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PRPhan4ever

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Everything posted by PRPhan4ever

  1. That's interesting I believe I had heard JD shaw talk about work w/Boston when I was touring with them (PR) in 2008 during a conversation at lunch one day (I was aiding in sponsoring a hornline member ) but I never knew what year or years ......anybody know? From 2012 to present I've been on the BAC side of the volunteer spectrum
  2. I'm wondering if anybody has a list of all the brass arrangers BAC has had over the years. I'd be curious there's been a few notables over the years but I'm thinking 2012 was his first year. In 2020 I believe , in the music for all website that he maintains it had that he was in his 8th year of arranging for Boston.
  3. I'm trying to recall when did Ryan George become the brass arranger for crusaders was it 2012 or prior?
  4. After watching all of the top 12 (be it via FLO) - is it safe to say that Blue Devils are just "too good" for DCI? After all.... many on here and in the activity outside of DCP seem to think they ( BD ) are on a different plane, far above any of the other competing corps. Suffice to say that their titles are/have been earned so to speak and that they are simply 'untouchable/unbeatable'. Having said this, what if.... ( "IF" - not that this would EVER be a thought ) BD were to take the route of 'Star of Indiana'... leave the competitive circuit, and teach ALL the lesser corps how it should be done! Here is the recipe for success ... let us show you all how it's REALLY done! I mean if they are that superior - heck, I'd want to be shown by the BEST just how to win the judges over with spectacular design, great brass, percussion and colorguard. Who doesn't want to aspire to be the BEST! If the Blue Devils simply cannot be beat -- (and they have on occasion at finals in some years) is that what DCI has become? Multiple groups of aspiring hopefuls wanting, wishing and working to dethrone the current unbeatable team? I remember my Grandfather saying to me once as a grade schooler about a pro baseball team that seemingly could not/would not loose .... said he lost interest as no matter how good the game was, he already knew the outcome. I myself would not imply that sentiment but then I think about that seemingly unattainable 'goal' to be better than .....? I guess that's why we all buy tickets.... travel long distances to see whatever corps perform... spend endless hours volunteering and $$$$ to sponsor and support Corps A, B or C in hope of seeing them (any corps) do just that?. Let me be clear - I love this activity and EVERY group in it. It's my lifeblood ... my enjoyment, not my financial livelihood . But I ask my self, if someone is apparently so good that they simply are the best of the best ... what room is there to grow outside of that? Like any corps out there - they are there for their members and the fans. Each corps has their own following... alumni, staff, current members and their families and the plain' ole fan and supporter, I know like in any sport / activity -- any team/group CAN be ( and have been ) beaten on any given night -- but in these other sports etc , there is no judging system. So is there any true impartiality in the judging as we know it today? I know, I know ---- "they call it like they see/hear it" or "They got robbed" etc, etc. But it begs the audacity to ask "If someone is so far above others in same category (and they are not obviously) how do these other groups sustain themselves as far as getting to that level?. I know how it was when I was involved.... we had to beat XYZ, or is it something more? Or, something less? The activity had changed SO drastically in the past 10-15 years that every group has had to change with it. So, why do we REALLY need scores anyway? If the activity is for solely for the enjoyment and enrichment of the marching members = which summarily winds up as the enjoyment of us, the fans and the spectators, why not be like audience participation and have them --- the tens of thousands (well maybe not that many) be the actual judges via fan voting? But alas, I digress..... judges will be judges and corps will strive to meet their expectations (whatever that may be on any given night) with every performance but should it ever be said that "they are untouchable" or "unbeatable"? I leave that to you all ... or perhaps .... the judges who really are the one's who decides everyone's fate, or placement of sorts right?.
  5. Well in all actuality doesn't seem he's too partial on anyone but crown I certainly thought Crusaders brass was better than third but I give no credibility to scoring anymore it's all over the place
  6. Any one have captions? In the car and DCI won't load. BD take everything?
  7. Can anyone tell me the recaps for percussion and color guard? Failing to get on to DI to see them. Can't seeCavies drums over BAC - but wanted to see the recaps
  8. I'm not a percussionist - but what does that mean ?
  9. Wishing our "giants" the best tonight ..... IT IS ON !!!! Go get em and 'Eat em' up!'
  10. Jovanna Mullin is one of THE best female snare I've seen in years .... been following her HS career and her videos before/during and after 'Hit like a girl' which she placed 2nd
  11. The show just screams for a maritime bell ... perhaps right after the beginning narration and the opening horn solo .... just to signify leaving port. Also.... as said earlier we need some sort of 'whale' . I just started reading the novel again last eve .... also need a flag on the mast .... google youtube for the movie version, which depicts this as it's told roughly in the novel... but we'll see what they do come Allentown and beyond. So excited to hook up with the corps in Allentown
  12. Oh .... and lets remember.... Ahab never DOES kill the whale.... how about a the placing of a red flag on the lookout of the prob as Ahab's last attempt to have the ship noticed - and of course... the infamous last quote: "From hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee." after that last huge FFFFF hornline drumline ending have some whale song ? as the show ends......
  13. Well ..... after seeing performances on the net.... a few observations. ONE..... I flipping LOVE the music! Bernstein's "On the Waterfront" and that ENDING is S U P E R B !!!!! Otherwise, a few random things. DISCLAIMER: I LOVE drum Corps... the activity on a whole, and as my username implies, I love Phantom Regiment as well as Boston since 1978 and 2008 respectively for both corps. I love BAC and like Phantom, supported them via sponsorship of members, volunteering, numerous yearly contributions etc. I bash no corps..... evah! With that said, here is what I get from this years "White Whale" SOLID hornline with incredible sound and intonation. BUT.... the piccolo trumpet and that opening pitch and entrance is a bit rough. COULD BE better with a flugelhorn, but, who am I ? DRUMLINE -- up there with last year, and while I am not a drummer, I know many instructors in the activity that see the difficulty in the book - and I'd expect nothing less from Colin McNutt. His infamous "McNutt Special" can be heard again as well as the return of the Conquest Shots in the pit. COLORGUARD -- Well the Zingali holders sure have their work cut out for them, and the saber, harpoon, flag & rifle work is ALL There as is the interpretive dance.... however, with their costume/uniforms (?) I feel they get lost sometimes on the field with the minute colors they wear? May be just me as i haven't seen them "live" yet. Also, the silks are awesome.... but somehow I just have to really stay focused on the guard to see the choreograph moves and hand work clearly - at times it "feels" like two different presentations .... corps on the left, guard on the right or vice versa.. May be just me.... but the corps proper in the black pants make the corps look smaller on the field, but that's just MY opinion. PROPS: LOVE the motif of a ship.... the docks.... the nautical theme, but 'SOMETHING' is missing. Most ships have some sort of bell... which was used by maritime sailors to tell the time, 2nd... where is the 'whale' ? Did my eyes deceive me in seeing ONE lone guard figure in white moving around in the closer? Ok.... I saw the 'whale' in the drill form.... and of course the reference to Capt. Ahab.... BUT.... what happens to the ship? All I am saying and it is NOT INTENDED to be negative in any way ... and Keith Potter is a literal design genius and we all know it AND DOESN'T CARE NOR NEED MY .02... but I feel we need MORE of a 'ship' and a 'whale' --- the story is about a whale right? Coverage from opener to closer is good, but again, to me, the corps looks small and he guard with those subtle colors often don't "Pop" like last years offset of white/red, BUT.... I KOW there is more to come and it will be good! 🙂 THE CLOSER is awesome .... perhaps having a bell 'toll' somewhere in the closer would indicate 'the hour is near' - especially when the narration states" I am alone to tell thee of the white whale' etc. Maybe, JUST MAYBE we'll see an ending like 2018 with huge waves rushing over the 'ship' and another HUGE SILK with a huge white whale on it as the corps disappears? Just MY visual 'wish list' of sorts I guess.... FINIS': THIS is by no means BAC's final product ! Do I expect multiple changes/additions in the coming weeks? YOU BET.... Do I think this is a medal contender? Yepp .... do I think the corps has bought into this 'battle of a monster' theme in comparing their 83 year struggle in DCI to be where they are RIGHT NOW -- in the thick of it?? Heck yeah ..... are they hungry for more? Darn straight! Does this staff/design team have what it takes ? Oh H#LL yeah ..... I wish ALL the corps the best this season.... especially my beloved BAC ! ( and of course PR -- we go back a Looooooong way!) Let's see where this show goes as the weeks progress! I will be volunteering in Allentown and will get my first REAL in-person viewing/hearing of the sound and scope... but until then Crusaders........ "Eat Em' up" -- we're hungry...
  14. Hi, due to a scheduling conflict I have two tickets for DCI East in Allentown Friday August 4th available they are in section J, seats 27 and 28 I am only asking what I paid for them which was $61 a piece minus a few cents. Please email me at phantom30@aol.com if interested
  15. Any one actually AT the show or know someone that is/was? Saw a drumline warm up vid from the lot -- only 7 snares, they did have 8 am I correct?
  16. Watched a drumline warmup from MS today on 'that' site and I did not see 8 snares.... Jovanna not marching tonight? Did they field 8 or just 7? Hope all is well... that line is ON FIRE !!!!!!
  17. Hi all... SuperFan of Crusaders and am looking to get any additional Boston Crusader clothing or merchandise (other than LP's, CD's or pins - I have most of those from 70's to present day) from 2017 thru 2000 if anyone has anything they may have a few of or, no longer need. Send me a PM. I pay very well! TY
  18. No, there is a trio that plays Bumblebee and the corps joins in along with what I can tell is a bit of sampling, in the background
  19. I too....since the theater premiere, and moreso seeing various videos online, feel the narration in the "My Shot" is far too much, and too repetitive and overshadows the percussion when they are right there on the sidelines with judge watching! Keep in mind that the speakers are right there too on the sidelines and may distort the clarity of the notes being played, but, in fairness to Colin's book... it has some tasty things just like Bloo & Cadets, so i can't see them as far down as they are unless there are some very visible technical errors we are not seeing/hearing from the vids . Also, the "Goliath" character needs as I have said before in this thread - a major overhaul/change. He needs to have a different appearance than the corps proper. He needs to be made larger... whether it be costuming, different armor (a gleaming silver breastplate would be awesome!) , additional padding ... wider - different colored pant legs whatever.. there also needs to be some sort of weapon... David had a sling... what does Goliath have? At present.....NOTHING!!! A huge gleaming sword could be added. Some additional colors (red) could be added too.... maybe signifying or representing blood? And the scene just needs to be re-worked as to how he actually "falls". AND..................... THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ORGAN/SYNTH ADDED! Please, Please ..... this makes the whole piece in the actual orchestral version! I KNOW ( as does everyone else ) the actual closers that we'll see in August are by no means realized or added yet --- nor will they be say until perhaps San Antonio. There is NO DOUBT that the Visual staff have a lot of changes forthcoming, and additions that we will see as the season progresses. I predict some changes to 'Goliath' and the ending scenes on a whole and a different closer than what we see/hear currently!
  20. I too like the ideas of the ground quaking / shaking... as well as the light shining somehow to cast a shadow when he is taken down... when he falls upon the wall impaled, maybe some splashes of red? However, one thing that just jumps out at me is the costuming of the "Goliath" character. IMHO he needs to be different than the corps proper. Perhaps that was intentional (thus far) to have him look identical in appearance as the whole corps. Perhaps maybe they could add padding - make him looked bulked out, maybe even a different breastplate, a different helmet and a HUGE sword! Currently, this huge figure in a biblical battle has NO WEAPON! And, a rifle being used as a sling shot? Need a better visual there if possible.... The corp uniform at present? The corps possibly needs a cape of some sort, they appear as soldiers, and many period armies in biblical times had capes of some sort. Red would be a very cool accent! AND... there is FAR TOO MUCH rapping and adding of the sound bytes used for "My Shot" from Hamilton. Seems to overshadow and take away from the percussion feature, as well as the brass moment when they are right there on the sideline by the pit! Soloists? The mic needn't be turned up so high! In the theater it seemed far to loud, but, the recording equipment was right there in front of them, so perhaps that's why. Otherwise, this show is appealing and just fun to watch and listen to! THAT GUARD! WOW! And the brass aint' to bad either! Percussion is great - but other corps like SCV and Crown are beating them with a better book. I am sure the staff and design team have MANY surprises and changes up their sleeves! Come August I hope this show will be in the top 5 - the competition is SO GOOD and the pack is running tight. BAC will need to really think out a climactic closer a few notches up from where it is now to do so. I HAVE, since I found out what the closer music was that the ending ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY needs more bass AND an organ synth! It would add so much to that closer! We shall see!!! Eat em' Up Boston!
  21. MAN OH MAN I AM IN LOVE! That brass and drum line are doing great! HOWEVER, as an organist and very familiar w/Once upon a Castle Xanadu, BAC will hopefully (DEAR LORD PLEASE hear and answer my prayer!) use a MIDI or synth clip of the organ accompaniment from this piece, look at how effective it was w/Crown in "Inferno" - with out it, this piece is still great --- BUT with it added is SPECTACULAR! This is a pseudo triumph based show based on a biblical character. Let's remember that the bible says "Praise him with organ, strings and harp, bang the cymbal and blow the trumpet!" God I so hope they'll ADD an organ part to the closer! Take a listen! Maybe you'll all agree! Especially the ending few measures!
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