Amil Muzz

AHAHAHAHA!!!!!

AMEN!!!!! I am a band director (Northglenn HS) and a long time drum corps instructor. I have to constantly fight and fight to keep my program going, as do my brothers and sisters in the music ed. biz. These are not good times for us. I have lost both of my jazz bands and am taking a sizable pay cut. But we still have our program, and we are lucky. The disheartening thing about this direction these people have chosen is that it is reckless, selfish, and totally disrespectful to everyone who has ever marched, taught, or bought a ticket. I have said this recently here; fragmenting an already small market, in bad economic times is foolish. 12 drum corps have been in the "top7" since 1996. The Bluecoats (G7), Blue Knights, Glassmen, and Carolina Crown (G7) have dropped out of the top 12 and been in the "top 12" in this span. THIS OPPORTUNITY WOULD HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS IF THIS WAS IN PLACE BEFORE NOW. Are those of us not in the G7 (G6 + 1) really such a drag on their plans of World Domination? I have lost a ton of respect for some of these guys who have chosen this fight. The Bluecoats and Carolina Crown should be ashamed of themselves. It has not been that long since they were out of the top 12. Crown has had a strong run recently, and I am a fan. I have also worked for them and have friends there. Would you really fundamentally change the game the served you so well and defined what is possible for a drum corps to achieve. Shame on you! I am sorry that the rest of the activity has become such a burden and you have have not gotten your fair share of what....money? recognition? fame? chicks? We are all elite who participate in this activity. Were the kids I had the honor of teaching at Colts or Troopers not as elite as the kids in the 90's with BK? NOPE. This "elite" stuff has got to go. Anyone with the stones to sacrifice their time, energy, and and money to be apart of this thing is "elite" and deserve someplace to grow and push themselves like no other laboratory: the DRUM CORPS ACTIVITY. Ticket sales and money issues are secondary to the incredible things all of us do World or Open Class, finalist or no. We work too #### hard for this nonsense.

Narcissism is the personality trait of egotism, often used as a pejorative, denoting vanity, conceit, egotism or simple selfishness. Applied to a social group, it is sometimes used to denote elitism or an indifference to the plight of others. It is not about money, that may be the excuse. We have such a small market, it makes no sense to fragment this market. The only way this makes any sense is through the prism of narcissism. The masterminds of the "G7" (and how arrogant is this) should really be ashamed of themselves. There are some good people in this mix, hopefully they will see that they have been led down an embarrassing road.

Anyone else have great experiences with Gene and Gordon to share? I got a good one for you Mr. Rivas (hello, btw). I do not think most people know that Gene is a sports referee, judges drum corps and a ref....glutton for punishment, right? My freshman year of high school I played basketball. I do not remember what game it was, but I came in the game off the bench and got rang up for two quick fouls. I had never gotten that many quick fouls before so I am kind BS about it. Fast forward to my 1st Allentown show, I am on the starting line and #### if the same frickin' guy who rang me up for those foul is not on the field judging. I am thinking there is a ref/judge cloning factory somewhere. I really freaked me out!!!

Having worn both hats...band director and Brass Caption Head/ Staff member... If one of my band students says that they want to audition for say, Crown. Well, we live in Denver, there are two fine organization right here. I would explain the COST involved in just auditioning, travel, fees, etc. COST and geographic location should be a consideration. If the kid as unlimited resources, game on...however these days who really can do that, very few. If kid wants to go in that direction, I would want to speak to the parents and the student, let them know what the expectations are and answer whatever questions they might have. Sure, aim high, go audition where you want. But, certainly the COST involved is a very significant factor to consider. Either way, I think anyone who auditions for any drum corps for the first time is in for an awakening and a interesting experience.

DITTO

40 plus years since the concept of touring drum corps came out of Casper, Wyoming... 18 years after a second Mountain Time Zone made finals for the first time... There is finally two DCI Finalists in the Region!!! I hope this will become a permanent situation!!! Way too go Troopers! Keep going Blue Knights, you guys are on the right path. You made people clap this year! I am a happy western drum corps guy tonite... Also I happy about the Boston corps I had the opportunity to teach this season. This has been a very special season.

Too much melody? Hmmm.... I not defending this past years Colts...or any others, even though I was around for a couple recent years... I get worried about the educational validity of the activity when I see a comment about too much melody. Rhythm- Melody- Harmony- Texture- These are the 4 elements of music. I worry that organized sound effects has replaced actual literature. I am old...

US Open- Marion, OH....horrible... New Berlin, WI...4th of July show...85, 86, 87. There was a big hill behind the back hash...big hill. Pittsfield, MA was always a trip.

My bad...A Time for Hate came later...

I wish I knew who I was talking to...PM me... I can honestly say that there is not anything that has not been said that has not been kicked around on DCP that has not been talked about amongst the staff and management. This year we have a young but very, very talented brass section and a talented corps across the board and not too many age outs. Discussions about what we need to do next year to max out the monster we could have have already started. When it comes to moments that make people go nuts, I have spent a great deal of time thinking about those and the characteristics they share. Will those work with the BK formula....that the question. I do not know if playing harder licks is the answer....2000 taught me that. That whole show was a hard lick. Do I think BK could be more efficient and more strategic with how that stuff is presented...well...that is the discussion I think everyone has Density of presentation can be a double edged sword. As any composer will tell you acheiving compositional balance is the secret to a great piece of music. Should the corps start from an established form and write out from that. There are plenty of examples of that in the activity, that is not a criticism, but I think it is true. It is a tough nut to crack... In Westchester, PA I was watching Crown. I was watching the show with Jack Bevins and it suddenly struck me, Crown is playing a VK show this year. Without the gags, but musically it is an old VK show, how clever is that? Crown is not saddled with an identity to deal with...they can do and have done an amazing variety of music in the last few years, and do it so well. Would that work for the Denver team? Probably not... Is identity as important as it once was? Stuff to chew on...

I have sat back and read the previous post about the the Blue Knights and did not think it was appropriate for me to comment. I think as one of these unnamed staffers I probably should. I cannot comment on the direction of the corps from 2002-2007 as I was not involved. I spent time with other groups during those years. It is true that in 2000 we wanted to make a point with the programming of the show. We wanted to present virtuostic musical book to make the point that we were doing something unique. For the three 3 years prior the corps would show up to finals week and drop a place a night, '97- 7,8,9 '98- 7,8,9 '99- 5,6,7. After three years, it gets tough not to have a chip on your shoulder. As for the interpretation of the music, the opener was very aggressive, if I recall the title of that movement was "A Time for Hate" and the ballad was called "A Time for Love." You marched that year, do recall the imagery we spoke of often to capture the essence of that movement? We chose that music for two reasons, to accentuate the virtuosity thing and to pick music that was written from an emotional starting point because we felt it was a weakness of ours. Since we placed higher that corps ever did I would say we did OK. "Dirty Laundry" is a description that is a bit harsh. But I will tell you there was a certain amount of resistance. In critiques we would hear things like, "Boy if the Cadets did this show..." Was there a certain amount of we want to prove them wrong, sure. Is there still? I would say that is fair. Look at the last week of the season, depending on who is judging the score can flucuate by points. What the Blue Knights do does spark controversy...still. As is evidenced in this thread and your previous thread. On a personal level I wish I would have enjoyed those years more than I did at the time, I will admit to letting the competitive part over color those years. I was a younger man in those years, live and learn. Those years were not about settling disputes, but trying to go in a different direction. Looking back on it I can say this with some certainty: I truly believe that for a drum corps that did not win a championship we certainly made a difference, especially in the visual vocabulary that is common place in pagentry today. As far as BK cannot put out an entertaining show...that is a bit of an overstatement. It is a very different kind of drum corps. The two years prior to coming back to BK I was at the Colts. Do I wish BK could get some of the same love this year from the fans that the Colts got those two years got...sure...but again it is a different approach. In 2001 we tried to be something to be more "fan friendly", we failed miserablely. When I started in 1992 with the Blue Knights it was coming of the first DCI Finals appearance and the corps needed to establish an identity. It took another 5-7 years to begin to dial that in. Are there moments and shows that missed the mark...sure, in 1993 we had a caveman on the field....oi. In 1998 the Ode to Joy material did not work the way we thought it would... The corps as always taken risks, sometimes it works out sometimes it doesn't. Do not think for a minute that the discussions that have unfolded on DCP regarding the Blue Knights approach haven't taken place on the staff bus on a daily basis and will continue in the future. This can be said of the Blue Knights approach, there is no middle ground, you like it or you do not. Period. If there were not performers that did not want to do this style of drum corps we could not fill the corps. If there was not merit and substance to what the corps does we would not be a finalist. This is a competitive activty and one that has an artistic, creative direction that demands that things go forward. The corps has always strived to do this at the highest level we could achieve. What prompted me to write this was three things: 1. The corps/ hornline that you marched in made up of 80% veterans who knew what we were attempting and had felt some of the resistance to it. You heard conversations that were 3 years old. Maybe I am overreading what you wrote, but it seems as though you are making a very, very serious charge about that staff and the staff that followed. If we were truly being "selfish" we would not have the retention rate we have had over the years. I can tell you that you cannot question Mark Arnold's commitment to giving the members a healthy, challenging, and educational experience. The same can be said about some of the other players, Ralph Hardimon...unquestioned. 2. As far as airing "dirty laundry"..... I think you have taken comments that we make as staff, IN THE HEAT OF THE COMPETITIVE SEASON, out of context to a certain degree to paint a rather ugly picture. If you did not enjoy your season with us, I am sorry, I will take responsibility for that as this was apart of my job. 3. As far as a show worthy of the kids talents, when have we not done that? If we do not get the same response that others drum corps get does that mean we have failed? "Audience Engagement" takes many forms. I am personally proud of the fact that "cookie cutter" is not an accusation that fits the Blue Knights. I can tell you as a member of the staff this year, the members love what they do. I watched them last week (I am home being a band director now...first DCI I have missed since 1984...oi) gladly roll around in the mud, after a laundry day I might add working the beginning of the show. I gotta say....that beginning is pretty cool and gets an audience reaction every night I saw the corps this summer. This particular drum corps is one of most cheerful, hard working, and uneffected by bad numbers I have been around. They are going to give 3 great performances this week and end up where they end up. I am quite sure their experience has been great enough that the vast majority will be back for another one next year. Jason Buckingham aka Amil Muzz

The opener is above 156...

If you are moving to escape nukes...well you are going to the exact wrong place, SE Wyoming is full of MX missle silos...it is one of the biggest bulls-eye there is.

Colorado

QUOTE (Joseph Ledesma @ Feb 19 2008, 02:19 AM) Your picking apart my opinion amuses me. Especially since I was talking about Boston's drumline, not Blue Stars. I like how you bluntly insult me also. It may have something to do with my signature no? You're probably a Boston Crusaders fan or alumni or something. Colts haven't made finals for some time so far as I recall until JB was there, whatever makes you think they'll stay there is trivial. I really hope you don't think you're some sort of 'professional' on this subject. It would offend many people thoroughly I can imagine. You should probably not be so serious about drum corps placement predictions, since they have absolutely no affect on what actually happens, nor does it hurt anybody. Just a thought. QUOTE "And you shouldn’t take criticism of your posts so personally. As I recall, you didn't say Colts would drop out of finals, you said they "won't live long without him" which could be interpreted a number of ways. Now that you have clarified who you were referring to with the drumline comment (Boston), that is a moot point as I was referring to Blue Stars on the drumline/hornline subject. I don't pretend to be a "pro" I just post my opinions same as everyone else, and try my best not to throw a tantrum when someone posts something that is in opposition to what I've said. I've removed my corps affiliation from my signature because I don't want anyone to make the incorrect assumption that I'm representing a corps with my posts, but FYI I never marched Boston or really been much of a fan." Whoa....leave me the heck outta this...Colts will be just fine...

One of my favorites parts of the summer was seeing Harvey, especially after a long winter. Seeing Harvey always signaled to me it was go time! The terms "class act" and "true gentleman" were never so appropriate. Harvey always had a friendly word and was a supportive voice when I was a young(er) instructor and always had great insight. It will not be the same walking on the field at a regional and shaking Harvey's hand and having a quick chat before and after the performance. Our activity is diminished in a big way. May we all pay honor to Harvey by conducting ourselves as he always did, with generosity, dignity, class, and supportiveness. Thanks for everything Harvey!

1986 Star, Conversation from Close Encounters- Jim Prime Yellow Rose of Texas, Troopers, early '70s....I think Mr. Downey might have done that one....

'84 Suncoast Sound- the Vietnam Memorial Wall WOW....

Bill was a competitor and friend. Along with his good friend Larry M., we had shared some great times. I will have a hard time warming my horn line up tonite.... My thoughts are with his family and his friends today. Bill will be missed, truly. Bill, I will meet you at the great VFW in the sky for a hurried beer or ten and try not to miss our bus....

One thing to keep in mind about the Colts Organization is that it is comprised of the Colts, Colts Cadets, Youth Choirs, Summer Band, and a Steel Band. The "big" corps is only one facet of the organization.

"There was a show somewhere early season and we just finished the ballad and I heard Barry yell "YOU CAN START PLAYING NOW"! " Hibbing, MN....I will never forget that one...

Hey George!!!! We probably drove too...all I remember is riding the guard bus with Bubba as my seat partner... Odds stacked against us? WOW....how many days in a row did an ambulance come to rehearsal in Newark? I gotta say of all the groups I have been with, the 94 Bones overcame more...20X more...25 horns at Memorial Day and end up 7th? WOW!

Salary cut? HAHAHAA...about 75 bucks, for the summer...HAHAHA and I paid for all my flight to camp thinking I was going to be reimbursed... That with out doubt was one of the weirdest, longest summers... The staff cooked and taught...oof... We all just wanted to keep the corps alive, which was a serious issue back then. I have often joked with fellow staff folks and Bones alumni over the years about the "Crossmen Modifier": One season at the Bones is worth 5 everywhere else. J. Buckingham

I hesitate to chime in here, however, I would like to say that my compadre Mr. Dempsey has good reason to be excited, I know that I am. Maybe private conversations should not be broadcast for knuckleheads on here to pick apart. But since the ball is rolling.... I have not spent all that much time with Tyler yet but I know this much about the guy, he calls it the way he sees it. I would not say anything if he did not mean it. Yes the Colts are strong, but then again these days everyone seems to be strong. We take our machine out and see how we do against everyone else and see where we end up. I am pretty sure that people are going to really dig the program and the approach. I know this: anyone that beats us and anyone we happen to beat is going to be a fine drum corps. That is just the way it is these days. I am not sure where the charge of false hope comes from...I can tell you that we do not have unrealistic expectations about this coming year. I would almost imply that Mr. Man of Ages is accusing us as a staff of setting our students up to be disappointed. We have all been around the block and then some dude. I think we know what a solid drum corps looks and sounds like and our excitement is genuine and earned. You should be careful drawing conclusions about relationships about which you know nothing and are not around to witness. We are pretty real about the competitive realities and the lack of control we have beyond our performance. I think anyone who has ever spent any time with the organization knows that it is a very centered group. Were we disappointed with being 13th...sure 13th is frustrating, especially 2 seasons in a row. I think if you really check out what we presented last year, it was strong. I have taught corps that were top 12 that could not hold a candle to the 2006 Colts. What gets either ignored, forgotten, or never realized is that "top 12" is very relative some years are stronger than others, period. Where you end up at the end of the season depends on what's going on around you, right now there is amazing work going on all over the activity right now. As far as Colts go...if it OK we are going to continue to be excited about what we are doing, we have earned that much, haven't we? We are doing something right. The young people who march in the Colts are uncommonly loyal to the organization and each other. It is really an unique, empowering and special thing to be apart of. Go Red Team! Jason Buckingham Brass Caption Head Colts!!!! PS I am still going to brag on my students 'cause they deserve it. BLAMMO!!!!