Drum Corps Anyone?

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Thursday Aug 04, 2005

Hey, it's late notice, but the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps is practicing at Bellwood-Antis High School today. They did yesterday as well. They will be there tonight until 10 pm if anyone is interested in seeing what it's all about...by they way, they are ranked #1 in the world right now. Any musician should go check out their work ethic. Amazing drummers as well. Later all

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Thursday Aug 04, 2005

Marky called me about this... I'm there.------>JMS

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Thursday Aug 04, 2005

Wish i could....

Hawk · Post by **Hawk** » Thursday Aug 04, 2005

Couldn't make it.

How was it ?

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Friday Aug 05, 2005

I wondered what they were all doing there. On my way to work, all I saw was a bunch of shirtless sexually confused guys wondering the streets around the school. Is that why you are so excited to see them Rob?!? (Joke!)

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Friday Aug 05, 2005

Wow. Rob and I both stated that every local musician, regardless of style or instrument, should have been there. It's not often Elvis plays Bellwood on a Thursday night for free. These guys are the best out there at what they do, and they executed near-flawlessly. I remarked about their use of dynamics, volume-wise, how they could build on a note from sweet and quiet to an overdriven blare, and it just reaches right out and grabs you. The percussion pit was awesome, too. They did their whole show at the end, and it was excellent, kick yourself.
Oh, and I saw no sexual confusion whatsoever. The flags and rifles left no doubt that they weren't confused about a damn thing... them boys drop the soap on purpose!

-------->JMS

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Friday Aug 05, 2005

How the heck did I miss you, songsmith? I was on the left side of the bleachers, as was Reed.

Anyway, if anyone thinks a marching band is incapable of kicking ass, you're wrong. This was jaw-dropping stuff. The percussion pit had me captivated, too. These guys would run around and play 3 different instruments in 10 seconds time, and the xylophones (or whatever those are called) were shredding!

Their website is www.cavaliers.org, BTW.

Watching them practice was a real treat. Great focus, great discipline, great teamwork. Nobody screwed off, and under a constant barrage of constructive criticism, they kept kept their cool and got better right before your eyes. As opposed to a rock band, where even the tiniest bit of constructive criticism turns into a soap opera.

To echo everyone else's sentiments, though . . . . it's amazing that these guys are based in Illinois, and not San Francisco.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Friday Aug 05, 2005

I got your constructive criticism right here, dillhole!

Facing the field, I was on the right side of the bleachers, top, right by the press box door. Wish I knew Reed was there. And you, too. Yep. Uh-huh.

-------->JMS

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Saturday Aug 06, 2005

Yea, it was a great show, Bill you missed the run-through!!! Kicked ass, I was hanging with songsmith for a bit, then I went up on top of the press box with all the "important" people. HAHA...nahh, but really, if you didn't check it out, kick yourself.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Saturday Aug 06, 2005

Hey, no problem Rob... My experience with marching bands is as equipment manager, and when real instructors talk shop, I'm a 5th wheel... a rank beginner... and Lord knows I like to be part of a conversation.

-------->JMS