Sweeping up the year's verbal bouquets and brickbats, the comments that have come this way, regarding ... well, just about everything regarding both field and floor. Just in time for the New Year!
I'll save folks the embarrassment of repeating their vitriolic, though well intentioned, "Why not THIS group? Why didn"t YOU like THEM?" Personal opinion: nothing more nor less. And gauging one man's view against the crowd begs lemmings. I'll defer.
Here are just a few of the comments that came this way over the year that bear repeating.
"I see the points you were making and why you chose the shows you did. GREAT READ. Whenever anyone writes about Phantom '08 I still get the chills... all I can think about is my experience as a member of that audience during finals night. What a performance." Indeed, what a performance!
"I would change a ton, especially in the top 10, but what do you expect when someone does a list this comprehensive? There's over a hundred shows that could be on this list, but only 30 made it. Oh well...it's well written, and interesting, which is about all you can ask for..."
"Dave G. Hill is a good writer. (I wish DCI would let him write their liner notes.)" For clarity, I had the wonderful opportunity to pen liner notes in 1980 -- in Birmingham -- and in 1985, during the championships run in Madison.
"BUT! His list is just one bloggers opinion. I would love to read other peoples' opinions."
I'm with this reader. So would I.
And finally, this: all one needs to keep a'going.
"Keep doing what you do. Your perspective in our niche activity is needed and welcomed!"
To that, let me wrap up the year with a wish list for 2010; likely what I want is exactly what you want as well.
I want color guards and drum corps that are traditional, original, serious, funny, superficial, thought-provoking, reality-based, fantastical, straight-ahead, prop-laden; I want my pageantry on both field and floor to do one thing: reconnect me with what I fell in love with!
Solid performance of the performers: teach your students well.
Happy New Year! See you on the 50.
I'll save folks the embarrassment of repeating their vitriolic, though well intentioned, "Why not THIS group? Why didn"t YOU like THEM?" Personal opinion: nothing more nor less. And gauging one man's view against the crowd begs lemmings. I'll defer.
Here are just a few of the comments that came this way over the year that bear repeating.
"I see the points you were making and why you chose the shows you did. GREAT READ. Whenever anyone writes about Phantom '08 I still get the chills... all I can think about is my experience as a member of that audience during finals night. What a performance." Indeed, what a performance!
"I would change a ton, especially in the top 10, but what do you expect when someone does a list this comprehensive? There's over a hundred shows that could be on this list, but only 30 made it. Oh well...it's well written, and interesting, which is about all you can ask for..."
"Dave G. Hill is a good writer. (I wish DCI would let him write their liner notes.)" For clarity, I had the wonderful opportunity to pen liner notes in 1980 -- in Birmingham -- and in 1985, during the championships run in Madison.
"BUT! His list is just one bloggers opinion. I would love to read other peoples' opinions."
I'm with this reader. So would I.
And finally, this: all one needs to keep a'going.
"Keep doing what you do. Your perspective in our niche activity is needed and welcomed!"
To that, let me wrap up the year with a wish list for 2010; likely what I want is exactly what you want as well.
I want color guards and drum corps that are traditional, original, serious, funny, superficial, thought-provoking, reality-based, fantastical, straight-ahead, prop-laden; I want my pageantry on both field and floor to do one thing: reconnect me with what I fell in love with!
Solid performance of the performers: teach your students well.
Happy New Year! See you on the 50.









