A few thoughts on DCI then, now, & future...

[perc2100]

Jazz bands usually do not include flutes or clarinets.

Benny Goodman would like a word with you about that one...

[Shempy]

Here is my feedback. Marched a top 6 corps in the 8o's. Was at Allentown. Flew in with my fiancé to show her what I did back in the day. She played clarinet in HS band. We were not entertained. It wasn't enjoyable. We started making fun of everything to entertain ourselves. It wasn't compelling. Can I say gay without it coming across pegorative? If so...the dancing horn members look gay and legitimize the term band geek. I would not be in a horn line that did any of that. What is the thickness of the metal on those instruments? I bet its thinner than a can of Coke. Mic the horn line so I can hear them. Why not have woodwinds....I mean....what's the point of excluding them at this point. They aren't bugles...why call it a drum corps at this point. I thought the point of performing was entertainment. I thought the point of music was communication...universal language. That's not universal except annoying. The corps are reinforcing that music is for background and something to be done to....useless on its own. Why am I sitting here and watching this. My fiance needed a 5 hour energy to get through it...boring, uncompelling, I have other things I would rather do than sit and watch this. Listening was something I didn't even care to try and do. Oh....apparently everything is a story and a lesson and has meaning and I am supposed to care about it and get deep and congratulate you for making me think everything in life wants to be round. Stop trying to be Aristotle and blow some wind into the instrument and make me want to dance instead of me watching you do yoga in WalMart band uniforms. Its like the conversation you have as a joke....what if your wife decorated your man cave. Yeah....what would it be like if WGI took over drum corps. It would be what it is. Its an activity for itself, not the public. The hell with the people who marched before. No...its not the future Picasso that we don't appreciate now it will be exactly what everyone said it was when it gets there....a marching band trying to do something different that hasn't been done before and is hard (like I care) and that supposed to mean entertaining? Different doesn't mean creative. Hard doesn't mean appreciation or value. The point us enjoyment. If the activity is for judges, parents and your fellow band friends who don't march then have a good sheltered time. Don't ask me to write my legislator and support music ed or ask me for money and support. Why? What gave you done for me? Nothing. American Revival in 2002. I'll want to watch that. Cavies 007 in 2000 whatever. Blue Devils 82. Cadets 84. Madison 85. Just entertain. Simplicity is the answer. You are going in the wrong direction. The lyrics You Don't Know You are Beautiful relates to the common girl and guess what they listen to it, enjoy it and dance and smile because it touches them and they want to dance. If you want to be some prideful elite organization tripping over yourself about how smart you are and dumb the rest of the world is for not getting it....than great. But...don't ask me for money, support if complain. Its boring, I don't enjoy it, I dont care what you think or say or what your 150 kids did. I'm glad they are getting exercise and not doing drugs. As if you are the only thing that accomplished that. The church youth group down the street has 500 kids also not doing that. Madison....thanks for the preshow tease. I didnt know it was just a tease of entertainment to come. Why are there preshows? Why announce the coros again during it. Every standing ovation was a ciurtesty as to not be disrespectful. Nobody cared. When BD was done nobody even showed respect for that. Just sat because it was boring. All that running and playing for a great score to the over educated musical judge and your arranger to feel ultra brilliant. You got booed because at least Crown was at best interesting but even that i dont care to see again nor do I remember it other than in comparison it was the best crap of all the crap. I heard simething like Crowns drumline is keeping the score down. Really. Like i care if Crown wins. I just know the scire is irrelevant to anything. What's the resolution? There is none. Just do what you do and have a nice day. Stay safe.

Translation: everything in DCI should cater to what I remember from 30 years ago.

[critter]

Woodwinds are coming, its not a question of if, but when. It might take awhile yet. But when Woodwinds are added, the younger generation of then will wonder why it took these marching bands so long to go without the woodwinds, and the 16-35 year olders of today will be the dinos then and they'll pine for the " good old days " of today when the Drum Corps at least had SOME semblance of not being Bands, and will be able to get cranky about" the good old days" before there were flutes, saxophones, etc. The newer generation of that future will come onto DCP and say how much they like the " current innovations", and how these marching bands have evolved into marching bands that are way better than the marching bands of around 2016 or so. And they'll remind the old dinos then that its still all about the kids, education, and seeing the diversity that all these newer marching bands now have, and to find all the good that there is in the diverse marching band community that offers " something for everyone ". Plus, they'll probably say " listen to how good Simple Gifts sounds with flutes and saxophones compared with that mishmnash of chopped up stacatto noise of obscure music played by so many those DCI " bands back in the day " of 2010-2016 ". Then, the current generation of today and the dinos of today will be sympatico even if one half of them will be pushing up daisies by then.

We will see if it happens, but I honestly would be very surprised if it did. I think the thing that would keep them out will be economics. The maintenance costs of woodwind instruments is astronomical compared to brass, percussion, and even electronics. If you have one sudden rainstorm hit during ensemble you could then be looking at thousands of dollars to replace pads for the entire woodwind section. With the current state of finances for most of the corps on the road, that would be an irresponsible use of money. And if they decided they needed to go that route in order to be competitive, then they deserve to fold due to their lack of proper stewardship of funds.

[FlamMan]

:thumbs-up:/> :cheer:/> :worthy:/> :thumbup:/>

You are the DCP Rookie Of The Year. Nicely done.

Here is my feedback. Marched a top 6 corps in the 8o's. Was at Allentown. Flew in with my fiancé to show her what I did back in the day. She played clarinet in HS band. We were not entertained. It wasn't enjoyable. We started making fun of everything to entertain ourselves. It wasn't compelling. Can I say gay without it coming across pegorative? If so...the dancing horn members look gay and legitimize the term band geek. I would not be in a horn line that did any of that. What is the thickness of the metal on those instruments? I bet its thinner than a can of Coke. Mic the horn line so I can hear them. Why not have woodwinds....I mean....what's the point of excluding them at this point. They aren't bugles...why call it a drum corps at this point. I thought the point of performing was entertainment. I thought the point of music was communication...universal language. That's not universal except annoying. The corps are reinforcing that music is for background and something to be done to....useless on its own. Why am I sitting here and watching this. My fiance needed a 5 hour energy to get through it...boring, uncompelling, I have other things I would rather do than sit and watch this. Listening was something I didn't even care to try and do. Oh....apparently everything is a story and a lesson and has meaning and I am supposed to care about it and get deep and congratulate you for making me think everything in life wants to be round. Stop trying to be Aristotle and blow some wind into the instrument and make me want to dance instead of me watching you do yoga in WalMart band uniforms. Its like the conversation you have as a joke....what if your wife decorated your man cave. Yeah....what would it be like if WGI took over drum corps. It would be what it is. Its an activity for itself, not the public. The hell with the people who marched before. No...its not the future Picasso that we don't appreciate now it will be exactly what everyone said it was when it gets there....a marching band trying to do something different that hasn't been done before and is hard (like I care) and that supposed to mean entertaining? Different doesn't mean creative. Hard doesn't mean appreciation or value. The point us enjoyment. If the activity is for judges, parents and your fellow band friends who don't march then have a good sheltered time. Don't ask me to write my legislator and support music ed or ask me for money and support. Why? What gave you done for me? Nothing. American Revival in 2002. I'll want to watch that. Cavies 007 in 2000 whatever. Blue Devils 82. Cadets 84. Madison 85. Just entertain. Simplicity is the answer. You are going in the wrong direction. The lyrics You Don't Know You are Beautiful relates to the common girl and guess what they listen to it, enjoy it and dance and smile because it touches them and they want to dance. If you want to be some prideful elite organization tripping over yourself about how smart you are and dumb the rest of the world is for not getting it....than great. But...don't ask me for money, support if complain. Its boring, I don't enjoy it, I dont care what you think or say or what your 150 kids did. I'm glad they are getting exercise and not doing drugs. As if you are the only thing that accomplished that. The church youth group down the street has 500 kids also not doing that. Madison....thanks for the preshow tease. I didnt know it was just a tease of entertainment to come. Why are there preshows? Why announce the coros again during it. Every standing ovation was a ciurtesty as to not be disrespectful. Nobody cared. When BD was done nobody even showed respect for that. Just sat because it was boring. All that running and playing for a great score to the over educated musical judge and your arranger to feel ultra brilliant. You got booed because at least Crown was at best interesting but even that i dont care to see again nor do I remember it other than in comparison it was the best crap of all the crap. I heard simething like Crowns drumline is keeping the score down. Really. Like i care if Crown wins. I just know the scire is irrelevant to anything. What's the resolution? There is none. Just do what you do and have a nice day. Stay safe.

Edited August 6, 2013 by FlamMan

[oldschooldbc]

Here is my feedback. Marched a top 6 corps in the 8o's. Was at Allentown. Flew in with my fiancé to show her what I did back in the day. She played clarinet in HS band. We were not entertained. It wasn't enjoyable. We started making fun of everything to entertain ourselves. It wasn't compelling. Can I say gay without it coming across pegorative? If so...the dancing horn members look gay and legitimize the term band geek. I would not be in a horn line that did any of that. What is the thickness of the metal on those instruments? I bet its thinner than a can of Coke. Mic the horn line so I can hear them. Why not have woodwinds....I mean....what's the point of excluding them at this point. They aren't bugles...why call it a drum corps at this point. I thought the point of performing was entertainment. I thought the point of music was communication...universal language. That's not universal except annoying. The corps are reinforcing that music is for background and something to be done to....useless on its own. Why am I sitting here and watching this. My fiance needed a 5 hour energy to get through it...boring, uncompelling, I have other things I would rather do than sit and watch this. Listening was something I didn't even care to try and do. Oh....apparently everything is a story and a lesson and has meaning and I am supposed to care about it and get deep and congratulate you for making me think everything in life wants to be round. Stop trying to be Aristotle and blow some wind into the instrument and make me want to dance instead of me watching you do yoga in WalMart band uniforms. Its like the conversation you have as a joke....what if your wife decorated your man cave. Yeah....what would it be like if WGI took over drum corps. It would be what it is. Its an activity for itself, not the public. The hell with the people who marched before. No...its not the future Picasso that we don't appreciate now it will be exactly what everyone said it was when it gets there....a marching band trying to do something different that hasn't been done before and is hard (like I care) and that supposed to mean entertaining? Different doesn't mean creative. Hard doesn't mean appreciation or value. The point us enjoyment. If the activity is for judges, parents and your fellow band friends who don't march then have a good sheltered time. Don't ask me to write my legislator and support music ed or ask me for money and support. Why? What gave you done for me? Nothing. American Revival in 2002. I'll want to watch that. Cavies 007 in 2000 whatever. Blue Devils 82. Cadets 84. Madison 85. Just entertain. Simplicity is the answer. You are going in the wrong direction. The lyrics You Don't Know You are Beautiful relates to the common girl and guess what they listen to it, enjoy it and dance and smile because it touches them and they want to dance. If you want to be some prideful elite organization tripping over yourself about how smart you are and dumb the rest of the world is for not getting it....than great. But...don't ask me for money, support if complain. Its boring, I don't enjoy it, I dont care what you think or say or what your 150 kids did. I'm glad they are getting exercise and not doing drugs. As if you are the only thing that accomplished that. The church youth group down the street has 500 kids also not doing that. Madison....thanks for the preshow tease. I didnt know it was just a tease of entertainment to come. Why are there preshows? Why announce the coros again during it. Every standing ovation was a ciurtesty as to not be disrespectful. Nobody cared. When BD was done nobody even showed respect for that. Just sat because it was boring. All that running and playing for a great score to the over educated musical judge and your arranger to feel ultra brilliant. You got booed because at least Crown was at best interesting but even that i dont care to see again nor do I remember it other than in comparison it was the best crap of all the crap. I heard simething like Crowns drumline is keeping the score down. Really. Like i care if Crown wins. I just know the scire is irrelevant to anything. What's the resolution? There is none. Just do what you do and have a nice day. Stay safe.

I think I agree with probably 90% of what you said. And honestly, for every one of you (and me), how many other folks are simply staying away, because they are totally turned off from the activity, and don't care anymore?

[FlamMan]

I think I agree with probably 90% of what you said. And honestly, for every one of you (and me), how many other folks are simply staying away, because they are totally turned off from the activity, and don't care anymore?

Nearly everyone I know.

[Hirsbrunner]

I've only been following drum corps for about four years now, and I absolutely love the overall concept of it. And I totally agree and do not like where it is going. I've only seen/heard poor quality recordings and videos of corps from 20+ years ago and all I can think is why can't DCI be like it was then because what I'm seeing from then is awesome.

[jasgre2000]

I actually think we're coming down the other side of the hill of overwrought experimentation and self-indulgent design. There's no show on the field this year more aggravating than, say, 2008 Cadets. If 2013 is the year that makes you throw in the towel as a drum corps fan (at a show with SCV 2013 no less), you're not likely to be missed, as there's no way you were going to shows and paying attention the last 5+ years.

Amen. In my opinion, things have been getting better over the last five years, not worse. I think as designers stop using electronics and voice overs as a gimmick, shows will get better. They have gotten better over the last few years and will only continue to improve (unless they allow woodwinds ... then I think it would be time to throw in the towel. )

[Hirsbrunner]

SCV's show gives me a lot of hope for the coming years, I just hope their staff doesn't try to follow others trends next year because they're content often is scored lower on the sheets.

Edited August 6, 2013 by Hirsbrunner

[jasgre2000]

The norm however is than an " obscure musical composer " or an " obscure painter " is " obscure " for a valid reason. His or her work was never much valued by many people in the first place. The notion that an artists work increases in value overtime is the outlier.. the very rare exception to the rule. While an " obscure composition by an obsure Composer " does have its few devotees, the vast, overwhelming numbers of artists and composers have their work begin to depreciate in value the moment its introduced to the public. And in most cases its only valued later by family and friends, and maybe not even by them. By contrast, we correctly call " a classic " something that was critically acclaimed by a large cross section of people when first introduced and then later becomes what we call timeless. Timeless in that it never loses its universal appeal, and across a newer generation of listeners or viewers of that work of creative genius.

An obscure composer like ... Stravinsky? Or Barber? Or Glass? Who exactly are you referring to?