acolli17

I won't argue your indefensible claim. What I will argue though is that every corps in DCI believes that the negatives of having no amps far outweigh the negatives of having an amp'd pit (and yes I do mean every corps. Unless some group is still going without mics). This also applies to next comment you had about the cop-out. I assume that the staff's of each corps found that it was more advantageous to have a slightly distorted sound (so slightly distorted that I wager that no more than five or ten people at any given show - other than volume from sitting too close - would complain that the sound was distorted) than have their members "bang their instruments senselessly" I would also wager that amplification can greatly reduce the risk of injury. Just as marching shoes have improved, and drum carriers have improved, the use of amplification allows for an alteration in technique that allows the player to play with a more concert-esque, injury-friendly technique. "As if even a momentary tacit from any of their ten 4-mallet-wielding keyboardists would risk disqualification." - It just seems apparent to me that you're simply not a fan of the pit. Sorry if that is a gross misunderstanding And obviously this is my opinion, as is most of what we are both saying, but I find that even without the pit "blaring" at me from the front several rows, sitting in front doesn't give me quite the same effect as when I'm sitting higher up. Given that every member is told to "point their bells to the box", I find that I get a better, more balanced sound sitting higher up, and that includes even when the pit is playing. Of course, this is what I guess one could consider "my cup of tea."

Wait, are you saying amps distort the timbre of the instruments? That's odd, that seems counter-productive to what everyone was trying to accomplish when they started using amplification. I also wouldn't call it a cop-out, and I bet the thousand-or-so pit members that have performed since 2004 (including myself) wouldn't respond to that claim too warmly. My pit tech in 2008 was in Phantom '03 and '04 and I recall him talking about how dangerous it was to do that. And this was still when four or five marimbas were playing the same thing, they couldn't be heard with anything but a (leaning on dangerous) technique. There's enough carpal tunnel, and tendonitis in pits now, even with the inclusion of amps. Besides, you could not have had many of the moments that we've had since 2004 without amps. Imagine Crown's ballad in 2008 without amps, there's no way that you would have been able to hear the solo vibraphone with much clarity, especially in large stadiums like Indiana University's that year. You also wouldn't have been able to achieve the same tone quality with any other instrument utilized in drum corps. I would consider their show one of the more memorable of the decade, and without an amp, that moment wouldn't have worked. The entire summer is spent trying to balance the pit volume with brass. And, at least in my experience, the staff takes audience size in to consideration - bigger stadium, more volume - better balance up near the box. That's why they've recently incorporated the rule that the staff member running the soundboard could be on the phone with someone in the audience, because they wanted to find the best balance in the shortest amount of time possible. Besides, when have you ever gone to a show and said "ooh, let's sit closer to the sideline, it's better down there?"

Please tell me their show has the "Ligeti Etude" of the same title -

I do apologize for the misleading in my post. I regrettably admit that it was quite the long winded way for me to say this: If it works, then I have no problem with it. I don't think we should assume the implementation of vocals/singing will be bad until we hear it. Once again I apologize for the confusion.

A few months ago I would have agreed with you. Then on of my friends showed me a video from BOA Grand Nationals, the group from Tarpon Springs High School with their show "Paranormal", and it completely changed my opinion on how marching shows should be done. Just a few bullet points of information: - It starts with synth - The first instrument you hear is an amplified Soprano Sax solo. - Props run rampant across the entire field - Sound effects are everywhere - Vocals are constant - There's an amplified clarinet solo about 2/3 the way through We got done watching the video (on that one site... you know....), and my friend turned to me and said "now did you notice anything different?" I said no, I was too busy noticing how incredible their performance was and how awesome the show was as a whole. I was floored and went back to watch again after he said "did you notice there wasn't a drumline? All the percussion was either front ensemble or the electronics." So was I angry? No. Their show wasn't missing anything. At least not from an objective, purely entertainment-based perspective. Did I immediately think "oh they should have had a drumline?" At first yes. But then I thought about it some more... But that's another topic entirely. Now I know this doesn't immediately touch on the singing. But what I'm pressing is more so that I don't believe that it matters how anyone gets their point across, so long as they do it well. If the Cadets are going to use a vocal major for various parts of the show, as long as it's done tastefully and shows respect to the source material, then more power to them. And don't go all "they're not going to do it tastefully" on me. I know what things have been like in the past. I may only be 21, but I've followed drum corps my whole life. I know what they have done, and I also know what they can do. And what they can potentially do means a whole lot more to me than the past. Bottom line - I love the source music, having performed it this past semester with the wind symphony I'm in. I'm excited for the Cadets to do this particular Ticheli because they always do well with Ticheli pieces. If the summer comes and I hate what they're doing then, then I'll hate it. But not until then. Everyone hated 2006, and the Cadets know that. So maybe they'll learn from their mistakes. Let's wait to pass judgement until there's evidence for it being bad.

In December of 2008, I got my mom a t-shirt from the cadets that said "2009 Cadets - Lenny"

Haha, definitely high on my favorite drum corps people too. Great guy, I wonder why he's not doin' it anymore.

I don't think Cadets have necessarily gone deep the last two years, especially last year. And please spell Copland's last name right. Although Copeland does have a recent album out, titled "You Are My Sunshine", they are also the indie-alternative trio from Florida. Bit of a difference, I believe.

Do you mean Dean? I mean, I know there are different opinions, but I don't think anyone thought his arranging was that bad.

So what would have been done if the exact same incident had happened to a group that didn't make it past quarters? They can't edit in the semi's or finals performance, so would they keep it in?

Ok, again let me reiterate. This is my opinion. My opinion is that part of my summer is a little tarnished now that I can't see the audio and video synced. I don't really care about intellectual property, it's not my job as the performer of the show to care about it, nor have I even touched on the subject prior to making this statement. And furthermore, I never even said I don't respect the intellectual property. I'm talking about myself, and my opinions on how things have played out. I never even placed blame on anyone. You're trying to force your opinion on someone (me) who honestly doesn't care what your opinion is. No offense. So I would really appreciate it if you got off my back about it. Thanks for your concern.

Ummmm... wasn't talking about that at all. I was saying that it sucks that that's the way that it is.

It's unfortunate, because the parts that are cut form the skeleton for the show. "Wanted, dead or alive" is obviously the theme, and the parts that portray that the most now have no audio. From a personal standpoint, it really sucks for myself, along with the 10 other pit members from this year's Troopit, because two of our features are now cut from being heard. What will really truly be an absolute miserable change is if they took out the trumpet solo leading in to the last big impact. After all, that is the "dead or aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa........", then the brass come in to finish it. I will be truly upset if they took that out.

Design Team William Chumley - Program/Staff Coordinator David Reeves - Musical Arranger Nick Benson - Visual Design Adam Oswald - Visual Design Percussion Team Arranger - David Reeves Caption Head - Kevin Welborn Brass Team Caption Head: Kyle Thompson Color Guard Team Designer/Caption Head: Karen Prince Visual Team Designer/Caption Head: Nick Benson So what happened to Dean/Ralph/Gordon/Mitch/Dan? I know they left, but anyone know why? Looks like they need another pit tech... Looks like I'm applying for a job this summer... ...jk...

Oh, ok. I know the 79 story well, but only from the perspective of a Trooper. I didn't even know who they jumped to make it in to finals, who were the other three corps? It's an inspiring story to those of us marching, but I guess I can see how it's a figurative slap in the face to other people.

To be completely honest, I have no idea what this has to do with anything. I marched Troopers this past summer, and we were totally cool with Crossmen. In fact we were completely ok with Glassmen, Colts, and Academy, Blue Knights, and Madison.

Did you read the posts that followed? "Don't go by the website. Last years staff page has been up and down three times that I know of since Mitch Rogers announced on his facebook (five weeks ago now) that he was out and the rest of the design staff followed." "The website is as up to date as possible - although I will admit now that a small problem with FTP transfers was uploading old copies of page files for the last 3 weeks - that problem went unnoticed. Thats' been cleaned up." I was wrong. It happens.

I didn't want to say anything, but I do know of individual brass staff members that aren't going back, but are still listed. I truly hope Dean stays. He was one of the main reasons I went back there.

Not necessarily completely in line with the original topic, but I couldn't find the "staff changes" thread, so I'm putting it in the next most relevant thread. 2011 Staff: Music Director: Ralph Hardimon Program Consultant: Gordon Henderson Program Coordinator / Brass Arranger: Dean Westman Percussion Arranger: David Reeves Percussion Consultant: Jeff Queen Visual Design: Mitch Rogers Visual Coordinator: Dan Wiles Percussion Caption Head: Kevin Welborn Brass Caption Head: Kyle Thompson Guard Caption Head: Karen Prince Visual Caption Head: Nick Benson Now, I feel like this isn't a completely updated list, considering it's an exact copy of last years staff, but this is directly from the Troopers' website. It's also a change from their site saying that the 2011 staff would be announced soon, so I can't help but believe this is the staff.

I'm not trying to call you out on anything, but did you read the article? It says the president is also pushing to get better, higher quality teachers. Keep the good ones, help the bad ones be better, and if they don't get better, then they need to be taken out.

There's a clarinet duet called 'Perpetual Motion'. That seems like an aptly fitting title to me ( ).

Good call, but notice I never said that what George was doing was right, nor do I agree with his actions.

Hey, how come no one has mentioned BD? I mean it's been what, 2 weeks since their last championship? Guys, I think they're the ones we need to worry about, I think they're heading in to some rough weather...

*Sigh* I promised I wouldn't get back on here after tour/aging out. Oops... Drum Corps is far from dead. I admit my ignorance when I say that I read very little of this thread, but I feel that it isn't needed. Drum Corps is thriving, at least in the eyes of the performers. I just aged out after marching my second year with the Troopers and I can say that at no point during the season did I feel any lack of support for both the corps and the activity as a whole. Some call it a tear from the activity, some call it a bastardization of what once was, some even consider it marching band. Of course everything evolves. Look at music in general. You can't tell me some die-hard Mozart fans weren't ###### off when they heard Beethoven's 3rd, stating "This isn't what music is supposed to sound like". But I can say without a shred of doubt in my mind that the family that I grew to love and cherish this summer is something that has stayed a standard of DCI since its inception. And that is the most important aspect of all. I understand the concern. We're on the edge of a major overhaul, I don't think anyone will deny that. But who's to say that's an entirely bad thing? Of course I, along with almost everyone else I know, want to see the activity stay where it is, I love the format that it's taken on and is in the current state of. But there are some things that are going to change, it's just inevitable. How's that saying go - "The only constant in life is change"? People criticize many things - the show design, the uniforms, the musical selections, the difficulty of the drill - all of that, and yet the staff of each of these corps continue to push their members in the same direction, and here's why - the MEMBERS ENJOY IT. My friends at Cadets will tell you they had fun with their show, as will the friends who marched Coats, Crown, SCV, Glassmen, Academy, and Pioneer. And there's a reason I have the crossed sabers with HLD in front of it tattooed on my left shoulder blade. I'm willing to put money down that it's more about the kids than ever. At least that's what it's like in the organization that I grew up in. And if it's not consistent across the board, then that's something each individual will have to deal with, but I firmly believe that every director of a world class corps is doing it for their members and the salvation of the activity. Even the dreaded George Hopkins stated that he wants to change the activity because that's how he believes it will survive. Drum Corps is not dying. The drum corps that individuals know it to be may no longer be there, but at the heart of every group lies the same qualities and expectations that have always been. And that's what is keeping drum corps alive.