goalieguy

Hey Chris, we HAD low brass with bite BITD.. Baritones (smaller than Bass Baritones) had smaller bores and had much more "bite" than the bigger size baris and euphs put out. But I suspect the sound would be crisper with the smaller, trombone like bores of the old baris and of course those fabulous Tromboniums (NOT) Baris and Euphs today have been used to make that low brass power sound that the old baris ouldn't cover by using massively large mouthpieces to gain the airflow.. Just my .02 worth after 45 years of playing.

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Not as much sour grapes - as much as "out of pattern". I have noticed over the years that plot twists "behind the curtains" has more to do with how the results pan out.. Those things have been going on since the dawn of DCA - although I have only watched the last 40 years or so. It seems that the more things DON'T appear to change, the more they actually DO. Personally, I like to watch the Class A groups continue to battle among themselves, and still get great crowd response as well as be technically proficient - even if they are 'limited' to 65 members. The level of performances may not be worthy of the "standard" increase of numbers as the championships approach, but it acts as a device to keep all of us engaged until Finals.... even though the results of the finale don't always end in the way each of us wishes...Ahhhhh, DRAMA at it's finest!! Face it gang, it's DCA - anything can and usually DOES happen - just let your imagination run wild..Conspiracy theorists will always be there to cast a shadow (or two). This provided by a long time witness to just about EVERYTHING possible that can happen to a group during a tumultuous nearly 40 year journey at DCA - basically seeing ALL that a corps can endure on the journey from laughing stock to World Championship - and SOOOOO many stops in between! Oh - the tinfoil hat is NOT out of the realm of possibility, Terri! It just depends on how receptive your antennae are! Good, bad or indifferent - Unless YOU have influence on the decision - it'll never be 'perfect'.. Pat P.S. FRANK!!!!!! Where the heck you been, old friend? Good to see your input - hope you are well - and don't lose that Sconnie attitude bro - almost time for the border battle to resume !!!

Having just arrived at home after the trip from St. Peter, I am very surprised to see how close the top 5 are after tonight, and the 2nd five spots are as well... As far as the "Drum Corps Expo" hosted by the Govies - all in all, the show was much better from both a performance standpoint - not to mention the weather was much more cooperative.. Next to NO rain - even though the souvie booths and some of the fans had to use cover for the last 30 minutes before show time - NOTHING like last night. Everybody was able to utilize the electronics to enhance their productions, and in the case of MBI - they were able to use their entire front ensemble and the pre-recorded commentary to make full use of their props, although a couple of equipment/prop malfunctions may have slightly altered either way. I expect the last weekend will deliver the seedings, and it will increase the drama to keep everyone guessing when Rochester rolls around. Thank again to Frankie P. for posting the numbers from all the shows. Love ya, man! - See you in a couple of weeks! Pat

I would expect so as well. After seeing Brass last night with NO pit or electronics - and only giving back less than two points to the field - I consider that a positive. Of course, it stopped raining right after Brass finished...I give them credit for going on - even though as a dinosaur, I think they need to toughen up to do shows in the rain..Not a lot of wind, but steady rainfall - we missed the heavier, more intense storm cells - so it could have been worse. It's raining here in "the Cities" as I type this -and the rain is expected to keep going to mid-afternoon. Looks like the Expo in St. Peter may be dry, but as usual - it's tropical Minnesota! Want the weather to change, just wait 15 minutes or less. Looking forward to tonight's show - heading down to Petertown with my wife and sister-in-law in tow, planning on spending time with Gwynne's aunt and uncle before the show. And of course - Patrick's on Third after the show - gotta buy my boy Flash a belated birthday beverage - and maybe order a 'pint of bacon' from the kitchen!! Pat

I'll jump on this one Fran! The list of DM's in DCA over the years I've been going has had ALL the showmanship covered.. About the only one left that remotely covers that style is John Mayer from the Govenaires. I wish one or more of the DCI DM's would add something to make them less of an 'automaton' - Joel Alleyne with Oakland Crusaders and its predecessors usually had the crowd cranked up back in the mid 70's, but there were not very many in the DCI and Pre-DCI era that had as much flair as he did. My only gripe about the DCI and newer DCA DM's is when they "attempt" to turn around to salute at the beginning - most of them TURN TO THE LEFT!!! OK - the paramilitary basis for "drum corps" is gone, but like Flag etiquette - there are some traditions that should be maintained - like doing an 'About Face' by turning to the right - as it should be done - all the extra 'ruffles & flourishes' each DM chooses to add or NOT add, that shouldn't be messed with. I just think it's as important as keeping some resemblance of 'military bearing' in the activity - more like a tribute than having total Broadway take over.. Some of the newer service veterans who have come into the activity or back to it - I'm sure they're a bit prouder when something that military in roots keeps some of that as the activity evolves. Pat

To piggy-back some of the aforementioned facilities - just to add a couple - Original Pancake House also has a location in close proximity to TCF Bank Stadium- in Roseville just to the north of the Rosedale shopping center. Birchwood is a little tough to find but it is only a couple of miles from "The Bank". Bridge and road repair might make it tough to navigate, but the quality is worth the look. Northbound Smokehouse and Brewery is about 8 blocks from my humble adobe, just west of the 38th Street station on the Blue Line light rail. Excellent burgers and Cajun fries - and they sell "growlers" (1/2 gallon) of all of the on-site brews - some with HIGH % APV.. My son's favorite is about 8%.. In that same neighborhood - (basically across the street) is Ted Cook's 19th Hole BBQ - one of the long standing BBQ and Soul food purveyors in Mpls. I've been going there since the early 70's..Jojo potatoes are to die for - and 3 temps of HEAT in the sauce. Peach cobbler is really good, too!! If you choose to go to Lund's and/or Byerly's - great food - but prepare to open your wallet! Personally - B-Dubs across from the stadium, Applebee's on Washington - about 3 blocks away. Can't forget Stub & Herb's - basically across the street from the stadium - on Washington and Oak - a campus legend for food AND beverage.. Hope y'all have a great time - just remember - Minnesota has 2 seasons...Winter and Road Construction...There will be LOTS of the latter around the Metro this weekend, along with the Twinkies, Saints and Lynx in town...Safe travels and enjoy your visit!!! Pat

If so - that'd be a point for every member of the hornline - BUT - I've seen stranger things happen!!! (82, 87, 90, 96, - lest we forget, '13) You KNOW why I highlighted 82, dontcha Fran??? Pat

Providing of course - they are NOT versed in BOTH circuits.. Most of the panels may not give a rat's posterior what they put down, but it is what it is.. IF THEY ARE, and are still putting down DCI numbers, "just because" - they should be shot!! I can't see where judges can get the idea that DCA corps don't rate getting a DCA -type eval, unless the individual judge doesn't know the difference! After all of the years MBI got judged on the DCI D-1 sheets through DCM, we got used to having to "calculate the difference" before going out East.. Part of paying the cost of trying to stay competitive! Pat

After seeing photos of BAC's new guard uni's on FB - I'll definitely be watching for how they impact the presentation!! Hoping Crown and 'Coats hornlines knock me out! Pat

I'm not aware of whether or not there'll be a panel in Alexandria or not.. Alex has hosted DCI shows in the past, and MBI and Govies have done exhibitions - but I'm not sure if they're going to judge this show or not. This might be one of those "audience text message" shows based on crowd reaction.. It may have a local panel of judges that do band shows in the area that MIGHT be able to utilize DCA sheets - but it's one of those "wait and see" deals! Pat

OK you guys - leave semi-sleeping dogs lie, will ya? Bill - once again you have attempted to show young Mr. Holland some of the errors of his comments - and very well again I may add. Chris - what my friends have been trying to so nicely to say - is that not all of your comments have been totally accurate.. Yes, there is "technically" no All-Age DRUM CORPS division in DCI - BUT - with the advent of SoundSport as a "division" in the DCI family - they act as DCI's "All-Age" category...Since the list of 3 divisions from the DCI website you referenced don't include SoundSport - that part of your information IS CORRECT, however INCOMPLETE.. It would be in your best interests to do a bit more "Googling" to cover your bases - before antagonizing some of the "elders" that have seen and participated in a few more of the Drum Corps wars than you may have..and can still tell the tale! Pat

I remember seeing and hearing one of these about a hundred years ago. One of my old MBI buddies, and former Skyliner, Spirit of 76 and current DCA brass judge Dan Groth played a bass trumpet in a couple of charts while he was in the Augsburg College Jazz Ensemble. He had a solo part in one fo the tunes they played at a concert he got a bunch of us to go to before he graduated. I don't recall being able to hear the difference in sound between the bass trumpet and his Bass trombone, other than the 'bone had more bottom range and a crisper sound in that register. The interesting thing about the gig that night was the guest artists, who had been there for clinics earlier in the day...Jerry Niewood(RIP)on soprano and tenor saxes, and the fabulous John Faddis on trumpet. The band did a head job on Faddis later in the evening - when he was going to have them play a Dizzy chart (I believe) "Things to come", Faddis counted out the 4 for nothing and began playing...The band however, started playing "Tuxedo Junction" (I think) - and you could see the reaction to Faddis' face when he realized that he and the band weren't on the same page (half the band was laughing out loud). I was surprised that he managed to go along with the joke - but the look on his face from the audience side was priceless.. That was the only time I ever heard a bass trumpet played - and Dan showed me the 2G Bach mouthpiece he used on the horn - I could never attempt to play something that big... Pat

I always thought they came out of "Guys and Dolls" - and I was surprised they NEVER played that.. Still the most gorgeous corps jacket - black satin with a full back embroidered Chicago skyline with the corps name embroidered underneath..totally Bad*** I can't imagine what it cost to do the artwork! Pat

Mr. T: Could you imagine if the old Hilex corps from St. Paul had EVERYBODY in the "Drip" costumes? Just about everybody remembers THE corps from St. Paul with the "exotic" uniforms.. Did Great Northern wear bibs with Engineer Caps? LOL Pat

Sure took Steve long enough to make it - congrats to all of the new inductees!!! Pat

To my friend John Hoekstra and his group - Congrats!!! Positive vibes for the DCA evals heading your way!!! Can't wait to see you at DCA in the future!!! Pat

RIP, Ray..and Vaya con Dios!! Pat

Pat

Tread lightly Chris - There are a couple of other groups that can give the Bucs a "run for their money". Taking nothing from what C2 has done so far - they still need to prove themselves to be worthy of where they stand - I 'm very sure that my family here and my friends in "Mecca" will have something to say about the outcome in Rochester come Labor Day weekend! Pat

Larry - I would think that your area could easily operate an "all-age" corps...The stumbling blocks as I've seen over the years is needing that "nucleus" of committed persons willing to invest the time "to do it right". Most of the other versions I've seen in the last 40 years have either tried the "rebirth" of _______(enter corps name here) or have determined to not catch up to what the rest of the circuit has had to do to survive - either from a money or program standpoint. I have always thought another project from Chicagoland was feasible - and if done correctly - they could make things in the DCA - Central region a heck of a lot more interesting!! Just my two cents after hanging out for a few decades. Pat

Mr T. - am I correct in assuming that that performance was at the venerable Northrup Auditorium? And to those who are logistically challenged or ignorant of the area - it IS a "short walk" from TCF Bank Stadium..I had NO idea RPH was commissioned by the "U".. More "insignificant info" to further fill my overly fried brain cells! Pat

Way to go folks!!! Keep up the good work! Looking forward to seeing and hearing the product!! Pat

OK.. Who's allowing John and Sandee to lose their minds???? I LOVE the idea guys - but why are you upsetting the apple cart? Or has recruiting interest exceeding the possibility of staying at or below 65? Regardless - you guys know me well enough - whatever I can do to help you guys make the move as painless as possible - just let us know!!! GO my GANG OF GREEN!!!! Congrats (with cautionary exuberance)to the GOVIES Pat

I'm glad I WASN'T there for the chili cook-off.. My nephew has "borrowed" a recipe from our old cronie from '76, Glen Latourneau...I understand that if that concoction is prepared inside - it takes better than a week to clear the atmosphere.. Porkchop usually says it takes about 2 DAYS to cook the recipe - but I'm man enough to admit I could NOT even get close to eating that.. It SHOULD warm up the metal in those Kanstuls I suspect... or melt them! LOL to those of you in Racine brave enough to partake of the offerings! Even if Mr. Latourneau's fiery delicacy wasn't present! Pat