westcoastblue
-
Posts
226 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by westcoastblue
-
-
Let's just say you would probably be surprised by the back story of how this season came about and what could have been. I'll leave it at that, because this isn't the time, nor the place, for that discussion.
Let me take a crack at what has happened through the years.
The corps struggled for a decade or two, brought on by large debt due to loosing a single overly depended upon money source, and in part due to hiring the activity's primo staff, with all those people then eventually leaving for more money elsewhere and to get away from administrative sloth? Right so far? When design wasn't quite working, pull out a retro tune or three, add more sex appeal, or mention Jim Ott. Right again? Try previously stated formula for 20 years. The rehash thing works less and less and losses its appeal to audiences and potential new members. Keep passing the debt along to well intended but often unqualified and uninformed staff. Have a few decent years due to some informed but under supported people working hard to not see yet another icon go down. After years of struggling, luck out and get staff that turns the corps around in 2010 and gets the corps out of decades of debt, from what I understand. Have some in the activity start to pay attention, some alumni start to get on board (not near enough for the right reasons), and then the corps makes finals with a great show. Repeat in finals the next year. Repeat in finals yet again the following year. Some alumni are now excited cause someone else has done the hard work to turn things around. They ignorantly think "I got this", then interfere. Right again? Think they have all the answers because they were in the corps back when . . ., blah blah blah, my eyes and ears are shut to modern day considerations . . . blah blah blah, and I am bored with my personal life and need something to do . . . blah, blah, blah. Forget those outsiders who turned my corps around, I am an expert because I once wore a delta on my chest back when we were at the top. I want to do a retro show and will make sure we do so and it will be a miracle come back season, I mean a show that really allows me to reconnect with my past cause that is more important than the current member's experience, the corps being competitive, or the current modern day/non-1980 audience bing entertained. Right? That is usually how these things go down. We know of but do not learn from our history near enough in this activity. Hoping all the best for Spirit of Atlanta. The very mention of that name does something for me. I too, do not want to see another icon go down. Hope there is some alumni that has that same feeling and is smart, insightful, determined, and selfless. Think they will need it.
-
Pretty dead on with my impressions. Thanks for the time and insight. Love the addition of
each unit brining something "new" or not.
-
Well, despite the electronic issues, a MUCH BETTER show than Spirit. Don't think Spirit will ever pass them again. The visual package alone
puts them over Spirit. It is a show I would like to see again, several times.
-
Yeah, sorry Spirit. Quite a few shows ranked below them are MUCH BETTER constructed. Hope they get it together next year.
-
Rough. I cant tell this any different than a video I saw of a month ago. The drill is super basic and other than one or two moves, not musical.
Great trumpet soloist. Having a hard time playing together.
-
I am not writing them off quite yet, either, but the show has some real problems:
Trying to find that at least one real special and UNIQUE moment in the show- it is not there yet.
The intro performed perfectly will still be ho hum, been there done that.
Overall visual program and especially the guard had made big strides the past four or so years, this is a step back. Though there does not have to be a theme necessarily, something has to tie the show together. And let me state that though I hear news of a big magnolia tree being added, I am afraid it will be just that, a big magnolia tree and not something that excites or gets points. I hope they are not relying on that to be their magic pill. Though some moments have a sort of "southern" sound or reminiscence, again, it is not throughout nor special. GE is about coordination, pacing, excellence, and communication. The later comes easiest when the former are written into the show so that at least we react even when things are not clean. Loud arrivals and tosses seem to be the extent of their effect rep. The first half has the most communication and best pacing. The second half seems like a completely different show and I find I just loose all interest.
Okay, some positives:
The brass are again the strong suit of the corps.
The guard costumes are a beautiful color.
The baby blue on the unis looks great on the field (don't like the retro look however. much preferred
the recent uni. This one doesn't say "take me seriously as an up and coming unit".)
There are some strong soloists.
The batterie has some good moments.
The pit writing is tasty.
"Willow Weep" sells well and the hit is their best moment. (wish guard contribution was stronger there).
Lastly. About this "southern identity" thing. I have enjoyed watching the corps grow the past four or so years and was a big fan of the niche they had carved for themselves. That is so hard to do in modern drum corps times. They were not like anyone else, kept enough swing or jazz to connect to old Spirit, finding show themes that would allow them to do that. They found a way to play classical and film music so that the source music had more depth and room for creativity. The complete "southern theme" well is extremely shallow. I assume that is why they moved away from it, and look what it did for them. Make no mistake, again in this modern top 12 drum corps world, you don't just move up every year no matter how good you are. Look at what is on the field this year alone. Wow! The depth keeps getting better and better. You have to get in and stay in. You have to be unique. You have to be patient if moving up is your goal. You have to keep staff and members. Some one mentioned that the corps should go ahead and go full out already with the southern theme. Problem is, what is that exactly and can you keep going to that well? So, is it "Gone with the Wind"? , "We Shall Overcome"?, "Porgy and Bess"?, "New Orleans/Mardi Gras/Bourbon Street"? All that in the same show? Its has all been done, over and over and over, marching band and corps, and by SOA, over and over and over again. Had heard as others have mentioned that the board was putting pressure on the program coordinator to go retro. Well, I guess he gave in. Does anyone remember what happened to Madison when the board and old alumni thought they knew what was best? When Phantom's board and old alumni thought they knew what was best? SCV's board and old alumni thought they knew what was best? Most recently, when Cavies board and old alumni thought they knew what was best? Thank God each of those corps has survived, but not without paying with some serious consequences (and these were top 6 corps for decades). Unfortunately,
the members paid the price. The modern day drum corps members simply want to do something they think is cool. Stop trying to relive your old memories through recreating something retro with todays' members; they fell in love with today's drum corps brand, not the 1980's brand.
-
3
-
-
I wouldn't call the last uniform design they had strong at all. Modern? I guess. But it was also extremely bland and forgettable, and never really took advantage of what used to be a pretty strong visual identity in terms of recognizability. It actually seemed like they were trying to HIDE those recognizable elements. Maybe this new design is too retro in some respects, I don't know. But it makes no sense to me to throw away iconic aspects of a corps' image in the quest to appear "more modern," as I feel they did with their previous uniform design.Whether this new design comes off well on the field or not, at the very least it embraces those things that made Spirit's look so recognizable and pleasing to so many fans. We'll see how this works out for them on the field, but at least people won't need to check their programs to tell who the heck they're looking at. Nobody will ever be confused as to who this drum corps is, that's for sure.
I would also describe their last uni as strong. The lines cut the body well and that blue was electric under the lights. This is so ho hum. Looks like a band director designed it and several band moms made it one night while watching Sex and The City reruns. Not that there is anything necessarily wrong with in-house designed and built band unis, or Sex and the City for that matter.
It isn't a look that I see as one of a corps wanting to be seen as moving up competitively.
-
While I cannot say I know much about each person other than Rob Jett, Scott Boerma, and Omar, I am just not sure this announcement makes me feel like they are now set to move forward any. I am sure all are capable people, but those on this list I do know are extremely busy people outside of drum corps and not sure how much time they can put into the group. So many corps these days have "full time" designers where designing is all that they do.
For most good corps to move up, they have to pull from people that are currently placing above them, or they pull from people from the top who have stepped away for a few years and are ready to get back in.
The music has been the strongest part of the corps recently. Having two of those arrangers staying is good. Though I have liked the drum line, not sure they can move up without some additional changes there. Visual has been fine, but not as strong as the music side of things. While indoor chops and high school band experience can be good, not sure it gets an 11th place corps into 10th.
Not to down play this slate of staff, I just don't see where the open positions are being replaced with stronger people than those who left.
Also curious to see if they will leave their roots or not.
Best of luck Spirit. I do wish you all the best.
-
Just checking to see if I am correct.
Spirit has lost most of its caption heads. Not yet clear if they have lost all.
Has hired a new director that has had an interesting past.
Has made NO announcements beyond that of hiring a new corps director, adding to the insecurity of members and remaining staff.
AND THEN announces that they are going to sponsor a brand new group they have NEVER sponsored before? They are going to
compete in WGI with a winter guard? Really? Influx of money to maintain the corps and now a winter guard? If so, good for them.
The corps has made great strides getting back into the elite top 12, but have do not seem infallible in that regard,
All of this is starting to concern me a great deal. I hope I am concerned for no reason. Best of luck SOA.
-
1
-
-
Spirit of Atlanta's drill designer, Jeremy Hunt, announced via Facebook that he is taking time away from the activity to grow as a designer. Really wanting someone that will create new and exciting things for the other Southeastern corps.
I hope he let the members and staff know through a different means. I can't imagine Wayne Downey, Leon May or Scott Johnson making their resignation public via Facebook unless it was the last step of quite a few steps. Even then not sure it is best until the corps is well past finals. Let's assume this was the final step though it seems pretty soon since finals. Wishing Spirit the best finding someone who can take the next step visually. Been a fan of the overall the past few years for sure.
-
CADETS
SCV
SPIRIT OF ATLANTA
BD
BLUECOATS
-
Dumb tread. Shallow. Typical of modern day drum corps. Are you kidding me, how low?
Crown, like several other corps this season, are amazing and could be champions in any given year.
-
5
-
-
Agree on all accounts. Read a post that talked about them needing to add demand. Scratched my head several times over that one.
-
I really should wait until San Antonio to see them live. I have only seen them on the FN, but I really think Spirits show is reaching a stagnation. After seeing everyone on FN this past weekend, I can see them getting passed by several corps and falling out of the top 12 maybe landing around 15th if lucky. In the beginning I liked the show, but no demand has been added that I saw so much of by corps around them. When the season started, they were talking top 8. I think they are a little to complacent. As a southerner (and the south loves the south) this us upsetting. I really want them to succeed, but looks like they are taking a step back with such a simple show.
I REALLY hate to bump this STUPID thread, but just cannot help myself but to respond.
Not in FINALS?
15th if LUCKY?
"They" were talking top 8?
"They are a little too[sic]complacent.?
Simple show?
I bet you are fun to hang out with at shows and at the bar afterwards.
I dare you to define the words "simple" and "demand" as you are using them in relation to describing Spirit's show.
Thanks.
-
For some members, it is for the overall experience.
For some members, it is to win/living most of the season with a hope of winning.
For some members, it is to rank as high as possible, to beat others.
For some corps administrators, it is for the overall experience.
For some corps administrators, it is to win/living most of the season with a hope of winning.
For some corps administrators, it is to rank as high as possible, to beat others.
For some judges,it is to be a part of the system and contribute, enjoy the activity.
For some judges,it is to gain rank in the system to go from less important to most important judge.
For some judges,it is to feed ego, to see oneself as a super star, be honored as an expert with definitive
taste and evaluative skills, those who can steer the activity creatively.
Other purposes:
Make money for the top 8 corps as they control everything, really everything.
Entertain, but only as an ancillary outcome of the shows corps produce with their main purpose
being to compete.
In some cases, give members an educationally based experience that grows their knowledge of the
educational process
In rare cases, support a youth non-for profit activity that is largely for the betterment of young people
as citizens regardless of what happens competitively
Not trying to make anyone angry or to sound overly negative. I simply see all this is the blatant truth.
-
2
-
-
Blue stars theme is rather simple. In the beginning the boy is with one girl at a dance. He quickly turns his attention to another girl. The first girl is angry iand searches for ways to get revenge. She goes into the swamp looking for the voodoo queen. She begins to delve into to the black arts and black magic and finally voodoo. The color guard boys are black voodoo dolls ("I put a spell on you," which is actually a song about voodoo) and the girl sticks her pin into one of them and eventually exacts her revenge in the end.
Oh.
-
2
-
-
Phantom Regiment 80.700
I thought they were much better than what I have seen on fan network. Though the guard is beautiful to watch and carries most all of their visual effect (if not 100%), I really want to see some drill effects. At this point I think it is just not part of their drill writer's style. That is Ok, but I wonder how judges consider that. The brass and percussion are both good, but I thought the parts often didn't go together. There were some pretty rough brass sounds (thought Spirit out played them), but someone by me said they just did some big music changes so that may account for some brass issues and several full music ensemble tears. How great they are shows how great the top twelve have become. The Enigma Variations was pretty and has potential to grow a lot. I really enjoyed them though they seemed flat tonight. They were really solid but not my favorite of the show. Would give them visual GE because of how good the guard is as well as visual overall.
Spirit of Atlanta 75.300
My favorite corps of the night and a big step up from Stars. Surprised the gap wasn't much larger. The biggest sound, the most original, the best adherence to theme, the highest frequency of effects. And they had lots of MELODY! Not that PR or Colts didn't have melody, I just was drawn in to Spirit's sound and musical presentation every minute of the show. I loved the beginning and how confident and stylistically accurate it was. Very original for drum scorps. Fantastic pit! All sections seem better than ever. They have some dirt of course and a few moments that seem to be under development, but they really had me from note one. It will be interesting to see how judges respond to their take on drum corps. I LOVE that they are clearly their own brand and very thorough with their theme. I am not sure most judges will or can look past the accessibility and see all the detail to the 1920s show. Would have given them music GE clearly and music ensemble too.
Blue Stars 73.100
I was entertained but also equally confused throughout the show. I didn't get the VooDoo thing most of the time though it is there in small doses. They have a good sound and the drumline seems to be maxing out their book already. The guard has some talent, though I wish they we staged in a greater variety of ways. The preshow is fun but I am not sure how it fits in the the show. I will have to see it again and assess further. The first half is working better than the second half. They seemed flat tonight. There was not much crowd reaction. Left lots of question marks for me tonight. I was surprise the gap to Spirit wasn't much bigger, especially if I consider what they are doing and how well they are doing it.
Colts 70.400
They have some great visual staging and pacing. I thought much stronger in that regard than Stars. The accessibility of the music is refreshing, but unlike Spirit, there seems to be too many textures that are too thin for the sake of creating clarity, but that also comes across as a lack of sophistication and depth. They sound really great at times. The guard work seems very musical and I like the variety of stages for them. The drums seem a little young as of now. I liked the uniform more than i thought I would and glad to see the purple mixed in with the red. Great flags.
The Academy 69.000
To be honest, this was just weird for me. I think the show was about burlesque, but maybe also Moulin Rouge? The costumes are fun and the colors are good. Like Colts, they sound really great at times. The voice over was too much for me. I am OK with humor, but it came across too often as silly. The drumline was rough tonight. I was surprised they were this close to Colts.
Pioneer 60.900
Despite the show title, this production is largely about Christian praise tunes. That is fine of course, though it wasn't very effective for me. I wanted to pull for them, but not sure the designers or admin are giving the members what they deserve regardless of competitive scores. Guard costume is very pretty and the guard has some great performers.
-
1
-
-
Phantom Regiment 80.700
I thought they were much better than what I have seen on fan network. Though the guard is beautiful to watch and carries most all of their visual effect (if not 100%), I really want to see some drill effects. At this point I think it is just not part of their drill writer's style. The brass and percussion are both good, but I thought the parts often didn't go together. There were some rough brass sounds, but someone by me said they just did some big music changes so that may account for some brass issues. How great they are shows how great the top twelve have become. The Enigma was pretty and has potential to grow a lot. I really enjoyed them though they seemed flat tonight. They were really solid but not my favorite of the show.
Spirit of Atlanta 75.300
My favorite corps of the night and a big step up from Stars. Surprised the gap wasn't much larger. The biggest sound, the most original, the best adherence to theme, the highest frequency of effects. And they had lots of MELODY! Not that PR or Colts didn't have melody, I just was drawn in to Spirit's sound and musical presentation every minute of the show. I loved the beginning and how confident and stylistically accurate it was. Very original for drum scorps. Fantastic pit! All sections seem better than ever. They have some dirt of course and a few moments that seem to be under development, but they really had me from note one. It will be interesting to see how judges respond to their take on drum corps. I LOVE that they are clearly their own brand and very sophisticated. I am not sure most judges will or can look past the accessibility and see all the detail to the 1920s theme.
Blue Stars 73.100
I was entertained but also equally confused throughout the show. I didn't get the VooDoo thing most of the time though it is there in small does. They have a good sound and
the drumline seems to be maxing out their book already. The guard has some talent, though I wish they we staged in a greater variety of ways. The preshow is fun but I am not sure how it fits in the the show. I will have to see it again and assess further. The first half is working better than the second hlaf. They seemed flat tonight. There was not much crowd reaction. Left lots of question marks for me tonight. I was surprise the gap to Spirit wasn't much bigger, especially if I consider the what and how.
Colts 70.400
They have some great visual staging and pacing. I thought much stronger in that regard than Stars. The accessibility of the music is refreshing, but unlike Spirit, there seems to be too many textures that are too thin for the sake of creating clarity, but that also comes across as a lack of sophistication and depth. The sound really great at times. The giard work seems very musical and I like the variety of stages for them. the drums seem a little young as of now. I like the uniform and glad to see the purple mixed in with the red. Great flags.
The Academy 69.000
To be honest, this was just weird for me. I think the show was about burlesque, but maybe also Moulin Rouge? The costumes are fun and the colors are good. Like Colts, they sound really great at times. The voice over was too much for me. I am OK with humor, but it came across too often as silly. The drumline was rough tonight. I was surprised they were this close to Colts.
Pioneer 60.900
Despite the show title, this production is largely about Christian praise tunes. That is fine of course, though it wasn't very effective for me. I wanted to pull for them, but not sure the designers or admin is giving the members what they deserve regardless of competitive scores. Guard costume is very pretty and the guard has some great performers.
-
1
-
-
That is exciting news! Even more eager to see what they continue to bring to the field.
-
This does not initially appeal to me. It depends on the arrangements and overall production. Seems that unless there is an effort to make this BOA-like, the theme will be hard to
maintain. I don't want a BOA show. I am also curious about music rights as I know many of these tunes to have been denied in the past.
I do understand them not playing jazz however. It is VERY HARD to do outside. Most of our current music judges don't have jazz backgrounds and don't give its inherit difficulty any credit.
Most jazz corps go to doing jazz light (Cadets and Bluecoats are kings of this), letting the drums play back beat while the brass just play loud triplet based figures, but without any true attempt to play the correct style. To my recollection, only BD or Spirit have recently programmed any moment of true jazz and played the style correctly.
Best of luck Crossmen.
-
Though I have tried for several months to get excited about this show, I cannot avoid an initial feeling of meh. I do not doubt there will be a lot creativity to make it really sale.
-
Like everybody else, just off-season speculation, but here goes...
1 Blue Devils: the staff, talent, and corps' relation to the judging community makes them unstoppable at this point.
2 Cadets: little staff turnover, Barber fits them perfectly, lots of members returning, leaning a few variety lessons
3 SCV: just a great team, show choice is choice and timely, hear talent is way up
4 PR: the visual package will hit its stride and the brass will get their due, finally, though the top 6 is a tough party
5 Crown: more of the same, really good, really really good, but the same
6 Bluecoats: same brass and percussion talent, show theme thin as has been the case the past several years, visually awkward
7 Cavies: working the show better, but with big member turn over and only an OK brass line
8 Madison: slowly working up, judges bought thin show design last year and thought awful arrangements were good, so what do you do?
9 Spirit of Atlanta: sticking to their own unique style, little to no staff turnover, more talent, getting the design gel happening after so many rough years
10 Boston: just too forgettable and more of the same in 2013
11 Crossmen: better talent, same show design level, odd drill
12 Blue Stars: get more things happening this season
13 Blue Knights: best designer is gone and last year's gift gives wrong impression that they are better than they are
14 Colts: better design
-
4
-
-
I am excited for this. Seems like a logical next show for them and a chance to put some of their new signature ideas over the top.
-
Lines that play stuff and do so extremely well.
2012:
BD
Spirit of Atlanta
Bluecoats
-
1
-
Spirit of Atlanta...
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted · Edited by westcoastblue
Do you mean I have "no clue of which I speak"?
To simply defend myself,
I have no distain for Spirit. My post even states "Hoping all the best for Spirit of Atlanta. The very mention of that name does something for me." I respect drum corps' past and I hate watching corps struggle due to bad decisions made by those in charge. I have been a huge supporter the past few years. Regarding all the "whole lot of crap" I wrote, if your are older and have been around to see Spirit in the early 80s, struggle through the 90s, and ride the roller coaster of the 2000s, you know there is truth in what I said. If you are aware of all of those years and are an alum as you stated, and still see what I wrote as crap, such has been exampled by too many alumni of too many corps' who have folded or who have struggled, or continue to struggle.