Da_Expert_has_spoken

marching plates is not only limited, but very little impact overall... especially in today's arena... and this isnt an overnight thing... this trend started in the 80's... the opportunity to have more options and particular color from the front is far more valuable than 4 or 5 pairs of plates on the field ... and you can not compare a field snare to field cymbals... as the particular voice, visual & GE impact of the field snare line is an idiomatic and dramatic part of the activity. just because there is one seemingly "pitch" to the actual drum head, doesnt mean you cant contribute multiple colors, textures and timbres... not just with sticks and implements, but actual writing and zone playing. STU, I do like where you are going with the "honoring" idea and I know you mean well, but that is not why decisions in show design and production are made... not in the least... the only time paying homage or honoring something is ever done, is for an artistic concept or an emotional reaction. I mean one could use the logic, there should be race segregation in schools to honor American history.... I know that's not where you were going with that... but talk to most of the Percussion gurus out there and they think its a waste of personnel to march plates... in marching band where there is no limitation of personnel, that might be something else.

DCI playing favorites? marketing them? That's nothing new... of course they do... their top corps are their featured attraction... that's why DCI TELLS THE CORPS WHAT TO DO and WHERE TO GO... competitions and shows have prize money on the line and every corps gets a piece of the action.. but obviously the amount commensurates with placement... obviously this is a double edged sword, as it can help promote and keep the activity alive, but it can also destroy bits and pieces of it... for example: keep it alive, but not for all corps... sorry charlie! As far as political motives are concerned... that's a touchy subject... some judges are partial to some corps/their staff/their program... its not objective, but its what is.... even some judges have a vendetta or a score to settle... it happens... Most people feel after Star losing to Cadets in 1993, the activity is not a fair and balanced activity scoring wise... but its still fun to participate, teach, design, judge and spectate... well, aside from those absurdly quiet Bb horns and microphones...

ehhh... there are so many athletic wear lines already that specialize in fitness and sport... and NO, simply rinsing them in the shower dont always do it... I wouldnt think that designing and selling something to a very small, specific, narrow activity would do particularly well or even come close to recouping start up cost, development costs, marketing, manufacturing, etc. In order for it to be specific and specialized, it would have to be designed specially, which would increase costs, which would increase retail price... with that utter absurd cost of dues what they are now, along with any college associated costs, I dont think too many participants have a ton of cash to begin with.

Drum Corps and/or Marching Bands should NEVER play at an indoor venue!!!! There is no debating this.... its bad enough WGI Winter Percussion ... please stop marching bandizing DCI.... the Bb horns and microphones are bad enough!!!!!

Is it me or does Crown look like 1993 Star of Indiana? I know they always looked to Star and Cadets originally for a goal and identity... well, the first year it was Suncoast Sound as inspiration (not only in staff, but in musical direction)... Its an interesting show, nothing I havent really seen before, but never the less, its done well... the visual and percussion program seem to be holding them back a bit, but otherwise very nice well rounded show, for the exception of Bb horns. Bb horns = "huh?, what? cant hear you?"

Quite honestly the only worthwhile and favorite moment Ive witnessed thus far is one of the rare times that all competing corps join in and play together at retreat... depending on the number of corps at that particular show, it takes about 600 some odd Bb horns to sound exactly like 70 G bugles... very little energy and excitement in the shows the past few years.

MIke D explained it best in layman's terms transcription is writing what you hear as close to the original, an arrangement is composing a piece based on existing work, with variation in music and/or instrumentation... simply writing note for note in another key is considered an "arrangement". one more time, from an actual professional: TRANSCRIPTION AND ARRANGEMENT AREN'T THE SAME THING, REGARDLESS OF THEIR NOUN OR VERB FORM. and no, it wasnt 1994 Blue Devils that "it all began"... you can go further back than that to see intricate variations on a theme, etc. Look at 82 SCV... or 79 Spirit of Atlanta.... 84 Cadets (aka Garfield)... 1983 Blues in the Night, Spirit is a good example... the entire 1985 Star of Indiana Show, 86 Suncoast....or how about 1988 Suncoast, although original music from Robert W Smith, it pays homage to recognizable music throughout... technically 89 Suncoast... although the arranger is the original composer, 89 is based upon the 85 work... Crown's first year... with The Music Man, absolutely nothing like the original, if anything an improvement over the original 1991 Blue devils 1992 Star 1993 Blue Knights tasty and interesting music being carved out of existing pieces is nothing new...