BK using flute

[Mello Dude]

Perhaps the show is based on American Pie and it's a prop? 😛

[perc2100]

4 hours ago, waliman4444 said:

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

I don't think DCI is _slowly_ morphing: I think DCI & BOA have been intertwined for decades now: like, at least since the 90's.  Same top designers always looking to expand the medium is 100% going to generate sameness.  I suspect this goes back further than I'm aware of and is absolutely nothing new.  As fans/consumers we can either accept "art is art" and enjoy what's going on, or "this isn't my thing" and stop attending/spending money/etc.  No other options: BOADCI is staying/"evolving" and has been here for a long time and we either like what's going on or stop giving our time/money into the activity

[perc2100]

3 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.  

Do we know if BD's soprano sax or BK's oboe players last year played another instrument with the corps (or performed visually with the guard) other than their featured solo?

[perc2100]

41 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.  Any band director has likely WAY too much experience dealing with this stuff on a regular basis during marching band season.  I'm lucky I teach in Southern CA where we have about as perfect marching band season weather as it gets, but one rehearsal or performance when it's raining is way bad times (I can't fathom what some of those marching bands paid post-Rose Parade this year when they marched in the rain w/out any protection for their ww's).  

Obviously corps dealing with weather also have to deal with electronics & mics and whatnot.  But if I had to bet I'd bet speakers and mics hold up better in the rain than a flute or oboe.  Also, being outdoors for long rehearsal blocks in the sun & heat will likely wreak havoc on a flute or any ww pads.

[denverjohn]

11 minutes ago, perc2100 said:

Do we know if BD's soprano sax or BK's oboe players last year played another instrument with the corps (or performed visually with the guard) other than their featured solo?

I believe BD's soprano sax was a supplemental DM. BK's oboe was already a brass player. I remember Troop's "harmonica man" also multi-tasked.

[KVG_DC]

25 minutes ago, perc2100 said:

Do we know if BD's soprano sax or BK's oboe players last year played another instrument with the corps (or performed visually with the guard) other than their featured solo?

I believe they both had brass instruments they marched otherwise.  I think the BK kid was marching a Euph.  The BD kid a Mello?  I remember watching them on streams with us trying to see when they switched out.  Cause were talking about what different embouchures would be needed for the switching

[KVG_DC]

22 minutes ago, perc2100 said:

This.  Any band director has likely WAY too much experience dealing with this stuff on a regular basis during marching band season.  I'm lucky I teach in Southern CA where we have about as perfect marching band season weather as it gets, but one rehearsal or performance when it's raining is way bad times (I can't fathom what some of those marching bands paid post-Rose Parade this year when they marched in the rain w/out any protection for their ww's).  

Obviously corps dealing with weather also have to deal with electronics & mics and whatnot.  But if I had to bet I'd bet speakers and mics hold up better in the rain than a flute or oboe.  Also, being outdoors for long rehearsal blocks in the sun & heat will likely wreak havoc on a flute or any ww pads.

Right.  I marched in N. Indiana band with a tenor sax.  It was a regular thing to have to do major repairs after marching season. Many of us had 'marching horns' and 'concert/jazz' horns if we were top line players.  We'd be tempted to pull out the good instruments for state finals but then the notion of a Selmer Mark VII on the truck, carried gingerly over the large rock lot of fallen twisted ankles outside of the Hoosier Dome and the weather exposure of winter before getting into the dome were 'uh no...I'll use the horn that's been outside all season.'  

And the number of extra reeds we had to share around the section at EVERY show. And a box of 10 was still fairly reasonable at $9.95 for the cheaper kinds.  Reeds now are way more expensive. 

[Jeff Ream]

1 hour ago, Mello Dude said:

Perhaps the show is based on American Pie and it's a prop? 😛

well, this one time, at spring training.....

[DAYGO]

I say bring on the flute.  Can't be worse than some of the stickout brass members we hear from time to time.  (even at finals)

[ColaPanther]

I’m actually not shocked that BK is embracing the woodwinds. Their arranger (Leslie Gilreath) is a woodwind player himself. It'll be tastefully done. I’m confident of that. He's a solid composer/arranger.