Jump to content

Mr.Potato.Head

Inactive/Closed
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    189

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Mr.Potato.Head

    2012 competition vol. numbers... by Corps

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I was really surprised when I saw how few shows BD was doing this year. I pulled up their schedule, and it looks like they may have one more contest than the number showed here. It also looks like several times they have 3-4 rehearsal days in a row. I can see where this could give them a competitive advantage with more rehearsal time. But it also kind of a shame that they don't have more shows so that more fans can see them. But overall those numbers are quite interesting.

    More rehearsal or more critics from the judges. Both have their own advantages. Which is better?

    The OFFICIAL 2012 Prediction Thread

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by Mr.Potato.Head

    Bluecoats have medaled once. I don't think the kids that go to the Bluecoats are much different than the ones that would go to Vanguard. Plus they are on opposite ends of the country, so they would attract the talented kids of those areas.

    BK jumped 2 places because the Blue Stars had a less than desirable show design and the judges hit them hard because of it. BK did manage to jump Madison last year as well though. However, Madison is seeing some good changes this year, and both theirs and especially the Blue Stars' shows look to be a big step in the right direction.

    Don't get me wrong, BK is a very fine corps, and I would never wish ill upon a corps. I am just stating my opinions and how I don't agree with your reasoning.

    Both of these corps have released some info about their shows, but not that much.

    Madison has told us they are play Pictures at an Exhibition, and "Madison Classics" Well what are these "Madison Classics"? Their show won't really do anything for me until I get a better idea of what they are actually playing. Madison's biggest weakness is their visual program (marching in particular), until this is addressed they won't have taken the big step in the right direction they need to. The percussion has also been a weakness, but that caption has also been addressed.

    Blue Stars gave us a list of rep, but nothing concrete. As I said in a different thread it is nice to see a new composer being used (Streitenfeld). There are many Dvorak pieces that can be used, but I am wondering if/ hoping that their show title is a play on words. (Blue World/New World) Won't know that until the first show or they release it themselves before tour. Last year the Blue Stars were killed by the judges because of their visual program, which was all related to a very poor drill design. They have a new drill writer in Rosander, if he writes them good drill that will definitely be the step in the right direction they need. Shapiro also needs to not overwrite for the guard again this year, last year was too much for them, but I think that also had to do with the drill.

    I think these are two corps that have the potential to make some moves up this year. Two solid horn lines. Previous years weaknesses addressed. We have to see if the new hires work out or not though to see if they took steps in the right directions. AND the 8-12 pack is getting very talented, so there will be some tough competition.

    • Like 1

    2012 Contra/Tuba Lines

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I would suggest that 16 is the new average. The sad reality is that as musicianship is dying in the world in general, due to budget cuts or lack of interest. And tuba players were a minority to begin with. Because of this, a lot of your DCI tuba players arent tuba players at all, and either learn the horn just to march, or the corps switches some people that may not make it on their respective horns. So its more of a danger now to march 12 tubs when 3 or 4 of them are beginner tuba players. I know that from 1st hand experience. In 09 we marched 12 and two of them didnt know how to play the horn.

    So if you already have 3 or 4 members that don't know how to play tuba when fielding 12, wouldn't that logically mean you will have around 4-6 that don't know how to play tuba when marching 16? So why not just take the 10-12 that actually know how to play and field 12 tubas instead of having up to 6 members out that who don't know how to play the horn? I would prefer to see/hear 12 tubas that know what they are doing, than a 16 member section that, for a lack of a better word, has been diluted by more members who can't play tuba.

    • Like 3

    Show Announcements

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    And it looks like Marc Streitenfeld wrote for a few film scores:

    (from wikipedia)

    According to corpsreps this is the first time any corps has used music by Streitenfeld! There is so much new music out there that could be used, it is nice to see a corps play the music of a new composer. thumbup.gif

    (I wish I knew which piece they were playing though...)

    Spirit 2012

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by Mr.Potato.Head

    Yes, there are some brass players that play woodwind instruments, but they all have extensive brass experience, college band and drum corps, and play extremely well. And, they beat out over 300 brass

    players for their spots. Vets are not guaranteed spots at SOA.

    So Spirit had at least 380 kids show up to audition on brass? Wow! I haven't even heard of that happening at the Top 6 corps. So I take it Spirit won't have any holes at the beginning of the season then?

    • Like 1

    Cadets Offer $1500. in tour credits for mellophone soloist

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    What do you mean? That an alumnus is offering a $1500 incentive only because the soloist quit in April?

    And if that was the case, why not just say so in the press release as the Cadets usually do? Someone was just lauding the Cadets for their transparency. This would not follow their pattern of behavior.

    I do not know what prompted the donation from the alumnus.

    And

    The Cadets are transparent about what they will be bringing to the field during the summers and how the process works. I doubt they want to go around being transparent about the fact that quite a few of their vets quit the corps during the winter. There is a big difference between saying we changed our show and saying we have had multiple vets quit, so there are open spots, so come audition!

    The Loudest Hornline of 2011?

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Hopefully that is changing. I felt 2011 was a step up, but they are still relatively

    young and need time/experience to grow. I'm hoping the younger members stick around

    and really mature with the Corps...they could be monsterous in the coming years!

    It would be awesome if that happened with more of the corps in the 8-14 range! Then things would get really crammed at the top.

    Bluecoats 2012

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Agree. Since when is a poster a show announcement?

    At the very least they could have posted an incomprehensible paragraph of text describing the ground-breaking innovations of their show concept!

    I have to agree! I was underwhelmed by their "Big Announcement". Looking forward to hearing what rep they chose for this summer!

    The OFFICIAL 2012 Prediction Thread

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Sure..anything's possible to consider when its April. But I wouldn't bet the farm if I was you that Boston is going to drop this year. But who knows. We'll see.

    Not very many people guessed that the Blue Stars were going to drop 3 places last year, but they did. Just goes to show how many good corps there are now, and how competitive things have become.

×
×
  • Create New...