I will be the death of me . . . .
I'm pretty sure Drum Corps and the Theme Park Sketches are why I'm not up to par. Thankfully, I can control myself with the sketches, but the drum corps is a little out of control. I mean, it's more exciting now that I know a little more about how the corps operates (would like to know more) and how each corps functions. Each one is developing a personality as I learn more. Here's a basic analysis of the top 5 (I believe I mentioned a long time ago I will devote various posts to drum corps div I activity). Most corps have posted pre-season videos online. It will be great to see how they improve over the season (for once I finally see them as less than perfect right now!)
1) The Cadets (my favs) have a revolutionary history but a controversial present right now. Although they have been famous for "pushing the envelope" in Drum Corps from the beginning, but last year turned to infamy due to including voice, characters, and dance in their show unsuccessfuly. This year, they try to return to their revolutionary tradition while also including voice. "This I Believe" will not only be an intricate, difficult, and very technical show, but will also BLOW YOU AWAY compared to last year's "failure". I have been checking their website everyday checking out the blogs, watching the "All-Access". It's really cool to see how the corps develops during the season.
I definitely want to go to their audition camp again. Even though I know drum corps isn't for me, their playing is amazing and their technique is very helpful. You can always learn something helpful from a drum corps when it comes to music. Plus I want to see how much I've improved.
2) The Cavaliers, last year's champs, have recently been known to be revolutionary. With the best visual program in drum corps and a prodigally gifted hornline, they have nabbed 5 out of the past 6 'ships. This year, they seem to have a much better pit while their hornline is not up to the same level. They are playing a Billy Joel show, which is startling (past shows have been Revolution, 007, Spin Cycle, and MACHINE) but hearing their pre-season recording, it's got a LOT of potential.
3) Phantom Regiment, typically a classical based corps, is an up and coming corps. Last year, a show based on the story FAUST proved that Phantom, even though winning only 1 championship back in the 80s, has now become a corps to be reckoned with. This year's show, "On Air" seems to be on the peaceful side (no recordings yet), but wouldn't be surprised if they came out within the top three again.
4) Blue Devils, One of the youngest corps, yet the most winningest, almost ALWAYS placing in the top 5, and winning 11 'ships in 30 years. Combines classical with jazz and a hint of badass. Brass is a little blasty, but drumline is phenomenal. This year, they celebrate 50 years with "Winged Victory" a mostly classical show. They're a corps who can easily be dark, but would have trouble showing a "light" side. Hearing a portion of their show, it doesn't look like anything they haven't done before.
5) Blue Coats, an up and coming corps, placing 4th twice in a row. Primarily jazz based. This year, they changed their whole vision and all of a sudden became too much like the Blue Devils and the Cavies (it's a shame, considering they could have kept their same image and still done pretty well). Their show, "criminal" proves that they are definitely trying to be more badass than they should.
Well, if you're still reading this, I hope you are interested enough to keep following throughout the summer. Thanks to a new DCI website, I'll be able to watch selected regional events online, which means I'll be watching REALLY closely. Hopefully by the time I see the quarterfinals in a cinema in August I'll get to know the shows pretty well (can't WAIT until I see most of them in Allentown on July 7th and 8th!).
Now, unfortunately, I have to leave my happy place and get back to work.
>-ttt-< :)
1) The Cadets (my favs) have a revolutionary history but a controversial present right now. Although they have been famous for "pushing the envelope" in Drum Corps from the beginning, but last year turned to infamy due to including voice, characters, and dance in their show unsuccessfuly. This year, they try to return to their revolutionary tradition while also including voice. "This I Believe" will not only be an intricate, difficult, and very technical show, but will also BLOW YOU AWAY compared to last year's "failure". I have been checking their website everyday checking out the blogs, watching the "All-Access". It's really cool to see how the corps develops during the season.
I definitely want to go to their audition camp again. Even though I know drum corps isn't for me, their playing is amazing and their technique is very helpful. You can always learn something helpful from a drum corps when it comes to music. Plus I want to see how much I've improved.
2) The Cavaliers, last year's champs, have recently been known to be revolutionary. With the best visual program in drum corps and a prodigally gifted hornline, they have nabbed 5 out of the past 6 'ships. This year, they seem to have a much better pit while their hornline is not up to the same level. They are playing a Billy Joel show, which is startling (past shows have been Revolution, 007, Spin Cycle, and MACHINE) but hearing their pre-season recording, it's got a LOT of potential.
3) Phantom Regiment, typically a classical based corps, is an up and coming corps. Last year, a show based on the story FAUST proved that Phantom, even though winning only 1 championship back in the 80s, has now become a corps to be reckoned with. This year's show, "On Air" seems to be on the peaceful side (no recordings yet), but wouldn't be surprised if they came out within the top three again.
4) Blue Devils, One of the youngest corps, yet the most winningest, almost ALWAYS placing in the top 5, and winning 11 'ships in 30 years. Combines classical with jazz and a hint of badass. Brass is a little blasty, but drumline is phenomenal. This year, they celebrate 50 years with "Winged Victory" a mostly classical show. They're a corps who can easily be dark, but would have trouble showing a "light" side. Hearing a portion of their show, it doesn't look like anything they haven't done before.
5) Blue Coats, an up and coming corps, placing 4th twice in a row. Primarily jazz based. This year, they changed their whole vision and all of a sudden became too much like the Blue Devils and the Cavies (it's a shame, considering they could have kept their same image and still done pretty well). Their show, "criminal" proves that they are definitely trying to be more badass than they should.
Well, if you're still reading this, I hope you are interested enough to keep following throughout the summer. Thanks to a new DCI website, I'll be able to watch selected regional events online, which means I'll be watching REALLY closely. Hopefully by the time I see the quarterfinals in a cinema in August I'll get to know the shows pretty well (can't WAIT until I see most of them in Allentown on July 7th and 8th!).
Now, unfortunately, I have to leave my happy place and get back to work.
>-ttt-< :)