RetiredJedi

So this is Drum Corps now? I haven't been to a Drum Corps show since 1998. I couldn't tell you who won the large majority of those years since I stepped away from the activity during that time. Drum Corps, for me, just wasn't a priority anymore. I do slide onto this site from time to time (a lot lately) to see what's up. About a week ago I read some critical posts concerning Blue Devils show this year and decided to check it out. I went to you-know-where on the net and watched the show. I watched it several times over the week to allow myself time to analyze it and not rush to any type of judgment. I watched Bluecoats, Carolina Crown, and Cadets as well. Blue Devils: After I thought about this show I asked the question: Why are they winning? I simply don't get it. The phrase: DEMAND IS INHERENT has obviously been removed from the judges sheets. Has it? They still don't march anything remotely difficult. I honestly believe that we taught harder drill to high school kids 20 years ago. They still don't MOVE while they have a horn lick. Doesn't it bother anyone that every decent horn lick that they've got that they're parked? My perception is that the horn line only plays 5 minutes during that show. They should rename themselves: The Blue Devils Pit with Brass and Percussion accompaniment. I also would guess that the staff has GOT to be laughing all the way back to the buses after critique for successfully pulling this off night after night. I know, I know. I sound completely hateful. I'm not a hateful person, but this is a travesty. NO, I do NOT care how well they've maintained the integrity of the music and how well they perform. My opinion is that ANYONE could perform well with the weak demand placed on the performers of THIS show that wouldn't have cracked the Top 10 20 years ago. Just my opinion. Bluecoats: WOW!!! Meat in the brass book. Meat in the drum book. Meat from the guard. Meat from the drill. Everything that MY basis for successful Drum Corps is fulfilled with these guys. Amps: I was absolutely sure I would hate it, but it works in this show (mostly). In short... I love this show. If they can clean this monster of a show they win. Even if they don't get completely clean it they should STILL win based on demand. Drill: Very linear now. I assume that now that George is gone that no one knows how to do curvilinear drill anymore? Body: If you do body, at least do it well. Star did it well. That's your standard junior. In my day, a show was filled with gimmicky body crap if you you didn't have the chops to play a decent book. Just sayin'... Amps: Really? I went to my 1st show in 1978 and stayed until 1998. That 20 years is my baseline for what Drum Corps is (especially the 80"s). That's what I know. Those of you that are younger and only know the past few years have a baseline that I know little about. That's fine. It is what it is. I have a better understanding of what people are moaning about at least. I step down from my soapbox now. -------------------- Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes.

So this is Drum Corps now? I haven't been to a Drum Corps show since 1998. I couldn't tell you who won the large majority of those years since I stepped away from the activity during that time. Drum Corps, for me, just wasn't a priority anymore. I do slide onto this site from time to time (a lot lately) to see what's up. About a week ago I read some critical posts concerning Blue Devils show this year and decided to check it out. I went to you-know-where on the net and watched the show. I watched it several times over the week to allow myself time to analyze it and not rush to any type of judgment. I watched Bluecoats, Carolina Crown, and Cadets as well. Blue Devils: After I thought about this show I asked the question: Why are they winning? I simply don't get it. The phrase: DEMAND IS INHERENT has obviously been removed from the judges sheets. Has it? They still don't march anything remotely difficult. I honestly believe that we taught harder drill to high school kids 20 years ago. They still don't MOVE while they have a horn lick. Doesn't it bother anyone that every decent horn lick that they've got that they're parked? My perception is that the horn line only plays 5 minutes during that show. They should rename themselves: The Blue Devils Pit with Brass and Percussion accompaniment. I also would guess that the staff has GOT to be laughing all the way back to the buses after critique for successfully pulling this off night after night. I know, I know. I sound completely hateful. I'm not a hateful person, but this is a travesty. NO, I do NOT care how well they've maintained the integrity of the music and how well they perform. My opinion is that ANYONE could perform well with the weak demand placed on the performers of THIS show that wouldn't have cracked the Top 10 20 years ago. Just my opinion. Bluecoats: WOW!!! Meat in the brass book. Meat in the drum book. Meat from the guard. Meat from the drill. Everything that MY basis for successful Drum Corps is fulfilled with these guys. Amps: I was absolutely sure I would hate it, but it works in this show (mostly). In short... I love this show. If they can clean this monster of a show they win. Even if they don't get completely clean it they should STILL win based on demand. Drill: Very linear now. I assume that now that George is gone that no one knows how to do curvilinear drill anymore? Body: If you do body, at least do it well. Star did it well. That's your standard junior. In my day, a show was filled with gimmicky body crap if you you didn't have the chops to play a decent book. Just sayin'... Amps: Really? I went to my 1st show in 1978 and stayed until 1998. That 20 years is my baseline for what Drum Corps is (especially the 80"s). That's what I know. Those of you that are younger and only know the past few years have a baseline that I know little about. That's fine. It is what it is. I have a better understanding of what people are moaning about at least. I step down from my soapbox now.