From: C_S01798@APPSTATE.EDU (*Patrick Todd Sloan)
Newsgroups: alt.drumcorps
Subject: commentary
Date: 13 Oct 92 23:15:33 GMT
Organization: APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
NNTP-Posting-Host: stat.appstate.edu
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Commentary:


...ON Marching and Manuevering.


	In my eyes the mark of a great M&M instructor is not subscribing
EXCLUSIVEKY to one set method of teaching, but acclimating VARIOUS techniques
in various facets to help the performers best execute the drill written for the 
ensemble.

	For example,  certain maneuvers may require alerting oneself to a dot
written on a graph; what I call "spot-marching".  Others are what I refer to as
"Guide-and-Cover".  In most instances with contemporary drill techniques the
Guide and cover seems to be the most efficient method with perhaps certain
members with key coordinates to help set up approximately where the form should
build.  Neither method is %100 correct or totally wrong.  

	Todd Ryan was hired by Spirit in 1991 to write the drill for thier
production based on the film _Glory_.  When Ryan left the corps staff to teach
the M&M the decision was made to completely teach Guide and Cover.  When the
staff found the technique didnt completely work, they reverted to total spot
marching.  

	NOW THE SPOTS ON A PAGE OF DRILL PAPER ARE PROBABY AS LARGE IN FULL
SCALE PERSPECTIVE AS A CIRCLE THE DIAMETER OF THE LENGTH OF YOUR OUTSTRETCHED
ARMS.  leaving you with extremely rough estimates of where you should be
exactly.  

	This left the corps in worse shape then it was beforehand.  (Eventually
they threw out the Ryan drill and rewrote it.  Just one of the problems
plaguing the corps that year)  

	My point being that when you limit yourself to THE ONE style to teach
you limit what kind of dynamics of a visual presentation.  Perhaps a Brubaker
or Zingali may SWAY toward a method or group of method, the performers and
instructors must tackle learning the package with a full arsenal of
experience.



ptSLOAN

"dolittle"

CROWN 90, 91

(keeping my fingers "cross"ed for '93)

***************************************
**                                   **
**  the Alt.Drumcorps writers polls  **
**                                   **
***************************************
Issue 13 / off - season polls 2 & 3


   The end of the DCI season has brought about some proposed changes for 
the structuring of the group.  When this change occurs, you can expect the 
poll board to be there too!  However dare I ask a debate take place about a 
propose name change for the ALT.DRUMCORPS writers poll. 

POLL #2 :   send me an idea for the name change (be it either an 
outrageous fun new name for alt.drumcorps or an idea for the change of this 
editorial)  the best one for either of those will be the winner.  Prize to 
be determined later, probably a CD of my college.


   Those who have been involved in the activity for quite a while are 
excited to see DCI reach it's 20th anniversary this season.

POLL #3 (1st of four)  :  In no specific order, vote for your best corps 
spanning the first five championship years 1972 - 76.  Note that I am not 
asking for specific shows, but best overall corps for that period.

I will be taking polls until TUESDAY THE 13th of OCTOBER.
Thanks for your time.


                                          ptSLOAN
                                           editor

recapping the last poll results -------------------------------------------


Poll no. 1  Caption Awards from DCI Finals
High Brass  -------------------------------------------------

1. Blue Devils  37.5
2. Cadets & Star 27.0

others:  Madison Scouts, Bluecoats & Cavaliers


High Percussion  ----------------------------------------------

1. Cavaliers  44.0
2. Crossmen   38.0
3. Cadets     10.0

others:  Blue Knights, Star  


High Auxilliary  ------------------------------------------------

1. Cadets     40.4
2. Cavaliers  21.3
3. Madison    14.9

others:  Star, Phantom and VK


OVERALL GE    -------------------------------------------------------

1. Cadets     30.0
2. Cavaliers  22.5
3. Madison    15.0
4. Star       13.3
5. Blue Devils 12.5

others:  Phantom & VK, Santa Clara & Crossmen


best drill DESIGN        ----------------------------------------------

1. Cadets     42.6
2. Star       31.9
3. Cavaliers  23.4

others: Blue Knights

The subject matter for poll #2 will be released by friday...