westcoastblue
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Posts
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Posts posted by westcoastblue
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Well, BD. It is more my cup of tea, of course. But I would not be bothered at all if Bluecoats win.
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I would rather see this show again than SCV or Cadets for sure.
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1 hour ago, N.E. Brigand said:
Good. Lots of nice drill in that show. But the goo was pretty bad in the cinema. Also they could cut most of their voiceovers and drop the soft ending and it would be a better show.
Personal taste. I find the voiceovers and ending to be perfect. Think the emotional impact less without them. Cheers.
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3 hours ago, One n Done said:
....you learned that a top 6 drum corps had wireless mic’s on over 30 of it’s brass players? What about tempo remotely broadcast to in-ear units on performers in the field?
Couldn't care less. More knowledge, more possibilities, etc. I do know that we would not want to mic any 30 of most Dci brass lines say 30 years ago. I think DCI is in it's prime of excellence, creativity, and entertainment.
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Interesting. Thanks for taking the time. While judging is subjective, there could be some data here worth interpreting in various ways.
Judging is hard. Most I know that judge at the highest levels of DCI, BOA, WGI take it very seriously and do a fair amount of self analysis over their ranking rating and spreads. They all want to get it "right". By that I mean right according to the sheets, the philosophy of DCI, their training, the performance that evening and that evening only, and their gut. Many of them talk about their gut being important and that if they have ever second guessed themselves- looking back, their gut was always right. So yeah- subjective, but with a lot of specific training and guidance and a motivation to be as fair as possible.
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4 minutes ago, Poppycock said:
Won’t see too many people from this panel in Indy. So the dynamics will change. Scores are going to fluctuate. As long as the placements hold up and I don’t think there will be any movement in placements except for maybe the Cavaliers.
Not sure you are correct in this assessment. Seems the major regional assignments dictate who is doing final's week. Though the Allentown group maybe isn't doing finals exactly, I imagine this panel will all be some part of doing one of the three nights.
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Some really great moments PR. And it completely comes across as authentic you. More heart and passion than several in the top six.
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After all the hype, surprised by how rough SOA was, both design and execution. Lots of stuff not lining up and many rough sounds. It seems they aren't able to clean or refine this late in the season. Just a really bad run? Enjoyed Crest much more.
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I'll play.
BLOO: Aesthetic=9, Intellectual=8, Emotional= 10
BD: Aesthetic=10, Intellectual=10, Emotional= 8
SCV: Aesthetic=6, Intellectual=9, Emotional= 5
CC: Aesthetic=7, Intellectual=7, Emotional= 6
BC: Aesthetic=7, Intellectual=7, Emotional= 7
CAVIES: Aesthetic=9, Intellectual=8, Emotional= 10
BK: Aesthetic=6, Intellectual=9, Emotional= 9
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4 minutes ago, BlueStainGlass said:
I give the music an A+ but I'm not a fan of the storyline/design of the show. Just copy Pios design from a couple years ago with this music.
Ummmm, no. So want to pour on the sarcasm, but . . .
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Sorry fellas. You are setting yourself up for more frustration if you think the Scouts have a chance to move up a few spots. I would not be surprised if Troopers over take them by championships. If you like older type shows, you certainly can find things here to enjoy. I would rather hear them play a few of their tunes in a concert arc than watch the show. It seems that after their opener, you know, thirty minutes into their show, I just can'y watch any more. I find the show offers nothing new, interesting, innovative, unique in a way that holds my interest. Troopers do not have these things in spades either, but they do have some of these components in their show.
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8 minutes ago, PamahoNow said:
Recaps are all over the map. Very difficult to get judges judging the SAME thing to agree on anything.
This is EXACTLY what we want recaps to look like this time of year. Too many decades of ordinals matching across the recap. It is rare and nearly impossible to be ranked the same place in every caption. Yes, those that win most likely are great at everything, but such is largely not possible for most corps.
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The tarps help the show for me. The grey uniform really is unappealing in and of itself and additionally gets lost on the green grass. The tarps help define much of their staging and forms. It is clear the show was written with them in mind. In the dome, most of the glare will go away. That said, not sure it is worth a tenth. The tarps help the show for me. The grey uniform really is unappealing in and of itself and additionally gets lost on the green grass. The tarps help define much of their staging and forms. It is clear the show was written with them in mind. In the dome, most of the glare will go away. That said, not sure it is worth a tenth.
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7 hours ago, George Dixon said:
I can’t believe he still gets to judge at this level
Weak. I suppose you can justify your stance, but it seems DCI and more importantly, the corps do not agree with you. I hear his commentary is well informed and fair. What the BK percussion program is bringing to the field is extraordinary and deserves the attention it will continue to get.
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It seems to me the show is trying too hard to be super intellectual and avant guard. There is not one moment of laid back intrigue or respite. Last year's show had six or so immediately identifiable moments. This year there are maybe one or two. In Ankeny, Waymire had them only two tenths above Blue Stars in rep.
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While I DO NOT have the mental strength to read this entire thread right now, I do hope you will forgive me if my following comment has been stated before.
After thinking on this development from the Scouts organization for hours on end, I stand by my initial reaction: The timing of this announcement is insensitive, clumsy, arrogant, and ignorant of the feelings and emotional baggage that it heaps on the current marching members and THEIR experience this summer as the last all-male version of the Madison Scouts. While I can think of reasons that announcing now may aid recruiting for 2020, those potential gains pale in comparison to what negative fodder has transpired and can NEVER be retracted. I have made an effort not to bash Chris K. and Dan P. on so much that has taken place the past five or so years, trying to be sensitive to the huge amount of hateful and misguided notions so many alumni have placed on those two gentlemen, but this? perhaps I was mistaken and these two dudes are really this insensitive and unaware. My heart goes out to all the current members and rejects anyone's claims that this "won't effect them", "they are tough and accepting", blah blah blah bull s%#$. WOW! Just WOW! Not Wow! because of the decision, but how and when it was announced. Much bourbon needed.
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Sorry if this is not what you are asking, or something you already know. I assume the judges are telling them the written show and performance levels match the criteria/descriptions for scoring in the middle of box 3 (50 to 69 points). That box uses the word "usually" to describe the current overall efforts of the writers and performers. The ___________ is "usually" displayed, but not consistently (the word for box 4), and never "always" (the over-arching word for scoring in box 5, the top scoring range). Creatively, there may be a percussion phrase, use of electronic color, etc. that has not been used in the activity before, but all else we have heard in some way. Visually, not sure there is any staging effort, movement that we have not seen in some way before, and in many cases in Madison's 2019 show, seen a lot over the past 30 years. The uniform and silks are unique to this show, but do they work well? how well? The chosen tempos and pacing of tempos and orchestration both musically and visually is generally slow. Does everything have to be fast-paced to score well? Of course not, but something slow (say Crown's ballad this year) must be in large contrast to the things around it, and the "slow" itself has to be captivating the entire time ("always") to possibly positively affect scoring. To be more straight forward, the show has some Madison-esque moments that I assume we all appreciate, but the show is largely predictable throughout and currently not being performed well in any consistent basis for sustained periods of time. All my best to them.
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15 hours ago, 81Freelancers said:
Thanks to FloMarching, we were able to watch the show. (FM is improving their streaming at every show, good for them). Madison came in last with a 63.00. I'm trying to understand why they are scoring so low but when I saw Carolina Crown, it's the lack of full corps movement from a design standpoint. I did see some much improved drill work, but the show seems to be 'beat and blast." I'm sorry, but is Jim Elvord to blame? I'm believe he's on the staff. But it's not 1974 any more, Jim.
The judges really like the Blue Stars with their "Wild" show. It is so great to see this corps come back from the abyss of folding to be such a powerful contender. Crossmen are impressive, too by beating Phantom and Colts! It's still early and I hope that Scouts and others will add more improvements in July. Bluecoats may top out in July, even though they are very impressive.
I was glad to learn that The Spirit of Atlanta is now located in Atlanta GA where they belong (RIP Freddie Martin) But being able to change uniforms three times in a single show doesn't qualify for a winning show. But they were interesting.
Looking forward to the Rose Bowl show to see some feeder corps which are always fun.
Ummm, Freddy be very much alive and beyond kicking.
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Great review. Short and to your points. Some might think your comments too critical. I appreciate them.
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Watched the video again from June 16. Haven't changed my mind. Welcome to big boy design Crossmen. They are crazy exciting and the theme is perfectly applied. No strict story line, but plenty of references and variety. If it cleans up and the details are added well, including how and when to move props, this could be their most competitive product in 20 years.
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10 hours ago, DASCFan said:
I...agree. I know it’s early but I have very mixed feelings, and the trombone feature seems forced.
I absolutely love some of the music but I don’t really see the Valkyrie theme connected visually/musically in a pleasing way aside from all of the aggression that just reminds me of a Beast 2.0.
The guard seems SO much better than last year and I love them in this new more fast paced show. I really think the rest of the show will grow on me as it gets cleaned.
I already like this better than Beast 1.0.
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Biggest move up? OK. I'll play: Music City, Academy
Biggest move down: Madison Scouts
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So, I think this is the first adult version of Crossmen we have seen since they moved to Texas. The framework of the show is solid. Room for lots of growth to make the seems more mature and emotionally connective. Good for you Bones.
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14 hours ago, Brass Lover said:
I think Klesch is more responsible for Crown's sound than Harloff. Go listen to Marcus High School, they have that same blend and balance that Crown has and they're arranged by Klesch. Meanwhile Avon High School has a very bright and intense kind of sound, taught by Harloff and arranged by Jay Bocook.
I would say this is an interesting thought that has some amount of truth, but as worded, I would have to disagree. I believe bands and drum corps horn lines sound the way they do in regards to tone and blend based not on the arrangements, necessarily, but the fundamental sound concept that is in the instructor(s) heads, the one they demand is produced by their ensemble. Breathing, air use, upper body tension, playing in the center of their horn, exercises used, frequency of use of tuners, awareness of tuning responsibilities in chord and intervalic ally, mouthpiece choices, instrument brand, chop maturity, "abstract" tone concepts taught (bright, dark, round, pointed, etc.), frequency use of a harmony director, volume contribution per performer, number of performers on each part, field placement, range capabilities of those on first parts (this also affects key choices), etc. all affect tone, balance, and blend. These approaches are shared pretty commonly between the Crown staff and Marcus staff. Marcus could have players with better fundamental skills than the players at Avon. That said, yes, voice leading, density of scoring chords (closed versus open), use of chord tones beyond root-third-fifth, favored keys, treatment of melody with counter melody, ranges used, etc. can affect the way we reprieve tone, balance, blend. Matt approaches the winter and summer day-to-day aspects of brass rehearsals very differently than Gino. Their personalities are different. Their style of teaching is different. When great attention to detail is done happens differently, etc. So much goes into the sounds we hear coming from all brass sections. And finally, yes, Klesch often sounds like Klesch, Bocook like Bocook, Mozart like Mozart, etc. Thanks for bringing up an interesting thought.
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Which is your favorite 12th place show of the decade?
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
ATL CONFIDENTIAL. Not close on this one.