AndrewPCarr

i feel that "best" is left open to the individuals' interpretation. i also don't see how "pleasing" and "cool" are any more narrowed down. both seem VERY broad and open to interpretation as well. either way, i have trouble understanding how star 93 of any show could not be labeled "cool". along those lines, cleanliness and execution are extremely "pleasing" to me, and i'll go so far as to assume it's probably pleasing to most people. i guess it's all entirely subjective. and the aforementioned "feeling of the groove" is mutual skippy

i disagree i went with 93 star. word.

i should preface by saying this is in no way meant to be rude, but you might actually have just typed out one of the least uttered phrases in the world.

i'll preface by saying i've seen a very limited number of bands this season, but bowie has sparked my interest the most. solid design.

Yup. Bluecoats will be having 2 camps in Denton, TX. word

I don't know what inspired this rant as no one prior to your post described them as the best corps of all time. Considering Star's first year in competition was '85, I'd consider everything they accomplished rather amazing. You yourself listed off dominant corps of the era, which were infact topped by Star in their mere 7th year of fielding a corps. You're comparing the achievements of a corps who only lasted 9 years to corps who've been in the business FAR longer. Cavaliers needed 20 competing years before taking the title, Cadets in their 6th year of competition. Mind you these corps were established as far back as the 30's. I really don't know why you are attempting to take away from what Star did in a thread about which corps it would be cool to see again

ZING!

too easy is right. star is the obvious choice, for me at least.

Yes. I am indeed referring to Jared's post (Random side note. There are talks of us being seat partners this summer ) If you don't blame their performance level for their not making finals, what is to blame? Better design from the corps ahead of them or just a higher level of execution from the aforementioned corps? Honest question I've been delving into the recordings from previous years on Southwind's website and man, they had some smoking hornlines. Most of the recordings on the site are standstills, in which I would rate them a top 8, dare I say top 6 hornline...standing still (my most recent listen was to the '01 ballad and closer. Great music. LOVE the '00 ballad, and show for that matter...mm). Anyhow, most definitely looking forward to another extremely enjoyable show from SW. Hope it brings them the success I would love to see.

I've been a big fan of Southwind's show designs as of late. But, as stated on another board, they have top 12 show designs with less than top 12 execution (stating the obvious I suppose). I really enjoyed seeing their 05 product on tour and am looking forward to what sounds like a very interesting show/concept! GL to them!

I think Phantom is one of the corps bashed the least. An obvious fan favorite. The bashing I see is usually geared towards their visual program, or lack-there-of in years past

I wonder if the randomly bolded letters mean anything...hmmmm

Austin anyone? EXCITEMENT!

I voted SCV, although I think 89 Phantom had one of the most powerful hornlines of the era. Really, I could have voted either way.

Ah, word. I also did not vote.

I find it hard to compare a flute choir to a techno orchestra or steel guitar with techno accompaniment But that's just me!

I remember coming off the field and while circled up, hearing Southwind's show, and I remember really liking it! I need a recording of that... oh...and '05 'Coats Possibly biased...

Cool stuff man for sure! I'll agree with someone above, as it did seem somewhat redundant at times. Seems like the demand placed on certain instruments (i.e. trumpets) is far to great. I wouldn't even want to think about attempting to clean some of their lines. The show comes off great in midi, but I can't see a high school band putting this on the field successfully. I envision a few strong players attempting to hack away at some of the lines and just getting a real thin sound from the field until a major impact. Some of the rythmic aspects sound far too difficult as well, from an ensemble standpoint. Since most of this piece, and most of the rythmic lines occur during full ensemble moments clarity would be an issue in my mind, especially if they were staged in something other than a block in the center of the field. The show comes off as super relentless, which is what you're going for I assume. Just wondering, with such demanding tempos, long phrases consisting of tough lines, where are the kids going to get a chance to rest both their face and feet? Some long blows in this piece for sure. If a band could pull this off, major kudos to the kids, directors, and you as well for sure. Nice writing!

Prepare for flame (no pun intended) at the mention of woodwinds ("wood"...hence the hint at "punnage"...I'm lame) in drum corps I think the Cadets hornline will perform the heck out of the ballad. The singing, I suppose, has potential, but I'm not all for it. I find it more suited for a large hall or something with reverb. The soloist alone on a mic (assuming they don't add reverb and the such via sound board, having no idea whether or not that's allowed) I don't think fits quite right with the ambience the hornline is providing. I get an Enya vibe, or Gladiator soundtrack feeling. Granted, this may all be provoked by my dislike of amp usage. I marched with amps. I'm allowed to not like them. But, what I say doesn't matter, as the Cadets will sell it no matter what. Hopefully good stuff is on the horizon.

I am pro-ballads to the max, be it embedded or not, that's all semantics dictated by your means of transitioning between the style change. Saying a ballad is not technically demanding is quite an exaggerated statement. As far as music goes, the aformentioned "easy sustained whole notes", are one of the more unheralded technical elements of music. Avoiding gaps in the sound at both high and low volumes/registers, maintaining pulse and tempo, breath control after having just run your butt off, finishing phrases, clean releases, and creating music in the silence. A ballad is in no way a chop break, at least from my experiences. It's an opportunity for a mood change, let the audience relax. A non-stop, intense show can also come off as superbly boring in the sense that, although cool, loud and intense can become mundane. Visually, the ensemble gets a chance to rest, but at the same time, display phenomenal technique. An ensemble that can look "big" in a ballad is sayin' something, with good foot phasing of course. All in all, I heart ballads.

and now he's helping people out as well, Mr. "I want all the credit"

and it's actually Indian Being part of the hornline, I don't know the whole story. But, I believe after hearing the drum guys talk about it a couple times, the tabla speak is actually how they teach someone how to play the tabla drum, learning the sounds vocally first.

I'm loving this, what seems to be, surge of Texas corps on the rise. Ridiculously exciting to watch. Really hope the best for yall and all other Texas corps! Love all around

So, this thread is really old and all but I have too...pwned to the max...

In an attempt to avoid my personal biases: 1. 2000 BD 2. 1993 Star 3. 98 SCV/99 Madison