Gold_Bond Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 "Hey all you dinosaurs, get off our lawn!!!" Gladly. Now all I need is for the DCI corps to stop begging me for money. It is your lawn now. YOU maintain it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold_Bond Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 You'll come around. or else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiodb Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 "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. I've grown quite sick of the stereotypical bugle-bashing....but you can't even decide what to bash. Is it the tuning, or the tone quality? Personally, I'd like a balanced, in tune, full hornline sound - just like you say. Problem is, for whatever reason, the era of Bb/F hornlines doesn't match up on the "full sound" part of the bargain (and generally speaking, they aren't any better in tune than their G bugle peers were in the years leading up to the change). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarnia sam Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Oh, and for what its worth....if you really need synthisizers to creat the whistling wind instead of coming up with a way to do it with the medium as it alread exisited, then that seems like a cop-out and a shortcut and true creativity just to a back seat for a gimmic.1991 SCV didnt need electronics to make a helicopter noise, they used their imagination, now that wont be nescessary anymore, a computer can do it. And thats ot anopinion, thats a fact wind effect = kingsmen 1974. Regards, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgolf8 Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 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. 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold_Bond Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 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? Maybe because the rest of the dinosaurs who have been threatening to stop going to DCI shows finally stopped going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 The title of this thread, "This Is Drum Corps Today, Deal With it....." is quite a elitist statement in nature with considering there is actually a whole huge world out there. Except this IS the DCI World Class discussion forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camel lips Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Maybe because the rest of the dinosaurs who have been threatening to stop going to DCI shows finally stopped going? Ahhhh the plot thickens:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I am also one of the folks having a really tough time with the Dev's show this year, and I have seen it on many occasions. I was hoping it would grow on me last night, but I think I was even more put off. Honestly, I think the reason for most of the backlash on the boards the past 24 hours is becuase of their show. I feel bad for the kids. Probably one of the most talented group of performers ever to hit the field. But the vehicle they have been given feels more like a Cirque show than drum corps. Sadly I didn't see BD, but if your last statement is true it sounds like an amazing show. I'm sure the undefeated kids are having a great time with their show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 You take away the narration and that show is pure, in your face drum corps. A couple years later, that show probably beats BD. The show worked great with the narration. Why remove it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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