ibexpercussion

Going to say that most of us would be homers if we were to name a favorite drum major. Someone we know, or our own experience in drum corps.

Pencil, paper, ruler, protractor, compass, eraser (yup, lots of erasers). That was our drill writing software BITD

...or... Inequity of the Corps... Elysium Anything You Can Do, We Can't, Because We Don't Have the Funding

What would be interesting is if they could follow several corps throughout the season. Maybe a non-finalist, or even a non-semi-finalist corps, a definite top tier group (BD, Crown, Coats, SCV, etc), and maybe even one Open class corps. This way people could see a real true difference between all the groups, yet still see that they are all striving towards the same artistic excellence on the field. Wouldn't it be fascinating to see the difference between a rehearsal from BD, etc, and maybe compare that to Pioneer, Cascades, Jersey Surf, and as well the financial resources. The other difference that would be obvious, would be the average age of the corps members as well. Just a thought. I'll likely watch it no matter what, even if they just showed a static 1 hour shot of loading the trailer.

Shouldn't Foreign Language film go to any percussion section, and anyone not a percussionist trying to figure out the "drum speak"

...and the bread pudding at RAM is worth the trip there as well.

Then there was the overcompensation of bass sound in the 1996 recordings. This didn't make them bad to listen to, just had to be careful with your settings when listening to them, or the bass could drown out the other sounds. By 1997 it seems that everything is the way it should be from there on through 2017. *The 1995 recordings almost sound like bootlegs at times. As if someone was just sitting on the sideline, or in the stands, with a single mic recorder.

Fantastic analogy!!!

...but who in DCI could play the part of Waldorf and Statler?

Obviously, it's the off-season, and these are the only things we have to talk about. Once tour starts I'm sure we'll all be besties again, and not have any disagreements at all.

No particular order... BD 1996 Star 1990 Madison 1975 Crossmen 1998 Crown 2011

1) Yes, a contract is contract, and a binding agreement. So if the language is there in the scholarship contract, then that's that. You read it, signed it, enjoyed the fruits of it marching with Crown. but... 2) If a what should be considered one of the consistently Top 3 corps going in the activity right now, why is that in the scholarship contract? I can understand if the MM quits in the middle of the season, or gets kicked out, but for fulfilling the obligation to the corps for the season, and then wanting to go elsewhere...kind of sucks on that end. In the end, maybe DCI will step up and make the 2 groups do a drumline battle at one of the regionals this year. That could be interesting!!! Possibly follow it up with a staff tug of war, or arm wrestling.

Boo! Boo! (just imagine the lady from "The Princess Bride" saying that at you right now!) lol

It's like saying, "I want to compare the love I have for 1) my spouse/significant other, with the love 2) I have for my children, and the love 3) I have for my parents and siblings." While you love them all, the type of love, and the way you express it are much different. The same goes for (In no particular order, as to be inferred as parallel or analogous with the list above): Drum Corps "Corps-Style" College Bands "Show-Style" College Bands That being said, I enjoy watching all of these groups, and enjoyed the fact this last year that ESPN and other networks carried feeds of halftime on alternate channels, or via your mobile device, during college football season. They are different, and their differences, complexities, and intricacies, are what make them all great. Enjoy what's there at each venue, and stop trying to compare like saying the New England Patriots can compete with the Cleveland Cavaliers or Chicago Cubs.

While this is a nice piece of information, it also just makes me realize, that drum corps season is still much too far away!!!

You should have just lead with, "I am related to George Hopkins." Whether right or wrong, that would have gotten you a ton of "enemies" right off the bat!!!

Just trying to have some fun during a rather dormant part of the drum corps year (discussion-wise). Now this may go over like the Titanic or Hindenburg, but here goes... What winter Holiday, Holiday character, or Holiday song do you think could match up with different drum corps? For example: -In recent years you could say that the Blue Knights could be the winter solstice, since they have gone pretty dark the past few years. -SCV would be "Christmas Waltz" sung by Sinatra, since, like the tune and the singer, SCV is always classy. Anyone else, or am I just going to have to wait until Festivus to air my grievances about no one replying?!?!?!

Should we move this topic to the Music for All/BOA message boards?

I didn't mean to infer that the Cadets/YEA! drained the Crossmen coffers, just more that it felt as if the financial partnership, was not much of a partnership. Obviously, there were some extremely lean years for the MMs as far as food goes, before the YEA! merger. And yes, you may be correct on the fact that some things are a bit "editorialized," but there's always 3 sides to a story: my side, the other person's side, and the truth. (edited for: "Obviously, there were..." instead of "Obviously, there wee...")

You are correct. I did have the dates wrong on the DM uniform.

YEA! (You Eat After the Cadets) really treated Crossmen as 2nd class citizens. Understandably, the Hopkins, I mean the Cadets were the "torch bearer" group, but if this was ever considered a true partnership, it was in name/theory only. For example, look at eh uniforms in '98, even the DM uniforms were just the same as the corps, with a different color fabric over the cross. At a winter camp for the '99 season, there was a member who stood up when his Majesty Hopkins spook to the Crossmen who kept asking, "When are we getting new uniforms?" until GH finally answered, and said, "This year." Many in the group felt like the Cleveland Indians did in the movie Major League, when the owner was trying to do everything to get the team to lose, so she could move it elsewhere. While initially the move was met with much consternation by many (myself included), but after finding some solid footing in the Lone Star State, and some reliable financial backing, the corps has made its way back, and seems to be lacking for nothing when it comes to money/resources. Obviously at the current time, the group is trying to raise the funds to purchase a new equipment trailer (if you want to donate, here's the link), but has been able to get new uniforms, equipment, etc. when needed. Also, they have been able to hire top notch, as well as up and coming, staff when needed as well. Long term this was probably the best move for Crossmen, but at the time, it was not met with as much fanfare.

I can go with that, as long as at each show there are 1 or 2 of the 7-12 groups as well. That would make for some more variety as well.

I actually did that, and gave my address where I they could send my requested field passes for prelims. I'll be waiting by the mailbox for those to come in the next few days!!!

Have at least 2 pairs of comfortable shoes that you have exercised in before going on tour. Both, to have them broken in, and to know that they work for your feet (legs, back, etc), and don't go cheap! Paying the money for good shoes is worth every penny. Also, workout starting yesterday, both cardio and strength training. If you can afford it, get a personal trainer for a while (whether through a gym, or a serious personal trainer) who can design a workout plan for you, and keep you accountable to doing the exercise. Having your body in shape, and used to going through vigorous physical activity before you hit the field for spring training is, as our president elect would say, "HUGE!" But seriously, being ready physically will go a long way towards making spring training, and tour, much more bearable, and thus enjoyable for you. My first year, and I was a tenor player as well, I did not prepare my body physically, and it was extremely hard. The next year, I was prepared, and it was not as difficult physically.

Not in the Southeastern Regional in Atlanta? I thought all World Class Corps were at all regionals?