socalcontra

I haven't been on all season because of the hatred I've heard regarding this years Blue Devils' show. I've waited for this moment to come and I knew they would win from the start. Yes, Crown, Phantom and even the Cadets and SCV had great shows this season-but not as great as the Blue Devils. Yes, I'm bias-but that's to be expected. I also liked Madison's show this season because it was, well-Madison (highly entertaining). I don't expect people to come out and say they like the Blue Devils this season because the show has no drum corps appeal to the average fan. You simply aren't going to listen to the mp3 of the corps' performance and like it because it's not -that- kind of drum corps show. I marched in '82 and people LOVED the show-and many still do. Those of the 2012 Blue Devils are probably not going to hear how people loved the show-but again, I don't honestly think they care. They won and they were crowned the champions by the judges-so blame them and not the kids, they're the experts. If you feel cheated that they didn't play a "Blue Devils" kind of show this season-that's something you can take up with their design staff. They were the Blue Devils and they did what they had to do-be the best they were supposed to be. Agree or not-they are this year's champions and deserve the respect for obtaining that placement. I may or may not be back to read the positives and/or the negatives of the post-why bother, either you agree or disagree-that's entirely up to you. I am very proud they won like we did 30 years ago. Congratulations to the 2012 Blue Devils!

Yes, yes we did!

BD hornline in '83 trying to do streamers in drum solo. Not exactly easy to do while carrying a contra bass. It didn't last long, but the pouches they sewed into the sashes made a great place to put candy in for retreat!

Best horn book Key Poulan has written for SCV (IMHO)-and I am in the VAST minority with my BD alum friends. I heard a lot of good musical ideas when I saw them in so cal. I even got on my own kid for being a red team hater. Always gotta respect the competition-especially the red team.

AGREED! I was just trying to clarify and clear up any misinformation.

In '82 the big deal was BD meeting up with Phantom at DATR. Yes, we as marching members were hyped and a bit concerned that we would face Phantom after they were beating up everyone in the midwest. We knew what was at stake and we went out and performed one great show. I cannot escape the similarities of '82 and the recent events with BD and The Cadets at DATR Saturday night. Will they win #14 this season-looks like it to me (at this point). BTW, with recent events, Phantom did catch BD in '08, so as John Oppedisano (one of our marching instructors) said to us in '82, anyone can win DCI that night. Obviously it CAN be done-nothing in DCI is a guarantee.

I was there in '83, and it was one sop who got cut, not two. Yes, to this day I believe it was a raw deal for that person to be cut because but obviously there is nothing I could do at that time as a marching member to change the decision of the staff. Did I voice my displeasure, yes-did it do any good-no. Also, for the record, the person's spot was filled by someone who had previously marched in BD who had not been involved with the corps up to that point in '83. Also #2 for the record is the person who was cut ended up being in a corps that season-the staff made sure that person had a place to march. Again, maybe for the conspiracy people she could have been marching that spot for the person who finally ended up with it, but I'll never know. Maybe you could ask Wayne Downey about it-of course he doesn't answer my emails about current BD stuff, so I doubt he'll answer yours about a situation that occured over 20+ years ago. Oh, and I highly doubt it that anyone in '83 Madison would have left for a spot in BD because their show absoulutely rocked!

I did take time to think about it yesterday while I was at school. I always try to bring the "highest standards" to my music program. OASAASLLS!

Try heaving the ring on a leather-clad hand! Those of us in the contra line who had them would just wear ours on our right pinky finger. Ken's right, I don't think anyone would really go that far in the thought process. Dave's plan was to make the newer rings larger to not be worn while marching a show. I don't know if that's something they follow now-but I think if you've earned them-you wear them!

I haven't been on DCP much at all this season, because, honestly, I'm just sick of all the bashing BD takes. Sorry if it seems like gloating-but it is! Hate, flame, whatever you like to do. The Blue Devils organization just took the Open and World titles today at DCI. It's becoming obvious the Blue Devils are what the Yankees, the Lakers, etc are to sports. Having both corps from the same organization win and yet do it undefeated all season long, stands as a milestone for the activity as a whole. That being said, I will congratulate Carolina Crown on taking the Jim Ott brass award tonight and not in the distant future we will see Carolina Crown win their own DCI title outright. I am impressed with their growth as a drum corps and it's groups like Crown, The Cavaliers, The Cadets, Phantom Regiment and my good friends and competitors at the Santa Clara Vanguard who have also pushed the envelope in the junior drum corps activity and made the Blue Devils be originators and/or change their styles to forge ahead in the competitive arena. All in all, a great season by drum corps in general and specifically the Blue Devil organization.

Thanks-I'm sure those who played along with me in those fabulous horn lines would be pleased that people still get chills thinking about how we wailed on those horns in the "good 'ol days." I also agree that Madison has always seemed to be a "master" of parking and ripping off your face with their horns. Finally, I'd also like to say that I agree that for sheer power 1980 Spirit of Atlanta was incredible with their volume of sound. You really can't beat horn lines that play G horns for the magnitude of sound they could produce.

Ok, Im on that part of the site-but how do you access the music-or is that possible now?

I marched with a dislocated spine the last week of my age out year. Seems my back decided to make a question mark without my permission. The funny thing was that you could actually see my back out of alignment, but everyone decided to ridicule me because of it (as if I was trying to make us loose DCI by not rehearsing). I was in absolutely terrible pain and I was eating Persogesics (practically). It happened on Monday morning and by Thursday I had made an attempt to be at most of the rehearsal. Now, mind you I played contra, so not only would I have to march like that with about 40 lbs on my left shoulder, but I also had to hoist that horn over my head at the end of the show in the "victory" position BD did at the end of the prelims/finals show during that era. It was something I had to dig deep to do, but I finished the season marching. That pretty much was the last time I'd either play contra or sousaphone (in the college band) for many years to come. It kind of felt "weird" this summer playing a Bb marching tuba for the alumni performance because those memories came back in my mind.

I did that after I aged out in '84. That was the first of 3 years in Madison, which I was at all three in a row (pretty good feat considering I was a full time college student finishing my undergrad degree and doing my student teaching the last of the 3 years there). I agree with Michael that you do see things you wouldn't have seen as a "general" spectator in the crowd. There's much more "behind the scenes" stuff you are aware of because of your experience(s) in drum corps. It was great to also be there because there were people I had marched with in the Blue Devils that were in the corps those 3 years in Madison. It was then I knew I wanted to be a drum corps judge, which I did for 10 years. Also, I think when you do get involved in something "senior corps" oriented you also have a greater desire to be a part of the drum corps experience. That was true with my involvement with the Blue Devils alumni experience this past summer. I have since done other musical activities with people I have met during this experience (as evident with our picture at Tuba Christmas in L.A. this year-BD Alums at Tuba Christmas LA). We did 3 Tuba Christmas events this year and we are now talking about doing more playing together as a group (with other drum corps age-outs). The drum corps activity does not need to stop the last time you are at retreat at your last Finals-you can move to other musical activities that are inclusive of your experience in drum corps.

It was incredible. I sat down at the rail with my son and we proceeded to have our faces blown off. Classic 2nd run-through for the Blue Devils. You know, once you take all the pressure off of competing, you get to hear the show how the audience really wants to hear the show-loud and proud! You made this alum very happy! ^OO^

This was one for the ages! I knew I had to be present last night to see this OUTSTANDING performance! I think people expected them to do about 5-10 sets and just park and blow-NOT HARDLY! I knew how hard they had been working because of talking to people I know in the corps, but I just didn't expect the amount of drill and intensity they put into their show. Don't get me wrong because I loved 27th, the Scouts and all of the other alumni groups including the BD/SCV alumni group I participated in (which, btw, was incredible this year IMHO), but these guys were REALLY serious last night. The rifles were spot-on with very few drops and incredibly precise in their angles. I hope you all can find a video of the performance. Definitely one for the ages!

No, different judges every night.

I didn't have any problems with having flat feet and marching. I did injure the right ball of my foot in '83 by stepping on a sprinkler head at a camp in May. It never really healed that season and I just sucked it up and marched (that and having the staff work on my foot regularly). Funny that in 83 I showed up to rehearsal with a great pair of Nike running shoes with great arch support only to be told by my section guru that I couldn't wear those shoes at rehearsal. I was told to wear a flat surface shoe because that would "imitate" the marching shoes I would wear in shows. I wore Nike Meadow Supremes (those were real "tennis" shoes with mesh tops) and enjoyed wearing them greatly. Those were the best "tennis" shoes I ever have worn with the exception of the Airwalks I wear now (which comes in 2nd in comfort). I have never liked shoes with arch supports-they hurt my feet and cause me pain. I just stick in some Dr. Scholls in my dress shoes for school and just "tough it out".

As far as hotels in Upland, good luck! We have 2 that I know of in our city. Ontario has more hotels near the airport and near the Ontario Mills shopping center (adjacent to the 10 freeway). Claremont has 3 next to the 10 freeway (of various quality). Pomona has the Sheraton Fairplex, which isn't all that bad and there is the Shilo Inn, which is adjacent to the 57/10 freeways. I think Diamond Bar (and or Walnut) may have a couple of hotels next to the 60 freeway (which is right next to the 57 freeway). San Dimas has a couple of places as well. If you do your homework, there are some hotels here in the Pomona valley area that aren't too bad. You might want to jump on them quickly because they will probably fill up fast.

First of all, I'd go to a college where they actually offer a Bachelor of Music degree in music education. Most people don't realize how much more goes into a BM degree than a BA degree in music. Not to say that you wouldn't learn how to do your job as a teacher or performer with a BA degree, but the BM is more indepth in the requirements. Here's a synopsis of what I took at Long Beach State in the '80s: Music Theory-Musicianship and Harmony (as seperate classes-1 year), Counterpoint, Musical Form, Materials of Modern Music (one semester each); Music History-3 sememsters (Medieval to Renaissance, Baroque to Classical, Romantic to modern)BTW, enjoy Grout!; Ethnomusicology (one semester) Piano (4 semesters including a proficiency test WITH sightreading and sight transposing); Flute/Sax Clarinet Oboe/Bassoon Upper Brass Lower Brass Percussion Upper Strings (violin/viola) Lower Strings (cello/bass) Guitar (took that at LBCC-couldn't fit it in at LB State) Voice class (those are one semester classes-I passed out of the brass classes by proficiency tests) Introduction to music education (one semester) Marching Band Techniques (one semester) Teaching Strings (one semester) Scoring and Arranging (one semester) Instrumental conducting (one year) Lab Band (pre-observation of music programs/classes out in the field-one year) 7 semesters of private instruction on my major instrument (tuba) including a performance jury each semester. 7 semesters of listening to your classmates perform on their instruments (concurrent with the private instruction). You were required to play once a semester in front of the other majors (you had to go 2x a week and sit in the recital hall). 1 semester for senior recital preparation/performance Performing in at least one performing ensemble during your undergraduate work on your major instrument (better make sure you go to a college with a marching band-mine does not have one anymore). You might want to pick up a second instrument and join the #2 or #3 band (if they have one). I also took brass ensemble about 4 times (which had it's ups and downs). While doing all that, I marched in the Blue Devils for 3 years (and yes, I took full loads every semester-if not more!). I also worked at a local h.s. as an assistant band director/music aide for 4 years (paid for 15 hours a week, I worked 30-40 hours-or more!). I threw in an avant garde music and art class, a science class on acoustics and music, and a general history class that was music based. Including the other GE classes I had to take-it took 5 years for my BM (some took longer but no one got out any earlier that I know of that did a BM program). Most colleges, you take about 1/2 of that load for a BA degree in music. More is better when it comes to teacher preparation. The 6th year I worked on my teaching credential, which included general studies in the educational process and a seminar approach to the music major, culminating in student teaching the spring semester. I also took techniques of choral singing, choral repertoire (which, you do have to sing in that class) and sang in men's chorus while working on my credential (thought that might come in handy if I had to teach choir, which I haven't yet in 20 years). If you want to be a good music teacher, then this is the road to go. Anything less prepares you less for what you'll need to know out in the field. Too many colleges try to cram it all in 4 years (including your credential). If you don't know the three ways to play Bb on a sax, putting on a violin string in less than 2 minutes or showing your percussionists how to do the different roll strokes, don't expect to be an effective teacher (and trust me, there's a lot more of those things you'll need to know when you work with kids). Don't expect in your first year you'll have a "pro" to teach those things to your students/individual sections. If you do, you have awesome boosters! Trouble is, what happens when you have to go it alone (or you start that way)? I hope you got the training you needed in college. ;)

As a non-working brass judge, it's way overdue. It's an antequated system held over from the original tic system. Yeah, sure you can get very technical when running around the field, but is it worth getting stepped on by the corps if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time? DCI just needs to have double panels on the captions in the press box. With the advent of the styles of shows today, why should I see 3 people on the field getting into everyone's way? It's quite distracting watching the drum judge dodge everyone on the field so he can tell them that their drag-a-diddles aren't together. DCI needs to move them off the field and allow the corps to have "full flow" of their shows. If anyone disagrees, more power to you-I'm glad that I'm back in the stands watching the shows rather than having someone clobber me with a flag or rifle. :P

I was at Whitewater in '84 when the "great fall" happend in the Cadets show. I guess human pile-ups are what the judges want, because they got a perfect 10 in visual that night.

Man, some of you guys are overly critical. I can hear you dehypes now, "Yeah, his left hand on that diddle combo was really rugged"...get over it and lighten up! That is some serious playing for a 10 year old. Remember-he's 10, not 20. If any of you could play like him at that age break out your video when you were 10 so we can see it and compare (and I don't mean your beginning band video playing from your method book either).

1984 Blue Devils

I don't think we did any major drum corps tunes at my wedding except for One Hand-One Heart (I think). The best man was my seat partner and best friend in the Blue Devils. The rest of the groomsmen were from the Troopers, Velvet Knights and the band I had worked for while in college. My wife's maid of honor and bridesmaids were musicians as well from college. I had some of the guys from PMA play in a brass quintet and it was a very musically based wedding. My wife came down the aisle with the Prince of Denmark's march, then my wife wanted the "Wedding Song" sung by one of her SAI sisters', then the Lord's Prayer by one of the PMA faculty members' from college (these folks are professional singers, so you can imagine the quality). I think One Hand-One Heart was in the mix. We sang Great is our Faithfulness as our hymn in the service. We left to the Mendelssohn Wedding March (thought we better have some traditional stuff in the wedding). The church is almost "chapel-esque" so the music was great in there. Someone made a video, but it got botched up-that would have been great to have. I think honestly musicians have the best weddings because we know what "sells" to the folks who come and watch us get hitched. Maybe for our 25th when we renew the vows we'll throw in more drum corps stuff (that is if my clarinet playing wife doesn't throw a hammer at me).