An Open Letter to DCI

[Mello Dude]

No argument there. I also think corps use synth a bit too much when "filling out" stuff. It's one reason we kept it to a minimum at Teal Sound in 2009 and 2010, as well as not playing the tuba-doubling game.

But there are some very, very cool things being done with electronic instruments, sequencing, and sound effects. Like many of you, I'm not a huge fan of voice and narrated stuff, though some of it does work. Much doesn't. Electronics use will get better, just like pit use got better after it was grounded in the early 80's.

Ya, but it's taking a LONG time to be worth a #### most of the time. Realize this is nothing new and BOA and college bands have been doing it for decades and it still blows. Face it, electronics are on the field because if ANY of the top 12 were to say no, they would be escorted to 13th spot pronto.

[Grandpa]

No argument there. I also think corps use synth a bit too much when "filling out" stuff. It's one reason we kept it to a minimum at Teal Sound in 2009 and 2010, as well as not playing the tuba-doubling game.

But there are some very, very cool things being done with electronic instruments, sequencing, and sound effects. Like many of you, I'm not a huge fan of voice and narrated stuff, though some of it does work. Much doesn't. Electronics use will get better, just like pit use got better after it was grounded in the early 80's.

I agree grounding the pit was better for quality and for kid's backs. I'm not advocating a return to marching timps. I carried one (when my arm was broken and couldn't play snare) - they're heavy ########.

We keep hearing that electronics will get better but year over year - it doesn't. Much of it this year from top of the heam to the bottom was still (IMHO) awful.

[JulesBry]

So, what we're seeing in this poll is a 50/50 split on the current artistic movement in DCI.

Keep in mind, this is a 50/50 split of the most passionate/hard core fans. These are not good numbers.

I think 50/50 is pretty generous. Breaking that down further, the fact that ONLY 16% think DCI is completely on the right track is rather striking to me. Even if you add another 10% who think it's getting better, that's approximately 25%. That's almost as low an approval rating as Congress. If that's insignificant, then I'd hate to see what kind of approval rating it will take to change something!

[JulesBry]

So let's make a list of what drum corps is and what years we marched. Maybe that will help us realize that drum corps from 1970 is not what drum corps was in 1980 or 1990 etc.

One more time, altogether, and with conviction:

Drum corps is (and until A/E were added, always has been)

1. Brass

2. Percussion

3. Drill (including guard)

It's really that simple. Everything else is a bridge to other genres.

[JulesBry]

I think your analogy is off the mark. A&E added a different timbre and color to the musical compositions and added and element that some corps have used very tastefully. Minus the preshow, if you did not know Crossmen were using a synth this year, you wouldnt have noticed. This addition did not redefine the entire sport.

However I am surprised that the DCP posters that despise A&E do not go after BDs visual design with the same fervor. What BD is doing with "drill" design IS redefining the entire sport.

Then let me tweak the analogy. Rather than motorized carts, the new 100-meter dash is run with shoes that include motorized springs. So, each competitor can run the race with fewer strides, each one propelling them farther and faster than an unaided step. They're still running, but they're doing it with help. Does that make it better? I think it's still just as fake.

New timbres and colors have been added many times, and without the addition of pre-recorded samples. That's part of what made Drum Corps creative--arrangers had to find creative ways to get around the limitations they had. Now, they just have to be creative in how they budget for all the new, delicate equipment they need to buy.

And for what it's worth, I have just as much of a problem with BD's visual design as their use of recordings. It's all part of what makes their 2012 show the epitome (again, not the ONLY example--just for those who think I'm a BD hater, which I most definitely AM NOT) of what I see as DCI's problems.

Side note, notice that I'm a Cavies fan, and their show this year is one of my least favorites of any I've EVER seen them do. The use of synths was nothing short of embarrassing (I'll take a tuba section that can play that lick ANY day. Put it on a synth, and I'm completely bored--I could play that synth lick when I was in 5th grade--that isn't XtraordinarY in ANY way, shape or form).

[JulesBry]

Seems you have a bit of selective memory on this one... When a Man Loves a Woman was initially not all that well received. There was more than a bit of controversy about it... BD doing a super easy Michael Bolton tune... parking... getting down on their knees... sitting on dice... taking the jackets off... taking the shako's off... ripping open the shirts... having guys in the guard.

Old school fans lost it, talked about how BD lost their support because of it, how BD was a disgrace to drum corps (older, drunker east coast fans seemed to be especially vocal about this)... and so on... sounding surprisingly similar to the way some do now about the current BD.

It's this perspective that suggests to me that it's all just cyclical, that the sky isn't falling, that everything will be just fine.... and 20 years from now dinosaurs will be rambling on about how BD doesn't do more accessible shows like they did back in 2012.

Honestly, I wasn't a corps fan in 1992 (1996 was my first taste). However, when I look at the crowd reaction to that moment, it's nothing like the crowd reactions I've seen to their 2012 show. Fortunately, I never had to watch 2012 in person, so I can't speak from first hand experience. But what I've heard from others and read about this year's performances don't hold a candle to the stands erupting in 1992.

And don't worry about BD2012 being accessible in 20 years. If things continue that direction, I don't think anyone will remember what DCI stands for.

Edited August 13, 2012 by JulesBry

[JulesBry]

But What they are designing doesn't appeal to the younger audiences.

At the movie theater there were three rows of hs band kids in front of me. Not a single one clapped for BD. It was actually me and probably about 2 or 3 other people who clapped. And really only 4 out of 15 corps got any kind of reaction in the theater. Crossmen, Madison, Cadets, Crown. Oh and SCV When they showed it afterwards.

Ill show friends shows from the early 90s and they ask why drum corps ever got away from that.

I have the same experience. I hosted two DCI-watching parties this year, including a few people who had never seen or heard of drum corps before and several who are young (age 18-21) marching band lovers and corps fans. Only one had anything remotely positive to say about BD 2012 (as I noted in my opening letter), and most thought it was absolutely horrible. When I asked them what their favorite moments were--the huge brass hits.

Remarkably, NO ONE said, "that synth lick was awesome". There were multiple moments where they responded negatively to weird synth sounds, though.

So if synths are supposed to capture the hearts of young uns, they aren't working as far as I can tell.

[MikeD]

Is there room in DCI for people who disagree with you? At current, our voices are completely ignored, and we're told we're old fashioned and should just move on. What other activity treats long time die hard fans that way and sticks it out for the long haul?

Who tells you that? DCI itself? The Blue Devils post that on their website? Or is it just DCP posters?

I think you're correct that other corps will follow BDs lead. And if they want to win, they should. To me, that's sad. Right now, every judge in DCI agrees. To me, that's also sad.

There have been a wide variety of winning shows the past few years. I don't see any rush by show designers to follow one particular design concept, just because it won.

[JulesBry]

Pop a 70's video in for today's members and you'll see so much laughter you'd think it was a Python sketch.

Do you really think we all want DCI to revert to the 70s? Maybe some do, but all I'm asking is that we make drum corps what it has always been: brass, percussion, and drill. It's that simple.

For the record, every time I pop in Spin Cycle or Frameworks or Drum Corps Fan's Dream (Part Dos) or Phenomenon of Cool or Moto Perpetuo, I get oohs and ahs. When I pop in a few minutes of Caberet Voltaire or Constantly Risking Absurdity or Cadets 05-07, the best I get are groans. I've tried this with 5th and 6th grade general music students (who especially love kaleidoscope drills), high school band and choir students, college students, and older adults. It has been consistent among those who marched and those who didn't. It has been consistent among those with musical experience and those without. Maybe my friends are just too homogeneous, but I've yet to be surprised by the results.

There is no need to go back to the 70s. Just go back to the roots. That's all I'm asking for.

[MikeD]

Electronics are not drum corps. They are something else. Everyone may be okay with something else, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking it builds on tradition or simply allows corps more flexibility.

In 1950 contras were not drum corps. In 1960 spinning flags was not drum corps. In 1970...mallet instruments were not drum corps...etc...electronics are just the latest "new" legal elements.