I’ve been a DCI fanatic since I saw a video of the Santa Clara Vanguard in ‘73. I’ve witnessed some great live performances and was one of the lucky ones in the stands at DCI World Championships in Birmingham ‘80 and Pasadena ‘07. Milt, my bro, marched in Freelancers and is one hecka lower brass horn instructor with the World Champion Mandarins. 
Name a song and he and his best friend Bret can identify the corps that included it in their repertoires. Milt named his first-born, Madison!
So, what are the top ten ways experiencing AEID is like experiencing DCI?
- drum line
- hundreds of pieces of percussion equipment and props (rain sticks, gourds, and amazing stick work) in “Sing We Now”
- John Williams’ “Cadillac of the Skies” in our repertoire, performed by Cadets ‘02 and ‘01, the Academy ‘02, Freelancers ‘89, and others
- plenty of fluids and chow “backstage” to feed the cast and crew
- audience applause accompanied by disbelief in what they just saw
- you can FEEL the sound
- the buzz on the street from those who witnessed the show to those who didn’t
- guaranteed family-friendly content in this day of “wardrobe malfunctions and risque dancing”
- our final curtain call elicits thunderous applause and a standing “O”
- when the last show ends, there will be tears, hugs, and goodbyes from the members, many who won’t see each other until next year’s performances
(Bret and Milt, thanks for inviting me to enjoy the DCI experience in Southern California this past summer. Using GPS and the Internet to find Cavaliers’ finals run-through practice field, almost rear-ending a car after finals (“Shields UP!”), midnight munchies, BD’s “blow-my-face-off” victory concert, “Eureka!” during SCV’s show, debating the controversy over Cadet’s prelim disappearance, sleeping bags in airports …all great memories. I shot the photo of Madison right after their Friday show, just outside the Rose Bowl.~geewhiz)
1 Comment
July 15, 2008 at 6:44 pm
i’m from indonesia. I’m DCI fanatic too…i’m tuba player. Nice to know you