ronlambplays

I don't disagree with your statement, mine was with regard to GE, not the overall experience. I think we're both on the right track.

I haven't posted in years. I'm content to engage in the discussions from afar, but this comment is perhaps one of the best I've seen on DCP. It gets at the root of most of the disappointment with programming direction. Great job! Astute observation. Drum Corps survives because it is what we love, but DCI has to remember that the butts in seats is what it really is all about - lifetime fans and fond memories. It is possible to entertain the paying customers and challenge the members.

Thanks for the acknowledgement - long time DCP reader, first time writer. I am happy to be part of the discussions and hope to engage in the future!

I challenge anyone who loves drum corps to watch the development of SCV's 1984 show, understand the way that the Tender Land comes out of the concert number (sop solo), and not consider that the best version. I can't listen to it without choking up. Royer had a sense of the dramatic pacing that made every note count. Having heard all three of the versions live and having watched them all tons of times on vid i can tell you Garfield 96 again reduced me to tears b/c i wasn't expecting it (i don't know why i didn't look at the program to see what they were playing) and it had already had such a profound effect on me from SCV - plus they played the *^% out of it. Crown (whom I love) has, largely in part to Klesch's respect for the history of DCI, been very successful on this great run blending MAJOR iconic pieces from past shows into wonderful productions (Claire de Lune, Candide, 1812, One Hand One Heart, Sensamaya, Somewhere, Tender Land, Gloria, etc) sprinkling in exciting new wind band lit (Slalom) and Klesch's take on classics (Finis, Nimrod, etc.). It is very clear to me that Michael K. is as big a drum corps nut as I am but he has the enviable ability to weave all of his favorite historic moments into present shows - to the benefit of this current generation of drum corps kids. All that being said, his use of Tender Land was beautiful, powerful and reverent, but in my mind still NOT the moment that 1984 SCV created. Hardimons metered Rubato, the delayed tension and then THE company front (F, FF, FFF) and subsequent quiet ending were one of my favorite moments in all of Drum Corps (along with the Viet Nam wall/balloon release - what a GREAT year 1984 was! - WSS, LaFiesta, 1812, Cats, Suncoast, First year of the Cavaliers as we know them now (uniform, Campbell and Wind Ensemble Lit, and depth in the top 25 worthy of repeated listening on the records!).