sixtysomething
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Posts posted by sixtysomething
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Bill
You couldn't have put it better!!!!
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Thanks for the link
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I've checked the DCA website and don't know if anyone has posted earlier here, but are prelims available again this year on live streaming video? This was a great option for those of us, who for various reasons, couldn't make it to the Championship weekend last year.
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As usual - Jaybo is right on...
nothing beats rehearsals on the day of a show and then the experience and thrill of the competition... this is what makes for success... With all but one show in upstate NY (next week's Hornell show) wiped out due to an inability to provide a reasonable group of corps to attract an audience, empire has done the best they can to ensure that their membership has a good time and is as prepared as possible for what shows they do have. This has included weekend rehearsals/performances at Darien Lake Theme Park - but knowing what it takes to be crisp and clean in performance - you just can't substitute that for contests... the stage was set and they were VERY dissatisfied with their performance last night.
BUT... as the season drags on, watch for this detriment to become less of a problem and things to tighten up... don't ever count Empire out - their record for the last 25 years is sufficient to keep any other corps from underestimating them...
Two voices of reason as usual!! Congrats to Cabs as it is evident they are working extremely hard.
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2004 was the first year we brought the show back!
Hey Frank
Have a great weekend!!!
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there wasn't a Wildwood show back on the schedule til what....2006?
OK, so I'm old and you got me on a technicality! Guess it was 2006 I was there.
#### it sucks being out of drum corps....maybe I can latch on with Cadets...........oh wait, no I can't..........just foolin around!!! -
Why don't Hurcs or Empire attend this show?
Empire was there at least a couple of years in a row 2001-2003 timeframe. Very long haul and requires many to book Friday off work, or overnight on bus. Other than that, I thought it was a great show, and a way to make sure you pushed to get show done early. Hence lots of 'cleaning' time.
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I predict another year that I'm going to miss Wildwood (*%^%*)@)!
Love this show, venue, Kelly's, boardwalk, sunshine (mostly) and Friday night rehearsal browsing.
Have fun everyone and I hope all corps have their best show of the year
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Hey Joey...
First of all, GOOD LUCK to you and "The Edge". Man.....I am so honored to know most of you in the performance ensemble, and I wish I lived closer. I would SO want to be part of this!
Anyway....your itinerary says you are departing Rochester on Feb 3, but it doesn't say where you are going? So my question is, Where is the audition? If it's in NYC, I would LOVE to go watch....
To all involved in "The Edge", I wish you nothing but the best of luck. I can't wait to see you guys on TV!!!
All my best..
What Frank said. Me too!!
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Now this is about the 3rd time we have been through this. Page, after page, after page, of the SAME thngs, over and over. Come on DCP add them all in One and Close this.
The One and ONLY answer is: Cadets2 have every Right to start, and do, WHATEVER it wants to do, under DCA Rules. End of Subject.
They will be somewhere between: "the greatest thing that has ever happened to DCA - or - just another Corps added to DCA"
I am Not, and never have been a Big "Garfield Cadets, Cadets of Beg. Cnty., The Cadets fan. AHHHHHHH, but what a Great History all of that is. A History, MANY Corps, could only Dream of having. Now a new part of that History is to start.
Lets move on. Look what Should be a "Stand alone Post" about C2.
" about 100 attended,.............seems the guard won't be back till April,.............Battery had what seems like 30 - 40 applicants.............pit about a dozen,.............staff quotes include they want more brass and guard,...............", lost in all that other stufff.
To your first two sentences and middle comment..........couldn't agree more
As to the future, I see the eventual creation of a new division called (what for it)............ "Senior Corps". IMHO C2 has to be good despite the "experience" factor, and will spawn copies. Perhaps other World Class DCI corps creating 'all age' corps, maybe to the detriment of current BD "B" type corps, who knows? The only thing for sure is that if too many corps with an age cap are successful (and this is certainly not guaranteed because of the financial aspects and all the other things mentioned in this thread)there will be a whole bunch of +25'rs who will get fed up with trying to keep up with the athleticism of these new corps.
And I know how it works. I last marched in 2006 at age 59 with some other "experienced" folk, and being in pretty good shape, once the season got going, so did my body & brain. Our show was not what anyone would consider easy either, but we did it. But I certainly don't think I could have done a DCI performance class show. If the demand level starts to rise, because judges reward the higher physical demand levels put out by "age capped" corps, you see where I'm going with this.
(hey! is this a new demograhpic we just invented?)
Still think its all good, though. Long live drum corps in whatever format!!!
JUNIOR DRUM CORPS
ALL AGE DRUM CORPS (Now defined as 25 or less or perhaps INTERMEDIATE DRUM CORPS)
CHAMPIONS (SENIOR) DRUM CORPS (Formerly All Age).
LOL........hey WWBD!!!!
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LOL!!!! THAT was funny.
Or Cadets Squared!!!!
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Just confirmed with a friend of mine who marched that no changes to the uniform were made this year. The last change to their uniform, which is when they shortened the kick pleats, was 2006. I don't recall seeing any member with uniform pants that out of wack but I didn't see the corps from your perspective either.
I don't see how their uniforms hold them back (especially since visually, they scored consistently well all year) other than the fact they are not designed to hide anything unlike most other corps uniforms. Cabs will, at times, look visually dirtier than their competition even though their actually cleaner. Others just hide it better.
Kilties have the same visual issues with their black shoes and the white spats. Even if there is very little phasing, it sometimes looks that way. And the kilt itself contributes as they don't all fall back and/or move the same with different shaped marching members. (Not to mention some have bigger "sporans" than others LOL)!
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My original post was about creating a new "masters" division of DCA. I wasn't suggesting that alumin corps start competing. There would still be room for the alumni corps movement, just as now. It would just provide a venue for those older people who still wanted to compete......and ONLY if DCA became too strenuous for those with older knees etc to handle the new, younger demands. Apologies if I didn't make that clear. This venue would be for those who couldn't handle Open Class/Class A DCA demands, but still had that competitive bug, not satiated by the almuni experience.
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YIKES......$175 just to Register and Audition....
Does that go towards the remaining "tuition" if you pass the audition?
I'm WAY too old to audition for such a prestigious organiztion, but I am very curious. I may attend some rehearsals just to "check it out"...if I'm allowed!
Frank,
The sad thing is you are definitely not too old for today's DCA, along with a lot of other 'senior' members of many corps, but if the activity actually moves more towards a faster paced, higher physical demand it may mean a lot of very good drum corps folks won't have the stamina and/or young enough body joints to handle the pace.
However, there are two positive possibilities.
Maybe it will mean the birth of more alumni corps, or a return to larger memberships and higher quality in some alumni corps who are having trouble keeping memberships high.
Or here's one for you..............I've always thought there should be a competitive "senior circuit" like they have in golf. It could be called the DCA "masters" division. Like in some sports leagues (hockey, baseball) members would have to be 'at or over' a certain age to march. This division would have similar rules to DCA Open and Class A, except for some modifications. For example (and I'm just throwing out random thoughts here), no tempos over 150 bpm unless at a standstill. Box scores that had plus points for actual straight lines. Maybe even bring back the starting and finishing lines, and/or colour presentation! No original compositions in the music book. It wouldn't be a complete return to 60-70's drum corps, but rather an effort to retain some of the more traditional features.
There could be some good things for DCA out of this too. If DCA is losing some of its audience because some people don't like the DCI model and think DCA is moving in that direction, having a couple of "masters" corps competing in the show line-up would keep the dinosaurs around.
By the way, I'm a big fan of all drum corps styles (although I do admit to often tuning out when a corps' whole book is original compositions) so I'm not anti DCI or the current trend in DCA. I enjoy them all, but I'd also like to see more of the old style drum corps and as good as alumni corps are, making a competitive circuit could add some excitement.
Just thinking out of the box, so to speak!!
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I don't see DCA dying either, but I do see the need for higher "purses" and budgeting for increased travel for those corps that traditionally haven't left the NE. I agree the fan base won't pay big money for two DCA corps and a couple of alumni corps, but they will pay for 4-5 DCA corps with at least two of these being top 5 contenders.
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To be honest with you, I know this was a new endeavor for DCA, and for $19.95 (less than a dollar per corps performance) it seemed like a real bargain. However, I had to stop viewing after the 16th corps performed for one big reason: BUFFERING EVERY 10 SECONDS!!!!! Now mind you, I have high-speed DSL and the latest Adobe Flash 10.3 with all the updates. How come throughout the entire webcast I have constant buffering interruption??? Incredible. Has anyone else in the drum corps world had similar problems with the webcast? The video quality was great, except for the annoying frequent buffering.
Fan Network, please take note. I doubt seriously I'll get my money refunded. Next year, Annapolis and no more webcasts. Not worth it.
I had an unexpected hospital visit last week and couldn't make it to Rochester this year. What a great idea to live stream the prelims! I got to see every corps from the comfort of my big lazy boy chair, beer(s) in hand and view from the 50 yd line. It doesn't get any better except to be there in person. For $20, it was a real bargain.
As for the 'freeze-ups' I had way too many and not being a techie guy, I have no idea why. The DCA screen with no announcer (as someone else mentioned) was also an issue, because I didn't know if my computer had frozen or the broadcast was still going live. I had to refresh, restart at least 10-15 times and I missed the last two minutes of MB's performance, because my screen froze completely and I couldn't get the video restarted. Audio continued so I got the sound and later the scores. I was in contact with a friend of mine who also had many freezes.
Regardless of the nuisance of refreshing, I was extremely grateful to pay my $20 and see the shows for 2011.
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In the interest of continuing to create topics to discuss, I was curious which corps everyeon thought has been the most ground breaking as far as pushing the activity "forward" is concerned? Obviously, there is can be a strong claim for the Bucs, as they have won the title the past 6 years. It can be said that they have certainly pushed the activity forward in the direction of higher achievment, and in my opinion, have helped to bridge the gap between junior corps and senior/all-age corps. There are also up and comers and new faces that have pushed the activity forward, as well.
There are certainly groups, past and present, that can be used as examples as to who has made the most impact on the DCA activity. Thoughts?
I guess somewhere along the line your question about pushing the activity forward became "pushing the envelop". I think there is a distinction between these two phrases.
As an example, if you go back to the mid-60's Les Diplomats certainly pushed the envelop when they performed a rotating block. It had never been done before (that I know of) and was something the judges were not initially prepared for. I would call this "pushing the envelop because it was outside what had been done in the past and was adopted by the activity. In addition, the crowd went nuts and it certainly affected the general effect category because the judges had a difficult time analyzing the effect vs the precision, even under the tick system. Did they also move the activity foward....certainly.
However, by your description of 'moving the activity forward' I think Bucs fit your description, no "pushing the envelop", because other corps have to work harder to match their abilities. Not that every corps doesn't strive for perfection in their show, but with Bucs consistency over the last few years, there certainly is a higher standard to reach. But I don't think excellence is necessarily innovative or what I would call pushing the envelop. Their execution is excellent, but is the overall show distinctly different than most other corps? By the way, I don't mean to take anything away from the Bucs. Their achievments are impressive.
Maybe I'm just splitting hairs (or phrases) here but heck, that's what this forum is for, no?
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The other big thing to remember is that "way back" then........many corps were sponsored by local service organizations, legion posts etc. And part of the justification for spending the money to outfit and run a drum corps was that the corps would get local youth involved, and do the odd parade or show for the sponsor or town to "pay the rent" so to speak.
That's why the summer was filled with not only competitions (usually not too far away, except possibly for Championships), but also parades and other non competitive performances as well.
Once the "tour" was introduced, the local sponsorship became financially impractical and local participation was mute. The goal was only to get the best musicians/marchers from anyone who could afford to attend camp and pay for the tour.
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Well,with that said,i'm gonna go for it.It doesn't matter what corps i end up with.Class A or open class.I do it for the love of the music and,the life long friendships you make along the way.Not for the points.Thankyou for all of your responses.You guys are great!!!! I'll see you on the field in 2012.
I would encourage you to start walking, treadmill etc now. It makes it a lot easier to get through those early season rehearsals and starts getting your body ready to take the abuse during the year.
I last marched at 59yrs old and would still be there (or at least attempting to be there) but for some extenuating health issues. As "cabssopprof" put it, must be something in the water, even my Canadian water!!!!
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WARNING:
To anyone who may be reading these posts:
This guy does NOT have any idea what he's talking about. His rationalizations are always wrong. He has several axes to bury and he would prefer to bury them in the head of DCA. Do NOT assume he speaks for any all aged corps. He does NOT.
Shadow 7 - go crawl back under your rock with the rest of the Texas snakes.
Ok Jeff... your turn.
Tom, you hit the nail on the head. I can tell by your very uncharacteristicly terse post that this person is just trying to stir up trouble. I was surprised when I saw this thread active again. Thought it was "done" a couple of months ago but some people just need the attention I guess.
I'd suggest we all ignore anything posted by this person and watch them fall of the first page of posts day by day.
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A rule:
"Anyone who wins three years in a row must be punished by being taken out of competition." Now does that make sense?
I don't go to a drum and bugle corps competition to see who wins....I go to enjoy the show. With both DCI and DCA down to ten to 12 corps, there is bound to be a corps that dominates for a period of time compared to the days when even New Jersey had 50 or more drum corps.
I remember threads on RAMD when the Brigs seemed unbeatable for the future..... and The Cabs and Riley and Archie ruled for years on end....so did Sac, Garfield, Vinnie's and The Troopers....all "unbeatable," until somebody beat them.
Drum corps is not boring when the Bucs (or anyone) win six years in a row. Drum corps is boring when a corps performs a show that is written to impress six judges and a self-impress a staff of 15 or so......with music recognized and appreciated by no one.
For what it's worth, 2010 was my favorite Bucs show of the six years.....BY FAR; and in repeated daily viewing of the finals DVD set, the performances, followed by the encore performances were far more exciting than the reading of scores and captions. Same is true of the mini-corps competition.
And finally, let's look at the morning alumni corps show....no scores at all....... the morning after a late night.....a show somewhat dominated by Cabs Alumni....... still gets the crowd and the standing O's for ALL performances.....unique and diverse.... AND mostly the same (loved) music by each corps from year to year.....that music and sound that we love.
It's all in the performances...... some of us no longer even CARE what the judges think.
DCA is at the top of its game AT THIS VERY MOMENT....and only temporarily, because it will be climbing higher next season as everyone gears up to beat what some would want to see as an exhibition corps.
If Labor Day weekend had no judges at all, I'd love it just the same. We need the Bucs to continue to improve....it's the only way ALL corps will.
But I may be wrong.
Joe in NJ
I haven't gotten to the end of this thread yet, but this is the best response I've seen yet. Hit the nail on the head. I'd go to see the top 10 from 2010 again in a heartbeat, judged or not.
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I'm the only one in the seciton who is not in my 20s (and I'm 53 ). We have a few 45+ in the first and 3rds, but I'm it by a good margin in the 2nds.
Then I remember our horn instructor plays 2nd Bari. Kinda easy to forget him when he's up front and not playing with us.
Only have him beat by a few years I think.Any other offbeat and/or funny stuff out there?
Edit: Just remembered that two of the parents of my fellow 2nd Baris play 3rd Bari.
If you're only 53, why alumni? Why not competitive? LOL (We all do what we can do, depending on health, time etc).
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so basically, empire is going to win this year because...
1.they are about entertainment
2.they get the biggest ovations at finals because its in their home city
hmm...
I don't think that's what it means at all. I thought 2010 was one of the best "entertaining" years in DCA for quite some time. Yes, Empire did have somewhat of a home crowd, but the show was entertaining AND clean AND difficult as was Bucs show and several others, all of whom got great applause/recognition. This is what I think DCA is looking for.....more of what was shown last year. A powerfull statement on the field will get the crowd on their feet, no matter where the venue is and no matter what the music is.
Tom's already said it won't be an applause meter system.
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Not 100% sure what the definition of "effect" is in the eyes of DCA judges, but to me, effect is the emotional stuff. The playing with passion that makes you scream, cry, jump up and down, etc. As a fan, I want to see an equal mix of aggressive and emotional performances paried with a demonstration of excellent technique. I'd like to be able to say one is more important than the other, but really I want that 50/50 mix. That defines entertainment to me. So putting a 50/50 mix on the judging weight gives me hope of seeing entertaining yet technically excellent programs as opposed robotically super-clean artsy performances. Nothing wrong with being super-clean, but I'd really love to see more gutsy performances and less of "going through the motions."
Well put.
CADRE Christmas party
in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions
Posted
I know you said there was no one on the enemies list but does that include 'musicians', better known as horm players? LOL