AS TIME GOES BY...
One Year of Generally Effecting the Performing Arts
It has been just over a year since GEM was launched, and in order to celebrate that, a few of our writers picked their favorite article that GEM has published over the course of the past year, and have provided some insight on why they loved it.
Enjoy!
- General Effect: Myth and Fact by Aaron Blackley
General Effect: Myth and Fact
One of the most confusing parts of the broader marching arts world that connects all aspects is a little something called “General Effect.” There are many misconceptions about this caption and it’s rare to find someone at a drum corps contest who really knows what it’s about. However, I don’t find this to be the fault of (most of) the fans, as there isn…
General Effect is such a divisive subject in the community-at-large, and it’s very handy to have a fairly concise and clear explanation on hand for when people are curious as to how corps work to maximize the sheets, or want to know just why their favorite group might be doing well (or not so well).
- The Band Bubble Breakdown by Hattie Bartlett
The Band Bubble Breakdown
You’ve heard whispers, seen online discussion forum posts, and read Facebook comments alluding to it. The Bubble. Thanks for reading General Effect Media! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. What is this ever-discussed, possibly-mythical, maybe-real-maybe-not place/item/concept? Perhaps your band has been on it, or on the edge of…
I enjoyed this article because it was a sorta unexpected edition to the Breakdown series. Most of them up to this point were based on something more concrete and demonstratable, but going into a concept that is based purely on community discussion was a cool change of pace.
- The Red One-Gallon Coleman Water Jug Is Nearly Extinct by Daniel Valdez
The Red One-Gallon Coleman Water Jug Is Nearly Extinct
"So I ask you, What is going on?????" - Cyrus the Damn Virus If you have performed at ANY level of marching pageantry arts, you know all about the Coleman Chiller™ Red One-Gallon Water Jug. Yes, I am aware that they came in a variety of colors and sizes (The italics are important. Stick with me.) We all had one at rehearsal. Some of us still have it,…
My favorite article is [The Red One-Gallon Coleman Water Jug Is Nearly Extinct], because its existence allowed me to not feel bad about being funny. Thank you, Daniel, for breaking that glass ceiling.
- 2023 WGI Color Guard World Championships Watch Guide by Marching Arts BTN
2023 WGI Color Guard World Championships Watch Guide
Wake up, everyone - the 2023 WGI Color Guard World Championships are finally here! The action begins early this morning with the Independent Open class performing first at the University of Dayton Arena starting at 9:00 AM ET, with other venues underway at 10:00 AM Eastern. In total, 319 guards will perform on Thursday, with the final performance ending …
I love these easy-to-use tables because all of my numbers and classes are right there. I believe that having multiple tabs open is a sign of a nervous breakdown. The spreadsheets save my sanity.
- At The Alter by Hattie Bartlett
At The Alter
In an article in December, I mentioned the dust has settled on the 2022 high school marching band season. If it was settled by then, last year’s season must now be an Indiana Jones-style ruin, lost to time (aside from bracket contests on Instagram meme pages). I come bearing gifts for anyone dealing with off-season sickness: I’m talking about the 2022 h…
It was great to hear the perspective from a student member who was part of arguably one of the fan favorite shows at 2022 Grand Nationals. I also enjoyed the inside look into their program and how they are different but also similar in ways from other bands that they competed against that were 10 times their size.
We have just passed our first anniversary of bringing marching arts coverage to you, and we’re so excited to show everything we’ve been working on to take this to the next level!