Popular Post ctrain08 Posted August 5, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted August 5, 2013 Alright, folks...let me start by saying I have been somewhat out of the loop with DCI over the last decade for various reasons. The last year I marched and followed DCI closely was 2003, but from time to time I catch a youtube video of a show and I am amazed at how much things have changed...some for better, some for worse. This is going to sound like a long-winded rant from an old-timer (although I'm really not that old) but I honestly want some thoughtful feedback on whether you agree or disagree. My contention is that while DCI has never been full of so much raw talent and passion, I fear it is being overrun by an inordinate amount of props, ballet-influenced choreography, gaudy uniforms, tasteless voice-overs, musical writing that lacks creativity and originality, and shows that put too much effort into conveying completely arcane and esoteric themes rather than playing good old-fashioned MUSIC that people can relate to. In the early 2000's, the biggest complaints you would hear from the old-timers, traditionalists, or anti-"YEA" folks were replacing G bugles with B flat horns and the mere idea of electronic amplification. It almost seems absurd looking back on it now, but it was a big deal at the time. A lot of people put up a fight, but soon everyone realized that B flats sounded light years better than G bugles and that electronic amplification could actually be used in a tasteful manner. No big deal. So how did we get to where we are today? Here's my theory: At a certain point, it almost seemed mandatory to design shows overly-doused in props, voice-overs, and ballet in fear that you would lose those precious "GE" points...and now all we have is a bunch of corps trying to out-GE one another. I hesitate to say that it's ALL bad, because some corps have used each of these elements tastefully over the last decade. Generally, I'm all for progress and new ideas, but there are certain times I just want to scream "I TOLD YOU SO!" when I hear a wildly inappropriate and tasteless voice-over, and hunt down the dark overlord who keeps punishing us with this melodramatic "new-age"-sounding music which is an outright attack on my senses at times. There is a place for that in DCI, but not every corps is capable of pulling it off like the Cavaliers did in 01-03 with their all original shows. It has to make sense within the context of the show and the music arranger still has to make it accessible to the audience...not an easy feat. It's almost as if each corps is trying to stuff in as much GE material as they can just for the sake of doing it, while losing track of the fact that the audience just wants to hear music that is melodic, LOUD, at least somewhat familiar, and most of all...memorable. And so I throw this question to you, my fellow drum corps fans: For those of you who remember the days before "amplification", has our worst nightmare come true? Is this simply progress, or did we open Pandora's box 10 years ago? 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cixelsyd Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 For those of you who remember the days before "amplification", has our worst nightmare come true? Is this simply progress, or did we open Pandora's box 10 years ago? The latter. And not to be a "told ya so", but people here did try to provide some warning while these changes were in the proposal stage. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDStaffAlum Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 At a certain point, it almost seemed mandatory to design shows overly-doused in props, voice-overs, and ballet in fear that you would lose those precious "GE" points...and now all we have is a bunch of corps trying to out-GE one another. EXACTLY and it is really sad. You and I were marching the same time frame, and I agree the changes made back then to horns were good. I never really agreed with amplification, I think it was Crown in 04 that started it, and when BD did it in 05 I almost quit...but how could I quit? I don't get all the little dancing and pirouettes and gestures that the members do every time they change positions, how can that really raise GE at all? It looks fruity. There are some props that I love, I am incredibly mixed this year on many of them, but in the end all I really need out there is the corps doing their thing, not a bunch of other stuff. Vanguards props this year are amazing, how they provide a backdrop and actually hide the entire corps for the one moment during "Let Him Live", and I can see BD's point in using the poles to create different stages on the field that represent different periods of sacrifice, commune, and religion, although I think it is too much to transport. The only way it can change is if DCI judging changes, or specifies that we don't need all the "fluff" to do well in the activity. I really can't tell the difference between DCI and BOA anymore! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 The latter. And not to be a "told ya so", but people here did try to provide some warning while these changes were in the proposal stage. :ph34r:/> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobchilds Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 ...the changes made back then to horns were good. I've been a fan since 1983. While the new horns (standard brass instruments) sound more controlled and maybe more in tune, there was a gutsier louder quality about them. In the right hands, they were in tune and had an edgier sound. I'm still a fan, but I differentiate the pre-2000 "G" era from 2000 and beyond (though most corps other than BD and Cadets took a few years before switching over). I don't get all the little dancing and pirouettes and gestures that the members do every time they change positions I don't either. Before the "body movement" trend started, it was great to watch a snareline just stand and play, and it was not boring! You could actually read the uniformity of stick heights. I think that is pretty much lost, with all the rocking back and forth and lunging around. Even something as simple as a roll was incredible to watch and hear. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlamMan Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I've been a fan since 1983. While the new horns (standard brass instruments) sound more controlled and maybe more in tune, there was a gutsier louder quality about them. In the right hands, they were in tune and had an edgier sound. I'm still a fan, but I differentiate the pre-2000 "G" era from 2000 and beyond (though most corps other than BD and Cadets took a few years before switching over). I don't either. Before the "body movement" trend started, it was great to watch a snareline just stand and play, and it was not boring! You could actually read the uniformity of stick heights. I think that is pretty much lost, with all the rocking back and forth and lunging around. Even something as simple as a roll was incredible to watch and hear. Great post & right on the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrunchyTenor Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 :ph34r:/>/> You and me both, brother. Garry in Vegas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy. Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 s...and now all we have is a bunch of corps trying to out-GE one another. I'll say what we're all thinking. It's Blue Devils fault. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie1223 Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 (edited) Sometimes old school is boring. *gasp* Sometimes "new-age" is over done *gasp* And the only top corps that has used props every year for the past 5 years is BD. Every other corps (that i can remember) has had atleast 2 or more years without any props in that period and 1 corps won 2 years ago without any props. **Are we counting guard equipment as props? Edited August 5, 2013 by charlie1223 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjeffeory Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Sometimes old school is boring. *gasp* Sometimes "new-age" is over done *gasp* And the only top corps that has used props every year for the past 5 years is BD. Every other corps (that i can remember) has had atleast 2 or more years without any props in that period and 1 corps won 2 years ago without any props. **Are we counting guard equipment as props? ....as long as we all know that BD has nothing to do with any of the design trends.... </sarcasm> 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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