Drum Corps International

11-09-2007
04:31

The latest 2008 corps program announcements

by Michael Boo

Fall is here which is a ripe time for drum corps to begin announcing their show concepts for the next Drum Corps International season. With more than a quarter century of drum corps experience under his belt, Fanfare’s Michael Boo encapsulates six of the show announcements you might have missed … or truthfully, announcements you probably never thought you’d see in your lifetime. He lays it out as only a veteran columnist can do with a keen eye for scooping up breaking news and a sixth sense for predicting the latest and greatest from the corps—real or imaginary.

Bovine Brigade

Each year, we wonder how this corps can continue to come up with cow-oriented themes that inspire and amuse. And each year, we are proven right to wonder that. Originally conceived as a benefit for deprived free range cattle, the 2008 program “Livestock Aid” has taken on a life of its own on the field. While federal meat inspectors have recalled the first two-thirds of the show, the lovely ballad, “Moo River,” still closes the show with a side order of bacon, a slice of cheese and a dose of A-1 Steak Sauce. The new first part of the show will be announced after salmonella tests are completed.

Selected Internet message board fan comments:

This show is gonna rule!
Cowabunga! This is what drum corps should be like, dude!
I heard that vegetarians are not allowed to march here.
If they don’t serve onions, I’m outa here.
This would sound so much better on G keyed bugles.

Rage Machine

Last year, this corps stunned drum corps audiences—actually, they made the public apoplectic—with their first in a 12-year cycle production, “Chapter One,” based on the music of rabid squirrels. One week before the end of the season, the management again stunned the public with the announcement that they were officially apologizing for the show and everyone who had bought a “Squirrels Rule” T-shirt would be given a full refund. To soothe over any lasting ill feelings, the corps has announced that instead of performing the previously announced “Chapter Two,” they would skip most of the rest of the planned shows and go directly to “Chapter 12,” which has been renamed, “Gilligan’s Island: The Reunion.” Music is inspired by tracks from the Bob Barker LP, “Spay and Neuter Your Raccoons.”

Selected Internet message board fan comments:

This show is gonna rule!
“Chapter 12” is top 12 for sure!
I have a friend in the corps, and he says they have already fired their entire creative team and replaced them with NASCAR drivers.
If they allow the voice of Bob Barker to be sequenced, I’m outa here.
This would sound so much better on G keyed bugles.

Nova of Pocatello

This new Open Class corps from the heart of Idaho introduces itself to the public with a show based on stereotypical Idaho themes. Their 2008 program “Spuds is Good” looks at all the misconceptions people from elsewhere have about the state, with an original music composition written exclusively by survivalist vegetarians. Unfortunately, the music has been buried inside a jar of mayonnaise, only to be released to the public in the event of thermonuclear apocalypse, so it’s doubtful if the corps will be able to take the field this year or any year soon. However, the corps bingo operation is still running, with proceeds benefiting the campaign to send the corps to perform a medley of “Muskrat Love” and “Achy Breaky Heart” on the “Jerry Springer Show.”

Selected Internet message board fan comments:

This show is gonna rule!
They should play the “Potato/Potahto” song.
Can someone verify if Harmon Killebrew is a program consultant?
If they mash the potatoes, I’m outa here.
This would sound so much better on G keyed bugles.

Malmo Paradox

Taking their first tour to America, this Swedish corps brings a distinctively Swedish-themed show to the New World, which isn’t all that unusual, as every show the corps has ever done is Swedish-themed. Playing off of last year’s success with “Swedish Meatball Medley,” based on the most obscure charts by ABBA, the corps brings to America “Swedes in Motown.” Hits by Aretha Franklin and Little Richard are performed around a maypole, with a side order of lutefisk from the corps’ food truck. As the Muppets’ Swedish Chef would say, “Booda perda beeda foada, bahda fooba feeda poeba.” (Loosely translated, “My allegory is but a sausage in the limpa bread of Detroit.”)

Selected Internet message board fan comments:

This show is gonna rule!
A Swedish show?!! I didn’t see that one coming.
I am in heaven now that I know Motown is getting its due.
If they amp the lutefisk, I’m outa here.
Thees vuoold suoond su mooch better oon G boogles. Um gesh dee bork, bork!

Outback

The first drum corps in Australia comes to North America with a unique sound based on playing bugles in the key of didgeridoo. The entire musical production of “G’Day” is more fun than a boxcar full of dingos, based on music inspired by the loveable creature that hops about and as a novelty act has been known to demonstrate prowess in the boxing ring … Helen Reddy.

Selected Internet message board fan comments:

This show is gonna rule!
I can’t believe they’re not using music from the “Crocodile Dundee” films.
I heard the corps’ success comes from the Vegemite sandwiches they serve every day for lunch.
If they hop all over the field, I’m outa here.
This would sound so much better on G keyed bugles.

CIA Diadem

This corps’ repertoire is classified.

Selected Internet message board fan comments:

(Censored in the interest of national security.)
(Deleted in the interest of national security.)
(censored) amplification, (censored) electronics, (censored) surveillance, (censored) East Coast corps directors.
If they (censored), I’m outa here.
This would sound so much better on (censored).

Michael Boo

Michael Boo was a member of the Cavaliers from 1975-1977. He has written about the drum corps activity for more than a quarter century and serves as a staff writer for various Drum Corps International print and Web projects. Boo has written for many other publications and has published an honors-winning book on the history of figure skating.

As an accomplished composer, Boo holds a bachelor's degree in music education and a master's degree in music theory and composition. He resides in Chesterton, Ind.