CrunchyTenor

...and show designers can get paid for the same show twice. Garry

Personally, I think he should have been carried off with the rest of the corps. Leaving him there into the next corps' warmup is a violation of their space. I'm just hoping they didn't get halfway up the tunnel and realize they just left him there. Good discipline on his part that he didn't move...and lucky no one in the next corps stepped on him! Garry

I'll be using lots of quotes, and making lots of responses, so bear with me. It's all part of a darn good discussion, I think. Imaginary? I think it's in the rules. A little hyping right before a corps' appearance, say as they're entering the field, is cool with me. Do all corps have an opportunity to place a banner in the back stands? Totally different concept. Then let's look at the rules and level the playing field. Though I think if there were teasers going on for every corps over the course of the evening it would be REALLY distracting. Fair enough! From the time they enter the gate is the key phrase here. I have no problem with fans hyping the corps right before they go on, and the corps hyping the fans. As long as it doesn't distract from the previous or following corps' performance. The onfield warmup doesn't happenan hour before, which is more than a "LITTLE" before showtime. Creating ambience should happen when your corps is entering or leaving, not for an hour before. You're right, I haven't been to a show to witness this. I did witness the fireworks during SCV's show in San Jose, and it was distracting. But the corps didn't plan it. It wasn't intentional. Maybe you can explain the concept of the single person spinning? Or why it was necessary to have a fire station light up the trucks and turn on the sirens? Aren't electric lights and electronic sirens illegal then? Especially when they're not just outside the field and pit-box, but outside the stadium itself? And you should re-read what I said in the first paragraph. I'd have a problem with this if ANY corps was doing it. In this case it's the Cadets, so it's hard to leave them out of the equation. But if it were Phantom Regiment, or Santa Clara, I'd be just as vocal. Let's push the envelope within the rules. We all know it's led to rules changes in the past. So, the judges are noticing her? That would be contrary to another post in this thread. And if Hoppy is talking about the judges not reacting to the "artistic performance", maybe there's a problem with the design. (Key on maybe.) I like Jeff's observation about "equal chance and attention" for all the corps. Not really. The beach balls were thrown to the crowd by the pit members, and only as the corps was entering the field and warming up. They weren't out there an hour before, or between other corps or at intermission. Even VK had more respect for the other corps. Did Bayonne do this during, between or at intermission? No, it was their entrance to the field. When Madison marches a company front on to the field, then breaks into the Fleur de Lis, they don't do it until they are entering for their performance. When Regiment fans used to throw the rolls of paper at the end of their show, it was while their corps was on the field. This year, Regiment fans are encouraged to bring rain sticks to use while the corps enters the field. (They have some rain-makers of their own in the pit, but I guess they're not projecting. They had them in California.) When there's a 4 count tacet so SCV fans can yell, "VANGUARD!", it's during their show. Bones doesn't show up until Crossmen enter the field, and the guy that does it is a fan, not a corps member. Troopers' bugler fan was just that - a fan. Again, not a corps member, and not an hour before their performance. If this character were to start at the top of the stands as Cadets were making their entrance, and interact on the way to the field, I'd be all over it. That would make sense to me. But an hour before? There's also the effect of this discussion, and the buzz surrounding it. Will it have the effect of focusing more attention on her, and really creating a distraction? At any rate, thanks for the comments. I appreciate the civility of responses. This is a good discussion. Garry

This sounds like the worst doctor scenario. Somewhere, every year, some medical school graduates the worst doctor. Not that they're necessarily a bad doctor. Just the worst of the bunch. Garry

I hope everyone understands why I'm about to write this, and if I'm seen as a Cadets-basher...so be it. I would say the same about any corps doing the same thing. IMO, this is part of the "show." And being part of the show, even as a "scene-setter", it should be subject to timing and penalty rules. If this is intended to enhance the show, the timing should start when she enters the stands, and she should be subject to boundary penalties as well. C'mon, if every corps did a "teaser", there would be way too much distraction from other corps' performances. This smells really familiar in the "look at us!" Cades mindset, kinda like the single person spinning in retreats a couple of years ago...and the fire station sirens conveniently going off in Madison. Everyone has 11 ½ minutes to perform and sell their show. Why should Cadets, or anyone else, get more? Garry

nuh-huh! i had to translate it from hawaiian, but i got it! however, she was one of the first people i told when we found out i was pregnant! jan

I am SO jealous. Even though I heard it live in 79, and on several occasions on the Classics Vol I CD from PR, I was really hoping they would get to do an encore in San Jose after SCV played in Stockton. But, alas, no encore in San Jose. BTW, if I want to make my wife tear up, I only have to play "Elsa's." It has that effect on PR alums. Garry

It was my daughter's favorite, too. She's almost 8 months old. She had the same reaction on Friday and Saturday night, and had a smile glued to her face throughout their last run-through at rehearsal on Saturday. Sorry we missed you, Rob. Forgot all about TNT, but the little one was hungry, and there is no denying dinner for the wee one. Maybe Renegades can do Chinese New Year again next February...and St. Patty's, too! Will you be there? Garry

Nice review, Harvey. A couple of notes. I think Cascades could lose the narrator and still sell the concept of the show. John, the guard member in Regiment (not a "guest performer", like Carmen), dislocated his right shoulder in the opener. Word after the show is that he is fine. How soon he will be back to full speed...I guess they'll know at rehearsals this week. People need to not confuse this arrangment of "Rhapsody in Blue" and "An American in Paris" with any previous versions. J. D. Shaw has done a great job of weaving the melodies together, seamlessly, into a unique presentation. Last timje I saw a melding of music like this was Downey's arrangment of "West Side Story" and "Romeo and Juliet" for BD in 1998. Also, winter guard fans from the midwest may see some familiar things in the PR guard this year. They have recreated some moments from PR's 1983 winter guard show, also done to "An American in Paris". And notice the use of the chevron image in all the flag designs. I'm also thinking it's early July. Anything can still happen. So, SCV faithful, don't count the corps out yet. They still have lots of work to do. They got a lot accomplished this past week, and other posts indicate they had a great rehearsal yesterday. The members aren't giving up. Neither should you. BDC - My 7 month-old is almost as tall as some of these kids! SCVC - Not their best year, compared to the last three, but I've always noticed an ebb and flow in both SCVC and BDB. This year it's BDB's turn. It would help if Dave DiLullo were still teaching the drumline instead of just consulting. BDB - Their most powerful corps in the last 5-6 years, and smoking in percussion. Still not sold on music, though they executed it well. Harvey's right. Take a note or two from Surf, ECJ and Spartans. Fever - An awesome first year corps two years ago, and still gaining momentum. Lewie knows what he's doing, and it's better to plan and develop for the long term instead of smoking and burning out in a short time. Show concept "Anxiety". I would also appreciate more fan-friendly music. Cascades - See above. I was sold on the concept from first reading it. no need to explain it to me. First weekend of shows for them, so they weren't expecting huge scores. Let's hope they continue to improve and get the scores as reward for their effort. Scores were too low, as was placement, IMO. Esperanza - Where did this drumline come from? I liked them. Still a bit esoteric in show design. Color guard down from previous years. How did they do at WGI this year? Mandarins - Biggest drumline to date. Hornline growing in ability and sophistication. Neat show. Color guard was off compared to Friday in Stockton. Pacifc Crest - While I admire their corps and effort, PC's shows just don't connect with me. Did they get a visual guy from Blue Knights? Lose the knee-pop. SCV - Great to hear a kinda-throwback show, and executed better than a week ago if you follow the reviews. Finally got guard in costume. Looking for an SCV push the next few weeks. Will judges allow it? Time will tell. PR - Beautiful, and more on the way. That's all I can say. Gotta respect confidentiality. RCR - Getting better. snares were pretty good, though a single tenor doesn't help. Biggest problem, IMO, is 18 or so horns trying to play like 30+. Stay within abilities and this would be a better corps. Renegades - A much better performance than Friday. So why the drop in score? I know DCI judges are trying to use DCA sheets for the DCI-P seniors this year, so it may still be the learing curve. The people who stole my car while I was in California - Bad form. You did a pretty good job of stealing it, but you can't drive worth a darn. Thanks for burning up my clutch. Good job by Las Vegas Metro Police for recovering it within three hours of reporting it. Garry

In answer to Bill, yes, that's Gary Lee. Dan Zeilinger is in that squad, too. Look for the guy with the baggy pants around the ankles. The picture was taken in 1971. We "added" a few people to sweeten up the pictures. You can't see my face way down on the end, but I was a contra for that pic. Garry

I know that in the old Southern California circuit, you had to get a release from your current corps before you could march in another as far back as 1970...probably longer. Garry

Here's the story... There are two ways to pay staff. You can have them on a payroll, as a regular employee. If this is the case, deductions for federal and state taxes, SSI, FICA,and other applicable taxes are deducted from the check. You also have to pay into Workmen's Compensation. A W-2 form is issued at the end of the year. The other way is to pay them as independent contractors. There is no need for payroll deductions or workmen's comp, and the employee is liable for any taxes. A 1099 form is issued for this method. VK did neither. They just paid their staff. A random IRS audit brought this information forward. The back-taxes, interest and penalty were more than the corps' finances could cover. As the corps director, Hixon was ultimately responsible for this to get done, and he dropped the ball. So, is it fair to blame one person? Yes. Gross mismangement, IMO. Sure, there were other concerns, but this was the primary reason VK no longer exists. The moral: Never make a cymbal tech the corps director. Garry

I appreciate the people who have answered this question with VK. It's a little disappointing when the show isn't given the credit it deserves because the corps and the crowd are having fun. Even though I marched in the early 70's and was on staff in the early 80's, I think 1988 may be my favorite VK show. Playing Malaguena the same year Madison does is pretty ballsy, but the two versions were so much different that you could enjoy them both. BTW, half of the bull from that year is currently rehearsing with the Renegades bass line! You can speculate which half! Garry PS Did y'all know that BD's Tommy show was actually written for VK? They decided not to do it, and the chart headed north. Makes you wonder what would have happened if VK had played it.

Hmm.... The Bach 37 is the most over priced piece of crap IMO. Go play 10 side by side.... 5 will be terds, 3 will be soso, 1 will play like a Yamaha, 1 will be a pure gem. The quality of Bach have been suspect in the past decade, they are nothing like the Bach of the 60's and 70's and those don't even compare to the Mt. Vernons I'v e played. I was being kind by including Bach. It's true that Bach is not what it used to be, and a Bach 37 is not even good for a marching trumpet. A Bach 72 or 43 would probably play better. I have a bach that I bought new (after playing about 7 or 8 of them) I decided after a few months that it sucked anyway and went back to my Benge (70's, not a recent one) Hmmmm...someone said earlier that Yamaha had purchased Bach? They're still on the Selmer website. Do you mean Yamaha is making them, under contract, for Selmer? I look at it this way. Selmer is primarily a woodwind company. Bach brass and Ludwig percussion are "red-headed stepchildren,", IMO. Some brass and percussion people with a lot of money (wish it were me!) should buy both of those companies from Selmer and return them to their former glory! Garry

The Max heads are a combination of mylar and kevlar. The Gold Series Evan's heads are all kevlar as far as I can tell. Actually, there was always an element of mylar in the FalamII's. The Max heads were reformulated to include a higher percentage of mylar in the "sandwich" for a darker, "wetter" sound. It also helps eliminate some of the rigidity of the head, which should lessen hand/wrist/elbow problems. More mylar means more "give" from the head. Think of when you hit a baseball with a bat. That feeling when you hit it wrong, and the bat vibrates in your hand? The energy of bat hitting ball is trasferred up the bat into your hands. Now, think of hitting a snare drum thousands of times. That same type of energy is transferred into the sticks more due to the rigidity of kevlar, instead of absorbed by mylar, hence carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and other stress-related injuries. I know my hands feel better after playing on Max heads compared to the same practice sessions on FalamII's. On a related note, Impulse used a second set of snares with Powerstroke 77's for the first 2/3 of their drum solo in 2002. As an "old school" guy with their senior corps program, I was the "mylar tech", since no one on staff really knew how to tune them! I'm glad to hear that people are starting to realize you don't have to crank the heck out of the heads. I think a lot of people did it just because they could! Garry

I still want to know how they "floated" the girl on the broomstick in 87! Garry