drumcorpsfever

Great idea. This shows what can be done with collaboration, cooperation, creative thinking, and vision.

Check out this thread - I liked it so much when I first read through it, I saved as one of my favorites: http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php/topic/153884-best-shows-to-educate-rookie-fans/

I understand why some may prefer a flat/balanced scoring method. However, the art has really gravitated toward visual. I personally don't see anything wrong with that since it's the visual that has the biggest upside for growth and evolution of the activity. There's enough credit for music comp and execution to keep the corps honest and ensuring an ample amount of BYBO for the fans.

I think 2013 was an unusually dynamic year for uniform and looks changes. I'd be surprised to see as many new uni's and looks this year. The following corps made noticable changes in their look in 2013 - although some more significant than others: Bluecoats Boston Cavies Colts Colt Cadets Crown Phantom Madison Music City Troopers Vanguard

With fewer units necessitating the need for many to travel, members are more likely to choose their desination corps. If you have to travel to audition and call-back camps, winter camps, training and tour, it's no surprise there's going to be a higher concentration of talent for the most successful corps.

I like 1995 for the Cavies, Cadets and BD. Terrific shows! 1 98.300 Cavaliers, The Planets 2 97.200 The Cadets, An American Quintet 3 96.700 Blue Devils, Carpe Noctem

Hey all - just found out that the Massillon Show on August 4th offers pick-your-seats (I just purchased my seats). This show is always well attended and is a great place to see a drum corps show. I'd suggest that if you're planning on going, get your tickets early. The line-up is fantastic this year. While I'm honking for the Massillion show, don't forget to check out the other 2 shows the Bluecoats have this year - Akron and Pittsburgh. Great venues and super line-ups too!

For the most part, it's been my experience that the vast majority of drum fans "get it" and are very respectful of these things. There's always exceptions though. I generally sit lower at Indy and haven't noticed the chatter of conversation. However, in Atanta, for example, the concessions chatter is very noticable if your seats are anywhere near the concourse. The Georgia Dome is quite open from the seating to concessions. I've purposely purchased seats progressively lower in Atanta for that reason. Regarding the "Shouting Soloists" on recordings, I completely dislike those that put their individual voices in the show recording that others have worked so hard to perfect - for whatever reason. Cheer as loud as you can, but do it appropriately during the show. The individual call-outs and non-spontaneous shouts are inappropriate and disrespectful to the performers.

You had me at "vuvuzela"! But, I love your reference to: the term, "dino whiners" "the usual 10 or so on DCP eating each other alive" regarding the "video link of something really out dated to remind people not to listen to the dino's, like 55 Madison" -(I thought the same thing when I saw this on dci.org... coincidence? hmmm.....)

I agree with all those who speak highly of La Crosse. We made our first trip there last summer and really loved the town. It's a great atmosphere. I'd recommend it if you can make the trip!

Does anyone know if this will reduce the number of regionals in 2014 to three? (Atlanta-SE, San Antonio-SW, Allentown-E). La Crosse on July 12th will have a smaller lineup this year.

So, after all the discussion, it comes down to this, as just annouced by DCI: The second proposal addressed the instrumentation of a drum corps ensemble, recommending that any brass instrument, even those not traditionally considered to be of the “bell-front” variety as stipulated in the DCI rulebook be allowed in competition. “Similar to how a percussionist can play any percussion instrument including those which would be considered to be ‘non-traditional’ in a marching music setting, or to how guard members can manipulate any type of equipment or prop as a part of their performance, why not let the brass player play any type of instrument within the brass genome?” Komnick said explaining the intent of the proposal initiated by Madison Scouts Artistic Director James Mason. “This allows the musical palette to extend ever so slightly beyond its current boundaries.” Approved in the instructors caucus and passed along to the voting membership for discussion and a vote, the proposal passed overwhelmingly. This is the first major change in brass instrumentation to affect the DCI rulebook since a proposal allowing “any-key” brass instruments was implemented in 2000. The rule will take effect with the start of the 2014 Drum Corps International season, but it is still to be seen if and how corps designers will take advantage of the opportunity to expand their playbooks to incorporate the different brass sounds now available. “I spend a lot of time during the season at contests studying the audience and adjusting my [musical] scores to achieve the maximum amount of effect and engagement,” Santa Clara Vanguard Brass Arranger JD Shaw said. “If I were to put a trombone solo on the field and the audience hated it, I would change it. However, if I were able to make the audience love that moment, then we've created something new and exciting.” In the meantime, lively debate among drum corps enthusiasts is sure to ensue, much as it has it has throughout DCI’s more than 40-year history as “competition-legal” brass instruments evolved from one- to two- to three-valve configurations and from bugles in the key of G to more standard multi-keyed instruments. ... and, so it goes...

Finally, a update on the rule change from from DCI! The site is running really slow - my guess is from all the traffic at one time. Just goes to show you how many passionate fans there are. I'd like to think that's a healthy sign for the future of the activity!

Really enjoyed reading your post. Very interesting! That's an example of what would keep me coming back to DCP. Although I don't agree with everything you wrote (I don't believe that the achievement of drum corps peaked in the 1980's - I think it continues to evolve and improve - and I think there were some incredible musical performances in 2010). Thank you for taking the time to provide some enjoyable reading!

In the famous words of Meg Ryan, "yes, Yes, YES!!!"

The values, experiences, and goals of drum corps hasn't changed one bit over the years. Anyone who's been to a recent show or practice knows this. Look into the eyes of the members. They're in this thing for the same reason that most of us, some many years ago, were in it for.

Anyone who hasn't been happy with synths, should welcome this change as you'll be hearing real instruments instead of synthesized voices they mimmick being. I think this is potentially a very good change for drum corps.

I watched the vintage footage posted on dci.org yesterday of the 1955 Madison Scouts. I think it's obvious that drum corps has, overall, gone in the right direction - in spite of navigating in ever-chaning times. I know you can't compare 1955 to the present. But, if you consider the evolution of the activity to the product that's on today's field, I don't think you can lay a strong argument otherwise. I don't think you're going to see wholesale changes to on-field instrumentation. However, if we do, I think we can expect it to improve the sound and sight of the show.

Well, it's almost 5pm and soon the DCI offices will be closed for the day. Still no official annoucement from them. DCI may as well allow for violins too. That way they can play them while Rome - err, DCI burns. Note to DCI - if you're following this thread ... if this is such a great thing for drum corps (I hope it is), then why not get behind the change and share it with your student membership and fans of the world? You think you would have been chomping at the bit to do so! Edited for: It's 5pm and our offices are now closed!

Hey Madison - trombones, sousaphones, and french horns today... females tomorrow!

Does anyone know why the petition was closed?

Where is the DCI annoucement on this? With a rule change this big and discussion of the leaked proceedings going on since early this past weekend, it's almost 11am now and no official statement from the DCI offices. C'mon DCI, get your act together! You've had all weekend to craft a perfect press release! Where is it?

So, this was a Madison urging ... and a reported vote of 17-3 in favor. So much for the G7 conspiracists! There's something new to focus attention on. Thank you DCI, you've re-energized DCP and have given the forum pages something new to write about.

Anyone who thinks that trombones are essential for drum corps, revisit the Bluecoats Harvest: Concerto for Trombone by John Mackey, 2011. What an awesome performance and sound produced by a drum corps!

No one wants to see a sousaphone over a contra bass, right? Trombones - cool instruments, but in drum corps? I can't believe the inclusion of these instruments would be anywhere other than in the front ensemble or used as a highlight instrument. But again, you've got to show me this one.