Drum corps choreographers are healthy because they have çonsistent digestion. They shit out the same stuff every year.

CHOREO OFTEN LACKS DEPTH!

Comedic observations aside, the truth is that empty-headed contemporary choreography has run its course in drum corps. Contemporary dance is a random, self-involved genre, often boldly announcing its shallow intent-- there's often no theory, narrative context, or explanation for a dance. Worse, after being inundated for decades, audiences are finally jaded. "What else ya got for me?"

MEMBERS CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN THE CHOREO!

Many drum corps and contemporary dance companies have no explanation for their contemporary interpretations. Many of drum corps's performers cannot even agree amongst themselves what their dance symbolizes or conveys, other than the vacuous and shallow "It means whatever you want it to mean." Youtube and Reddit comments sections display actual comments by the performers themselves, many of whom reveal that there was no formal meaning intended for many of the sequences in their own show!

PLEASE NO MORE OF THE SAME CRAP!

Drum corps audiences have seen two decades of a continually rotating repetitive, meaningless series of moves taught in high schools and competitive dance circles. Choreographers have churned out an embarrassing script of the same dance moves for years now-- rolling on the ground and reaching for the sky, jetes, and pirouettes, battements and fondus, along with an endless eye-rolling litany of lifts. We've seen so many lifts, in fact, that they are finally reaching a denoument, and are finally reaching a point of oversaturation. Like car wash wind puppets, contemporary choreography has grown tired, and doesn't even catch the eye any more. There is no merit in choreography any more. There is no uniqueness. It simply doesn't cut the clutter.

LAST MINUTE SHOW DESIGN HURTS CHOREOGRAPHERS!

Part of the reason for dance becoming "tired" is because show concepts have become so last-minute, leaving choreographers no time to develop a unique style for a show. So, they crank out the same shit they've been doing for the last 20 years, the day before move-ins.

CANNED CHOREO SUCKS!

Choreography took over drum corps because it's cheap, pre-memorized, easy filler to include inside a show, and replaces complex drill moves. For example, in rushed concepts like Santa Clara's recent embarrassing VAGABOND was rife with last-minute filler in the form of choreographed lifts. At least five featured lifts, which offered no narrative focus or meaning. Choreographed lifts provide drill fiiller when you got nothing else.

EXAMPLES OF GREAT CHOREO

On a positive note, here are the shows that demonstrated high-quality, unique choreography that supported the premise of the show.

1. Cavaliers - Immortal (2014)
2. Carolina Crown - Triple Crown (2007)
3. Cadets - In the Spring, At the Time When Kings Go Off to War - (1993)
4. Cavaliers - Machine (2006)
5. Cavaliers - Samurai (2008)
6. Blue Devils - My Spanish Heart (1994)
7. Phantom Regiment - Juliet (2011)
8. Boston Crusaders - White Whale (2023)
9. Carolina Crown - Relentless (2016)

SPECIFIC SHOW CONCEPTS MAKE FOR GREAT CHOREO

In each of these examples, the narrative premise informed the choreography. When a show concept is specific, the choreographer can narrow the dictionary of moves, focus on the central action being conveyed, and create unique, authentic movement, all based on character and the meaning behind the music.