MikeRapp
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Posts posted by MikeRapp
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There are MANY who hated Felliniesque. Granted, you'd have to find those people on Facebook and Youtube, but Felliniesque certainly had its fair share of detractors just because it was BD or because they "didn't even march anything."
I actually liked Felliniesque, and have enormous respect for the Blue Devils entire organization. They are so, so far ahead of everyone as an entity. And there is no doubt they play their book as well as anyone, anywhere could.
I don't hope that BD drops, all I am suggesting is that Crown and BC have emerged to the top of the heap because they have succeeded at developing a nich that is not only unique, but very, very good tecnhically.
I wouldn't go to a show not looking forward to seeing BD. But I would more likely buy a ticket if I knew Crown and Coats were on the show, because they have become known for something fresh and interesting.
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If what you came for is a strong and obvious melody, you're looking in the wrong place. Bluecoats have become the pioneers of introducing new music to the activity, and currently melody hasn't been much of a part of their source music selections. I love these shows though.
The Bluecoats have finally found their niche in the DCI landscape, and are owning it. This year's show is already proving that what they are trying to do they can do extremely well, and attract top level talent to execute it.
If I were marching age, and was "into" music, I would have them at the top of my list to audition for. They strike me as a fun corps to be a part of, one that other corps members stick around to watch and wish they were out there performing their shows. I already find myself going back and listening to their show over and over again. They have an amazingly rich and balanced sound that only improves with volume (hard to do), and you can tell the members know the crowd gets the show and loves it.
It is clear that BD has the best talent year after year. They walk onto the field and execute books at a level that no one can touch, especially early in the season. That is all due to the fact that they have fantastic, well-trained players waiting in the wings, either in-house or at second tier corps. But it seems to me that Crown and Bluecoats have found a way to establish themselves as a cooler, more innovative version of BD. I hate to say it, but it's the sort of image BD used to be known for and now is just "the judges' favorite." People don't line up at the door to see BD anymore. They want to see what Crown and Coats are doing "this year."
Like it or not, kids are kids, and they want to be a part of something fun and exciting. What Bluecoats is doing now is just flat out fun to watch. And I for one think this will be the year they take their first of many gold medals.
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Personally, I think the uniform is pretty nice, though that's from looking at the picture. In person it could be very different. I like the white and blue, particularly with the crisp edges, as opposed to the fading from one color to the next that's becoming increasingly common (Blue Knights).
Wish it didn't have the the Crown-esque shako/hat thing, though.
Is there some unwritten rule that says World Class corps must wear blue and white? I'm sure there are some sort of research-driven opinions that drive this, but it seems like more than half the corps are now dark blue and white/grey/black. Would seem to be a smart marketing move to differentiate yourself, especially at the merch tables.
If The Battalion makes it to World Class, I suspect they will be a very popular choice at the merch table if only because they ain't blue and white!
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The "theme" would have to justify it don't you think?
Not necessarily. Would Tilt have not worked with blue and orange uniforms? You can make an argument for uniformity (no pun intended) but the drill design options with two uniform colors is off the charts.
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I thought what the cadets did with angels and demons was brilliant, and lead to an awesome show. Why don't more corps used two different colored uniforms?
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LOVE the website redesign.
(Looks a lot like the template we used for our show last year.)
And the video is FAB!
Cross to cross...
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I never marched in DCI, mostly because I was from an area where it was not popular or publicized. That said, as all of you who marched can attest, a huge part of the success of any corps is getting the best players and the most merch sales. Titles are great, but in the end I would bet that most organizations -- given the choice -- would choose 10 qulaified applicants for every MM chosen, and lines out the door at the merch table.
I have the utmost respect for the traditional DCI powers, who continue to do what they do. But right now I'd be willing to be that Bluecoats had more and better qualified applicants this year than any year in their history. Someone posted here that they have never seen lines at a merch table like they saw for Bluecoats this past season. Clearly, Crown is stockpiling talent and it is largely because they have a reputation with kids as a cutting edge, risk taking corps. These evolutionary changes are giving corps a chance to differentiate themselves from the traditional powers that already have their brand image cemented. Kids don't see the dramatic distinctions that the old timers see; They see drum corps as so radical a departure from what they listen to anyway.
It would sadden me to see the traditions dismissed entirely. I probably would stop watching if woodwinds are accepted. But while trampolines and synths are not my cup of tea, I know it is making a huge impact on the upward rise of DCI.
If DCI is going to continue to survive and hopefully grow, it has to have more corps in more geographical areas that have a distinct way of doing things. Let's face it, you're not going to beat Vanguard, Blue Devils and Cadets at what they do. Just not going to happen. If these changes give corps a chance to evolve themselves into a unique brand with kids, then go for it.
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Just saw that The Nashville show is back in Murfreesboro.
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Jenks is also right up the road from my alma mater, Oral Roberts Universty, which has a great music department but no marching band. Could be a really smart strategic move for Pioneer considering their roots.
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LP Field has zero places for anyone to warm up other than a massive asphalt parking lot.
Vandy has a 100 yard field turf football practice field, a beautiful soccer field, a full length lacrosse field, an SEC outdoor track field, and a brand new 100-yard indoor football practice facility—and if needed a field turf baseball field (infield and outfield). And all are within a five minute walk of each other.
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Vanderbilt Stadium is in no way a modern sports stadium in terms of size and amenities (it's not Lucas Field), but the field is state of the art field turf, and it location in the heart of Nashville makes it unique.
MTSU tends to not attract many people from Nashville for much of anything, and the stadium features hard metal seats. Plus. there just isn't anything in Murfreesboro as far as night life. DCI will always get the hard core fans, but common fans simply won't drive to Murfreesboro. You will never have a walk-up crowd for anything at MTSU.
The other key thing is, you're not going to get the Nashville media to cover a Murfreesboro event.
Regardless, I will be there either way, but it would be nice to know what is going on.
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It does not appear as though tickets for the Nashville/Murfreesboro event are on sale yet. Anyone have any info on this? I know they had to move the event to Vandebilt last season, and when the schedule was announced for 2015 the venue was marked as tba.
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Don’t know if it has an obvious hook that many of the greats have
It doesn't have the unique calling card of "This Is My Rifle" or the pitch bend, but the ballad is very powerful and memorable.
The thing that BD understands is the basic structure of a three act performance. High, low, high is the basic concept of all popular live performance mediums. They start with that construct and build on it. Bluecoats do the same thing and it just works. Conversely the shows that seem to not connect do not have this clear structure; they don't take you on a journey. I think that is a huge reason why this season was one of the best ever. The top shows all followed this concept and executed it nearly perfectly.
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Is there a reason the Scouts were not included in the G7? Seems to me they have as much claim to that heritage as anyone else.
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Forgive me for the potentially stupid question, but what revenues generated by each corps/organization are not shared with DCI?
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For those of you in the know, how does the size and scope of the Blue Devils staff compare to other corps?
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Why is the electronic string instrument allowed, but not the acoustic string instrument ?
Would a piano not qualify as an acoustic string instrument?
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I don't think you could have asked for a more creative and "entertaining" top 12 than is year, from my perspective at finals.
I agree. The range of approaches and styles was as diverse as it has ever been this year, AND you had record scores for vastly divergent approaches. The judges awarded Blue Devils the title because they executed their show to near perfection, and their show was innovative, challenging and thought provoking.
I agree that they could have challenged themselves more with their drill. To me, that is what leaders do, they set a new bar and that goes beyond scores IMHO. That said, I have watched this show many times, including online, and when you hear laymen in the crowd spontaneously exclaim things that you know are a reaction to what they just saw and heard...well, you cannot say the crowd didn't like what they did.
The only thing that concerns me is the apparent fact that Blue Devils were awarded a perfect score for a caption in which someone dropped a rifle. That, to me, cannot ever happen. You have judges all over the field and in the box, you should never award a perfect score for something that any fan can see is imperfect. Most things are subjective, but dropping a rifle is not. How can that ever happen? I don't know, but it needs to be confronted. It bothers me that there is so much discussion about the judges feeling the need to give inflated scores because everyone below them was so impressive.
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Cadets will be fine. As others have said the members performed great, won medals and cared-for great all summer
I'm sure the 3rd place reaction wasn't as much of a surprise for the members as we think - they know Coats were hot on their heels and that the Coats show was an extreme crowd favorite
I agree the "falling" GE scores were more an indictment of the design decision than the members performances - hopefully the powers that be will sit back, exhale and make some better decisions for 2015. Not that "3rd" is "bad" - but that I think we all recognize the design held the kids back in the end
Anyway - they'll be fine. A good life lesson for all involved
Congratulations Cadets on a great season,
George.
The Cadets have won multiple world titles, Bluecoats have yet to win one. Still, the look on the face of that color guard girl on the left when they stepped forward in a shower of Blooo's...well, they are human. That had to hurt.
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The Murfreesboro show moved to Vanderbilt University this year, I had heard because of work being done on the MTSU stadium. But I would have to believe DCI would love to keep the event at Vandy. VU has a truly state-of-the-art artificial surface, and being in the heart of Nashville means Nashville (and SEC) media will cover it. I don't know what attendance was like at Vandy vs. Middle. Is there a strategic or political reason the tour would remain at Middle?
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Wow. There is absolutely no need for snark. All opinions and viewpoints are equally valid, which is something you seem to have forgotten.
And maybe that is the only problem with that program. They are making really difficult things look very easy and therefore you don't see how hard it really is. I do think that they spend a disproportionate amount of the show playing while not marching. But, they only do that when they want you to watch the other side of the show, where the guard is "acting." Personally I would rather have more tradition, but I'll take acting/drama/runways/lights over trampolines every day of the year.
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Brutus, you have been baggin' this show all season with your pretentious pseudo-intellectual bullcrap. I saw my first drum corps show in 1969 and fell in love with the genre because of the precision, power and pageantry - the unique sounds and images that only exist here. I don't have any desire to do any research to make sure I understand the full "meaning" of a show. We have a great season going on and I have enjoyed all of the corps I have seen both live and on Fan Network. I love how clean the Blue Devils are, I love to watch the Cadets march and I love Crown's lush brass sound, SCV's drums and Phantom's guard. But I love the Bluecoat's show most of all because feeds my drum corps fix better than any other show this year. It puts a smile on my face, makes me stand up and yell and want to watch it again. And, from the two shows I went to this year and the vast majority of the posts here, people get it just fine.
To me, the Bluecoats' show is a modern version of Frameworks. It celebrates what is the most unique aspects of a corps at its best and purest. Frameworks said, hey, we are going to take what makes the basic elements of music and dance, and show you how we interpret that. We're going to start somewhere and finish somewhere else, based on that starting point. They aren't trying to tell you that Tilt is anything more than that, and in fact they are asking you to just sit and consider nothing more than that for a dozen minutes. It is a fun ride, and they assume you get that that is their message.
Bluecoats not only did that in an innovative and truly modern way, they are schooling most of the corps in the sheer basics of playing corps music! If that's not deep enough for you, that's cool. I love the thematic shows as much as anyone, maybe more. But if you don't like Tilt because it doesn't have an overall "meaning," or you don't see a thread, you have to at least tip your hat to their playing. Because holy heck, they are killing it every single night.
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Sitting in the stadium, I literally had to bow my head because I was laughing out loud at the end of the Cadets show and didn't want anyone to see me. That was one of the worst things I've seen in drum corps. The Cadets are usually such a class act and to force that mess on the fans was scraping the bottom of the barrel for a fan reaction.
Pathetic!
Mr. Hopkins, if you're reading this...it's not too late! Get rid of it all.
Well, we also see last year's world champion using trampolines on the field. For all the talk of trombones and narration, it would seem that the Cadets did Crown a favor by becoming the hot button topic.
I am all for patriotism. Though it didn't score great, the Scouts' 9/11 show was incredible and got a massive fan following. Their closing continues to be considered by many as one of the greatest DCI closers ever.
It's really less about "patriotism" to me and far more about ham-handedness in design. The huge stage is such a bizarre distraction, the narrator just comes off like a PBS documentary (again, not his fault, he is reading the script), and the big tarps are just not elegant in any way. For a Corps that has always majored in traditional elegance, this show just comes off as bizarre because it is so heavy-handed. It seems to trust their (phenomenal) talent so little.
To me, the Cadets should be doing shows like Frameworks. Maybe they reacted to Crown's momentum and felt they had to do a show that would keep today's kids interested.
One last thing. I doubt few Americans put "the promise of America" in the same sentence as presidents. The promise of America is the middle class, the American dream, and main street. Trying to wave the banner of Americanism by focusing on presidents (and then clearly figuring this out late and sticking big pictures of people no one knows on the field at the very end of the season) was just a miss from a general show direction standpoint.
Where "...that one second" wins is by making an emotional connection with fans. The Cadets show, honestly, just does not make that emotional connection because they dragged mostly dead and in some cases very divisive public figures into a presentation of Americanism, and most people just don't see government as a part of the American promise.
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kids know better than to put alot of stock into what you read on the internet. Smarter than we were BITD
I'm not saying the kids "put a lot of stock" into what is said here, but I guarantee you 100% of them read it.
MADISON SCOUTS 2015
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
Let me say first I did not march in a corps when I was of age, so I am simply a fan.
I also want to say that one of the corps that got me interested in DCI was the Scouts.
Now let me ask this question, which may be unpopular and that's why I am asking:
Is being an all male corps hindering the Scouts' success?