posaun1
-
Posts
78 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by posaun1
-
-
Really? Because several people in this thread, arguing in favor of allowing synthesizers, have said that they are necessary to attract younger members, who believe that corps must have synthesizers to be good (even though almost none of them will be performing on the synthesizer). That sure sounds like setting standards to match the students' tastes to me. If you're saying that high school band directors are telling students that a musical ensemble must have a synthesizer to be good, then shame on them.
Really. They synthesizer is not the driving force in attracting younger members. Many younger members join to enhance their pre-existing band experience. Many students come from very competitive marching bands that utilize many different instruments including synths. Synthesizers do not necessarily make an ensemble good or bad. How that synth is used does make a determination as to whether it is. The same way that a corps that has a bad technique building package will not be as good as a corps that does have a good technique package. The synth is just another tool that can be used to enhance a show. If you believe that is setting the standards to match the student's tastes you are entitled to that opinion, however, I can say that it comes more from the design team's tastes and standards. Since most design teams are filled with professional educators who utilize this technology with their own programs I would say that it comes from what we know works. As far as band directors telling students that a musical ensemble must have a synth to be good, I can only speak from my own experiences as an educator and an adjudicator and state that when used in a well thought out way the synth can be an effective tool. When not used well it can be a detriment. There is much new literature for wind band that includes synth parts. It is becoming a norm for much of the 21st century music that is being composed. Music changes. New instruments are added. Had Christofori not decided that he wanted more dynamics or the ability to be expressive with his playing the piano might not have been invented and we would still be listening to harpsichords and clavichords. For years after Mozart wrote his Requiem people were amazed and dumbfounded that he used a trombone as a solo instrument with the orchestra. The point being that there were critics of these innovations. Not that there is anything wrong with the sound of a harpsichord or a sackbutte, but the ear likes what the ear likes. 20, 30, 40,50 years down the road when this is the norm and someone decided to add holographic images and some new instruments (perhaps holophoners for all you Futurama fans) I am certain there will be those who say NO! THIS ISN'T DRUM CORPS. I often look at old drum corps videos from the 60's and 70's and think THANK GOD THE ACTIVITY HAS GROWN AND EVOLVED. I watch drum corps from the 80's and 90's, which was my favorite period of drum corps and think THANK GOD THE ACTIVITY HAS GROWN AND EVOLVED. I watch it from 2000 on and wonder where is the activity going and how cool is it going to be! Music is organic. It changes and grows and evolves. Anything that doesn't change becomes stagnant and dies.
-
The real differences between both Band and corps are these-
Very few privately owned or operated marching bands in the US for youth. Most are run under school auspices. Lehighton, PA had some private organization, I don't know if they still do. Burlington, Ontario has a town band for youth, some small ones run under various civic organizations in Quebec.
The other real difference that separates, and is the big selling point for many kids wanting to perform in DCI or DCA is this-- Do you want to be part of an organization where you don't have kids in it that are only there because Mommy and Daddy make them participate? Do you want to be where people want to be there and be excellent, and aren't there because they can get free trips to the football games with great seats or hang with their friends? Where you're not thought of as some kind of appendage to the football program and have to sit though crappy football games and still get made fun of by the jocks who don't have enough brain cells to learn the first 5 pages of the drill you do?? (My HS program was widely recognized by PA football mavens as the worst in the state.) Those are two of the main separators to me. It certainly made my experiences at Westshore more enriching for those two reasons alone. I could probably think of more.
But the all-volunteer aspect, not run by school districts, and the fact the organization exists primarily to compete at a high level (Parades, outreach still done but secondary) with no fiddling and interference from mostly ignorant school admins and school boards (there are some exceptions) are what really differ the forms.
Yeah, one has woodwinds, the other doesn't. There are some other points I could parse out more carefully but those could be more arguable.
Lehighton still has a community band program which provides lessons for any student in the area free of charge.
-
You really don't find it the least bit odd that people want standards to be set by kids' desires? Really?
(And I didn't say that it was wrong to like modern things. I said it was wrong to like them just because they are modern. Big difference.)
The standards aren't being set by the students. They are being set by the band directors that teach the students who choose to join DCI or DCA. Those programs generally have technology involved in their music programs. Darn those directors for trying to engage their students with modern instrumentation which may be useful to the student beyond their high school years. DCA and DCI is relying upon these programs for its future. That's where the musicians are coming from. Parents aren't putting a kid with no training into a drum corps situation in order to try and keep that kid off the streets and out of trouble. Those days are gone.
-
3
-
-
Question I have is if the changes will bring younger bodies to watch the shows. I hope so as getting a younger audience might be a bigger breaking point than getting the youth to march.
Since we are getting younger as an activity there should be more mom's and dad's in the audience. Logic would dictate that. Not as many mom's and dad's of 45-70 year olds attending these shows. Mom and Dad are often bringing other younger children to those shows. Students often invite their band friends to come and see what its about as well.
-
1
-
-
Thanks for the kind words everyone. It was a fun year for all of us at Fusion. Just so everyone is aware, we are well underway with planning the development of next years production. Keep your eyes and ears open for information on our open house and please if you are considering joining Fusion or just want to stay in the loop check out any of the sites provided in my original posting!
-
Would like to take the opportunity to congratulate all of the corps that competed at DCA World Championships. It was incredible for us to present our production to such receptive audiences all season. The audience in Rochester brought a special level of intensity which I am certain all the corps fed off of which led to some outstanding performances!
If you happened to check out Fusion throughout the course of the season and enjoyed our show and maybe even thought :Hey, that's a great show, I would love to be a part of that!" now is your chance to join. We are coming off our most successful season to date and are planning to continue building upon that success.
Please feel free to check out any of the following links:
BRASS: https://www.facebook.com/groups/326501897520819/
COLOR GUARD: https://www.facebook.com/groups/230209563797353/
PERCUSSION: https://www.facebook.com/groups/825315054170095/
GENERAL INTEREST: www.fusioncorenj.com
-
2
-
-
and then some corps who just was granted said championship... will then have a hole to fill. DOH!
based on that logic someone already had a hole filled!
-
2
-
-
Weather is supposed to be great! Make sure you stop by and say hello. It will be good to see you.
-
I predict I'll be up if the weather holds. I unfortunately predict I can't stay after the show and have to get back home though. No Porketta for me at the Glider this year.
-
We really enjoyed getting to hear Bush perform. We need more of this in drum corps!
-
1
-
-
Fusion Core Drum and Bugle Corps has openings for the following two positions: Baritone and Tuba. We are looking for experienced marchers who can jump into a show that is already being performed. If you are interested or know of someone who may be please contact me ASAP at fusioncorebrass@gmail.com. This is a great book and a great program. All we need is you.
-
Fusion Core Drum and Bugle Corps has openings for the following two positions: Baritone and Tuba. We are looking for experienced marchers who can jump into a show that is already being performed. If you are interested or know of someone who may be please contact me ASAP at fusioncorebrass@gmail.com. This is a great book and a great program. All we need is you.
-
Thanks for the review!
-
Thanks to everyone who has donated thus far. It is greatly appreciated!!!! There is still time to donate if you haven't done so yet. Please consider helping us to get this much needed equipment.
-
the internet gives people the forum to cause the damage. now I don't blame Al Gore personally, but if you have issues and you give people a place to air them, they will.
Al Gore damages drum corps. It all makes sense now.
-
This is great news!!!! Looking forward to seeing all of our old friends and looking forward to making some new ones!!!! If you are looking for a great experience come and check out this corps. It is such a great positive environment; a true family atmosphere :-D
-
I too Love Allentown.
I love allentown
-
Not directed at Fusion particularly, but...
Why do drum corps highlight videos so seldom use actual drum corps for the audio?
Without getting into too many details my guess would be that the quality of sound from a recording, unless staged and mic'ed properly is not an accurate representation of what the corps actually sounds like. We all know the loss of quality that happens going from live to recording and I would venture a guess that most corps only want the best quality sound going out and representing them.
-
Thanks for the review John. Glad you are appreciating the work we are putting in! Thanks Adam, hopefully more judges start to see things your way!!!!!
-
The Fusion Drum and Bugle Core currently has two baritone openings and one vibe opening for the remainder of the 2013 season. The "core" has been having one of its most successful seasons and are looking for 3 strong musicians to help us finish out this amazing year. If you are interested or know of someone who may be looking for a great experience please refer them to me ASAP! Thanks!
-
The more teams the merrier.
-
Everyone should go back to RAMD
-
The new site looks great. Very clean and easy to navigate!
-
I think its more than just DCA that needs to be investigating this. Instrumental music numbers are in decline nationally. Marching bands are getting smaller. Unless there is some way cool marketing for this activity making it popular with elementary and middle school kids then we are going to watch it die. There are so many other things that keep kids occupied these days. Couple that with block scheduling in schools and you see many music programs falling. Gonna be tough for DCA or DCI to recruit when there are no more marching bands to recruit from. The activity is a dinosaur and needs new life breathed into it. Electronics are one way to get kids interested. They understand them. They grow up with them. Not sure if this is what you are looking for Lee, or if its just some random rant from a HS band director who is fighting for every single student he can get when so many other activities are offered and are taking those students away.
Rules Congress
in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions
Posted
As we discussed in the caucus, the judges are to judge on what they hear. If a corps decides to not utilize this tool that is their decision. Much the same as a corps may choose to use Bb or G instruments. Most have chosen to use Bb. Most corps will choose to use electronics and amplification. Personally I feel that the synth can be used to augment and give new effects to a show. I do not believe that it should be the primary focus of the show. Too much can go wrong when you ask any one performer to be the primary focus of any large portion of a show, just ask Blue Devils 1989. He who lives by the soloist dies by the soloist. I have told my director that we should use it to enhance, but be able to perform the show with just as much effect if it weren't there, that way if there is rain it won't hurt our overall performance by not having it.