BeachDrums

For me, it's how it/they are used. A little goes a long way with me. Who disliked '04 SCV's pretty little girl, especially at the end. Not intrusive to me. As I have mentioned before, I have always liked The Cadets except for the last two years. This year, for me, with all those wild characters, well,. . . let's just say I cringed and wondered what had become of The Cadets and drum corps. In the end, however, each to his own, but The Cadets went Waaaay overboard in my opinion. Not inovative, just looked silly to me. For me, their characters only served to distract an otherwise very good drum corps show. Like the Scouts, I'd like to get my Cadets back again. Just my opinions.

In a thread like this, I think we all know that music/entertainment is a very subjective thing. As George (post #7) stated, It's a matter of taste." Even the posters on the "One of the greatest years for drum corps" side disagree with what corps they like and didn't. For example, some stated they loved Glassmen and Blue Knights, other stated they didn't care for those shows. I believe good points have been made on both sides of the debate. I don't believe ANYONE, including the thread author is criticiziing the members themselves. Obviously, they are all talented and extremely hardworking performers. On the "Great Year" side, for me, the Cavies were absolutely FANTASTIC! They performed a show I will not forget. And I loved Phantom and Bluecoats as well. And I thought Spirit had one of the best shows, even better than some of the higher placed corps. Crown entertained me as well. On the "More Entertainment Please" side, for me, after watching some classic corps of the 70' and early 80's, I will just say that I can understand why some feel that while the performance level of today's drum corps is high, the entertainment level could be improved upon in some shows. Is it possible that nowadays, SOME corps designers think judges more than audience when designing a show? Who's to say except the designers themselves. As Ace Holleran stated, "Choose music that makes great drum corps shows." I guess we're back to "It's a matter of taste" again. I thought Big Bad Bari has an interesting statement: "When the crowd yells as loud as you can play, you find the thrill of drum corps." Well, if we're being honest here, how many corps members have experienced that? If not, why do you suppose that is? This reminds me of Allentown this year. I saw all the corps that evening, but had to leave right after the last division I corps. While walking by the creek, I heard some of the loudest applause I had ever heard. I wondered who was performing. Encore by BD perhaps? Later, I found out it was 27th Alumni performing. At that same show, I was walking by DCI's souvie booth. A very large mass of people, blocking the flow of foot traffic was standing around the tv screen. I thought DCI might be giving away something, then I came back to reality. They were watching some old 27th Lancers years video. So, I think we're back to "It's a matter of taste." I love the Cavies of 2006, but I also love the Scouts of the late 90's and the 27th Lancers of the late 70's/early 80's. Drum corps shows can be very subjective things. Just my thoughts.

Hi Sabrina, I'm not a pit person, but I just wanted to welcome you to DCP and hopefully soon, the drum corps family. Best of luck to you. I would suggest contacting the corps you are interested in and get an idea of what pieces would make for good audition sheets. I think you will find all corps very accommodating.

Is newly acquired (first year with Scouts, previously with Crossmen) John Burgan a possibility? I don't even know if the guy has a music background. Just askin'.

Yeah, for me as a Scout fan, yet never involved with the Scouts, I would like to see the high energy, powerful, masculine, in your face show again that made the Scouts such a favorite with any crowd they performed for. Yes, they have placed higher since 2002, but they seem to have lost their heart, soul, and identity in the process. The thunder of applause they used to get simply isn't there any more. While I'm sure ever member worked his tail off this summer, I saw no sign of the enthusiasm, energy, and showmanship people naturally associate with the Scouts. Personally, I would like to have one of my favorite corps back again. I'm not putting down anyone here, this is just how I feel. As with any corps, I don't care what the #### the judges think - if they know how to entertain me and put on a high-energy show, they are truly winners in my book. Scouts haven't done that in awhile in my opinion. I wish them the very best in 2007.

None of the above. For me, it's the type of music/show a corps tends to perform. If I don't like the show, it's hard for me to be enthusiastic.

Wow!! I was on tour and didn't hear one thing about CR's difficulties until now. I realize most corps have all they can handle (and afford) just taking care of their own, but I'm sure if more corps knew about some of the needs of CR during the summer tour, they would have all helped out as best they could. I wish CR would have let other corps know. They could have offered at least some food, maybe even loan out a volunteer, bus driver, whatever. I am truly sorry to hear about CR's hardships. I had no idea. I hope a much better CR opperation will come out of all of this. I understand the Cavies helped out a bit. Thanks for that and a great show. I feel lucky to have been with one of the best run corps in DCI. My very best to Capital Regiment and for a much better 2007 tour.

Bb, amps, pit, sax and, if required, B) string instruments rather than woodwinds. Sax is exempt.

I have poor resolution. I thought it might have been Kylie Minogue which would have been okay, too. I usually don't read your post, I just like to see your avatars. Kidding.

I'd like to see/read journals from actual members during tour and maybe even tryouts and winter camps. I think BD did this, but I'd like to see other corps do it as well. I enjoy reading about an individual's personal struggles and triumphs as well as behind the scenes stuff. Understand, I'm not suggesting any information that would not be appropriate or would violate a corps' area of confidentiality or privacy. I think we all like to read good personal stories. Oh, and A LOT MORE ON TOUR PHOTOS!!!

We all have different taste and I would like to see something for everyone. But generally speaking, I think you are absolutely right on! I realize there are criteria the judges require for corps to receive points, but I wonder how many corps, while designing a show say to themselves, "Okay, now what music can we perform that the FANS (the average Joe in the stands who actually bought a ticket) will like?" DCI judges can find other work.

In my opinion, the Cavaliers never seem to lose sight of the fact that they are putting on a drum corps show, not a ballet, symphonic concert, or Hollywood movie (2004 was no movie performance, it was DRUM CORPS!!) yet they are still extremely creative. Their precision of movement and marching is simply unmatched. To quote American Idol, "They know who they are." I have always loved BD and The Cadets, but they, in my opinion, seem to have lost sight of who they are, what they do best. In trying to be creative, I feel they've lost their identity and in the last two years, in some parts of their shows, have looked almost silly at times. You can push innovation just so far and still be in the same genre. After that, things can began to look. . . well, ridiculous. My favorite corps were BD and The Cadets. But in the last two years, I'm thankful for the Cavies and their focus on putting on a solid, crowd-pleasing drum corps show. Congratulations Cavies! You deserve it. Just my opinion.

What he said. :)

Babies thrown at feet, much bowing and applause from millions. Tell the CURRENT judges they can take the next 25 summers off!

I'd like to see some corps do a red hot Latin show. By the way, best of luck to 'Canos next year. I'd like to hear more jazz. And, in general, I'd like to see more "in your face" shows. I'd like to see more masculine shows like '06 Cavies. Doesn't mean I don't enjoy the beauty and skill of the guard ladies. And, I hope some corps will not lose sight of the fact when designing their '07 show that the genre is drum and bugle corps. Interpret that anyway you wish.

Yeah, I was never necessarily against amplification and I have gotten used to it. However, I'm still having a hard time enjoying singing in a drum corps show. I'm not a purest - I went into the season open-minded about The Cadets, but for me, it simply wasn't effective and was distracting. Oddly enough, I would like to hear the vocals go through the stadium PA system or have the corps use much larger amps. I think one of the reasons I don't care for vocals is because they may not be loud enough and the quality of sound (or lack of it) just doesn't seem to complement the brass and percussion on a football field. It's like going to a concert and having to hear the vocalist(s) through a transistor radio. Until they get the sound right, singing in a drum corps show just seems out of place to me.

I REALLY enjoyed Spirit this year. Frankly, I enjoyed their show better than many of the higher ranked corps. Thanks for a very entertaining show, Spirit. As an aside, I was at the Wakefield parade on the fourth. Each corps performed in front of the viewing stand (or whatever it's called). Spirit absolutely stole the show, . . . uh, parade. Oh, and who's the trumpet tech you guys had? Geez! I was walking by the parking lot after a show and I heard "Over the Rainbow" with nothing but screamer notes coming out of his trumpet. I remember just saying to myself, "Wow."

We agree again. I loved it immediately. It had it all. It was fast-paced and very masculine (no ballerinas floating around in chiffon). It had percision throughout. Nothing sweet and dainty about this drum corps show. Congratulation Cavies!!

Couldn't agree more. I haven't been much of a fan of Crown, but I don't know what the judges were looking at and listening to, but I'm glad they got loudly booed by the majority of fans. They deserved every bit of it. They got it wrong this time. Not a good moment for DCI judges.

Well, if you were at finals when the placements were announced, most people in the stands would strongly disagree with you. Except for percussion, Crown had the "goods" and they delivered. And, while the crowd does not judge any show, the crowd reaction after each performace (BK and Crown) was like night and day. That's not an opinion - it's just a fact of what happened. Judges are human and as such, they make mistakes. They made one here. Oh well, not even the judges can take away the crowd's enjoyment of Crown's extremely well designed and performed show. But, that's water under the bridge. But, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the judges getting booed out of the stadium. "Priceless." Congratulations to your Phantom Regiment.

Hi all, I know, I know. This is STRANGE. Really Strange! There's been an ongoing discussion/joke during the '06 tour with a guy name Steve who works Carolina Crown's souvie booth. He's crazy about cowbells and feels drum corps shows should use more of them. If you're in Madison, just for fun, please drop by Crown's booth and express your opinion either way about the use of cowbells. His discussions on the subject tend to be comical. He'd get a kick out of it and hopefully, you will, too.

I've almost always liked The Cadets, except for last year. Simply wasn't my cup of tea at all. I hope they make a comeback (a little humor there) and blow me away this year. I understand they had to hire (so to speak) about 10 extra people just to set up their props during the tour. Best of luck to everybody. I'm ready to be entertained!!

Phantom: 74.00 Cavies: 78.80

Of course, all guard members of all corps work their tails off, but to me, there's just something extra special and consistent about The Cadets Guard and Blue Devils Guard. They all just seem to make a connection with me in the stands. They really seem to thoroughly enjoy what they're doing, they always seem to want very much to please the fans, and they have super SHOWMANSHIP!! It's fun to watch a guard when you know they're having a blast out on the field. Marshamello stated it wasn't even part of their show. I realize there's the argument that there's usually no time to learn a piece of music just for parades or other non-show events, but I would think it would make them much more enjoyable for the members, and the spectators would probably enjoy it so much more if more corps would play something more "accessible," other than their show music at such events where the spectators may not necessarily have such "discriminating" tastes in drum corps music . You know, a change of "musical pace" at these events. It's not like they would have to have it down like a show piece and I believe they would make a much stronger connection with the crowd. I'd love to hear The Cadets play something like Get Ready or 25 miles. How long would it take to learn a short piece of music for a parade or standstill? No drill, no judges, no pressure. Just a thought.

I thought the same two points for some time. I thought about this, too. I wonder if DCI will have to really work on tour schedules in an attempt to save corps money on the gas rip-off prices. It seems I recall Phantom pretty much just "hangin' around" the midwest for two or three summer tours several years ago. Sometimes I get the impression that people in department of education administration just like to change things for the sake of change. For the many good reasons you posted, I am not a year round school advocate, either. I don't know if DCI will decide to "shed" them, but I do see the smaller corps as they presently exist, eventually falling off all together. Yeah, I haven't decided if I think they'll be just a handful of top corps eventually, or many small ones. I wouldn't mind going to a show with about 15 or so small, but top of the line corps that know what the public wants to hear and performs with great personality and showmanship. I really enjoyed Micro Magic in 2001 (I believe). I thought they were HIGHLY entertaining. While I certainly don't want drum corps to "expire," I would love to see a line up of polished Micro Magic-like corps. Whatever happens, I'll enjoy what we've got while we've got it.