BOA Bans Ensemble Amplification. Is DCI next?

[jjeffeory]

39 minutes ago, gbass598 said:

And if you have the tool available to you, why not be able to use it?

If you have an electronic keyboard, why only limit it to making piano, strings, and bass guitar sounds? How many groups use Mainstage or Logic with a full library of sounds at their fingertip but somebody is going to police what sounds are used and where?

This is not going to turn into another "back in my day" discussion but how do you allow progress and place limits on the tools at the same time?Limiting the functionality of a keyboard is kind of like having a clarinet but telling them they aren't allowed to play b flat or a trumpet but they aren't allowed to use a mute.

Innovation can take many forms and can involve both working within established rules and ignoring them. It ultimately depends on the specific context and the nature of the rules in question.

In some cases, innovation may involve finding new and creative ways to operate within existing rules and constraints. For example, a company may be able to innovate by improving its products or services within the boundaries of existing regulations or by finding new ways to optimize its operations within the limits of its available resources.

However, there may be situations where existing rules are too rigid or outdated to allow for true innovation, and breaking those rules may be necessary to achieve meaningful progress. For instance, a startup may need to challenge established industry norms and regulations to disrupt the status quo and bring new products or services to market.

Overall, the most innovative approaches involve striking a balance between creativity and practicality, and finding new ways to work within existing rules or challenge them when necessary. Ultimately, innovation is about finding new solutions to old problems, and sometimes that means rethinking the rules that govern our systems and processes.

[IllianaLancerContra]

18 minutes ago, gbass598 said:

But you know nobody is doing that or is planning to do that with electronics. What they seem to be against is enhancing the existing sound.

There was a small band that won Class A BOA this year. Very small wind section, all amplified. They don't seem to have an issue with that. They just don't like it when big bands do it.

In consideration of the Bands of America philosophy, we recommend the following be implemented for the 2023 BOA season and beyond.

• Amplifying individuals through a soundboard during tutti sections leads to an
  intentional misrepresentation of what is being performed by the total ensemble. This
  misrepresentation of acoustic quality by enhancing a few individuals is unacceptable.
• Soloists and featured ensembles may use microphones during their feature section but must be muted from amplification when not being featured.
• Where a participating band has a limited number of performers (e.g., one player to a part), the use of individual microphones is acceptable.

One way to illustrate a bad idea is to take it to its ultimate conclusion 

[gbass598]

8 minutes ago, jjeffeory said:

Innovation can take many forms and can involve both working within established rules and ignoring them. It ultimately depends on the specific context and the nature of the rules in question.

In some cases, innovation may involve finding new and creative ways to operate within existing rules and constraints. For example, a company may be able to innovate by improving its products or services within the boundaries of existing regulations or by finding new ways to optimize its operations within the limits of its available resources.

However, there may be situations where existing rules are too rigid or outdated to allow for true innovation, and breaking those rules may be necessary to achieve meaningful progress. For instance, a startup may need to challenge established industry norms and regulations to disrupt the status quo and bring new products or services to market.

Overall, the most innovative approaches involve striking a balance between creativity and practicality, and finding new ways to work within existing rules or challenge them when necessary. Ultimately, innovation is about finding new solutions to old problems, and sometimes that means rethinking the rules that govern our systems and processes.

You aren't wrong. There is also the case of baseball where they seem to be known to create new rules for problems that don't exist.

Pitch clock = great idea

starting extra innings with a base runner = seems a bit unfair and just trying to get the game over so the umps and players can hurry up and get to the bar afterwards.

banning the shift = dumbest rule ever - want to beat the shift? maybe lay down a bunt or try to hit to the opposite field once in a while.

[TheOneWhoKnows]

I think we can appreciate soundscapes and things that electronics can add to a program. 

However, it is no secret that electronics have been and continue to advance in a way that they can easily replace acoustic instrumentation. It's something we are heavily seeing as an issue on Broadway, more in the touring shows. Keyboards with sound libraries are constantly replacing string sections, fuller brass sections, even percussion instruments. 

While I think this "guidance" is truly more geared towards amplifying members of an ensemble to make the ensemble sound better versus allowing the authentic sound of the ensemble come through whether good or bad. 

However, let's be honest. This is marching band/drum corps. The point is to play the darn instruments. I truly think it is important to protect the acoustic instrument. So, while some are interpreting this "guidance" to mean if you don't have a timpani you can't hit a key and let a timpani sound, I think that is a good thing. 

Again, I can appreciate electronics in programs and enhancements they can provide. But I am not for replacing actual instruments and technique to play actual instruments. 

[IllianaLancerContra]

52 minutes ago, gbass598 said:

Then let's run on rechargeable batteries. 😏

Or this

https://gilligan.fandom.com/wiki/Electric_Generator

Gilligan powers the electric generator

Edited May 11, 2023 by IllianaLancerContra

[ZTWright]

I just want to know, from anyone, the last time they saw a marching band and/or drum corps not march Trumpets because they can be replaced in the pit. Anyone? Because in my career as an educator I've yet to see it happen. The worst I've seen/heard is one of three things:

1. Thunderous Goo coming from the synth trying to make up for a lack of bass/Tuba. Which in the case of small bands without a Tuba, this is understandably done to add depth to their sound. Anyone who disagrees obviously hasn't worked with a band who has 9 winds.

2. A sound patch was used during a solo. This could have been because the kid was sick. I don't know. I've only ever seen this happen once and it was quite noticeable as the kid wasn't even moving their fingers. Clearly the staff didn't prepare the kid for that performance, and likewise shouldn't have even happened, just continue without the solo. Hold up a sign that says "Kid got braces" or something. Not that I as an educator condone that, but I would much rather that be done than a recording of the solo be played while the student stands in front of the mic like they're playing said solo.

3. The entire band is mic'd. The current Class A champion in BOA is a prime example of this. Each instrument had a mic attached. I seen this first hand, up close. They wouldn't have produced nearly half the sound that they did without those mics. There is no way that 20 winds are going to produce the amount of sound that Bourbon County is with almost 100 winds. 

Technology is and will continue to push the activity. Banning technology will restrict the artistic expression and will eventually kill the activity, but it won't replace Trumpets on the field. I promise.

[Lance]

41 minutes ago, gbass598 said:

You aren't wrong. There is also the case of baseball where they seem to be known to create new rules for problems that don't exist.

Pitch clock = great idea

starting extra innings with a base runner = seems a bit unfair and just trying to get the game over so the umps and players can hurry up and get to the bar afterwards.

banning the shift = dumbest rule ever - want to beat the shift? maybe lay down a bunt or try to hit to the opposite field once in a while.

both the pitch clock and putting runners on base in extras were to address the length of games which greatly impacts new viewership.  the pitch clock does a lot more to shorten games and enable hurrying up and getting to a bar. i think most people are onboard with the pitch clock, but the 2b runner in extras is a bit more controversial, but has plenty of proponents in the game and in fandom.  implying it was enacted out of laziness?  come on lol. 

banning the shift also has plenty of proponents, many of which are rational humans. but yeah, it's pretty controversial.  i like it because the shifting got so absurd it didn't even look like baseball anymore.  it also rewards more skilled batters.  reducing it to a problem that doesn't exist is pretty myopic, imo. 

there is nuance to any discussion about these kinds of rules, just like there is in marching band.  maybe try to explore it a little?  you have people like you (as far as I can tell) and MikeD who are literally "anything goes", but i'm betting that even you advocate drawing some lines.  

 

[TheOneWhoKnows]

4 minutes ago, ZTWright said:

I just want to know, from anyone, the last time they saw a marching band and/or drum corps not march Trumpets because they can be replaced in the pit. Anyone? Because in my career as an educator I've yet to see it happen. The worst I've seen/heard is one of three things:

1. Thunderous Goo coming from the synth trying to make up for a lack of bass/Tuba. Which in the case of small bands without a Tuba, this is understandably done to add depth to their sound. Anyone who disagrees obviously hasn't worked with a band who has 9 winds.

2. A sound patch was used during a solo. This could have been because the kid was sick. I don't know. I've only ever seen this happen once and it was quite noticeable as the kid wasn't even moving their fingers. Clearly the staff didn't prepare the kid for that performance, and likewise shouldn't have even happened, just continue without the solo. Hold up a sign that says "Kid got braces" or something. Not that I as an educator condone that, but I would much rather that be done than a recording of the solo be played while the student stands in front of the mic like they're playing said solo.

3. The entire band is mic'd. The current Class A champion in BOA is a prime example of this. Each instrument had a mic attached. I seen this first hand, up close. They wouldn't have produced nearly half the sound that they did without those mics. There is no way that 20 winds are going to produce the amount of sound that Bourbon County is with almost 100 winds. 

Technology is and will continue to push the activity. Banning technology will restrict the artistic expression and will eventually kill the activity, but it won't replace Trumpets on the field. I promise.

I've seen a lot of percussion sounds be used by electronics. Replacing timpani or chimes. I understand in the grand scale of things that's minor, but it's a step in a direction that I don't think is good in my opinion. Just because you don't have the timpani or you don't want to haul it around doesn't mean you can replace it with an electronic. As a percussionist, you're cheating out on the proper technique and tuning it takes to play the timpani. I don't necessarily believe in taking an easy route for the sake of having it to have it. I would rather an arranger and the group adapt without the timpani.

[Lance]

20 minutes ago, ZTWright said:

I just want to know, from anyone, the last time they saw a marching band and/or drum corps not march Trumpets because they can be replaced in the pit. Anyone? Because in my career as an educator I've yet to see it happen.

i never said or implied that there would be no trumpets in dci.  

tuba sections have already been reduced over the past decade because they've been replaced by the very thunderous goo you mentioned and converted to guard/pit spots. 

sheets are objectively visual heavy so i see reducing acoustic sound production, replacing it with amping smaller sections, and converting those spots to visual/percussion continuing, especially with the anything goes mindset.  talk to me in 5 years.  i'll be happy to be wrong.

pretty sure i'm not.  

Edited May 11, 2023 by Lance

[IllianaLancerContra]

14 minutes ago, ZTWright said:

I just want to know, from anyone, the last time they saw a marching band and/or drum corps not march Trumpets because they can be replaced in the pit. Anyone? Because in my career as an educator I've yet to see it happen.

It is called a WGI color guard.  The music is performed elsewhere, recorded, and electronically reproduced while the color guard members perform. 

I really think one one season soon, probably in an Open class corps (because they sometimes struggle for members) we will see someone try an all musicians in pit, big guard on field approach.   May work, may not.  Just like SCV wasn't very successful in 1980 (7th, lowest for them since DCI's beginning in 1972) with asymmetrical drill - but it served as a starting point for the future.