Everyfan

I (among others) have kept trying to explain that the caption is visual, not marching. He just doesn't get it. The Blue Devils have some great drill moves. They also have a ton of other movement. They are getting rewarded for performing all of it at an extremely high level.

So why all the hate? I get along with most SCV alums I know in person. Most of them don't just whine about what the Blue Devils are doing. They just enjoy what SCV is doing. You just can't seem to enjoy it unless you ##### about "park an play" BD or some other complaint.

Except your "comparison" wasn't even of SCV and BD. There IS a trumpet cam video of a BD soloist in here. A comparison would be if you post a trumpet cam vid of one of the "twelve" at SCV this year.

Go back and review your first post in this thread. Not tearing down. You are welcome to your opinion, as is everyone else here.

What does that even mean? Sorry if I get a little sick of those that need to try to tear down the performance of others to argue why their favorite should be winning.

Again, you won't change he system by complaining here.

If you don't like it, go whine to your favorite corps director to lobby for changes to the system. If your arguement is that BD wins because they know the system, and SCV loses because they don't, who is really the problem here?

That is probably one of the better explanations I have heard. Thanks.

There has been a concerted effort in the last few years to really grab the alumni. There has always been a core group, but people like Chris Gomez have been active about attracting the alumni to get involved again. Memorial Day was once the end of a long camp weekend. Now it is an event where many come to watch. Family Day was a show for a few hours. Now alumni come and spend all day watching rehearsals and horn blocks. LA shows are a party of their own. They always have been, but they are getting bigger each year (I hope to make it down next year). Social media has helped, and there are some selfish reasons (like more willing donors), but the real benefit has been an expanded and more vocal fan base...getting bigger every day. I almost forgot to mention...no only is the staff great with fans and alumni, but the corps members are as well. Few things are better for us old timers than being able to "talk shop" with these "kids."

Yes. They need a "drum cam" feed or "guard cam" feed etc. for the parents out there!

The Blue Devils have always been welcoming to alumni and fans, but it seems to be even greater as of late, especially with alumni. It makes visiting rehearsals and shows much more fun.

I still don't see point in trying to tear down the achievements of others. Both of these corps are fantastic this year. After scores are announced, both will merge together to congratulate each other for a wonderful year of competition. Too bad some of the fans can't do the same, instead of always looking for an excuse why their team should win.

You're the one who got snippy. "Try marching Pathways...blah, blah, blah."

Cool. Which of those years did you win visual?

Personally, I removed the ID from my sig since it usually just created animosity from some. Apparently, I managed to create animosity with Treefidy anyway.

Blue devils in the 80's. Some were just basic coordinated, timed horn movements during park and blow. Others included the basic body movements added in 1988. These are far more simplistic than today, but required more attention because, as I said beforehand, it was not a natural movement for us. Practice started in early camps doing warmups and aerobics with the guard. None of this was anything like what is done now, but back then the caption WAS focused on marching and credit was not given as much for a variety of movements. I give a TON of credit to Todd Ryan for what he is able to do with this corps. how about you?

Actually, if you want the top scores, they do. Do you have any idea how much time the Blue Devils put into movement other than straight marching. Go and watch a show warmup some time. Todd Ryan is a genius.

Okay. I'm commenting on it, and I HAVE done it. I second everything Cappy said. Now will you bother?

Except that marching is what we were all trained to do for months and years before making a top corps. Many of the other movements (especially in unison or a coordinated cascade timing) are much more unnatural to brass players.

Once again, it is visual, not marching. Marching your ### of for 12 minutes still only shows one skill. They are being evaluated on a variety of skills (both when playing or not).

So, basically, you ignore a HUGE component of "visual performance" in your review.

But, you know, you seem to want to stick to facts, not opinion. If we take your numbers as facts: BD standing in place and playing: 2 minutes 51 seconds SCV standing in place and playing: 3 minutes 12 seconds

And just one more time...the caption is visual, not marching. How did you count coordinated body movement while playing? Personally, I think walking (marching) and playing is often easier than dancing or whatever the hell they are doing at times.

So, you're saying SCV parks and blows more than BD. Got it.

Love Cavies too. Except for the vocal sat the end. My Way is such a recognizable tune, no words needed.