t-mac

Not to be "that guy", but De Meij did not write the music for Lord of the Rings. His piece is based on the books. Howard Shore wrote the music for the movie.

When in the show is this? (and when did they add it?)

Too funny not to BUMP

OK, some really good explanations. Most of what I've seen so far has been on Youtube videos, so alot of the smaller details are probably lost due to cameras being so far away. Thanks for the insights. By the way, I ALSO like to have my mind blown by amazing brass, percussion, and guard work. I just really like knowing what the designers are going for also.

(crickets) Come on,...NOBODY?!?

(crickets) Come on,...NOBODY?!?

OK, first off, let me say that I really LOVE Crown's show this year. The first 3 1/2 minutes (not counting preshow) or so is just dynamite! I love everything from Fanfare to the end, and really dig the fast part in the third section with all the multiple tongueing. I get the whole "superhuman" individual effort/joining together for the common good idea, but I'm just not quite sure what is supposed to be going on during the part about 3 1/2 min in where the whistles and sound effects and cartwheels and stuff leads up to the collapsing hornline and guard member being launched into the air then the hornline being "knocked down" leading up to the mello feature section (that's gotta be one of the worst constructed sentances in history). Can anybody give me a little insight? That section just seems to lose me a bit, and I want to LOVE every minute of this show.

Yeah, I know the music in that section is from "Dreams", I just thought it was very appropos in it's similarities. I tell ya, I don't think I've ever heard any source music that is more "drum corps ready" than this. I'm so glad to hear that the crowds and the judges are likin' what they're hearin'.

It's about 6 1/2 min in when the rifles are doing their unison work up front while the corps is playing the triplet runs that sound like the old Batman TV series "scene change" music. It may just be coincidental, but it sort of looks like (><) . When is the "stick figure"?

Okay, I hope someone can help me out with this. It seems as though in addition to the superman shield, Crown also forms the X for X men, and also the Batman symbol. Is this right? are there other significant symbols that I should look out for? Also, does anyone else hear the triplet figure with the unison rifle work (about four minutes into the show) that sounds eerily similar to the old TV Batman scene change music? I wonder if this is intentional or just coincidental.

That was their "Bill Chase" show right? I swear, I'd love to see what a corps like Blue Devils or Scouts (someone who has a history for screamers) could do with a "Chase" show. I know it's probably not complex enough musically to score well today, but dang it sure would be FUN!

I plan on being there (it being 1/2 mile from my house, it would be rediculous if I didn't). I know that the gates open at 7:00, but does anyone have an idea about what time they will actually do the run-thru? I haven't seen any of the last 4 min or so of the show (only up through Fanfare). I can't wait to see how they are ending it after such an awesome beginning.

No takers huh?

Agreed!

OK, first off this is not inteneded to be a Drum Corps vs. Marching Band debate (in the one's better, no it's not, yes it is, your Mama!... sort of way). I was just thinking about the way the DCI/BOA discussion has been presented in the past and it hit me that a different approach might be refreshing. I've heard it asked many times before, "How would ______________ BOA winner (pick a year) fare if they competed in DCI? I propose a different way of looking at it (and please let's mainly hear from those who have been to championship events for both DCI and BOA). Let's take this past year for instance.... Assuming that there isn't a penalty in BOA that would prohibit an all brass hornline, how far "down" would you be able to go in the list of DCI finalists/semi-finalists, etc. before you would find a show that would NOT have been able to win BOA Nationals? Debate (but please keep it civil)

Wow! I was at the Sat. runthru, and if that was low energy, then this show is really going to blow people away. Fanfare for the Common Man is everything you would expect it to be. I kinda figured it would play a part in the "pre-show" music, and it does, along with a nice bit of foreshadowing from the mellos. The opening statement really gets your attention as the corps moves into some very intricate, fast moving drill. In fact, throughout, the opener, there are multiple spots where you would think you were watching the frenetic END of a Cadets or Cavaliers show, except, it doesn't feel derived. Some stuff that you think "Wow!, I don't think I've seen THAT before." The really cool thing is that the music is just as impressive! Runs and multiple tongueing galore (thru all instrument groups). Classic "Crown" impact moments. Solo/small ensemble stuff that is very exposed and very demanding. Music and drill are both a definite step up from anything I've seen from Crown. If they get this puppy clean, watch out! Now what I saw didn't have any of the guard that particular night, and I am sure they will play a big part in some of the more "ethereal" moments that lead up to the full playing of FftCM. Really cool effects with the Bass Drums and Timpani. Video won't do it justice. You've got to see it in person to fully get the effect. I feel pretty confident that this will be one of THE moments of the summer! Nothing fancy, just great brass playing that builds, and builds, and builds and then finally pays off with what you KNOW is coming. I'm really looking forward to seeing what the end of this thing looks like. I strongly encourage anyone who is able to come over to Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs NC on Sunday night for the Dress run-thru. Gates open at 7:00.

Piccolo trumpet maybe

It wasn't my fault, Honest... I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD! Truth be told, I've only been able to get out there for about 10 minutes so far, but what I saw looked good. Some rather intricate drill and crazy playing going on. Can't wait to see more.

Hope to get over for a bit this evening after work. Won't be until after 9:15 or so unfortunately. Will let you know what I can.

Well, I do have a pool and a nice gazebo on our patio where we could listen to evening run-thru's. However, my favorite thing to do used to be when they would rehearse on the upper soccer practice field. My family and I would always take a picnik supper, set up our camp chairs, and watch the sun set behind the mountains as we were being bathed in sonic chocolate (ooo, I like that. Think I'll start using that). Hope to see some of you there.

I gotta say, the thought of hearing that hornline playing "Fanfare for the Common Man" while I'm cooking out on my back deck is pretty exciting. Having listened to the source material I'm really looking forward to seeing and hearing what they do with it. I'm not sure I've ever heard such a "drum corps ready" piece of music. If they can pull it off, Watch out!

Are you KIDDING! I have a hard enough time figuring out how to reset my voice mail on my phone.

OK, how about some VIDEOs, they're allowed now!

WOW! That's worth a "bump" Kid's got some crazy 'chops'