Posted by READ THIS!final word on March 18, 2004 at 14:22:47:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Is there an All-American Marching Band posted by Leland on March 18, 2004 at 12:53:40:
They pretty much are the cream of the crop -- if you go to a camp of the Blue Devils, Cadets, Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment etc, most of the players (especially in the tuba sections) are most often college music majors, all-state level high school players, or the likes. Competition can be fierce sometimes – often 20 or more auditionees for only one spot or two.
True though, the instruction is a big deal and the situation has grown by leaps and bounds in the activity over the last 10 years or so. Music staff members in the top groups are almost always made up of reputable band directors or professional musicians.
This last year (and this year I'd imagine) Sam Pilafian and Pat Sheridan were consultants for the Phantom Regiment and included live masterclasses including their "Breathing Gym" process. (SO THERE, for all you who constantly poo-poo and dismiss the activity). JD Shaw, hornist of the Boston Brass is their arranger, and has been caption head (lead instructor) for them too. Pete Bond, 2nd trumpet of the Met Orchestra has been caption head there too in the past. Staffs of the top 5 or 6 corps are similar.
Members of the Blue Devils (the most winningest corps in history) get to learn from famed pedagogue Wayne Downey and get to play intensely difficult music at an extremely high level. Many jazz students from UNT come down for the ‘experience’ of being a Blue Devil. The Blue Devils are like the 'Oakland Raiders' of drum corps; very hard to beat and are not shy about it. Everything they do is 110%.
Being from Chicago, the Cavaliers have a [recent] history of great brass playing too, and simply from the influence of their location they get an influx of great teachers.
The Cadets bring in a huge number of auditionees and probably offer the most all-over intense program out of the bunch. No one works harder than the Cadets and their brass program is top notch as well. Kids who survive a summer with the Cadets are literally ready to tackle anything in life – as the experience is so powerful that it can change how you view and approach your entire life; it can really push you to succeed at anything, be it musical or not. Alan Chez (Cheznowitz), trumpet of the CBS Orchestra on Late Night with David Letterman (Paul Schaffer's band) is an alum of the Cadets. He is one of the most sought after commercial trumpet players in the world and is a staunch supporter.
Any kid that goes to one of the top corps will have an outstanding brass experience, period. They will be exposed to a discipline that is second to none. Every band kid should do it; and NO it wont kill anyone’s future orchestral chops or future goals of playing in a major orchestra (ask Mike Roylance or Chris Hall, they are both corps alums)
The activity has had tons of great endorsers, Fred Fennell and famed coach Bobby Knight have been huge supporters of the activity. While at IU, Bobby Knight used to take his team to observe corps rehearsals to give them a reality check – to show them what hard work really looked like.
Drum corps is not for everyone, but it IS without a doubt a musical activity, and at a very high level I might add. Anyone who doubts should check out a CD or video of any of the top corps in the last 10-12 years or so.
Boy do I get sick of people saying that it is a rough, damaging, unmusical activity – it is simply not true. It is a benificial and unique musical and life learning experience that is unparalleled anywhere. Anyone who doubts should get off the computer or the couch and go to a show and check it out. It is NOT mere marching band; in fact the two have little in common other than the fact that bands love to imitate corps. It is brass and percussion playing at a level that becomes, by the end of the season, extraordinary for kids ages 14-21 – and the process of taking that journey can be life changing. Where else can you have the horn on your face for 12-14 hours a day, 7 days a week for 3 months straight?
Not even Interlochen can offer that.
Nuf Sed about this.