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lanceengland

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Posts posted by lanceengland

    best corps names

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    9 hours ago, quietcity said:

    I agree, Phantom Regiment is the overall winner. I have always loved the alliterative poetry of the Santa Clara Vanguard. And I have a soft spot for the Seneca Optimists in their sunshine-yellow uniforms.

    My all-time favorite is The Muchachos. To my early adolescent self, the name (and their 1974 show) sounded indescribably cool. But my wife, a native Spanish-speaker, always laughs when she hears this, as to her ears, it just sounds like "the guys." 

    Ah yes, I agree with you on Santa Clara Vanguard. It just rolls off the tongue and has a regalness to it. 

    • Like 1

    Spirit of Atlanta 2018

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    12 hours ago, SOA Dad said:

    Spirit was featured yesterday on the Dallas/Fort Worth FOX affiliate while they practiced at Duncanville High School. Warning: some of the material is graphic...graphically wrong, as in them being called a “Drumline” and not a “Drum Corps.” Hey at least they got some love.

    http://www.fox4news.com/news/musicians-still-practicing-outside-despite-hot-north-texas-weather

    posted from the DrumScorps app

    Thanks for sharing. Go Spirit!

    How bad is this year's percussion?

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Full disclosure: I'm jumping to the end of the thread and replying without reading :smile:

    Taking a 100% subjective competition (while acknowledging the efforts to make it more objective) and comparing scores for:

    • Different performances
    • Different shows
    • Different judges
    • Different years

    is a completely futile exercise.

    IMO, Crown's percussion has made major strides the last 3 years. That said, it's not like the the previous years were bad.

    • Like 2

    Bluecoats 2018-LETS GO BLOO

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    42 minutes ago, cfirwin3 said:

    The visual and guard numbers are alarming.

    Percussion was a known factor... but not those others.  Boston has done this twice now in guard, I think.

    I wouldn't be surprised to see SCV run away with this as a stand out in all captions while the rest trade.

    As long as Blue Devils are in existence, no one will ever "run away". They have to claw the titles out of BD's grasp ever year. But I get your point.

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 3

    Bluecoats 2018-LETS GO BLOO

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I was at the Drums Across America show last night. Bloo's show is very impressive. The use of the giant chairs was very effective and they have done what I never thought I'd say: I look forward to the singing  :smile: She does a fantastic job, and the corp blends *perfectly* with her. Just a hat tip all around for how they pull that off.

    BAC's guard is very, very good. To me, the past several years, Bloo has SO MUCH going on at the same time, guard doesn't stand out as much.  I did notice some impressive moments from Bloo's guard, but BAC seems a little more exposed. Rifles were flying around non-stop. I am far from an expert in that area.

    Great shows from both corps, and really all the kids from every corp. So, we are all winners in a way.

    • Like 1

    Carolina Crown 2018

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Most of the criticism I've read seems to be meant as constructive. I must have missed the calls to fire design teams. CC has a killer brass and maybe the strongest drum line they've ever had. I think fans hate to see talent not maximized by sub-optimal design choices.

    Personally, I'll stop thinking about scores and placement and just enjoy it for what it is.

     

    Carolina Crown 2018

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Crown is my favorite corp, but I do have some problems with this show:

    1. I don't hate props. But, I hate when props are just rolled out on the field. Those "teeth/tusk" things could be statues, lollipops, or windmills and they would all about equally add to the show.

    2. The ballad does seem a bit out of place.

    Some here mentioned 2014 was slow out of the gate. I disagree. When I listened to all the shows at the beginning of the 2014 season, Inferno immediately grabbed me. The show had a coherent theme and signposts, with gorgeous music. I have no doubt the current show will fix and polish, and they will excel in areas., but I'm not sure 2014 is a valid comparison.

     

    Carolina Crown 2018

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    1 hour ago, 3PoC said:

    Looking at the numbers, based on current scoring trajectory (which downplays any possible X coast inflation) it looks like Crown has a good chance of passing BD. Bloo and SCV are pulling away from the pack a bit and BAC is coming on strong. It's weird slotting BD in 4th, but that's what I'm seeing in the numbers to date. Very interesting season competitively so far and I expect more surprises are coming soon!

    I'm sure BD fans would disagree, but I think a year where BD places less than 3rd would be very good for the competitive nature of DCI and improve the overall product. IMHO, it takes away a tiny bit of enjoyment when going in every year it's "Does BD win again this year or does a corp put together a near-perfect show to eek them out?".

    It is a true testament to BD's greatness, to be sure. 

    2017 World Championships Prelims - Aug 10

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    My random 2 cents on last night's performances:

    My first time seeing Madison and I liked it way more than I thought I would. Lots of intensity and the brass sounds solid!

    I realized that while I'm meh on the visual program, the Crossmen music is great! I would totally listen to it in my car.

    My first time seeing BAC. ! That show blew me away. Massive jump from last year. Hot take alert: IMO, the best singing and best ballad this year! It really pulled at my emotions, and for me, that is the point of this artistic activity :)

    In fact, my personal enjoyment ranking:

    1. Vanguard and BD (tie, yeah its a cop-out). 
    2. Crown
    3. BAC
    4. Bloo

    Performance-wise, I found something to enjoy from every single show. Special mention to Mandarins: Very cool show, even though the drum major intimidates me a little, haha!

     

     

     

    • Like 2

    Electronic Amplification

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Every rule or allowance has an intended and unintended consequence. I personally loved the Bluecoats pitch bend, and would hate to see a rule that squashed that type of creativity. On the other hand, I don't want an entire horn line mic'd, or using pre-recorded brass to boost impacts (or even synth "goo", for that matter).

    Maybe small changes can reel it back a bit. Disallow wireless mics? Limit the number of cabinets or mics? Have the judge in the press box score corps lower if the amplification is louder than the brass?

    Maybe a compromise. Every 5 years DCI has a "throwback" year where the corps compete with zero electronics or amplifications? 

    Electronic Amplification

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    The amplification wars will drive out fans if it goes unchecked. Maybe not all, but I predict many. I love creative use of electronics, but I don't love cranking the volume to 12 because you think it helps your GE score.

    Blue Devils show is jaw-dropping and amazing. I was 2nd row on the 50 in Atlanta (Powder Springs). The volume difference between BD and other amplified corps like Blue Coats was very obvious. My ears were still ringing the next day. I'm all for volume, but it was ridiculous. 

    I do think some controls need to be put in place. I'll leave it to the sound engineers to determine that.

    • Like 1
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