HornTeacher

I'll throw a 2nd vote in for 1988 Scout's "Malaguena."

There also existed in this country at one time a maxim of "The rule of the reasonable man." You are right -- any action that is not expressly forbidden by law immediately becomes "legal" (in a purely black and white world, anything not deemed expressly illegal, becomes, either by definition or conversely, legal). However, we cannot be expected to rewrite our laws at a precise moment that someone (or several hundred, thousand, or millions of someones) deems such action necessary. Even if this could possibly happen, do you think that with partisanship we see in everyday discussions among our lawmakers this would be remotely possible? Again, to the shock of many (and even more so to Stu himself, I'm sure), I have to side with him on this one..

Ahhh...a kindred spirit.

BigW...first, and foremost, I am a Trooper fan. Have been for 41 years. However... If you are referring (even discreetly) to the matter of Richards (and others) influencing the score given by a third judge...then I agree with you wholeheartedly. Such should never have taken place. And all three judges should have immediately lost their adjudication credentials. But who am I to judge? I'm just a village idiot.

If DCP stands for "Dinosaurian's Chosen Place", then I'm in.

For what little it may be worth -- I'm with you on this one, Stu.

A sincere "thank you" to all of you who have contributed to this topic. Being a brass player myself, I find it to be incredibly interesting. Unfortunately, the college which I attended (many moons ago) was negligent in this area of the musical arts (as well as others; thank goodness I had at least a cursory exposure to things like "jazz ensemble" and "marching band" in my small high school). All of you have opened up a new vista for me to explore and experience -- my gratitude is sincerely felt.

Actually, no. BUT...if I make it down this summer (and it really isn't that far for me), am I welcomed by you? Due warning: if you boo the Troopers, I'm leaving immediately!!

And I believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and the Great Pumpkin. Like you, I DO believe that the typical DCI audience is basically intelligent and rational. I DON'T, however, believe that such audience is acquainted enough with the specific criteria under which the judges assess performance as prescribed by the specific judging sheets. Former MM's...yes. But that's about it (if even THEY are.) As for any others...unless you work with such sheets on a consistent basis, you can't know what is entailed. Why do I suddenly feel like I am in the middle of some Jeff Dunham nightmare involving a fight between Walter and Achmed????

If your inference is what I think it is, Mello...I concur.

Ask Dave Richards.

I was personally there for the holy birth, Fred. Tried to find you -- but failed. Checked every inn, but was told there was no room to fit you. Oh well...next time, I suppose.

Props to he who invariably is the very FIRST person to draw the Aflac duck into a DCP discussion. You've inspired me; my mission in life is to search for places in which I can cite the Geico Gecko.

You might want to consider showing Michael Gough's "Hellbent for Victory" one of your evenings. This will give at least a glimpse of the "behind the scenes" stuff that the kids go through. It's not comprehensive, by any means; however, it's at least a start.

A few years back I was watching the Boston Pops 4th of July concert on PBS. As they often do, they played the "Stars and Stripes." This time, however, the piccolo solo was performed as a coloratura soprano solo by Maureen McGovern (remember "The Morning After" pop song in the 70's?). I had no idea she had that kind of voice. It was amazing!!

I certainly know where you're coming from, Jeff. But...all the hidden meanings in the world are meaningless if they aren't clear through the program.

You're a brave man, Sir. A brave, brave man.

Just because one happens to hold one or more collegiate degrees does not render one to be an "ivory tower" elitist, and I resent the notion, whether accidental or not, that it does. I can tell you from personal experience that one's affinity for things such as DCI Drum and Bugle Corps, competitive athletics, and NASCAR racing doesn't sit very well with one's former "Ivory tower elitist" colleagues. However, one has to merely shrug his shoulders and take the attitude "suck it if you can't accept it." One does not seek to control their lives, and one certainly doesn't allow them (or anyone else, for that matter) to control his.

Could be. But I've checked it out -- and as a trumpet player myself, it really wouldn't have been all that high. BUT, far be it for me to render such a decision. They know best, by far.

(Original post deleted due to sensory overload, leading to my being a total idiot). Sorry.

Thanks, Jeff. I wanted to include this one, but was afraid to do so for appearing too "low brow." This opening served little more than to say "Hello...we're BACK!!!!" Nothing earth-shattering in the message; but totally conclusive in the meaning.

Thank you, NE, for contributing that. And to express further upon "Transfigured Night.": a night may be transfigured, but it is merely that -- a transfiguration of the original night. And in the end, the original night remains -- if it did not, the artist would have nothing on which to base his transfiguration -- and the transfiguration would then lose any significance whatsoever. I am in slight conflict with the statement "The function of art is to move and affect the viewer or listener." While on a basic basis, I agree with that statement; however, "art" may also be defined as "man's response to his surroundings or circumstances." Please -- I do not say this in order to enter into a detailed argument of the relative fact or error of my statement. I merely throw it out there for consideration. What I do wish to say is that once a person creates his "art," it is therefore his response to his surroundings. Much of the "Art" of the period 1914-1920 was most certainly NOT what we would call "beautiful"; rather, it reflected the angst and uncertainty of the time -- a time in which a world was either at war, or recovering from that war. I believe that these artists were creating what they felt -- and not necessarily with any afterthought as to how it would be received by the viewer. Crap...sorry for being so long-winded. I had resolved to stay away from posting such pompous BS...unfortunately, I guess I have to rekindle my resolve. In any case, thank you for posting what you did. It is most certainly wonderful food for thought.

Entertainment, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

I've always loved the first 30 seconds of Star's 1990 musical program. Simply a joy to the musical ear.

(snicker)