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JoshClements403

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Posts posted by JoshClements403

    Intrigue In Indy

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    On the other hand, those kids coming back from DCI usually ARE the best kids in the marching band - they're the ones most committed to putting in the work to be better; they're the ones who have simply spent more time learning and practicing and performing; they're the ones usually the most enthusiastic about what they are doing.

    Sure, the arrogance may be a thorn in the director's side, but a director who doesn't want their kids to push themselves to that level is a director who either (a) is himself deluded by his own arrogance that he can teach better than the drum corps, or (b) does not really care if he has marchers who want to push themselves to produce a better performance.

    From firsthand experience, there's no problem with those kids being better, the problem is when they make other kids in the band feel like crap. We're talking about the minority here though. I rarely meet a kid in drum corps who isn't a great kid

    • Like 2

    Boston Crusaders 2016

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    This triumphant show has curiously hypnotic Windmill props and modern dance interpreting what Don Quixote sees. This simple interpretation of the music and heartfelt emotive dance conveys a Quixotic confusion and his unique point of view. It's a solid theme with powerful music.

    After about three minutes, the dramatic action comes to a halt. It lacks heightening right now. Great prop, but what happens to it? What's the final progression or transformation? The resolve is unclear. Couple of set pieces need to be added, especially in the middle section, and I'm sure they know this. Here are some suggestions to heighten and resolve the action.

    FIX: I suggest the windmills line up along the left 30 yard line, and the corps form a wedge and the entire corps approaches the windmills and fights them with sabers, as Quixote did. Then, I suggest that at the end, the guard bring out angled pieces, as if bent swords from jousting the windmills, shaped just like the windmill prongs, and by the end the entire corps unifies and creates a drill form of a massive synchronized spinning windmill, mirroring the ones on the field -- chaos is now order, and the windmill floats off right at the end, as if it has become a star, no matter how hopeful, no matter how far.

    I wholeheartedly agree. The fight with the windmills is one of the iconic scenes of Don Quixote and I was actually really surprised that it wasn't in the show

    • Like 1

    Intrigue In Indy

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Attitude is still a big problem with high schoolers that march now. I have to work very hard to keep my students grounded and sometimes that means bringing the reality hammer down upon them.

    When I was in High school we called it Drum Corps Fever. The kids would almost always think they're better than everyone and they would make sure everyone knew it.

    Seattle Cascades 2016

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I don't think a thread has been made for the Cascades yet.

    I'm actually really excited to see them live this year. They've shown a lot of growth the past couple of seasons and from what I've heard from camps, they are continuing their upward trajectory. O is going to be a very powerful show from what I've heard of it and I think they'll actually be right in the mix with the 15-18 place corps this season. Hoping they have a great season though regardless of placement! I've really enjoyed their past two shows!

    • Like 2

    Carolina Crown 2016

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I doubt they'll change it. Honestly. I'm sure they have plenty of members that are a part of the LGBT community and I would highly doubt that any of them have an issue with a drum corps show using a gun. We're looking way too deep into what is essentially a 10 minute production designed to entertain.

    Intrigue In Indy

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    My thoughts on the shows tonight. I'm fairly tired so forgive me for any errors.

    Theater - I attended the show at the local Cinemark in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was about halfway full and the audience seemed to enjoy all of the shows. Audio was a little low but that's how it usually is for the premier. Never any problems come Big, Loud, and Live

    Boston - I'll need to see it again with a better balance between the pit and the brass. I could barely hear anything other than mallets. I loved what I could hear though and I really like the windmills. I think they'll keep finding better ways to incorporate them throughout the show. I feel like this is a show that needs to be seen live in order to get the full effect. Still think they are a dark horse for 8th or 9th.

    Cavaliers - I absolutely love the show. It's not their comeback year quite yet but this is definitely a step in the right direction. I'm hoping that they continue to flesh it out and are able to draw more attention to certain things going on. Right now it's kind of... convoluted? Hard to know what you're supposed to be looking at or listening for.

    Phantom - Umm, I really enjoyed it. Really. It just seems kind of stale compared to the other corps that performed tonight. They have some amazing musicality and I think this show will be beautiful by finals but I don't really see it having a lasting impression on the audience. Hopefully I'm wrong because I love Phantom and I really want to see them do well but I'm just not sure if this is the best vehicle for them. Either way, I'm sure the members are loving this music and will perform the hell out of it all season.

    Cadets - So I'm not the biggest Cadets fan but I really am liking this show so far. Mackey is a favorite of mine so hearing his stuff in Drum Corps is just great. I think they have a lot to do in regards to cleaning and fleshing out the visual but regardless of placement, this will be one of my favorite shows of the season. I think the guard is very much improved but like Crown's percussion, it's going to be a process and won't be fixed overnight. The brass seems really strong and they're definitely contender for the Ott this season. I'm excited to see where this show goes.

    Bluecoats - Wow. Just Wow. I was expecting a lot of different things and this was not one of them. I am blown away. Pardon what I'm about to say but there's no other way for me to say it. This corps is flat out ballsy. They went all the way. Those uniforms are something else and although I really don't like them outside of the context of the show, they are absolutely perfect for this show. My favorite moment might have been the very beginning when they run out from behind the slides with no instruments and do some pretty awesome visuals. I was a little worried that the music would be lacking after that opening segment but boy was I wrong. I love this book and they're playing the hell out of it. I do think that they will medal this year and they should contend for Gold but I do worry that this show won't have enough room to grow to beat the likes of Crown, BD, or depending on how the season plays out, the Cadets. Either way, this is a game changer and I'm excited to see it progress throughout the season.

    Crown - Just a warning, I'm VERY biased here. I thought they were hands down the best group on the field tonight. Their execution this early in the season is incredible and the guard is just on another level. The brass was spectacular although I thought I could hear some tears and a couple phasing issues. Battery seems much improved from last year but I do think they could have a bit more musicality in some of the softer sections. I think the biggest issue for them right now is drawing attention to the story. You don't really know what's happening unless you're looking for it. I think if they draw more attention to the story they're trying to convey, this show will soar. I see them as the biggest contender for 1st this season as long as they don't peak early and if they build the show as well as they have in the past. I'm excited to see the actual ending. Roxanne might be my favorite piece of music ever put in Drum Corps. There are some really powerful moments in this show that will only continue to improve. I've said it before and I'll say it again. If this show keeps improving throughout the season, I could see it being remembered as one of the best ever.

    2016 Prediction Thread

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    1. Crown

    2. Bluecoats

    3. Blue Devils

    4. Blue Knights

    5. Cadets

    6. Madison Scouts

    7. Santa Clara Vanguard

    8. Phantom Regiment

    9. Boston Crusaders

    10. Cavaliers

    11. Blue Stars

    12. Troopers

    13. Oregon Crusaders

    14. Crossmen

    15. The Academy

    16. Colts

    17. Spirit of Atlanta

    18. Seattle Cascades

    19. Mandarins

    20. Pacific Crest

    21. Pioneer

    22. Jersey Surf

    Crown wins Brass

    Bluecoats win Percussion

    Blue Devils win Guard

    ​Blue Knights win GE

    Top 10 break 90

    Top 5 break 95

    At least 1 corps will make finals this year that did not make finals last year

    A different corps will place 1st each night of Finals

    Same prediction except I now think that Crown will win Guard as well as Brass and Bluecoats will win GE

    Carolina Crown 2016

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Crown is using a bunch of synth strings, especially during Roxanne. The Cadets are using an actual violin player for their string parts (and for a visual focus on top of the cake thing).

    I think I prefer the live string player, but I'm not sure I'd optimize for it if it means 1 less brass player for the whole show in exchange for slightly more impact in Roxanne. Especially because there's already so much going on visually during the fight scenes, drawing visual attention away might be tough.

    I don't know if it'll have any difference on the final score, but I thought it was an interesting dichotomy between the two corps.

    I think they use synth because it would take A LOT of strings for Roxanne to have the same effect

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