ContraJohn

The addition of the synth. is the reason why DCI shows no longer interest me. As a former brass player, I find it very frustrating and I do agree that it is an insult to every brass player on that field. The new DCI crowd really has no interest in how I and others who feel the same. Obviously DCI's ticket and souvie sales must reflect that.

It was just simple request. Nothing more and nothing less. Sorry that we messed up your day.

I appreciate that you like the Blue Stars. May I recommend deleting this Post and reposting the "Money Problem" subject minus the reference to Blue Stars? This subject is misleading.

Why not? If it is part of your resume, I don't see it as an issue. The corps that you participate with definitely benefited from your WGI experience. Talk to your corpsmates as to what they think about it.

Something with more of a commanding and masculine appearance. The band uniforms make the members look so young.

Well stated. Thank you.

Ditto...it ruins big impact moments. Although it makes Vanguard honks complete, it totally ruins it for the other fans of Drum Corps. Other corps are trying to imitate this pathetic ritual as well. I wish they would just stop.

I dislike this response. If this is the case then stay home until finals. If you do go to finals at Indy, make sure you sit in the first 25 rows on the 50.

This is "God's Country" and the Kids are home. Last year we had showers approaching the stadium and they actually split around the stadium. At one point the only sunshine that made its presence shined down at the stadium. Hopefully we will see that same "divine intervention" Friday night if bad weather makes its presence.

A good solution to your long wait is to attend, or better yet, volunteer for their next camp.

I have not logged on in a very long time. A few seasons back, this use to be a daily occurrence. Get the keyboard and electronics off the field. This is what would get me back. Rely on the musicianship and performance ability of your horn line for your impact moments instead of hiding behind a volume knob. No voice within the horn line should ever be synthesized, replaced nor should any dynamics be enhanced. This goes for all the top twelve. I don't invest a week of vacation and blow a ton of cash just to hear 3 or 4 out of the top twelve that do not hide behind this atrocity. Thanks for asking though. DCI does not care for my opinion and I do not see it doing so anytime soon.

"Personally, whenever I had parts that doubled the hornline, I was usually doubling most of the voices in the hornline, not just the tubas. ".

The following quote is what is pushed me to the same conclusion: From the standpoint of a horn line fan and former horn line member regarding the Madison 20 man tuba line, the synth was merely a castration of good players put on public display for all to see. Using the synth to double horn lines and create artificial dynamics was the last straw for me. I only attended finals last season due to being an alumni of one of the finalist corps. Unless the keyboard/synth is removed entirely from the field, the only show I will attend in the future will be my corps home show. But, hey, I am only one voice that DCI is not interested in hearing from.

Where this thread going? It is turning out to be rather RAMD like.

I never said that. My reply was in response to the quick dismissal of being against electronically accompanied and/or enhanced horn lines as dinosauric.

Well the dinosaur comment started it first!!! Besides, the reason they sit on my front lawn is because of the Pink Floyd music blaring from my stereo.

My prior post regarding a 20 man tuba line. Add the synth bass to the mix = easy button. Turning the volume up on the synth at high impact moments = easy button. This is comming from an ex tuba/hornline member.

Tough to compete with a generation raised by game consoles, cheat codes, and the easy button. They are now showing their influences on the field and selling tickets doing so.

The highlighted quote below is what defines the death of Drum Corps for me. Example....20 tubas and still the need for synth bass backup? I would classify this as more of a definition of embarrassment Hornline volumes enhanced by a volume control? Bigger embarrassment.

Don't hate me cause I marched in the 70's; however, adding keyboards to the ensemble completely changes what a drum and bugle corps is and the sound it once produced. I do appreciate most changes that have taken place...Bb horns...movement in the color guard....etc...etc.... but the synth takes away the credibility of the horn line and musicianship of its players. Being an ex contra/tuba player, I am extremely dissappointed. The volume button is just too easy. To me it is equivalent to the easy button for effect. I guess I can't really add to what has already been said. I can say what it has done to me and that is reduce my respect for the activity. Don't hate me for it, don't accuse me of diss'ing the hard sweat and work of current members, and no, I don't eat babies for breakfast. It is just how I currently feel and that will not change as long as synth's are used in this activity. If the young band kids like it and they are buying all the souvies and filling the stands...then I guess there is nothing I can do but move on.

I agree on the who's got the synth's volume cranked up. I seen the show in Madison. I am trying to understand why Madison's 20 man tuba line still needs to be supported by the keyboard. Cadets also had the keyboard supporting their hornline. With those observations, you can now throw out the loudest hornline stats since I believe the results are tainted.

QUOTE (Lance @ Mar 15 2010, 07:25 PM) a corps member will pass gas loud enough for people in the stands to hear with an echo depending on the venue This event takes place in a domed stadium. The Dutch Oven effect prompts DCI to ban all shows from indoor venues.

I miss DCM.

We should soon see a release from the Americanos administration that they will field another full corps this season.

Not a good choice for a receding hairline.