Dci - Drum Corps International
Jim_has_Skillz
Join Date: 2003-01-19 Member: 12475Members, Constellation
Join Date: 2003-01-19 Member: 12475Members, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">Anyone follow this organization?</div> I recently to one of the Summer Music Games Competitions held by this organization and all I can say was WOW. I was completely amazed and the music was fantastic. Also to see all those kids working together on something they love.
I saw it because one of my friends was in one of the Corps. She was one of the Color Guards and did a fantastic job.
Through further search I have found out that they actually have the Finals Broadcasted on tv. (All my recent time has been spent downloading last years finals)
These Corps are amazing and I can't believe what they can do. Is anyone else interested in this and if you have been how long have you been following this?
If you wanna check out their site, its www.dci.org
*EDIT* I believe the World Finals are coming up in a couple weeks! YAY!
I saw it because one of my friends was in one of the Corps. She was one of the Color Guards and did a fantastic job.
Through further search I have found out that they actually have the Finals Broadcasted on tv. (All my recent time has been spent downloading last years finals)
These Corps are amazing and I can't believe what they can do. Is anyone else interested in this and if you have been how long have you been following this?
If you wanna check out their site, its www.dci.org
*EDIT* I believe the World Finals are coming up in a couple weeks! YAY!
Comments
I tried out for the Colts cymbal line for the 2003 season. Didn't make it, but they had everyone returning. Coming from one of the top collegiate cymbal lines in the nation means nothing when the entire (arguably) best cymbal line in DCI (save for Vanguard) is returning. I had planned on trying out for Vanguard on cymbals and tenors last year, but that ended up falling through and now I'll never have the chance to again, even though my birthday in late June means I still have eligibility next year.
A bunch of guys from the NU drumline have marched corps - one snare player made final cut at the Cavvies, but ended up in the Crossmen snare line. One of our old snare players marched Colts cymbals in high school, and a lot of guys have marched Colts snare line since it's the closest Div 1 corps.
I tried out for the Colts cymbal line for the 2003 season. Didn't make it, but they had everyone returning. Coming from one of the top collegiate cymbal lines in the nation means nothing when the entire (arguably) best cymbal line in DCI (save for Vanguard) is returning. I had planned on trying out for Vanguard on cymbals and tenors last year, but that ended up falling through and now I'll never have the chance to again, even though my birthday in late June means I still have eligibility next year.
A bunch of guys from the NU drumline have marched corps - one snare player made final cut at the Cavvies, but ended up in the Crossmen snare line. One of our old snare players marched Colts cymbals in high school, and a lot of guys have marched Colts snare line since it's the closest Div 1 corps. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
You're from NE? Me too, what part?
Blue Devils > *
But yeah, she is going to the finals so if you watch on tv you will see her <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Blue Devils > * <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Born in Omaha, grew up in Beatrice (3 yrs old through high school), went to school in Lincoln, but now out in Cheeseland. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> Wife is from Alliance.
As for Pacific Crest (division 1 indeed), they seem to be doing ok, but just keep in mind that their scores hover in the 60s and 70s while many of the top corps (Cavvies, Cadets, Blue Devils, etc.) consistently remain in the 80s and can reach into the 90s. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo--> It's unbelievable how good these organizations are - even a 'bad' Div 1 corps is still great, and is a hugely recognizable difference over Div 2 (at least from what I've seen). That's really what's so great about DCI Div 1. Everyone's good! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Really? Haha then I probably got the Corps wrong since she is definately a female.
Blue Devils > * <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Born in Omaha, grew up in Beatrice (3 yrs old through high school), went to school in Lincoln, but now out in Cheeseland. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> Wife is from Alliance.
As for Pacific Crest (division 1 indeed), they seem to be doing ok, but just keep in mind that their scores hover in the 60s and 70s while many of the top corps (Cavvies, Cadets, Blue Devils, etc.) consistently remain in the 80s and can reach into the 90s. It's unbelievable how good these organizations are - even a 'bad' Div 1 corps is still great, and is a hugely recognizable difference over Div 2 (at least from what I've seen). That's really what's so great about DCI Div 1. Everyone's good! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo--><!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Cheeseland? Never heard of that place before.
<-- Omahan
And damn, man, talk about overquoting! <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
And damn, man, talk about overquoting! <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Holllyyy craappppp... I only clicked it once :O
And damn, man, talk about overquoting! <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
/me finds KungFuSquirrel is in same state as me
/me looks at long rope and gag <.< >.>
But really thats cool I never knew raven was so close o.O I should stop by some time
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There was communication between performers and an audience, at a level akin to a rock concert. No one in the audience could believe what they experienced. No one, including me, can ever describe what occurred inside Phillips Auditorium (recently renamed I believe) that evening. We will write of it, we will talk if it, but ... I tell you, what happened on Tuesday evening, July 27th in West Chester, Pa, may be the greatest, and most profound moment I have experienced with the Cadets.
Cadets and Dr. John Villella have a long past. John and I went to college together, the Cadets and John's company, "Vivace Productions" have collaborated on numerous events, the Cadets and West Chester University have a relationship ... it has been a relationship held at-a-distance for many years. This year, the Cadets agreed to appear at Vivace's Summer Marching Band Camp at West Chester University.
The evening prior, as we drove from Buffalo, I knew there were going to be problems.
The rain was pouring down all along the route. I realized that at West Chester we did not have a gym (just showers) we were relegated to the football stadium only, and additional facilities would be limited due to the 1500 person band camp.
Here is how the day went
8 am Cadets arrive in the rain, one hour late
8:30 am Hop and the corps talk for about 45 minutes. We talk of losing, we talk of willing, we talk of hard work, we talk of choices, we talk of their lives
9:15 am Breakfast under the stadium
10:00 am Marching Rehearsal
- great rehearsal on and off in the rain
1:00 pm Dr. Villella calls to tell me we may have to get off the field. It has rained heavily. I convince him the sun is out.
2:40 pm The VP of the University asks the Cadets to depart the field
Hop and John talk.
Hop stalls
Decision to put the exhibition inside is made after a look at radar.
3:00 pm Cadets get off field and eat lunch
Pack Up and Shower
4:30 pm Corps Departs South Campus for North
5:00 pm Guard rehearses in Phillips, brass in Swope and percussion in a shower outside on campus
6:15 pm I am planning a one hour event and on the road
John asks for me to stretch
Neither of us is looking forward to this.
6:20 pm 1500 young people jam the auditorium
6:30 pm The great Dr.Tim introduces me ...
I talk a bit about life lessons in corps, about the possibility of transferring the skills learned in band to life, I tell them about the Cadets, and we open the curtain.
6:50 pm Jonathan Schwartz MC's a great performance and clinic by the Cadets guard. At the conclusion of the performance, the auditorium erupts. A Standing ovation with screaming like you cannot imagine.
The guard was hot, they are excited. My eyes are filled to the brim.
That was cool, but I still had no idea what was about to happen.
7:05 pm I talk to the crowd. They can see and hear that I am moved ... by them, by the Cadets. Something is happening here. They cheer for my tears. Huh?
7:10 pm Dean Westman leads the Cadet's brass through their presentation.
- First, the inclusion of a student drum major in the White Dawn exercise and the kids go crazy.
- And then --- the first real, real moment
- Jay Bocook conducts Cadillac.
- I am bawling
- The building shakes as the kids respond to the emotion of the moment. Jay is shaking as he exits, the volume of the moment is off the charts and the members of the horn line are smiling, crying, and standing proud.
- The brass section plays through Linus and Lucy and there is the first glimpse of the rock star phenomenon. The band students go nuts for Zach, sitting in on set. They love the piece. The yare up and dancing, clapping and screaming.
I looked over at three police officers against the wall about the middle of the tune. They were laughing and clapping. I looked into the top stands. Although a few adult band directors were playing it straight, most of the mezzanine was leaning over screaming.
- the Brass then finished with our unique rendition of "The William Tell Overture". As the sextet went through their lighthearted routine, the audience responded to each and every trick. Our kids were on cloud 9.
As we broke into "Moondance", the Cadets brass left the stage and were playing in the audience. Kids were posturing for the crowd, pulling them into the performance. Students passed phone numbers to the kids as the hit the aisles. The place was in an uproar!
At the end of "Moondance" , the cheering was beyond anything you could imagine. Kids were jumping up and down, the Cadets were waving and pointing into the audience, the students yelled even louder. There was no way for the brass to leave. For over 2 minutes we just stood there taking it in. Applause, screams, and more applause!
- Finally I went back to the stage.
As they settled I told them something of this sort.
... Life is about the moments. It is about making memories. It is about those special times that cannot be planned nor captured. Life is about magic. Tonight, regardless what place the Cadets take, and no matter what else occurs over the summer, you have given to us, a memory that will last a last time. This is my far, the highlight of our summer"
The place went crazy --- and the best stuff was yet to come.
I introduced Vern Johnson, the tenor tech for the Cadets, and we are on our way to the third segment of the concert for a lifetime.
As Vern spoke, the curtain open and there stood the percussion line! The place went nuts!
The hard core drummers were smiling. The decibels level in the room was ear shattering and we had yet to hit the drum.
Vern took the line through a series of exercises and each received thunderous applause.
Finally, they performed the solo from Bouree! All I can say ... Forget about it!
When they kicked in to the "Jethro" pose, the place leaped to their feet and when done, the cheers were louder than ever before. There were kids who clearly were drummers showering bows and high fives on the line. And --- they still had another segment.
Finally, the crowd, found their seats, the percussion line did the end of the show, and the demonstration started all over again.
I tried to calm them. I needed to bring the corps out. It was all I could do to get some saneness.
The percussion line moved left, the brass line reentered and we were about to light a fire that would not go out for over an hour.
I announced the program ... I moved to the side and the corps played through, "Living With the Past".
- through the opener they cheered each drum break
- they cheered each arrival
- during the rock section there were heads bobbing back and forth
- at the end of the opener, they leaped to their feet
The drum majors, trained to bring the corps in quickly did not work the audience between they just kept on going. It was kind of funny. I was whistling and trying to get their attention but they kept on gong.
The Bouree Piece was out of control.
The jazz section had people up clapping on 2 and 4
The AQUALUNG quotes brought the place to a frenzy!
The tympani solo made a rock star out of Chris ?.people were out of control.
And on the shout chorus
Well
I have seen a crowd like this ONLY at a rock concert.
Dancing in the aisles!
Screaming!
Clapping!
When the soloists moved into the audience the place went up again!
The tune ended and it was remarkable.
I looked at Bocook and the joy and stunned appreciation in moth our eyes said it all.
Music had turned an indoor clinic into an out of control celebration.
We played through the last two pieces of the show and the love affair continued.
Standing Ovations all over it was funny, and exciting, and tearful, and crazy!
It was a dream come true ... No, I never dreamed this could happen.
When the last note of the show sounded, the cheering was beyond what I can say.
It went on for 5 minutes. It was loud, it settled, and it got loud again.
I invited the color guard back up on stage ... the crowd went nuts.
Another 2-3 minutes. They could not hear me over the PA.
Finally, they sat, and we sang the corps song. They erupted again.
And then --- the moment, I should say the 20 minutes, I am most proud of.
I explained to the crowd how much they meant to us. What a great night this was, and how much we appreciated the chance to perform. I then told them that we would like to show them our appreciation.
At that point, the entire Cadets corps broke into a full out leaping, jumping, and screaming cheer.
- Kids jumped up and down
- Cadets were pointing into the crowd
- Cadets broke into cheers YEA! , YEA! , YEA
- Fists in the air
- Horns in the air!
These kids were showing appreciation to an audience on a human to human level.
The audience just sat there. I think they were stunned. They did not know what was happening.
And then ... they leaped to their feet.
Now, the Cadets kids were cheering for the audience and the audience was cheering for the Cadets.
Cheers went back and forth and then the Cadet kids went into the audience.
They went up and down the aisles. They high fived, they hugged, they chanted, they screamed and all of the while the band members were going nuts. The Cadets made it to the balcony and the screaming continued. It was a frenzy!
A Cadet member climbed into the middle of the audience and the next thing I saw, he was being passed through the audience. We had a MOSH PIT. We were at the best rock concert of all time,.
This went on for 10 minutes. TEN minutes!!!!
Finally, I got the Cadets to the stage and over more screams, we did an encore of Bouree.
This time, the dancing and screaming were more intense. The kids in the Cadets were now relaxed and stood wailing at the end of the stage. The soloists were in the balcony.
The guard was dancing on the floor.
The Cheering continued.
Finally, I got them behind the curtain ... all the time, the students never stopped.
As the curtain closed the noise grew. No one wanted to go home.
I stood outside as we loaded the truck in the rain and thought
I want to go home. This should be the end. It can never be this good.
There is still more to be told
- the kids who chased the buses down the street
- the students who lined the street bowing as we left campus
- the 40 students who gave the staff a standing ovation as they walked into Burger King
- the young man who fell apart talking to me about what an effect the evening had on him
- the 50 young men and women who asked me how to be a Cadet.
- The stunned joy in the eyes of weathered band directors who had never seen anything like this.
- The party that broke out at the Cadets food truck later that night.
- The tears of joy of members.
- My personal total and complete understanding of the power of music, the power of love, and the power of commitment to a cause. My life of recent pain and confusion now mattered not at all. I was someone else and someplace else.
The concert was to be one hour.
It went 2 hours and 20 minutes.
And it was and will always be ... a memory. A moment. An event. A miracle.
It was magic and thank God so many of us still believe.
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DCI drumline videos from parking lot rehearsals can be found here: <a href='http://www.vicfirth.com/news/dci2003A.html' target='_blank'>http://www.vicfirth.com/news/dci2003A.html</a> Note last year's Cadets videos. That might help put the preceding into perspective <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->