PRPhan4ever

Folks .... please, no animosity or denigrating comments! Here we are all equal, alumni, 'friends' (of sorts), adjudicators, teachers and musicians. My posting of this thread was merely to see the 'movement' away from marching drill as opposed to whatever it is being labeled/judged as now. After re-watching the Corps that many feel are Gods of 'creativity & pushing the envelope' I broke the shows of the past 2 years down and timed them as to what was happening IE: Minutes spent marching/playing simultaneously while moving at greater than walking, time spent playing while moving very slowly and time spent playing while stationary whether playing on, under, kneeling, sitting, laying on a 'prop' and... time spent moving while a voiceover/sample or pre-recorded music played and NOT playing. This year far exceeded last year... the time spent 'marching' while playing was at best far less than when there was movement while the battery played and others posed, danced or did misc body mvmnt in the interim. Of the little over 11 minutes, almost the entire 'intro' of one corps is just a few horns while they enter the field & then the ensemble joins in at/around 1 minute. The next two mins is a slow migration into stationary sets of triangles for the next 1.5 mins.... this continues in and throughout the show, and, the time where there is actually fast paced movement while playing is around 4 mins... all I am saying is our beloved activity has become far less concerned it seems with marching or providing 'whiplash drill' or drill that is spellbinding to watch, matches the show theme to a degree, and makes you gasp in awe in wonderment of "How do they/did they move like that while playing all those notes!" and rewarding the theatrical dance, interpretative productions we've seen the past 3-4 years for THAT in it's place. IMHO, I LOVE to watch some of these corps who defy athleticism while playing HUGE intricate passages in brass books while moving, as opposed to look.... we can play multiple toungued 16th notes while walking,sitting, standing etc, etc, etc. By the way, these show(s) NOTICE the S.... have more walking/posing/dancing/sitting/squatting as I alluded to while playing than actually moving and playing. Compare closers of the top 5... you'll see what I mean

That as well as "Get her!", and some subsequent miscellaneous "whispering" as well as the "verdict"....

I getcha -- and I agree--- IN PART! But when you have shows with more pre-recorded audio, sound samples and synth than actual NOTES being played as a brass line... I take issue with THAT portion of the non-drill/playing aspect. Example, if a show is 11 minutes long and Corps XYX is running around, posing, lying on, standing on - crawling etc and NOT playing for 4-5 minutes of it while the battery plays and there are a few sectional moments, battery playing to pre-recorded voice overs etc... THAT is what my beef is... Noe, if DCI had some sort of context of "pre recorded synth/audio/sound samples cannot exceed 4 minutes..." I think even with the departure in part from the drill of the 80's-90', we'd see more marching and playing as a cohesive group... not a 3o second mello run, a tuba feature -- 6 minutes of battery etc...

After seeing a few shows live, and MANY on FloMarching and the "site which will go unnamed", it is becoming apparent (IMHO) that the refined judging system and panels are seemingly giving higher scores for content and performance rather than doing both while actually MARCHING drill? I guess I may be wrong, or old school, BUT some corps (both classes) seem to be scoring very high in visual & GE and seemingly - marching/drill is secondary to sitting, standing, posing, crawling or laying on the field or on a prop. Is more merit given to what you "park & blow" on/under/over or running around/posing to synth/voice overs and sound bytes than actual drill? It seems that this as well as the amplification/electronics thing is escalating to a point where "I" feel it's difficult to judge ! JUST FOR THE SAKE or an example I will use BD... they play alot of notes, they play them VERY well... they play them while standing, walking, sitting, running, posing etc... whereas, the #2 corps is hauling ### in their closer to amazingly fast drill. Seemingly, All are pointing to the amplification issue of SCV an their 'floating' mics on brass... how is that different than the 6 mics BD has? Has DCI become a visual activity that is being judged on it's ability to please the eye and ear while having props all over, or, are we seeing a departure, be it slight at present away from drill in it's purest form? I am a trained brass player, well educated and understand the fact BD plays in the upper registers alot! They do it like no other -- That's how it's been .... but as we can see, Bluecoats are now emulating this same type of sound it seems... same type of show design, staging, props etc - so am i wrong in saying if a corps feels it has to redesign their shows in the likes of what the judges/panels are scoring high like this years (and others) shows of BD, does drill, and how fast or well you perform it matter anymore? Looking at sheets from midwest to East regionals, it appears the favor is given to the stationary or slow moving brass than those moving at a high velocity while STILL producing great sound. We are not judges, but, it seems the last 3 years - that no matter how well a drill is done or performed, higher scores have prevailed elsewhere! You can flame away - no disrespect to ANY corps or their designs, but questioning the future of drill and what may be ahead fr corps that rely on fast paced drill with music to match...

If I could volunteer in 2018 (doing anything w/Boston) I'd love to just hear/see and watch Gino and his staff work their magic with that prospective hornline and the book Ryan George may whip up next year! I have been out of the corps circuit far too long -- and, I had for many yrs (93 through 2008 off/on) volunteered w/Phantom Regiment (since 2011) - I have still followed PR, I found myself following SCV more as well as Cadets (2015, 2016) more because of that awesome brass sound, tone and quality --- now Boston gets to reap those rewards! WHO can one contact to get myself on the "Volunteer train" for BAC in 2018?? I know they have a Volunteer form on their website -- but being in the corporate world for over 30 years, personal contact is always best. Need to get back into it -- and, I've always helped a member if poss with their marching fees in part...so, BAC can have me for part of their tour if they want me! I'm in NE PA and I think I can dedicate some time next year ---- so here I am!

I had inquired in a new thread as to who wrote the horn book to BAC this year nd Newseditor44 kindly replied (and I tried to delete the thread/topic) and hope it's not overkill I re-posted my comments here. He replied: " Ryan George - and he did a fine job. " Thank you -- idiot me! It's actually on their 'official' website. It's early... I think in 2018 I will get my musical/volunteer shoes back on and volunteer w/a corps again -- (haven't been able to since 2008 - due to some multiple back/neck surgeries) and Boston has ALWAYS been a fave because I have always been a fan of Ryan's composing skills. As a brass player, teacher - I love his style along w/JD Shaw. They are my two ultimate faves! As far as instructional staff for brass, IMHO there are none better than Matt Harloff and Gino Cipriani! If I could volunteer in 2018 (doing anything w/Boston) I'd love to just hear/see and watch Gino and his staff work their magic with that prospective hornline and the book Ryan George may whip up next year! I have been out of the corps circuit far too long -- and, I had for many yrs (93 through 2008 off/on) volunteered w/Phantom Regiment who fill my classical desire... but their direction and musical staff keeps changing and I found myself following SCV more as well as Cadets (2015, 2016) more because of that awesome brass sound, tone and quality --- now Boston gets to reap those rewards! THANK YOU for the response...

I had inquired as to who wrote the horn book to BAC this year nd Newseditor44 kindly replied (and I deleted the thread/topic) and hope it's not overkill I re-posted my comments here. He replied: " Ryan George - and he did a fine job. " Thank you -- idiot me! It's actually on their 'official' website. It's early... I think in 2018 I will get my musical/volunteer shoes back on and volunteer w/a corps again -- (haven't been able to since 2008 - due to some multiple back/neck surgeries) and Boston has ALWAYS been a fave because I have always been a fan of Ryan's composing skills. As a brass player, teacher - I love his style along w/JD Shaw. They are my two ultimate faves! As far as instructional staff for brass, IMHO there are none better than Matt Harloff and Gino Cipriani! If I could volunteer in 2018 (doing anything w/Boston) I'd love to just hear/see and watch Gino and his staff work their magic with that prospective hornline and the book Ryan George may whip up next year! I have been out of the corps circuit far too long -- and, I had for many yrs (93 through 2008 off/on) volunteered w/Phantom Regiment who fill my classical desire... but their direction and musical staff keeps changing and I found myself following SCV more as well as Cadets (2015, 2016) more because of that awesome brass sound, tone and quality --- now Boston gets to reap those rewards! THANK YOU for the response...

Annnnnd..... here we go! I think, all things being equal, retain same staff, get good retention/new faces in all sections next year -- ANOTHER killer design/show we'll be a REAL contender! And, World series here we come! Oh wait... this is DCI, oh, who cares!

Well, I cannot forget Jay Bocook & Michael Klesch -- they embody my musical tastes for DCI brass lines. Their books seem to have this beauty, power and great lines that accentuate the musical selections-- I know each corps writer does same, but FOR ME, these few arrangers get the blood pumping more than any others! And, like JD Shaw & Ryan George, them seem to pick mundane, oft rarely heard pieces and bring them to the forefront for all in drum corps land to hear - possibly for the first time in a medium so unexpected but welcomed that not only FITS the pieces selected, but lets them be heightened by the performers and THEIR talents to perform them. Just my .02... which means nothing here, but, on occasion I like to share my enthusiasm fir great brass books and charts that are really great

Thank you -- idiot me! It's actually on their 'official' website. It's early... I think in 2018 I will get my musical/volunteer shoes back on and volunteer w/a corps again -- (haven't been able to since 2008 - due to some multiple back/neck surgeries) and Boston has ALWAYS been a fave because I have always been a fan of Ryan's composing skills. As a brass player, teacher - I love his style along w/JD Shaw. They are my two ultimate faves! As far as instructional staff for brass, IMHO there are none better than Matt Harloff and Gino Cipriani! If I could volunteer in 2018 (doing anything w/Boston) I'd love to just hear/see and watch Gino and his staff work their magic with that prospective hornline and the book Ryan George may whip up next year! I have been out of the corps circuit far too long -- and, I had for many yrs (93 through 2008 off/on) volunteered w/Phantom Regiment who fill my classical desire... but their direction and musical staff keeps changing and I found myself following SCV more as well as Cadets (2015, 2016) more because of that awesome brass sound, tone and quality --- now Boston gets to reap those rewards! THANK YOU for the response...

I KNOW I saw it one thread/forum, poss the BAC 2017 thread -- cannot find it for the life of me (at work). Who actually wrote Boston's horn book? I know Gino Cipriani & crew are on staff, but I cannot -- for the life of me remember who actually did the charts!

YOU ARE SO LUCKY!!! Wish my daughter stayed w/music... I've always hoped she'd march w/a corps, DCI or DCA, but alas, I have to live vicariously through these kids at BAC! GO Boston... Burn baby Burn !!!!!

BRASSO.... I TOTALLY agree !!! The turnaround is simply A M A Z I N G! No one can ever disprove my theory that staff and their teaching techniques don't make a significant difference in any corps performance. I'll use Phantom Regiment BEFORE the JD Shaw/Paul Rennick/Jamey Thompson years... top three, but, when they arrived it was cohesion, beauty, power and prowess... NOW... that is in SCV and look at the last 3 yrs! Look at Cadets? 2015 was stellar... that group moves onto Boston and lookee here... a top 5 contender if they can push through, clean, refine and take it to the next level! Kudos to Boston AND SCV for making top notch moves..

This indeed IS my fave show of the year! SCV a close 2nd... what lures me is the wonderful flow of the show..... to me (IMHO) everything just 'gels' from the opening to the end..... the voice overs are appropriate, moving and accurate. The guard and percussion really SELL the theme while brass leads you into a stellar musical journey that makes you want to listen to it over & over, and over! From the intro to the vocalist, to the portrayal of the '######' it all tells the story as it builds. The ending is raw, perfectly executed and literally blows us away. Smoke, fire and brimstone.... ties it all together! This staff (and these performers) have put together something extraordinary and we the fans and spectators can be transported through their skill, artistry and performance! Actually being a fan of Bostons for the past 4-5 years (I'm a Phantom homer) that I am SO ELATED that is This corps has that has been able to experience a 'rebirth' as you will with new blood, new vision, new horizons to meet! I love Gino, Colin and the others who embarked on this transition - no assurance of what they would meet and MADE IT the show EVERYONE (well almost everyone) is talking about! I can't wait to see it live in Clifton & Allentown. I want to feel the enthusiasm, the pride, the achievement from the staff & members when I sit in on a rehearsal then see the show live. Isn't it that way for all of us? In some ways it is... can you imagine being one of these marching members at BAC? I can't even.... I liken it to possibly having the winning lottery numbers, but no one will tell them if they have all the #'s correct until finals! Truth be told, my greatest joy was when I was volunteering and seeing, meeting, and being around the members and staff that make up this thing called DCI. I want to see Boston 4th, or higher - and maybe a new Champion! When I say new, not ne that has won in the past 5 yrs! I always root for the underdog...and, with my two fave brass arrangers in the thick of things, I couldn't be happier! Neither can these kids..... they pay and dedicate long, hot, endless hours in all conditions to bring 10-11 minutes of musical and visual euphoria to us in any means they choose... we are the benefactors of all their hard work! Let enjoy the rest of the season! Here's to you Gino, Colin and ALL the BAC MM's, staff, support staff and anyone who has seen this wondrous treinvigoration of a fantastic corps and organization!

I would LOVE to travel up to MA for their home show -- I have as many know have been a Phantom Phollower, but Boston has always had a place in my Faves. I'd love to volunteer with them -- but since 2012 I have been dealing with some horrendous health issues, some surgeries and am now well on the path to being able to take the time to volunteer with a corps, and, I'd love to spend some time with Boston. Perhaps I can still get in on volunteering -- what I've done since 1993 w/Regiment off/on. Though I love them so, Boston and their staff (formerly Cadets) have a very, very special place in my heart as my parents used to reside where they originated - and as a child they would travel to the site in the 70's so I could watch them rehearse with my cousins, so my love for 'that sound' and teaching ethics have and still move me beyond words -- and, now, all has come full circle where almost 90% of my Drum Corps mentors are in Boston..... I just love Drum Corps --there are no losers, all work equally hard -- but this year, something special is happening in Boston and it's been a long time coming! There is so much talent in DCI now, and shows evolving beyond the 'old traditional' shows, and we have to either grow into it, or stop following the activity! I for one am vehemently against mic'ing any performer --as a brass teacher and performer, the sound should be taught, sustained, refined -- not run through a mixer, sound board etc... Props? Well, guess we have to get used to them... I think they are here to stay.... audio recordings/voice overs/samples? They should have a time limit - say if a show is 11 minutes, no more than 1/3 (5 1/2 mins) should be pre-recorded (IMHO) - if it's drum and bugle corps, let the instrumentalists carry the lead... just how I feel! FLAME AWAY! But if 2017 yields anything -- here are my 'wishes'..... SCV wins Gold..... Phantom solidifies staff and their future goals/objectives Boston places 4th And we the lovers of all things DCI will come away from this year knowing that there are still kids out there hauling their butts on turf, astroturf, dirt fields and even parking lots in rain, shine, 90 degree+ temps, living on buses, sleeping in gymnasiums all to give us all of themselves in every second of their performances whether we like them or not. They pay for that freely and we reap the enjoyment of it! Kudos to all marching members.... THANK YOU Staff for instilling love and the value of performance in each and every young adult! THEY will never forget these experiences. Neither will I! Go BOSTON! And now.... "They must burn!"

Gee.... the I guess if Phantom adds more drill and music changes same would apply to them as well? BUT ANYWAY .... I LOVED hearing the changes Boston has done (RE: 'smoke, water vapor, dry ice - whatever it is) and the other minor changes -- AND their FACEBOOK page had that their 2 upcoming rehearsals are 'closed to the public' as the add new material/changes! So there you go.... I PERSONALLY LOVE THIS SHOW... is so different than anything Boston has done in many yrs! The staff is stellar - and I really, really think the MM's are feeding off of that and are working harder than ever! THEY SEE, FEEL and HEAR the crowds reaction and.... like ANY performer gain adrenaline from it! Lets see what happens! Can't wait for the theater! And of course DCI East (or whatever the have called it now a days) I'm becoming a Boston convert -- but then again I have ALWAYS been a Gino C. follower, even his HS work !!! He and the others are doing spectacular things there! BURN....BABY BURN!

OMG!!!! Smoke? What part of the show? Obviously the ending/closer ..... DEAR LORD.... any photo or video of that? (WOW)

Yes they ARE actual "quotes" and I recall SEEING a movie with that EXACT verbiage, and the voice sounds eerily familiar but I just cannot for the life of me figure out what movie of who it may be. It's clear it's digitized, and I even looked it up and the words are exact... Darn!!!!! That voice has been in my head since I watched the Orlando FL vid.... it's almost an evil premonition! NO pun intended... The NEW video has poor audio for the voice overs - but it's still there!

It was and has been a tough span of years for Regiment indeed --- 2012 while a great show visually in some aspects, was familiar music (some pieces) for Phantom. Staff turnover hurt them (as it will with any corps -- unless, your "Boston!") and the percussion was a bit less to be desired (look at the scores all season). Since then, till now they have struggled with design, concept as well as --- the ole' familiar staff merri go round. I think the new colorguard head is a great add as is Will Pitts, but they need really at this point, determine if the members are getting the most out of it. I've volunteered may yrs off/on w/Phantom -- and NO ONE marches there to win DCI Gold, but just IMHO they seem to have lost their dominance as well as that signature sound. Going back to the new horns from Jupiter was and is a plus, but, I do think this is a young(er) corps - and the demand is high. I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE a Phantom homer. It's hard as a paying fan to see your fave in a spiral of inconsistency - but, I do believe they will assimilate all this, genuflect in the off season and hopefully continue to re-build. I LOVE Regiment, have met Will Pitts several times as well as playing and owning some of his compositions- but, when you reduce your brass compliment and use amps to project the sound -- I'm not sure that would make "me" feel confident as a young brass player! Almost as if "Your good... but we need more... we'll just turn up the volume on the sound board!" I predict an 8th place finish -- SO MUCH strength and stellar design ahead of them this year in so many corps and I know as always they will clean and maybe surge a bit, but not to their usual top 5 area. And, as a closing note -- they are using a wonderful closing piece and, it is based on a piece with orchestra/organ, but, sadly are not using any organ synth/midi! NOT that they have to use it... however it would add so much depth and menace to the ending, but clearly they want to go in a different direction. GO PHOR IT Phantom! Keep pushing.....

I have searched all over DCP, DCI Intl. as well as Boston's website and can't determine who's voice (or voices) are used in and throughout their 2017 show. Anyone know? Particularly interested in the male voice that utters: "You are hearby charged..." etc, etc, etc Somewhere - I thought I heard some was from the B-Way play "Wicked", maybe I'm just imaginably assuming that's where some of it is taken from. Anyone?

I have searched all over DCP, DCI Intl. as well as Boston's website and can't determine who's voice (or voices) are used in and throughout their 2017 show. Anyone know? Particularly interested in the male voice that utters: "You are hearby charged..." etc, etc, etc Somewhere - I thought I heard some was from the B-Way play "Wicked", maybe I'm just imaginably assuming that's where some of it is taken from. Anyone?

And -- this can be said of ALL corps... amplification, sound bytes, voice overs and pre-recorded effects are seemingly garnering effect instead of some sections... just my over zealous opinion

Ok -- now that I have read "all" the replies here, I then ponder anew the 'back field mics' used in Regiment's show. I kind of get the concept, but again, feel if they NEED mics to amplify the brass - then why not just have MORE brass? Consider this.... many corps are using mics to augment and EVEN amplify brass (or whichever section aside from guard) in many facets of a given show. As a brass performer of over 20 yrs, is that because A) the section(s) aren't producing the volume needed - or- B) said volume can be controlled via soundboard at any given time ? Brass performance (for those that study/teach it) is an intricate form of breathing, articulation as well as ambuschur - tone, pitch and clarity is an acquired skill practiced and honed -- does anyone else feel that any mic's used unintentionally rob the performer of technical skills that could be polished over a season, are masked and or/covered up by a simple turn of a volume dial? Also, if using other media/audio along WITH mics while the brass is playing -- doesn't that/couldn't that really affect a judges perspective of TRUE brass performance as a group? (IE: mello's, sopranos, baritone etc) I KNOW judges will be right in front of a line or section throughout a performance and hear TRUE notes, but is it becoming more of a means of enhancement rather than a melding of 'filler sounds' here & there..... The beginning of Regiment's show is too slow to progress for these very thoughts.... I sat and watched, intrigued, but kept feeling the need to yell "Where are the horns?". While the show has great demand, and needs to be cleaned with anything including Windex, it has REAL potential! "I" personally feel using SO MUCH amplification, sound effects, mic's etc - IMHO (**stressed) that the brass gets overshadowed at times. I guess it's just me reflecting on getting my face peeled off by Regiment brass in years past to yearning to hear MORE of them this year. Will Pitts? KUDOS! I told Dan Richardson via PM a few yrs ago under Don Hill's arranging that Will would be an AWESOME fit to this corps -- and here we are! Great book.... let's just hear MORE of it instead of amps and mics.... but TRUE brass, not enhanced via soundboard!