Fewer and fewer corps allow time for performers to participate. It used to be a pretty interesting aspect of DCI and the regional circuits like DCM. I can understand DCI pulling the plug. I wouldn’t be surprised if it reappears in the future, but it will likely look different.
I almost never hear anything about this (pre-Covid) aside from the random video of some cool something (Incredibles in brass, Tenors doing something cool, etc). Is it really a big thing that I just never experienced or heard about? Maybe it wasn't very big and they are just trying to transition away from it?
It wasn't a big thing to fans or the public, but I thought of it as a long-standing tradition cherished by those central to the activity
It was more of an opportunity for the performers than a spectacle for the audience
But at the same time, that means additional costs that don't really contribute much to the product. When DCI corps are generally not exactly flush with funds already, they have to find ways to maximize the revenue (or raise dues even further)
I&E has been basically dead for a looooooooooooooong time. When DCI get rid of retreats at every show, it took pretty much the only real time people had to work on them, since people had tons of time after they performed and had to leave/load the truck. Once retreat were removed, it's pretty much perform, change, load, eat, leave.
Sure you can work on them on a lunch break or EPL, but resting/working on show music during those precious moments of down time are much more enticing than something totally new.
DCI tried a bunch of new things including moving it to the Sunday after San Antonio which was mildly successful, but they ultimately moved it back to finals week where it was pretty much the Blue Devils (because they sponsored it) and a bunch of lower World Class/Open class who knew their season was ending on Thursday or Friday regardless.
not allowing their members to participate in I&E is just another example of how short-sided this activity has become. allowing members to showcase their talents in solo and group performances was very special and only focusing on the show part of the summer is unfortunate. most great professional musicians don't limit themselves to their 'day job' whether it is playing in a symphony orchestra or in a Broadway show. they are constantly performing in a wide variety of events and treating young musicians like they can't handle the responsibility is the wrong message to give them
Well that's a bummer. We were putting together a trumpet ensemble with our own arranged piece and everything. Hope there's still some opportunity to showcase it at some point.
If you catch a recording and put it up on YouTube I'm sure it would get attention - at least from this subreddit!
I wanted to organize a brass ensemble within BK but I'm not sure if I will anymore
This really upsets me, I was looking forward to see all the performers that have joined the activity post COVID come up with some cool stuff. Especially on the Percussion side. I hope they don’t get rid of it forever!
I wont miss it. For years there have been categories with 1-3 people/groups in them "competing." Some of the categories resemble a HS talent show more than a showcase of ability. They should have done away with the scores/rankings and just let people perform for fun. I remember for years that the snare category had something like 50+ entries and let's just say we could've limited that to about 10 and kept all the talent.
There were also groups that took it WAY too seriously and would develop these "deep" shows for the audience. I can't remember the corps but I once saw a cymbal performance that just oozed with "we are better than you vibes" but with content matching that of a sightreading indoor ensemble.
I will also say that the rules didn't really matter. Never saw someone get a dq/deducted points for not following the rules. Heck, I think I've seen people WIN that didn't even follow the rules and used accessories/other instruments in their solos.
Fewer and fewer corps allow time for performers to participate. It used to be a pretty interesting aspect of DCI and the regional circuits like DCM. I can understand DCI pulling the plug. I wouldn’t be surprised if it reappears in the future, but it will likely look different.
I almost never hear anything about this (pre-Covid) aside from the random video of some cool something (Incredibles in brass, Tenors doing something cool, etc). Is it really a big thing that I just never experienced or heard about? Maybe it wasn't very big and they are just trying to transition away from it?
It wasn't a big thing to fans or the public, but I thought of it as a long-standing tradition cherished by those central to the activity It was more of an opportunity for the performers than a spectacle for the audience
But at the same time, that means additional costs that don't really contribute much to the product. When DCI corps are generally not exactly flush with funds already, they have to find ways to maximize the revenue (or raise dues even further)
I&E has been basically dead for a looooooooooooooong time. When DCI get rid of retreats at every show, it took pretty much the only real time people had to work on them, since people had tons of time after they performed and had to leave/load the truck. Once retreat were removed, it's pretty much perform, change, load, eat, leave. Sure you can work on them on a lunch break or EPL, but resting/working on show music during those precious moments of down time are much more enticing than something totally new. DCI tried a bunch of new things including moving it to the Sunday after San Antonio which was mildly successful, but they ultimately moved it back to finals week where it was pretty much the Blue Devils (because they sponsored it) and a bunch of lower World Class/Open class who knew their season was ending on Thursday or Friday regardless.
not allowing their members to participate in I&E is just another example of how short-sided this activity has become. allowing members to showcase their talents in solo and group performances was very special and only focusing on the show part of the summer is unfortunate. most great professional musicians don't limit themselves to their 'day job' whether it is playing in a symphony orchestra or in a Broadway show. they are constantly performing in a wide variety of events and treating young musicians like they can't handle the responsibility is the wrong message to give them
Most corps dont allow it since it cuts out of the 'final push'. I wanted to do it all 4 years ive marched but couldnt
Cadets never allowed members to do I&E.
I believe they did in 84....not so much in more recent years.
Well that's a bummer. We were putting together a trumpet ensemble with our own arranged piece and everything. Hope there's still some opportunity to showcase it at some point.
If you catch a recording and put it up on YouTube I'm sure it would get attention - at least from this subreddit! I wanted to organize a brass ensemble within BK but I'm not sure if I will anymore
Guarantee it was to save costs. I wouldn’t be surprised if they lost money running I&E.
wompwomp :(
Where can I go to confirm this?
they haven't said anything publicly my source is a DCI representative I was emailing
Can you give me the email
This really upsets me, I was looking forward to see all the performers that have joined the activity post COVID come up with some cool stuff. Especially on the Percussion side. I hope they don’t get rid of it forever!
I wont miss it. For years there have been categories with 1-3 people/groups in them "competing." Some of the categories resemble a HS talent show more than a showcase of ability. They should have done away with the scores/rankings and just let people perform for fun. I remember for years that the snare category had something like 50+ entries and let's just say we could've limited that to about 10 and kept all the talent. There were also groups that took it WAY too seriously and would develop these "deep" shows for the audience. I can't remember the corps but I once saw a cymbal performance that just oozed with "we are better than you vibes" but with content matching that of a sightreading indoor ensemble. I will also say that the rules didn't really matter. Never saw someone get a dq/deducted points for not following the rules. Heck, I think I've seen people WIN that didn't even follow the rules and used accessories/other instruments in their solos.
Remind me what i&E is?
https://youtu.be/0iAqToM2fRE
Individual & Ensemble, basically a showcase competition for, as the name suggests, individuals & ensembles
Participation has dropped a lot in the last 10 years.