27Claymore

What about the Bridgemen?

Thank You for your very insightful post. I agree with your well documented assertions and perspective on the topic. I have been a fan of Drum & Bugle Corps since the late 70's and have participated in different roles since 1983. As much as I Love traditional Drum Corps, two of my favorite shows to watch have occurred in the last two years, '14 Blue Devils & '15 Crown. They are high on my list of favorites because of the raw emotion they pulled unwittingly out of me. 2015 Cadets, "The Power of Ten" is the most absurd Drum Corps theme I have ever witnessed. It does not emphasize, unify nor give direction of what to expect emotionally, if anything it acts more of a vacuum of emotional response. Simply stated it is just irritating in its laziness. Unlike BD's who's sometime concepts or themes I am left baffled by because I didn't read the Playbill, this theme is the opposite extreme in not challenging me at all. It rather plays down to the most base intellect or audience, similar to the local nightly news. (Don't get me started) Lol As you can see I do not post much, despite reading the forum here often. I felt compelled due to the harsh and too often simpleton backlash you have received for your well thought out post. I certainly support expressing opinions, even different from my own, but to just crack back with replies of no real substance disappoints me when I read it. They lack civility & maturity. In fact come to think of it, maybe I do know why their backlash seems so defensive. Good night to you, DM

It's like your Daughter getting hooked on drugs, you don't Love her any less while she is on her misguided journey of exploration. If anything you Love her more as you try to guide her back to the Light.

Thank you for your candor WSSSB. I have been reading DCP forums for years and as you can see this is only the second time I've felt compelled to respond to a post. As for yours, I enjoyed reading it and only wish their had been more of it, nice job. I particularly appreciate the horn, battery counts. I'm rather curious why Vanguard wouldn't have a total number closer to a full compliment. Specifically why they wouldn't have a larger horn line. Your "final quibble", regarding the Vanguard, I felt was spot on. While trying to be sensitive about making remarks that could be taken in a disparaging way, I suspect the male playing Shahryar is as well aware of this fact as we are. Whether in a movie, on a Broadway stage or DrumCorps, if you want me to buy into the story you're telling, then you can't try selling me a steel I beam that is bending like a willow branch. Additionally, your comments regarding the Blue Knights "style", was very accurate. I recall 2 years ago seeing their Firebird presentation with friends who had never seen a DrumCorps show before and feeling embarrassed (in truth, I was horrified, almost angry), by the prancing and emoting we witnessed. I more-so felt embarrassed for their poor drum line having to participate in such shenanigans. I am a drummer, and by our very nature, the same nature that compelled us to pick up sticks and hit stuff in the first place, we are precluded from prancing and emoting. The only way drummers should ever express them selves on a field (of battle), is with the thunder of their sound and the lightning of their sticks. Amen Dino

I have been reading this forum for years, but until today have never felt compelled to register and add my voice to a topic. Regarding Mr. Koesters appointment as Director of S.o.A., since no one has offered much back ground, I feel very strongly to offer a few details and personal impressions.After founding director Gail Royers last year at the wheel of the Rolls Royce that was the Santa Clara Vanguard up until that time, color guard instructor Len Kruszecki became director in 1993. For the next three years the Vanguard finished 7th, 5th, & 6th, with very flamboyant shows. Mr. Kruszecki's stamp on the Vanguard was unmistakable. Suddenly, for my self, the corps I had fallen in love with, that fateful August night in 1976 at The Big V contest in Milwaukee, was not quite herself. The attributes I loved so much about her, the things about love that we have such a hard time actually articulating, were suddenly lacking. The uber class that was unmistakably Vanguard was wanting, suddenly everything seemed very overt. It was like seeing her with her bra strap showing. Besides mourning Gale Royers passing in June of 93, I found myself mourning the state of the corps as well. Enter J.W. Koester as the A Corp Director for the 96 season. (Please google him for his path of trajectory to this point) The 96 show was La Mer ("The Sea" in French) , a show so smooth, subtle and classy I get emotional just thinking about it, and more so remembering what I thought it portended for the future. As the next several years indicated, that thought was not wrong. The 96 show finished only 5th, but the trending direction was unmistakeable. The Rolls Royce was rolling again! In 97 the corps finished 3rd, with Fog City Sketches and new uniforms. They finished 2nd in 98 with Copland, the Modernist, and in 99 they tied BD for First with Inventions for a new Millennium. The show concepts, execution and pure Class in which they were performed still humbles me to this day. The Brass in 97, Drums in 98 and the whole corps in 99 were breathtaking. Exit J.W. Koester as director ???One of the most baffling actions ever taken by a corps board of directors!In October of 99 Mr. Koesters contract was terminated because he "did not receive very high marks in several categories" of his annual evaluation. J.W.'s own words in a letter to all corps members dated 10/8/99 ( the boards version is, it was not renewed )I travelled extensively with the Vanguard in 2000. I was completely vexed by J.W.'s termination. As I inquired in very personal conversations with several caption heads as to how this could happen, the answer I kept hearing was J.W. was acquiring too much "power" for the boards comfort . . . thus the Vanguard shoots itself in the foot over . . . . . . . . . . wait for it . . . . . . . . petty politics!Enter a series of Directors since, with placements at Championships of 4,4,4,5,3,8,6,5,7,6,5 & 4. It's not just the lack of stellar placements. It is the fact that they are just another corps now. I detect little that is special about them. For myself, their have been two Golden eras of the Vanguard, 1967 to 1992, and 1996 to 1999.Oh how I mourn what could have been if J.W. had continued on as Director. My interest in Spirit of Atlanta waned after 81 when Tom Float left, and has not been stirred again until I saw the news of J.W. being hired as the Corps Director. The members of the Corps and any SofA fan should be very excited about this hire. I will surely be watching with great anticipation.