OrlandoContraAlum
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Posts posted by OrlandoContraAlum
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Is this not basically the same post from yesterday that was closed, and for good reason? I anticipate the same happening here, soon.
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The over-use of the word "haters" to describe those that don't care for a particular Blue Devils show is troubling. I loved BD 2012, hated 2013 and am entertained by this years program. I have no idea where there their high visual scores are coming from but the concept and execution is flawless. Does that quality me as a "hater"?
I dislike the word as well, which is why I put it in quotes. Just wanted to pick a word that conveyed "someone who generally does not like the product that the Blue Devils have been putting on the field lately", but that's a lot to type. And now you went and made me do it. Grrrrr
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Well, we know the drum scores should be spot on. Prosperie knows his stuff and calls it right, as far as I know. I don't know Dunn as well. Pretty sure I marched with Dave Carbone back in the day...
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No, the most important people are the ones who design a show that can be in contention. There is no judging panel that will put, say, PR in first because their design does not permit it.
The second most important people are the performers who bring the design to life. You can have a great design, but no judge will reward it without a great performance of that design.
Finally, the third most important people are the ones sitting on the panel. If there are several shows with excellent design and excellent performance, you can usually find a panel that would put each one on top. See Crown and BD last year, who traded wins all summer and even through finals week. Some panels liked Crown better, some liked BD better.
This year, I don't think the final one comes much into play as EVERY panel seems to think BD is the best. You pick the 8 people wearing the most maroon-tinted glasses, and they are probably still going to have BD up this year.
This. I have found that this year, unlike any I can remember (and I have been around the activity for 3 decades), is one where even the most ardent BD "haters" are at worst grudgingly admitting that BD is off the hook good and at best are going as gaga as the loudest BD honk out there. Too bad Plan9 seems to have left, his head would probably explode if he saw some of the folks gushing about Devils this year.
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Re: parking, the single best advice I can give is to arrive early. I usually have luck on Chew St., by the cemetery. Alternately, the Allentown Fairgrounds work well too, but that's a couple blocks away. If you're handicapped, there is parking reserved all along Turner St.
Thanks. Getting there early won't be a problem tomorrow, but I am driving out from NYC this afternoon (stupid work!) so that will be a bit more of a challenge.
I come in from 78 down Hamilton, and I always park across from the park on about Berks St. or 23rd. Those are the steep uphill roads. In all my years I never have an issue find a spot, it lets me walk past Yocco's on the way in for some food and through the park for some warmups. Also when leaving there's never any traffic or holdup.
One year I parked at the fairgrounds up top and it was much more difficult/traffic than parking down bottom imo.
This sounds like a great idea. Thanks!
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Anyone have tips on Allentown parking? Every time I have gone recently I have been on a bus. I know it's a tough situation, so any tips would be appreciated!
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Rain rain go away, come again after Saturday!
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Example? I didn't see one post that bashed other corps. (unless he edited)
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It's certainly true that DCI has never used the new web connection just installed at J. Birney Crum, but does anybody else recall (or am I just hallucinating?) that in year one of live webcasts, they did try to do a live webcast of Allentown, and it was a train wreck. Up until now since then, Allentown's been VOD-only. Notice the way they phrase that e-mail: they don't want any static from subscribers for this bonus gift if it does go south. They'd have to refund one-time purchasers but subscribers will have a tough argument for partial refunds if there are problems since Allentown live wasn't part of the deal anyway.
In some years Allentown VOD has become available early the last week of the season, and in other years, it has not, because the following nine days are the toughest of the season for the FN production team. That was part of the reason Buffalo didn't go well last year, as I recall, with lots of complaints about poor shot selection and sound--it wasn't a regular FN crew that produced it
Actually, subscribers have ZERO argument for partial refund should the broadcast go south, for the reason you mentioned. This is bonus content. If it doesn't work 100% properly, oh well.
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So Fan Network will be there, so let's all blow into the air to make sure that the rain isn't...
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I didn't see any of them live, but when I listen to the recordings, at least to me, SCV 89 sounds more clean and powerful than 88 did. Both are quite enjoyable.
I saw both live, and I felt that 88 was far more emotional, while 89 was technically superior. Thought they should have won in 88 (but a HUGE argument could be made for Blue Devils, with Madison having a phenomenal run at finals) and Phantom should have won in 89. Great shows, all, though.
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While I am sad that the season is almost over, I am kinda glad too, because I can step away from this site again. (I know, I know, I don't have to be here now...) It's just that the outrage, debasing of one program to prop up your own, or the general clutching of pearls like this thread... makes me sad.
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The piece in question is based on this: http://youtu.be/wgi2967f2RI
As to the question of if it's appropriate? Well, I would rather see lovely people enjoying themselves than, say, violence. As mentioned before, it fits in with the theme. I also have to wonder if, were the "sexy bits" the males in the guard, would we even be having this conversation? As a parent of 2 girls (including a 17yo), I feel that it's important to let them know it's ok to be attractive, and to not let men judge them (I am a man).
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Also: Don't bring an umbrella. Bring a poncho.
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Not too worried... we are still 3 days away, and it pretty much always rains a bit in Allentown. Question is, do we get a quick hitter, or a constant spray with a downpour to cap the night off? (Like 2012)
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Don't be such a windafoon.
- Ptolemy Mcdexterpoin
This made me literally (not figuratively) LOL. And I have nicked it for my sig... I must find a way to use windafoon in daily conversation.
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I can only say that if all these things are true, Crown has entertained the heck out of me this year, apparently quite by accident.
Those darned meddling kids!
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Fan Network Fail:
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#ithinkhashtagsaredumb
So do I actually, but a friend sent me this last night and I had to post it. :)
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So, last year we had #StandUpForCrown and #PurplePantsBand, which was cool. This year, in honor of the best show on the field (BD, IMO, of course) and my favorite show this year (Bloo), I offer the hashtag above. Who's with me?!?!?!
(Disclaimer: this is not meant as a knock of any other corps or their efforts, just feeling saucy)
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In my opinion, the non-finalist corps are markedly better now than they were back when I marched. I am continually astounded by the top to bottom quality of the shows these days. In the late 80's, you would have really good corps in the 13-15 range (I am thinking of corps like 87 Wave, 88 and 89 Dutch Boy, 89 Spirit, etc) but there was a pretty significant drop after that. Not that the corps were not fun or entertaining, just not as good quality wise.
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The view of a former DCI battery drummer who is not a musician or educator:
There's a reason why it's called Drum & Bugle Corps. In most other musical settings, percussion is not featured as prominently. So, in DCI there is a healthy dose of drums for drums' sake. And that's why drum corps is beautiful.
In my view, good drum-corps percussion is, in a musical way, "visible" and "invisible" at the same time. It's invisible in the way it provides the skeleton on which to hang the melodic elements of the music, which is to say the brass, mostly. When percussion is written well and performed as intended, much of it goes unnoticed, yet if it were missing, the whole musical production would feel flat, lifeless. There are those who say they pay little attention to percussion and that it is secondary to the brass, but what they're really saying is that they rely upon the percussion to do its job and when it's done well, it makes the whole musical production work.
Good percussion is "visible" in a sense that is more internal to the drum line itself. The writing, the licks, the demand, the exhibition of drum rudiments played with clarity at the ensemble level -- these are the elements that exhibit mastery of the instrument. As a player, this is the mojo that draws drummers to auditions and sets them to drooling when they watch high-caliber drum lines play. There is a feeling a player gets when the entire line is snapping off 32nd-note rolls with crystal clarity and musicality. You can feel the pulse of each individual stroke, and because there are 8 or 9 or 10 drums of the same type being played, it is an actual physical sensation -- you can feel the air being moved in those quick, precise waves. I imagine that, to a drummer, it's the same sensation felt by a horn player when the entire line is executing a note in exactly the same way. The sound just explodes in your head in a way that it can't when a single person is playing. All the sound waves line up, with a power (amplitude?) that a solo player can't match. That's the elusive drug that hooks a drummer. They keeping seeking that sensation of power matched with clarity. There's nothing like it.
This... is perfect. Even as a horn guy, this makes total sense. And, if drummers are making sense, well.... :)
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I was going to comment, but Bill said everything that I wanted to say, and said it better, especially since he was there. I did not march Suncoast until later, but even then there was still reverence to our military. We visited the Wall in 1988 as well.
I get what Ray is saying, and while I don't agree with the comparison to VK, I do understand how a young veteran of that war may have viewed the show. I also agree with John in that trying to convey the emotions of the period is a very difficult task in a 13 minute show, using only visuals and music.
Even though I did not march the show, I take great pride in what Suncoast did in 1984. As Ray pointed out, many, many people, loved the show, and continue to do so today. Again, I respect Ray's opinion, and am very thankful for his service.
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Allentown . . . DAY ONE!
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
Cool, figured the odds were pretty good. You going tonight?