lbjazz

For those who have marched in the Crossmen under YEA, you're not being vague at all.

Yeah, Bones is going to ROCK!

Word. When I marched I saw a lot of corps and groups within corps who thought that they looked tough and intimidating, but SCV's cymbal line is certifiably terrifying.

ampssuck ampssuck ampssuck Oh my god . . . ampssuck . . . why oh why . . . It's a strange feeling that the backs of the unis invoke in me (besides the first reaction to upchuck). First, it's absolutely hilarious that someone in that organization thought that doing that to the uniform was a good idea, but I want so badly to cry becuase they actually went through with it.

Nope, they came out at Chesapeake, just like this year. The only difference is that last year they spent forever in spring training at Kutshers. They left Kutshers earlier this year, but then set up in Virginia for a while.

As someone who marched in an amped corps, I can say that the equipment being used is far from garage band quality. However, even if it was that wouldn't make the challenge any more or less difficult. Some are saying to expect a rule change lengthening the time to do a set up/sound check. They're not wrong, but although it makes my blood boil to say it; Don't be surprised if in 10 years there is a standard amp rig alreayd set up at every show and the corps just plug their mics and wireless recievers into it. Along with this there would have to be a set standard for mics and output levels of said mics. I know this opens up even more problems because of the programs and whatnot that are run on the corps mixers, but liken it to a rock group plugging into the house system of their performance venue.

There's an understatement if there ever was one. I got to see their runthrough on 6/21, and there is just no comparison to the past two years. They will have no trouble slipping back into finals and then some. Visual: Better design, faster, better staging Hornline: More well rounded book, the best ballad of the season PERIOD (and it already sounds great), great mello sound already , trumpets quickly improving over preseason recordings, baris sounding good and improving Perc: Not a drummer, but they sound tighter than they did at this point last year Guard: Some good stuff, but I'm in no way qualified to judge anything a guard does The new regime in the staff has brought a new philosophy to the corps. Gone is the "PLAY LOUDER no matter what you sound like" attitude of the Larry Markiewicz years where sound quality was sacrificed in a futile attempt at boosting GE scores. Don't get me wrong though, they're loud, and getting louder. Let me preface this part by saying that I generally hate amped voice. I have yet to hear a recording of the cadets that doesn't sound like an out of tune, off timbre, untasteful, bag of trash ampssuck (as far as singing is concernetd). However, the voice used by the Crossmen really fits well and isn't overly in your face or inappropriate. Even though it makes my blood boil to say so; it adds to the show. I still think that they could get the same ideas accross without it, but it is working for them and we all know that the judges absolutely love amps. And the best thing about the runthrough: First drum corps chills of the season b**bs

You beat me to it. I wanted to cry when I heard about it.

With all respect to the involved parties, the "class, sophistication, and frontrunner"' you speak of has had funny looking uniforms recently, and well, they still do. Let me explain . . . It is contended that BD's "suit like" uniform of the past looked classy. It did, at least as classy as any funny looking suit that doesn't fit quite right can. And although I like the new unis, they do look a little funny (most corps unis do if you think about it). Now on to more important business. "...umm like they say, you can take a piece of *(*&^ clean it off, dress it up and its still a piece of (*&^^&& !!" Are you contending that BD is a piece of ####? The only way your comment makes sense is if that's what you're saying.

Am I really the only person here who thinks they look great? Granted, at first glance my eyes almost almost rotted out, but after a few seconds I realized how well it was going to work on the field. Lo and behold, the vid and extra pictures revealed how great they really do look. Their uniform now has a unified look from top to bottom that hasn't been there umm. . . at least not since I've been around (not long). The white stripe is going to show off their technique in a way that it hasn't before. We all know that bd has killer marching technique, but with the extensive blackness (yes I know there were pinstripes, but I never even noticed that until I marched last year and saw them up close) it wasn't broadcast to the stands the way it is in a corps with white pants or a stripe. I'll accept being in the minority, but someone please tell me that I haven't lost my mind.

If anyone needs a ticket to the Denton show, I've got one for sale. I was planning on going, but instead I'm going to spend Sunday in San Antonio with my girlfriend and her corps. Details: Sunday, July 23, 2006 7:00PM CST C.H. Collins Athletic Complex - Denton TX Section: Upper Level C Row: 26 Seat: 30 Price: $30 Email me at LBJAZZ@Hotmail.com or call me at 228-596-5241 if interested. oh yeah - GO MAVS!

WTF - Did no one notice the way he put that cornet down on top of the piano. It's all I could think about for the rest of the video. That's at least ten laps for that!

Why all the hate on digital? In the long run, it is actually more cost effective to go digital since there aren't any cassette tapes to buy. First, some are saying that there would be controversy over what format to use. Solution: just use plain old mp3. I challenge ANYONE to name on mainstream platform, OS, portable audio player, etc. that won't support the format. Second, some people are complaining about the cost. Digital recorders that output via usb can be had relatively cheaply at any walmart. It would be nothing to have all of the judges' comments quickly transfered to a DCI official's laptop right after the show and then the content be distributed by whatever means neccessary to the corps' staff. Heck, the files could even be emailed. Most all corps now use computers widely within their administration, and I wouldn't be surprised if several even get their internet access on the road using EVDO or HSDPA. And if that isn't viable for a corps, just quickly burn it to cd or transfer it to someone's ipod or other mp3 device. Ipods and the like are far more common now than tape or even cd players; why not embrace it?

Dude, do the corps. There you'll learn to master techniques that your hs band never even touches on. You'll come back a more focused, more skilled, and healthier person. There is nothing that hs can offer that dc doesn't blow out of the water. Regret something you did, not something you didn't do. (You're not going to regret it though) edited for spelling

***SOLD***

Last year a Yamaha rep came to my corps and gave a few of our mello players a chance to play a new prototype to get some feedback. The report I got on it was that it was better by far than their current models. They said it had a much nicer sound, seemed more open, and was just generally easier to play, especially fast. I'm assuming that that was this 204 being referred to.

So true. Luckily I learned my lesson on this before marching corps. I had been put on a new medicine for acne just before my sophomore year band camp, and let's just say that I ended up looking like the opposite of a smurf. This was despite SPF 45 sunscreen and a hat.

As far as I'm concerned a sportsmanship award can go to anyone BUT Boston. A lot of members of corps around their contest ranking could attest to that.

Sounds like an issue with compression. From what I've noticed, the PBS/ESPN broadcast has tons of it. Most television does so that's understandable. I've also noticed that the DVD's don't seem to use much. This is understandable because DVD's don't usually contain heavily compressed audio. You should check the settings on your dvd player, tv, or stereo system. Sometimes they are set to copmress the audio.

All of you are overreacting. <post removed - personal attack - BDL> EDIT: :P

So true, YUCK ampssuck ampssuck Also, very true. Their feet aren't as clean as some people think, upper bodies maybe, but not feet.

In the baritone stuff at the top of radar, DUH! clank Clank CLANK! b**bs Where the #### is my cookie?

The Weather Report is for a little birdland.

I say "his program" because I have been under a director with that exact mentality. The guy felt that the competitive success was more important than kids learning something. Sure, having a hole when learning drill kinda sucks. I've marched high school competitions with two holes on both sides of me for all kinds of reasons. My learning experiece was not hampered. The education side I speak of is not the learning of the show. I'm refering to the learning of our craft, art, sport, activity, insturment, etc. etc. whatever you want to call it. That kid is going to come back to band with knowledge and ability much greater than the kids on either side of him/her. He/she will be able to share his/her knowledge at appropriate times and encourage other kids to march as well. I just don't see how anyone is hurt by a kid marching corps.

If a director in any position feels that "his program" is more important than his students' educational experience (notice I said educational not competitive) then I question his motives and integrity as an educator. Directors are supposed to be exactly that, educators, not drill sergeants who think that their job is to produce competitive groups at the cost of teaching. I can say from much experience that there is a huge difference between being competitively successful and learning about music and my instrument.