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    It's 2017 Who Sings it best?

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    1 minute ago, drumcorpsfever said:

    This

     

    4 minutes ago, BoaDci said:

    In order of best application:

    1. Cadets

    2. BAC

    3. No singing 

    4. Crown

     

    The reason being being, Cadets and BAC have made it essential to their show design.  If it werent there you would have questions.  MASS is something that really needs a vocalist to reach its full potential, and the Cadets have done something spectacular with it.  BAC, while this integration was not as necessary, its still pulled off well and is a large part of the design.  For Crown (this absolutely is not a rant on the singer, she is doing a wonderful job, its just the position she was placed in), it doesnt feel essential to the design.  I feel like I could take out the singer all together, have a burning hornline/percussion, and come out with a much more memorable show overall.  They havent done that.  I feel like they were just like "This year we have a new design team, Crown has always pushed for vocals in drum corps, lets go all the way" and its like they designed the show based on the vocalist.  The worst part is, I still do not feel it is an integral part to the show.  

    Yes. All of this. 

    • Like 2

    Are some Corps losing their identity?

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    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. 

    • Like 1

    Western Corps Connection, Riverside, CA July 2, 2017

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    22 minutes ago, Dream Theater said:

    I have an issue with the amplification. Corps are using about 7 mics on the field so the sound also goes through to the speakers. I started picking up on it with SCV's show and BD's show as well. To me it just made things sound unnatural. If I wanted to hear a corps through a speaker I'd stay home. 

     

    What did you guys think of that? 

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

    Carolina Crown 2017

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by higher faster stronger

    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. 

    • Like 1

    Hipster DCI

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    19 minutes ago, Cappybara said:

    This is an interesting definition because atleast in my age group (college aged) we usually refer to hipsters as people who purposely go against the grain to be cool. It's not necessarily because something is better or for worse, they just hate the idea of being a part of anything that is mainstream 

    I definitely agree that the pursuit of cool points  is a factor in this too. :27_sunglasses: 

    It could be that they just wanted to be different. 

    Hipster DCI

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by higher faster stronger

    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 ;)
     
     
     
     
    • Like 2

    2017 Uniform Database

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Just now, MotoSurfBass said:

    A bowler is certainly headgear, my bad. I guess the non-traditional flavor of the bowler in corps, plus their headgearless look last year threw me off. 

    As for the Cadets, the shako would unfortunately make no sense in the context of their show. I do hope, however, that they bring back that middle section uniform with a shako as their regular look in 2018. It's distinctively Cadets, yet much more modern at the same time.

    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. 

    • Like 1

    2017 Uniform Database

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    38 minutes ago, MotoSurfBass said:

    Very well said! And for what it's worth, of the 18 World Class corps that have taken the field so far this summer, I'd say 12.5 of them have something akin to a modern version of a classic uniform (The 0.5 being the first part of the Blue Devils show this year). The only headgearless, costumey corps out on the field this year are the Bluecoats, Vanguard, Blue Knights, Madison, the 2nd half of the Blue Devils' show, and the Cadets (though just imagine a shako on the midpoint outfit with the maroon top and cream pants!). Of the four left to perform, Genesis seems to have a more traditional uniform, Surf is almost guaranteed to have a more "out there" costume, Spirit is lost somewhere in between the two, and the Cascades are a complete unknown.

    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™ :laughing: no shade just made me laugh. 

     

    • Like 1

    2017 Uniform Database

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by higher faster stronger

    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.

    • Like 3

    Blue Devils 2017 60th Anniversary!

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    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 ?

     

    New Members

    in DCP Community "New Member" Forum

    Posted · Edited by higher faster stronger

    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. 

    • Like 2
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