StarContra4-85

Actually, I was envisioning Semis being more like quarters, to set the top 16 from the member corps, my bad...

I've been reading posts lately about those corps that are currently anywhere between 10th and 15 and the financial and recruiting benefits of making the top 12. In the past few years, there has been a real shootout between 4 or 5 corps to make those final few spots in finals and this year is no exception (Colts, Blue Stars, Crossmen, Capital Regiment, Spirit, etc). Arguably, some better groups have just missed the big show by a caption here or there. My question is simply this, would expanding finals from 12 corps to 16 benefit that second tier of corps that are on the finals bubble? Is there really that much difference in recruiting and sponsorships? For the sake of this poll, I would see semifinals standing as is, but then finals would be 16 corps instead of 12. I welcome your thoughts

Something to consider this weekend is that this is also the first weekend of Indiana Black Expo's Summer Celebration downtown. This brings a lot of people into Indy every year and lasts for 11 days! Normally, DCI has scheduled opposite this event, so you may find the need to scout for parking, make dinner reservations, etc. Because of the Summer Celebration events, there will be some traffic restrictions or parking restrictions that may affect DCI fans this weekend, there may also be some Black Expo events that may be of interest. You can find a downtown map for the weekend on the downtown indy page. Here is also a link to Indiana Black Expo's page to look at their events for the weekend.

Mike, I have to agree. I've announced a couple of HS football games in the dome and spent some time in and around the press box for marching events on occasion. The box is pretty cool because you hear the sound without all of the echo, the only really place to hear well in the dome.

It's on the way!! Stupid links!! I thought that they were going to do this on Saturday...it's Friday night the 7th. If anyone is still interested and wants a copy of the flyer, email me and I'll send you the pdf via email.

Hey everyone that's coming to Indy this weekend! If you are going to be here on FRIDAY night (July 7th) and want to have some good food and help an awesome cause, consider stopping by Champions downtown for the Jonathan Miller Memorial Event from 3pm-9pm. Jonathan was a fmm of Star of Indiana and lead bartender at Champs who died of a sudden heart failure last fall. He left behind a wife and daughter and a lot of family, corpsmates and friends who miss him and his sense of humor very much. Champions will be unveiling a jersey in Jonathan's memory and all proceeds from the event will go to the Alexandria Miller trust fund to pay for Jon's little girl to go to college. There will be a silent auction and a tailgate buffet. All are welcome and encouraged to attend and join the family for this cause. Many local members of the Star family will be there sharing their favorite "Jon stories". Even if you don't want to join in the buffet, you can order off the menu or drop by and have a drink or dinner in Jon's memory. :angel:

Are you saying that Hop (and others) may have been a little short-sighted? Mr. Hopkins, the doctor will see you now...

Live by the sword, die by the sword...

Tatonka washee.... I think that Sylvester is just having another 70s flashback after seeing those pastel uniform backpieces...

I agree wholeheartedly. But that being said... NOBODY steals from the VANGUARD!! :lol:- ^0^

in b4 the close. Hope that you enjoyed your time here... :feednotroll:

Ron, Sorry to not get into this discussion until page 3, but here's $.02 for the kitty... I think that a little well placed humor in an otherwise serious show could go a long way to win both fans and judges in today's shows. I think a lot of corps from my marching days (not just Bridgemen and VK, but SkyRyders, Crossmen, early Star, Suncoast, etc) had those little moments of tongue in cheek, those "winks" at the crowd that made them endearing. Remember Kerchner's arrangement of "If I Only Had a Brain" from the SkyRyders Wizard of Oz show? It conveyed the tinman, cowardly lion and scarecrow brilliantly without patronizing the crowd or losing points from the judges. You didn't have to see them it was evident from the music alone... I think that musical cues (or clues) are sometimes what is missing from today's concert band, wind ensemble-based repertoires (not that there's anything wrong with them, either). I think it's ok to poke a little fun or pay homage to someone in the music or the drill, it breaks up some of the sameness for me. The bottom line as has already been mentioned is that it has to be done well, timed perfectly and the technique has to back it all up. Good luck with your research, I look forward to seeing the results!

I mean that it's too late to decide not to use them for this season in a lot of cases. It's a sizable commitment to make the choice to use amplification, in the instance of the Cadets which is where this conversation started, they've designed portions around a singer and other vocals-sure they could find other ways to do this (brass w/o singer, etc) but it would also mean other changes in the show. For others it would mean changing the technique for the pit, etc. (not mentioning the loss of face in backing out of the amp game :feednotroll: )

I agree with you that the equipment is above average quality and the Cadets have invested a lot to upgrade from what they had last year, which from reading Hop's recent comments led partially to the need for upgrading the sound techs along with the gear. The central system would solve some problems, create others (as would lengthening the set-up time for each corps). I just hope that all of the corps that chose to go electric for this season can make them sound as transparent as possible in the current confines, since it's too late to turn back now as the song goes...

I read this yesterday and thought that Hop is recognizing 1.) the need for "better than garage band" gear to get a good quality sound 2.) The experience that it takes to run that gear is higher than what most amatuers have and 3.) The lack of set-up time or "sound check" from venue to venue is problematic. Unless you can preset the board and have everything just power up to those presets, the set up time allowed for each corps just isn't enough to get the best sound as you go from practice field to high school stadium to another practice field to a large stadium to practice field to a dome, etc. It's a can of worms at best, at least Hop is looking for some professional help to make this work to the best that it can be for what it is.

Allee, Thanks for reminding us of your situation. I remember now the challenges that you had finding the right corps for you and how much you wanted to participate. We have 3 students in our department at the university where I work that are blind to varying degrees. I have seen the extra preparation and effort that they put in to participate in the same way that their peers do, so I would understand if you felt the need to leave to prepare for the fall semester. As Mama and others have said, it is your decision. No one will think less of you for choosing from the heart and doing what you decide is best for you. You have already accomplished so much and you have nothing to prove to anyone here. Best of luck to you!

There are lots of valid points in response to your dilemna. And the rewards are that much greater when you know that you have helped someone else reach the same goals that you have set for yourself. When you hit the wall, you have a choice to make-do you simply walk away from it and always wonder what was on the other side? Or do you find a way to go over, through or around the wall and find out for yourself? Hang in there for another summer and then make a decision-you have people who depend on you, whether you know it or not. Don't go through your life wishing that you'd stuck it out. NO REGRETS! Good luck in your decision and your season.

And you thought it got slippery marching behind the horses

I could reply with the picture of the "unmasked" pink elephant taken a few months before the gala, but I want to play again someday!! :sshh:

You could always incorporate it into the closer, maybe turn it face down and add a floor for a round stage. :P

I got to see them used twice on first tour...they were pretty cumbersome, but it was always Zingali's way to dream big. And just like the grail, the wheels too have been buried

I remember hearing the opening of Suncoast's show one morning when we were doing visual block in Florida-they were staying at the next school over. b**bs We serenaded them back that afternoon. I still love '85 Suncoast, great fun, great music, written for the field. Those bassdrums!!! One of my favorite segments of the tour was the two or three weeks that we competed against Suncoast that summer. B) Kamarag, your mermaid set was almost as cheesy as our baked ham set at the end of Big Bad Wolf!

That's the last thing that anyone from '93 Star would want anyone to do. It's would be like writing "Catcher in the Rye" and then having the "not another one" feeling when another psychotic killer is found with a copy in his fatigue jacket. The point of the work itself would be overlooked because of the result. It is what it is, a groundbreaking show in its time comprised of incredibly accurate musical arrangements and a visual package that complemented the music.

Maggie Granbois, she was my "lift" partner at the beginning of the show.

John, Didn't you guys have a picture of Larry & Dennis from one of the camps on the alumni site? I would go look for it, but I unfortunately have to do some work sometime today... :P I remember when I was first starting to follow DCI in the late 70s and I mentioned Larry had written some corps arrangement we were listening to and some kid in my high school band told me that it wasn't Larry Kerchner, it was DON KIRSCHNER, host of Don Kirschner's Rock Concert! :sshh: