harris120702

Actually, on a video site, you can see a clip where she leaves to the front sideline to get 'dressed'. Unless they have changed it since, she is a guard person until just before. She is staged close to the sideline when she leaves...

Well now this is just ridiculous. I wouldn't ever break ranks, like most on here, but if my LIFE depended on it, you bet your Bb Tuba I'd break ranks. Some instances I can think of off the top of my head: -Chased by an alligator -Chased by a bear -Chased by my wife Well, chased by ANYTHING scary, I guess...

I guess maybe I am alone in my thinking that it is the "kids" that are the reason this activity exists. MLB, NFL, Symphonies, etc... are fan driven, meaning, the reason they exist in their ENTIRETY is to entertain folks. Drum Corps is not that. Drum Corps exists, and has always existed, as an activity to further to development of young people into respectful, responsible, and musically competent young adults. The audience plays a huge role in the funding and support for this mission, but our satisfaction is not the mission. Some people fail to recognize that we (And I mean we, because I do it too) spend hours and hours and thousands of dollars on an activity that is performed by 15-22 kids. These aren't professionals, this isn't the NFL, and what we think shouldn't matter more than what the kids think. Posters keep saying the kids don't really have a choice. That is just not true. They can't vote with a ballot, but they vote with their participation. Corps is different now because kids are different now. Corps is different now because the world is different now. Different segments of this online community liked the way things were in the 70's. Some the 80's. Others the 90's. Others pre-2005 Cadets (or 04 Crown). But we can't expect kids to feel the way we do about 70's drum corps. If the kids don't like it, there will come a time when the top 12 will not be able to field a Corps. I'm not sure that is close to happening. You can't say fairly that there are less Corps now; The world is such a different place than it was years ago. Kids have more to do, more are going to College then ever before, and frankly, there are plenty of quality band programs that provide students with a fantastic musical opportunity "similar" to that provided by a drum corps. Some bands play corps style music, arranged and taught by Corps staff. That may be close enough to give them their fix, so they work at Starbucks during the summer so they can have a car. Just because there are less Corps doesn't mean there is less interest, it means the world has changed. The heavy hitters seem to be staying away from our conversation; I'd be interested to see what some of them might have to add (Dr. Nikk?). I just see (gross overgeneralization here) a lot of folks who want to say things are bad because they are different, and MB stinks because it is way better than it used to be (and probably steals some dollars from DCI), instead of taking everything for what it is worth.

Some good discussion here, although it seems to always revert to the off-topic things. I still contend that students know what they like, and they seem to like Drum Corps. The kids I know love it, and talk about it frequently. They ALSO talk about marching band and BOA. Bandos, I guess. I just wish we could give both groups the credit they deserve, instead of pitting one versus the other. It doesn't make sense to bite the hand that feeds you. In our current society, it IS myopic to think that Corps kids are coming from somewhere other than HS marching bands. Something to think about (maybe just for me)...

That's my whole point. Kids will decide when this activity they have to pay for isn't worth it anymore. My guess is when 15-22 year olds find it an unattractive activity, they will quit participating. That is how they decide. They decide whether or not to give up a summer to march. When YOU marched, YOU decided if it was worth it.

It seems there have been quite a few threads regarding the similarities/differences between Drum Corps and marching band, specifically Bands of America. I read and scratch my head, wondering if I have missed something. Can someone help me figure this out? (I am using the term "People" to describe those who say these sorts of things, but as a general descriptor for all...) People use the term Bandos to describe band kids, and DCI kids to describe Corps kids. Aren't they the SAME kids? I don't know about years ago, but NOW, the kids are the same. The kids in Cadets, BD, Cavies, ARE the kids from Ayala, Carmel, Reagan, Westfield, North Penn, South Penn, Pig Penn, and wherever. Corps kids are marching in bands in the fall folks, I hate to break it to you. So are they Bandos in the fall, and DCI kids in the summer. Some may not even march competitively, but it stands to reason that a very high percentage of these "Corps" kids also march in school bands in the fall. Take away the Bandos from the Corps kids, and you'll have a very small contingent of dedicated "I only march Corps and Marching band is stupid" students. People say Corps work harder than BOA bands. OF COURSE THEY DO! Let's be honest, Corps wouldn't work half as hard as they do if they didn't have such selective membership and dedicated time. Pioneer doesn't have to worry about Johnny One-note and his multiple doctors appointments and over-bearing mother. The DO work harder, and that isn't even debatable. But it shouldn't be debated, because the circumstances of each are completely different. People say Marching Band sucks, and Corps rules. Richard Saucedo has a day job, folks. Find me a kick-butt Corps Instructor/Writer/Designer, and I'll find you a handful of High School marching band programs they instruct/write/design for. Bands play Corps music, Corps play band music, and each season of activity breeds change in the next seasons activity, for the other Circuit. BOA is where they are today because of DCI influence, and, get ready for this, Vice Versa. Now, I just happen to be a band director who teaches Bandos and who also thinks Corps is fantastic, but it seems to me that we are attempting to split hairs where none exist. Are they different? YES Are they similar? YES Are the same folks involved on the design side and performance side? YES Do we oftentimes forget that these corps exist for the students in them more than for us? YES Drum Corps is a fantastic outlet for students to continue their musical growth at an extremely high level. We are blessed that these performances are so great, and that we have avenues to view them. But they are not FOR us. They are for the students in the corps. DCI will die when students stop joining. Are amps the end of corps? The kids will decide. Is narration the end of corps? The kids will decide. Are grounded Timps the end of corps? The kids will decide. Are Bb horns the end of corps? The kids will decide. Is George H. the end of corps? The kids will decide. Shouldn't it be our job to support our young people, in DCI, BOA, or Friday night high-stepping? Let's allow them the chance to have the great "Marching Music" experience we had, and not get ourselves into a Tizzy over things that the students themselves have answered for us. The Cadets are great this year; The kids decided. Timps have been grounded for years; The kids decided. Bb is here to stay; The kids decided. George gets run through the ringer, yet puts out a top 5 product, year after year after year; The kids decided. Let's take their lead, and enjoy the fantastic performances this summer. What the heck, let's enjoy the performances this fall too!

I will certainly give it that opportunity. Maybe it's just too smart for me That wouldn't be too surprising; I need narration to explain most things! (Come on, it's a joke people, no one wants to know your opinion on narration. Or mine...)

Thought I would put this in a new post for those not into digging: Just got back from the show: It played out as I thought. I was pretty sure BD would be darn close to an 85(In my professional middle school band director opinion, of course). They came out smokin! I am a Cadets fan at heart, but I felt like the Devils were taking my appreciation instead of me giving it to them. What an intense, in your face show. I haven't seen any groups live other than tonight, but my "means nothing so don't flame me" opinion says that BD has a championship show right now. I was uber-impressed by them. Only 9 contras tonight? Santa Clara-Executed well, did not impress me from a program point of view. Their music, again to me ONLY, was kind of blah. Not a lot of excitement and energy throughout, perhaps due to my lack of familiarity with the show. It was good, but just good. Spirit- First group of the night, and good! I really enjoyed their performance, only the arrangment of Hide and Seek left me disappointed (Lacking a little oopmh). I really dig the uniforms, they present interesting visual contrast opportunities. They were feet-dirty, and some signficant alignment and spacing issues, but this was clearly the third best show of the evening. PC, Cascades, Troopers- The only thing I took from these shows was that Paige's Mother from PC was sitting right behind me. Troopers were alright, PC and Cascades both left me wanting more. Nice solid groups all three, but nothing got me on my feet. The Trooper starburst was a little anticlimactic. Madison-Where to begin? Uniforms aren't working for me, singing was alright, but not very effective from my vantage (first row, second deck, A side 45). The end of the show left me scratching my head. I know there are Scouts fans who are hoping for a miracle, I just don't see it happening. This show should make us thankful that Madison is still performing, but shouldn't give folks hope of a finals appearance. My uneducated opinion does not see that happening. Summary: BD is in the thick of things, SCV is out, Spirit was fun, the rest were Ok, Madison was huh? AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, it is 10:28 and I am home and ready for bed. Please no flaming, I can't muster the energy to argue with you. Mr. Harris

Again PeeWee (Reese?), this is my opinion only. They were GOOD, and performed very well, but I wanted more, and didn't get it. Perhaps I should show my cards. DCI is a largely aural activity for me, I get to very few shows, and watch even fewer videos. I am rarely overcome with joy over the musical selections of SCV. Perhaps that tainted my opinion of there show. Fret not, they PERFORMED very well, I am sure I am missing something in there show that makes it great. I guess I just wanted to yell Eureka!, but it never really seemed appropriate...(Have I confused you enough??) Thanks, and don't let my pseudo-quasi- review ruin your evening.

Just got back from the show: It played out as I thought. I was pretty sure BD would be darn close to an 85(In my professional middle school band director opinion, of course). They came out smokin! I am a Cadets fan at heart, but I felt like the Devils were taking my appreciation instead of me giving it to them. What an intense, in your face show. I haven't seen any groups live other than tonight, but my "means nothing so don't flame me" opinion says that BD has a championship show right now. I was uber-impressed by them. Only 9 contras tonight? Santa Clara-Executed well, did not impress me from a program point of view. Their music, again to me ONLY, was kind of blah. Not a lot of excitement and energy throughout, perhaps due to my lack of familiarity with the show. It was good, but just good. Spirit- First group of the night, and good! I really enjoyed their performance, only the arrangment of Hide and Seek left me disappointed (Lacking a little oopmh). I really dig the uniforms, they present interesting visual contrast opportunities. They were feet-dirty, and some signficant alignment and spacing issues, but this was clearly the third best show of the evening. PC, Cascades, Troopers- The only thing I took from these shows was that Paige's Mother from PC was sitting right behind me. Troopers were alright, PC and Cascades both left me wanting more. Nice solid groups all three, but nothing got me on my feet. The Trooper starburst was a little anticlimactic. Madison-Where to begin? Uniforms aren't working for me, singing was alright, but not very effective from my vantage (first row, second deck, A side 45). The end of the show left me scratching my head. I know there are Scouts fans who are hoping for a miracle, I just don't see it happening. This show should make us thankful that Madison is still performing, but shouldn't give folks hope of a finals appearance. My uneducated opinion does not see that happening. Summary: BD is in the thick of things, SCV is out, Spirit was fun, the rest were Ok, Madison was huh? AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, it is 10:28 and I am home and ready for bed. Please no flaming, I can't muster the energy to argue with you. Mr. Harris

Does anyone else think that the male voice for the last tune, Aeolus, sounds an awful lot like Napoleon Dynamite? This is not any sort of commentary on amps, narration, etc..., I just find it humorous that the voice sounds very similar. Imagine the possibilities!

Thanks for the info. One of the few shows I don't yet have of the Post-1987 Cadets; I thought it sounded familiar but couldn't place it. Thanks!

What is the music playing on the YEA website link to the Maroon and Gold Presentation? Thanks!