93Bluecoat

Let me start by saying that I fully realize that with some of the things I’m going to write in this rant will alienate me with about 90% of the activity and even some of my Bluecoats family. I’m ok with that because I think, publicly, what I have to say needs to be shared. Its definitely being mutter by fans, alumni, and many people surrounding the activity and I think if its ignored, the activity faces losing generations of fan base. With that being said NOTHING in this rant represents the Bluecoats, their opinions, beliefs or anyone associated to that organization. My background in the activity encompasses initially being a fan (my brother marched before me), a member of a world class top 12 corps, and a board member and loyal alumni supporter. I’ve taught music at all grade levels in 4 different states and am currently a professional in the music industry. I served on the board of directors of the Bluecoats after they fell out of the top 12. I was there to watch the corps (and the activity) go through many changes, and the organization as a whole is in MUCH better shape today than it was 10 years ago. In many respects, organizational health has improved for many groups over this time span. However, we have seen many changes to the activity in this same time span that has torn at the fabric of what the drum corps really is. It’s no longer about entertainment, competition, aesthetics (I’ll be using this word a lot because that’s the key to what’s missing), or the fans. The music of the Classical era (the time of Mozart and Haydn primarily) was defined by clarity, simplicity (in form mostly), and melody. Some of the grandest music composed came from this roughly 70 year span (1750-1820). Certainly brilliance in music history surrounds this period. The music of Bach and the baroque era was typified by ornamentation and an almost stoic nature. The music of the romantic period (set off by Beethoven) expanded chromaticism and expression as well as form. Music has constantly evolved (just as drum corps seems to have evolved from its almost archaic past….remember, we used to only have one line on the field). I look at what is going on today in drum corps as the kind of movement from a “classical style” of drum corps to a more elaborate form of the idiom (I don’t want to call it “romantic” because that’s not really what it is). However, the activity as a whole really isn’t better. I’ll use my own personal stories and recent observations as my only proof to what may otherwise seem offensive to some. This activity spoke to me (and many that I grew up with) on a strong aesthetic level. I attended shows all over the Midwest in the 80s while growing up, and was a fan of MANY organizations because their performances, design, and execution were so powerfully emotional. At one of my first DCI finals ever I can recall being at quarters and semis and watching as corps after corps make the audience lose their mind. Corps finishing in 15th, 16th, 17th place were getting standing ovations in the middle of performances. As a Bluecoat homer, I can recall going nuts for the ’89 Cadets show as they performed what I thought was one of the most original shows in the last decade (Les Miserable). This was common place across the activity. Competition and rivalry were fierce but healthy respect permeated the activity because it seemed EVERY corps was achieving some level of aesthetic excellence (even early in the season). I see none of that in 2010. I see fans literally at a loss when shows are performed. Four times at the last show I attended, people around me turned to one and other and mumbled “is it over?” The shows are FAR more athletic than ever….so much so that it really is impressive. It also seems like drum lines and color guards have reached a new level of excellence/cleanliness….but it’s not aesthetic. Technical achievement is at an all time high from top to bottom for sure. So why are audiences so ambivalent towards what is going on? Is it that to fully understand what is going on, we need a libretto? If the staff of each corps has to go to the judges and explain just what in the heck they are looking at on the field, how do they expect the average fan (Mom and Dad who are factory workers, accountants, and teachers) to fathom anything they put out there? The current trend in education is state testing. Many educators have blasted this because it doesn’t generate any positive results because the way it’s structured forces teachers to teach to a test. Isn’t drum corps now simply designing to the judging criteria? I think so. To prove it, take any show this year and listen to their ballad. Every corps has one, and it seems to have been mandated by the judging community. They all sound the same and each one is just as forgettable as the next. Design philosophy is even identical from corps to corps (drum lines don’t play, the horn line start doing glorified aerobics instead of marching, and the color guard drops the flags and rifles in favor of extended dance segments). You could argue that some find this incredibly moving and entertaining. Really? My evidence to the contrary is how the fans react and in each case over the last few years, its been with polite applause and yawns (that isn’t hyperbole either). I once heard music arranger Jay Dawson talk about his philosophy on arranging for “tension” and “release” and how visual designers do the same. His arrangements have stood up for many years (previously in drum corps and now with many marching bands as he writes exclusively for Arranger’s Publishing now) as a model for generating great excitement. I’ve see none of it in modern drum corps going on 3 years now. It would appear that show design is not done to generate excitement anymore, but rather to appease what the judging community (or maybe its drum corps staff?) thinks scoring criteria should be based now. I was never a fan of the A&E rule when it was instituted but I understood it as a natural progression of the activity. It’s been used well (see Carolina Crown this season, very well done) and it’s been used in what I can only describe as excruciating fashion (see Teal Sound this summer and whatever year Crown did the Rent show). The drum corps community has now mandated (maybe its not a written rule, but by golly, everyone is using it now) that you have to use this in some fashion to be competitive and apparently creative. Is it being “creative” if everyone is using it in a similar fashion? Is it being “creative” when you mic your soloists? Is it even necessary in this regard? The Bluecoats are using an EFX processor to alter the brass sound electronically on their soloists. It’s different. Does it add significantly to interest, excitement, and interpretation of the show? I don’t think so. Furthermore, I witnessed the Cavies mic a trumpet trio (and man, they can really wail, great players down there) at the end of their show. Why? What did that add? Balance? We would have heard those three guys without the mic just fine. Through the microphone it changed the tone color and the blend was musically absurd (some call it distracting). I sat shaking my head in disgust as did others around me (I had no idea what corps affiliation these people had either). What immediately went through my head was that this was kind of like the enabling musicians on what should be an otherwise achievable musical outcome (playing with good balance, blend and intonation). One could argue that having the ability to use A&E in whatever manner the corps sees fit opens the door to so many creative opportunities (I agree). However very few corps seem to doing anything that actually enhances the “drum corps” sound (Crown and a few others from last season have used it tastefully). Rather, most seem bent on throwing in sound effects and unnecessary additions to what could be quality performances otherwise. They will tell you that arrangers now get to utilize tone colors once never available to drum corps (like pianos, sound effects, and so much more). Following that line of logic, we should have woodwinds and strings out there (wait, are we synthesizing those now?). If expanding the musical possibilities to the genre is the desired outcome then why restrict anything? Because then it would be BOA marching band……we already have that don’t we. We have effectively destroyed the drum corps sound and along with it an entire idiom that was powerfully aesthetic. Need proof? I wish I could have recorded the crowd reactions in Dublin, Ohio last night….. So what does all this mean? Well, I paid $50 for myself and my girlfriend last night to see a drum corps show (we were excited to be able to walk up and buy such good seats on the 40 yard line near the top) and for the first time in my life, left a show thinking I may not come back to see another. I’ve never left a show and felt like this. I actually felt like I was owed a refund. I’ve always left wanting more, excited about the next time some close scoring groups would compete. Now? Ambivalence. The activity has become a manufactured entity shoved down our throats like so many unwanted products in the free market system. We’re told “It’s ART!” When asked why, its shouted back “BECAUSE WE SAY IT IS!” In reality we (DCI as a whole) now have a product that is cookie cutter, formulaic, uninteresting, and disconnected to its very own market/consumer. Please don’t attribute my ramblings here to me devaluing what the members of each corps are doing. I genuinely am awed by what they are physically doing on the field. The immense talent, hard work, and things that all these kids are learning through the drum corps experience are certainly commendable (for all of us who marched, we all know what we gained). It’s an amazing thing to experience. However, from a purely business perspective, I don’t think I’ll ever pay $50 again to see this product in its current form. Your product is no longer worth what you charge. I hope I’m wrong. I realize there is a counter argument to everything I’ve mentioned in this diatribe. I’ve heard them all and really haven’t heard a compelling argument to the contrary. I hope I don’t sound like angry old drum corps guy because that wasn’t what I was shooting for. Just felt like someone needed to relay some sentiments that are being rumbled rather freely at the last few shows I’ve attended, and wanted to share my own thoughts.

I completely agree....the activity as a whole has gone off the deep end. I didn't see anything last night in Dublin that was great and 3 of the top 5 were there.

Thanks for review....I don't agree with a lot of it (other than I liked Madison too) but I understand your perspective. The venue...the stands, great...everything else...not so good. One restroom? Seriously? Free parking! ....for the first 250 cars, everyone else is on their own. I digress, that's being picky. I missed Cincy Trad, Legends...sorry. Teal Sound...yikes, I've never seen a drum corps audience squirm the way this one did with this show. The guitar and bass I think we all get (we've seen in in BOA for decades now), were an awful match from a tone color standpoint. Not to mention, if you take them out of this show.....its actually BETTER! Dream Theatre is done well...design was good, guitars destroyed it. Show is dirty but will improve for sure. Madison....good old fashioned drum corps, but really, their horn sound is anemic. Corps uniforms (both proper and CG) hides way too much. The visual element of the show is completely lost by the masking colors of both units. Show was dirty but entertaining, just not very aesthetic yet. Blue Stars....Houdini? I think. Cavies.....they miked their screaming trumpet solos at the end. Seriously? Three guys screaming out high notes on the sideline and they "needed" to be miked? I just shook my head with the acceptance that all machismo has now been removed from the activity. Yes other corps are doing it (including my Bluecoats, but they are doing it with an efx processor and not simply to add volume or balance) but they just did it to....I don't know....I guess their soloists can't reach the stands? It was sad. Visually...typical Cavies, well thought out and executed. Mike MacIntosh drumline is typically awesome. The end sucks. Crown....reminded me of some old PR shows to be honest. Only corps to reach the box tonight with their sound. Very clean, linear drill. Clean attacks (horns, drums and CG), and just a very crisp show in all aspects. Nothing spectacular, just crisp and clean...like a 7UP. I think Bluecoats and CC should be neck and neck (as Blue has a WAY better drum line and overall package). Don't know how long this show will hold up. The end sucks. Bluecoats....I'm a homer. Good show, great drumline, best guard they've ever had, feet still a little dirty. Horns don't reach the box and there's nothing in the show that made me want cheer. Asphalt Cocktail should be a "bring down the house" kind of selection but it doesn't. As I mentioned with the previous two corps, the end sucks. I have never been to a show where the crowd was more indifferent to EVERY performance. The reason? All the shows lack originality. You could close your eyes and one show could be the same as the next. They're clearly formulaic in nature and its made the activity dull. No standing ovations, no "ohhhhs and ahhhhs", just people sitting with their arms crossed because there are no programmed aesthetic moments in any show (Madison comes close, but isn't achieving it yet). Crown did the encore. I overheard this afterward...."That's it? Really? Ok, whatever." Not from a Blue fan either. I heard this after 4 shows at Dublin from different fans sitting around me "Is it over?" I think that is summing up the activity as a whole right now. I was disappointed. I'll be writing more later in the General Discussions portion of DCP

m E a t.

THAT'S IT!!! Thanks, been looking for a picture of this for awhile! One of the coolest logos ever! DW

The Devs had a logo or a mascot on the back of a jacket or tshirt at one time that was awesome. It was an evil looking devil in a BD uniform (the early 80s version) pointing at the viewer. It was sweet. I can't seem to find a picture of it anywhere. Does anyone have a picture of what I'm talking about? Let me know.... DW

I'll take angry drum corps (because this happens to be exciting and effective anger) over froo-froo-high-brow-we-need-to-pass-out-a-libretto-it's-art-because-we-say-it-is drum corps. DW

Here is a post I made on March 28, 2009 AFTER coming from the world premiere concert of Asphalt Cocktail by John Mackey (performed by Michigan State University Wind Symphony): "If anyone is in Austin this weekend for the CBNA convention, go check out the Michigan State University Wind Symphony. They are world premiering a piece by John Mackey called Asphalt Cocktail. IT HAS DRUM CORPS WRITTEN ALLLLLLL OVER IT. Someone needs to do this on the field ASAP! There likely will be a recording of the piece on the internet soon. Please look for it." Wouldn't you know it, at least 2 drum corps are playing it and just about every All State Band in the country is taking a crack at in January and February..... Its going to be the hit of the summer in 2010. DW

I'm a bit biased since I saw Sedatole conduct this live for its premiere performance but I think his interpretation of percussion parts and tempos were a lot more exciting. I also thought the written dissonance in the trombone parts were much more effective in the MSU version. OSU might have been cleaner though. Either way, this is going to be a true drum corps classic IMO. DW

I am so thrilled that the 'Coats (and PC) are doing Asphalt Cocktail. If you are unfamiliar with it check it out: http://ostimusic.com/Asphalt-media.html It was premiered ealier this spring by Michigan State University (and later by Oklahoma State, the MSU version is wayyy better) and I saw it first hand. It is going to translate to an amazing AMAZING piece on the field! Can't wait and GO BLUE!!!!! DW

The Bluecoats had many 7 year members (Phil probably knows more from the early years)....here's who I remember: Ellen (Yerkey) Wise ('84-'91), Laura "Killer" Swartzlander ('87-'93), Michelle Zaveson ('83?-'89, '91), Amy Lilly ('93-'99?), there's a few more that I'm missing but those are the ones that I marched with. I want to say Ken Fanti is in there in the 6 or 7 year range....'81 or '82-'88. There are a bunch of 6 year Bluecoats, most notably Lane Armey ('93-'98) from my era. DW

You should really SEE it performed live. EXCITING IS EXCITING, regardless of the melodic content. DW PS MSU did an AWESOME job with this, way to go Dr. Sedatole.

Its my understanding that the recording will be on Mackey's web site this week now that the premiere has occurred. Check for it....will not disappoint. DW PS An 'asphault cocktail' is coke and a shot of brandy

EXACTLY.....special note to the Bluecoats and Blue Devils.....two corps that would absolutely devour this piece! PLEASE check it out if you have anything to do with programming a drum corps show! DW

If anyone is in Austin this weekend for the CBNA convention, go check out the Michigan State University Wind Symphony. They are world premiering a piece by John Mackey called Asphalt Cocktail. IT HAS DRUM CORPS WRITTEN ALLLLLLL OVER IT. Someone needs to do this on the field ASAP! There likely will be a recording of the piece on the internet soon. Please look for it. DW

Cirque du Soleil!? My wish for circus freaks on the drum corps field has finally come true. DW

...and their Color Guard was freaking hot. DW

I'm a band director now after many years marching. Many of my drum corps bretheran who are in the profession know one thing about drum corps people: they know how to get things accomplished. I know many people who marched that have varying personalities that I both like and dislike, but one trait is shared, and thats the ability to adjust to just about any situation and overcome. It is, perhaps one of the greatest life skills learned in drum corps. DW

I'd probably slap down $50 for a PPV of the DCI finals. Have a party, tell everyone to bring a fin and its a fine night. I know I'd do it and I bet there would be thousands of others that would too. DW

One funny thing about this is the judging panels expand at major shows so one judge can't bring down an overall score.....DT kind of defeated that theory. DW

The weird thing about this statement is that the Bluecoats CG (although admitted outstanding the last 5 or so years) never scored well with the previous staff. DW

There has been a standing ovation of this magnitude in the middle of a show and I'm shocked that Vic doesn't remember it: Bluecoats 1987 after the first time they performed Autumn Leaves in a DCI Finals (their first appearance ever) there was a 33 second standing ovation (Jay Wise timed it). This was the first time the 'Coats came out with the 20 man snare line at finals and the beefy soprano sextet. Jay used to brag about how there had never been a standing ovation like that.....someone will have to time PR's standing O to see who holds the crown! DW

Never been a fan of these prediction threads so I'm not going to jump on that one...however some interesting things I'll be looking for tonight: Spread between BD and Cavies; who come out on top in the Cadets, CC, PR clump and what's the spread and in which captions (PR drums, CC horns, Cadets GE/Vis); SCV or Bluecoats and by how much; Glassmen, Xmen, Madison clump and the coin flip that is 14-18th. This is the first big head to head of the summer and its always interesting to see if the west coast inflation is true (some years it hasn't, other years right on). IF there is a west coast inflation going on, Cavs win and PR might go down to Cadets or Crown....how about that for a story line? Should be a great competition, what DCI summer games are all about no matter who ends up where. DW

Good to see the Bluecoats win drums again. Does anyone think they can compete for the drum title (or at least top 2)? DW

Galen, Another great review....what a life....make the rounds to all the midwest drum corps shows! I'm jealous. DW PS Can you elaborate more on the 'Coats problems with the electronics? I'm not a happy camper with my home team right now....there's no excuse for it IMO. I've heard others say they can't tell if its intended or not and you mentioned the same thing?! What does that mean exactly?