ShutUpAndPlayYerGuitar
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Posts posted by ShutUpAndPlayYerGuitar
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The truth is, all of the active manufacturers make a good product. None are without fault, but they are all several orders of magnitude better than what was offered in the past, save maybe the King K-bugle line. Any time someone says, "Manufacturer X is crap" about today's horns, I immediately think of Hitchens's razor.
I still need to get my hands on the latest models of King/SB, Kanstul, Adams, and Jupiter to really form a well-developed opinion. Was (and still am) a Yamaha fan-boy, but your criticism of the lead-pipe is legit. Had no idea King/SB had the underhand lead-pipe until recently.
Marched a year on the King 1141, and just recently taught a group that was still using them (poor basterds). Terrible, terrible, terrible design. Nice sound ... but a cumbersome piece of garbage that creates tension in the performer. Just looking at it creates tension.
EDIT: ok, my language is pretty harsh ... again, it sounds good. I just don't miss that design.
Going from that to Yamaha was serenity.
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Kanstul, King, Adams. First, second, third. I would never consider Yamaha or Jupiter. They're offerings are complete and total rubbish.
Yamaha? Rubbish? You better let the brass folk from Crown, Bluecoats, Cadets, SCV, Scouts, Crossmen, Troopers, and Colts know.
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As for the prolific posters, there were 12-15 folks that attended and reviewed shows here on DCP, that were all chased off by super-fans and corps staff/admin. DCP was the go-to place for real reviews (and still is on the DCI side). But the super-fan and corps admin don't seem to want real, objective, critical reviews. They want show reports. You know, like those published in Drum Corps World. There's nothing wrong with DCW, it's the style they've chosen and has worked for years. But no report will ever dig deep like they did here on DCP. It's all rainbows and lollipops there.
The bummer is, a certain number of folks react badly whenever critical reviews are written, no matter how knowledgeable or objective. The attacks, either openly or via PM that followed some of the very best reviews were toxic to the point they just drove folks away. Heck, I still have a handful of nasty-grams I received from DCA corps members and staff after being critical in a review, and I'm no where near as good (or critical) as some of the folks that used to write here regularly.
It's sad that the number of reviews are getting thinner. I've received nasty-grams as well ... both for specific comments and for omitting somebody's favorite snowflake of a corps.
As for the general discussion at hand: I miss the Renegades. Didn't care for most of their shows, but the people involved really jazzed DCP up.
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... Gold's guard has 44 members ...
Holy carp, that is gigantic. I need to see this show.
... we marched one hole due to a forgotten uniform.
I hope that was awkward for them.
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I admit I stole this idea from NEBrigand in the BD Ink thread, but it's worth it.
THIS link describes how South Korea has been blasting news and Korean K-Pop music across the border at North Korea, and promises to stop if the North doesn't declare war.
"The 48 loudspeakers have been blaring broadcasts for two weeks — and could be heard from about 12 miles away. The radio hosts mocked Kim Jong-un (“No foreign country will welcome Kim Jong-un, because he is a dictator."
Funny in itself but I wonder:
Which drum corps show would you blast across the border at the N. Korean people and government?
Any year, any show but do tell why and what message you'd like the show to say to the N. Korean people.
I'll start with the obvious: I'd play BD's INK show on a constant loop and, for once in my life, yell "Turn Up The Amps!"
For border blasting, Phantom 96. IDK ... seems appropriate. Those people need some sort of joy in their lives.
Loosely related below: a fantastic article on the smuggling of illegal media across the border. Maybe we should get a bunch of drum corps shows on thumb drives and give it to these folks?
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The short capsule summary of what I've heard/read (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong): they moved to Florida from Kitchner-Waterloo, ONT. Then in 2007, almost all of their equipment was stolen.
From Wikipedia:
"According to a reward poster on the corps's main page, twenty trumpets, seven mellophones, fourteen baritones, ten tubas, seven snares, five tenor drums and three bass drums were stolen."
Haven't heard anything about the organization since then. Huge bummer. I really liked their Beatles show from 2003.
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Don't be discouraged about auditioning as a rookie for Bluecoats. The son of one of my friends auditioned this season for Bluecoats as a rookie trumpet player (still in High School) and was selected. (Needless to say, he was quite happy in the lot after Finals Retreat.)
One of the featured soloists was also a rookie.
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The numbers can change based on the amount of returning vets. I tried out almost 15 years ago for a top 3 hornline that had 80 baritone players vying for essentially 2 open spots. This is an extreme example though. I'd say there's more turnover today than there used to be.
Either way, it doesn't matter.
Here's a mantra that I always tell auditionees to adopt: don't give the staff a single reason to doubt your skills or work-ethic.
Work with a teacher/instructor/professor whatever on what your strengths and weaknesses are. Get an honest assessment of your skills before auditions, then work on your areas of improvement -- along with the stuff in the audition packet.
Show up prepared and confident, and act like you belong there (without being a dick about it).
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Vets will stay if there is a culture that promotes retention. Retention is a two-way street.
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After 18 years as program coordinator Scott Koter retires from the Cavaliers.
Per twitter and Cavaliers.org
Woah ... didn't realize he was program coordinator that long. So many great shows under his belt.
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Bummer about Naffier. I love his meaty arrangements.
I thought they could have passed Troopers and X-men with a simpler, more strategically designed show. The story that framed the show was awful.
Regardless, Colts are a great organization. I'm optimistic they'll find good replacements.
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I expect you to be honest and just come out right and say that you think BD's championship is illegitimate because you think they were over the member limit.
But rather than do that, you stick to the tried and true DCP formula of spouting conjecture to stir #### up without a single shred of evidence.
Edit: this thread is dumb. Close it.
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So, if a corps defines success as striving to be the best it can be, then by definition it is committed to the work of advancement, and that means it has to figure out retention. But it's like love: You can't command love; you can only win love. So, a corps needs to figure out how to win it from as many vets as possible. A corps needs to be worthy of a vet's return.
So let's stipulate here that we're talking about such corps -- the kind that aren't poisonous or dysfunctional, the kind worthy of a vet's continued participation. Even among those corps, some members depart for what they consider to be greener, higher-placing pastures. Some of them, maybe most, do it for the best of reasons -- maybe they've always had a crush on SCV or have always wondered what it would be like to part of Phantom's guard -- and not out of disrespect for their previous corps. That's cool.
Yet I keep a special place in my heart for members who put something else before their own self-fulfillment.
Completely agree with you, especially the bolded part.
If the criteria of staff retention, good programming, solid administration and reliable operations (transportation) are met ... then I'm all for convincing rookies or young two-year vets to give it another try with their first corps.*
I just get really angry when the matter is framed with all-or-nothing language and this nonsense idea that your first corps is automatically your "family." If you're pressured into staying with a group that you know has noticeable flaws that aren't being corrected, you'll probably set yourself up for disappointment.
It comes down to one question: Why do you do this activity? If it's to selflessly use your developed talents to help the corps you identify with get better ... that is awesome, and I know several people who started as non-finalists and aged-out in the top 5 with the same corps. But also know that there's forces outside of your talent that ultimately determine how well your corps does.
Keep it simple. Do this activity to have fun and to grow as a musician/performer.
*especially when you consider the vast improvement of current 25th-13th place groups vs those from 10+ years ago.
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I marched one year in a finalist corps and three with the Blue Devils. I wasn't chasing rings. I hated my first summer and was basically talked into going to BD after being told how different it is from other corps. That was the closest thing to a family I ever felt. I feel like so many groups throw that word around so superficially, as if the more they say it the more it becomes true. All I know is I didn't feel like part of a family until I was a part of a group that treated me like it.
Thank you. The overuse of the word "family" -- either when advertising to potential recruits or when pleading to members to return -- is so nauseating to me.
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From around this time last year ...
here's what I hope for.....
Madison picks something that thrills fans, but doesn't feel beholden to live up to mythical past shows such as 91-97, 99, 82-83,88 etc.My biggest issue as a fan has been watching Madison try to please those who want the past redone, and realizing in DCI you need to move forward. 2013 was IMO the closest they came to merging the two demands placed on them, which often conflict.
Just be Madison. Why did 2010 work? It wasn't super deep and it connected to fans. same for 11 and 13. the talent pool in DCI has never been greater, so wearing all white leaves you open to visual issues being magnified.
I think they accomplished that. I'd like to see how they follow up next year.
It'll be tough to stave off groups like Blue Stars and Cavaliers (barring another "off" year for them), as well as get past the likes of Phantom and BK.
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Sometimes "families" are dysfunctional.
I stayed with my corps every year, nieve enough to think that the ONLY thing holding us back was member retention. I saw what was going on behind the scenes later and realized that there were plenty of other things holding us back.
If the only reason you are given to stay with a corps is "family" (as if none of the top corps offer that same spirit of comraderie), then caveat emptor.
I always tell kids "go for the experience you want." If you truly want to build something with an up-and-coming group (that has its #### together), go for it. If you want to aim higher, that's also cool.
I'm sorry, OP, but leaving your first corps isn't abandoning your family.
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Free to scientific lab: several hamster balls for genetically enhanced or radioactive rodents. Please contact Dave Glasgow for inquiries.
May also be used for American Gladiators reboot.
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Some observations from last night's screening. Sound was just right and theater attendance was solid.
I'm including a little commentary from my wife, who's a brilliant color guard/design mind. This was my second/third viewing for most groups, whereas this was my wife's first for all.
Apologies to Academy and Troopers. Got out of work late. I look forward to seeing those shows and the rest of Wold Class/Open Class.
Just a warning, I have some strong feelings about Colts show. A lot of the review is geared towards it.
Colts (second viewing): I love Colts and want them back in finals, and I totally love the overall direction this staff is taking them in, but I have some opinions that I want to let out ...
I originally watched this from the side in June and enjoyed it, but seeing the finished product is a different story. The show has plenty of corps-gasmic moments with an easier storyline to follow (compared to last year's), but the story that it's built on is ... just bad.
What was the mystery? Why should I care about any of the characters? Why would anyone think " ... one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest" is a clever line? WHY IS ONE OF THE CHARACTERS IN THIS SHOW -- THAT'S SUPPOSEDLY INSPIRED BY 1940s-ERA RADIO DRAMAS -- SUDDENLY SINGING A SAM SMITH BALLAD?!?
There's serious, finals-worthy talent in this corps. Visual performance continues to be a strength for them, and they are well-ahead of last year's corps musically (hornline is especially underrated). They have a great design staff, but this "Dick Tracy Lite" story isn't well thought-out. The audience only has 12 minutes to get to know these characters, no where near enough time to make any real emotional connection*. The actors and corresponding guard performers are fantastic in their roles, but there's only so much they can do.
I commend Colts' staff for doing something different, but if they want to keep doing narrative-based shows, find something that works in a 12-minute window that TRULY engages the audience.
*BD 97 works because it evokes specific emotions from Casablanca ... even if you've never seen it, you know how it ends ... you recognize the emotions behind the story. Their show doesn't try to retell the whole #### thing in 12 minutes.
... moving on ...
Crossmen (1st viewing): Fun show driven by fun music (glad to hear "Jubal Step" again). Takes the "Above and Beyond" concept to its logical extreme with paper airplanes and parachutes. Good use of props and tarps. Field music ensemble is well-staged for big music GE moments, especially in the ballad. It's smartly programmed and -- barring some epic collapse in semis -- will be another vehicle that takes them back into finals.
Blue Stars (1st viewing): My wife and I were divided on this one. She enjoyed it quite a bit, despite the opening flag work being dirty. I didn't care for it. IMO, it's a show that's confused about itself. Is it supposed to be mysterious and creepy? Fun and cheesy yet self-aware?
It's too emotionally fragmented, and the show suffers for it. Lots of neat moments, and a fantastic ballad that features "Send in the Clowns," but no real development. Last year's show worked because the concept was unique and allowed so much room for growth. It also had some real emotion to draw from. Carnival freaks and rigged games ... not so much.
Boston Crusaders (1st viewing): Wow. I had no idea what to expect from this show. All I knew was it had the "Game of Thrones" theme and "Conquest." I didn't expect it to be this epic, nor did I expect a vocal soloist to dominate this show. Great use of color and the wooden centerpiece stage. Amazing performance by the guard.
Right now, I still prefer last year's bleak and uncompromisingly difficult show, but another viewing or two of "Conquest" might change my mind.
Cavaliers (2nd viewing): As much as I like seeing Madison in the top 8 again, I think Cavaliers are still outperforming them. Lots of effective changes since I last saw them at DCI Minnesota (see previous review). This show has really grown on me, but I still disagree with the designers' insistence on making the "game" in this show vague. It's like watching a really long Nike commercial.
I love the dark, rich hornline sound. The opener displays this perfectly. The talent throughout the rest of the corps is readily apparent as well. They just need a different vehicle to work with.
Madison Scouts (3rd viewing): I had faith in the slightly new design team and predicted their ceiling to be 8th place, but I didn't actually think they'd place this high. Smart visual design. Bold music arrangements. Classic Madison.
There were some weird visual ticks from the horns and guard midway through the show, but otherwise a really solid run.
I can't wait to see what this staff does next year.
Phantom Regiment (1st viewing): Not the best show in the post-Shaw/Rennick era, but it sure as hell isn't the worst. Regardless of what some people think about the program staff, the instructional staff gets it done every year and inspires some amazing performances from the members.
Does the show design truly embody the full majesty and grandeur of Paris? No, but there's enough of an emotional arc to make it work.
Shout-out to the helmet-less snare player: you rocked it dude. Great job.
Blue Knights (1st viewing): Barring some come-from-behind upset from Phantom (which could still happen), it will be a weird journey back to 6th place for BK. It's been 16 years since they last finished in that spot. After surviving "Blue Toons" and coming close with "Dark Knights," they seem to be securely locked-in with "Because."
I'm really digging this new identity they're forming. It's hard to describe, but I can definitely say that it's working. It's no longer a so-so music ensemble riding on the coat-tails of a decent visual program ... this is a complete corps that's doing something new for the activity.
Colors are diminished throughout the show until the very end, when some bright painted silks make another appearance. Great "quiet" ending.
Hard to fully digest this show. I definitely need to give it another viewing.
Santa Clara Vanguard (2nd viewing): Such a fun show that's pure Vanguard. Didn't notice much change from DCI Minnesota. I would rank this among Rennick's/Shaw's best. Sort of a shame that it's firmly planted in at 5 position. It was a powerful performance of a spectacularly-designed show. Has many great moments and no bad moments ... but the competitive field is ridiculous this year. Hoping they find a way to break through next year.
Blue Devils (2nd viewing): Scott Chandler's vision makes total sense. Even though there's weird moments (ok ... 1 weird moment ... but I've already talked about the K-Pop break in another review. I think it works), the show understands story structure (YOU HEAR THAT COLTS DESIGNERS?!?). The guard does characterization well and traverses the strange story-book landscape. There's still the same elite performance quality we come to expect.
So why isn't this show as popular as last year's?
I think my wife touched on a large part of it: BD isn't good at being sentimental. BD can be cool, professional, cold-blooded, clean, uncompromising, or even straight up difficult to like ... but not sentimental.
The little girl at the end of the show ("C" corps member?) is a sweet touch though. If BD wins, would she get a ring?
Bluecoats (2nd viewing): I heard about some technical difficulties and shakey runs at previous shows. That was not the case at all last night.
Strong across all captions, especially guard and visual, which is great to see.
No matter how they place, the members of Bluecoats should be proud that they were a part of something that truly pushed the activity.
Cadets (2nd viewing): My wife couldn't get past the neon guard uniforms enough to enjoy the show. Something about them struck a chord with her. On the ride home, she vented ... saying that they were "so fundamentally ugly" and that the guard uniforms look like "1991 Magic of Orlando" (not sure if she's right ... but I laughed).
This is still one of my favorite shows, but it's driven mainly by the insanely hard-working performers. The late season uniform change does nothing.
Carolina Crown (2nd viewing): Insane improvement over their DCI Minnesota run. GE and visual is leaps-and-bounds better.
We all know about the strengths of the hornline, and the weaknesses (yet improvement) of the drums ... but the guard completely stole the show. So much demand and musicality.
Final Thoughts: There were no "meh" shows. The shows that succeeded didn't follow some previous blueprint ... they did something new. The shows that didn't succeed took huge risks that didn't pay off.
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Cinemark Tulsa. Have a reserved seat so will get there to watch final eight after intermission and still have my good seat! Last year there was an incident so was never going again but now that they have the fancy seating I will.
Some a-hole was fliming the screen with a tripod camera on one side of the theater and then was sitting on the stairs on the other side filming with his camera. It was very distracting since he was in my field of view so i told him so. He ignored me and kept it up. After the next corp ended I pointed at his bright camera screen and said "That is very distracting" and he slapped my hand!
I went and got management. He moved to the other side of the theater thinking he could hide there but they nabbed him and his tripod. I asked management if they were going to call police or if I had to since he had assaulted me.
Wow, that's as nuts as it is infuriating. I get livid when people ruin theater experiences for others, whether it's movies, live events, stage shows, etc. You exercised more restraint then I would have in that situation (both of us would have left in a police car).
I'm glad they put a stop to that.
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River City Rhythm is currently 2nd in percussion over Jubal and just behind Music City. Congrats to them! Music City currently 1st across the board except the visual proficiency content sub caption which went to Jubal.
RCR's percussion supervisor and arranger is Paul Weber, who was Blue Knights' caption head a few years ago. Great instructor who's going to take this program places.
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Showplace ICON Theater in St. Louis Park MN (super fancy place ... with a bar).
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Sort of OT, but all three Open Class Champions (since the Div II/III merger) have been from the west coast (BDB, SCVC, and OC).
How far are we from seeing a group like Genesis, Spartans, Legends take it all? Or is the gap between those groups and BDB/SCVC still too big?
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I can't fault DCI for this, but it would be nice to somehow see more late season west coast shows. Maybe a west coast "super regional" every four years (I know ... that completely screws up traditional show schedules and adds travel costs to corps that probably can't handle it)?
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I meant the south/midwest.
Aww ... look at the little poster proclaim regional superiority. S'cuute.
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Last time G Bugles used
in Brass Forum
Posted
You did ... when you labelled something that a lot of people have experienced with great success as "complete rubbish" and left it at that. If you choose to take it personally, that's your thing.