The Best Drum Major was overlooked
TexasPRfan
robbed of the DM award a finals, an award he most assuredly deserved. It's
been a please watching you for the last 4 years, Tommy. You made the music
come alive and held together some incredibly complex and demanding music books
over the last 2 years in particular. Regiment will sorely miss you.
Bud Phelps
isuquinndog
TexasPRfan <texas...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010813234333...@mb-mf.aol.com...
Soloist79
Congrats Tommy!
~Kevin
SerenityNow
performance of the week and I would guess of the season. They bumped the
emotion one small notch up while still managing to play and march a bit
cleaner on Saturday than on Thursday and Friday. Phantom's scores, between
the different judges and the slotting phenomenon, didn't really reflect what
happened all three nights. I don't know if Tommy Feagin felt the same way,
but that's how many in the crowd who were there all three nights felt, and
the audience response was electric. It's always great when a corps does its
best show at Finals-- with the emotional pressure of the night, it doesn't
always work out that way. When Tommy turned after the Finals show to bow,
you could see he was clearly working to control his emotions about the
corps' performance and about aging out, and the emotional impact of his
expression was one of those defining visual moments that was worth the price
of the trip. If you didn't get to see it Saturday night, watch for it on
the DVD or video that DCI releases this fall.
I wouldn't try to say whether Mr. Feagin or Mr. Irons of SCV (who won Best
DM) or anybody else was "The Best" drum major at quarter-finals (when the
judging for that award occured), because I wasn't watching all the drum
majors that carefully, but Tommy Feagin was certainly one of the best drum
majors ever to grace the podium at DCI, and yes, he will surely be missed.
"TexasPRfan" <texas...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010813234333...@mb-mf.aol.com...
Steve Sorrell
It really doesn't matter anyway.
The "Best DM" award is bogus. As has been noted, a DM's job cannot be fully
evaluated by watching their field performance alone. Their job starts when
the corps gets up in the morning and doesn't end until they sleep. Most DMs
are chosen because of leadership skills...that's why in many cases, you don't
see very dynamic and emotional performances from drum corps DMs (with those
few exceptions, like Tommy).
When I was DM for Spirit in 1985, we were judged at finals...complete with
sheets and scores. Many of us joked about it back then, and hardly any of us
cared about being judged. After the season was over, several of us spoke out
against the judging of DMs (I and Craig Mason of Madison wrote letters to DC
World).
Even without considering the other aspects of the DM's job, judging a
conductor is not fair at all. The DM on the podium is offering his or her
personal interpretation of the music. Some will present a much more emotional
interpretation, while others simply keep time. Neither one is more "correct"
than the other one...it all depends on how the corps utilizes their conductor.
In some cases, the DM might sacrific his own vision of interpretation in order
to give the corps the most accurate pattern to follow, which, after all, is
the purpose of the conductor in the first place.
How can you compare a DM's performance from the Velvet Knights to the
performance of the DM of Phantom? A VK DM is part of the entertainment. They
get into audience participation, which is important to that corps. On the
other hand, Phantom's conductor is totally focused on nothing but the music
(well, so are the VK DMs, but you get my point). Both do a very good job of
what the corps expects them to do, so how can anyone outside of the corps
judge them? The judge will favor the type of DM that he/she appreciates,
which is unfair to the others.
Judging a conductor is so much different than judging the rest of the corps.
Look at all of the various things that have to be taken into consideration
when judging brass or percussion. There are right ways and wrong ways to play
an instrument. In color guard, with new and different being allowed on the
field each year, there might not be any right or wrong way to handle it, but
rest assured, they are judged on how well they do it together. A
DM...although there is a simple basic conducting pattern, the rest is open to
his/her interpretation. And if they are on the podium for a drum corps, you
can bet that they have the basic pattern down pat.
I've known lots of corps DMs in my time, and NONE of them could have cared any
less about that award. Sure, it is nice to get one, but it's not like there
is anything that they can do to prepare for it. I remember, again back in
1985, that we all knew that Marcia Hansen would win the best DM award.
However, Rich Armstrong from Garfield won. No one would deny either one of
them, but most of us expected Marcia. Why? She was dynamic and strong. Very
emotional on the podium. But the judges obviously wanted something
different.
I'm sure that Tommy feels the support from his corps, and that's all that
matters. I felt it from my corps, and although I might not have been the most
liked person ever to grace the field for Spirit, I do feel as though I was
respected for the job I did. That is reward enough.
Steve
Reel Feel
festival.
How about this? Whatever drum corps wins the music ensemble caption wins
the drum major award. After all, if the ensemble musicians play well and play
together, then the drum major is doing his job.
On another note, let me ask a question of the Phantom Regiment-types.
Trust me, I'm not asking this question with even the slightest hint of sarcasm;
I really am just ignorant of this and would like to be enlightened.
Can you really see that baton when you're behind the back hash? What are
you instructed to watch about the drum major: the baton, or his hand? I'm just
curious.
Matt
dalazz
> evaluated by watching their field performance alone. Their job starts when
> the corps gets up in the morning and doesn't end until they sleep. Most DMs
> are chosen because of leadership skills...that's why in many cases, you don't
> see very dynamic and emotional performances from drum corps DMs (with those
> few exceptions, like Tommy).
>
your right, but there is an interview involved as well....
Tommy is great, but he got it last year... remember? I'm sure he is
happy to see someone else get it.
Ttrevan
>surely
>robbed of the DM award a finals, an award he most assuredly deserved.
I really wish we could get to a point where we didn't have to take focus and
recognition away from one person or corps to give to another. Another way you
could have stated your sentiment, Mr. Phelps, is to say, "Tommy Fagin is a
top-flight DM who I believe deserved recognition as well."
See? Nothing in that statement took away from Mr. Irons accomplishment, yet I
was able to recognize Tommy's skill as DM.
Saying Tommy was robbed was a classless way to laud a very classy DM.
Michael Oldemeyer
Reel Feel <reel...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010814122715...@mb-mm.aol.com...
>
> On another note, let me ask a question of the Phantom Regiment-types.
> Trust me, I'm not asking this question with even the slightest hint of
sarcasm;
> I really am just ignorant of this and would like to be enlightened.
> Can you really see that baton when you're behind the back hash? What
are
> you instructed to watch about the drum major: the baton, or his hand? I'm
just
> curious.
I don't recall ever really seeing the baton, so I watched the hands. I
imagine it's mostly for show.
Michael Oldemeyer
Bryan Flick
is why they also are judged on a rehersal day during finals week.
Bryan
Steve Sorrell
>I see your point about the true part of a DM's responsablity being outside of
> the show as well. This
>is why they also are judged on a rehersal day during finals week.
>
>Bryan
>
That still won't help. Unless a "judge" can follow around the DM for a few
days, you can't really see what they are all about and how effective they are.
Besides, every corps uses their DM differently. Some have incredible
responsibilities during rehearsal and off the field, while others only have to
worry about conducting. Who is to say which way is right or wrong? If they
do what their corps needs them to do, then they are successful.
For example, back in 1984 and 85, Marcia Hansen was DM for Phantom while I was
DM for Spirit. Marcia had many responsibilities to the corps during the show
warmup and in preparation to enter the field. On the other hand, I had NO
responsibilities until the corps began to walk on the field, and sometimes, I
did not fully step into my role until Ernie Zimny or Brant Crocker asked "Drum
major are you ready?"
Marcia conducted the majority of Phantom's warm up, while Spirit's founder and
brass caption head, Freddy Martin took care of our's. Marcia marched them to
the gate, while Spirit leisurely strolled to the gate. Marcia took the
Regiment into the gate and onto the field, while Spirit's marching caption
head clapped them on. Is it because my staff didn't think that I could handle
it? No. They simply kept the corps focused and under their wing as long as
they could. I, on the other hand was loose as a goose, which is what I
prefered, and when it came time to start the show...I was ready.
We both did exactly what was expected of us. Who could possibly judge that?
Steve
Ryan H. Turner
>
>
>Steve
>
Hi Steve...I'm stepping in the middle of this I realize and I have NOT been
following this thread...I just read your message, and I agree with what you say
wholeheartedly. It should be the "Best Drum Major PERFORMANCE" Award....
Incidentally, if Marcia received the Best DM award (or did she? I really don't
know..) and that was back in 1985 (or??), then I was curious if you or anyone
else would shed some light on to why DCI did NOT name a Best DM for 1987? Or
1986 for that matter?
Ryan H. Turner--"The Voice of Southern California!"/Former VK Drum Major in
1986 and 1987
Designer, Instructor, Motivator, Adjudicator for ALL pageantry
And a proud papa to boot!! Just don't boot too hard!!
nancy holgate
vkdm...@aol.com wrote on 8/24/01 8:34 AM:
>> We both did exactly what was expected of us. Who could possibly judge that?
>>
>>
>> Steve
>>
>
> Hi Steve...I'm stepping in the middle of this I realize and I have NOT been
> following this thread...I just read your message, and I agree with what you
> say
> wholeheartedly. It should be the "Best Drum Major PERFORMANCE" Award....
>
> Incidentally, if Marcia received the Best DM award (or did she? I really
> don't
> know..) and that was back in 1985 (or??), then I was curious if you or anyone
> else would shed some light on to why DCI did NOT name a Best DM for 1987? Or
> 1986 for that matter?
'Cause they would have had to give it to a So Cal corps....and we couldn't
have that now!!
BTW How's the little drum major girl?
Nancy
Rebecca Parker
Division I drum major? That award was named after Jim Jones after he passed
away in 1993. I believe it's for DM leadership, not performance. I don't
remember an official DM award before the JJ Leadership Award, but I could be
wrong.
Becky Parker
"Bryan Flick" <bcf...@mail.ilstu.edu> wrote in message
news:3B867893...@mail.ilstu.edu...
Steve Sorrell
>Are we talking about the Jim Jones Leadership Award to an outstanding
>Division I drum major? That award was named after Jim Jones after he passed
>away in 1993. I believe it's for DM leadership, not performance. I don't
>remember an official DM award before the JJ Leadership Award, but I could be
>wrong.
>
>Becky Parker
>
If it is for leadership, how can anyone effectively judge that unless they
follow the corps for a few days? Watching for less than an hour won't do...
Steve
Boz Bozeman
I think that sometimes I saw the baton -- if I was close. If
not, I played before the hands. And I was still late. Because I was
a contra player, and we were always late. In four years of drum
corps, I wish that I had a story where our contra section came in
early. But noooo. Oh well.
Best regards,
Jay Shah
"Michael Oldemeyer" <MOLDE...@mn.rr.com> wrote in message news:<__ge7.95545$Jg.10...@typhoon.kc.rr.com>...
candace
Bryan Flick <bcf...@mail.ilstu.edu> wrote in message news:<3B867893...@mail.ilstu.edu>...
GSNewell
sponsored by McDonald's and the winner was the DM for the McDonald's
All-American Band in the Macy's Parade.
Greg
ps. Mark Hourigan of Phantom Regiment won it in 1989.
Davidkamp
by the DCI Hall of Fame members.
This process goes on for much of the summer, with applecation, interviews,
paper-screening the candidates' write-ups, and culminating with the DM's
performance of conducting at championship shows,
Much that it is quantified is done professionally and behind the scenes to
ensure a diligent and comprehensive outcome.
Cozy
> The "Best Drum Major Award" is bunk, anyway. This isn't a high school band
> festival.
Corpsdom was awarding best drum majors when marching bands were still
trying to figure out how best to utilize DMs.
> How about this? Whatever drum corps wins the music ensemble caption wins
> the drum major award. After all, if the ensemble musicians play well and play
> together, then the drum major is doing his job.
What does this have to do with the price of beans in Peru? The DMs'
talents are separate from the ensembles' skills. Cozy