whystarwhy

Wow, it was only 6 or 7 years ago when the total cost of marching a Div II championship corps was only $500 (including the $100 discount for being in college). Darn oil prices.

Sooo many people wanted Crown to win and are upset, but hey...they got a medal for the first time in Div1/World!!! That's HUGE. BD's show was not my favorite, but you really need to give credit where credit is due...that show was clean as hell. Now Phantom on the other hand....1st --> 9th...probably the most shocking for me.

Now here's something, how exactly was a Div 2 defined? Unless I am mistaken, they had the exact same membership cap as Div 1. Div 3 had between 30 and 60 (with the "overlap" implemented later), but Div 2 had no limit. I'm pretty sure the paragraph on DCI's website had Div 2 listed as corps who perform "primarily on weekends" with a shorter tour. - Were Div 2 corps forbade from a spring training? - Were Div 2 corps forced to stay local until 1 week before Finals week? - Were Div 2 corps meant to remain feeder corps for Div 1 and never evolve? I say the answer to the above questions is "no, we just made them that way." While we all pretty much "know" Magic '02 was a fluke in the rules based on an archaic "induction" into Div 1, it made me question why Div 2 wasn't more like that anyway. Thus, I stand by what I said before. -------------------------- Keeping with the topic, I've done more thinking and am gonna state that: - ECJ '04 was the best Div 2/3 Jazz show I've ever seen. Waaaay better than '98 (sorry mr. rappa, you know you were the man anyway) - Spartans '99 was very powerful and moving, though most people only have access to the Finals performance...real rough (like '98 and '04). - Marion Glory Cadets '03...wow...this show had a lot going for it and that drumline was awesome. Not too many people know of it, my favorite Div 3 show.

While I love lighter-colored pants on the field...that pic from the link makes me realize how awesome those uniforms used to be! Someone mentioned a more "mature" World Class look to the new ones...I must wholeheartedly disagree. The large diamond and width of the diagonal bands across the chest remind me a lot of the Lehigh Valley Knights, who were criticized for looking much like a Power Ranger.

christ, it's been a week. Commenting on performance aspects we all know will improve is simply moot. Michael Klesch doesn't allow a note to be written that hasn't had an articulation affixed to it...give them time.

Troop 11!

You know how on tour there would always be a rumor that some celebrity died? I think it was Bob Barker for most of my years. How do you think this year's Class is taking the news?

Ya, I' remember those two local 2/3 corps...Vanguard and Star...there's a lot of talent from the smaller corps, Div 1 better watch out Whoever said Cascades '01 you are right, and an intelligent person. That was an awesome show. The *most*perfect shows for me are ones that display really well-trained members, and an engaging design comprised of something OTHER than: Front Ensemble Introduction into First Impact (taking 1.5 minutes to do so) Song 1 (152-180bpm) -4 bar transition- Song 2 (120-140bpm) -buzz roll transition- Quiet Song 3 (70-90bpm) [choose your own adventure] either Drum Feature that makes no sense..(no melodic content then snares play bad, tenors play bad, basses play bad, cymbals jump in the air but look mean) into angry Song 4, then happy Song 5 and/or Loud, Angry Song with anvils and flutter tongue 4/5 and/or Uplifting Inspirational Song 4/5 Ends with a Triangle, or Chime I'm poking fun, but it really isn't easy to avoid falling into the above pattern. Thus, I've seen very few *perfect* shows. Magic '02 was technically 2/3. You know, there are some corps that are technically World Class, but their competitors reaaaally aren't competitors. To everyone who lost to Magic in '02 and really can't get over it...increase your placement by 1 and be happy. Unless you were in Capital Regiment, guess what...you still lost.

Love the idea of Brass Theatre 101, just wouldn't want to be a Battery drummer looking for a performance opportunity.

Someone needs to seriously jump-start the east coast music education system (with corps in mind as a real positive activity). You would think that with the Crusaders pretty much in FL and Spartans and Targets suffering (are they out for '09 at all??), Citations and 7th should be marching a full corps. There's no good reason why few kids around NE march...don't say it's the weather:) That's seriously another topic though, my bad for the digression. When choosing between World and Open, I suggest one thinks about these few factors: 1) How long do you want to be away from home (ie: check out rehearsal and touring schedules of each) 2) What can you afford? 3) Who do you know in each corps? (sometimes the people make or break a season, not knowing anyone is an exciting new experience, knowing more people will strengthen the bonds of friendship) and finally... 4) How many years do you have left to march? (if you want to experience both classes and have 5 years to march, might as well check out Open, on the other hand if this is your one shot, might as well rook-out in World)

Good points here, it always frustrates me that I must resort to a jumpy old VHS or camcorder vid from the 20 just to see some of my shows. Lame. The audio production on the recent 2/3 and Open DVD's are noticeably lower than World. The frequencies don't even activate my subwoofer!

Unless you were marching or somehow involved in the activity all those years, there's a good chance most people have only seen a couple shows on that list. While there's no link to videos on the Spartans site, in keeping with DCP's policy I can say there are several resources on FB (be it profiles or a couple of groups) with a lot of shows up there. '08 recently surfaced and I know most will never see that show. Do a little recon, check 'em out:) My votes are '93 for Old-School, '97 for Mid-School and '06 for New-School. ('97 got the actual vote on this poll)

I'm conflicted. As of right now, all we know is what's been released in the Telegraph and other State agency sites. While this information is probably all true, I'd like to hope the corps "has something up it's sleeve" to get out of the mess. We really have no idea whether or not they expected this and how long they've been preparing, and it's sad to see at least one young person missing out on a particular drum corps experience because of what's been "heard." I'm waiting for a statement from the corps before I consider the effort moot, but there's something to be said about the kids and parents still involved. I'm pretty sure they're not being deceived (why? there's enough intelligent parents and members who know what questions to ask after coming across the information we have), so it makes me wonder exactly what answers they've got that hasn't made them bolt for the door. Again, I HOPE there's something in the mix no one knows about.

I would hope that other corps take in the homeless!

I wouldn't assume that all prospective members read DCP or even know what drum corps really is anyway. In fact, most people who know something about the activity have already ruled out marching for Spartans since a many "so and so's" told them not to march there once gossip began circulating after the '07 season (contributing to the devastatingly low numbers of last year and presumably now as well.) Updating the website to say "THIS JUST IN, the corps is in deep @#$*!" would be ridiculous. From the amount of debt they're in also suggests that a more "friendly" post asking for donations would be trite as well. It looks like someone from within the corps has access to the site and is informing us they are communicating to members. To accuse them of not being honest is a bit hasty seeing as the rest of us really don't know what's going on within. Since most of this talk is based on 3 articles, I pose the following...If a business known as Spartans, Inc is completely shut down, can't a group of kids still be learning from instructors (with equipment owned by a 3rd party, as announced earlier)? Obviously those instructors aren't going to be paid, but hasn't several corps had volunteer staff when in need? The article says that "if" they enroll members, it won't come close to paying off the debt. As someone mentioned earlier...how can you enroll if you're shut down? It sounds like the business operations were shut down (use of hall, bus company), as planned, but the group of people involved can still somehow manage to find a way to continue to be involved...just not with Spartans, Inc help. No? Who knows, the corps could go belly-up, fold, and release it's members in a matter of days, but as of yet that really hasn't happened. I don't like to see the accusation of treating kids badly until we hear from recent members that they got the shaft. It's times like these where I sorta wish the corps lifted it's "no posting" rule (rarely done) so as to help us understand what's going on.

What do you do with that little room in the front of the trailer? Where do you keep the contras? How do you secure those chimes? Do you use instrument cases or instrument cubbies? Where's the pit cart/tractor go? I'm interested in how your corps (or one you might know of) uses the space within that trailer. Pics would be awesome, but descriptions are much easier.

wow man, someone's gonna have to do a lot of research in order to answer that question. That, or a member from each corps can look at their old tour shirts and say how many shows they usually do and then you could put all that info together...not it.

am not familiar with Reed, but the concept reminds me of Academy. Just so long as there isn't a "siesta" part to the show, I'll dig:)

any idea what their average turn out is?

In my eyes, George doesn't want to see the activity die. He's trying to find new ways of challenging the design team. Last year was an all-time low as far as design is concerned. I watch 1st through last placing Div 3 people, not talking about just the Top 12 like most, so I think most corps in general need to do something better and more exciting. This rule might help. If you're worried about woodwinds in the future, there is nothing we can do about it, so why bother. I think George is talking about soloists and small ensembles. I dunno about ya'll, but I dislike having to send a performer to the front when I write, let alone do the same for a whole group. Star did a lot of "stereo" effects (especially in 90), and I'm thinking this could be used in a similar way. If not, they will be marred for it like usual so there's really nothing to worry about. Let them try it.

Lot's of Joes and Jays

Ya you're right, guess the pit only needs to know 40 pages...

70 pages, you serious? Be familiar with ALL the information AND have all that music "known?" Lofty goals my friend, best of luck!

I've heard many people use the term "closed market" when talking about DCI. The TV broadcasts never struck me as something that would rope in random viewers. Aside from the occasional band director who brings the PBS or ESPN2 broadcast into class, I'm pretty sure that most of the people watching were those who already knew about DCI and wanted to catch the shows before their VHS's/DVD's arrived. I'm ok with this decision because like I said, I'm part of those who annually budget in $150-$200 for the year's performances. I'll see the shows one way or another, though it would be great to supplement the fans with some sort of online broadcast streaming from the site. They could even sell it to band directors instead of them showing poor-quality VHS recordings off their TV.

I would rather a fan NOT clap for my performance (having their own reasons for it, and surely I probably have nothing to do with it anyway) than know they "pitty" clapped. It's like the company front. I haven't seen an exciting CF in a long time, but somehow people clap for the heck of it. There is no denying how much work is put into their show, but some performances incite more response than others.