Weaklefthand4ever

Very much sums up my standing at this point as well. Drum Corps is a different animal. I go to a DCI/DCA show to watch a drum corps, not a marching band. In my opinion, it would be like going to the zoo to see a lion and being presented with a house cat and being told that it's "basically the same thing....only smaller." Yes, technically, it's all a music ensemble that's moving...but it's not the same thing. I have a lot of respect for marching band (I'm pretty sure any of us who went on to march DCI or DCA can accept that marching band is where it all started for us.) But I can also see where the tradition makes it so very different. I would be fine with a small number of woodwinds attached to the front ensemble. That's where they would work best IMHO. They could be mic'd there and would fall into an "effect instrument." Why do we need it? That I just don't know. I cannot think of a single example of any show in the past where I thought to myself, "You know...I've got a fever...and the only prescription...is more piccolo." As many have said, the added expense of moving around a bunch more members would seem to be contrary to the member corps (and MM's themselves) financial stability. As Slingerland said, you just aren't going to get that extra 10K a#$@# in seats...period. And even if you DID get 10,000 extra "bando's" as we tend to call them, they would probably be sacrificed on the alter which will be erected just outside of the souvie booths as an appeasement to the gods (I know my urge to choke out several of them at the only band show I went to this year was VERY strong when they screamed and talked through the entire show and then disrespected show's in which their children were not involved.) I too would like to know more about what the actual proposal is and then what the actual INTENTION is of the member corps themselves.

That would have been interesting. I doubt I could have done it well. Even with tubs strapped to my back, I still needed reference points. I guess it's the same as everything though: If you practice it enough, things just fall into place. Just out of curiosity, when did it change over? My marching days were the late 80s and early 90s and I didn't move to DCA until 2005.

Not being a brass player, it makes me wonder about a couple of things. In vocal music, you set the embouchure by dropping the soft palate (almost like a yawn) and prepping your vocal chords for the highest note in a specific line. How does this correspond to brass or does it? Usually in percussion we say "If you can say it, you can play it." It helps when you can vocalize. Also, I've always thought about voicings in choral music as brass or string instruments. It always helped me set my tone to think of a tenor part almost like a viola (I'm technically a lyrical tenor.) Bridging lines without taking awkward breaths or adding an unnatural vibrato would seem useful in brass. Maybe that corresponds? Interesting topic...at least to me.

It's a beautiful piece. I think it gets some pretty good credit in the choral circles. But "choral circles" are almost as niche as "drum corps circles" so...... I started out as a vocalist and stuck with it from the time I was 8 or 9 through college. Percussion became a passion when I was probably 11 or 12 but choral music always makes me smile.

I'll have to go back and take a look at the repertoire's. I lost touch with DCI for a number of years after college. I was actually part of a "Rutter Choir" at UA when I was there.

MickeyD's was always the breakfast of champions (or in my case...9th or 10th place depending on if was DCI or DCA) I think I vaguely remember rolling up into a Denny's in 05' with CV and literally decimating their buffet on the way to Wildwood for our first show that year. The shock and awe was classic. I only wish our friends from Renegades would have been with us.

I would agree. My personal opinion would be to lean to the more "contemporary" choral writers. Rutter could translate very well and has a VAST grouping of works. Shaw might be a little "bland" for the field. When I read this my mind went to Whitacre almost immediately. I would be interested to see how "Leonardo dreams of his flying machine" could be scored for brass and percussion. It could certainly lead to some really creative guard moments.

LOL. Probably so. I have, unfortunately, not chosen to run fast enough in the other direction before and it makes a dent in my bank account monthly.

Well Jim, you wouldn't want to twist your ankle running off the field to that "gush n' go" beer break. (j/k......sorta of.... LOL) My first year back in DCA, they made us run after stretching at the first camp. Granted it was around a gym but I only run these days if something is chasing me that I can't kill before it kills me. Or redheads...I do run from redheads.

Hey Jeff, Jenny called and told me to tell you "No."

There supposedly is one now. I still can't find an actual place to download it though LOL.

There certainly were some great corps. I especially miss Dutchboy.

This I can agree with. Balance issues can be "fixed" from almost player to player with the correct electronics. And with today's mics, you don't have to have stationary mics or players. I can imagine the argument you bring though. Maybe the solution is somehow limiting those electronics to certain number of mics and determining their positions as stationary.

I've heard excellent mic'ing and horrid mic'ing. If we are talking about terrible mic'ing jobs, yes, it sounds somewhat tinny and generally pretty awful. If it's done well, it supports the more complex parts that the front ensembles are playing now. For instance, 2010 PR was one of the tastiest front ensembles I've ever heard. But without amplification (granted it was little amplification compared to what is being done now respectively and may not even have been intended to amplify the pit considering the mic placement) I wouldn't have been able to hear them at all against the full ensemble. And their amplification didn't sound like it was coming out of a tunnel (interesting word choice however considering the "pre-show,") in my opinion. I thought they had a gorgeous full sound. Yes, corps are moving towards more amplification, change in instrumentation and electronics. That doesn't make it bad.......It just makes it bad to some people.

We always did DCI SE in Atlanta at CV. My question from earlier last season was what would it take to get a score rather than just a read. I've never taken the time to really look at the differences in the sheets between DCI OC and DCA.

Some special project garbage LOL.

I remember in college...when I thought I wanted to teach music...having to compose in C clef for the first time. How something so incredibly simple to comprehend can make my brain melt I still am not quite clear on. But 10,422,763 notes all on one bar in some oddball time signature...no problemo.

I'm already voting for Meteorite in 2020 so this would be a perfect start to end this thread LOL

Tour shirt needs some VK magic. But....

I will say that I know more percussionists who can muddle through a brass book (myself included) than brass cats who can read a percussion book and get what's going on. I'm sure there are plenty who can do both but reading notes doesn't always mean you "get it." I've also noticed that most "drum guys and girls" really appreciate brass books. You'll usually find me at as many brass arcs as percussion arcs at Atlanta.

They did. Parades were my absolute LEAST favorite things of all marching experience (especially Disney.) I would, to this very day (at 47 years old,) track for 4 continuous hours than to march a 1 mile parade.

You are correct...we do...beets are delicious.

I have mine too but I am hoping that mine isn't the same as yours LOL.

Yep. Disposable being the key word here. I just don't see how paying to be part of the voting elective brings any satisfaction to anyone.

We always tried to go to a few shows if I wasn't marching and mom and dad would always make Birmingham and Atlanta when I did march. They showed up randomly at camps at West Georgia too when we had stuff there. I GREATLY miss PBS broadcasts.