Another in my increasingly ingratiating attempts to combine the goodness of drum corps with the quotable fun of the movie The 40 Year Old Virgin in the hopes of giving my favorite form of musical performance a more appealing veneer for the uninitiated.
Today's Quote:
Yeah, you should definitely tell her, because I saw this movie called "Liar Liar" and the message was, "Don't lie."And that was a smart movie. -Cal
What does this have to do with drum corps?:
When any enthusiast tries to persuade someone to venture into their chosen past time, they try to play a careful game of salesmanship. You want to persuade someone that there is a lot to be excited about, but you don't want to come across as a geek or fanatic. Often when members of cult fan bases attempt to appeal to a general audience they try to play it "cool". They will try to soften their enthusiasm and give you a polished version of the truth. Describing the activities using half truths and artful euphemisms, these well meaning souls hope to persuade their audience, but ultimately mislead them. It doesn't do me or anyone else any good to try and convince you that drum and bugle corps is any thing other than what it is: a hyperactive relative of marching bands with a very specific appeal and a very limited audience. I don't deny these are facts as the situation currently stands. However, I do hope to change those facts by opening eyes to the wonder of marching music. To do this I will be honest about drum corps in all its successes and failings, because only when my audience can trust me will they be willing to try something based on my recommendation. Therefore you will notice that this blog never attempts to sell drum corps as anything than what it is. I don't want you to go to a drum corps show expecting a rock concert. I want you to realize that if you like rock concerts there might be something worth seeing at a drum corps show. I will be an honest ambassador for the activity I enjoy so much, so long as my audience is honest with me in return, and I encourage all other drum corps fans to do the same. This blog is not a sales pitch it is a celebration. I don't want you to buy into drum corps. I want you to join the party.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Daily Dose 4/27
Let's take another spin around the carousel where I try to make awkward and strained comparisons between the world of drum and bugle corps and the movie The 40 Year Old Virgin. My hope is that the use of popular movie quotes will help people understand the beauty and wonder of drum corps even if they've never seen a drum corps perform before.
Today's Quote:
They're not %$#&ing toys! This is Ironman, okay? -Andy Stitzer
What does this have to do with drum corps?:
When an activity involves bright costumes, musical instruments, and a lot of colorful flags it can be hard to get people to treat it seriously. Since the easiest thing for most people to compare drum corps to is marching band and most people associate marching bands with high school football, most people will blow off drum corps as something for children. While I emphasized in yesterday's Daily Dose that this is an activity geared for youth, people of all ages can appreciate it. It takes a mature mind to truly appreciate all of the artistic beauty that's poured into every show. You have to have a developed sense of timing and detail to appreciate the precision and athleticism involved in the marching and movements of the performers. Just like fine food and top of the line products need a certain aesthetic sense to be appreciated fully, it takes a grown person to really love a drum corps show. This should not be taken to mean that only adults would like watching a drum corps shows. With all of the roaring music, rapid motion, and sweeping spectacle these corps put on the field a person of any age can have fun at a show. Even though I don't recommend the movie I quote as family friendly, a drum corps show will always been a fun and special evening out for the family. So come one come all drum corps is the kid friendly show that's not just for kids.
Today's Quote:
They're not %$#&ing toys! This is Ironman, okay? -Andy Stitzer
What does this have to do with drum corps?:
When an activity involves bright costumes, musical instruments, and a lot of colorful flags it can be hard to get people to treat it seriously. Since the easiest thing for most people to compare drum corps to is marching band and most people associate marching bands with high school football, most people will blow off drum corps as something for children. While I emphasized in yesterday's Daily Dose that this is an activity geared for youth, people of all ages can appreciate it. It takes a mature mind to truly appreciate all of the artistic beauty that's poured into every show. You have to have a developed sense of timing and detail to appreciate the precision and athleticism involved in the marching and movements of the performers. Just like fine food and top of the line products need a certain aesthetic sense to be appreciated fully, it takes a grown person to really love a drum corps show. This should not be taken to mean that only adults would like watching a drum corps shows. With all of the roaring music, rapid motion, and sweeping spectacle these corps put on the field a person of any age can have fun at a show. Even though I don't recommend the movie I quote as family friendly, a drum corps show will always been a fun and special evening out for the family. So come one come all drum corps is the kid friendly show that's not just for kids.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Daily Dose 4/26
Wilkommen, to today's edition of my effort to bring new people into the drum corps fold by using the movie The 40 Year Old Virgin to explain interesting details and tidbits from the world of drum corps.
Today's Quote:
Is it true that if you don't USE it you LOSE it? -Andy Stitzer
What does this have to with drum corps?:
Drum and bugle corps were turned into competition and performance groups in America in the 20th century with the goal of giving young boys and activity to keep them physically fit, involved in the community, and away from the temptations of delinquency. These corps were often the offshoots of other organizations like scout troops, police brigades, or military units to give the youth of the area a way to be involved in the sponsor group. Drum corps have always been first and foremost about providing a structured activity for young people. Though the corps have evolved and become mostly independent, they remain centered on teenagers. The modern corps are organized around a few principles and one of the most important is that drum corps should be an activity for the young. This is why there are age limits on who can participate in a drum corps from 14 to 22 years old. Though many may want to march with a corps for as long as they can it's only a short lived experience. If you don't make use of a year of eligibility to march in drum corps it is gone. This is why for those who turn 22 or "age out" their last year marching is always a bittersweet experience. Most corps try and do something special for those corps members who will take the field for the last time. I don't want to get into the rites and rituals each drum corps honors here, but I do want to emphasize that when you see a drum corps you are seeing a special slice of the members' lives. This is a special time for them and the fact that they spend it trying to entertain the audience is a very special thing. As an audience member knowing this has always made drum corps seem more powerful and poignant knowing that I'm watching someone's fond memories happen right in front of me and I hope you can experience that feeling the next time you see a corps perform.
SPECIAL UPDATE:
I will be attending the DCI Classic Countdown tonight. So watch this blog for special content directly related to the show. For everyone planning to go, I hope we all have a great time tonight. For those who aren't planning, what's wrong with you? Go and get your tickets already! it's in theaters everywhere. More info here.
Today's Quote:
Is it true that if you don't USE it you LOSE it? -Andy Stitzer
What does this have to with drum corps?:
Drum and bugle corps were turned into competition and performance groups in America in the 20th century with the goal of giving young boys and activity to keep them physically fit, involved in the community, and away from the temptations of delinquency. These corps were often the offshoots of other organizations like scout troops, police brigades, or military units to give the youth of the area a way to be involved in the sponsor group. Drum corps have always been first and foremost about providing a structured activity for young people. Though the corps have evolved and become mostly independent, they remain centered on teenagers. The modern corps are organized around a few principles and one of the most important is that drum corps should be an activity for the young. This is why there are age limits on who can participate in a drum corps from 14 to 22 years old. Though many may want to march with a corps for as long as they can it's only a short lived experience. If you don't make use of a year of eligibility to march in drum corps it is gone. This is why for those who turn 22 or "age out" their last year marching is always a bittersweet experience. Most corps try and do something special for those corps members who will take the field for the last time. I don't want to get into the rites and rituals each drum corps honors here, but I do want to emphasize that when you see a drum corps you are seeing a special slice of the members' lives. This is a special time for them and the fact that they spend it trying to entertain the audience is a very special thing. As an audience member knowing this has always made drum corps seem more powerful and poignant knowing that I'm watching someone's fond memories happen right in front of me and I hope you can experience that feeling the next time you see a corps perform.
SPECIAL UPDATE:
I will be attending the DCI Classic Countdown tonight. So watch this blog for special content directly related to the show. For everyone planning to go, I hope we all have a great time tonight. For those who aren't planning, what's wrong with you? Go and get your tickets already! it's in theaters everywhere. More info here.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Daily Dose 4/25
Welcome to my daily feature where I try to use the movie The 40 Year Old Virgin (which I do not endorse for anyone under the age of 37) to explain the ins and outs of drum and bugle corps for the uninitiated.
Today's Quote:
If I have to hear "Yamo Be There" one more time, I'm going to "Yamo" burn this place to the ground. -David
What does this have to do with drum corps?:
I have noticed an increasing trend for high school and college marching bands to rely on the same tired rock tunes for their half-time shows at football games. As this is the version of marching music most people are familiar with, it may be difficult for them to understand the appeal of a drum corps show. After all who wants to spend three hours watching and hearing the same tired ditties from Jefferson Airplane, Earth Wind & Fire, or the Allmond Brothers. While half time shows have become stagnant recycling sessions of the Time-Life "Greatest Hits of the "70's" collection, drum and bugle corps actually push the artistic envelope. No drum corps wants to be compared to someone else's performance of a song. Every corps works hard to find new and interesting music or at least new and interesting interpretations. Even though they draw from orchestral music they often use modern pieces by current composers. Sometimes they dig back for music from the past that people aren't as familiar with (i.e. it hasn't been used in a thousand movie soundtracks already). You even have a rising number of corps commission entirely original music for their performances. I am not guaranteeing that the music these groups play will appeal to you, but at least you have some assurance it won't be the same dull elevator rock you've heard dozens of times before.
Today's Quote:
If I have to hear "Yamo Be There" one more time, I'm going to "Yamo" burn this place to the ground. -David
What does this have to do with drum corps?:
I have noticed an increasing trend for high school and college marching bands to rely on the same tired rock tunes for their half-time shows at football games. As this is the version of marching music most people are familiar with, it may be difficult for them to understand the appeal of a drum corps show. After all who wants to spend three hours watching and hearing the same tired ditties from Jefferson Airplane, Earth Wind & Fire, or the Allmond Brothers. While half time shows have become stagnant recycling sessions of the Time-Life "Greatest Hits of the "70's" collection, drum and bugle corps actually push the artistic envelope. No drum corps wants to be compared to someone else's performance of a song. Every corps works hard to find new and interesting music or at least new and interesting interpretations. Even though they draw from orchestral music they often use modern pieces by current composers. Sometimes they dig back for music from the past that people aren't as familiar with (i.e. it hasn't been used in a thousand movie soundtracks already). You even have a rising number of corps commission entirely original music for their performances. I am not guaranteeing that the music these groups play will appeal to you, but at least you have some assurance it won't be the same dull elevator rock you've heard dozens of times before.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
The Daily Dose 4/24
Here comes a new installment in which I try to explain the intricate subtleties of drum corps using quotations for the movie The 40 Year Old Virgin. I think it's possible to get people new to the marching arts to better understand and appreciate drum and bugle corps if you jexplain it using something they already know and like.
Today's Quote:
There were two sides to that billboard, and they both hurt equally. -Andy Stitzer
What does this have to do with drum corps?:
Lots of recreational/competitive activities can be physically demanding, but you'd have hard time appreciating how much work being in a drum corps is without actually trying it yourself. Those instruments may not seem heavy at first but trying holding them up for ten to twelve minutes straight while maintaining rigid posture and running up and down a football field or soccer pitch. I bet you your arms will start to feel tired if you just hold them in front of you for one minute and that's without any added weight. Scientists have studied the biometrics of someone performing in a drum corps show and compared it to the physical effort required to run a marathon. Everyone who has to practice and perform in the summer sun has a legitimate right to complain, and I'm not making any claims about how drum corps compare to sports or other popular pursuits. I just think most people would have a greater appreciation for what they see a drum corps do on the field if they realized how much it hurts. The common perception is that athletics are all brutally demanding while anything to do with the arts or music is soft and weak. As someone who has lifted a horn and marched around that field I can assure you there is very little soft about it. The practices are generally even tougher than the performance because that's the only way to make sure the performers can survive the show. I hope to bring more first hand accounts of how hard these performers have to work and how much it can hurt to be in a drum corps as the year goes on.
BONUS- Mainstream media luv:
Some news articles out there are pumping up this week's big drum corps event, the Classic Countdown. Movie theaters around the U.S. will be showing some of the best drum corps shows of all time. If you're a fan this is a great way to support the central organization for drum corps in North America, Drum Corps International. If your new to the activity this can be a great way to get introduced to how drum corps has changed over the years. I'm desperately trying to fit it into my schedule, so I can share my experience with you.
Today's Quote:
There were two sides to that billboard, and they both hurt equally. -Andy Stitzer
What does this have to do with drum corps?:
Lots of recreational/competitive activities can be physically demanding, but you'd have hard time appreciating how much work being in a drum corps is without actually trying it yourself. Those instruments may not seem heavy at first but trying holding them up for ten to twelve minutes straight while maintaining rigid posture and running up and down a football field or soccer pitch. I bet you your arms will start to feel tired if you just hold them in front of you for one minute and that's without any added weight. Scientists have studied the biometrics of someone performing in a drum corps show and compared it to the physical effort required to run a marathon. Everyone who has to practice and perform in the summer sun has a legitimate right to complain, and I'm not making any claims about how drum corps compare to sports or other popular pursuits. I just think most people would have a greater appreciation for what they see a drum corps do on the field if they realized how much it hurts. The common perception is that athletics are all brutally demanding while anything to do with the arts or music is soft and weak. As someone who has lifted a horn and marched around that field I can assure you there is very little soft about it. The practices are generally even tougher than the performance because that's the only way to make sure the performers can survive the show. I hope to bring more first hand accounts of how hard these performers have to work and how much it can hurt to be in a drum corps as the year goes on.
BONUS- Mainstream media luv:
Some news articles out there are pumping up this week's big drum corps event, the Classic Countdown. Movie theaters around the U.S. will be showing some of the best drum corps shows of all time. If you're a fan this is a great way to support the central organization for drum corps in North America, Drum Corps International. If your new to the activity this can be a great way to get introduced to how drum corps has changed over the years. I'm desperately trying to fit it into my schedule, so I can share my experience with you.
Monday, April 23, 2007
The Daily Dose 4/23: Quick and Easy Drum Corps Facts
Since this drum corps blog is meant to be an experiment into outsider journalism about drum and bugle corps I thought it might be handy to use this space to help introduce those outside of drum corps to some of the interesting nuances of the activities. I figure I'll do this once a day (or at least once every weekday) until we get closer to the coverage and I can start using this space for coverage of competitions and links to real journalism. To try and make drum corps accessible and appealing to someone without a background in the marching arts, I will attempt to tie these little nuggets of info to something I know a lot of people already like. What better choice than a recent blockbuster hit like The 40 Year Old Virgin (not recommended viewing for families or those under the age of 17)? So for the next several weeks watch this space for my explanation of how a quotation from The 40 Year Old Virgin relates to some interesting aspect of drum corps life.
Today's Quote:
"What am I supposed to say? I went to magic camp. I am an accomplished ventriloquist. I am a seventh-degree imperial yo-yo master. Oh do me yo-yo master I want you to do me 'cause you're the yo-yo guy." -Andy Stitzer
What does this have to do with drum corps?
Sadly for most fans of the activity it's hard to explain to outsiders what makes drum and bugle corps such a thrill to participate in or just to watch. It always seems like your talking about some cult like society or a bizarre hobby. While it may contain elements of both it really isn't anything the average person isn't familiar with. A drum corps is really just like a marching bands except they only have brass instruments and percussion. There are no flutes, clarinets or saxaphones just horns. Really you don't even need to know much about music to understand the instruments used in corps, because everyone's familiar with how drum works and all the horns are variations on a trumpet. It's just like a marching band amped up on energy drinks and pumped up from a lot of weight lifting. And c'mon everybody can relate to that. What is more everyday Americana than a marching band. This isn't a freak show, this isn't a nerdish pursuit, this is good clean summer fun that everyone can enjoy.
Today's Quote:
"What am I supposed to say? I went to magic camp. I am an accomplished ventriloquist. I am a seventh-degree imperial yo-yo master. Oh do me yo-yo master I want you to do me 'cause you're the yo-yo guy." -Andy Stitzer
What does this have to do with drum corps?
Sadly for most fans of the activity it's hard to explain to outsiders what makes drum and bugle corps such a thrill to participate in or just to watch. It always seems like your talking about some cult like society or a bizarre hobby. While it may contain elements of both it really isn't anything the average person isn't familiar with. A drum corps is really just like a marching bands except they only have brass instruments and percussion. There are no flutes, clarinets or saxaphones just horns. Really you don't even need to know much about music to understand the instruments used in corps, because everyone's familiar with how drum works and all the horns are variations on a trumpet. It's just like a marching band amped up on energy drinks and pumped up from a lot of weight lifting. And c'mon everybody can relate to that. What is more everyday Americana than a marching band. This isn't a freak show, this isn't a nerdish pursuit, this is good clean summer fun that everyone can enjoy.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Coming Attractions
I plan to spend the next several days/weeks leading up to the beginning of drum corps season proper finding nice pieces of content to add into this blog, trying to build up some contacts I can call upon to help my coverage over the season, and seeding the Internet with links back to this blog. In fact if you are stumbling across this blog as a result of one of those links: Hello! I am working hard to make this an actual web destination and will be bringing some real posting power, just as soon as I can figure out what to write about.
On that note I will share with you some of my specific plans. I would like to write up some preview material for the coming season. With dozens of corps touring North America in DCI alone I don't think I'll be able to bring comprehensive previews for everybody, but I want to at least hit the highlights. If I can fit the 2007 Classic Countdown into my schedule, I might have to go see that and write up review of the experience. I would love to interview youth who are going to be participating in a corps this season/have participated in one before and any member of a corps instructional staff. However, I realistically doubt I will be able to pull anything together before the season, so I will just try to do this when summer hit. I have a break down of drum corps for those uninitiated to the marching arts on the back burner, but I am working on compiling just the right set of clips from YouTube to make that work. Along with the standard collection of links to important drum corps sites that people are actively reading, I am setting up a system to scour the internet for any mention of drum and bugle corps, and I will try to bring you the freshest juiciest corps related links as they happen.
Enough with the teasing, you will hear from me again when I have something of value to share.
On that note I will share with you some of my specific plans. I would like to write up some preview material for the coming season. With dozens of corps touring North America in DCI alone I don't think I'll be able to bring comprehensive previews for everybody, but I want to at least hit the highlights. If I can fit the 2007 Classic Countdown into my schedule, I might have to go see that and write up review of the experience. I would love to interview youth who are going to be participating in a corps this season/have participated in one before and any member of a corps instructional staff. However, I realistically doubt I will be able to pull anything together before the season, so I will just try to do this when summer hit. I have a break down of drum corps for those uninitiated to the marching arts on the back burner, but I am working on compiling just the right set of clips from YouTube to make that work. Along with the standard collection of links to important drum corps sites that people are actively reading, I am setting up a system to scour the internet for any mention of drum and bugle corps, and I will try to bring you the freshest juiciest corps related links as they happen.
Enough with the teasing, you will hear from me again when I have something of value to share.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Watch This Space
As the drum corps season approaches, I am forming a vision of this blog's future. I am aspiring to bring the drum corps world a website they can come to for full season coverage and analysis. When I look for drum crops content on the web, I see some authoritative drum corps sites from the various organizations and individual corps, the general forums sites that serve the larger community and some personal sites that reflect one person's drum corps experiences. Or, I see sites that deal with marching arts or music and only tangentially or occasionally cover drum corps directly. I do not see much fan level content aimed at keeping things up to date and interesting. As such, this will be modeled to some degree off of the numerous sports blogs I have seen. These sports blogs can represent what is best about outsider journalism. They provide observations and opinions from people who may not have the direct access of participants or institutional journalists, but who do bring the level of passion, dedication, and insight you would expect from a devoted fan. So, I will state the following right out in the open, so no one can later say I didn't or claim that I tried to present this blog as anything other than what it is.
1. I am not a participant in any drum corps, junior, senior, alumni, or otherwise, nor have I ever marched with a drum corps. My perspective is that of a dedicated drum and bugle corps fan and a believer in the marching arts nothing more and nothing less.
2. I am neither a professional nor an aspiring journalist. I am not using this blog as a launching pad for a career. I am only interested in providing the best portal for drum corps information and insight I can. I want to create a website that will provide the drum corps fanbase with the sort of attention that sports fans can receive from countless websites. I want to give you the kind of website I would visit daily if I were a drum corps fan.
3. I do have a rooting interest in the world of DCI. It is for the only drum corps I have had any involvement in whatsoever The Glassmen of Toledo. When I am writing something that shows bias for this corps or shows me pulling for them in any way, know in advance that I am not entirely neutral. That having been said I have nothing for or against any of the other drum and bugle corps in the world. This is not a zero sum game, I can hope for the success of all corps. If your corps is doing well, I am glad for it. If your corps is doing poorly, I am sympathetic for it. I want to see the marching arts be as successful as they possibly can be and am mostly interested in seeing good shows and a good experience for the people involved.
4. I am not on expert on much so I will do my best to bring in others who know more than me about the ins and outs of a drum corps or about life on the road to share that information with you. I am never hiding behind anyone else or trying to duck out of doing something myself if I include any guest blogging. These people will be here to provide you with the best drum corps content you can find on the web.
5. If anyone is worried about this blog being as bloated and sluggish as my other blogs let me assure you I will try to be as concise and informative in my posts as possible.
6. If you are reading this I appreciate the time and attention you are showing. I know there are plenty of other things you could be spending your time on so I thank you for choosing me. I never want to forget that the only purpose this site has is to please the drum corps fans who visit it.
1. I am not a participant in any drum corps, junior, senior, alumni, or otherwise, nor have I ever marched with a drum corps. My perspective is that of a dedicated drum and bugle corps fan and a believer in the marching arts nothing more and nothing less.
2. I am neither a professional nor an aspiring journalist. I am not using this blog as a launching pad for a career. I am only interested in providing the best portal for drum corps information and insight I can. I want to create a website that will provide the drum corps fanbase with the sort of attention that sports fans can receive from countless websites. I want to give you the kind of website I would visit daily if I were a drum corps fan.
3. I do have a rooting interest in the world of DCI. It is for the only drum corps I have had any involvement in whatsoever The Glassmen of Toledo. When I am writing something that shows bias for this corps or shows me pulling for them in any way, know in advance that I am not entirely neutral. That having been said I have nothing for or against any of the other drum and bugle corps in the world. This is not a zero sum game, I can hope for the success of all corps. If your corps is doing well, I am glad for it. If your corps is doing poorly, I am sympathetic for it. I want to see the marching arts be as successful as they possibly can be and am mostly interested in seeing good shows and a good experience for the people involved.
4. I am not on expert on much so I will do my best to bring in others who know more than me about the ins and outs of a drum corps or about life on the road to share that information with you. I am never hiding behind anyone else or trying to duck out of doing something myself if I include any guest blogging. These people will be here to provide you with the best drum corps content you can find on the web.
5. If anyone is worried about this blog being as bloated and sluggish as my other blogs let me assure you I will try to be as concise and informative in my posts as possible.
6. If you are reading this I appreciate the time and attention you are showing. I know there are plenty of other things you could be spending your time on so I thank you for choosing me. I never want to forget that the only purpose this site has is to please the drum corps fans who visit it.
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