Cavaliers could have done a cool direction though to get rifles in and have it make complete sense. They could have gone through the period when Samurai's started to be taken over by the modern technology and Westernization of Japan ala "The Last Samurai". There were rifles then and it would have made sense from a literal and historical standpoint. Oh, and whomever said that the music didn't sound Japanese because of the instrumentation, I agree. They used the instrumentation they could to provide the sounds that they could, but there aren't many brass sounds in Japan other than over in DCJ! Just be glad they didn't go all J-pop on us!

I would think Bluecoats would be a strange pick. Most of the staff on Bluecoats now taught at Phantom and migrated to Bluecoats for whatever reason. However, I don't think he would go the same direction...unless maybe Bluecoats and Phantom switched guard staff completely? When Sagemaster was released from SCV, it was under the direction of Rick Valenzuela. Now that Phantom is under the direction of Valenzuela, I figured it was going to be inevitable. Although, this is assuming it was his doing, which is perhaps assuming too much. Best wishes, and good luck Adam. P.S. I'm assuming this affects Phantom's winterguard as well, right?

The one exposed toss I noticed was in the Cavaliers, the duet where the two are in the box catching towards each other. That is VERY exposed. Big drops? hmm... I can think of a few huge ones I've dropped before! Gulp! One I've seen though that was a big drop was in Magic 02 at Finals. The drop caused the guy to be late to picking up drum equipment, the tenor line was backmarching and one of the the tenors toppled over the equipment before he could get it out of the way. The drummer was out for quite a bit on the ground, but got a big ovation when he got up and kept going!

One word - Edutainment!

So, in essence, never make a deal with the devil, especially in a drum corps show. He'll always come back in the 3rd movement to haunt you. (With Power Chords!!!) Margaritte's pure heart and the love she shared protected her from descending to the underworld. The devil probably killed her because he was either resentful of the two, or jealous because he cannot experience love. (Or like I said, loves an excuse for some good Power Chords!) In the end, Faust celebrates in a symbolic victory of breaking free of the devil's clutches, and runs off to chase Margarite. She flys off, not to be seen until the begining of On Air, and the Devil moves on to more schemes, such as messing with Phantom's Chevron formation and stealing another soul.

Wierd! It just so happens I was conducting our closer, everything's working out great and the show's on fire, then out of nowhere one of the other Drum Majors stabs me with a spear! 1000's of people in the stands watching and nobody goes to help me, they just stand up and go nuts! Fortunately I was ok because he missed, but I decided to play dead anyways.

Yeah, I wan't factoring in non-champion shows from other years. If I was, Spin Cycle, Blue Devils 04, and Phantom 06 would be somewhere on there in my book. Heck a lot of 2nd places would place pretty well. I rewatched Phantom 06 from the High cam a few days ago. It was to say the least not as good as I had hoped. I would have them behind 00 Cadets. Spin Cycle for me would be behind Cavaliers 08. I need to rewatch Blue Devils 04 but I feel like it's right up there behind Cavs 04. I feel like Cavaliers 06 should be up there because it was really thought out visually and done in such a manner that it didn't need as much heart to pull off as some of the other top shows. (They were machines, they could be flat and emotionless and it would still pretty much work out in the end) I can't really find much wrong with that show.

Here's how I would see it... 1st-2002 Cavaliers 2nd-2005 Cadets 3rd-2006 Cavaliers 4th-2008 Phantom Regiment 5th-2008 Blue Devils 6th-2007 Blue Devils 7th-2000 Cavaliers 8th-2000 Cadets 9th-2004 Cavaliers 10th-2003 Blue Devils 11th-2008 Cavaliers 12-2008 Crown 13th-2001 Cavaliers By score, they would kind of look like this. Scores 2002 Cavaliers 99.15 2005 Cadets 99.15 2003 Blue Devils 98.80 2004 Cavaliers 98.700 2001 Cavaliers 98.350 2008 Phantom 98.125 2008 Blue Devils 98.100 2007 Blue Devils 98.000 2000 Cadets 97.650 2000 Cavaliers 97.650 2008 Cavaliers 97.325 2006 Cavaliers 97.200 2008 Crown 96.800

One thing I noticed was that in 06 when Phantom had some pre-show character, they showed some of the pre-show and edited out a little so they could get more things on there without taking all the time that it took to set it up. Maybe they will do something similar with the trumpet Fanfare and leading the DM onto the field.

Just for the record, I am almost 100% positive that the person who played for over 20 seconds after the cutoff was NOT from BD. It was coming from the right side of the field, and the people around me started looking really confused and awkward. I was pretty embarassed to hear it, to be honest. I didn't listen that deeply to America, but I've been offended from versions before so I just try and appreciate it for the enormous wall of sound that it is. One thing about the Cavaliers is, they are really laid back and love to joke around, especially at retreat. It's the way they've been for quite some time. However, note that it is not the case with the guard! They are well disciplined and always looke very respectful, they get in their files and then give salutes when necessary and that's all. Every year I marched, it was always wierd coming into finals and the moments afterwards. It's an end to such a long process, and people get really carried away, and tend to do a lot of reverting back to a very unclassy nature. It's hard to explain. I always felt that it was a true mark of class that even through finals, even after the uniform is off, even returning home and moving on with life, there was never a time to simply flip a switch and turn it off. I just feel like if I did that, I would be forgetting about all the things I learned in Drum Corps that were most important to me. Edit- For the record, I went back to listen for how long it took before the person actually cut off- Over 2 days- the person is still holding that last note.

I really like the white unis for this show. Plus, I commend the corps that wear white and lots of it. Especially with Phantom knowing that they are getting killed in visual, it's such a Defiant Heart thing to do. Even though most people know about the whole dirt thing and black unis hiding it, they choose NOT to hide. It is interesting to think that the only year they won, they were in all black. Of course, they also produced some less than stellar corps when they wore black. I am Spartacus, so I know these things to be true.