Prolly the thing least blogged about on ProgressiveU is anything about marching bands. . .I was apart of my high school marching band. We marched about 90 people which isn't bad around my parts but thats not the reason of my blog.
I took the time and studies the two major types of marching band. First you have Corps style which is where your feet glazed on top of the grass and you normally march with still shoulders paralizing your upper body and everything else but your feet. Normally these bands have theme shows and drill that is very detailed and depict pictures and oddly shaped figures. They use colorguard to act out what the music is portraying at that moment. They are often used to add color and delight to a show. The drumline generally keeps the beat and normally has at least 1 feature through the show. They add alot of "electrical effect" to shows and "drum" the crowd into life. One of the biggest differences is that Corps use more props to get the show across.
Feature Bands commonly known as "Show bands" use a different approach. Show Band generally high step; lifting the knee off the ground and having pointed toe towards the ground. They lift there legs about a foot of the ground. The show it self normally has modern hits that are on the radio and mixed with old school jamz! These bands normally use colorguard/ "flag girls" for dancing and color during the show. They normally have a feature for just them where the band is at there disposal. The drumline (which using contains more cymbals then Corps) always has a feature normally right before or after the dance routine; which is where the band dances. Show Bands normally don't use props and often march off the field playing a school song.
So you're thinking ok. . .Well both band are passionate groups of individuals who come together to create entertainment. Which is better? Both create an atmosphere like that of no other where it pulls you in. . .What factors make this happen? You hear so many people who like just one type of band but what makes them different and is it just a stereotype of the people that are in these bands? Can these bands come together and create such an artistic form of music and show that are world won't be able to get enough?
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Great Blog. It's nice to see that someone has actually but a lot of effort into this. The mixing of the two types of marching bands would probably be a really good way to make a show. I come from a small town,and a small band we have a 60 member band, but are director runs it in a Corps style. He's not really into the "SHow" band,but the mixing of the two would be a great way to run a marching band.