That my contra line is better then yours!  It showed again this weekend why our contra line is the best line in DCA bar none.  Ok we have never won any best contra line awards or anything like that, but I think that our playing an marching technique certainly speaks for itself out there.  The only line that comes close to us is the Renegades contra line and that is purely from a technical standpoint.  We do what we do well, and they do what they do well, but we look better doing it.

 

Other lines are barely audible out there, especially these B flat lines that are marching.  The B flat lines should be easier to hear, but because of poor equipment and lack of intonation or cleanliness they are drowned out by the rest of the brass lines.  They have 2 or 3 people that will ruin the whole section sound at the higher volume levels because they overplay their horns or a bunch that ruin their softer volume levels because they aren't supporting.  They also just don't look as strong when they carry their horns and the tension they put on their bodies doesn't promote a good sound either.

 

That is why I can say that our section is so far beyond other sections out there.  We can all play the full range of our horn with a great sound at all volume levels from low C to high C.  We also have the training and experience.  Of the 6 we had this weekend, 5 are former Brigadiers, 4 marched in Jr corps, 5 are over 21, all are under 30.  The young guy is a tuba player and will study it in college.  The new member is a tuba player for a military band.  Everyone is trained and has a good concept of sound.  Everyone works hard and learns every note in the book and practices to play it the best they possibly can every time.

 

We are going with 8 for this year and the other two prospective members are also former Brigadiers with Jr Corps experience.  One is under 30 the other is in his mid 30's.  Everyone marches strong, everyone plays strong, and most of us have been doing it together for years.  This is why I can say without hesitation that my contra line is the best around.