Scottishfan

As someone from overseas, I can't always watch live, but was able to watch a few days later "on demand". I haven't noticed so far, but is that still going to be available? (Although as a sad drumcorps geek, I did actually watch live several times last year.)

Does this make BD no more than a feeder corps?

Unfortunately there are no drum and bugle corps in Scotland anymore. I am, however, a member of the Blue Barons minicorps and we are looking to display our wares early next year. As for links, I am not that great on the tech side of things I suggest videos uploaded by TheP01nt for a selection of corps and bands and jaguar4200 for my corps in the eighties. The best option might be on the DailyMotion video site, where karel-willem jaarsveld has a great selection of videos from the eighties and beyond. If you go into any of their videos, then a plethora of other vids will be suggested. Remember that drum corps was always a weekend activity and the average age of most corps was in the mid teens. Fill yer boots and enjoy.

Drum Corps United Kingdom actually had their first season in 1980. In the mid eighties there were anything up to 40 corps in the UK alone and a large number in Holland also. Many corps had 80 or more members and some had over a hundred. DCUK Prelims and Finals was a massive all day affair and the activity was truly thriving. There are some old videos on YouTube that could prove interesting from those days and into the 1990s, for those wanting to see more. Most of those corps evolved from traditional British style marching bands or Boys' Brigade and Scout organisations, including my own. As freakyswotboy said, there was no tradition of high school bands at all in Britain but there were several corps "hotbeds" where we all clamoured for the latest news, videos and albums. I am disappointed at the size of the activity here nowadays but am now back involved in a mini-corps myself and while the joints may struggle, the enthusiasm does not, and that seemed to apply to many in Kerkrade last night. I applaud the efforts of all involved.

Cappy, I rarely feign ignorance, because I am more than capable of achieving the real deal. Like you though, I thought they were really good and a step up from the last couple of seasons.

At the start of the season I remember a lot of posts about how little Crown's brass was actually playing and that the percussion was being given more focus. As a brass guy, I thought that Crown's drumline (esp. battery) were really good, but there was so much amazing writing and performing by others that they didn't move up the standings.

Thanks for the heads-up quietcity. For my needs the normal files can probably suffice.

I agree that BD will win and deserve to, but if anyone has a shot at them I think it would be Bluecoats. This is purely based on the frequent comments about how clean Cadets are in their feet already and conversely how Bloo still have a lot of dirt to get rid of. I think that it would take a miracle to clean that much in a week, and see Devils winning by about 1.2 - 1.5 on Saturday.

Hi peeps. Just a wee question from Glasgow. I was looking on FN and at APDs of Atlanta in particular and noticed that there are audio files and "lossless" audio files which are $5 more expensive for the bundle. Is there a distinct difference in quality of these files, which justify the extra cost? I bought the APDs from Indy last year and loved them and I am planning on doing the same this year. I would appreciate the advice. By the way. WHAT A GREAT SEASON IT HAS BEEN. Congratulations to all the performers on such magical shows and great performances.

Does in Glasgow. lol Usually summer is a Tuesday over here.

Kinda screws up my watching tonight on the fan network. Oh well, I'll watch On Demand later. Hope all corps have a great but safe show. (It's 23:00 already over here, BST)

I asked last year I think, but did not get a reply, but what would the chances be of it being shown in a small number of overseas cinemas. In the UK alone. I can think of 5 or 6 areas where drum corps has been popular and would attract a good audience. Off of the top of my head I would say Glasgow, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Birmingham and London. I don't see how it would be technically that difficult given that it is done across the US. The time difference may be an obstacle, but a 5 or 6 hour delay of broadcast would sort that out. This is just the dream of someone not likely to make it to Indy in the next couple of years.

Obviously the "7" have been keeping their powder dry and making sure they were prepared for this announcement. They now feel emboldened to make the move they had planned 3 years ago while the DCI community hoped that the activity would re-invigorate somehow. Teal and Glassmen among others have made them need to move.

Hi Linda, the stadium is Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. It actually hosted the athletics events for both the 1970 and 1986 Commonwealth Games. It is still there, in the east of the city. I remember marching there in 1981 at a marching band competition. One nice-ish stand, the rest, not so.

I've made a Faustian pact to take you on a Harmonic Journey that will leave you totally On Air gazing Into The Light.

I wonder if there would be any chance of the broadcast being fed overseas, or even a delayed broadcast (which admittedly rules out the "live" bit)? In the UK, for example, there is a history of drum corps back to the late 1970's and in Glasgow alone, hundreds and hundreds of kids marched corps. These legacy fans, along with those still active in the activity would, I think, jump at the chance to watch the broadcast. Even a few, small 100 seat theatres (UK spelling), around the country would do, but I think the appetite would be there for it. I don't know if there are technical problems in doing it trans-atlantically (ooh err), but I would not think these insurmountable. Just the thoughts of someone 4000 miles from Indianapolis.

True Tony, True. But we had an average age of 16 or so and most of the corps members were still at school or just left. We only rehearsed 2-3 times a week and did it pretty #### well. I remember the Madison show in Luton and seeing their guys giving us a hell of a cheer at the end of the opener. (It's on YouTube - 3rd Glasgow BB 1988 for those interested) Back on topic. It's hard to judge the quality of the up close and personal execution from the video of the Concert in the Park, but there weren't too many standout problems and I thought there was some good intensity. I would say I thought it appeared to be up a notch from this time last year and has loads of room to grow and develop. If the comments about the visual side of things are correct than this looks like a really good package from Regiment, irrespective of competitive position.

LOVE IT!!! Got to play the mello in 1988 with 3rd Glasgow BB in the UK, when we did the whole chart of the opener with only 26 brass. Phantastic piece of arranging. Still gives me tingles.

In the "small world" category, my uncle is over visiting from Scarborough just now. By the way, the bandstand is still there and is the centrepiece for the Edinburgh New Year celebrations. Would love to hear a drum corps playing from there.

Hi Linda, The photo of the corps in the long line in Europe is in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens, in Scotland. The Gardens are slap bang in the middle of the city centre and Edinburgh Castle is up out of the photo on the left. The photo of the corps playing in the bandstand is also taken there. My guess is you were heading to the bandstand in the first picture. Hope this sparks some happy memories.

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RIP Marty. A very sad day for his family and the wider drum corps family. He came across to Scotland in the mid 80's ('86 I think) to teach our drum line. They never shut up about how great he was. God bless.

Ehhh. 1.80 Mike. Not 0.80. Yours, the peasant pedant

Love your history

CORPS HAVE DRUMS AND GUARD????!!??