radchad

I wish you wouldn't use the word copy like it's a bad thing. I don't even see it as copying. It's more like.. inspiring. I mean, to a lot of High Schools, Drum Corp is just that. Inspiration. I know schools that use bits of past Drum Corp shows, or bits of past BOA GN Winners.. and the kids.. that is all they can talk about. I don't know. In the world of marching band, I don't think it's copying. It's about taking something, whether someone used it or not, and making it your own.

Well, Richland played on Concert Tubas, while Bluecoats played on Contras, while moving and performing drill. It's no excuse, but I just thought I should point it out. And in that case, the Bluecoats did it first, technically. xD

If you decided to play horn(which, if you're a flute players is what I think the best for fluts to switch to if they decide to), you have the reading of music down. Because horn has a smaller mouthpiece, it would be easier for you to play on rather than a tuba. Also, if I am not mistaken, it takes a lot of air to play the flute really well, and with 7 years training, I bet you have some powerful playing lungs. You have all the right equipment, you just need to read the manual.

It shouldn't be about who your favorite corp is. It should be about who has the best show for the current year.

It's not really stealing. I mean. It's kind of like football plays. None of them are copyrighted or anything. Just because one band does them, doesn't mean another can't. So if a band splits into two blocks, each row alternating, and they jazz run back into eachother.. they are copying every band that has ever done that move? ... Just saying.

COuld someone explain the concept behind the Blue Devils show? I liked it, but I wasn't that impressed. I am thinking that perhaps the reasoning behind that is because I didn't understand it. I thought Phantom's music and execution of the music was better. Also, their high brass pwns. BD's show design was excellent, I just don't understand. Props to Crown. I love this show. Every part of it is entertaining, and the design is great(especially the beginning). The guard is excellent, as is the musical selection. Phantom has my favorite show this year(aside from Crown and Glassmen). Bluecoats drumline is SICK this year. I hope they throw it down and get the percussion title this year. The overall design is what is keeping this show from its true potential. The ballad is simply beautiful, and I loved the singing. ESPECIALLY with it being in tune and having a great tone. SCV brought it, but I don't think they have fully show the potential of that show. We shall see. The Cadets have a good show. I actually think the narration sort of works with it, although I am still not partial to THAT much speaking. Their hornline sounds good and I enjoyed 78% of the show. I think the last set was kinda eh.. kids stuff? And the drill design left a lot to be desired.. but I like it this year. I never thought I'd hear myself say it, either. Boston Crusaders. I think they have my favorite GE moment out of all the corps. When the hornline is in a block, and each section takes turns moving their horn to the sides to create the sound effect. I went crazy. I absolutely loved it. They have a good show this year. I wonder if they can take back their lead over BK? Cavies... eh. I wasn't really into it. I wanted it to be cool, but I think the theme died off by 3/4 into the show. I expected the ending to be something great, but they just end without doing anything ya know? I thought all the visuals were a little ameteurish.. almost high schoolish. I will probably be flamed for that, but that's what I felt. It feels as if they are trying to almost repeat 2006. My favorite part of the show is when the drumline are all standing in poses with the little thingies that make that cool noise. xD Wow I am so specific. Glassmen's show was thouroughly entertaining. I enjoyed every minute of it. This corp is getting better and better. And ahhh. Poor girl on the Crossmen. What was her name? Marissa or something? I saw it happen. You could see the pain in her eyes.. I hope she is doing well.

I'm the same way. I am more partial to insane mellophone licks and low pedal stuff.. Like in Summer Train Blues Mix, from the Blue Devils in 2004. I think it was for finals? But anyway.. I forgot what the name of the song is, but in the entire corp played note after note getting lower and lower, then the low brass dropped into pedal. They played that pedal note so loud and so low, the stadium seemed to shake. Those are the moments that make me go crazy. I do like the beginning of Phantom's show though, when one of the trumpet players doesn't crack 3 notes.

Woot! Off to San Antonio! See you all thereee!!

Oh dang. I remember reading your explanation. D: I just forgot. xD Sorry about that.

Happened in 1996 when they did it to Phantom Regiment. They deserved to win but they tied with Blue Devils. So they still could do a tie.

I think SCV has a shot at the title this year, as does Phantom. I think first place is going to be a battle between SCV, Phantom, BD, and Cavies. However, I really do think Crown has a great shot of making top 5 if not 3.

Don't focus too much on rankings. They really don't mean much. I mean look at each caption and how different it is from caption to caption. In the Ensemble Music caption, SCV is in 1st. Then in the GE music caption they are like 5th or 6th. I think we can really get a good idea at who has a shot at the title in San Antonio. I am so psyched. From what I have seen and heard from Phantom this year, their show is just amazing. So far my other favorite besides Phantom and SCV is Carolina Crown. Hot darn are they smoking. They are steadily catching up to the Cadets. This is going to be a fantastic race to the finish.

Well, what do you expect? In 05 when SCV went through that huge ordeal where they lost half their staff and stuff... They have been recovering ever since. So, I mean. I am not surprised people feel that way about a new staff.

It's going to be interesting. I have been hearing a lot of chatter about Marcus and how they aren't doing anymore of those kinds of shows. If that's true, I wonder what they will do?

Not. Like it was previously said, DCI comes from Percussion, Guard, and BRASS roots. I think adding in woodwinds would be completely changing the foundation of a magnificant program. If you add in woodwinds, you would have to up the member limit or cut the brass in half. That would have an effect on overall volume, and sound. The brass would overpower the woodwinds anyway. If anything is more memorbable of a Drum Corp, its the huge impact volume of that first hit. I know it is unfair for woodwind player, but I honestly have met only a select few of woodwind players who would ever seriously consider marching drum corp, anyway. If you want to do it that badly, pick up a brass instrument and get to learning.

I agreeee.

Be lucky! I never had the opportunity to perform at Grand Nationals. Do you know how much i would give to perform in GN Finals? Gah. And to think. You were able to go TWICE IN A ROW. Mhm.

I want to march so badly. I just don't know how I would be able to pay for it.

A lot of the reasoning for this is because people like to steal ideas. It's happened before. Many a time in all programs. I would probably do the same to keep from seeing the exact same concept on the field at a competition.

On the contrary. THey have a very unique concept this year, and their hornline already sounds amazing for this point in the season.

Just because a Corps. wins one year does not mean they are going to win the next year. Honestly, in terms of concept this is a long-awaited season for DCI. I am pretty excited to see what each corps has to offer. It's really hard to say who will be where so early. SCV has spent the last few years recovering from an off-season in '05. Expect surprises from them this year. Carolina Crown are under more pressure this year because everyone expects way more out of them than they have ever been expected of. The Cadets are coming out of a very controversial season. I know many newcomers to DCI who don't like them because of it. Can they change attitudes? The Boston Crusaders have an interesting show concept. Their guard is under the direction of the man who took Flanagan HS, a Scholastic World Class Winterguard to first place this year at WGI World Championships. The Blue Knights have been on their way up in terms of strength within the corp. Year after year they get better and better. Who knows where they'll end up this year? The Academy received a huge spotlight after being bumped up into the World Class. Their show was very entertaining, and they were one of the corps most wanted to see make finals. The Bluecoats had the first place finish in Brass countless times throughout the season. Their show was a crowd favorite and definitely entertaining. They are thirsty for a top 5 finish. I wouldn't expect any less. Phantom Regiment is one of the most consistent Corps in the program to date. Year after year they amaze the audience with their breathtaking shows. Heck. Their whole trumpet line picked up baritones and started playing. I think they deserve a win, and going back to their roots and reprising this show concept, I think they can do it. The Blue Devils may be the current Champ, but they have their work cut out for them this year. I personally would like to see PR win, and SCV, Bluecoats, or Crown medal.

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One of my favorite Churchill shows.

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One of the coolest parts about the 07 marching season is the fact that I was lucky enough to see this show evolve. The first time I saw it was at the BOA Arlington Regional. I was in shock because it was so different from 'The Remaining' but I really wanted to see more of what they had. In total, I think I saw this show 8 times throughout the season(not including the performances at GN). The last time I saw it was at their send off performance and my heart melted when they played. The sound was so distinct.. so crisp and rich. It's very interesting to see the different interpretations of what a marching show should be. You never really know what to expect at marching competitions because some bands focus more on music while others focus primarily on crazy drill that excites the audience. Of course, this includes everything in between. But I have to say, any band that can give me chills.. even when I am watching them online, have to be a band that deserves something. After watching all the performances, I must say that I think they got most of the placings dead on. A lot of people were upset that Avon did not win, but it just came down to music this year. You just never know what to expect. LD Bell had(when it comes to final placings) a good lead in the music caption over Avon. Something I noticed when I saw them in their send off performance was that they WERE playing some while under the sheets. I also believe the whole band sang at some point, but I am not for certain on that. Another thing I do hear quite a bit is that their show was 'boring' and that they barely did anything. Well, last year there were parts where the band wasn't playing, yet people never said anything about that. The show was slower paced, but it was all about the performance.. what the show means. The music/drill represented the idea behind the show. In my opinion, whoever wrote their drill did a great job at covering the field with drill and using it to a really big extent. The drill was way cleaner in this year's finals performance compared to last year's, too. My only beef with the show was that I think they should have given the little girl an earpiece mic or something. Her holding the microphone kinda took away from the effect a little, but overall the show was just great. Haha, sorry for rambling.