Box5Opinion
-
Posts
172 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by Box5Opinion
-
-
25 minutes ago, whitedj2002 said:
I said something similar and got "bagged and tagged" for it. Apparently the leadership award... "to the DRUM MAJOR exhibiting"... begins with the DM writing in and applying to be considered, then a "panel" with Gene M. heading makes a decision. IMO, If your going to present an award on Finals night it should be based on what is exhibited on the podium. Otherwise award it prior to finals. Every Drum Major by virtue of the position, does similar duties as counselor, cheerleader, policeman, and the like. Judge what is seen and not an arbitrary, subjective process. Claire, I am sure did a fantastic job with her unit, but so did everyone else. Kudos to the other 11 DM's who EXHIBITED musical leadership and flair both on and off the podium. The hashtag movement will surely respond AGAIN, but don't bother, I already understand your position. I just happen to #disagree.
Jesus, why is this a topic? There is no DM number score or ranking anywhere in the score sheets! Congratulations to the applicants and the receiver of the award. Focus people, we have way bigger fish to fry! Boston Crusader won guard! Blue Devils won no captions! Phantom Regiment produced a sleeper show! Mandarins BEAT Phantom Regiment (let that sink in), Carolina Crown brass in the last week of tour, what happened?And Santa Clara Vanguard won GE, VISUAL, MUSIC, BRASS and PERCUSSION with an abstract show! FOCUS PEOPLE!
-
7
-
-
1 minute ago, Cleveland1 said:
I don't envy their staff right now. Babylon was a grand slam, putting out a show that can repeat is even harder. They have the personnel to do it though, top to bottom.
Santa Clara Vanguard staff - please don't incorporate any props (circles or boxes) in the 2019 show design. Michael Gaines I am talking to you!
-
1
-
-
5 hours ago, dbc03 said:
No, but the judges do and I like competition... so yes
Amen to that! But let's ALL REMEMBER the current judge sheets include aspects of cohesiveness.
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, BRASSO said:
For years, Corps went out with no themes at all, so it was all performer based as to what we liked or didn't like, and the foucus was on performer excellence. Then Corps decided to have themes, and now even " theme specific attire ". Well. ok. I'm on board with the need for " themes ".But the irony comes about when some tell us..." well, forget the theme, as almost nobody knows what the theme and messaging is anyway, and just enjoy the performer excellence". But I already could enjoy that without the themes, and did for years and years.... lol!
So my thoughts are... if Corps are going to have themes, with some sort of messaging they want conveyed thru music, dance, narration, singing, or whatever, then it should be clear in the end of the show what the show was all about, and what its theme message is. If audiences are unsure what the show/ theme is, that can't be good training for future music ed educators, or future performers in the Arts, imo. Judges should notice if the theme is convoluted, or confusing, or makes little to no sense at all. Conversely, if a show theme communicates via show design, performer efforts a successful communication to most audiences, there should be some place on the judging sheets for such substantive rewarding, imo..Otherwise, lets all admit that show themes don't have to make any sense at all to most audiences to enjoy the performer excellence on display, and just pretend nobody has themes and " theme specific " attire on during the shows.. I suppose in a weird way, thats a solution to confusing and/ or convoluted themes/ messagings. Personally however, I'd much prefer judges learn what is being communicated well, and what is not, and act accordingly with their #2 pencils. They're in the drivers seat here in regards to what is rewarded, and what is ignored as not important re. themes/ messagings. Right now, if a show is confusing to most in the audience, that is seemingly unimportant. So thats why imo, most audiences have increasingly begun to overlook themes/ messaging, and look for something else... ie, performer excellence alone to enjoy. if thats the case however ( and it is, imo ), well we've come full circle now, as thats pretty much the same thing we all learned to do before themes, theme attire, and large and costly props were created and introduced by the Corps themselves awhile back.. Oh the irony.. lol
Drum corp shows (currently) are like English papers, some are easy to read, understand and follow. It all depends on who is writing (designing) the theme!
-
2
-
-
2 minutes ago, Jeff Ream said:
and no complaints. i'd have had Crossmen over Phantom, but thats about it. Great season, and the corps with the highest score won
I had them too! Great season though!
-
Congratulation! The show design was amazing! Well deserved awards! MUSIC, VISUAL, GE, BRASS, PERCUSSION!!! So proud of the members, designers and the organization! Shout out to the alumni! You guys are amazing!
-
1
-
-
3 minutes ago, Tim K said:
As others have mentioned, it is a leadership award. It’s wonderful for all of us to applaud and praise Cadets for their fine performances, hard work, grit, etc. we forget that it’s not about picking up instruments and giving it your all. Momentum had to be kept up all season. Morale had to be low at many moments. Down days had the potential to be worse for Cadets. Illnesses which can spread with a vengeance but for Cadets, it was probably a “what else can go wrong?” Keeping Cadets on track and upbeat was a huge job, and off the field the drum major is expected to play a huge role in this effort. Directors talk often. My guess is they heard about Cadets challenges probably about Claire’s efforts and knew she embodied the award.
I agree with everything here!
-
1
-
-
3 minutes ago, Cappybara said:
A committee decides the winner of the award. I am not sure what the exact criteria is or how they receive info about each DM, but I imagine they do look very closely at the way they conduct themselves (pun intended), the way they interact with the numerous people they meet on tour, how well they keep the members motivated, engaged, and organized, how they overcome adversity/challenges, etc.
This is so true! There was no DM score sheets, it decided by committee.
-
Overall impression of 2018 DCI Finals! I'm so ready to go home!
1. Santa Clara Vanguard - WOW! Music, drill, brass, percussion, guard, visual and amazing show design. Well deserved Champion!
2. Bluecoats - Oh man, great performance tonight, the show design was amazing.
3. Boston Crusaders - Loved the guard, geez, it was a night to remember!
4. Blue Stars - One of my favorite shows tonight! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the show!
5. Mandarins - great performance, welcome to the club!
-
3
-
-
12 minutes ago, ShortAndFast said:
Caption awards:
GE: SCV will win (Bloo must beat them by 0.875 tomorrow to tie)
Visual Performance: SCV will win (BD must beat them by 0.4 tomorrow to tie)
Guard: Boston is currently in the lead for the Zingali! BD must beat them by 0.1 tomorrow to tie
Brass: SCV is in the lead. Crown must beat them by 0.1 tomorrow to tie
Percussion: SCV will win (BD must beat them by 0.4 tomorrow to tie)
Wow! I loved the panel tonight! Can't wait to see what happens tomorrrow!
-
1
-
-
1 minute ago, Cadevilina Crown said:
And as of right now they are the frontrunners for the Zingali!
BAC Guard avg. = 19.3
BD Guard avg. = 19.25
Did W Chumley just cost BD the zingali award?
-
16 minutes ago, NakedEye said:
This is my concern about the SCV show. I’m fine with them winning and they are performing it at a truly excellent level...but I don’t want their visual approach this year to become a trend.
At first viewing this year, I was struck by how it reminded me so much of an indoor show, and I’ve not been one to call other recent changes, such as costumes, staging and props, “too WGI.” But this visual look, with the whole package being so compressed in the front part of the field has really disappointed me. All the movement being focused on positioning people to work with the props really does seem WGI, or Blast! - the latter especially with the minimalist riser design and urban costuming.
One thing I love about drum corps, even with all the changes of the past decade, is the expansive, larger-than-life visual spectacles. I think if you squish that all down you end up with a more fundamental change than different key horns and electronics.
One day, housing and financial factors may make reducing the footprint of everything to be the best possible way forward, but we aren’t there yet, so let’s keep seeing new ways of using the 100 yards. It’s just too much fun.
The show makes perfect sense and the micro drill in the beginning is amazing! The judges agree!!!
-
1 hour ago, MikeBD said:
While SCV has a very entertaining show I swear there are brass members that never go to the back half of the field or outside of the 25.
Im convinced that people are just tired of BD winning. If Crown played SCVs show you might not have any hearing left. In my 32 years of watching finals (BD won me over in 86) I have not disliked a winning show til now. I have always had great respect for other corps but this show is beyond easy considering how talented the performers are.
Flame away.
Ha-ha! The judges beg to differ!!!
-
2 minutes ago, BRASSO said:
Agree on the Spartans.. really nicely designed show, good music that fits the theme well, terrific guard integrated well into the show theme.. and appropriate theme specific attire, props that fit this years theme well too... and performed well by marchers. They deservedly earned the right to qualify for these Semi Finals, imo. . So Congratulations to a fine season for the Spartans !
YES! YES! YES! Well thought out show design!
-
1
-
-
18 minutes ago, CrownBariDad said:
I'm counting 3 green shirts on the field. My assumption is brass, percussion, and color guard. Yes?
Field Percussion, 2 Visual judges (marching and maneuvering)
Guard/Brass/Other percussion in press box
-
20 minutes ago, ouooga said:
I'm so unbelievably baffled by why this is an issue. It's not like drum corps compete against each other in business (I realize the drum corps activity itself is competitive, but as far as raising funds goes, it's not like BD is McDonald's and Phantom is Burger King). If someone is doing it majorly well, excelling, shouldn't that just become the model that everyone follows? BD runs educational clinics, sells branded merchandise (referring to System Blue), has a program designed to provide the highest level of marching/music on demand for cost...basically they understand how to work the business side. Meanwhile, they also design shows that work extremely well with the scoring system, and have a teaching staff/methodology that clearly communicates well and treats members a certain to yield results.
It seems pretty obvious that the Blue Devils organization is the textbook for how to run a drum corps that thrives.
SOME ONE GETS IT!!!!
-
2
-
-
4 hours ago, PopcornEater1963 said:
Things I’d like to see tonight ranked from most likely to least likely:
1. Cavies reclaim 5th from BAC
2. Bloo edging out BD for 2nd.
3. Spirit making Top 12.
1. Cavaliers need to march a clean show! Good luck with that! Boston Crusaders are just cleaner!
2. Maybe, BUT Visually Blue Devils are just clobbering them and the guard is insane!
3. NO!
-
1
-
1
-
1
-
-
On 8/5/2018 at 11:48 AM, MikeRapp said:
Having established, proven, well paid staff is, unfortunately, a rarity in this activity. I would imagine that nothing taints the energy and commitment of marching members like seeing and hearing how their educational staff is taken advantage of, especially financially. You can’t hide much when you share the same buses and gym floors for three months.
How can corps become organizations? To me, this is what DCI needs to be very serious about going forward. Perhaps they are. But it would be great if the established top eight organizations did more to help out their competition.
Boston Crusaders two years ago made the conscience decision to recruit top notch staff and it's paying off!
-
1
-
-
On 8/5/2018 at 11:35 AM, ContraFart said:
I believe that the talent level of the top 5 or 6 corps is pretty equal and only differs by degrees. What BD has that other corps do not is a staff that has been together for 30+ years. Bluecoats are second in staff longevity I believe. SCV is up there with some of their staff but the Rennicks haven't been there super long and this is Gaines' first year as lead drill designer.
Agree with that premise! YES! that's true, Scott Chandler, Scott Johnson, Todd Ryan (from Star of Indiana), Dave Glyde, Jay Murphy, John Meehan, TJ Doucette (retired Wayne Downey) have been together for almost four decades and they trust each other (consistency) in show design and execution of the vision. Watch out, Sanata Clara Vanguard is biulding a foundation, they are collecting their Chess pieces for future use. I would put Blue Stars and Boston Crusaders on the move with staff acquisitions!
-
1
-
-
On 8/3/2018 at 10:11 AM, snake33 said:
How can a 40 year dominance in two divisions be good for any activity? BD and to great extent California is DCI. They started out in the 70s with a large initial advantage and that advantage has built upon itself over decades. Subjective judging has leaned primarily towards one style and now rule changes are proposed to make that subjective bias even worse.
DCI isn't a sport it is an exhibition with BD and sometimes SCV the featured act. If everybodies OK with that, carry on.Consistent STAFF and IDENTITY! The stay true to themselves! I
All of the corps voted to change the current scoring system (no it doesn't favor one style) it's primarily all about GE!!!! If the show is designed good and executed well then the corp does well. That's all!
Cavaliers, Phantom, Crown, Bluecoats, Cadets, Boston Crusaders, Blue Stars need to have better designed shows and execute them in ALL cylinders (brass, percussion, guard). Don't hate the player or the game! It is what it is! Dot your I's and cross your T's = Blue Devils know how to do this (consistently), Santa Clara Vanguard - are getting there (they haven't won a championship since the tie in 1999). That's all, I can carry on, but I love to ##### about it! :)
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, CrownBariDad said:
I was always told: If you are working on composing, arranging, or transcribing, right after you wake up in the morning is the best time to work as your ears are "fresh".
I'll pick on the poor brass judge here (who I truly respect): After hours and hours of in your face brass, will he be able to pick out the nuances of the later Corps?
I, of course, have never judged, so I'm interested in your thoughts.
Not a problem, the music judges are up in the press box!
-
1
-
-
8 hours ago, TRacer said:
Back from the theater in Honolulu.
First, my rant...
In the movie “Field of Dreams” Costner’s character was told to “Build it, and they will come.” In DCI it’s “Lay down a tarp, and they will trip on it.” Why oh why do designers insist on using grounded tarps ** if you know performers are going to be marching back and forth over them **?? I don’t care how good you are, it ain’t safe!
Totally agree, they are playing with fire and eventually someone is going to get burned!
I have judged or watched too many shows where casualties happen when an Attack Tarp runs amok. Case in point: tonight’s hapless victim was a poor Cavie tuba that went down by the back sideline as soon as he hit the red strip nearly perpendicular, then the tubas had to come all the way back to the front. That kid looked like he was still favoring his leg a bit in the following camera close up.
Lots of great performances marred by mic issues. All I want to say to their users is hey, you voted for ‘em.
You live in die by the sword, they wanted it!
Dennis didn’t look or sound particularly well, almost as if it was “just get me through this.” Then he stepped out and let Will take some of the interviews.
I think there is more there.......
Best moment was before Bloo’s stepoff: “Don’t wrinkle your jacket!”....and then Sam carefully folds it and lays it on the podium. Lots of laughs in our theater.
Big spontaneous cheers and applause for Cadets *during* closer ((gasp!) “OMG they’re doing it!!”) and afterward! Lots of tears, myself included.
YES!! YES!! YES!!
Teared up at the short SCVC clip and the close up of the trumpet player that I’m 95% certain was my kid (face was obscured but the hairstyle was his.)
Choked up at The Horn Snap; I saw a number of heads in the theater do a headbang when it hit.
-
11 hours ago, brassboy said:
It actually stressed me out FOR him that they were talking to him right up till show time! He sure handled it like a pro. Is he by any chance studying broadcasting or anything like that?
Talk about in the zone - he should get more credit for doing that! One of the best drum majors in the activity!
-
1 hour ago, Cappybara said:
Looking like Vanguard's year, but I'll happily take the Zingali and a SCV win this year! Brazale isn't out of the question yet, margins are pretty thin in that caption
Strongly agree with this statement!
The future is here
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
I was thinking the same thing! Let me get my Foldgers Crystals!