Chris Cartwright

Where's the fun in never having a show with SOME sort of "envelope-pushing" (as long as it's in good taste and done well of course)? Can't always have the cliche shows revolving around Dr. Seuss books, colors, tribal music, and shows about choosing paths and directions in life - holy #### the amount of times I've seen a show about the poem "The Road Not Taken" - I've probably seen 7 shows in the past 3 years about that! It's always interesting to get a show that ACTUALLY makes you think to yourself, "What did I just watch?". Those are always the most fun shows for me to watch!

Personally, I have a lot of respect for those lines and guards that go for the shock factor. Although Northmont 1997 is something I can never un-see, it's had such an impact on the activity, and that's super cool! Same with the Fantasia shows mentioned, Bishop Kearney's "Sybil" show, and other shows mentioned. Maybe Kama Sutra was pushing it a little bit, but the show was still fairly well-done in my opinion. Had it been attempted by a HIGH SCHOOL, I would have probably a different opinion on it, but since it was done by an independent group, I think it's more appropriate...if that makes sense haha. I can't help but think there will always be lines and guards that push some boundaries, but I think that's fantastic. It's all about the art!

A friend just told me to check out this marching band show that apparently many thought to be fairly controversial. After watching it, I can't imagine how a high school would have the guts to run around with a Nazi flag...all for the GE I guess. Reeths Puffer Marching Band 1995 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esWlDz4iVqA

I guess this is what I was trying to get at most as far as controversy goes - shock value, how the audience felt about it, etc. That's the first time I'd seen Carolina Thunder '99. What a heavy show!

Yeah I was thinking more along the sides of content/theme. I know there was some controversy with Phantom '08 with the whole violence thing. I also agree there's more controversy in regard to shock-value in WGI (hence the Northmont High School 1997 example). Even their '96 show was controversial, wasn't it about the Vietnam War, or am I thinking of something else?

I just received my March/April issue of Halftime magazine, and the cover article was about WGI's most memorable stunts in both percussion and guard. It reminded me instantly of Northmont High School's 1997 guard show, "Dante's Inferno" which included dark themes, a girl being hanged, etc. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on past WGI or even DCI shows/parts of shows that could be considered controversial. Just kind of an interesting topic that came to my mind.

I'm in my third year marching top bass at my high school's marching band, and because of my worsening scoliosis, I'm moving to the pit next year to play rack percussion. I'm hoping that this year off will benefit and strengthen my back so that I can come back after high school to march bass for Minnesota Brass and then hopefully DCI. But if this doesn't work out, I would definitely consider auditioning for rack/timpani/drum set for drum corps. Any advice from past or current rack/timpani/drum set players in the drum corps circuit? What are auditions like and how do they differ from the keyboard mallet auditions in the pit? Thanks so much! I was going to put this post in percussion, but I felt like it would be viewed more widely in this forum.

I'm sure many of you have seen this on dci.org. Opinions? Comments? http://www.musiccitydrumcorps.org/news.aspx?i=70

LOVE ME SOME CHOPS INC

Keep us updated please! Sounds like a neat venture to be pursued.

WHATTA BEAST. Prosperie is definitely one of the percussion gods out there.

I think this will be a repeat of 2011 in that Brass will take 1st and Bucs will take a close-ish 2nd.

This is fantastic.

Listened to some of his judging tapes from 2013 finals. It was really interesting! He always has so much to say when he judges, and you can tell he's working hard to give the corps accurate scores they deserve. One of the better judges in my opinion!

I don't think DCI will change that drastically, honestly. It's a huge organization with a huge fan/member base. A huge number of these members/fans/alumni buy the products and services that DCI has to offer. The high school thing shouldn't really matter too much at all. Not all DCI members are high schoolers, a lot of them are out of high school. DCI will continue for years to come, I'm sure.

What year do y'all think was the best overall year for drum corps in the 2000s decade ('00-'09)? Personally, I think 2008 was my favorite year overall. Of course you've gotta love "Spartacus", but I also loved The Cavaliers ("Samurai"), Bluecoats ("The Knockout"), Santa Clara Vanguard ("3hree"), and Blue Stars ("Le Tour: Every Second Counts"). Also really liked the year 2005. What about you all?

There were a bunch of cool moves this year, but I think Crown's entire show was visually the most entertaining I saw this year! Agreed with BDStaffAlum about Cavies in the early 2000's, but still some cool things happening more recently.

Who all is auditioning for DCI (World or Open) for 2014, and which corps? I'm not able to audition next summer, but the summer after that, I plan to audition for Blue Stars, Cavaliers, and Madison Scouts.

I've always wondered this too. But like many have already said, their performance at finals in '08 was spot on, and I've heard judges tapes from finals. They were absolutely mesmerized by the performance, as was I. Great show, one of my favorites!

They aren't folding necessarily, but Empire Statesmen are dropping out of DCA competition next year. Pretty sad, I loved watching them compete. I'm sure they'll continue to perform though, just not as competitors.

Really hope Glassmen don't completely fold. I'd miss them a lot.

Bernstein music is fantastic! Couldn't agree with you more. Loved the Cadets' '84 and '09 shows so much. Every time a corps plays the music of Leonard Bernstein it makes me so happy! Even the Troopers' '09 show. Love every minute of it!

Thanks so much for personally posting your thoughts, Keith. It's nice to get a different perspective than the concrete announcement of Music City's folding. I really liked Music City's show this year and last year. It's great what you guys have done with Music City, and we're sad to see such a nice corps fold.

Also AGAIN thank you all so much for contributing to this thread. I agree with ajlisko, please keep this thread going, it's very intriguing and educational for all!