ThirdValvesAreForWimps

The Cavaliers' low brass is amazing in 2016; I couldn't agree more. As for the "pinchy" trumpet sound in the high register it comes down to three factors: (1) Compressing the air you take in, (2) equipment, and (3) the brass arrangement. Let's eliminate factor #2 as the brass instruments The Cavaliers use are fantastic. I think factors #1 and #3 are in play here. I know if I take a lot of air in, compress it, then let it out, I get a better sound in the high register than if I just take in a lot of air and let it out any way it wants to come out. The arrangement usually contributes, too, and I'm more of a fan of "split lead" parts where trumpets play in octaves to increase the resonance of the higher tones.

That's funny -- but I would do neither one of those things. The Cavaliers have some "pinchy" moments in the high brass and there are some breathing techniques which put more "core" in the sound. It's a lead trumpet thing we all learn eventually.

Truth! Al "Corky" Fabrizio was the best arranger and brass instructor I ever had. Jim Elvord was amazing too.

In my humble opinion this is the best Vanguard program since 1987 or 1989.

Just give me a couple of hours with their trumpet section....

The Cavaliers were fifth in GE and Visual -- and less than 0.7 points behind the Cadets in Music!

Is that Cassano's or Marion's? Both are Dayton classic pizze! (Pizze is plural of pizza in Italian.)

Santa Clara was WAY cleaner than the Bluecoats tonight. Just sayin'.....

Yes. My prediction as well....

Yes indeed! After the top three I think we'll see SCV, The Cavaliers, and the Cadets.

That's correct -- and one of these days I'll write up why there needs to be less mellophones and more trumpets to balance the Bb/F horn lines correctly.

...and you would be spot on correct. I've heard the best brass lines on earth -- and played in one too. I know what I hear and you totally nailed it. I'll see Crown live in Centerville on Tuesday and I'll love every moment. I saw them live earlier in the season. To be fair, the "G" sound also comes out a little this summer with SCV and the Bluecoats -- but not to the extent of Crown.

The Blue Devils have always had the best high brass in DCI. Their opening lick in 1980 still gasses me out. We (The Cavaliers) toured with the Blue Devils through Canada on second tour that year and I got to hear it live every night. It's still awesome.

Carolina Crown has that "old school sizzle" in their brass ensemble. I love that. It takes me back to the glory days of DCI when brass lines made eyeballs explode at full volume.

This might be the best mellophone section since the 1979 Spirit of Atlanta -- and those guys were sick.

Gail Royer is looking down from heaven and he's happy.

I agree about the brass line 100%! Once they fix that.......

Thank you. Those kids love performing. Meeting them at some shows this year is always a treat and when an alumnus comes around, it's truly humbling how well the current marching members and staff treat us. One of the reasons I chose The Cavaliers was the history of the corps and how members connect from 1948 to the present.

Amen to that! The biggest reason The Cavaliers are back is because some outstanding alumni are in charge now. They make well educated decisions and hire quality staff and designers.

It will take better high brass for The Cavaliers to medal in the near future.

Come on, Cavaliers! Make we alumni across the nation proud!

At least it's light work.....

I have a favor to ask for tonight. We've debated the merits of The Cavaliers' "Propaganda" production to death. We've talked about the signs we do and don't like, the speakers we agree and disagree with, etc., but for tonight can we talk about the performance itself? I feel The Cavaliers are about to take a big leap forward and as an alumnus I would like to see what everyone thinks of what the marching members are actually doing on the field. I've seen the show live twice so far this summer and I think it's well performed with lots of energy.

I save up and go to as many live shows instead of getting the feed from DCI. The live feed is good but it's nothing like being there.

The fact that DCI and BOA came up in the same sentence as a comparison is a sad reflection on the state of the marching arts.