Lack of "wow" drill moves

[Overhype]

I think some forget how effective SIMPLE moves are. A big company front coming at you, playing something anthemic like "Music of the Night." A massive Madison gateswing as they slowly prepare to hit you in the face with a company front. How about a snareline standing in a line - actually standing still so you can appreciate the admire the stick heights and cleanliness. (And without doing drill, rocking back and forth, jumping around, etc.)

I know the trend these days is to stack up as much simultaneous demand as possible. It's not enough to play syncopated 32nd note runs; you've got to do backflips and juggle chainsaws at the same time. Judges might be impressed with all of that, but the pay off isn't necessarily there for the audience member. Sometimes, less really is more.

[BoyWonder1911]

Actually, I think most of the OP's rant is merely due to being spoiled.

Pie tastes awesome, but the more you eat it, the less impressed you become with it. And then you begin to think someone screwed with the pie because it isn't the same.

But it is the same, you're just getting sick of it and don't know it.

[Brutus]

Because the caption stopped being "Marching and Maneuvering" about 30 years ago. Visual means visual, not just drill, and the Blue Devils were the first to figure out that drill does not have to be the skeleton of the show upon which you hang all the other elements. In fact, the Blue Devils visual approach is more staging based: they figure out who and where everyone needs to be at a particular point in the show, almost like storyboarding a movie. Then the dance, drill, and everything else fills in the blanks.

Yeah, figure out the set pieces, and then just have everyone schlep there in a scatter drill during the transitions.

[Brutus]

What we're talking about is "set pieces". Films have them. Those wow moments that are visually impactful and unforgettable.

This year, there is a lack of set pieces, but some memorable ones.

1) SCV trombones on pedestals on the front line.

2) BD tambourine dance

3) Cavaliers pulling black souls out of the horn players

4) BD lady in black holding umbrella behind limping Eumolpo

5) Carolina Crown - liftoff

6) Carolina Crown - silent space walk

7) Carolina Crown - use of trampolines, sort of

8) Cavaliers xylophone hopping

9) BD presenting Fellini director's chair

10) BD trumpet fanfare opening, holy sh&%

11) Bluecoats doing trust jump off the triangles.

The winner is BD

First runner up Crown.

Edited July 24, 2014 by Brutus

[brichtimp]

In particular, the sheer velocity of Cadets show this year is astounding.

My son has lost about 20 pounds this summer doing that show, so they are definitely not posing and shredding on tables:-;

[defeldus]

Speaking of the BD trumpet fanfare, I think Crown's high brass fanfare at the end of the ripple section blows it away. It's so much more direct and truly "holy ****" loud. It's become the highlight of the show for me.

[OrlandoContraAlum]

I always thought Suncoast 88's Hell Block would be remembered, but it never gets mentioned. You want to talk about incredibly dangerous moves? That one was an all-timer.

Oh God, the memories....

<shudder>

(Maybe because it was never clean?)

[c.l.]

Actually, I think most of the OP's rant is merely due to being spoiled.

Pie tastes awesome, but the more you eat it, the less impressed you become with it. And then you begin to think someone screwed with the pie because it isn't the same.

But it is the same, you're just getting sick of it and don't know it.

I think there is a lot of merit to what the OP is saying, as there really isn't the same type of drill anymore.

However, it pains me to say you might be correct with the last part. I might need a couple years off myself soon just so I can have the fan experience back.

[cadet93]

What we're talking about is "set pieces". Films have them. Those wow moments that are visually impactful and unforgettable.

This year, there are a lack of set pieces, but some memorable ones.

1) SCV trombones on pedestals on the front line.

2) BD tambourine dance

3) Cavaliers pulling black souls out of the horn players

4) BD lady in black holding umbrella behind limping Eumolpo

5) Carolina Crown - liftoff

6) Carolina Crown - silent space walk

7) Carolina Crown - use of trampolines, sort of

8) Cavaliers xylophone hopping

9) BD presenting Fellini director's chair

10) BD trumpet fanfare opening, holy sh&%

11) Bluecoats doing trust jump off the triangles.

The winner is BD

First runner up Crown.

How many of these involve high velocity movement?

[theCHEZman]

What we're talking about is "set pieces". Films have them. Those wow moments that are visually impactful and unforgettable.

This year, there are a lack of set pieces, but some memorable ones.

1) SCV trombones on pedestals on the front line.

2) BD tambourine dance

3) Cavaliers pulling black souls out of the horn players

4) BD lady in black holding umbrella behind limping Eumolpo

5) Carolina Crown - liftoff

6) Carolina Crown - silent space walk

7) Carolina Crown - use of trampolines, sort of

8) Cavaliers xylophone hopping

9) BD presenting Fellini director's chair

10) BD trumpet fanfare opening, holy sh&%

11) Bluecoats doing trust jump off the triangles.

The winner is BD

First runner up Crown.

With the exception of #8 and 10, meh...