Electronics and changing the creative landscape...

[bawker]

Bump.

Here's another question, posed especially towards those of you that are really seeing the creative possibilities of electronics...

What would you say represents the absolute pinnacle of their use in a marching environment thus far?

[Meaghatron]

I've seen Tarpon Springs High School every year for the past 4 years. They perform well, but I really don't like their design concepts. There are so many props, amplification of wind instruments, an electric drum set, and floors like it was a WGI competition. Not to mention the girl who played a "Macbook" in the back of last year's show. But I can't deny that they are a great Outdoor Performance Ensemble. (I'm pretty sure they don't use the term "marching band").

Anyways, what does the new rule actually allow? I haven't really read a definitive answer.

[shawn craig]

I really don't believe electronics will will be the creative "savior" or changer in drum corps. I may be proven wrong, but I don't think it will.

Musically the judging sheets are still focused on brass and percussion, so those elements have to come through stronger than any electronics a corps may add.

I don't see using electic keyboards or drum machines as being all that revolutionary. We hear those sounds on a regular basis in pop music all the time. Those sounds won't make or break a show, IMO. I listened to a Ronals Reagan HS Utube video yesterday. Very good band but in the video I watched I didn't hear anything from the electric keybaords that was anything to get excited about or that "MADE" the show.

A few arrangers will find and use some truely original sounds that will add something to a show, but the brass and percussion will still be the focus.