RobRoy

I'm not saying they should totally ditch the background stories. I think they add alot to the program, especially with this being the first year on ESPN2. I just don't think they should be the focus of the program, with the actual performances used to support them. You are right that I didn't watch the movie about spelling bee kids on ESPN. They showed the actual competition on ESPN. Which is what I'd like for DCI. As far as the level of excitement is concerned, I'm not so sure. You and I will both take a corps show everyday, but watching those 12 year old kids sweat under the pressure in a spelling bee is drama alot of people relate to. I just feel that Drum Corps is a good enough product to put out there on it's own, and that the human interest stories should reinforce the product on the field.

She's making a musical instrument while you and I are on DCP and you say "she's" a little bored? I dare say her time is being spent more productively than yours or mine. :)

Did Curt mention marching corps himself on one of the broadcasts he did? 89 maybe? If so, I say cut him a little slack. Even if not, cut him some slack, he was a great broadcaster at the end of his career (ok, maybe after the end of his career, but you get the point. He was a nice old guy).

Very good point about "The Season" on ESPN. But do you think if they were covering an obscure sport at an obscure school it would do much to promote the sport? They are covering Notre Dame football this time around, I think, not Univ. of BFE Women's field hockey. And in addition to "The Season" they show a boat load of actual football games.

I watched some pretty attractive young ladies running across logs in a pool for a little while the other night on ESPN Probably better tv than NHL. As far as Drum Corps on tv is concerned I think the product they have put on the past few years is very high quality. It's just not the right product. I watched a movie a while back about spelling bee kids. Wonderful movie, glad I watched it, but I'm not planning on going to a spelling bee anytime soon. I think the product on the field needs to be the focus the show, with any behind the scenes stuff supporting what is shown on the field. If what the kids present on the field isn't interesting to enough people, it doesn't belong on tv. I don't want to watch a show about the draft, spring traning, time spent in the batting cages, conditioning, team travel, what baseball means to me, with game highlights. I want to see the World Series. If there is a special story to tell between innings to give enhance the viewers' appreciation bring it on. But the game, or in our case the show, should be the focus. This is our World Series. let it stand on it's own merits. I think in the world of Reality TV, a live show, with drama stuck between performances to add hype, with a winner declared in real time when it was over would be a winner on TV.

Do the Cadets seem to catch more flack for things then other corps? As a Cadet fan, it seems to me that they do. And while, as a fan it can be somewhat tiring at times, overall I think it is a compliment to the corps. Earlier today I counted seven threads on the first two pages that related to the Cadets or YEA. I don't think there were more than two about any other corps/organization. Who was it who said, "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about"? I have a hard time seeing how somebody could like one corps' use vocal percussion and not like the other's. I can see how you might dislike Cadets more since it was longer and louder. But hey, maybe the distractor's level of expertise with vocal percussion is significantly more suffisticated than mine so they can really like one and not the other. Personally I didn't much care for either.

Hey Frank, '87 was my one and only year with the Garfield as well. I've got the contra parts around here someplace, along with the drill. Nice to see that Micheal Klesch is working with Crown now and the wonderful sounds that hornline is putting out.

First off, I admire you for going after your goal of marching corps. I waited until I was a rookie-age out before I did it, and my only regret is not doing it sooner. But, it was definetly 'better late than never'. These guys have all given good advice. I know if you were to rent/borrow a mellophone from my high school band, I would not be loaning out my top shelf stuff. Could be something as easy as a rotten spit valve cork causing the airy sound. Get one of the guys in the band to check it out for you if you don't think you can handle it. Also, the Arbans book is great, but can be intimidating. At this point I don't think you need to play everything in every key. Be patient as you work to get your chops back and don't get discouraged. Trumpet players, is there an equivilant to the Remington Studies for Trombone? Finally, I think you said your college has a marching band. Why not sign up for this fall? It most likely won't satisfy your marching fix, but will give you access to other players, and give you some face time on your horn in a social setting. Could be a fun way to get back in the groove.

A couple books to recommend for you. Practical Hints on playing the Baritone, Belwin Mills. Very basic information about the instrument written by Brian Bowman, one of the all time great Euphonium players. Covers care and maintenance of the isntrument, tonguing, tone production, breath control, intonation, you name it. Second, The Remington Warm-Up Studies, Accura Music. You'll have to deal with bass clef, but it will be worth it. It will give you great exercises for improving range and flexibility, breath control, endurance etc. I don't know what the issues are currenlty for reading bass or treble clef in modern drum corps. Back in the day, all parts were treble clef. Once you know what clef you need to know, your idea of playing through the band method books is a great way to get comfortable playing the horn. Play through every exercise in the book through each level. You'll find most are super easy as they are chosen to teach something like a rhythm that you alread know, but they still provide good practice. The books also add one new note at a time, so if you play them all you know you won't have missed anything. The Practical Hints book will give you the basic knowledge of the instrument, Remington will give you a detailed way to improve your playing, and going through the method books will help your reading. Once you're finished with the method books, keep playing the Remington stuff everyday and find harder and harder stuff to read.

Many corps are peforming from the time they enter the gate until they leave. The way the enter the field can be part of the "show". Like when Madison made the Scout symbol that I can't spell. Or on the field warm-ups. Not judged, but intended to "enhance" the show. I think this is the same sort of thing, only wierder.

Thank you Mr. Rudnicki. Ain't that what it's all about? I have increased respect for you and your organization for such wonderful support of the kids who make this activity special.

2 points. Why is it assumed that fake signatures come from pro-amp people? Many people are stupid or immature without having any particular cause. And we need to remember there are "pro-amp people". "anti-amp people" and "I don't really care about amp people". I don't particularly care for what I've heard come out of amps, but that doesn't mean I want to outlaw them.