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Post by boahistorybuff on Aug 27, 2019 11:36:23 GMT -6
I guess I will toss this out to the forum. Curious what everyone (particularly those that remember drum corps shows from 15, 20, 30 years ago, etc.) think of the changes that have occurred this decade. Don't get me wrong, the music is still incredible, the guard is doing amazing things and the energy is amazing, but watching this years DCI finals, I kind of wonder how much is too much. It seems there was more running, dancing, moving props, climbing on props, hanging from props, jumping on props, etc. from the majority of corps this year than actual marching. I think it has taken away from drill designs in my opinion. Trying not to make this sound like a "back in my day we actually marched" post, but it is probably coming off that way.
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Post by LeanderMomma on Aug 27, 2019 14:36:28 GMT -6
I guess I will toss this out to the forum. Curious what everyone (particularly those that remember drum corps shows from 15, 20, 30 years ago, etc.) think of the changes that have occurred this decade. Don't get me wrong, the music is still incredible, the guard is doing amazing things and the energy is amazing, but watching this years DCI finals, I kind of wonder how much is too much. It seems there was more running, dancing, moving props, climbing on props, hanging from props, jumping on props, etc. from the majority of corps this year than actual marching. I think it has taken away from drill designs in my opinion. Trying not to make this sound like a "back in my day we actually marched" post, but it is probably coming off that way. I agree completely and would throw high school band in there as well. Bands like Leander and CTJ are notorious for the same thing, although we don't hang from props as far as I know. Carmel is so amazing because they simply march and play astonishingly well (obviously). I would like to see a bit more of that in Texas. But not too much. I enjoy Leander/CTJ shows VERY much, but I would love to see a bit more fancy marching and less fancy dancing.
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Post by OldSchoolTrumpet on Aug 27, 2019 14:53:38 GMT -6
I guess I will toss this out to the forum. Curious what everyone (particularly those that remember drum corps shows from 15, 20, 30 years ago, etc.) think of the changes that have occurred this decade. Don't get me wrong, the music is still incredible, the guard is doing amazing things and the energy is amazing, but watching this years DCI finals, I kind of wonder how much is too much. It seems there was more running, dancing, moving props, climbing on props, hanging from props, jumping on props, etc. from the majority of corps this year than actual marching. I think it has taken away from drill designs in my opinion. Trying not to make this sound like a "back in my day we actually marched" post, but it is probably coming off that way. ------------------------------ The last couple of years have really turned me away. I mean it was already far away from Drum Corps of my youth, but it still seemed sort of like drum corps to me. I'm really having a hard time warming up to the current shows. I'd have a hard time explaining what I mean without sounding like an old fart, or risk coming across as offensive. Feels more like a Super Bowl halftime extravaganza than "marching" arts. It's losing me. Not that they care.
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Post by boahistorybuff on Aug 27, 2019 17:03:27 GMT -6
Agree with both of you.
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Post by Subito Fortissimo on Aug 27, 2019 19:34:20 GMT -6
I don't mind the use of props, but I agree it is becoming too much. IMO the biggest problem is that some of these corps have prop budgets that I'm betting are six figures between the costs to build/repair/transport, and then they turn around and beg and plead for money. Sure they can recoup some of that money by selling things to high school groups after the season, but it still rubs me the wrong way.
Reminds me of a certain non-west coast corps who a few years ago did a surprise "emergency fundraiser" because they were having trouble paying off their debts....and then a few weeks later announced that they would be doing a west coast tour the next season.
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Post by boahistorybuff on Aug 28, 2019 6:29:43 GMT -6
I don't mind props, but it seems they are becoming the focus of the visual design rather than being used to accentuate the visual design. It seems there is so much breaking formations to run around and jump and dance all over props. Even the corps that had small props seemed to be doing more running and body movements in leu of marching. I think many of us are feeling that the shows are becoming all about playing loud and fast with athleticism and dance being the primary focus. The 2002 Cavaliers show "Frameworks" had quite a bit of body movements, but they did not overwhelm the show. They simply added to already brilliant visual designs. Don't get me wrong, the corps are still playing very well. But listen to a show like 1996 Phantom Regiment's "A Defiant Heart" and compare it to those of today. There is a difference.
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Post by OldSchoolTrumpet on Aug 28, 2019 6:53:09 GMT -6
I don't mind props, but it seems they are becoming the focus of the visual design rather than being used to accentuate the visual design. It seems there is so much breaking formations to run around and jump and dance all over props. Even the corps that had small props seemed to be doing more running and body movements in leu of marching. I think many of us are feeling that the shows are becoming all about playing loud and fast with athleticism and dance being the primary focus. The 2002 Cavaliers show "Frameworks" had quite a bit of body movements, but they did not overwhelm the show. They simply added to already brilliant visual designs. Don't get me wrong, the corps are still playing very well. But listen to a show like 1996 Phantom Regiment's "A Defiant Heart" and compare it to those of today. There is a difference. --------------------------- It seems very much like outdoor WGI. Again, I know I sound curmudgeonly, but as someone who grew up watching corps in the late '70's and 80's, it's hard to relate to. It seems very focused on individual performers rather than a cohesive unit. I'm struggling to even understand how it is judged on a visual level. Of course the biggest change from my youth is the music. In My Day you bought vinyl albums of the shows at season's end and listened to them on your stereo. I can't imagine actually listening to today's music without any visuals. Not that it's not performed to perfection, but what would be the point? And lastly...and I know this can't be really understood by someone who wasn't there...but today's shows lack the visceral excitement of older shows. They're clearly more polished and executed better, but they don't make me want to leap to my feet during the performance. It's like watching a fantastic symphony orchestra vs...being 10 feet from an amp at a Zeppelin concert. Videos can't do justice. There's no way to describe sitting on the 50 in front of Spirit or Madison circa 1980 with a line of G Bugles. No one had to "shhhh" anyone in the stands back then.
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Post by madisonbandman1 on Dec 28, 2019 13:24:59 GMT -6
Part of the reason why I love Crown so much is because they still march and play. Yes, they are also known for their body movement, but the body movement they do is generally very effective and accentuates the music they are playing. After a small section of “visuals” they go right back to marching. Think of some of their most memorable shows: 2015 and 2016, where there was plenty of body movement to sell the story, but there was also PLENTY of marching. 2013 was downright MARCH AND PLAY, and it blew everyone away. Their design staff from that era was a dream team and I sincerely wish they were still with Crown - although I do like the direction they are going now. But, I digress.
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