behold888 Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 If you were to create *THE PERFECT* drum corps show, what would that mean for you? What would be in it? How much would the brass play and march? etc. etc. I see people throwing around their opinions about how Blue Devils do this, and Cavaliers do that, and Boston should do this, and Spirit is finally doing that. Have some fun, don't slit each other's throats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
behold888 Posted July 17, 2011 Author Share Posted July 17, 2011 I guess I'll be the first to reply and say that there is no such thing as a perfect show, but we all have tastes. Similarly, there is no such thing as a perfect composition, or a perfect choreograhy. However, I like fast stuff, marching fast, and I also like warm luscious brass/pit moments as well. One of my favorite ballad moments is Cadets 2005 that had the rhythmic groove throughout. Truly a unique moment. So there ya go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NR_Ohiobando Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 The perfect show is called "Songs for Planet Earth" and it was performed by the 1992 Crossmen. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmlkmen Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 (edited) I am going to use two types of shows, as there are different corps whose style helps create the perfect show. i think the first element to the perfect show is a common denominator: The perfect show matches the show theme/concept to their identity,. That said, it may draw on their traditions, while at the same time being innovative. Jeff Fieldler"s commentary during tthe 91 Cavaliers vignette, Mark Sylvester"s commentary during BK's Quarterfinals performance last year...this commentary to me is incredibly impressive and true..show to identity is where it all begins and ends.. True, some corps change identities,. But in our minds as fans, we have a general idea of what to expect from most corps. The two types of shows: Classical/ Serious Example of Composers to Show Style: Walton, Rutter, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Barber, Bernstien and Adams Identites that associate the motif; Star of Indiana, Cadets, Phantom Regiment, Cavaliers, SCV, and BK Elements in the show that define Perfection; 1. Drill design A. sets that utilize entire field B. Staging of brass and percussion- drill design completely matching music. Think Zingali, Brubaker, Gaines, Sylvester, and Weber. C, Drill is not written primarily for staging of guard, percussion, or props... but rather to challenge the horn line in physical demand of playing while marching. 2. Horn Book emphasizes: A. Low Brass in points of impact...not just high soprano. B. Mellophones....they steal the show. Phenomenol melodic parts, mixed with 16th runs-Their presence makes you cry due to their elegance, while also giving you goosebumps due to their precision..ie; Star and Cadets. C. Soprano- Providing impact and execution to the book. While mellos are stealing the show, soprano parts carry the technical aspects of the book. echoing the 16th note runs of the mellos, or Triple tounging. Percussion a, Serve as accompaniments to the horn book...not 2 to 3 consecutive minutes of battery, mixed with front ensemble runs...while horns march silent drill. b. do not overpower horn line.....ie; battery stands backfield or is lightly used during ballad. C. Drum solo exists....but it is not more than 1 minute. In this type of show, horn line must carry it. Guard: 1. dignified...class... 2. precision..as precise as the brass in terms of execution 3. No Lady Gaga like motifs...less party...less broadway in dance ...more emphasis on tossing, throws, flag work, and bringing out the emotional/dramatic elements that are present in the music. Overall : This show is never the one you are left humming after you leave the stadium. It is the one though, that made you feel challenged. The one that displayed a triumph or epiphany ultimately, this show makes you listen, and be amazed at the outcome. Accentuated with an ending that tied all the dramatic and emotional elements together. Second Style: Popular,broadway, and "feel good:" Corps whose identities embody this style: Blue Devils, Madison Scouts, Crossmen, Crown, Bluecoats, Colts and Spirit of Atlanta Examples of composers whose musical style they may use: Lloyd Weber, Buddy Rich, Ellis, Top 40, Metheny, Bernstein, Corea, Porter...etc. Drill Design and Visual Style: A. Incorporates all elements of the corps, and gives each section of the corps their moments B. Props add to this show, to help entertain the crowd and bring forth the theme c. Many moments where the horn line is in a block...emphasizes moments of parking it and tearing the paint off the stadium. d. the show is less about physical demands of drill..more about melodic passages and letting all elements of the corps display showmanship. Brass: not necessarily louder, higher, faster....more melodic, relaxed and providing a great swing, soul, and groove. Low Brass; Soloists in the Bari section add a bit of darkness to the composition...otherwise low brass is creating the groove and harmony in the book. Mellos: Unlike " classical serious" they carry the melody with and help provide key chord structure. May have featured parts during the show...particularly in the ballad Sopranos :Carrying the whole thing- Soloists, screamers, and colorful parts that create beautiful moments of melody. This type of show...everyone remembers the sopranos for their phenomenal parts and soloists. Percussion: 1. Drumming to groove. Groove caries the show, May have over the top moments in battery....think 93 Madison Strawberry Soup... battery is loose in interpretation...bobbing heads while playing, (Crossmen 90's) Playing to crowd....and overall throwing down. Basically, this type of show they can act like the rockstars they are 2. A grooving cymbal line with some creative moves of their own.....this is a must. 3. while drums have their moments....they don't own this show. Less WGI like moments where they play for 2 to 3 consecutive minutes...Moreso providing groove and driving the vehicle 4. jazzy/soulful piano work in synth. I am really starting to love this...ie: 2011 Crown, BD , and Madison's Alicia Keyes riff in Empire State of Mind. Guard: Guard 1. Not necessarily telling a story..as these types of shows don't need to tell a story. Rather guard is providing the fun of the show though dance, spin, and costume. 2. Emotion in guard connects with audience and sells the show. Particularly in moments where they can get into dancing through the groove the horn line and drums are providing. Overall; This type of show is the "striving to" programming method.Whereas winning the crowd actually wins the show. It is a style, that sometimes makes us think...but really, only if we overanalyze it. It is meant to give the performers a chance to have fun while performing. Through that fun, it makes the crowd smile. It to me, is what the corps who are known for it, need to be doing more of. It helps provide the balance to the seriousness of the activity. C. Edited July 17, 2011 by Dmlkmen 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I don't know how to answer this. Oftentimes, a corps finds a way to put together bunch of things that I would never put on my "perfect show" list that I then would put on that list after seeing it done well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
behold888 Posted July 17, 2011 Author Share Posted July 17, 2011 I am going to use two types of shows, as there are different corps whose style helps create the perfect show. i think the first element to the perfect show is a common denominator: The perfect show matches the show theme/concept to their identity,. That said, it may draw on their traditions, while at the same time being innovative. Jeff Fieldler"s commentary during tthe 91 Cavaliers vignette, Mark Sylvester"s commentary during BK's Quarterfinals performance last year...this commentary to me is incredibly impressive and true..show to identity is where it all begins and ends.. True, some corps change identities,. But in our minds as fans, we have a general idea of what to expect from most corps. The two types of shows: Classical/ Serious Example of Composers to Show Style: Walton, Rutter, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Barber, Bernstien and Adams Identites that associate the motif; Star of Indiana, Cadets, Phantom Regiment, Cavaliers, SCV, and BK Elements in the show that define Perfection; 1. Drill design A. sets that utilize entire field B. Staging of brass and percussion- drill design completely matching music. Think Zingali, Brubaker, Gaines, Sylvester, and Weber. C, Drill is not written primarily for staging of guard, percussion, or props... but rather to challenge the horn line in physical demand of playing while marching. 2. Horn Book emphasizes: A. Low Brass in points of impact...not just high soprano. B. Mellophones....they steal the show. Phenomenol melodic parts, mixed with 16th runs-Their presence makes you cry due to their elegance, while also giving you goosebumps due to their precision..ie; Star and Cadets. C. Soprano- Providing impact and execution to the book. While mellos are stealing the show, soprano parts carry the technical aspects of the book. echoing the 16th note runs of the mellos, or Triple tounging. Percussion a, Serve as accompaniments to the horn book...not 2 to 3 consecutive minutes of battery, mixed with front ensemble runs...while horns march silent drill. b. do not overpower horn line.....ie; battery stands backfield or is lightly used during ballad. C. Drum solo exists....but it is not more than 1 minute. In this type of show, horn line must carry it. Guard: 1. dignified...class... 2. precision..as precise as the brass in terms of execution 3. No Lady Gaga like motifs...less party...less broadway in dance ...more emphasis on tossing, throws, flag work, and bringing out the emotional/dramatic elements that are present in the music. Overall : This show is never the one you are left humming after you leave the stadium. It is the one though, that made you feel challenged. The one that displayed a triumph or epiphany ultimately, this show makes you listen, and be amazed at the outcome. Accentuated with an ending that tied all the dramatic and emotional elements together. Second Style: Popular,broadway, and "feel good:" Corps whose identities embody this style: Blue Devils, Madison Scouts, Crossmen, Crown, Bluecoats, Colts and Spirit of Atlanta Examples of composers whose musical style they may use: Lloyd Weber, Buddy Rich, Ellis, Top 40, Metheny, Bernstein, Corea, Porter...etc. Drill Design and Visual Style: A. Incorporates all elements of the corps, and gives each section of the corps their moments B. Props add to this show, to help entertain the crowd and bring forth the theme c. Many moments where the horn line is in a block...emphasizes moments of parking it and tearing the paint off the stadium. d. the show is less about physical demands of drill..more about melodic passages and letting all elements of the corps display showmanship. Brass: not necessarily louder, higher, faster....more melodic, relaxed and providing a great swing, soul, and groove. Low Brass; Soloists in the Bari section add a bit of darkness to the composition...otherwise low brass is creating the groove and harmony in the book. Mellos: Unlike " classical serious" they carry the melody with and help provide key chord structure. May have featured parts during the show...particularly in the ballad Sopranos :Carrying the whole thing- Soloists, screamers, and colorful parts that create beautiful moments of melody. This type of show...everyone remembers the sopranos for their phenomenal parts and soloists. Percussion: 1. Drumming to groove. Groove caries the show, May have over the top moments in battery....think 93 Madison Strawberry Soup... battery is loose in interpretation...bobbing heads while playing, (Crossmen 90's) Playing to crowd....and overall throwing down. Basically, this type of show they can act like the rockstars they are 2. A grooving cymbal line with some creative moves of their own.....this is a must. 3. while drums have their moments....they don't own this show. Less WGI like moments where they play for 2 to 3 consecutive minutes...Moreso providing groove and driving the vehicle 4. jazzy/soulful piano work in synth. I am really starting to love this...ie: 2011 Crown, BD , and Madison's Alicia Keyes riff in Empire State of Mind. Guard: Guard 1. Not necessarily telling a story..as these types of shows don't need to tell a story. Rather guard is providing the fun of the show though dance, spin, and costume. 2. Emotion in guard connects with audience and sells the show. Particularly in moments where they can get into dancing through the groove the horn line and drums are providing. Overall; This type of show is the "striving to" programming method.Whereas winning the crowd actually wins the show. It is a style, that sometimes makes us think...but really, only if we overanalyze it. It is meant to give the performers a chance to have fun while performing. Through that fun, it makes the crowd smile. It to me, is what the corps who are known for it, need to be doing more of. It helps provide the balance to the seriousness of the activity. C. Bravo... thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azul Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 My perfect show would have a lot of CLEANABLE high demand music, drill, visuals, guard work, etc and be extremely entertaining. Hope that wasn't too generic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill L. Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 (edited) One that mades me laugh and cry , is loud but soft , fast and slow,make me say " Howd they do that ?", and makes me say " Its over already !?!? " Edited July 17, 2011 by Bill L. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
behold888 Posted July 19, 2011 Author Share Posted July 19, 2011 anyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxingfred Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 1987 Cadets 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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