redheadedsop

How do the Modern Corps make their Music when they don’t have 12 Contra/Tubas and 12 Keyboard instruments in the Pit area? Along with 2 Electric Pianos, for some. After all, the most Professional of Musicians, Members of Symphony Orchestras, aren’t lucky enough to have that kind of support? Back in the 70/80’s we weren’t so lucky, and had to produce listenable Music with 4-5 Contras, and only 2-4 keyboards, like Xylophones and Marimbas! How in the world did we make Music? I’m watching Nightbeat, and the Blue Stars look more like the Green Stars. And last night at SouthEast Regionals, I saw a LOTS of Trombones (as Seinfeld said, ‘There’s nothing wrong with that!), and even a classical French Horn. Dogs and Cats living together! And not having Judges on the Field, for ‘Safety Concerns’? What were the statistics? And the ‘Controllers’ up front? Why aren’t they member age? Most I’ve seen are like Roadies for Bands, 35-40. I have to say, at least FloMarching isn’t following the 1 1/2 second visuals we see so often today. But they need to Lock-Down their cameras. Too many ‘accidental’ movements. And what can you say about BlueCoats show? It’s better to see it AFTER the drugs have kicked in! Then it makes sense! Booo! When Amplification was not needed: Red Headed Sop

Does anyone know of any recordings of the U.S. Open, Key to the Sea, Bluegrass Nationals, American Legion Nationals, and World Open in the years of 1974 through 1978, especially for Black Watch Highlanders of Auburn, WA? I thought that I saw microphones on the side of the fields when we performed, and I'd love to be able to hear what we sounded like at those shows. I know they aren't listed on the Drum Corps World list of Historical Recordings, so I'm hoping there was either a professional recording being done, or that someone happened to be recording those shows, and know that they have the Black Watch Highlanders of Auburn, WA from those years? Cathy Doser Black Watch Highlanders 1972-1978

There was indeed a focus on execution, because it counted for so much. I, for one, appreciate the focus on execution. Do I think we need to go back to the Tick system? Not really, but we need to take a better look at excellence, because we have moved away from that, and as "professional" looking groups, it's our duty to perform at the highest level of attainment. That means you don't perform a show that is above your ability to do so. You have a show that is perfectible by your students. That's what we've gone away from. And it shows. There were mistakes done by groups like the Blue Devils (dress and cover) that wouldn't be tolerated in the days of the 70's. It just looked bad. And it was probably because they were given a show that was above their ability to execute perfectly. And, it might also be because the instructors weren't teaching the students that they should perform at that level. Whichever is true, it's just sad that we don't have the kind of show that shows perfection anymore. Sad, indeed!

I was a member of one of the all time great little corps, the Black Watch from Auburn, WA. We had a great little show that was performed by a small group of kids. We had a large, Top 12 capable corps in 1976, then had a great exodus that fall. In 1977, we blended in the feeder corps, and had a still small group which we took to Denver, and competed in DCI Class A. We took 7th that year, with a pretty good show. The next year, 1978 we gained a few members, but were still pretty small. We played a pretty hard book, and took 1st in Class A. I attach the sound file here, for others to enjoy, and to see what I mean. https://www.dropbox.com/s/kxq82omu0c6tcfv/Black%20Watch%201978%201.mp3?dl=0

What is DCI trying to do, dump their history? I just went to see if the Historical CD collection was still available. It isn't. Is DCI trying to say that Drum Corps didn't exist before 1999? You can't find musical CD's from them before that time. You can get DVD's, What's up with that?

How about the 1978 Black Watch Hornline? It was only 35 members, won Class A Championships, and played Echano, Four of the Eight up into double A's, by the Illegal Eight, the Lead Soprano line, so named by Wayne Downey, who was judging GE Brass, for the way they played Echano, 'They played that So Loud, So High, So Long, They should be Illegal!' Totally Illegal!

People, a few years ago, the Ontario Drum Corps Association used to sell a little booklet that told you the things you needed to do to start a Drum Corps. I know it's probably a bit out of date, but there was a lot of good thought that went into it. What I'm hoping is that someone still has one of those, or could get me in touch with the people who did it, and I could get some copy of that information. I'm involved with a new organization, Drum Corps North America, where I'm the Northwest Regional Coordinator. We're starting a new organization for the Community Corps of the world. We even have the blessing of DCI to help these smaller, younger corps. We hope to find ways to help regrow that small corps circuit that many of us loved so much, when we were younger. It really supports everyone, because we hope to be able to build an organization that helps get more shows going, all over the country, that the small promoters can once again afford to put on. We hope to be able to have lots of contests for lots of corps, for lots of people in the audience. We hope to give lots of fun. Cathy Doser Northwest Regional Coordinator Drum Corps North America

Well, kids, there's another new corps way up here in the Northwest. The great organization, The Seattle Cascades, and their Parent Organization have announced the formation of a new corps in the Vancouver, WA area. Yes, that's the area of the old Vancouver Spartans! With a rich history of Drum Corps ahead of it, the NYMA is helping bring drum corps back. Following is from their webpage: http://www.nwyouthmusic.org/ Please wish them good luck! We need all of the new Drum Corps we can, especially here in the Northwest!! *** New Drum Corps in Vancouver, WA! *** We are starting a new Drum Corps in Vancouver, Washington. We will be having our first Walk On Weekends (W.O.W.) on November 19th and December 3rd. We are finalizing the location of the WOW and will be announcing it shortly. The WOW is tentatively scheduled from 9am-9pm with a lunch break at 12pm and dinner break at 4pm. Can't attend our WOW on the 19th, that's OK! We will have our second opportunity on the 3rd of December. Stay tuned... What is a W.O.W.? It's your opportunity to experience drum corps in the Northwest! We will be going over exercises and techniques in both marching and playing, and will start to dive in to our 2012 show. This new Drum Corps will be competing in Drum Corps International's Northwest tour and at the Califoria Open Class Championships, as well as performing at events in the Vancouver-Portland area. Tuition and fees will be kept to an economic level. Students are welcome from middle schools, high schools, and college. There will be a $20 fee charged for the WOW to help cover admin costs. We will also be holding a parent Q&A after introductions on Saturday morning and will also have a show and tell at the end of the night about 7:30pm We will be updating this website with exercises and items you will need to prepare yourself for a productive WOW. We will not be doing a formal audition or one-on-one auditions and the WOW will be in a full ensemble format. Keep checking the website for updates all the way until the 19th! If any immediate questions, please contact Dan Perry at danp8161@yahoo.com or 971-998-5234. What to bring * Lunch & Dinner - we will not be able to provide food for this event * Instrument - please bring an instrument as we will have some, but won't have 14 snare drums to go around * $20.00 - there will be a $20 fee charged for the W.O.W. to help cover admin costs * Bring a friend. Ot two! The more that are here, the better the experience * We will be doing some marching basics so plan to bring athletic clothes that you can march in

Jeff, that bit, and some of the BD charts from the mid 70's just make chills go down my back! Especially hearing Bonnie blast out those solos! She was my hero back then, and still is! Is she still playing at all? It would be great to get her to chime in on her bro's work! Just like old times. Jeff, that's one time I really envy you! Playing Jim's music, in a line with Bonnie, her doing solos. Cool!

Well, I'd agree that they had innovations. Now, if you call them good, that's where I'm going to diverge from you. This whole idea of one person being a star, well, and the whole thing wi the keyboard, Geez! Talk about making things so young groups can't have a chance to compete, unless they have LOTS of money. That's what was =not= supposed to happen. The whole keyboard/electronics thing, we were told, was supposed to bring about more parity. Didn't happen. Wouldn't happen. Not gonna do it! Wouldn't be prudent! Real Drum Corps Doesn't Need Batteries!