Pizazzman

Yeah, that was the first thing I noticed, I was totally expecting the jump to be made in music. Kind of interesting that the jump was made with the weakest caption of the season (weakest being a relative term). Shows that they identified their weakness and improved on it, good for them. It's still so weird seeing them in that place and seeing their percussion that low also. Something tells me the staff already knows what didn't work and what to change for next season. What an interesting season in general though, the overall quality of corps is on the rise and I can't wait to see how next year shapes up.

Wow, SCV not only closing on BAC, but they widened the gap between them and Knights. Go SCV! This is really turning out to be an exciting year, man I wish I were out there on tour!

Well, so far I've only had two people from DCP inquire about the medallions, so I'm still hurting for money. I'm still short about half tuition, so I'm still scrambling hehe. Hopefully it will all work out because I definitely don't want to miss this summer, there's a definite vibe with te corps this year and it's going to be something special. Anyhoo, if anybody has any ideas, I'd really appreciate every bit of help. B)

Unfortunately, we're not allowed to perform wth the corps until our tuition is paid in full, so there's no possibility of a payment plan through the summer. On another subject, In case I made things unclear with the price per show, basically what I'm doing is dividing the full amount of the medallion by how many shows I perform this summer just to break it down to show how the money is distributed so to speak. So the price of one medallion is $70 which breaks down to $2.30 per show I perform this summer. I'm just trying to show what I'm using the money for, thats all. Anyway, sorry for any confusion, sometimes I'm not the best communicator. I'm still looking to sell the rest of the medallions, so if you're interested, just PM or e-mail me, thanks all. B)

Is there any way of getting these warmups without having the DVD?

Alright, because no one has contacted me with interest, I'm lowering the price again to hopefully get some sold. The new price is just $2.30 per show ($70). Once again, 100% of the money I generate from selling these 14 medallions goes to tuition. I'm getting to the point where I may not be able to march my age-out year because I haven't been able to raise enough money, so I would greatly appreciate every sale. Thanks. :)

I'm about half-way there at this point, so I still have a little way to go.

New lower price! Due to a lack of interest, I've decided to lower the price of the remaining medallions to just $2.83 per show ($85)! Again, this is to raise money to march my age-out year with the Seattle Cascades and 100% of the money goes to it, so any sales would be hugely appreciated. Please help me march my last year. B)

I am selling reproductions of the medallions used in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. These were donated to me by a friend of my mother's for the use of generating money to make it possible to march my age-out year this summer. The medallions are cast in pewter and plated with 24k gold. They are exact copies of the medallions used in the movie and just as in the movie, these medallions can be worn on a chain. These have been sold for up to $200 on Ebay in the past but I'm asking just $3.33 per show per medallion ($100). All money recieved will go towards marching my age-out year this summer, so realistically, if you purchase any of these, you are sponsoring me and I will love you forever. Again, all money raised goes towards corps for my age-out year so I appreciate any help. Even if you are not interested yourself, but know someone that would be, please pass the word along. Remember, these also make great gifts! Thank you for any and all help! B) Contact me at Pizazzman2001@aol.com p.s. If you would like to make it an official sponsorship, money can be sent directly to the Seattle Cascades and be tax deductable. :) p.p.s. Please don't be afraid to make a reasonable offer. :)

Dude, do you have to travel down with your band or could you meet them down there? I'm sure you know that SCV will be down there, so who knows, maybe you could hitch a ride? At least you're not in as much of a pickle as my buddy, his sister is getting married in Arizona on the 27th, so he has no idea what he's going to do. Good luck. B)

Totaly! Have you heard the percussion feature yet.........DANG!!! b**bs

Well, I think I do see BD that far ahead. They're cleaner right now, but also compare the demand in the shows. BD is marching up tempo and covering larger distances for more of their show than what Phantom does in theirs. They're cleaner with a more difficult show. Phantom's show is awesome though and is by no means easy or poorly designed, in fact much the opposite, I just think BD's show overall is just more demanding. Now, SCV's show is probably more demanding than both put together, but thats another story. B)

BTW, should this have been put in the reviews forum? Just now realizing that, hehe.

Alright, Venue: Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. Elevation: about 4500 feet. Seats: Kinda lousy, nice and high (not sure what row) but over on about the 20. Weather: Just about as nice as it gets, hot durring the afternoon, but it cooled off considerably as the sun went down. Line-up: SCVC, Troopers, BK, S'cades, BD, SCV, and Phantom. First off, Cascades got robbed tonight, that being said.....I got to the show with some friends not expecting many people, going off of past years. Well, let me say, drum corps is apparently alive and well in Utah. The parking lot was full, and by the time the show got going, the stands looked to be full except for the very edges. I was completely shocked. This show had basically no publicity, in a place thats not very exposed the the activity, so I can only imagine the crowds we could get if we advertised. I think there is definitely potential for multiple succesful shows in northern Utah. Now on with the review. Vanguard Cadets Good show. Lots of young kids this year and you can pick out all the first year marchers. There are some really entertaining aspects of this show. They've put in some cool movement in the hornline and the guard props are pretty cool when you see how they fit together. The hornline sounded good but very young and not very loud, but thats to be expected. The drumline was cool and once again, big! Overall, great showing for a half-tour year. Troopers Well what can I say, they're really making an effort this year. I remember last fall seeing the drum major recruiting at marching band competitions and it looks like it's payed off. A far better turn out than in past years. The beginning locomotive part of the show is really cool and will be awesome by the end of the season. This show moves a heck of a lot more than previous years. There is a surprising amount of jazz running in all sections of the corps throughout the entire show. The only problem is that their technique is killing them right now. If they can just get their basics solid , they'll have a good shot at semi's I think. It's a bit of a stretch right now, but by no means impossible, they just have to do it. There are some really entertaining moments in this show. There are several wave effects that really got the crowd going. The hornline sounds good when they play loud, but a lot of the time they sound very timid and thin. I can hear loads of potential in there, they just need to play out. Drumline was very entertaining, some good writing through most of the show. Guard was good though I tended to not notice them very much. So overall, great showing for the Troop, but whats with the black pants and black DM uniform? When did that happen? Blue Knights They're back on the rise. I love the intro to the show. I would have loved it and the rest of the show even more if it hadn't been for those not very flattering guard costumes. I understand the whole "primary colors" thing, but those costumes just aren't a smart move. Anyway because of that, I tended to ignore the guard, sorry. Hornline sounds a lot better this year, a lot fuller. Mellos have some good stuff. The horn book is good, but it's too quiet. There are a few semi impact points, but overall there isn't much dynamic to the music and it doesn't sound like they're doing much to compensate for that in their performance/presentation. There is a lot of potential in this show, but I fear that most of it will not be tapped. It feels like they're just playing it safe right now and only time will tell if they're willing to really put it all out there and push their way into finals. Last night, I just didn't feel that drive from them. Seattle Cascades Well, what can I say, I'm bias, but they got seriously robbed....again...pun intended. About half way into the show, I was thinking to myself, "man, there's no way BK should beat them tonight and I'm going to be upset if they do!" Well, the only reason that I'm not going postal right now is because I know in drum corps or at least on the west coast, you have to have at least a couple shows consistantly better than another corps to pass them up. That being said, I still think they should have beat BK or at very least, the spread should have been much much closer, down to tenths, or A tenth. Anyway, they sounded great, ten times better than any of the hornlines before them. They have a great horn book this year and it really connects well with the audience. There is some light-heartedness and some seriously intense stuff too. Mellos rock this year, and they show 'em off! Low brass is a hundred times better than last year but the sops aren't as strong. They're pretty solid, but they need some screamers for this show, hopefully somone can step up. Drumline was decent, but still needs work. The guard seems to look a bit better than last year and had some of the best costume/flag color coordination of the night. Whats killing them right now is feet. They have some demanding drill moments and they've had a lot of problems with injuriesand other things, so right now they're struggling, but it seemed to me that they're turning it around. They performed very well last night and I could feel that they were starting to settle into the show, and it showed in the jump in their scores from the previous two shows. Overall, it's looking good and they're starting to turn things around. Should be exciting once they really start competing. I'll bet they pass up BK in the next few shows. Blue Devils Well, I see why they're scoring so high, but I still have a few questions in my mind about their performance. Their technique doesn't seem as refined this far into the season as it has been in the past, although the forms were good. Also, they didn't seem to put out the volume that they've put out in the past. Those things aside, what a great show. I'm not known for being a BD fan, and I've never been a fan of the simplistic (looking) drill they put out in the past, but I really enjoyed the visual package this year. There are still a couple spots where they don't move for quite a while compared to when it felt like they should have started moving again, one in particular when they just stood in a block for what felt like an eternity. Hopefully that'll be fixed because it's a real let down in performance energy. Another "those things aside," they really sell their show. They had the crowd in it the moment they started their warmup. This show is packed with engergy and excitement and the crowd would have to be nuts not to get into it. Now, this was a bit of an off night for them. There were a number of individual mental errors, and you could tell they were fighting for their performance instead of it just settling in. In one case a horn played out right in the middle of dead silence, but at least it was strong without any fear, great mistake. Whatever they gave up in their show, they made up for in their victory concert! I made my way right down to front row on the 50 and wow! It was one heck of an energy feeding frenzy for the audience and corps alike. Santa Clara Vanguard Like I said in my rehearsal report, this show is insane!!! They never stop until it's over. I love the concept and presentation. It was great to see the show with the corps in uniform. I have to say, when I saw pictures of the guard uniforms, I didn't know what to think, but after seeing them in person, I think they actually look pretty cool and for some reason fit the show very well. They struggled throughout the show, but they fought for it the whole time. This show is a marathon. The demand is just nuts. It really is a site to behold, so I can only imagine what it'll look like when they clean it up. What an experience. While the music is still not widely known, it is far more accessible than last year's show. It feels like a combination of 2000 and 2001 stylistically, which I feel is a good combination. Right now their biggest problem is their approach. They are a very reactive corps right now, in that they are fighting to get to the end of a move and then thinking about the next move once it's too late. Once they become more comfortable with the demand of the drill, they'll be able to think farther ahead. Then they will be able to perform much much better, and I look forward to seeing that day. Phantom Well, in the past I've like listening to them, but I've not been impressed with their visual book. This year however is a big jump for them in that department. I really enjoyed the visual program. It wasn't as complex as Vanguard or anything but was still very effective and enjoyable. I liked their use of movement in the hornline this year more than I have in years past. As for the sound.......GO CONTRAS!!! I don't think I've ever heard a contra sound so rich and LOUD! The entire hornline sounded great, and I loved the sound of those new horns. In my oppinion, the tone quality of the horns themselves was far better than and of other horns I've heard. I think those horns are the future of drum corps. Overall, this is one of the most emotional shows I've ever heard. I absolutely love the music throughout the show. It's programmed and arranged very well. I love Cannon and the reprise at the end is goosebump city. If you don't get goosebumps there, check your pulse because I garauntee you won't have one. Overall, just a great package. This is a show I could just sit back and watch over and over. I really can't wait to get the DVD's and CD's so I can do just that. Results Div. 1 1. Blue Devils 87.25 2. Phantom Regiment 84.25 3. Santa Clara Vanguard 83.20 4. Blue Knights 76.85 5. Seattle Cascades 74.20 6. Troopers 64.70 Div.2 1. Vanguard Cadets 75.55 Overall Impressions This review was really long........oh um, I mean, talk about a heck of a show! What a year for drum corps! I haven't ever enjoyed this many shows at one show (other than finals week). It was a great opportunity to show my friends why I'm so into this stuff, I think they finaly understand now. I know it opened the eyes of many drum corps rookies in attendance. The only gripes I have are that the Troopers aren't wearing grey (well their guard is, but it's not the same) and Cascades honestly should have topped BK, and no it's not just my bias speaking. But again, what a heck of a night for drum corps! Thanks for reading this far, I'll be here all week! Take care all. B)

First of all, which "myths" are you talking about? Just curious. And second, I forgot to mention, yesterday as I was watching the drumline warm up, a guy walked up and started watching with me. Well, we introduced ourselves and I found out he was center snare for SCV in '88 and '89 and then was on staff in either '90 or '91, I can't remember. His name is Fred (didn't catch his last name) he seemed like a really cool guy and he's living up in Ogden. So for anyone out there that knew Fred the snare player and has been wondering where he is, he's here in Utah, and seemes to be doing well. :)

First of all, I appologize for the length, but I just want to be as detailed as possible. That being said, tuesday started off with welcoming Vanguard to Orem and helping them get all settled in. It was great to see the reactions of people who don't know anything about corps when the caravan rolled in. After they got everything set, they slept for a couple hours. After breakfast, they started stretching and got right into visual rehearsal. Throughout all of this I was helping give directions to local stores and just making sure they had everything they needed. After some of the logistical things slowed down, I got to sit down and watch rehearsal. Let me say, when they're out on the field, the members are the most mature well behaived group of people I've ever seen. When listening to instruction, they stand at "pistol" and dont move or talk at all. I didn't see any members goofing off or anything even close to it. The weather was pretty good, up in the 90's but with a bit of a breeze so they were pretty psyched about that having just spent a couple days in Pheonix. The biggest problem they encountered seemed to be the altitude. It's close to 5000 feet here so a lot of people struggled with that. In spite of any of that though, they rehearsed very well. Of course the staff got down on them at times, but overall they said it was an improvement over how they've been rehearsing. Now to the show. First off, this show is INSANE!!!! The demand in this show is through the roof. I think the hornline halts once in the opener and is going the rest of the show marching mostly very fast tempos. There aren't really any super flashy wow moments, instead the show as a whole is a wow moment. The hornline sounds great. They're playing a great horn book that is just as demanding as the drill and doing it pretty well at this point. The trumpets are a lot stronger than they have been the last couple years. They don't have the big dark sound from the low brass like they did the last couple years becuase they've switched back to a mixed bari/euph line. The reason is because of the new arranger, apparently he likes to double the mello lines so they put the bari's back in. Also, they just started using new Kanstul trumpets that were purchased over the weekend I think. Now, the drums. WOW!!! The line is so clean for right now, it's insane! I'm not much of a drum guy, but the drum book is meaty! I dont' know that I've ever seen a drumline play like these guys, the cymbals are probably the best performers in all of DCI, and this line is LOUD! Unfortunately, the girl on the snare line, who BTW marched Cascades last year, is really hurting. Both of her knees are giving her trouble and she for the most part didn't march both days. The colorguard. It seems to be that the colorguard is a bit of a weak link right now. They have som good work, but they're struggling with some marching/spacing basics. That afternoon, they didn't join the rest of the corps for the final run of the day, but what the hornline and drumline produced was amazing. There are still some phasing issues at the very beginning but it's understandable considering the demand there. The bright side of it is that no matter how off they get, when they all come in and turn front field it locks in every time, so the problem is very isolated and not affecting the rest of the tune. They wrapped up rehearsal at about 6:30 so they could eat and then do laundry. While they did laundry, I got the chance with some others from our marching band staff to take some of the staff members to a local Brazilian restaraunt. We had a great time, and it was great to be able to get to know a few of the staff. Everyone was was really impressed with the area. They loved the mountains and were really shocked at how big the place is, it really made me sit back and realize how lucky I am to live here. Anyway, yesterday, they started rehearsal at about 8:30 in the morning. They stretched, ran, did some circle drill and then ran through a few changes with the entire corps. After that they split up and ran a visual rehearsal. Stewart Shulman was absent during this first block having been taken to the hospital with some sort of sickness, but was back out there after lunch. I have to say, he is one of the greatest guys I've ever met. I thought he would be aging out this year, but I found out he's only 19. Man, I wish I were that mature at 19, heck, I wish I were that mature now. I could tell the corps was feeling a lot better after a full nights rest. There was a huge difference in how they rehearsed, they were much more focused. They're still struggling with just getting through each set and they're not thinking ahead, so transitions are still rough, but that'll get better as they get more comfortable with the show. After lunch, they rehearsed in sections for about an hour and then had ensemble untiull 3:30. Oh, BTW, in the morning when the drumline was warming up, they played through Electric Wheelchair a few times much faster than they played it last year, very cool. The run at the end of ensemble was great. The hornline only played a couple sections and the very end of the show to save chops, but it was still impressive. Also, I had the opportunity to work with one of the staff members durring ensemble learning what they do and how they do it, it was a great opportunity. Anyway, it was a great day of rehearsal and it was great to have them here. They got some great publicity and it was a great opportunity for all envolved. As for the show, I'll have a full review later tonight. Wow, that was long, sorry about that, but I hope I've given some insight as to how things are going with Vanguard. I'll catch y'all later.

You must have missed the female "center" snare in Blue Knights. Impulse has two girls marching this year And they are playing some SMOKE too! Last year Seattle had a one. Oh no they're taking over................. :P Yeah we did, before the season started she was alternate for SCV, so I'm wondering if she's the one in SCV's line this year. Unfortunately, she didn't get to march at finals because she had a groin injury a week or 2 before finals. At least she was still able to perform, the staff just put her in the pit for the last few shows.

It might have been Brian, not sure really hehe. What exactly should I contact Michael Boo about? I'm wondering if it's late enough that the corps would offer free tuition like they have in the past.

Hehe, well, it's not actually not me (well, I don't think it is anyway). I haven't been able to figure out who it is, the face isn't clear enough to tell. I did get a close up on the DVD though! B) Oh, btw, my avatar is actually me.

Man if I had the money for tuition, I'd be there in a second!

So here's the question, where do I get any of this stuff???

So um, since when is playing on the best design "cheating"??? We look for the best design in horns, horns that play better than others, is that cheating? The asymmetrics aren't simply a shallow "screamer" cup that sounds horrible in all but upper registers, they're a reshaped cup with the same volume as a 3C (or larger even) that allows you to play with better range and better tone. So how is using the best design cheating? Should we shun new designs in horns too and brush them off as "cheaters" just because they make it possible with new features to play better? No. So why then should we shun revolutionary designs in mouthpieces and brush them off as "cheating"? I don't get it, if it helps you to play better without any drawbacks, go for it! Save the trumpet ego for someone else, be practical.

Does anyone know where to find deals on good trumpets new/used? Also, what are some good trumpets I should keep an eye out for? I'm new to trumpet and am only using a yamaha student model right now, so I need some advice on what to look for. By the way, still loving that asymmetric mouthpiece.

So the leads are that bad huh? The one I got it the 3C+ -544, so the cup is is a good size. So far, I seem to be doing pretty well on it, I like it better than other mouthpieces I've tried, I guess it comes down to personal preference. When it comes to intonation, I haven't had any trouble really, but I naturally have a pretty good ear, so that could be the reason. Another thing is that I've noticed I have far better endurance on this mouthpiece, I can play for twice as long as I used to be able to.

Alright, a while back I stumbled across a website advertising asymmetric trumpet mouthpieces. I checked it out and waited until I had the money to buy one and try it. Well, I got it the other day and wow! It is such an improvement, I'm still just learning trumpet but it has already improved my range and is allowing me to be able to play new excercises that I couldn't play before. It's great! Has anyone else out there seen these or used them before? If so, what are your oppinions? Seems to me that this mouthpiece has great application in the drum corps world being that it's designed to significantly improve range and endurance without sacrificing tone quality. For more info go to the site below. Again, let me know what you all think. Asymmetric-mouthpiece.com p.s. I just realized that this probably belongs in the brass forum, sorry to all who play in other sections.