Cron

I don't think it's fair for you to speak on behalf of the entire general public. Has the "general" public ever been drum corps core audience? NEVER. Personally, I find some shows enjoyable and some shows not so much. There is a lot of variety out there.

I've said it before and I'll say it again now; the REAL difference between drum corps and marching band is NOT the instrumentation. In a "nuts and bolts" sense, it is the restricted size of the group. In the performance sense, they will never, EVER be the same. No marching band will ever dedicate their lives to their show and performance the way a junior corps does. Therein lies the difference. Everything else is gravy. The only time a marching band ever practices 8-12 hours a day is maybe at band camp. The only time a corps does that is every day. BIG DIFFERENCE.

Anyone know the schedule for today yet? Want to make sure I leave work with enough time to pick up refreshments, etc. before the Fan Network gets into the top 12. No way I can leave early enough to catch it all sadly.

So, if this has been covered mods, please close my thread. Since the advent of the Fan Network, we've all wanted the option to stream finals. We now have this option for a totally reasonable fee in my opinion. This year, I've been impressed with the video quality (when it works), and audio has been hit or miss at best. Having said that, I know that live-streaming at good quality is no easy task, BUT, I am very reluctant to shell out the extra cash for a finals stream for what promises to be basically a gamble on whether or not it will be watchable. At this point, I'm resigned to watching semis with some friends and waiting for scores on Saturday. I feel like I got my 70$ worth out of this year's offerings because I typically end up watching on-demand versus live, and would be happy to pay the extra for finals if I knew it would go without a hitch, but I'm getting no indication that will be the case after horrible technical difficulties with both the Atlanta regional and the TOC finale. Thoughts?

The only "real" difference is the demand on the performers, the complexity of the end-product and the grueling schedule. Take away our insider perspective and put them in front of a layman and I guarantee, said layman wouldn't even notice, or possibly even know the difference without further explanation...

I'd just like to offer my thoughts on this topic that seems to come up quite often. For starters, I became a DCI fan in the early 90's and era quite different than now, and quite different than those before it. As with any artistic endeavor, change is the ONLY constant. I've found plenty to love from all eras of drum corps for which video is accessible. I'm not here to slam anyone for their opinions, but why the reaction of anger? I know that you may not "get" something or find some of the shows so different from what brought you into drum corps fandom that you just don't like them. The fact remains that despite personal preferences that all of us carry, the members are out there getting the experience of a lifetime and an education in commitment and excellence that can't be found anywhere else. THAT is what we support, or should, despite any personal preferences with respect to entertainment. Though, I'm plenty entertained, for the record. Even if I like some shows over others, there is plenty of variation out there that I'm quite surprised when I hear of someone dismissing their support of the activity as a whole because they are so angry about new artistic directions. Just my thoughts, for what they are worth.

I haven't read through the whole thread, so forgive me if what I say has already been covered. This is solely my interpretation, not from the designers or anything. E=mc2 is obviously Einstein's most famous contribution to science and plays into innovation, risk-taking, discovery, etc. The Einstein thing is covered completely by having "Einstein on the Beach" as a backdrop for the whole program. (All the counting, narration, etc. is from that piece). Hope that helps. Really just an exciting, impacting show to sit back and enjoy.

Yep, just keep cleaning, this show is a great vehicle. Really, the season is just beginning. Now that tour is a couple weeks in, everyone is getting into the routine and settling in. I feel like this is when performances start to really come together.

So true. I wish I could see drum corps with the "oh my god that's impossible" perspective I once had. It's still a thrill but now having marched and being a fan for so long, my eyes and ears are much more critical. Sometimes I wish I could shut it off. But... I'm off topic with the thread here. I certainly agree that BD has created a design "box" that has created new trends in the activity. While I continue to be amazed at their talent and execution, I think this trend reached it's pinnacle with their 2010 show and 2012 was a close second. This year's program just doesn't work as well for me personally as a total package. I just don't see how the source material and program fit this style as well as other programs they've done in this vein. *I do absolutely love the headbanging rock and rollish thing in the opener though. Probably my favorite moment in this year's show. Several folks have said that to turn the tide the next direction in show design will have to be found. I have suggestions, suggestions that include jet packs, lasers and robots. I mean, visual packages have become increasingly more "3d" lets get the members flying, I mean can you imagine dressing intervals in the x, y, and z direction...

I know it. Pumped about purple. Fo' real.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there a good many more multi-cam streams this year as well? Looks like we're getting a bit more value for our buck to me.

I could see maybe doing the theater thing in Indy if you had tickets for the other nights and, as you said wanted a multi-cam experience before seeing everything live, BUT, I'd be more inclined to take that day to wander and hear some warm-ups. Still haven't been to finals week since I was member. Got to remedy that one of these days. This summer doesn't look like a likely candidate. Fan Network and Nighbeat it is...

Yeah, I remember reading about the new schedule somewhere. If I remember right, it basically looked like a large gap between completion of auditions and the next meeting of sections/full corps. Very interested in this Cadets program. Some aggressive musical choices that I think fit them very well.

Cadets used to do the elbow pop for brass players in a slide and also used to roll feet backwards marching. I miss those things about the Cadets. And stripes on the pants, I miss that too. Those are the only ones that spring to mind not already mentioned.

This post got me thinking that food trucks are kind of a hot item these days and maybe a great opportunity for some off-season fund raising. The food truck cook-off idea is great. Here in Charlotte in the NODA area the food trucks circle up every weekend and do really well, and down in Charleston, SC there is a food truck "rodeo" every weekend. I don't see why corps can't use their decked out mobile kitchens for some fund raising/exposure in the off-season.