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mjoakes

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Posts posted by mjoakes

    2017 PREDICTIONS!

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Show design will win the day IMO...

    You're right, and I agree. (At least assuming the basics in skill, talent, proper planning, etc, are all in place.) Even though I asked the question about emotion, leadership, and other factors. To some extent, show design - whether it inspires the 19-20 year olds executing it - probably also plays a role in influencing those various intangibles.

    REVERSE Transfer fees

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    The kids who march these days have the money to do so (with help from mom and dad). Not sure free tuition is all that important.

    It can seem like that at times. But as is the case when commenting on students at high tuition universities or colleges, it just isn't helpful to generalize. Many kids have little trouble footing drum corps tuition and other expenses (and giving up the opportunity to work or intern during the summer). Many kids struggle and work hard to afford to do what they love in drum corps.

    If you've got a favorite corps with a scholarship program, and you also have a few bucks to donate, please do.

    The "Music Corps Should Do" thread

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I mentioned these pieces in another forum, and thought it worth putting them out here as well:

    1. Selections from Green Day's American Idiot. Have always thought this could work, though now the Cavies 2016 show has some of that same AI feel and attitude.
    2. Have always liked the melodies and drama that make up Billy Elliot. (The musical, not the movie.) It's a touching, well focused story that might translate to the field. An operative word in there is that it has melodies.
    • Like 1

    The "Music Corps Should Do" thread

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Speaking of "Carmen," there's a ton of music from the opera that has never seen the drum corps field which I'd love to hear, and it would not have to be used in a "Carmen" themed show. Other operas I'd love to see explored are Gounod's "Romeo and Juliet" and Verdi's Il Trovatore." It would be a technical challenge too. Opera is not that easy to pull off on the drum corps field. One last opera pitch: "Au Fond du Temple Saint" from Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers." It's a great tenor and baritone duet with beauty and intensity. I looked on Corpsreps and did not see it listed which surprised me a bit, but if performed it could be one of those memorable moments.

    Yes, for the Pearl Fishers duet.

    2017 PREDICTIONS!

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I predict that Boston will be very good. Maybe top 9 good.

    I predict Bluecoats will blow our doors off once again with something new, fresh, and really well performed. They will have killer brass and drums and they will be top 3 again. :)

    I predict Carolina Crown will again have a killer brass line and music that makes the crowd want more. Their guard will be fine despite staff loss. They will be of top-3 quality.

    I predict the Blue Devils will revamp their very successful formula of recent years and try some new staging, visual, and prop ideas. They will continue to bring top-3 quality to the competitive field and should make a run for another title...as they always seem to do.

    I predict SCV tops one of last year's top 3 at Finals to take 3rd.

    I predict Phantom Regiment will make a jump -> over Cavaliers -> and over Blue Knights. I believe they will bring back that killer brass line and develop a more seamless show that the members can dig into.

    I predict Cadets will be very good. Percussion should be fantastic! Guard and Brass will be a wait and see. I predict they will have a fan-friendly show with a classic Cadets look (Maroon & Gold) and a refined visual look that still harkens back to the old days but continues to push them into the world of staging.

    I predict that Academy will once again make finals. In many ways this will be the tougher task for them. Can they do it 2 years in a row?

    I predict Blue Knights will start the season with a full show :)

    and.............................I ALSO PREDICT A REPEAT CHAMPION IN WORLD CLASS :)

    Thanks for the post. All potentially reasonable, and I like the connections to some issues for the corps based on staff changes.

    Always much discussion about staff expertise and corps talent relative to the specific skills and potential scores. That's great. But also:

    How much of the outcomes throughout the summer, especially during Finals week, comes from the very tough to measure things: teamwork, leadership, esprit de corps, motivation, the drive from an emotional commitment (hunger?) to the show and performance, etc.? Among the top corps, there is some (but not perfect) parity in talent, and at least a handful of shows worthy of top finishes. So how much do these other factors contribute on the margin to Bluecoats > Blue Devils by 0.400? Or Cavies over Cadets?

    And then back to the predictions (and assuming those factors above matter at least somewhat): What corps will come into 2017 season or finals likely topping others on teamwork, motivation, hunger?

    Phantom Regiment 2017

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    The 2010 show is the most beautiful DCI show I've ever seen, although SCV 2016 is a close second.

    I agree it was a really beautiful show. Thoughtful. And no props. Crown that year also had a good show with no props. Both corps relied on interesting drill and beautiful music. The guard for Phantom: flags that just did wonderful flag things.

    Shows Corps Should Do

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I agree about not trying to recreate something so iconic on stage or film. It won't stop me from suggesting something based on the labor movement theme in Billy Elliot and making use of that good music.

    It may be a bit derivative now of the Cavies Propaganda, but how about something built around Green Day's American Idiot?

    Indy Hotels

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I have stayed at both hotels, Omni for 2015, JWM for 2016.

    • The walk to LOS seemed about the same.
    • JWM is of course newer and overall less worn. But Omni isn't bad.
    • Using the indoor bridges over streets, I walked to Izzy and Harry's from JWM while it was raining outside.
    • JWM was filled with drum corps people, which made for a pretty lively lobby and bar. More so than what I remember at the Omni.
    • But I also missed being around the restaurants and bars near the Omni. Plus, Georgia Street is right outside the Omni, if you're interested in the activities there. JWM is a bit isolated.

    2017? I like both. Might see what rates through DCI are like. Have a feeling I'll try Omni again. Will hate to give up the much better fitness center at JWM.

    • Like 1

    Troopers just put out an epic video!

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Cool video, and thanks for the link.

    I know the guards today are just fantastic. Hugely talented and expressive. Still, there's something about seeing those old guards - stiff, high marching, uniform, aiming for universal precision, dressed to match the rest of the corps, smile-less. Yes, it's nostalgic. Looks good, though, if for no other reason than it is something noticeably different from what's common today.

    And for some reason - maybe deep psychological problems I don't understand – I just cringe at so much Broadway smiling in guards today.

    • Like 4

    DCI Championships In Indy - What Happens After 10 Years Are Up?

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Indy is a convenient venue for several often-mentioned reasons. As a frequent academic conference attendee, I think it's tough to beat being able to hotel park, and then spend 2-4 days walking to the venue, restaurants, and other hotels. ("Tough" to beat, but not impossible to beat. San Antonio isn't bad, but I'm not big on the holiday shopping-like crowds on the canals.)

    I've driven and flown to Indy, and both approaches have fewer headaches than many other cities.

    I'm sure logistics matter much, and gaining operational experience with a venue is important to both DCI staff and corps staff. That's an outsider's comment.

    Truth is, like the shows themselves, this is an issue for which individual preferences (as well as past experiences and corps loyalties) matter much, and debate will never cease. Everything drum corps seems to have something of a traditionalist vs. evolution or change dichotomy. Not a bad thing. Just a frequent framework shaping discussions.

    SCV 2017 - 50 Years of Class

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I know this is REEEEALLY wishful thinking, but my number one hope for the entire 2017 summer is SCV gives us a powerful Send In The Clowns as the closer this year. I'm talking like REALLY powerful.

    While acknowledging how risky it can be to revisit such an iconic piece - and as someone else noted, also with all the added pressure of the 50th. - me, too. Clowns would make a terrific closure for all of us to look forward to at each performance.

    BTW, I appear to be a much less sophisticated fan than most of you here. So take this observation with that in mind: I've been binging through the 2014 and 2015 finals, and I often catch myself unable to identify just when I might be seeing a closure. Another reason why Clowns would work for me.

    2017 PREDICTIONS!

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Cadets will perform 7.4, a patriotic craptacular. Featuring You're a grand old flag, Yankee Doodle dandy, Stars and Stripes forever, and everyone's favorite, Elk's Parade. The show will include live fireworks, a hot dog eating contest, a 4th of July parade complete with candy throwers for the kids, squirt guns, and a softball game,

    And they won't need to play a note. The entire show will consist of some guy narrating awkwardly and recordings of JFK.

    • Like 2

    Troopers 2017 Visual Staff Announced!

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Just as a point of comparison, and it may indeed be apple and oranges.

    2016 Bluecoats percussion instructors (total of 8)

    2017 Troopers percussion techs (total of 15)

    2016 Bluecoats visual instructors (total of 12)

    2017 Troopers visual techs (total of 19)

    What do you think?

    edit: mis-counted troopers visual techs. I'm getting old.

    Numbers are interesting. Thanks for posting. And I realize others might argue about how to count what people doing which things.

    Somewhat important is keep focused on outcomes not inputs. They're related, of course. But it doesn't have to be that the quality of outcomes is directly associated with the number of inputs.

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