jordsterr

It really was!

I agree! Cleveland is spectacular.

My Dad and I had a father/son opera geek trip. My Mom and my wife are not into it. We did Berlin, Dresden and Vienna. 10 operas, 4 different opera houses and the Berlin Philharmonic. Heard Domingo twice, once in Berlin and once in Dresden. He's 78 and did two roles less than a week apart. It was unreal. The arts are definitely a different deal there. Anyway, very special trip with my Dad.

I got to hear them in Berlin in June. I could not believe it. And that hall is extraordinary! It was one of the musical highlights of my life.

More than any other year, I would be so ok with a tie mostly just because I'd like to see both again. It's like trying to judge between Berlin Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony. Who cares? They're awesome!

I'm with you. I was really referring to the two Blues. I'm afraid SCV is a 3rd place island

I've only seen SCV live one time this season. Brass is exciting.....but loud. It's possible to get too hyped for your own good.

I have to say that Allentown was my favorite when I marched, and it's just as special when I can go. Just a lot of drum corps history there.

I'm so jealous! Next time you go hear Eastman, stop by the trombone section and say hi to my friend and former student Sophie.

All I can say is that watching Atlanta online, there were things that I thought were just awful that did not strike me at all live in Murfreesboro. So I hear you and agree, but I don't know what those guys are hearing in the stadium.

But I do believe that some things we perceive from the mics are not as perceptible in the live balance. I was surprised how much last week. I was live and very up close in Murfreesboro and watched online in Atlanta. Very different perceptions.

I don't think so. It seems like whichever of the two go on last gets the nod. They're both so strong, and they both have enormous amounts to credit.

I saw ScoJo on the sideline in Murfreesboro.

COMPANY FRONT!!!

While I absolutely applaud Marines simultaneous responsibilities, Crown is definitely a runnin' and a gunnin'.

To be absolutely truthful, Crown is my favorite this year.

I feel you. The old final set was a more "final" page. For me, having seen it a bunch of times, I really enjoyed the surprise. But it's definitely hit me with the same reaction three nights in a row. I'll see if I feel the same way in two weeks.

I understand what you're saying. But in this case, I had the opposite reaction. First saw it Friday in Murfreesboro. I can already hear the audience singing in Indiana

No mixed feelings from me. He's a genius and a wonderful guy. I had a wonderful experience the three years he taught me.

Yes. And he attempted something like that with giant wheels in 86 at Star. The idea was mostly abandoned except for one on which a soloist stood. It was an idea ahead of its time that was eventually used by someone else.

I marched with Marc. I can attest that he is the real deal as both an educator and a human being.

IMHO, this is a direct result of Winterguard where every toss gets applause no matter what is happening musically. At a WGI show, it does not bother me at all. At a band or corps show, it drives me nuts because applause is happening often at awkward spots. I totally agree that, at least in some regard, there has been a shift to visual.

For. Real.

Lots to agree with here. However, having been in that line, it is true that we had some folks who were just learning how to play. There were some music majors back then, and I was one of the few. There were also some non-majors who played VERY well. But there were a number of folks who were young or woodwind transfers. My seatmate was a great guy who was a high school tenor sax player who was learning how to play 3rd baritone. It was good that we only had two valves back then! To top it off, I was told at the time that we had the oldest horns in the top 12. I don't know that it's actually true, but we certainly did have our share of chrome plated DEGs held together with tape and a prayer. I marched at Star of Indiana before Garfield, and the transition from those wonderful old Kings to the DEGs was a thing! All that said, we worked really hard. I don't know if we just wanted to or if they "inspired" us to. LOL At any rate, not a huge deal to play in G. In reality, if you're a soprano playing a high C, it's really only a G. It doesn't feel like it, but it's true. You just had to get your head (and ear) around it. The bigger challenge was for us low brass guys getting used to treble clef like the brass band folks, including the contras. For music majors who had already spent a little time figuring out trumpet fingerings, it was fine. Nice wandering down memory lane.

We definitely did in the 80's. Not super sophisticated, but it got the job done. We'd start the morning running and then doing crunches and pushups. All things I wish I could do today....