lowbrasschick

There are threads upon threads about corps like Cadets, Cavvies, BD, Phantom, etc. And deservingly so! They all are fantastic organizations with amazing shows and a high competitive interest. But what about those often-forgotten corps? Once you get below the top 12, it seems like there is hardly any discussion. So what did you think about 12-25? What shows did you like? Dislike? Who deserved better or worse competitively? Who con't you wait to see next year?

Really dude? I'll give you physical strength. That's just a fact. But saying girls aren't as mentally strong is completely false. We just show fatigue in different ways- oftentimes, guys will "break down" inside their heads, rather than outwardly. Girls sometimes will do it more openly. Drum corps is hard for everybody, and everybody needs a ridiculous amount of physical AND mental strength to get through. Both sexes can march drum corps at the same level. But I would agree with the Cavvies having some of (what I perceive as) the hardest shows and probably some of the fittest members

Bluecoats Jersey Surf Phantom Crown

Aww man, I didn't see that.

Prediction.

I don't think this could ever happen. First off, drum corps has that "nerdy band geek" look to people from the outside; all they see is people marching around a field and are turned off by it. Second, the type of music played isn't mainstream at all; lots of people don't like the brass sound, and I know that most of my friends hate it when a DCI show comes up on my playlist on itunes. It takes a certain type of person to appriciate marching music and drum corps; I think DCI will always be a niche activity for those of us cool enough to actually see the amazing things that go on.

I remember, a couple years ago, seeing the Cavalier's Frameworks on DVD. It was my first experience with drum corps, and though it took me a year or so until I finally realized how awesome it was, now I'm completely hooked. Last year I saw my first live show, and I'll always remember hearing that wall of sound for the first time. It was awesome. This year, seeing Crown was probably the highlight. Merry Christmas to all!

I got all the 2009 DVDs, an air matress, and a DCI shirt and sweatpants :)

Somebody's grumpy... Really, it's just a thread. No need to get so worked up.

Is a square a rectangle? Yes. Do we call squares rectangles? No. We call it something more specific that clearly defines as unique, and even though it's associated with a rectangle, people look at you weird if you see the two right next to each other on a piece of paper, point at them, and say "they're the same thing." Yay analogies.

Phantom '03 was the first drum corps show I heard; my band director showed it to me and I was pretty much in awe. Now, with a couple years of going to/listening to dci shows, I realize it isn't the best visually, and even musically (though I still think their music was great), but it continues to be my favorite show. It really made me think "woah, I want to be a part of something like that someday." Hopefully, this year, I'll be able to make that a reality.

Just curious, since this topic is about range, what should the range of a baritone player be (generally) if I want to try out for a second part? I know that we don't scream or anything, so if I can comfortably hit a high G or A, is that good enough?

Scores, dirtiness, etc. aside, what were your top five (or however many) favorite (most enjoyed) shows this year? Just curious. Was looking at the "Crown as crowd favorite" topic, and was wondering what other people thought were the most fun shows of the year. Mine: 1. Crown- That was just a cool show. I was engaged the whole time, and on further viewings, found it just as fun and interesting. 2. Crossmen- DCI meets Twilight. JUSTKIDDING. I really liked the darkness of the show, and the ballad gave me chills, more than any other corps. 3. Crusaders- Fun, interesting, and different. I liked the hornline's visuals, and the plot of their story. 4. Phantom- I know it wasn't a favorite with most people, and the plot was a little hard to follow, but it sounded awesome and I especially liked the jazz part. 5. Surf- Fun, and easy to follow, since there really wasn't a plot. I liked how it was just...music and marching (what a concept haha). Plus Mozart is awesome.

Haha yeah, my sister played mello and she would always complain. I would just hand her my baritone be like "try this"

I've actually marched trumpet and mello as well (didn't like it half as much as bari, but that's just me :) ). I mean, they are bell heavy, which is annoying, but lighter so easier, IMO.

Seems like the most obvious answer is the best answer...interesting. Thanks everyone!! :)

Because auditions are starting up in a few months, and I would like to go out for a WC corps, I figure I should be starting now to get my strength up. I'm a runner, so I'm not really concerned about my cardio strength, it's my arms I'm worried about. Being a girl, I do have the disadvantage of being built weaker than the majority of my section (hey, it's science). I have marched baritone before, but it was a few years ago. Lately, I've been doing push-ups, but I was wondering if there were any other methods or excercises that work better or faster. Any tips would be greatly appriciated. Thanks. =]

Let's see you try it. I'm a baritone player, and generally don't even watch color guards in shows, but what I do see looks so incredibly challenging. There's still plenty of flag and riflework, along with the dancing. They still have the same technical skill as back then (I think...I wasn't even alive back then so I can't really give much expertise on that time period), and even though a smaller amount of the work is actually in the shows, the addition of dancing still adds yet another skill that has to be mastered, and it's hard too. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's easy. Of course, I could be reading your post wrong, but the impression I got was that you're belittling the work of current color guards, which I think is just wrong. They work just as hard and for just as long as you did 'back in the day"

Where I live, high schoolers get back into school late August or early September. Of course, we get out late June, so this is a problem with drum corps to begin with. Still, I've always known college students to get back earlier, so if anything, I would be saying what about the college students?

But that would make the initials DCA, and that would just be confusing.

Blue Devils-2008 Cavies-2009 CC-2009, hands down HNC-2009 though i didn't really enjoy this show (i'm in the minority there, I know, but I just don't like WSS), it was a lot better than last year SCV-didn't see last year's show Bluecoats-2009 the closer was incredible. PR-2008 wow BAC-2009 BS- 20009 BK-2009 Glassmen-2008 Troopers-2009 soo 2008-3 2009-9 I find it interesting that, even with all the complaints about electronics and such, it seems like a majority of the posters liked more '09 shows than '08 shows. or is that just because '08 was a bad year?

I just think the main reason they take offense is that calling a corps a band shows ignorance. It becomes associated with high school or college band, and the corps members want to make it clear that DCI is a separate organization from school bands. They put in more time and money to perform an incredible show, and want proper recognition for what they do.

Field turf is great, as long as it's not wet...then it gets slippery. Of course, so does regular grass. So I voted field turf for both, but grass (as long as it's taken care of, short, no potholes, mud, etc) as a close second.

I just watched the little mermaid... 2010 Crown- "The Seaweed Is Always Greener" teehee but seriously, can you imagine what they could do with some disney music? *hides*

I dunno if this has been done recently, or at all (I know a DCA corps did it last year), but I think that some corps could go crazy with Robert W. Smith's Africa. Great drum parts, great hornline parts...it would be a great closer to any show, IMO. Idk who would perform it best. Maybe Phantom?