PioneerPride

A person judging music ensemble should have the ability to evaluate how the percussion and brass book is working together to create a singular musical idea, taking into account both technical/construction and performance. My understanding is that entertainment is on the sheet as well, at least I think it is. If I'm wrong, I've been misinformed. To me, a good ensemble judge has to have the ability to take apart both brass and perc at the performance level to help understand and award the good , as well as single out things that might not be working and have a technical response for the constructive criticism they are giving. If a person is solely a brass or perc guy, you know what will happen; they will probably lean towards what they are familiar with. Sure, anyone can say "that's out of tune" or "you snares didn't play that together", but only a person with experience at constructing them both can get to the nitty gritty and give detailed information. Just my opinion, but the performers deserve that. Also if just saying obvious things like that is acceptable, hell anyone that has half an ear and a little bit of experience could effectively judge the sheet. I doubt thats what the powers that be at DCA want. I guess the best ensemble guy is someone who has solid experience teaching both perc and brass, probably band director/conductor types? A person who only expertise is only limited to one family of instruments probably wouldn't do as good a job at it. So to answer the previous thread, I have no idea whether Thurston applies or not. However, if he doesn't have the ability to effectively rehearse a brass line or understand and evaluate the technical components of it and be able to translate them in his commentary, then he wouldn't be qualified. I have no idea one way or the other if he is or not, just saying.

Well stated I think. Where is it written that scores have to go up? How many times have we seen a corps be no better weeks later but their score has improved, sometimes dramatically? That's never made sense to me.

I was looking at recaps and it looks like at least musically Alliance can hang with some of the better corps. Looks like their visual numbers, specifically their guard number, is lagging behind. I'm with you. I'd love to see Alliance stir up the pot in the near future.

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