higher faster stronger

Stacey Toal

Yes. All of this.

I have to agree with what so many have already said that each corps has a distinctive sound that sets them apart. Question: If the Bluecoats decided that next year they were going back to their traditional blue coats and shakos what kind of reaction would fans and other corps have then ? I think we give one corps too much power. These other organizations followed suit and they didn't have to yet BC gets all the fingers pointed at them. The bigger question is why did they follow ? It could have been that several corps wanted to make the change but they didn't want to be the first so when BC did it there was collective sigh of relief. Uniforms do define a corps and tradition and set them apart from other activities. I get it. I love the smell of grass,valve oil and polyester in the morning. But what really defines this activity for me is the level of musical and execution on the field that you can't find anywhere else on the planet. That is the tradition corps and fans such hold the most dear.When they start watering down books and playing 11 minutes of Britney Spears I may have a problem. Not to down play anyones feelings on this subject. IMHO these young people are doing amazing things on the field and that is what I want to focus on. Being positive and highlighting the good things happening in corps.

Great stuff in this vid. I want to play this Tuba book so bad go Blooooooooo !!!

This would be a glorious ballad. O Magnum Mysterium - Lauridsen The fortissimo section at 3:30 would be amazing on the field.

I see your point there and it makes sense. What is your take on the bass synth. Is it heavier and more used ?

I just watched a Periscope of today's rehearsal. They did a lot of work on For Good to start. It sounds like the vocalist drops out at Like a Comet and then she comes back in at Who can say. It could be that I am not picking it up on the feed but I have heard that twice now. If she is not going to sing it then maybe they should have mellos pick it up until she comes back in so you don't lose the melody. They did extensive work on No one to know as well. Some were saying they cut vocal on it but it sounds like the same amount of vocal based on today's run through. Follow Carolina Crown on Periscope. There is no avatar picture but it is the legit scope for Crown. Roxy did a great job hosting.

I cannot pick the Bluecoats so Carolina Crown Tuba section here I come.

76.900 in WI Go Blooooooooo !!!! I would love to see a costume change in the closer.

SCV is doing great things and I expect them to do really well in August. Great sound and a solid show this year.

72.600 tonight. Go Cavies !!!

Yaaaaasss !!!! Go Bloooooo !!!

Thanks :) I am glad he got it figured out. Bloooooo !!

I definitely agree that the pursuit of cool points is a factor in this too. It could be that they just wanted to be different.

Just one take on the topic. I have enjoyed DCP and I hope this would add to the conversation. In an effort to understand what a hipster is while trying to answer the question of which corps is the most "hipster" I first began with the Miriam Webster dictionary definition. Hello Miriam my old friend. hipster - noun a person who follows the latest trends and fashions, especially those regarded as being outside the cultural mainstream. Based on this definition I would not say Bluecoats or Blue Devils at all. Looks like the most popular answers so far. Seems like the obvious answer. There is a bend in the tone of this topic currently,so forgive me for using it to look at this topic in a different way. trendsetter - noun a person who leads the way in fashion or ideas. This gives a much better description of the influence that BC and BD have had on the current climate of DCI and I would put the Cavies in there for good measure because I would argue that they were the earliest of "suspects" in current trend. The other two were more direct in their evolution due to the plowing of the Green Machine. A quick sploooie. Moving on. So if you look at it this way all of the corps are hipsters except BC,BD and the Cavies because they are following the trendsetters by following a trend that is outside of "cultural mainstream". The corps being called out as hipsters actually set a trend that other corps chose to follow. A shift in the culture usually starts with only one or two voices. This in no way is to place more responsibility on any corps but only to define roles and understand what took place. This is not an indictment of the change itself. I am a fan and I am enjoying this season very much. "The true irony here is that many of the detractors of hipster culture are in fact unknowingly following a path that hipsters have carved out years before them. This phenomena also applies to music as well, as many bands have become successful and known to mainstream audiences only because hipsters first found and listened to them as early-adopters of new culture." This was a quote from the OP's description of a hipster. It explains itself so I won't elaborate too much. DCI has always been the trendsetting/hipster set in the world of field show,always out of the cultural mainstream. Phantom and Les Mis on the field, Velvet Knights (hand over heart) first saw them in '92 shark on the field,that's all I am saying.Then jazz and drill at the same time,on a field,synth in the pit. Say it ain't so. "Once certain concepts of fashion and music have reached mainstream audiences, hipsters move on to something new and improved. " One more quote from the hipster description in the initial post. The style of DCI has become intrinsic in HS and College bands influencing the style choices,arrangements of music as well as field design and general effect. When this type of experience is at arms length and you can have the same experience at a HS or college event what happens then ? No one does it like corps but some do not understand the difference. DCI has always been the hipster set and this era of corps is no different.One take away from this shift is a reminder change always come with some apprehension and resistance. Some may even walk away. When we ask how far is too far the current participants will tell you it's normal. This is all they know. Is there a new set of hipsters that are finding the activity and becoming the early adopters of a new culture ? I think so. Some of them are on the field right now land they will remain long after they leave. Only to find that the trends they once set have become mainstream and history always seems to repeat itself. Just some thoughts I had. My answer is none of the above ;)

Somebody please give an update on that euph. solo if you are going tonight. Thanks

All in jest non traditional for sure. The headgearlessness (two new words in one day) threw me off at first but slides,shakos and horns spell disaster. In all seriousness the shako would not work but I agree I would love to see that type of modern take on the Cadets style next season.

Hey Moto thanks ! It would have been sweet if at the midpoint of the Cadets show they took off that layer and added a shako. They would have fit under tables c'mon man... Since when is a bowler hat not head gear ;) Costumey Corps™ no shade just made me laugh.

Newbie here chiming in. I will start by saying I appreciate so much of what is being said about the changing face of Corps. I absolutely love seeing a sharp uniform and a high shako. Nothing beats a Corps and a guard in the field playing their hearts out for 11 minutes no props just the drill and the music. I get it. It is why I marched in HS and why I stayed a fan after those days were over. But I think some of it has become very harsh and maybe if you feel that strongly you shouldn't comment. The kids in the activity can see it and honestly they just want to participate. It's beyond them,out of their control. I admire what they do spandex or not. The books they are given are complex and challenging. They are performing drill,with choreo and props and plates spinning on their heads without missing a beat. The excecution of the music so technically sound while conveying emotion and range is more than commendable it is downright astonishing. So let me get this straight you want me to wear spandex,play this killer book,learn choreo,sing,march,keep phasing in tact with synth while facing the backfield while playing on my head ? These young people say yes and do it with grace and it is amazing to watch. The one thing that holds the activity together is the sense of family. Give your opinions discuss them,I think it's a good thing.I am not saying not to. But as far as the young people in the activity not feeling supported or that some are walking away because they aren't proud of them that may be a bit much. Just my opinion. I will continue to be a fan. I think it will "level out". Short of plate spinning,underwater features and flaming daggers there isn't a whole lot more to do on the field. I applaud these Corps for doing what they do.

This was a great review !!! Thanks

Newbie here. Overall with BD's show this year I connect with it from the ballad to the closer. For me the opener just seems a bit sparse as far as hearing them play and transitions seem a bit long. I just want to hear them play. They have some west coast screamers as usual and when it gets there it's great,maybe it was supposed to be a build up like that ?? I also wonder about all the synth, the bass in particular. You have basses on the field,good ones and I want to hear them. I know this is subjective maybe just not my personal cup of tea. Thoughts ?

This is an amazing review and I wanted to say thank you for writing it ! I walked away from the theatre with similar viewpoints about each of the Corps shows. Looking forward to reading more and a great 2017 season !

Hi All, I marched HS band (Trumpet/Tuba)and I saw DCI west in Riverside CA some 20 (coughs) years ago and I have been a fan ever since. I am a Cavaliers and Bluecoats fan. I also bow to the altar known as Carolina Crowns hornline.I just want to chat about it because I love it. I am also a vocalist/choir nerd and now with the changing climate of DCI maybe I can add a different perspective. Anyway.... Any summer is a great summer for Corps. Blooooo Sploooie.