aaronfingers

They used a Kaiser Serpent (www.kaiserserpents.com), which costs about $800

Incorrect...For the 'A' Corps, Wayne Downey is still the arranger, John Meehan is the captionhead.

I just came across this "Accent Marching Academy" on facebook...curious if anyone has heard about this or attended one of the sessions. Any thoughts? Looks like an interesting mix of corps are represented on the clinicians/staff section. Here's the FB page: https://www.facebook.com/accentmarching Here's the main website: http://www.accentmarching.com/

No. The head drum major (the one you are referring to on the video) is named Jeff Christopherson. However, the backfield drum major was Scott Atchison--the current brass captionhead of the Cavaliers.

Mike (the horn doctor) is without a doubt one of the best repair people around. If he didn't live more than a thousand miles from where I live, I would have him do ALL of my personal horn cleaning and repair work. I would even bring my personal horns to his traveling repair trailer...because Mike is THAT good. I'm sorry to hear Mr.TsoChicken had a weird experience with him. Honestly, it sounds like you dealt with another horn repair guy. I've personally watched Mike work out of his traveling trailer for several years now (on probably over 3 or 4 dozen instruments at this point), and what he's able to do in that small space is incredible. I've NEVER seen him send a horn back out with solder balls and holes...never. I have, however, seen that kind of slop on repairs from another drum corps repair guy who shall remain nameless...but not from Mike. Keep up the amazing work, Mike!

That's not entirely true either...if you look at the Academy website, the 2011 staff is still listed. On brass staff: 1 BD vet, 1 Academy vet, and the rest are from Regiment. If you're talking about the Academy staff in general, sure there are more Academy/BD vets sprinkled throughout...but the brass staff was mostly PR vets. Who knows if Christian will bring his crew over from Academy, or if he's got a new team in place...either way, Christian is a fine teacher and he will no doubt bring his "A" game to Regiment. I'm looking forward to hearing the hornline under his leadership.

Looks like The Blue Devils will be LIVE streaming their rehearsal today (Sunday) every hour, on the hour until 5 pm (pacific time). I just watched the first clip of the day, and the feed is MUCH smoother than yesterday. Kinda cool to see bits of their rehearsals this early in the season. If you're interested, you can watch at either: http://bluedevils.org/live/ or Live Video

If feet aren't in time, the members definitely won't be able to play in time, regardless of how great their technique looks. Timing is everything- teach foot timing first. Having members simply walk in time to a Dr. Beat or to a popular song on the radio is a great way to go, and it really doesn't take that long to get the point across.

In his defense, there is a "no mouthpiece buzzing" school of thought that some educators/performers preach. Not saying it's right or wrong, but it does exist.

PR won brass in 89 and 96...and maybe 78? I watched Phantom during a stand still warm up in 2008 and they sounded MARVELOUS. I think some of the errors or shortcomings you/we hear on the field show recordings are directly related to their visual issues. If you can't march well, it's not likely you'll be able to play your best.

BD 2006 maybe?

http://bluedevils.org/programs/a/staff.php?programID=1 or from the main website, go under "Programs", then "A Corps", and then the "Staff" link is near the top part of the page.

I bet it's because of the Midwest Band/Orchestra Clinic there this week/weekend. One, if not the biggest convention for musicians and music educators in the country.

Now that I think about it, I know another case of this happening; the same situation as the first, cut in november, but was on the field finals night with the same corps/same year. This happened in 2009 and 2010, two of them were tubas and 1 was a trumpet player. And thinking back to when I marched, this happened almost every year. Someone I saw get cut in January would one way or another end up as a member on tour...it never happened to more than 1 or 2 people each year, but it happened.

I know 1 person that was actually cut from a top 3 corps in November, who ended up marching with that same corps that same year through finals. I also know another person that was a "3" in November (top 3 corps), but chose to continue showing up to camps...he was accepted as a full member that same year and marched finals.

Just a heads up- Jupiter website says the quantum tuba is 23lbs, King website says the King tuba is 29lbs.

I know. And I know you didn't march. Which doesn't matter, as you're a loyal fan...however, it really explains your selfishness for getting what you want out of drum corps, rather than being mindful of how hard each corps works, and showing appreciation for that selfless work they put in, regardless of if you are a fan of the programming. Maybe I'm being weird for thinking that golf claps, sitting on your hands, or booing are just ridiculous and immature reactions. Justify it anyway you want, but it doesn't make sense. As a musician, I've been to hundreds of recitals and performances over the years. There are some pieces and/or composers that I can barely stand to listen to...but when a performer picks one of those pieces and throws down, they have my respect and vigorous applause for dedicating so much time to their craft and sharing it with me. I immediately forget that they just played a piece I didn't care for, and forever remember their performance. Then again, maybe I'm being weird.

I felt an emotional connection to the corps on the field this summer. yes, even the Blue Devils..and Cavies...and Phantom...and, well, everyone. When there are 150 young adults on the field pouring their heart and soul into a field show, that's enough of an emotional connection for me. NO corps was void of emotion this summer. What you perceive to be a "lack of emotional connection" really truly is your dislike for a certain program, or maybe even organization. Did I not like certain shows? Of course, not everything is going to appeal to me, and it shouldn't. So don't tell me that crowds don't feel an emotional connection. That's ######## and and a blanket statement. Even in your "glory days" of drum corps, there were fans that didn't dig certain shows. Call it what it is and move on...you and others didn't like the Blue Devils. They were successful with something that you just didn't like or get. But there were also alot of people who DID like and appreciate what was put on the field this summer.

"Serious" issue? Cancer is a serious issue; war is a serious issue; but your personal opinion on what is "accessible" music and how "model" DCI corps MUST appeal to ALL fans EVERY year is not a serious issue. Even if there are numerous other people who agree with you, this is NOT a serious issue. If you didn't dig what BD or Corps X brought to the table, chances are there were, oh, about 15-20 other groups that could satisfy your need for your personal preferences. Variety is a good thing. Shows for you to like, shows for me to like, shows for everyone to like. Shows that ONLY appeal to you, or ONLY appeal to me would not be very fair or fun for everyone.

Andy Ebert is the man. Fantastic teacher/designer

Hey all, I'm looking to buy a copy of The Cavaliers brass DVD, "From Football Field to Concert Hall". It's out of print now, so I'm hoping someone has a used copy they wouldn't mind parting with... PM me if you have one! Thanks af

BD - 1982, 1994, 2009, 2010 Cavies - 2002 Cadets - 2000

Why not? Are all of the hornlines some variation of bright and thin?