Last time I checked, there were many different varieties of Classical. Scherazade? Russian Christmas Music? If you can say that those sound the same, you need to actually purchase the CD's with those pieces and THEN tell me that they sound the same. Also, Show-style is more popular because 9 times out of 10, the arrangements are of songs that, frankly, have NO musical needs in them besides loud and louder. Do I like show-style? No, but I won't mind seeing one or two just for an entertainment purpose (Morgan State Univeristy at Collegiate Marching Band Festival. for example). Not to mention, have you ever seen a show style band try stuff from fantastic composers like Matheny (sp?), Shostakovich, Williams and Whitacre, just to name a few? Also, more of the licks that I hear have NO balance and NO control over how the drum is approached. Maybe it's just me, but I prefer the tighter, more regimental required solos and commitment needed of a Corps style ensemble than one of a bunch of people doing pelvic thrusts to try and entertain a crowd.

i understand what your saying but not every show style band is out there jumping around acting dump playing loud
and snugglebunny of the time it sound messy because most of them dont learn one show a year look at b-cc or scsu it think that have the two best drumlines and they barly every play dirty

EDIT: This entire post has been marked red for correction. Please try again. A good place to start is English 101. Thank you.

The way I look at it is that corps style versus show style is sort of like classical or jazz versus 'top 40'. The musicians are simply catering to the tastes of a different audience.

A show style band typically puts entertainment for the average non-musician 'everyman' first. The better bands are competent enough to add technical/musical proficiency.

A typical corps style band considers difficult music played well to be an integral part of the entertainment. Well-designed corps-style shows are often also able to entertain audiences less familiar with the intricacies of the activity.

A corps-style audience will listen to a lot of show bands and think, "this sucks" -- just like a Carnegie Hall audience probably wouldn't think much of the Black Eyed Peas. On the other hand, a corps-style band playing for a show-style audience would be like the Metropolitan Opera playing at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. It just wouldn't work.

I find your simile of corps vs. show to be like classical vs. top 40 to be right on the money.

I'm DLWebmaestro, and I approve this message.

boo, you killed the threat.


party pooper.