Herbel

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this, but I believe that Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) is quite good for Music Education, and I know they have a marching band

there are definitely people on here who can give better answers than me, but I'll try anyway. As far as which instrument you should audition for, I think it might depend more on you. Have you played tuba or contra before? If so, do you like it more than baritone? Also, many times, the contras used in drum corps are larger than those used in most marching bands, so it's not always just like playing any tuba. The most important thing is probably that you should audition on the instrument you like best. I would say don't try out on contra just because you think you'd have a better chance of making it (which may or may not be true). LOTS of practice on your favorite horn would be your best bet IMO. Good Luck!

the upper deck was SOO uncomfortable at J. Birney. Not worth the money for the tickets at all.

I didn't read all of the posts, so hopefully I'm not redundant here. Have you considered Rutgers? To be honest, the marching band there is not very good, but I can see them improving quite a bit in the coming years. I was in my high school marching band for 5 years as well as the indoor drumline for 3, and the fact that my school doesn't have a marching band hasn't been a big deal (of course I'm not a music major). I've also heard a lot of music majors from other schools say that marching band is too large of a commitment for them anyway. If you're looking for a great music school, I have to plug the College of New Jersey. It gets overlooked a lot because of its reputation as the former Trenton State College, and because it's relatively close to Princeton. But it's a great school with an awesome music department and the prettiest recital hall I've ever played in. Feel free to PM me, and good luck!

while I don't think I've ever heard a version of Malaguena I didn't like, Madison 1996 is probably my favorite. Now that was POWER.

While I truly enjoy every one of these shows, I had to vote for 2002- that show is just magic.

Bucs are performing on Friday evening? This may very helpful in convincing a certain former Buccaneer euph to come down from NY for the show...

OT: I really don't think so. Good Luck to both Larry and the Crossmen in the future!

1975 Scouts 1996 Scouts 2003 Phantom 2004 SCV those are just a few, and they are all amazing in my book

Toss up between Spin Cycle and 007. I think Cuba put me over the edge on Bond. B)

Darn I read it wrong! I saw "Fan Favorite" and thought immediately of SCV, but they weren't my personal choice. I selected SCV, but Crossmen were my favorite.

COATS Loved it!

I have to chime in...I've never seen ANYTHING as clean as Frameworks, including The Zone. I picked Cavaliers, but I love both for sure.

nearly inaudible squealing? ...wait that wouldn't be a surprise B)

so, should every drill designer watch every show ever done and make sure they don't copy anything?

I hope this isn't too off-topic, but you got me thinking. I'm here obviously because I love drum corps; it makes me happy and can "take me away" when I'm upset, angry, etc. But last week, I realized something about live drum corps for me. I have no fun at shows by myself! I went to Allentown alone both nights, and to be honest, I didn't have nearly as much fun as I have in past years, although the corps were fantastic. I usually go with a friend..but my only corps fan friends are on tour. Basically, I realized that a big part of my love for drum corps is sharing the enjoyment with friends, and that's where part of my passion for the activity lies. Sorry if that made no sense.

Ride (Bluecoats 04) is unique and beautiful in my opinion, and I don't think I see much talk about it on here (maybe I'm wrong, still a great piece.)

Mr. Terry, your son's solo rocked in Allentown the other night. I'm sure you are very proud! :)

I'm glad you said that, because maybe it's just that my director (fantastic as he is) just doesn't emphasize drum corps much. We have had very few student corps members (most recently from Jersey Surf and Buccaneers), yet half of our staff has corps experience (Cadets, Black Watch). I'm the only hardcore, show-going drum corps fan in the entire program. It's been my experience that a lot of band kids aren't very familiar with drum corps in this area. However, I know there are quite a few exceptions, like Souderton (do you guys have an indoor line?), and Nazareth High School. Additionally, I don't want to sound like it's a good or bad thing whether the kids are big corps fans or not; I'm not trying to say any schools are lower quality than others.

There were quite a few Quakertown kids in the stands, and a lot of them seemed to be pretty new to the activity. To be honest, most band kids in the western NJ/ northeast PA area don't know much about drum corps, even though many of them compete in USSBA. If they do recognize a corps, it's usually Cadets.

Bluecoats were on FIRE tonight

I'll be there both nights. And I'm staying overnight in my house :P B)

For me, it's not a question of playing the same songs year after year; it's the fact that the arranging seems redundant. As Lancerlady said, there seem to be the same old bleeps and bloops. I'm sorry if I am "lambasting," but I have high expectations of them. Similarly, I feel that the Cadets battery arranging reached a disappointing level of redundancy last year, and I complained just the same. However, none of that will/has bother(ed) me enough to NOT enjoy the show..I personally think BD's concept sounds really cool, and I know they'll rock in Allentown.

I know I'll love the show, but the music in that clip sounds JUST like last year and the year before.