This is Drum Corps Today, Deal With It.....

[Jeff Ream]

So I've been on here for a while now keeping up with the big topics but not posting much at all. I had said that I didn't want to get involved. Well now I can't help but add my opinion on the state of drum corps.

I don't claim to be an expert in any way, shape or form, but I'd like to think that I have a little clue of what goes into putting together a show from my own teaching and designer experience. I'm no where near the level of those at the top of the activity right now. Most importantly, I'm a fan. Yes, drum corps has changed over the years. While I like some of the changes, I did not like some others. Some of the changes that I don't like grew on me after I gave it a chance.

Here's my humble opinion on some of the complaints I see on here:

"Bb Flat instruments aren't as good cause they aren't as loud as G horns..."

-First of all, it's not just Bb horns, there are F and C horns as well. While you are able to project more on G horns, they are hard to keep in tune. Give me a well balanced, in tune horn line with a full sound over a loud but with suspect tone quality line any day.

"Shows are no longer musically based, but are now visually driven, and that's what the judges want..."

"I don't want art, I want drum corps!"

-The current judges system gives us a 50-50 split musically to visually, precisely what it should be. The Cavaliers figured out in the early 2000s how to write total productions rather than music with visual accompaniment. This had been evolving with other corps throughout the 90s, but they set the standard. It is not visually driven or musically driven, it is a total artistic production. This was not decided on by the judges. It was presented to the judges by innovative designers, and the judges liked it. Judges don't push the activity, designers do. Also, music is art, drill design is art, flag and costume design is art, dance is art, all of which are in drum corps. Therefore, drum corps is art! Any good designer will tell you that they consider themselves an artist, as they should.

"Electronics and narration do not belong in drum corps..."

-Ok, I'll admit that I'm not a big fan of this, but some of it has grown on me. It really depends on how it's used. For example, 05 Cadets grew on me, did not like 06, loved 07, did not like 08 (except for the brilliant ending drill sequence!), very much enjoy 09 except for the sound samples. But it is here now and I have accepted that. Like I said, it depends on how it's used. Amplification of the pit allows pit members to play with proper technique and still be heard, synths are ok as long as it blends well, but I'm not a fan of prerecord sound samples.

"Drum corps is not band, the band designers should stay out..."

-First of all the majority of drum corps designers are also the top marching band designers! And if you've ever seen BOA, you may have notice that those show designs are actually more innovative and a few years ahead of what drum corps show design is.

"Everyone looks and sounds the same..."

-While this did seem to happen for a while with the middle tier corps, I believe the top half of World Class still has their own identity and unique show design style.

"They don't entertain me, so they aren't good"

-You not liking it does not make it bad. I am not a fan of some composers, but that does not mean that they aren't some of the best at what they do. Lots of people don't like what they don't understand. Example, I did not like this year's BD show when I first saw it but understood why it is doing so well. After my second viewing, I understand it better and was actually entertained by it.

So yeah, the activity has changed. It is an art form and is no longer just playing higher, faster, and louder. If that's what you are in to, then go watch DCA. DCA is a great forum for that type of drum corps. The activity also changed in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. This is no different.

We have to understand that these are the best designers in the world. Lots of people on here think they know better. There is a reason why these designers are where they are and the rest of us are where we are. Basically either evolve as a fan along with the activity or stop watching, but please stop complaining.

and there's a reason why more people this year are saying they are done than ever.

[DCIHasBeen]

As a Corps Director, I typically stay out of these arguments. However, this one kinda chapped my nether regions.

DCI can put out whatever product they like. They can use amplification, narration, pyrotechnics, farm animals, rock bands and mimes. Their ball game, their rules. But lest they forget, it's my money coming through the turnstyles at the shows. And they don't control that. If they wish to write shows that only 10 judges and the hand full of show designers in the stadium will understand, go for it. 30,000 tickets at $75.00 a ticket is $2.25 million in tickets sales for finals alone. Eventually, they will have to charge $150,000 per ticket for those 15 show designers in attendence. Because most of the rest of the music world won't be there. The kids have this amazing talent and gift of drum corps. Give them something musical to play. Certainly add abstract, intense, color changing music to set a mood, change a color. Design a program around it???? Seriously??????

It's a business. Money needs to come from the customer in order for it to work. If the customer doesn't like the product, they won't buy it. I think I heard that in business 101, on the first day, before he closed the door.

That being said, DCI has done some very, very good things to bring us the product as it is. There are some AMAZING shows this year. why do we have 20,000 people at this show instead of 50,000?

:worthy:

[Jeff Ream]

You take away the narration and that show is pure, in your face drum corps. A couple years later, that show probably beats BD.

good. i dare Hop to bring it back, sans narration next year

[Jeff Ream]

I can agree with that as well.

I didn't post anything of the "we need more Children Of Sanchez" sort myself ( ), but, if we take "old school" as a consideration this year aside from sweeping generalities . . . I think the majority of folks here (both new and old to drum corps) can agree that HNC and SCV have taken somewhat tired by marching music standards books and done some nice new things with them . . .while still holding fast to the traditions that got them to this point in their evolution.

and get the best crowd reactions

[Jeff Ream]

You are wrong, they (BD) do deserve the score they received and the spread between them and 2nd place is correct IMHO. I was at a theater in Nor Cal so the rousing applause BD received was expected. I have always loved the swagger BD has, but the swagger is from confidence, not arrogance. One more thing, I would encourage you to track the amount of time BD actually carries the chairs during their show. It is actually a very small portion of the show. BD always gets a lot of hate because they are so successful. My daughter decided to march in BD because she loves their style. I guess it is different strokes...etc

i hate to tell you but....

I have long loved BD. I live 90 minutes from YEA world HQ, tho I am more old school Xmen fan than Cadets fan. yet...I have always given BD the benefit of the doubt.

yeah, they're clean. but it bores the #### out of me, the boredom I have not felt since the 91 show

[FHBob]

#### straight.

Many of us dinosaurs aren't advocating a return to the 70s. We're simply decrying the chaff that has accumulated in design over the interim. As SVC and HNC have shown this year, one can update what worked then and it works just fine now.

We look at amped pits and find that the amps add nothing--we could hear the mallets just fine before and the amps have simply led to the mallets overpowering the brass and battery. We scratch our heads at claims of improved ensemble balance when what we hear in far too many shows is a marimba octet with some backing horns. That's not an improvement.

We look at guard work and find that as guards have moved away from working with equipment almost exclusively, their equipment work has suffered. We saw dance being incorporated _with equipment_ years ago and it worked. We see a lot of dance on the field now without equipment that doesn't work for us--and that's on top of the poorer general equipment work. The finesse of the equipment work has been lost in the rush to dance without it.

We're all for playing with drill in all sorts of fashions. We can handle integrating more dance into the shows, provided we don't lose anything when it happens. We can handle music from new and different sources, provided that the arrangements are accessible--that there are engaging melodies that are clearly stated, that we get to enjoy rousing hits at full bore, that the top end of a crescendo is as powerful as the bottom end was quiet, that we can enjoy the music without having to hear it multiple times or think about it too much.

We don't mind change. We just don't want to lose the good stuff as part of that change. We don't want the art form to become so far removed from what it was that it's senseless to even try to describe them as the same thing.

Winnow the chaff and keep giving us wheat and you can do what you will.

VERY well said. I agree with you completely.

[CBrogers]

I think the problem here is how do you criticize what judges award without throwing ill will towards the corp members. That is a hard to do. At the same time smiling and acting as if there is no problem does more harm. I am like many others. I don't understand what gets a drum crop rewarded. The entertainment value of some performances this year was not as full filling as in others. I found myself along with friends not excited about coming to shows. I usually try to make it to as many shows as possible, but this year I didn't find a reason to make the 2 - 3 hour drive with the family, pay over $35 per person in drinks, tickets, etc and then make the drive back. I know this sounds bad but I felt as this season DCI really snubbed their noses at old supporters like me. I shouldn't take it personal but it's as if their is a large group of fans that are begging DCI to bring us those shows that would make us stand up and cheer. Give us the drama and excitement of an extremely clean drumline and powerful hornline that blows your ears off. Make us have to talk and admire the performances with other fans after a show, thus leaving us craving for more. I thought last year with the show Phantom Regiment 2008 put on judges would reward more corps that brought that kind of excitement to the activity. Fans loved it. It provided the basic experiences we crave,

1. Drama,

2. Excellent Music

3. Great Visual Package

In other words it was a show. What we got this year were performances. Their really is a difference. One you remember and are willing to pay top dollar to see, the other not so much. That is the best I could do without showing ill will towards members. DCI please reward drum corps that put on shows and others will attempt to do so. Fans will be happy and more people will come to shows. It's not rocket science.

[FHBob]

Wow, a lot has been said in this thread about the Blue Devils. I saw their show twice, in June. It was clever, highly original, very complex, totally unique, precisely executed...and BORING. No emotion or beauty or mystery or excitement. None of the things that made me fall in love with this corps many years ago. They don't even try to blow you out of your seat with horns - a long time BD trademark.

This is not a comment on the outstanding young people who are the corps members (whoops...students). But the fact that this show is winning so consistently is surely a comment on where the activity is at right now. I am disappointed that the DCI judges would so lavishly reward a presentation (it's not a "show" in my opinion) that so obviously makes no effort to reward the paying audience.

[BRASSO]

If more than half an audience doesn't have a friggin clue what the theme is the Corps is trying to convey, it doesn't mean that a few thousand people in the stands are braindead morons.

It means, frankly, that the show designer is orbiting around the earth and someone needs to stop him or her before they enter the next galaxy in their orbit.

The shows that typically do well placement wise are those that tend to have a coherent theme readily understood by most in the audience.

Conversely, those that have an exotic theme that is convoluted ( in plain words.... dopey ), these Corps tend to struggle all season to reach their potential.

Here's a bit of advice to all current and future Drum Corps show designers : " keep it simple, stupid ".

Edited August 8, 2009 by BRASSO

[camel lips]

If more than half an audience doesn't have a friggin clue what the theme is the Corps is trying to convey, it doesn't mean that a few thousand people in the stands are braindead morons.

It means, frankly, that the show designer is orbiting around the earth and someone needs to stop him or her before they enter the next galaxy in their orbit.

The shows that typically do well placement wise are those that tend to have a coherent theme readily understood by most in the audience.

Conversely, those that have an exotic theme that is convoluted ( in plain words.... dopey ), these Corps tend to struggle all season to reach their potential.

Here's a bit of advice to all current and future Drum Corps show designers : " keep it simple, stupid ".

I tend to agree with you.For the most part.