BK using flute

[Jeff Ream]

just because it's legal doesn't mean they'll use it.

 

where have I heard that before

[waliman4444]

Drum and Bugle Corps just slowly morphing into the band friendly environs of BOA audiences...If BLUECOATS start rocking woodwinds ( however few) the uniqueness of what I love would be gone..I understand that DCI needs to grow NEW audiences so I accept these changes and I realize that my preferences don't mean diddly, but my enthusiasm for this art form would probably be less, as woodwinds outside of concert halls, just don't move me..my opinion only...peace

[Prcbgcc826]

I personally don't mind this, but I'm already not looking forward to the people complaining about it throughout the entire intermission at Big, Loud and Live in August (assuming that happens) like happened this past August.

[jimwolf359]

Last year they nailed it with the Oboe soloist. Let's see what they do with this. Should be interesting. 

[KVG_DC]

The oboe for BK last year was really well done.  I don't mind the soloists working in like this as BD did a good job with the sop sax as well. The cellos, violins , ketyars, etc. incorporated the past as featured instruments have been done pretty well too.  I've get the concerns of the slippery slope but I'm fine with 'featured soloist' usage of various other instrumentations and their colors in the sound scape.  

I would like to see some provision or modification where a featured woodwind/string/non-brass musician be ALSO performing in a 'regular' role of the ensemble, e.g. a brass musician who come to pick up a flute or a oboist who is otherwise marching brass, percussion, or guard.  I think it's most impressive when we see features where cross musical/performing skills are in play.   e.g. the vocalist for Troopers' Wild Horses doing that vocal work after having spun her heart out on the field in the guard, etc.  

[OldSnareDrummer]

Agree, after BK's and BD's woodwinds last year, I'm a lot more receptive to this sort of thing. It's not the end of drum corps. 

 

[denverjohn]

2 hours ago, KVG_DC said:

The oboe for BK last year was really well done.  I don't mind the soloists working in like this as BD did a good job with the sop sax as well. The cellos, violins , ketyars, etc. incorporated the past as featured instruments have been done pretty well too.  I've get the concerns of the slippery slope but I'm fine with 'featured soloist' usage of various other instrumentations and their colors in the sound scape.  

I would like to see some provision or modification where a featured woodwind/string/non-brass musician be ALSO performing in a 'regular' role of the ensemble, e.g. a brass musician who come to pick up a flute or a oboist who is otherwise marching brass, percussion, or guard.  I think it's most impressive when we see features where cross musical/performing skills are in play.   e.g. the vocalist for Troopers' Wild Horses doing that vocal work after having spun her heart out on the field in the guard, etc.  

Multi-tasking is the way to go. Crown's vocal ensemble segments in 2013 and 2014 were much more impressive than Cadets 8-person "pit choir" in 2017.

[Lance]

not a fad.  wouldn't be surprised if we hear a mic's mixed woodwind ensemble sometime in the near future. 

i loathe it, but the good news is that I still think it'll be impractical to march entire sections of woodwinds.  good reeds are $3 apiece or more nowadays and you're lucky to get 3 good reeds in a box of 10...can maybe stretch that to 4 or 5 if you have somebody who's good with sandpaper and clipper.  good clarinet players aren't going to want to play on composite any more than good arrangers would want to hear their work sounding nasty with those instruments.  and maintaining springs, screws, and pads on ww is quite a bit more expensive than brass maintenance.  

i feel like corps have been pretty restrained and intentional with they feature non-brass instruments.  doesn't mean i like it, but since it's not a fad and I still like most of what I see and hear, I guess I'd better get used to it.  

[KVG_DC]

2 minutes ago, Lance said:

not a fad.  wouldn't be surprised if we hear a mic's mixed woodwind ensemble sometime in the near future. 

i loathe it, but the good news is that I still think it'll be impractical to march entire sections of woodwinds.  good reeds are $3 apiece or more nowadays and you're lucky to get 3 good reeds in a box of 10...can maybe stretch that to 4 or 5 if you have somebody who's good with sandpaper and clipper.  good clarinet players aren't going to want to play on composite any more than good arrangers would want to hear their work sounding nasty with those instruments.  and maintaining springs, screws, and pads on ww is quite a bit more expensive than brass maintenance.  

i feel like corps have been pretty restrained and intentional with they feature non-brass instruments.  doesn't mean i like it, but since it's not a fad and I still like most of what I see and hear, I guess I'd better get used to it.  

This.  We could see it grow to 'featured ensembles' but it'd be stunned to see full sections unless the touring model completely collapses and we end up with 'weekend gigs only' sort of things.  In which case, the entire activity would have changed pretty dramatically.

 

[KVG_DC]

31 minutes ago, denverjohn said:

Multi-tasking is the way to go. Crown's vocal ensemble segments in 2013 and 2014 were much more impressive than Cadets 8-person "pit choir" in 2017.

Totally.

If we're not beyond the "music education" aspect of the activity yet, then it also reinforces the cross instrumentation skills and understanding of musicality in the activity.  Something I think would appeal to the current "I'm a music major looking to be a band director" crowd that seems to be the prime recruiting field.  Even in my day (the mid to late 80s) in high end competitive band, it was considered super cool to be multi-instrumental.  As part of the Jazz Band I front line, we were expected to be able to put down our saxes and pick up a flute or clarinet for some numbers and relished the challenge of it.