Marching Band and DCI

[MrWhales]

Hello.



I do an amateur version of that called Marching band. Apparently a mostly southern concept, those marching bands. For me it is a school thing that pretty much is my life besides gaming with you guys. Last night was the preliminaries for the semifinals tonight, which is actually happening right now in the Indianapolis @ the Colt's home stadium, for American football fans. They simulcasted the preliminaries to theatres across the US and I was in one watching it in the theatre.

Anyway, for those who don't know. Marching band is where the band nerds sweat it out in full wool uniforms somewhat like those in the video, and march around the field making shapes that match the music that they are playing. There are competitions for it, and DCI is the "professional" level. Ages for a DCI corps are 16-21, after 21 you have "aged out" and can no longer compete.

Also DCI stands for Drum Corps International

Here is a clip of the band I play in from last year at finals at APSU, a university in my hometown that has a large contest every year. We came in last at finals (10th place) but there were 22 bands there. There were around 40 people in the marching band that year. And this year we have about 50 or 60, I can't remember exactly.



Ask any questions you have, I'd love to share my thing with you guys.

Edit: Obvious to me is a very large skill gap between my band and the DCI video I included. But then, they practice 12 hours a day for multiple months. And we practice 6 hours a week.

Also, http://www.dci.org/ for those interested.

[Godavari]

What instrument do you play? I played the clarinet (badly) through middle school but didn't continue to do band during high school.

[MrWhales]

Trombone. So if I were to try for a place in a corps, I would have to learn a different instrument and get great at it.

[Godavari]

So what you're saying is you're a tromboner?

Spoiler! :

trollface.jpg

I annoy my trombonist friend with that all the time.

[nart_21086]

Ahem, monsieur whales,
<<<<----- Drum Major.

[MrWhales]

Hi nart, you never told me. and yes Godavari we call each other that with no hint of irony.

[Tomenaki]

I miss Marching Band and I only ever got to see DCI in person once, but it was awesome.

Btw: Piccolo/flute player, former section leader, and almost Drum Major (I didn't want to deal with the drama after being a section leader lol)

Here's a taste of my college marching band. Probably the best we played since it was our rival school. XD


And another lol. I forgot how fast we had to play this one for this game since we were on a strict time schedule.


I just remember hating, and yet loving Step-2 drills on the field, oh, and High Marching. Fun times. :3

[nart_21086]

section leader sucks, Drum Major = very yes

[Tomenaki]

section leader sucks, Drum Major = very yes

I dunno, I've heard some crazy stories from former Drum Majors. That and they had to be there hours before the rest of the band, and I like my sleep. XD

[MrWhales]

Our drum major is usually getting there when we are, unless the director tells her to show up early. Tome will now receive cake when i make more...

I'm a co-section leader with someone who has control issues, which means I do the work and they try to take credit.

[nart_21086]

Being drum major was like sculpting, I had to manipulate all the elements to create something fantastic. I had too much fun. that and stress

[Tomenaki]

Our drum major is usually getting there when we are, unless the director tells her to show up early. Tome will now receive cake when i make more...

I'm a co-section leader with someone who has control issues, which means I do the work and they try to take credit.

Thanks. :3

And that sounds like my time as a section leader... We had 4 and only like 2 of us actually did anything... Me and the other Senior section leader had to make sure the other two worked. XD

[Zehydra]

I'm a high school Marching Band vet as well. Fun times, but never anything as hardcore as a drum corp

[Spyboticsguy]

I marched for a year, then I moved to Savannah to a school with no marching band. And for all interested, I am a tromboner.

[powerfulkingt]

<<<<-------- Has started Marching band and is Alto Sax. ^^

[Spyboticsguy]

^
Then you must die.
-shameless CD-I reference-

[superglitch]

I play Alto Sax in a high school marching band. Lets just say that the band needs improvement on marching in time, maching correctly, and following drill sheets correctly. I'm actually going to band camp next week.

[powerfulkingt]

Theres mah school, apparently the highest rated comment said "HAX!! 2:10" and I lol'd.

Anyways, we pwn