UNCGQ

oh yeah, I noticed a girl in Quarters that was 'in the guard form' doing the work without a flag and was wondering what happened to the flag and forgot to ask. I assume it was a one move 'equipment snafu'. Guess not.

Since I'm not a guard person myself I'm trying to figure out how BD's guard is a '6th place guard' . . . have they been there all season?

I did catch the BK brass guy go down, right before the camera switch, looked nasty since he was still trying to 'piece everything back together' in the next brief camera shot. Nothing worse than getting it with no notice. Gotta feel bad for the guys that went down (esp the triangle point, that was a 'car accident' situation after you realize that it wasn't something 'on purpose' for effect).

"Or even get someone who is semi-old but still current like Ralph Hardimon. (so Rondo and Dennis aren't 'semi-current'? Just because somebody doesn't actively teach a corps in the last five years doesn't mean they've lost all grip on reality.) Someone who knows what they are talking about concerning 200- drum corps and doesn't spend the whole time lamenting the old days passing. Like what I was saying about WGI; there were a number of shows that had a very indoor-influenced feel. (I agree, really and sarcastically, I feel like I'm at Scholastic Open finals when The Cadets narration goes on and on and anybody that doesn't make the link between the last few years of RCC's shows and the use of 'body movement' in the BD program isn't looking hard enough). And Blue Knights for instance have a very good World Class indoor line. Someone who has stayed current could have pointed these things out. (I was pointing out that Dennis is "very current" on the WGI activity you mentioned. In fact he's one of the fore most experts on what's going on in the activity, much like Ralph, another WGI Judge). I know the theater I was in had a lot of band/WGI kids. And that stuff would not have been lost on them like talking about the first Z-pull was." edits in this color

I counted three. But then again I was only watching what the theater feed was. And the field doesn't appear to hold up well at all.

So, WGI is your standard for cutting edge? You might want to take notice of Dennis' prominent status in the indoor activity then. Somehow I recall being in the room when he was inducted into it's Hall of Fame. http://wgi.org/about/halloffame.php "Dennis DeLucia Little Silver, NJ Dennis DeLucia is one of the most respected percussion teachers, arrangers, clinicians, and judges in the United States. A member of the WGI Percussion judging community since 1995, Dennis has enthusiastically brought his years of pageantry experience and wisdom to the indoor competitive arena, serving as a benchmark as well as "devil's advocate" to the ever changing environment of adjudication."

They have a 'recent age out' and she's unwatchable.

Are you actually going to tell me that any of those kids DOESN'T know the difference? I'm in no way defending the actions of the 'booers' in the crowd and aren't going to say that it doesn't have an effect but young adults know the difference between the two. They know what they've signed up for. They know that the crowd is voicing opposition to Hopkins, the 'salt in the wound' being the fact that they're booing 'your leader'. They know that the boos aren't for them but it doesn't matter because the person being raked over the coals is the person they put their trust in. Nobody likes their leader to be attacked, regardless. To that I would add, they play and march a heck of a show. Great job members of the '07 Cadets.

I had my hand raised when Dennis said it, (being one that doesn't at all fall on the 'pro-narration' side, but well short of wanting to hunt down Hop) and being of that mindset, I laughed out loud when Dennis said it. Knowing Dennis I know that he doesn't mean it in the light that many will take it but rather a "appreciate everything else you see and hear and try and look past it" statement. More than a little displeasure has been spewed this year and I think he was putting very bluntly the feelings of many (like I said earlier, I myself can't stand it but I'm tired of the "discussion"). All those that have met and know Dennis know that you can not at all meet a 'nicer guy' and a more down to earth guy.

To me it's the difference between a good back rub and a kidney punch by a former Heavyweight champion. Another comparison I'd draw is a section being horribly out of balance with the rest of the ensemble. Sure I want to hear that section and what they're contributing but I don't want to be completely distracted from everything else that is happening around them. I'm mortally against using myself but that isn't to say that I haven't walked away from a show thinking that it added to the 'enjoyment' of the show. I see a lot of WGI lines in the spring and 95% of the time I hear narration and completely lose focus on what's going on. I'm not one to say that it's the death of DCI or anything like that, it's just that I don't think it feels 'layered' correctly and maybe the technology just isn't there to make it feel 'seamless'. You're going along, enjoying the show and some kid walking past in the stands whacks you in the shin, it's kinda like that (lol). I'd like to commend George for making an appearance and taking body shots from the DCP crowd, it's a thankless task regardless of your opinion of 'narration'. Regardless of my stance on the 'narration issue', having seen the show up close in person a few times I have to tip my hat to the kids for signing up for something that they knew would be highly unpopular in many circles and "kicking' butt and taking names" with their playing and marching. And with all that said, I'll still pop in a few clips of The Cadets warm up block to further explain and break down the technique I use with the bands I work with. Best of luck to all corps this week, I'll get my final 'live look' on Thursday in the theatre while taking a brief break from the 'band camp grind' (thank you 100 degree temps and 108 heat index, it sure makes my job as a visual instructor much easier LOL). Toodles -"GQ" - Larry Harper, Jr. (when I take shots, I sign my name)

anybody that wants decent hotels in Indy???

what top cat said . . .

my college kids always insisted that instead of the stickers of our drum, stick and head sponsors they'd much rather have the sponsor of our pre-game meal(Boston Market) on the side of the bass drums. With that said, it seems like I spend half my life trying to keep product stickers on bass drums (add to that the school's logo). Grr. (oh, and thanks to all of our sponsors . . . LOL!) Toodles -"GQ"

is there a site anywhere with a referenceable list of who the winners have been by year??? I googled around and find anything.

yeah, I just assumed that the actual "video quality" was better in 'real life'. If it's that bad in it's true form then that's cause for a whole 'nother post ;)

oh my. I just now saw the DeMoulin ad. Hmm. The first five seconds were spent thinking "is this really the music and does it that there is no way that it could possibly continue through the entire length of the spot". I was wrong. My next thought was . . . the person who was paid to create this should never work in the industry again. They're either incompetent or lazy. The following thoughts also ran across my mind before the conclusion of the ad. Who makes decisions at Demoulin in relation to 'marketing'. Did they approve this ad? Did they know that the creator of the ad was the 6 year old daughter of the admin asst to the head custodian? Was actual money paid for this ad? Was it paid up front after being promised something resembling a product spot that would make people want to purchase their product, and if so, doesn't this clearly violate some expectation of competnce by an advertising/video production company? That was honestly the worst thing I've seen in twenty years. Although, I do hope it's used at BoA Grand Nats so when it comes on I can mock it repeatedly with those around me. It's decades behind ads such as those by Pro-Mark and Zildjian others (the ones that comes to mind is the couple at WGI Percussion Finals this spring, specifically the one with the song Dark Beat). Wow.

Hop, is that you??? Not making fun, it's just reminiscent of what he was alluding to in a 'staff commentary' on one of the Finals DVD's in recent years. Just because it's a "classic that somebody else grew up with" doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of people in the stands hearing it on the field for the first time. A very valid point if you ask me.

Having had that privilege and honor I will second that notion ;) He is indeed a fun guy to 'see out and about'. (and, by chance, he got my money for a show this year as well. so, he made back his money on those drinks LOL)

just to reinforce what Ken said . . . if you want to doubt him download any of the 80, 81 or 82 Bridgemen APD's. In '80 the drum feature of "The Pursuit of the Woman with the Feathered Hat" is a favorite of mine and “Black Market Juggler” in '82 is well worth the time. It's no wonder they went three straight years with the high drum award. Considering the "technology" of 25 years ago, what all those guys were doing back then still amazes me (being only a few years old when those corps marched).

yes, I second that . . . I remember 2004 like it was yesterday. Every marching band contest I was at had two to three bands in every f-ing class doing a Pirates of the Caribbean show. For the love of everything good and wholesome if I never hear it again it won't be too soon.

that's what I was thinking when I saw the thread title . . . early 80's Bridgemen, intimidating on the field, in the lot and even more so in a dark alley.

me either, but, to each their own ;)

while they're def not the SCV of recent memory (say, 2004) they're still a favorite of mine to catch in the lot. so much fun.

Finals in video format 2002 --> 2006, audio and staff commentary.

http://www.rccband.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=75#75 judging by the posting on the rccband.org site, I'd say 'no'. It may be a case of 'if you're in the RCC winter line you enroll in a "class" at RCC and it's the winter drum line' if that makes sense. Just a wild guess, not in anyway an informed statement. Toodles -"GQ"