Star '90 is the best opening statement in DCI history, IMO. Saw it live in Bloomington that year... March on, set up, count it off... and BLOW THE DOORS OFF. No sound reinforcement. No microphones. No tricks. Just the best brass section in the whole world throwing down without apology.
what’s crazy watching this now for me is that my PARENTS were in this corp. I wore my dads old Star jacket at worlds last year and i plan to wear it again. It is something I’ll take good care of.
Wow. That is awesome. Marching in drum corps is one of the best things I ever did. It gave me a 30 year career with shows and teaching band, guard and drums. Will always be grateful for that. Now a channel where I get to talk about the thing I still love to this day. Thank you for watching!
I marched with Blue Knights in 91 and George Z. was our drill designer along with Star. I got to watch that show many times close up and I'm still beyond blown away to this day. BUT, as a huge Cadets fan who thought their show in 93 would win in pretty much any other year, the work of art at every level that was Star in 93 still has not been topped to my mind. Thank you to everyone involved for gifting us that breathtaking show.
Placements: 10, 8, 7, 7, 6. 3. 1. 3. 2....9 shows, only dropping in place once from year to year. Used the same set of King 2-valved brass for all 9 years....the last champ to be completely on 2-valvers. Last corps to win with the snared on mylar. 1993 was always going to be their last year in DCI....the contract to perform with Canadian Brass was signed BEFORE the season started. Had they won they still would not have returned for 94.
Before Star's first camp the administration had a plan. They looked at every successful corps and took the best practices, and where there were no best practices they developed them. They had experienced staff on day 1 and even managed to create such a buzz they had experienced DCI marchers audition in the inaugural year. You only make finals in your first year by having the plan and knowledge to make finals your first year. The last piece is the members buying in, and they did.
Yes. But I remember in 1967 at the VFW Finals in New Orleans, before DCI had been formed --that the talk of New Orleans was The Blue Stars making it into the finals in their first year. Prior to that, they had been a parade corps only and then made it into the VFW finals in their first year. So it had been done before and I am disappointed that people hoist so much admiration on the SOI first year and seem to forget that the Blue Stars had already done it, many years before. @@joemaliga16
Some other things not often discussed about Star.... They had this reputation of being a corps living off of Bill Cooks money. Yes, Bill Cook made that initial investment in the corps with a million dollars (a staggering amount of money for a drum corps in 1985), but he didn't just keep funneling money into the corps. He set them up for success from the off... good buses and trucks, an actual home base (they bought a school) that allowed them unlimited rehearsal facilities... and people.. he put the RIGHT people into the right places to ensure success. That said, he didn't just keep pumping unlimited dollars into the corps. After that initial investment they were self sufficient. Those uniforms? Pinks up until 89 and if you look closely, 89-92 are also all the same uniforms just with different overlays and head gear. A lot of the silks were homemeade. The flashy plates in 90 and 91.. homemade. They started with a lot of money but they managed it moving forward.
I had been talking about adding movement in addition to marching as early as 1987, and Cadets finally allowed me to install a couple of things in their shows leading up to 1993. You can't imagine how resistant Star staff was to this expanded corps movement when I came in to create it: They feared that it would cut into their teaching time - and it did a bit. I was given a 20-minute block to set that opening expressionistic sculpture and the tilted bodies of the first picture. It all came out of the music - that amazing music - that motivated every move, every new piece of equipment, every idea. Enough can't be said about the guard and their teachers, as they dove in like professionals even though my non-traditional equipment was challenging. Billy Jerburg (sp) was my hero. Yes, we departed so much from the norm that we paid a price. But the corps - those wonderful kids - worked harder day by day and believed in what we were doing. They certainly supported me because they understood that we were doing something brand new. As usual, the imitators rushed in after that show, but even today I see so much more that could be done with corps dynamics. I may have laid some groundwork, but there are still enormous advances to be made that I can see. I love DCI. I love what it has become and how it continues to evolve. Thanks so much for the comments in the video. Storm forward!
I just now saw your response and thank you for watching! It is incredible that we are still talking about this show 30 years later. What I said I truly believe. Starwas ahead of it's time and now this is normal. This year was bitter sweet for me. My last year missing finals but getting to see such amazing shows! We would love to have you on to talk about that show and maybe we can watch it and discuss the elements within it.
Seeing the Bartok show live...was the first time ypu could hear gasps and whispers of ....Wow ,Oohs,the crowd was quiet fir trying to comprehend what they were seeing. My buddy and I were like this is a new era,we were riggt.
I remember seeing, and hearing Star's 93 show since we shared a tour with them, two actually (DCM and DCI). Few things to remember, was how the weather at Jackson affected everyone. Younger folks might not realize it was all outdoors, and uncontrolled weather. The field was wet, it rained in the shade. All around difficult, even sleeping conditions were difficult for some groups. But something more important to think about. Many of those marching members of Star left, went on into many areas of the performing arts throughout the area, and the US. Some went on to Carolina Crown, Boston, etc... others are at the Indianapolis area marching bands. Heck, if you're a show choir parent, and have kids compete in Indiana (or anywhere), you WILL see a Star of Indiana Shirt or two out in the crowd, or with older staff members. That innovation and professionalism that Star brought proved your organization needs to be run to set standards, bring in money, and hire the right people... and get the resources the marching members (the Mission), needs.
I only marched one year (‘93 Magic of Orlando). Seeing Star first early in the season then the finished product in Jackson, MS. I just knew I was witnessing history. ‘Medea’ is still my favorite show ever… by far.
Star saved our season in 86. Bus breakdowns had plagued my corp for years. 86 was no different. Star gave us a bus to use for the last few weeks of the season.
The 1990 Star closer is one of the strongest pieces I have ever seen performed on a field. Musically, marching, ALL OF IT. The drumline was throwing down and hauling, the brassline was throwing down and hauling, same for the guard. It was POWERFUL stuff. Also, two of my high school buddies marched in 1991, the Gomez twins. I had the pleasure of marching snare with Victor in college immediately after finals. It was an honor to play with both of these guys.
I absolutely loved Star's 1990 and even moreso their 1991 show. Those shows were absolutely mind-blowing to see. I marched in 1992-1993 (Marauders!) and as a dumb teenager, I really disliked both of Star's 1992-93 shows, particularly 1992. They just didn't reach me at all. Technically stupendous, but I didn't enjoy seeing them repeatedly.
I remember watching the 93 finals with 2 fellow Marine musicians that were also former DCI corps members. I was a huge fan of Star and their show, but both my friends absolutely hated it. Innovation often evokes strong opinion either way, i guess. To this day, 93 Star remains one of my favorite shows of all time. I think time has proven me correct in this opinion.
I still can't believe I got to march 5 years and see such amazing shows during that time. Still hard to believe but I was there for it. This show still gets me. I remember the very first time I saw it. I was just stunned at what the heck they were doing. Not only revolutionary but not drum corps.
Zengali has to be one of the greatest drill designers ever, Greg Bimm from Marian Catholic would be another. Thanks for doing this incredible content, truly appreciated!
I absolutely love this. !!! I think the double-crosses have to be the hardest drill, to this day, I have ever seen. 1993 is historic. I have watched Cadets and Star's 1993 shows over and over. I think Cadets won because their show was easier to follow. I feel Star should have won. It was (in my opinion) levels above Cadets. Levels above all corps.
Boy do I miss these guys. They had such iconic shows. My brother marched in finals in 1991. Still one of my all time favorite shows! I had the privilege of seeing their 1993 show in Denver. I must say it confused the hell outta me. Granted, I was only 14 at the time.. Though nowadays I have really grown to love this show! Though I also love the Cadets from that year! Thanks for posting this!
Dan. I truly miss Star. You don't know what you got to it's gone I guess. It seems interesting that it took about 20 years for the rest of the corps to catch up to what they were doing.
I marched Cadets 88, 89, 90 - so I was right in the middle of some things you are showing. I had a best friend and room mate in Star 1990-93. I remember him practicing Belchezzar's feast on his mellophone. I could watch these kind of shows thousands of times (but I struggle with most modern shows). I won't say much cuz it will hurt feelings. I love traditional uniforms as opposed to body suits. They've gone a little too heavy on dance (some of it is cool though). I love old star and cadets FAST DRILL.
1991 there was a three-way tie for percussion, which Santa Clara, won by default with the general effect percussion score. but that star percussion section was deserving no doubt!
No slight against Star, 91 is one of my favorite shows but look at the performers today. Today’s players are from the top colleges in the country, the drill demands are just light years ahead of this. The music is far more demanding the body control and demands are way beyond this.
HI Jake. Thanks for your comment. Truly Appreciate it. Something to think about. The body control may be a higher level but the demands of playing are greatly reduced and the length of show is also reduced to around 10 minutes. The average playing time now is 4-6 minutes now for a horn player. When I marched during the early 90's Our shows were almost 12 minutes and we had to march and play hard passages and had to play much longer about 10 minutes of music. Now they halt during a hard passage or have music supplemented by looping or pre-recorded. Do agree that we didn't do the body visuals and actual movement. But in 1991 Star they are running and playing some of the hardest musical passages ever. Sometimes running and playing serious runs. Just a thought. Thanks for watching.
I believe if Star was still around today, BD wouldn't have as many titles wins as they do. Star's shows were always something to wait for in anticipation. They always delivered. To this day, I can't say which show is my favorite 91 or 92.
... Mark, Bruh, L Kerchner could WRITE. His charts were always played by Meh Hornlines tho. It would be so cool to hear 2023 Crossmen or Madison Scouts play his old Sky Ryder & Bridgemen Charts 😮
My apologies. I am not sure why I missed that. I have updated that on the description. That was brilliant work combining all of those just tapes with the show music. Well done!
Star lost in 93 because the world wasn’t ready for that show. It was overall a better show though. Complex and tough with some huge moments. Cadets were beautiful, melodic and the show was accessible.
I did watch 93 star many times recently and Cadets show was cleaner and better. Although not as innovative. Star was pushing the boundaries of the activity for sure.
Thanks Ron appreciate the correction. I wasn't sure that far back. Starting in 1989 Jim Prime created some monumental shows. The earlier shows were well written, but those shows has a completely different tone, vibe and power to them.
Star's last placement was clearly political. Bill Cook later said he took the corps to the theater stage where their hard work would be appreciated like they deserved it to be, and no one can blame him. The kids got to do two hours instead of 11 minutes, and they got to do it with the freaking Canadian Brass. Doesn't get much better than that. Plus, as they evolved the whole endeavor into what it became (Blast!), no more aging out, AND performers got paid for their work! I love DCI with my whole heart, but you can't turn marching in DCI directly into a performing career.
Star should had stayed a corps, today there are so few corps, in the 60''s there was 1000's of them. My brother and I played with the Kenosha WI Kingsmen for many years. A Senior corps, but actually they were maybe ? one of the first all age corps.
Ralph that is awesome. When I started there were about 200. Now maybe 75??? Not sure but not as much. Although there are about 10 in California now. Thank you for watching!
i Marched 93 and 94 in Boston and got to see these shows live. i loved stars shows in 91 and 93....the drumline and the horn line were awesome..... but the guard ....yikes they were like a really good high school gaurd...they danced well ...but phantom and BD dance better. nothing they did equipment wise could compare to the other guards in the top ten. and Cadets guard and BD's guard wiped the floor with them
Agreed. The guard in 93 was so dirty. Cadets guard was way better. But the stuff that Star was doing was so different it turned a lot of people off. BD's guard was good as well.
Star built a skyscraper in 93 season yes tgey prolly shoukd won it innovative movements a 10th of point loss is a flaw in judging nobody is that good unless its a clock !
Regrettably, I couldn't agree with you less. Trying to re-write history does not serve your purpose at all. in a nutshell, thinking you are SOOOOO innovative and SOOOOOO new and you are bringing SOOOOOO many ideas to the canvas turned out to be only in the eye and mind of the beholder. The majority didn't share this feeling and that is why they ultimately failed. Sure they deserve credit for trying but that alone is not necessarily good when the majority of fans in the craft did not feel the same way.They were a novelty to be sure, but so were the Velvet Knights and parts of most of the other corps. If you look back, I was active in the days when the Royal Aires and the Kilties and the Blue Stars and a host of others --before the California corps stepped into the spotlight. Imagine what times were like in those days as well. In my opinion and to sum up the flaws of Star of Indiana . . . they were just too much Indiana and not enough Star. The highway had been designed and all the corps had agreed to travel down it . . . except SOI. They knew that they would have trouble competing when the rules and the norms had already been established. So instead, they hoped to wander and waiver outside the path that everyone had already agreed to follow. They couldn't bring the majority with them to their way of thinking. This is ultimately what did them in. They had great music and musicians! An over-the-top approach to movement and marching ---much of which was eventually adopted. And then with this they totally failed at GE, props and costume design and any assemblance of thematic cohesion and this is what did them in. I and others called it the "kitchen sink approach" to drum corps and thank God it did not survive and become popular. Sure parts of it were adopted, but that would have happened with the natural maturity process anyway. Drum corps learned much from the SOI experiment but fortunately, it was not finally popular enough to sustain itself.
They failed at GE? How so? GE isn't just fan applause. Fan applause isn't even part of GE, actually. To me, they were the best at GE. That 1993 is the single greatest designed show in DCI history - from the music, to the drill, to the body movement, to the guard book, to the percussion book, to the brass book, to the flag colors, to the guard equipment, to the uninform color. All of it. Every detail was meticulously thought out and planned, and executed at a highest level. It was perfection on all levels. THAT is GE. I marched Madison in the late 80s, and to me 1990-1993 Star of Indiana are four of the best corps, and best products to ever hit the field. I HATED the 1993 show when I saw it during the season. Now, well, you know my opinion of it. But, that's what makes it so great. It wasn't easy to like and it wasn't easy to love, but I got there. It challenged me - everything I thought I knew and what I thought entertaining was. It wasn't an experiment - it was an identity. And while simple-minded fans (myself included in 1993) couldn't get past the fact that they didn't understand it enough to enjoy it - well that's their/our problem, not Star's.
Star were very very good. Immensely talented. Changed DCI? Really? Early 70s SCV. 76 devils. Early 80s Garfield. Star were really Garfield of the Midwest. Not ground breaking. Now…an argument can be made that the diaspora of their kids changed the activity and continue to? That’s a valid statement. The fact is there just were very few groups who did what wasn’t before or differently than before.
I'll give you 91 and 93 especially. But I don't think there's anything new or innovative in the 1990 show, and really nothing in the 92 show at all. All four are extremely well designed and performed (though I loathe the 92 show; too EPCOT/Amurrica, Fuck Yeah for me.) And saying things like "The drumline also brought a level of playing that was on another level" isn't really saying anything. Again, the 90 Star drumline was good, but they didn't do anything super-innovative.
Appreciate your opinion. 1990,1991 and 1993 are my favorites though. 1992 wasnt as good but they still played the shit out of the show. Thanks so much for watching!!
Exactly. They’re were TREMENDOUS and fun. But it’s not like they brought Bb brass to VFW Nationals. Mid 70s devils and early 80s Garfield. THEY were the game changers.
Actually, the split pit was innovative - and the musicality of the battery and its integration with the brass was noted by the judges. Brass judges did mention hearing stuff they’d never heard before.
@@feverpaI loathe a split pit, because I was a pithead for 5 of my 6 years, and what Phantom did in 87, for example, or what Madison did in 91 and 92 was some bullshit--treating the pit as an elastic thing easily fucked with when other captions couldn't design their way out of a problem. And the symmetrical pit in 93 treated the front ensemble like a cute parlor trick. So Star splitting their pit wasn't innovative; corps had been splitting mallets one one side and timps on the other as early as 82, and ON the field before that. Again, not innovative. Star's pits were never bad, nor were their batteries. Just not all that innovative (the battery in 93 ecxepted).
Glad to see even after 30 years people still talk about us!
Always.
It is a hot debate still to this day!
Not only talk about you.....we still listen in awe and joy.......thank you Star
A truly fine corps, and sadly missed.
roman images my fav show oat. crazy mello line.
I feel old. Seems so long ago. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. ⭐️ Bari ‘88-‘90
Lesa that's awesome! I was a baritone in the Freelancers from 1989-1993. I got to see Star for all of those years. Simply amazing.
93 is one of my favorite shows of all time, however I've said it for several years now, "Star of Indiana broke drum corps."
Star '90 is the best opening statement in DCI history, IMO. Saw it live in Bloomington that year... March on, set up, count it off... and BLOW THE DOORS OFF. No sound reinforcement. No microphones. No tricks. Just the best brass section in the whole world throwing down without apology.
Yessir!!!! I saw that show in live in Atlanta.
That was awesome to see live. We got to see them later in the season so did know anything about the show. Blew my mind!
As someone not alive during this, I appreciate the history lesson.
Definitely watch the entire shows. Mind blowing. Thanks for watching!
what’s crazy watching this now for me is that my PARENTS were in this corp. I wore my dads old Star jacket at worlds last year and i plan to wear it again. It is something I’ll take good care of.
Wow. That is awesome. Marching in drum corps is one of the best things I ever did. It gave me a 30 year career with shows and teaching band, guard and drums. Will always be grateful for that. Now a channel where I get to talk about the thing I still love to this day. Thank you for watching!
Awesome. marching music will make the best kid and best adult.
I marched with Blue Knights in 91 and George Z. was our drill designer along with Star. I got to watch that show many times close up and I'm still beyond blown away to this day. BUT, as a huge Cadets fan who thought their show in 93 would win in pretty much any other year, the work of art at every level that was Star in 93 still has not been topped to my mind. Thank you to everyone involved for gifting us that breathtaking show.
Placements: 10, 8, 7, 7, 6. 3. 1. 3. 2....9 shows, only dropping in place once from year to year.
Used the same set of King 2-valved brass for all 9 years....the last champ to be completely on 2-valvers.
Last corps to win with the snared on mylar.
1993 was always going to be their last year in DCI....the contract to perform with Canadian Brass was signed BEFORE the season started. Had they won they still would not have returned for 94.
... Ahh, I've written Sam b4. 2022 Marines D&BC just received brand new 3 valve Horns ... Still in G !
Before Star's first camp the administration had a plan. They looked at every successful corps and took the best practices, and where there were no best practices they developed them. They had experienced staff on day 1 and even managed to create such a buzz they had experienced DCI marchers audition in the inaugural year. You only make finals in your first year by having the plan and knowledge to make finals your first year. The last piece is the members buying in, and they did.
You're neglecting a piece.
I remember that first year in Madison. That’s all anyone talked about that week.
Yes. But I remember in 1967 at the VFW Finals in New Orleans, before DCI had been formed --that the talk of New Orleans was The Blue Stars making it into the finals in their first year. Prior to that, they had been a parade corps only and then made it into the VFW finals in their first year. So it had been done before and I am disappointed that people hoist so much admiration on the SOI first year and seem to forget that the Blue Stars had already done it, many years before. @@joemaliga16
@@tomshea8382lol... being backed by a billionaire?
That would be it.
Some other things not often discussed about Star.... They had this reputation of being a corps living off of Bill Cooks money. Yes, Bill Cook made that initial investment in the corps with a million dollars (a staggering amount of money for a drum corps in 1985), but he didn't just keep funneling money into the corps. He set them up for success from the off... good buses and trucks, an actual home base (they bought a school) that allowed them unlimited rehearsal facilities... and people.. he put the RIGHT people into the right places to ensure success. That said, he didn't just keep pumping unlimited dollars into the corps. After that initial investment they were self sufficient. Those uniforms? Pinks up until 89 and if you look closely, 89-92 are also all the same uniforms just with different overlays and head gear. A lot of the silks were homemeade. The flashy plates in 90 and 91.. homemade. They started with a lot of money but they managed it moving forward.
I always enjoyed there shows. Coming from Drum Corps in the 70' were everything was so militaristic, they were very fun to watch.
Dennis. Seeing it live was a treat.
I had been talking about adding movement in addition to marching as early as 1987, and Cadets finally allowed me to install a couple of things in their shows leading up to 1993. You can't imagine how resistant Star staff was to this expanded corps movement when I came in to create it: They feared that it would cut into their teaching time - and it did a bit. I was given a 20-minute block to set that opening expressionistic sculpture and the tilted bodies of the first picture. It all came out of the music - that amazing music - that motivated every move, every new piece of equipment, every idea. Enough can't be said about the guard and their teachers, as they dove in like professionals even though my non-traditional equipment was challenging. Billy Jerburg (sp) was my hero. Yes, we departed so much from the norm that we paid a price. But the corps - those wonderful kids - worked harder day by day and believed in what we were doing. They certainly supported me because they understood that we were doing something brand new. As usual, the imitators rushed in after that show, but even today I see so much more that could be done with corps dynamics. I may have laid some groundwork, but there are still enormous advances to be made that I can see. I love DCI. I love what it has become and how it continues to evolve. Thanks so much for the comments in the video. Storm forward!
I just now saw your response and thank you for watching! It is incredible that we are still talking about this show 30 years later. What I said I truly believe. Starwas ahead of it's time and now this is normal. This year was bitter sweet for me. My last year missing finals but getting to see such amazing shows! We would love to have you on to talk about that show and maybe we can watch it and discuss the elements within it.
It’s incredible to see you here in the comments!! Your visual design for Star ‘93 was fantastic and innovative.
Thank you for this. Extremely well-done. The 1993 show is superlative.
Seeing the Bartok show live...was the first time ypu could hear gasps and whispers of ....Wow ,Oohs,the crowd was quiet fir trying to comprehend what they were seeing.
My buddy and I were like this is a new era,we were riggt.
Mitchell did you march?
@March Or Die TV
I marched Pride of Cincinnati in 82 ,I believe.
Band director of 36 years in Indiana.
Thank you for posting this and sharing your thoughts. Honored to be a part of this organization. Many great memories.
Scott what year(s) did you march?
Thank you for this! So well put together!
Thanks Mike. Appreciate it.
I remember seeing, and hearing Star's 93 show since we shared a tour with them, two actually (DCM and DCI). Few things to remember, was how the weather at Jackson affected everyone. Younger folks might not realize it was all outdoors, and uncontrolled weather. The field was wet, it rained in the shade. All around difficult, even sleeping conditions were difficult for some groups.
But something more important to think about. Many of those marching members of Star left, went on into many areas of the performing arts throughout the area, and the US. Some went on to Carolina Crown, Boston, etc... others are at the Indianapolis area marching bands. Heck, if you're a show choir parent, and have kids compete in Indiana (or anywhere), you WILL see a Star of Indiana Shirt or two out in the crowd, or with older staff members.
That innovation and professionalism that Star brought proved your organization needs to be run to set standards, bring in money, and hire the right people... and get the resources the marching members (the Mission), needs.
Well said. That is why they are still talked about today. Where did you march?
Thank you Bill. You are missed.
Star lives on in Crown
I only marched one year (‘93 Magic of Orlando). Seeing Star first early in the season then the finished product in Jackson, MS. I just knew I was witnessing history. ‘Medea’ is still my favorite show ever… by far.
Star saved our season in 86. Bus breakdowns had plagued my corp for years. 86 was no different. Star gave us a bus to use for the last few weeks of the season.
Wonderful video, my friend. Thank you for this.
Thank you very much! I love Star and I am so glad you like it.
The 1990 Star closer is one of the strongest pieces I have ever seen performed on a field. Musically, marching, ALL OF IT. The drumline was throwing down and hauling, the brassline was throwing down and hauling, same for the guard. It was POWERFUL stuff. Also, two of my high school buddies marched in 1991, the Gomez twins. I had the pleasure of marching snare with Victor in college immediately after finals. It was an honor to play with both of these guys.
What a wonderful collective for such an amazing corps.
Star will be back some day. Mark my words.
No one would be happier than me. Just don't think it will happen. The amount of money it takes now is just unreal.
@@MarchingArtsNetworkTV When I become a billionaire, this is first on my list. The buses will even have TV's again.
I absolutely loved Star's 1990 and even moreso their 1991 show. Those shows were absolutely mind-blowing to see. I marched in 1992-1993 (Marauders!) and as a dumb teenager, I really disliked both of Star's 1992-93 shows, particularly 1992. They just didn't reach me at all. Technically stupendous, but I didn't enjoy seeing them repeatedly.
Wow, a really young Steve Rodinaro
Wow, if you think late 80's Rondo is young, you should look up 1977-78 Rondo doing Finals
I remember watching the 93 finals with 2 fellow Marine musicians that were also former DCI corps members. I was a huge fan of Star and their show, but both my friends absolutely hated it. Innovation often evokes strong opinion either way, i guess. To this day, 93 Star remains one of my favorite shows of all time. I think time has proven me correct in this opinion.
I still can't believe I got to march 5 years and see such amazing shows during that time. Still hard to believe but I was there for it. This show still gets me. I remember the very first time I saw it. I was just stunned at what the heck they were doing. Not only revolutionary but not drum corps.
My high school was next to Bills property thank you Bill ..........sincerely O.V.H.S.
Zengali has to be one of the greatest drill designers ever, Greg Bimm from Marian Catholic would be another. Thanks for doing this incredible content, truly appreciated!
Zingali a genius. It’s the way he could communicate his very technical vision.
Great video.
Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it. I miss star!
I absolutely love this. !!!
I think the double-crosses have to be the hardest drill, to this day, I have ever seen.
1993 is historic. I have watched Cadets and Star's 1993 shows over and over. I think Cadets won because their show was easier to follow. I feel Star should have won. It was (in my opinion) levels above Cadets. Levels above all corps.
Boy do I miss these guys.
They had such iconic shows. My brother marched in finals in 1991. Still one of my all time favorite shows!
I had the privilege of seeing their 1993 show in Denver. I must say it confused the hell outta me. Granted, I was only 14 at the time..
Though nowadays I have really grown to love this show! Though I also love the Cadets from that year!
Thanks for posting this!
Dan. I truly miss Star. You don't know what you got to it's gone I guess. It seems interesting that it took about 20 years for the rest of the corps to catch up to what they were doing.
awesome video!
I marched Cadets 88, 89, 90 - so I was right in the middle of some things you are showing. I had a best friend and room mate in Star 1990-93. I remember him practicing Belchezzar's feast on his mellophone. I could watch these kind of shows thousands of times (but I struggle with most modern shows). I won't say much cuz it will hurt feelings. I love traditional uniforms as opposed to body suits. They've gone a little too heavy on dance (some of it is cool though). I love old star and cadets FAST DRILL.
1991 there was a three-way tie for percussion, which Santa Clara, won by default with the general effect percussion score. but that star percussion section was deserving no doubt!
I think they were deserving 1990-1993. The stuff they did was mind blowing! Way ahead of it's time. Still is ahead in my opinion.
Yeah, no.
No slight against Star, 91 is one of my favorite shows but look at the performers today. Today’s players are from the top colleges in the country, the drill demands are just light years ahead of this. The music is far more demanding the body control and demands are way beyond this.
HI Jake. Thanks for your comment. Truly Appreciate it. Something to think about. The body control may be a higher level but the demands of playing are greatly reduced and the length of show is also reduced to around 10 minutes. The average playing time now is 4-6 minutes now for a horn player. When I marched during the early 90's Our shows were almost 12 minutes and we had to march and play hard passages and had to play much longer about 10 minutes of music. Now they halt during a hard passage or have music supplemented by looping or pre-recorded. Do agree that we didn't do the body visuals and actual movement. But in 1991 Star they are running and playing some of the hardest musical passages ever. Sometimes running and playing serious runs. Just a thought. Thanks for watching.
Great retrospective! Man I miss those summers
You and me both!
I believe if Star was still around today, BD wouldn't have as many titles wins as they do. Star's shows were always something to wait for in anticipation. They always delivered. To this day, I can't say which show is my favorite 91 or 92.
5:11 1985's brass arrangements were done by Larry Kerchner. Jim Prime joined the staff in 1986 and stayed into the Brass Theater and Blast! era.
Mark thank you for the correction on that. I didn't know that.
... Mark, Bruh, L Kerchner could WRITE. His charts were always played by Meh Hornlines tho. It would be so cool to hear 2023 Crossmen or Madison Scouts play his old Sky Ryder & Bridgemen Charts 😮
I saw 1990 live….the first hit of the brass took my head off but in a rich creamy don’t care kinda way
Amazing corps and still missed
Nice video. You left one of your sources off your list. You used sections of my video with the brass judges.
My apologies. I am not sure why I missed that. I have updated that on the description. That was brilliant work combining all of those just tapes with the show music. Well done!
@@MarchingArtsNetworkTV thanks. Figured it wasn’t intentional because you listed other sources.
Star lost in 93 because the world wasn’t ready for that show. It was overall a better show though. Complex and tough with some huge moments. Cadets were beautiful, melodic and the show was accessible.
I did watch 93 star many times recently and Cadets show was cleaner and better. Although not as innovative. Star was pushing the boundaries of the activity for sure.
GREAT JOB!! ⭐️🔥
Thank you! Cheers!
Love to learn about older drum cores, even if it’s for a percussion band exam 😅🤩
Glad you enjoyed. But now I feel really old. I saw all of that from 1989-1993 in person. Thanks for watching!
Jim Prime did not write the first year corps hornbook. It was Larry Kerchner, not sure of the spelling.
Thanks Ron appreciate the correction. I wasn't sure that far back. Starting in 1989 Jim Prime created some monumental shows. The earlier shows were well written, but those shows has a completely different tone, vibe and power to them.
FYI, the decision to tour with Canadian Brass was made before the season started. I still feel like a dear family member died.
ty!
Thank you Sasha!
This is my Roman Empire.
Star's last placement was clearly political. Bill Cook later said he took the corps to the theater stage where their hard work would be appreciated like they deserved it to be, and no one can blame him. The kids got to do two hours instead of 11 minutes, and they got to do it with the freaking Canadian Brass. Doesn't get much better than that. Plus, as they evolved the whole endeavor into what it became (Blast!), no more aging out, AND performers got paid for their work! I love DCI with my whole heart, but you can't turn marching in DCI directly into a performing career.
I simply think the judges in 1993 didn't know HOW to judge Star. That show was SO completely unlike ANYTHING that came before it.
Star should had stayed a corps, today there are so few corps, in the 60''s there was 1000's of them.
My brother and I played with the Kenosha WI Kingsmen for many years.
A Senior corps, but actually they were maybe ? one of the first all age corps.
Ralph that is awesome. When I started there were about 200. Now maybe 75??? Not sure but not as much. Although there are about 10 in California now. Thank you for watching!
Star had one good guard and it was '93.
Cadets 1993 all the way
I have a viable interest in resurrecting SOI…. I am like Mr Cook… we shall soon see
They still have a huge fan base and the Alumni corps is amazing.
i Marched 93 and 94 in Boston and got to see these shows live. i loved stars shows in 91 and 93....the drumline and the horn line were awesome..... but the guard ....yikes they were like a really good high school gaurd...they danced well ...but phantom and BD dance better. nothing they did equipment wise could compare to the other guards in the top ten. and Cadets guard and BD's guard wiped the floor with them
Agreed. The guard in 93 was so dirty. Cadets guard was way better. But the stuff that Star was doing was so different it turned a lot of people off. BD's guard was good as well.
@@MarchingArtsNetworkTV see i loved stars show in 93 it was very cool....just not the guard
Excellent video! Loved every bit, as I've heard so much about them.
'91-'93 Quarterfinals Threepeat lol
Some innovations introduced by Stars are now something used by most corps all the time. This is what makes it boring in my opinion.
Louise thank you for your opinion. Totally get where you are coming from.
Star built a skyscraper in 93 season yes tgey prolly shoukd won it innovative movements a 10th of point loss is a flaw in judging nobody is that good unless its a clock !
Regrettably, I couldn't agree with you less. Trying to re-write history does not serve your purpose at all. in a nutshell, thinking you are SOOOOO innovative and SOOOOOO new and you are bringing SOOOOOO many ideas to the canvas turned out to be only in the eye and mind of the beholder. The majority didn't share this feeling and that is why they ultimately failed. Sure they deserve credit for trying but that alone is not necessarily good when the majority of fans in the craft did not feel the same way.They were a novelty to be sure, but so were the Velvet Knights and parts of most of the other corps. If you look back, I was active in the days when the Royal Aires and the Kilties and the Blue Stars and a host of others --before the California corps stepped into the spotlight. Imagine what times were like in those days as well. In my opinion and to sum up the flaws of Star of Indiana . . . they were just too much Indiana and not enough Star. The highway had been designed and all the corps had agreed to travel down it . . . except SOI. They knew that they would have trouble competing when the rules and the norms had already been established. So instead, they hoped to wander and waiver outside the path that everyone had already agreed to follow. They couldn't bring the majority with them to their way of thinking. This is ultimately what did them in. They had great music and musicians! An over-the-top approach to movement and marching ---much of which was eventually adopted. And then with this they totally failed at GE, props and costume design and any assemblance of thematic cohesion and this is what did them in. I and others called it the "kitchen sink approach" to drum corps and thank God it did not survive and become popular. Sure parts of it were adopted, but that would have happened with the natural maturity process anyway. Drum corps learned much from the SOI experiment but fortunately, it was not finally popular enough to sustain itself.
Go lie down, you're clearly drunk.
They failed at GE? How so? GE isn't just fan applause. Fan applause isn't even part of GE, actually. To me, they were the best at GE. That 1993 is the single greatest designed show in DCI history - from the music, to the drill, to the body movement, to the guard book, to the percussion book, to the brass book, to the flag colors, to the guard equipment, to the uninform color. All of it. Every detail was meticulously thought out and planned, and executed at a highest level. It was perfection on all levels. THAT is GE.
I marched Madison in the late 80s, and to me 1990-1993 Star of Indiana are four of the best corps, and best products to ever hit the field. I HATED the 1993 show when I saw it during the season. Now, well, you know my opinion of it. But, that's what makes it so great. It wasn't easy to like and it wasn't easy to love, but I got there. It challenged me - everything I thought I knew and what I thought entertaining was.
It wasn't an experiment - it was an identity. And while simple-minded fans (myself included in 1993) couldn't get past the fact that they didn't understand it enough to enjoy it - well that's their/our problem, not Star's.
Star were very very good. Immensely talented. Changed DCI? Really? Early 70s SCV. 76 devils. Early 80s Garfield. Star were really Garfield of the Midwest. Not ground breaking. Now…an argument can be made that the diaspora of their kids changed the activity and continue to? That’s a valid statement. The fact is there just were very few groups who did what wasn’t before or differently than before.
I'll give you 91 and 93 especially. But I don't think there's anything new or innovative in the 1990 show, and really nothing in the 92 show at all. All four are extremely well designed and performed (though I loathe the 92 show; too EPCOT/Amurrica, Fuck Yeah for me.) And saying things like "The drumline also brought a level of playing that was on another level" isn't really saying anything. Again, the 90 Star drumline was good, but they didn't do anything super-innovative.
Appreciate your opinion. 1990,1991 and 1993 are my favorites though. 1992 wasnt as good but they still played the shit out of the show. Thanks so much for watching!!
Exactly. They’re were TREMENDOUS and fun. But it’s not like they brought Bb brass to VFW Nationals. Mid 70s devils and early 80s Garfield. THEY were the game changers.
Actually, the split pit was innovative - and the musicality of the battery and its integration with the brass was noted by the judges. Brass judges did mention hearing stuff they’d never heard before.
@@feverpaI loathe a split pit, because I was a pithead for 5 of my 6 years, and what Phantom did in 87, for example, or what Madison did in 91 and 92 was some bullshit--treating the pit as an elastic thing easily fucked with when other captions couldn't design their way out of a problem. And the symmetrical pit in 93 treated the front ensemble like a cute parlor trick. So Star splitting their pit wasn't innovative; corps had been splitting mallets one one side and timps on the other as early as 82, and ON the field before that. Again, not innovative. Star's pits were never bad, nor were their batteries. Just not all that innovative (the battery in 93 ecxepted).