Triple Forte

I totally agree with your comments on Xmen and Wayne D.......... I have been a Crossmen fan since 1988......and these last two seasons have been huge letdowns (Along with 1995). And where is the person who told me that the Crossmen's show has some jazzy parts to it this season? Bring this person forward for immediate torture........

I was especially surprised by this one. There are so many things they can do to bring out that "Asian" sound. Honestly.....a lot of Cavies show sounds like "The Machine" production to me. PS I have not heard Phantom, BD, SCV, The Academy, PC, Colts or Mandarins. I am most looking forward to Colts and Mandarins..

Hi All, Just a quick background where I come from, 2005 Real Good musical season 2006 A letdown compared to 2005 2007 Much better than 2006 2008 So far....a letdown...maybe worse than 2006 So I watched the simulcast from Madison this past weekend and was disappointed and frustrated with what the corps musical design teams have come up with. It really comes down to one question (For me). What is it with the "DARK and DISSONANT" show music? Folks....this stuff has been presented SOO much in the last 5+ seasons. Enough is a enough. I mean a show here or there with a "Dark" approach doesn't bother me a bit. I love moderation. But the major focus on it has been driving me mental. I mean...is this all these so called Genius ( ) designers know? I think it was in 2006 when someone wrote a show review and stated in took until the 3rd performing corps that night to hear a major chord...... Now.....to be completely fair...there are a good handful of shows I have not heard yet. But....based on what I have read....it appears that many of them will be in the same boat as the ones I "have" heard. My two favorites so far.......Crown and Blue Stars

The first webcast I watched from home was last seasons San Antonio show. I remember setting my clock to Texas local time so I did not miss a beat. It was pretty cool.....during an intermission...I got in my car and picked up some food. On my drive back to the house it hit me how cool it was that I had a live feed from a drum corps show (Miles away) sitting and waiting for me at home......hard to explain but cool

The only thing I would like to say is that a marching unit sporting 70+ brass players.......better have a "Bigger" and more powerful sound then what could be heard from a strong 45 - 50 member brassline. Sometimes I have found it is not the case. I don't like loud for loud sake and/or a crass sound at all.....believe me. I also don't like "Safe" Maybe a percussion judge (Jeff Propserie) said it best in 2004 when he said "It did not distort but it is right on that edge. Sometimes that's where music belongs.....not safe....but expressive". There is a very famous brass guy in DCI who has said.......Perfection before expression. Logical question...if there is no such thing as perfection...when does the expression kick in ??

I was at Giant Stadium that night and feel the exact same way. They really made a statement....and the crowd ate them up

In 2001 there was defiantly a hint of it. But I always thought the 2001 line was way to bottom heavy. 2003 was a big step......and it's been building more momentum each season.... Curious to hear the huge super-low brass this season......

Things will definitely get better. Just keep working and approach each practice and show with a bulldog-like tenacity. When I marched in 1995 our last practice of the season was very intense. Always be aggressive and work.....work....work.....

ditto......

My Favorite BD uniform.....by far. One might say....flashy and jazzy..... I could kick myself for not buying one when they were selling them for $100.00 each

QUOTE (Triple Forte @ Jun 17 2008, 11:05 PM) * If a core group of anti-amp/electronic folks ban together and form something strong that has some legs.....this group could align with the member corps staff/directors who are AGAINST these changes and possibly make some difference. Problem is.....most people are against these things....to a point. No one initiative has sustained long enough to make a difference. That's the key to success......staying the course until there is some results. Actually this fits the bill much better, "Determined people working together can accomplish anything." A quote from the founder (Jim Casey) of an almost 101 year old company I work for...... I didn't want to over analyze this but....what the hay... So this piece of narration (When we work together...as a team...we can do stuff like this....) is followed by a STELLAR trumpet section performance. As someone who has a very good knowledge of music.....I recognize "On my own" (Imagine that) that this particular trumpet feature is the result of tremendous teamwork and talent. The comment (Narration) dumbs down the effect (And makes is gimmicky/goofy) for me. Now...lets look at this piece of narration (When we work together...as a team...we can do stuff like this....) for someone who doesn't know a thing about the technicalities of music. This comment makes little sense to them......I would think....

Please Hrothgar15 continue (With tenacity) in creating a vocal point (website) to start this initiative. I think if we can get a solid core of folks involved, we might be able to sustain (Which has not happened yet) an effort to reach our goals.

DCI (In it's current form) could not exist without the "Fans". Quite simple. An example of "Not pleasing the fans" I am one of what was five people who attended drum corps shows. The other four have left because they are no longer interested. Even if they could attend a show for free....they tell me they would not attend a show.

If a core group of anti-amp/electronic folks ban together and form something strong that has some legs.....this group could align with the member corps staff/directors who are AGAINST these changes and possibly make some difference. Problem is.....most people are against these things....to a point. No one initiative has sustained long enough to make a difference. That's the key to success......staying the course until there is some results.

Problem is....if changes to the activity chase fans away.....DCI will have little (Basically No) chance of bringing them back. So...they could re-adjust the activity if things go sour.....but IMO....it would be to late.....

As you mentioned, it is quite easy for fans to get up and get away from a show they don't care for. Some of us (Who totally dislike narration) decide to stick it out and stay in our seats because we love drum corps. As one of these "Stick it out" fans....I am finding it increasingly difficult to deal with the increased tension that ensues the minute the Cadets hit the field with a show loaded with narration. Some folks voice there opposition quite loudly during the show....and immediately following are loud responses from two or three other fans tell this particular fan to shut up and sit down. If a REALLY disruptive verbal and/or physical fight breaks out someday....I would not be surprised. I am actually surprised that nothing happened (To my knowledge) yet. Is this the type of experience we go to a drum corps show for ? Can you suggest a game plan for someone who wants to enjoy a show and cannot because a verbal (Possibly physical) fight breaks out ? Because I can't think of one..... Maybe.........maybe not....

Don't really know if this is a slip up but on the 2004 dvd's, right before Seattle Cascades you here a banging noise. Well....the noise was Brandt C. banging the microphone on the table in front of him. The mic had been giving him issues..........

Let's see........driving from Indiana to Cali, 2,060 mi – about 1 day 6 hours And would not want to change my flight....with all of the extra charges airlines are tacking on now because of rising fuel costs ? I can't imagine what they would charge. DCI would have to keep the big show in Indiana I would think..............

Are you crazy ?? This music has way to many melodies and musical lines to be any good..... How about a couple from theme park rides (They actually sell full cd's of ride music), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDx6v679dbc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_K8Ld7kEns And probably the saddest most haunting theme (Makes Adagio sound happy) a bit long though Crank up the bass a tad too..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKPLHYThnuw Soundtrack, John Williams (You have any idea how many pieces he has done ?) James Newton Howard Popular, Elvis Nat King Cole Frank Sinatra Sammy Davis Jr Elton John Genesis Van Halen Countless others........... Instrumental, David Grusin David Benoit I know I am going to get for this next one....... Yanni (Yes...YANNI. Such a worldly mix of music and mix of time signatures and tempos)

We all have our favorites.......but your comment (By no means ????) does not add up........ :big hug: I am afraid the judges and a real good number of fans disagree with you on this one........

There was also HUGE support for BAC in Allentown......the place went NUTS.......

VK was more than a "Clown around" corps. VK produced some very impressive corps through the years. Drumlines from 1988, 1989 and great hornlines from 1989 and 1990........ Actually.....I think Madison 1993 passes PR 1993 in the "Crowd reaction" category. Madison tore the field up on finals night...

Don't think it comes terribly close to their 1990's reactions but Madison from 2000, 2001 had VERY strong reaction......

It was clearly the fans "favorite" from that year...... That show represents the spirit of BAC.....strong and aggressive.....with a gorgeous ballad that instantly became a classic in the marching music world. PS I am glad they edged out BK to make the PBS broadcast......sorry BK.....

I was there as well on the 50 about 20 rows off field level. Give the dvd's a listen to sometime......I think you might agree the reaction was more widespread.......