david403

Heh. I don't want to be "that guy," but don't go to a particular college just for it's marching band or it's location near a corps/band. Find a college or university that fits you first, then worry about the marching stuff. You don't want to spend 4 years and thousands of dollars at a school that you don't enjoy. That being said, I don't think you'll struggle to find a place to march. CA has 8 Open Class corps and 3 World Class corps.

SCV's new uniforms are pretty close to their 1997-2001 uniforms, especially the back of the unis.

Whoa, still gotta chip on your shoulder?

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!

After a long day of rehearsing in Northern California, one of the corps parents was awesome and bought Popsicles for the entire corps. Before we were let go from rehearsal, we surrounded our director as he was giving his final announcements about cleaning the rehearsal site up. He said something like, "Make sure you do that before you play with your popsi...er...eat your popsicles." Pause. Then I chimed in, "Awwwwwwkwarrrrd." Being a favored vet in the corps allows one to say those kinds of things at those moments. Dave

If a show doesn't excite me, I just politely do a golf clap. That's all. It means I appreciate their effort..."Thanks for trying." Any other ways of showing "non-excitement" that's not booing?

Some shows will be more entertaining than others. For shows that are really entertaining, I clap loudly, stand up, and hoot. For shows that aren't as entertaining, I'll stay seated and give a golf clap. For the Cadets, I'll do my golf clap--which pretty much says, "Thank you very much for trying." I think a lukewarm audience reaction is almost the same as booing, but a soft, quiet clapping is at least appreciative. As a former performer, a lukewarm "golf clap" reaction from the audience was definitely a downer, but it makes stronger in the long run. It gave us something to work for.

Orange County native here....I thought Pinks was quite overrated. If you want an awesome chili burger/dog place, then it has to be the original Tommy's. Best...chili...ever.

As BD took their time figuring out their amp problems, the audience was totally silent...for over a minute. I really wanted to yell "I HATE AMPS!" but I bit my tongue and didn't want to embarrass the corps that was being represented on my jacket.

Hey Mike, Love hearing that you're writing about drum corps at UCI. I graduated from there in 2005 and marched with Pacific Crest from 01-05. The current drum major at PC is attending UCI and I think at least one guard member is at UCI as well. Check Facebook.com. There's a Pacific Crest @ UCI facebook group. Good luck, Mike, and keep up with the good work :-) David

As a current Stanford graduate student and a drum corps alum, I have to say I'm quite proud that this fine university is no longer using "Indians" as a mascot. You can call it "PC," but I call it respect for Native Americans. Speaking of Stanford Stadium, I've been at the stadium while rocking out with the Stanford Band and I would argue it's the best drum corps venue in California for both fans and performers. Not as big as the Rose Bowl, but the most intimate experience can be had there. David Pham Pacific Crest 2002-2005

I agree. I saw them in Nor Cal and they definitely were on fire at Stockton. The crowd was really into their show, especially in the closer as they clapped along. I even saw a little girl dancing in the aisle during their disco-esque groove. Fun stuff. David

I would never ever blame students for an incomplete show. That's a responsibility of the instructional staff. They set the pacing of teaching the show.

Is it wrong to counter somebody's opinion with another opinion? God help us if a (omg!) discussion starts.

Going through WSSB's profile and past posts, he seems to be an "old school" drum corps fan. Like most hardcore old school fans, he's bitter about guard costumes, dance work, and any other modern innovations. He's used his review to put down corps of today only because he's emotionally stuck in his glory days of when he marched: the good old "70s" when "drum corps was drum corps," right?

Did contraline for all my years. Second choice: Timpanis, man...timpanis.

Most brass judges tend to stay on the sideline at the beginning of the season. As the season progresses, they'll gradually move closer into the drill. But even by the end, most brass judges tend to stay near the sideline.

I think one of my brass instructors said it best: "You can't judge a professional orchestra by sitting in front of the bass trombonist all night."

Ah, yes! Thank you for clarifying that. I think that's a testament to how well the whistling projected. It sounded like it was amped, but it was au naturale.

Oh gosh, I totally forgot about that. Yes, I love that moment too. I'm not a big amp fan either. I detest narration and didn't really like the drum speak last year (just play the darn thing on your drums!!!). But those subtle moments when you don't know if it's amp or acoustical really work to enhance the show.

The only time I've enjoyed amps for a drum corps show was Cavies 2004, the 007 Bond Show. The snapping of the fingers at the beginning of the show and I believe the whistling was amped in the pit as well. It geniunely enhanced the overall effect of the show. It wasn't distracting at all.

What!?! No 19xx "insert random corps"!?!?! Looks like I'm staying home!!!

I was picturing the non-West Coasters complaining on this board about DCI's first championships in the West and this is what I saw: Seriously, folks. The rest of the country gets DCI finals every year. Give the west coast a break.

I e-mailed the webmaster and he corrected the problem right away. It now works with Mozilla Firefox. Devout Firefox user.

I thought I was the only one in the world that liked the percussion feature in Star 93. One of my favorites. Here are some others I like off the top of my head: Cavies 95-great line and great book Kingsmen 72 BD 86