BeachDrums

"Buy Stop" "Green Shirt" "Wow Effect"

Greetings all, Anyone know of a good trumpet instructor in West Michigan area? Looking for one in Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, Zeeland, Holland, Muskegon area,

E.P.L. (Eat, Pack, Load) Step Off Gate Time

In my opinion, there are several characteristics that make up the top corps. Obviously, all of the top corps have a great, talented staff. Age is another factor. The top corps have older members, making the corps as a whole, generally more talented and experienced (yes, there are a few exceptions). How many 17 year olds are members of the Blue Devils on any given year? BD has mostly 19, 20, and 21 year old members, many of whom are music majors. Compare this with Crossmen, Spirit, Colts, etc. What corps is likely to have the better show? A show comprised of a lot of 16, 17, and 18 year old members, or one made up of a lot of 19, 20, 21 year old music majors? Because of the amount of experience and maturity of the top corps, they can spend a great deal of time on perfecting even small details, not teaching, as I have observed first hand. However, one characteristic that few seem to include and one that I believe is a real factor in separating the men from the boys, so to speak, is showmanship. ALL top corps have SHOWMANSHIP and a lot of it. They reek with personality on the field. Besides Crown's fantastic guard, great brass sound, and fantastic drill in '07, I believe the reason they are moving up to "top corps" status (darn near got 5th and close to 4th) is that their show had showmanship. While I am not putting down ANY corps as all work their tails off, one of the reasons some of the lower placed corps are where they are, in my opinion, is because they seem to just go through the motions as they perform on the field. There's very little real enthusiasm, little personality, and therefore little showmanship which means little connection with the audience or judges, They have no chance of moving up without the talent and showmanship of the Blue Devils, Cavaliers, The Cadets, etc.

It seems you have a good attitude. It also seems to me you made a good point here. Sure, the kid will miss a few days of band camp, but if they've been practicing and performing in drum corps all summer, who's likely to be in better shape as a musician and marcher - the kid who barely took his instrument out of the case all summer, or the drum corps kid who has been working his ### off for months? And, how difficult will it really be for the dc kid to catch up, considering what he's been doing all summer? Some people just need to think more, in my opinion.

One thing I've often wondered about and maybe a drum major can answer this for me. When arriving at a housing site, the drum majors generally meet with the school representative (janitor, whomever) to get the information about where everything is, where members are to sleep, etc. Sometimes the "school tour" can take quite some time. Why can't one of the drum majors, after quickly finding out where the members are to sleep ("gym's through the double doors on the left. Girls on the far side, guys on the near side") come out right away and get the "show on the road" of going to each bus, telling members where to sleep and when wake up is. This drum major can get the other information about the field, etc. from the other drum major who took the whole "tour." At 3:30 in the morning, all the members need to know is where to sleep and when wake up is, right? Seems to me this would provide more more precious floor time. Any other information can be simply posted on the food truck at breakfast or announce then.

Blue Devils are probably my favorite corps, but the guard uniforms designed for the year of their "dance marathon" show (2005 or 2006). "Hmmm. A show about a dance marathon, huh? Okay, let's see. We'll have the guard dressed to look like they're wearing plain brown paper lunch bags. Yeah, that's the ticket!"

Additionally, who knows how many lives she is now touching will eventually help others in the future. Regards also to her husband Jamie for serving our country.

One well known corps' percussion bus had a funnel near the door/steps with a hose attached to it leading out of the bus door. It was used often.

Thanks! I find this very interesting. I guess I'm getting off topic of my own thread, but I wonder if today's guard could pick up some "moves" from yesteryear baton twirlers. Just a thought that came to me.

HI all, Most of you probably will not be able to help me, but I was wondering about corps from the 1960's and early 1970's. The corps I'm referring to were comprised of mostly baton twirlers but still included brass and percussion. Were they under the umbrella of USTA or VFW or what? Also, what were some of the names of the "corps?" I seem to remember the Blue Bells, Miller Blackhawks (yes, of Fred Miller marching merchandise) and the Conquestadors, but can't remember any others. These corps mostly performed in parades, but they also had contests with other corps and what I believe was called at the time, "Nationals," where they competed with other "twirling corps" at the end of the summer. So, questions: What was the umbrella name? What were the names of some of the other "twirling corps" of the 60's and early 70's A tanks

Yes, I know BD leases it buses, but I believe they still run two of their own for staff and volunteers. Members get the nice leased ones. Is that right, Pete? Pep?

Yeah, as I mentioned before, they seem to be a very organized corps. I heard their bus and truck drivers may be one of the most experienced group of drivers in drum corps today.

I do like those old Eagle buses SCV has/had. Phantom has a sweet staff/director bus. I've heard Crown may be the most organize corps, but for me, I love to see the Blue Devils pull up because I know I'm most likely about to be highly entertained.

Cool.

Yes, this is a familiar thread, isn't it? But I think I know what the writer means. For me, I tend to enjoy a show with more accessible pieces. I'd love to hear a corps like the Bluecoats today do 25 Miles, The Sound of Philadelphia, Get Ready, etc. with the caliber of skill and talent the corps has today. I would agree with the author in stating that I believe the audience (in general, of course) wouldn't be able to stay in their seats. It would be interesting if a corps would do such a show so we all could find out either way. Well, what about Cavies' 007? I seem to recall they did okay that year. I remember The Cadets' Bugle Boy in, I believe 2002. You can deny and complain all you like, but I was on tour and saw that show as a spectator over 20 times. The fact is, Bugle Boy received more and louder applause than any piece by any corps at any given show The Cadets performed (no, I'm not affiliated whatsoever with YEA or The Cadets). But, we all have our own tastes, don't we? I love a lot of shows from today's corps. For me, the Blue Devils' opening in 2007 absolutely took away my breath and knocked me out. The Blue Devils' Guard really knows what showmanship is all about! EXTREMELY POWERFUL STUFF!

I voted for the beach. Generally, if it's a nice, popular beach, there's likely to be a fair amount of shopping and restaurants also. A national park with its peacefulness came in second for me. Thanks all who have participated so far.

I realize day(s) off depend on schedule and are often on laundry days. But YOU'RE the tour director now! Where would you choose for your hardworking, very deserving corps members to have a day off?

Yea! I have property in DeFuniak Springs, FL.

Wow! Your former instructors and captain head must be proud.

Hi All, I thought it might be interesting and possibly useful for many of us if we shared the best advice we received as it relates to our drum corps performance. It could be anything: how you learned to improve trumpet tone, tips on how you enhanced your showmanship, advice that helped you to spin sevens more consistently (please guard, love to hear from you, too), etc. Any advice you received that is drum corps show performance related that really helped you shine brighter as a performer on the field.

Hi all. I'm looking to improve my endurance and was wondering what drum corps trumpets are now doing for warm-up. By "now," I mean camps/pre-summer tour. If you don't mind, please be specific/detailed about duration and range limit for each area of warm-up. I figure if anyone has a handle on endurance, it's gotta be drum corps. Thanks.

Kind of off topic, but a couple of years ago after a show, I heard an instructor from Spirit piercing my ears with his soaring way above staff . I didn't get his name, but thought he might be with SCV now. He's a bit heavy set and seemed like a very nice guy. Anyone know of whom I am speaking?

I'd love to see something out of New Orleans.

I've been with several corps and they all say there are particular judges that are obviously prejudice against certain corps. Rather sad it's allowed, but I guess it's a subjective system. It just bothers me that ALL members of ALL corps work their tails off all spring and summer. ALL corps deserve to be judged on what they do on the field. To me, bias has no place when it comes to green shirts.