u/pulsestriders

i've only been in this activity for 4 years so take this with a grain of salt, and i also want to clarify that i don't think woodwinds should ever go beyond being solo instruments

i see a lot of people pretty mad about this and just wanted to know why, as they're not at all in the main instrumentation and designed to be used sparingly, and we've had other solo instruments be legal for quite some time (guitar, sitar, keytar, harmonica, cello, violin, etc) too.

the main instrumentation is still percussion and three valved, bell front horns. brass instruments that don't fall into that category are used for 1-2 movements at most. so... what's the big deal? did it really change much to legalize these as solo instruments? i understand criticism if the usage doesn't scream "this NEEDED to be a woodwind solo" because that's perfectly valid, but i don't really get being mad for the sake of being mad here

i know this is an INCREDIBLY early post, maybe i shouldn't be thinking about 27' already, but i've kinda been having FOMO for not even auditioning for some of the smaller local corps near me this season. i graduated about a month ago, and my brother is aging out of a local corps this year. i hadn't wanted to audition at first because i didn't think i was ready at all, and i still don't think i am, but it can't hurt to try, at least. something to note is that while i played tuba throughout high school (concert and sousaphone), i'm a fairly weak and skinny dude who is concerned about handling a contra. are there any tips for preparing for that kinda thing?

my favorite part of every show is ALWAYS the closer, and i've yet to find an example of that not being the case. i dunno why, even, it just always is. especially old cadets closers! (may they rest in peace)

not every corps brings their merch to every show site from my experiences, but i'm going to this show and wanted to know beforehand, so i can have money ready or not. thank you!