greg_orangecounty

You’re making my point for me. Drum Corps is no longer special. Why go see something that looks like any other garden variety marching band with over-produced flamboyant pseudo off-Broadway props? Im holding out hope though! Maybe it’s just like a disturbing fashion trend that will work its way out - like crocs.

Good question. Take the quiz and find out: Did your high school musical group: have a drill team, involve cheerleaders (during field shows, not after the game) use lyres, have trombones, phase or march out of step regularly, L-O-V-E parades, play and/or do the Macarena, had issues finding a date with people outside of your musical group, do minstrel turns, emote random-intense facial expressions for no apparent reason (opps, bad example)…..? If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions you were in a BAND.

Fair enough, Mike. Thank you for the honest answer.

I was around for the evolution of drums and bugles too. Obviously the two are related, cousins, sisters, whatever, but when I hear someone say they're both the same....it baffles me. It's like denying reality, or arguing the sky is not blue, or water is not wet. I was there and participated in both, like you I'm sure. The issue for me is I can barely tell the difference now, and the addition of woodwinds will finish off Drum Corps once and for all. I see in your profile you marched in Garfield around the same time I was in the Kingsmen. When you watch modern Drum Corps, does it give you the same thrill, punch, excitement, power, make the hair stand on the back of your neck as back then......? Maybe its just me....

There are few things (any?) the love of money does not ruin.

Why can’t “Bandos” leave us alone? Who let them in and gave them all this decision making power the first place? They have their own activity and we have our ours. If they want to join us, great, welcome - but don’t try and make us you. You adapt and change your style to us!

If it is “absolutely necessary“ to add woodwinds for the survival of the activity then Drum Corps should be euthanized. Death with dignity, and not turned into some sort of awful artsy-farts circus with the phrase “Drum Corps” attached. Gag.

It does seem to be on that trajectory. Follow the money. Money will always trump tradition. And the worst of all it will be sold as “a wonderful innovation in the marching arts.” Brace.

####. 12 women are accusing him? Those are Bill Cosby numbers. Hope justice is served by whatever the outcome is.

It’s hard enough for me to get used to color guard dudes in bright tights and purple eyeshadow but woodwinds.....!!?? That’s my line in the sand. If it does that will be the real day the music dies.

My adult children know how to push my buttons. When the subject of Drum Corps comes up they roll their eyes and cough *bandgeek* I cough back *reverse-mortgage* and that shuts them up quick.

It’s all good. We all came in in different eras but we’re all still fans of drum corps. (until woodwinds are introduced)

Jeff, You made an unsolicited comment to me. If I disagree and make a comment back to you don’t cry about it. If I upset you dont read or respond to my posts.

Sounds sad and boring, but I believe it. Shame for them social interaction now requires an electronic device. No wonder I see so many single 20 and 30 year olds.

How can that be true when two posts above you say: “and the general person on the street could give two #####” (in relation to the public’s knowledge between drum corps and band)? How can the general public feel drum corps was the “minor league” compared to band when they don’t know or care about the difference?

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That was not my experience at all. But your comment interests me as I wonder what the touring experience is like for kids today? I.E. do they still sleep on gym floors? iIf the answer is “no” then they DO have it better.

We never thought, made fun of, or cared about marching bands as they were not on our radar. They were a different species. And the snob card was only used against the Velvet Knights if they started chit with us.

Who is “we”? Bands were the minor league, Drum Corps was the major league. The very fact I have to spell this out tells me the contagion has spread and it’s too late.

I see little difference between drum corps and bands today, so let’s get that straight. My perspective come from marching in the Anaheim Kingsmen in the 1970’s and you had to be blind to not see the difference between drum corps and bands in music, attitude, style, precision, military bearing, drill, drum line (no comparison), color guards (bands had drill teams), degree of difficulty, and intensity. Kids from high school and university bands joined us for a reason. It wasn’t because we were the same as them. And by your logic football and soccer are the same because it involves a ball and running around on a field.

oh brother,.........this is an open forum for those that marched and fans of the activity. I understand that, and from my point of view to call drum corps “band” is an insult even though that’s where I started too.

To the general population, yes, I agree. But for an alleged drum corps person to say that to another drum corps person.......and to imply it’s “always been that way” and we’re not to think any different is asinine.

In 2019 that’s probably a true statement but to say it’s “ALWAYS” been marching band is absurd especially to those of us that did both.

The most concise and honest assessment I’ve heard yet regarding the state of modern drum corps.

VERY surprised to hear smoking and drink beer was allowed while in uniform, but not about weed and uppers.