deltabass

That is most likely because the Yamaha tubas are only about 17 lbs. The King 1151 (at least the old model, there's a new model this year) and standard Dynasty tuba (whichever BD uses) both weigh about 30, and Jupiter and Kanstul horns are about 35 (and, yes, they are essentially identical). After a summer of marching King, picking up a Yamaha at the booth at finals was beyond elementary.

Keeping in mind that I could be completely wrong, I think I remember seeing it in their 2007 show too.

Really?!? Have you not seen or heard the 2008 Spartacus? How is this not on more people's lists?

In 2008 and continuing in 2009, Spirit uses Hammond Design mouthpieces for its full brass line.

I actually think there is currently a female member of the brass staff. I know that the Scouts' cymbal tech is a woman.

"Subtlety"

Sensemaya, eh? If they play it as slowly as the '94 Cavaliers that's going to be one boooring movement, and it seems like they might, seeing a how slowly the guy was singing it. It's a great piece, just not for marching, especially because the meter is always mixed and changing. Gotta like that they're having a tuba solo, though.

1151 has almost all of the weight in the front, which makes it a pain to march. It has a pretty good sound, but huge intonation problems (F below the staff is about 30 cents flat when played open, same with first valve C). The kick-slide system doesn't work at all, and the leadpipe curls up, so you get the benefit of re-experiencing all of your spit.

Barker Middle School!

step 1: Get euph step 2: stand there with it in playing position really there's no tricky way around the fact that it's just heavy and very few people have the necessary muscles developed. like most things in drum corps, you just have to do it, not matter how much it sucks. doing pushups/weightlifting isn't too helpful if you go quickly, working for reps. you're trying to build muscles for stability, not explosiveness. if you do do pushups, try doing "breathe-ups," during which you go down for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, up for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, and repeat. you'll be surprised how hard it is to do 5 or 6 of those.

Bloecoats 2006, a contra's elastic band-thingy malfunctions and doesn't wind all the way back up. You can see him trying to manage it throughout the rest of the show, even draping it over his shoulder at one point.

the line is "Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes," from the original film. If you hadn't seen it, "Luca Brasi" wouldn't make any sense.

Equipment moves in time, feet don't. True, I was a little too hyperbolic, but guard members don't have to worry about technique so much, and can kind of just book it.

You also have to realize that spinning in only one facet of being in a world-class colorguard. I've seen guard members have to cover 40 yards in 8 counts, something extremely difficult to do without extra baggage. Having a physically fit auditionee who may have some minor correctable flaws is a more attractive candidate than one who is technically more proficient, but more limited physically. You may be a great concert tubist, but if you can't hold a contra or move at at least 180bpm, you aren't a good candidate for a corps. Physical fitness shows discipline, which is a huge attribute that top-tier corps look for, because you show you are willing to work to improve, and not expect it to happen. Who would you bet on in a footrace, an obese man who endlessly swore he could run faster than anybody, or Usain Bolt? Yes, there is a bias against the overweight in drum corps, but it is for a reason, not just because people are jerks. Personal accountability.

For some odd reason it is very difficult to accept that there are people who can do what you do at a higher level than you. Making excuses may help your ego in the short term, but limits your development in the long run because you will blame your failures on the supposed shortcomings of others rather than accepting your current limitations and pushing yourself to compensate for those shortcoming, and as a result improving yourself. Stop whining, get better, and prove those naysayers wrong. This is the attitude successful drum and bugle corps are based on, and if you don't agree, then, well, that's probably why you were cut in the first place.

While a little off-topic for "Best and Worst uniforms of 2008," these posts say some very true things. It is amazing how a community can be formed around an activity, and be so out of touch from it. Ask any corps member after a summer why they marched, and I guarantee you that a numerically measurable response will never be heard. People claim to be supporters of this wonderful activity, in which young men and women pour their blood, sweat, tears, and lives into perfecting a product designed for entertainment, and yet they sit on their couches year in and year out defaming and criticizing those who have accomplished something amazing. Reducing something as wonderful as marching in a drum and bugle corps to numbers and opinions is criminal. It's as though someone is looked down upon for finishing a marathon forty minutes behind the lead runner, when the important thing is that THEY JUST COMPLETED A MARATHON. I know fully that this is even MORE off-topic than my leaping-off point, but "innovation" is ruining and 'modernizing' one of the most pure activities today. If you want to fret over numbers, watch professional sports, where individuals are ALWAYS put above the team. Everybody knows who was the quarterback was on last year's super-bowl winning team. Who knows the name of Phantom's mello soloist? Very few. Don't focus on individuals, don't look down on any corps. You may consider yourself a fan, but comments such as "I don't see the Colts doing anything this year," or "Corps A is a sinking ship, GO CAVIES!!!" are contributing, albeit indirectly, to the demise of beauty. Do not underestimate the power of public opinion. Everyone deserves a rousing standing ovation during finals week, regardless of what numerical value a small group of individuals allots them.

Marked down from $19 to $19!!!

Orlando. Not necessarily awful, just odd because of all the random sand. And Lucas Oil. I don't think I've ever seen that many marchers fall in one day, and I felt some odd resistance through the "grass" that shouldn't be there on turf. Possible preview of things to come? Maybe, but that goes on a long list of things that make that place far from ideal for finals. As far as best, I'd go for any field with the original astroturf. Also, the Columbus Crew stadium is the best natural field to march on because it is kept so short.

The balance may have been thrown off with possibly more intense and loud percussion parts, and the mike may have gone crazy, and the mixer didn't notice to fix that. there are a lot of balance issues on the recordings this year.

Funny, a lot of people are mentioning 05 Cadets, but not 02 Bluecoats, which was the same piece. I guess a 99.15 will do that.

Nice job blowing your 'cover'. I wouldn't believe too much of what I hear at camps, because most of it's from people who probably like fabricating things to make it appear as though they're "in the know." Some of the gems I heard at camps last year were that the Cavaliers were going to be using "Korean Folk Song" for their show based on Japanese warriors, and also that Spirit was going to do a Shostakovich-based show.

I want to see "Variations on 4:33"

Wow. Thank you for such a wonderful compliment.

85 Cadets 98 Cavies (Dance Movements) 02 Bluecoats/05 Cadets (Same source material) 05 Crown 06 Phantom 08 Bluecoats

besides the fact that the bluecoats used it this year and got a great crowd response?