luv4corps

My original post was not there more than one minute! I was thinking... well the presses, facebook and OC's website have released it... but I was still scared to announce it in plain English so I tried to be covert, Then, just seconds after I attempted a covert message... which was was stupid in hindsight... I realized that Madrid had already announced it. So I edited my post at that point. And when I saw the neg already I was like... jeez... gimme a break. I'm just an excited OC mom and fan!

Not really sure why saying congratulations to OC deserves a negative click but ok.

Congrats to OC!

Thanks for that Crown practice video. I would like to show it to my fifth-graders! Love the matching section shorts... nice touch.

Thanks to everyone who has posted show suggestions! I have seen some of them... will take time to see all of them. Please feel free to add more because I will watch...and I'm sure others are benefiting from this list. I am also excited to be introduced to some new composers along the way. I do have one other question: I know that corpsreps lists the repertoire played in the shows but is there some place I can see an explanation of the show's theme? Some kind of brief description similar to what one finds in the souvenir program at dci events? I bought one this year and found it very helpful as I watched the 2012 shows. Of the shows I've seen so far, these are standouts already: Crown '08 Scouts '95 Star '90 Cavs '02 ...but I'm just getting started! You know it's really fun to be a new Drum Corps fan!

Wow I hope people take the time to watch this. It brought tears to my eyes, especially when the mello player said he gave his sheet music to a kid and the kid started crying. The power of music!

I'd like to address the issue of marching band programs in Oregon. I live in Tigard OR, a suburb of Portland, am mom to a former high school marcher turned corps marcher and I also am a music educator (at the elementary level). High school marching band is emphasized in Oregon IF you're in the right school district and IF they have a superintendent and school board who care about performing arts. These components vary widely district to district. For example, Portland public schools have no presence in marching band competitions while a neighboring suburban district, Beaverton, fields strong award-winning emsembles every year. It is very patchwork and even districts with strong programs can suddenly experience the bottom dropping out with funding and the programs get axed. This happened to a school in another nearby district - Centennial HS in the Reynolds district. Centennial had a very strong marching program and today is not even in the game. I am an employee of the above mentioned Beaverton district and even this district, a long time flagship district when it comes to strong music programs, lost 18 full time music teaching positions this year. Full time band directors are now also teaching choir or dividing time between subjects or schools. Hopefully the programs can bounce back. That remains to be seen. I post this only to say that it isn't quite accurate to say 'HS marching band is not emphasized'. It is just not in every district or every school. Sometimes even schools within districts vary on marching band participation. But passion for the program where it does exist runs high! And as might be expected, the top notch programs in the state have ties with the Oregon Crusaders. So the pick of talent is very ripe. By chance my son ended up at a high school that had a strong marching band tradition (Tigard High School). Had we stayed in the Portland Public school district, I doubt he ever would have joined, or even known about Oregon Crusaders. Still a lot of kids out there who don't get exposed... and that IS sad.

Going to use my best headphones for this! Thanks for the suggestions and I'm stoked! Really appreciate the "what to watch/listen for" kinds of comments.

I'm not looking as much for what I "like" as what has shaped drum corps through the years and brought it to where it is today. It's like studying literature. I don't need to like it to appreciate the value in it. If I like it.. a lot, it is bonus and gives me an avenue to explore. Don't worry, I will find something to like from any show I watch. I also feel I don't know enough yet to know what I like, especially in the visual and general effect captions. Musically, I'm a little more up to speed. I see drum corps as an art form that is evolving and I want to be knowledgeable as I watch it all unfold.

Ok all you drum corps aficionados... while my FN membership remains active... and now that I'm full up with the 2012 shows... I would like recommendations from old AND new school folks about who/what to watch and why... the greatest shows from past seasons and the specifics on why you think they're great - marching styles, drill, innovations in design or music arranging, choreography, stuff like that. I have a music degree so if you want to talk, say, serialism, I'm with ya. I am generally impressed with the posts on this forum. People know drum corps. I want to know drum corps too! I know some of the more obvious ones... like SCV '89 and PR's Spartacus... but I want more... much more. And I'm aware that there are similar threads out there but I want the focus to be: educating a new fan hungry to know more about drum corps.

Like was already said... the New York Philharmonic or the Metropolitan Opera don't have to premier a new work every concert to be considered "art". Even if no original music were ever used in drum corps, you would still have original visual designs every year. Isn't that enough to deem it "art"? I think original music is always welcome in a show, especially as it adds to the general effect, but it should not be a mandate.

That's really gorgeous... and gaming could also provide visual ideas and themes. Sounds like a show to me!

Drum corps has found substance in the music of Eric Whitacre. What about Morten Lauridsen... Magnum Mysterium for example. I could hear Crown or Phantom bringing the audience to tears with it. I am a choral person, mother of a hornline member, so of course I'm partial to the great choral works... which are so beautiful coming from hornlines!

All summer i've been thinking what an absolutely compelling documentary a drum corps season would make... focusing mostly on just one corps and even just one kid in the corps. Just the nitty gritty day to day of it and of course the grand pageantry of competition. Who wouldn't love that?

Still the only show that brings me to tears EVERY time I watch it on FN... and it's Nessun Dorma that does it.

My son, currently in drum corps but now a year out of high school, always returned from Indy right when band camp was starting. There were literally mornings when the band director called him personally on his cell phone to wake him up and get him over to band camp. My point is this: most band directors can't wait to get the dci kids on board because they know it will boost the quality of their show. My son's last year marching HS band, they won the state title. I see no reason why a kid should have to make a choice between one or the other, unless the band director requires it. There are many conflicting programs in high school... even just within the school. High school directors and coaches are used to it and basically, the squeakiest wheel gets the grease.

Good for your school... E X P A N D I N G the music program. Now there is a verb you don't often see placed anywhere near the words 'school or music'. I work in a district that just cut half of the music programs and teachers. I have to wonder how continuing cuts to music will affect drum corps. Some of the best marching band programs in my state have been hammered this year. I love the park and lot warm ups... especially the dueling brasslines. If setting up a souvie table near the corps would help the corps financially in any way, I'm all for it.

A school I am associated with is going to expand our music program next year and it will include a band (elementary level). East Coast Classic is about five minutes away and the school will be buying a block of tickets. I'm hoping they'll not only see the show, but BAC up close. Good for your school... E X P A N D I N G the music program. Now there is a verb you don't often see placed anywhere near the words 'school or music'. I work in a district that just cut half of the music programs and teachers. I have to wonder how continuing cuts to music will affect drum corps. Some of the best marching band programs in my state have been hammered this year. I love the park and lot warm ups... especially the dueling brasslines. If setting up an obtrusive souvie table near the corps would help the corps financially in any way, I'm all for it.

Any corps: Lauridsen please, lots and lots of Lauridsen.

The Oregon Crusader show was my number one pick... yes yes yes I have a kid in the corps... but the show had legs... the judges liked it... and many in world class took note of it. But I also just LOVED SCVC, Gold, 7th Regiment, Legends and Spartans. (Also, as a side note that has nothing to do with shows... my pick for best uniforms is the Spartans. Very sharp! And congrats to the Spartans color guard for getting first)

Hilarious! Thanks for making me laugh... only wish I were this clever. I'm new but there are some smart folks here. I am impressed. I just might hang around.

Can't wait for the news

Happy to say I did not sell my stocks in 2008 and being farily new to DCI, due to my son marching - have nothing to compare the new show designs to... although over time I am watching the "classic oldies" on FN. I am planning on sticking with the activity as a fan because - I think it is spectacular at all levels with or without electronics and other gimmicks. There are constantly new fans being won over - though I don't know if we newbs can replace the ones crowding the exits. I have a degree in music so I really focus mostly on sound when I watch... but I will say this: I appreciate the shows that are the loudest, have the longest hang-in-the-air brass blasts, have quick tempo drill with cool stuff like scout's rotating company front and yes, I admit, I also like the newer school emphasis on choreography. Can do without flying hoola hoops and hobby horse wardrobes however.

I am ADD and I am out of my mind in that show. Thanks for putting into words the way I am feeling :)

However these scores shake out in worlds... I can't wait to see how OC places in semis. Those who have seen their show are in love with it this year. They are peaking... execution execution execution. We'll see! And if you're going to finals... don't miss their show... not a good time to go get a hot dog.