raphael18

Going to second that - the only time I saw someone get a lap the first time was when the staff had just changed it, worked it very slowly repeatedly, and then told the line, "If you mess this up, you will run." We ran it, two or three people messed up...and they ran. Everydays is a VERY brutal process at PR - it's definitely not the Blue Devils. However, that's how PR is run - so, buy into the process, or pick another corps. Personally, I think the product speaks for itself - the staff know what they're doing.

I'm still waiting for a corps to play When the Warrior Comes Out to Play (or any Youngblood Brass Band chart) - then I will be impressed!

I'll dare to throw three more out there (I got to watch a lot more shows live repeatedly in 04 than most years): Crossmen 04 - I really enjoyed this show from top to bottom - the ballad turned into a great moment. Magic 04 - People can say what they will, I thought this show was a freaking blast to watch. Loved it. Mandarins 04 - Love the Last Samaurii soundtrack, and even I was impressed by a rifle line spinning two rifles at once.

If I were to show a person a show, it would depend a bit on what they enjoy: Visceral/short attention span - Madison 95 Decent attention span, but not quite cerebral - Crown 07 Unsure/just a great show to introduce people with - Cadets 2000 (preferred example for most) Classical Music fan, dark tendencies - PR 96 Hornline person, Jazz - BD 94 To emphasize intensity - SCV 99/00 I try to pick shows that are quintessential drum corps mainstays that tend to really hold on from you all the way through. Of course, I show my own show, PR 03, if prodded - but that always seems weird. Edit: Jethro Tull fans (I think I might know one, maybe...wait) - Cadets 04

Shows that I didn't enjoy until well after I had my chance to really give it up for them (or I never had the chance): BD 2001 - I admit, I'm usually a bit cold on BD shows during the season - and then get to really really appreciate what they're doing once I watch the videos over and over. They just have so much going on (and I really think they look better close up on video - not a knock on their forms, just my opinion). A great example is BD 01. I remember sitting in the stands during finals week thinking, "Wow, that is the cleanest thing ever, I know I should be impressed, but it's not dong anything for me." Later on, I got the Inside Blue Devils 2001 DVD (yes, I spend money occasionally), and really got into the show. Now, I view it as an example of just how clean an incredibly demanding show can get (they just make it look that easy). SCV 03, Cavaliers 03 - Maybe it was the competitive side of me - but I just didn't care for SCV 03 or Cavaliers 03 during the season (yeah, I know it was the competitive side of me, lol). However, now SCV 03 is one of my favorite shows from that season - absolutely incredible organization performing a very enjoyable yet incredibly demanding show. Same goes for Cavaliers 03 - I prefer that offering 10-fold over the 01-02 shows. Though I don't necessarily agree with their wind symphony philosophy - I will not deny that they performed the heck out of a really well designed show. Those are a few off the top of my head...

The post above me is awesome

Honestly, I definitely couldn't have afforded it back when I marched (it was all I could do to afford marching), and I'm still insanely poor while in school. With dues going up, I'd be surprised if many current members subscribed, especially considering that it only just now came out so close to move-ins. Comparing 2007 to say 1989 is pretty ridiculous. The activity is in a totally different place, and the members simply aren't being asked to do the same things they were back then. I think the music from the 70s-80s, with some updates, would transfer well, but I just don't see the drill doing as well (with the possible exception of Cadets). I love PR 89, and that hornline could hold its own with anyone anytime, but the majority of that drill would never make it today (with the exception of some incredible moments in the closer). Incidentally, both the corps I marched in made some effort at a history night - Regiment went a lot further to explain the corps story, watched various shows, and orientation... I see your point, but let's be honest - there are a lot of free sources for the same material if you're an innovative person.

Hey, it's awesome that you enjoyed it...I kind of went the opposite way on this one. Perhaps the uniforms come off better in person.

I'll tell you right now - the Scouts from the late 80s-2000 are superb fan friendly shows that are pretty much universally enjoyed. They're one of the most notorious corps for the, 'judges be darned' attitude. They angered the community by refusing to pick up their judge tapes for quite a while - I really do think that didn't help their placements.

I almost put down Southwind 2000 - but that shows gets plenty of attention. In fact, they are one of those special corps that get a lot of praise no matter where they placed. Notice the value of programming for the crowd. As for the Malagueña, it just didn't seem real. It seemed like a modern drum corps trying to be something it just wasn't. It's hard to explain, but it had an artificial sense to it, and just didn't have that visceral power that other corps have brought when they played it. It was almost like they never went far enough out there on the edge of emotion...but of course, that's just my opinion. They were a very good corps though, I really enjoyed Fanfare.

Guess I'm lucky - every teacher/instructor I've ever run into loves it. Often times, all I need to do is mention that I did corps (they don't even ask which until after I'm hired often), because they know the kind of hard working people that it produces. Being a vet has opened several performance and instructional opportunities for me where it would have otherwise been more difficult. Then again, I have always been against the type of close minded/elitist instructors you are talking about - so, I wouldn't have done well under them regardless.

PR 03 haha, really though - I would say Glassmen 1999, Bluecoats 2002, and BK 2007 (great show that fell under the radar)

I just wish people would post brass tapes more often - always with the drummers.

I think you nailed it - built in drama. That, and which would most people rather see - horn players in the arc...or a bunch of young fit women in tight clothes doing dance and equipment work. Well, there's an intellectual answer, and then there's the real answer, lol.

SCV used to do 'low walking' I wish I had gotten to jazz run forwards more, I think I did a total of 8 counts of actual jazz running, ever. All of my huge moves seemed to involve me being air-borne while running backwards - it's just not the same. I would agree though, there isn't much variation between how corps jazz run at all.

If there was no lightning...we kept on going in little more than our shorts and tennis shoes. If it was cold enough, then some might bust out their ponchos. Nothing compares to the smell of 135 pairs of wet tennis shoes (thank you for not having finals in Orlando again).

I did the same thing, started playing clarinet in 5th grade. Got pretty good as well, but never really loved the instrument. Then I picked up a baritone for the first time, and literally fell in love. My biggest regret is having not picked low brass from day one. It's not necessary, with enough discipline anyone can work up to a pretty good level relatively rapidly (playing daily, and marching div 2/3 doesn't hurt), but it sure doesn't hurt to start on the primary instrument.

Honestly, if I were to sum up the 90s in one word, it would be: intensity I don't make a secret of it - the 90s are top to bottom my favorite decade. These are the shows that really go after that visceral reaction in the fans. Blazing hornlines, high velocity drills, well developed musical phrasing, and crowds that showed their appreciation. These were the shows that made me want to march corps bad enough to learn a new instrument.

After sitting here for a few minutes...this is a ridiculous thing to try and do. If I had to pick one, it would be: Cadets- 1995 - An American Quintet I'm a sucker for hornlines playing great licks while doing high velocity drill. This hornline is most definitely part of a series of amazing Cadets hornlines. Pretty good for those 'inferior' G horns. Although I am normally not a fan of heavily themed shows, this is a great example of one where it really adds to the show. I know it's not exactly a revolutionary show (unless you count all the drum sets on the field), and t's not really an instant classic, but I can't help but smile whenever I hear/see it. I'm going to resist the urge to add an honorable mentions section.

Just looked at the brass page - looks really really exciting. I'm really intrigued by all the off-season work they put their members through, that is going to pay off.

Good call with Cavaliers 04 - it's so simple, but really effective. I saw the show several times that summer, and was scared that the recordings wouldn't reflect how cool the echo effect was.

Honestly, if you were the parent you wouldn't go for criminal charges - you don't get any money that way. Instead, if the kid had required medical treatment, you go after the group's insurance carrier, that's where the money is. Incarceration is detrimental to recovering for damages suffered. Arguably, the court will also take the fact that the kid was where he shouldn't have been, and weigh in whether it was foreseeable that some reaction would result. Therefore, the judgment could be reduced significantly if the court finds that the kids failed to mitigate the damages by acting properly. In addition, it would depend on the age of the member who tripped the kid. One of the problems with modern society is the hesitance to hold the individual who performs the act liable. Look at Columbine, the two guys actually left videos stating that it had nothing to do with their parents or the music they were listening to - in fact, they remarked on how loving their families were. Think back, would you be the same person if no one had ever pulled you aside and put you in line? Sure, the parents may be responsible for not instilling values, but the kid is running through a horn block and flipping the members off...

I think the increase in incidents of people breaking rank is directly related to the change in demographic in the stands. Most bands don't enforce such a policy, and therefore they do not understand it (among other niceties that are unique to drum corps). For that reason, they need to be educated as to proper etiquette at shows. Now, who is going to educate these people? In my mind, the corps belongs to the members (and past members), and it is therefore the members duty to establish their corps presence, both on and off the field. This was much more an issue during the days when we would line up for retreat (thinking back, I did a lot of silent bonding with other corps members that way), and parades. In this world no one is going to give you respect, you have to take it. This difference in mentality is what separates 'hardcore' corps from fluffy bands. Maybe this mentality isn't as common in the mainstream mentality as it once was...but I think it should be. Consider this, when corps lined their horns up for retreat the brass and battery would each leave one sentry. Now, do you think those members were left for decoration, or perhaps to enforce the corps boundaries?

I went with both - each style fits different coprs. That, and I'm all about having some variety in the activity.