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Had the opportunity to head out to GW again tonight and saw the end of the show for the first time. They didn't have the last few sets on the field yet but they did play the music at a standstill in their runthrough. WOW!!! This show is going to be another fan favorite. And dare I say it...I have a feeling that this might be the one to take it all for Crown. There are moments throughout the show that just are unbelievable. The amount of demand being placed on the members both musically and visually is immense, and they're already performing it at a very high level. I've never been a huge fan of Carolina Crown, but they're turning me into one. I am already in love with this show. Can't wait to see it on Sunday night then again in a couple weeks at Firstbeat!

I am a crown Alumn so yes I am already biased However, the 2012 Crown production is going to phenominal! Taking my bias hat off and being completely subjective, this production may be the one that finds folks on the fence about Crown to say "now that is what I have been waiting for" and even the haters will have to conceed to this being a great production. If you are a fan of drum corps then you will love this show. There are so many programs across the board that I am looking forward to seeing this summer. I pray for safe travels for all corps this summer as they embarq on their 2012 tours.

I dunno if this has already been posted but.. dang. That's Box 5.

...well seeing Phantom already posted on their facebook page that last night was a runthrough for the administration at Rockford College (corps camp site for several weeks), I feel it is alright to post a few thoughts about what I saw and heard..... First, Phantom will be fielding a full program when they take the field for the first show competition in Akron next week. The corps has an overflowing schedule of camp, concert and public dress rehersal in the few days left before the first competition show. Its insane! Secend, IMO, the viewer WILL NOT need to understand the opera Turandot to understand/appreciate this show. The music selections, the interaction between the brass/guard/pit/drums is a show in itself. Are there specific story related characters in the show (absolutely!), will you recognize some of the music (YES! even parts of the opera music) and will you hear the traditional Phantom Regiment sound (yes, with a new twist). I am amazed at the current visual being presented by the corps. I've heard the music for months and am surprised at the visual program that showcases the music selections. There is no way that anyone can catch everything that is going on out in the field by seeing the program just once. You will need one viewing to listen to the rich interaction between the brass/pit/drums. Even each section of the brass is featured while supporting a feature of another section. It will take several viewings to 'see' everything the guard is doing! Luckily I got to watch a lot of pratice where the different 'parts' of the show was done, done again, reviewed, done and done again. (If you have marched you know what I am talking about!) Very few 'enhancements' were used in the show (and I will not explain my use of the word enhancements....wait and see, this will evolve as the show evolves). So when it came time to do the first run thru of the full show, I knew what was coming. IMO, for the first time in several years, this show has the potential to really blossom visually. It should also do well in General Effect. PR should will do well in the year long percussion and brass 'competition', and should the program evolve as I think it will, PR will move right up the cometition ladder and maybe win some captions at Finals. The show and the corps have that much potential in my opinion. Don't worry people, there is music for every age group including some recognizable music for us dinos! Of course you know I am not going to give away any signature moves, any music selections, any of the guard uniform design or any of the other details that is going to make this show both very 'Phantom' familiar and very new. ...just be warned that if you expect to know the whole show design in one viewing, it ain't happening. And, the show has the potential to evolve a great deal before Finals in August. The members of Phantom Regiment are expected to do a lot this season - and I know that once they have reached one level they will be instantly challenged with the next higher. I am absolutely also sure that many on DCP will have a field day pointing out all the 'dirt' in the show. Go at it. This is going to be the type of show that will always have something to fix, add or enhance. If it becomes 'perfectly clean' it will just show it has stopped evolving. I take evolution/some dirt over perfection/stunted growth any day. Of course there is still dress rehersal in Stillman Valley, IL, at the high school tomorrow night. Its a great small town and a nice stadium for a drum corps show. Tuesday night is the annual Concert in the Park (Sinnissippi Park bandshell) in Rockford. If I remember right, a lot of pictures of the brass and percussion (guard does not participate so you wont see their uniform then) seem to show up online after this presentation. The show music will be presented so maybe someone (it WON'T be me!) will post some actual corps played music then for all of you screaming for music and videos. And,the corps is sent off at the end of next week to their first competition. I'm excited to see this show on the big screen at the local movie house on the 18th! SUTA!!!!

Academy's (slightly different) uniform from their FB page. Purple ties!!

I don't need to dig them up. Your reply here said it all. Have a great weekend!

I seriously hope alcohol was involved.

14 days to the TOS! It's going to be a VERY SPECIAL night with the tribute to the 72 corps and the Championship drum lines of 80-81-82 and there is also going to some special moments between the Bridgemen and Jersey Surf you won't want ot miss! Visit www.bridgemen.com to get your tickets. Hype! George

I plan on being there (it being 1/2 mile from my house, it would be rediculous if I didn't). I know that the gates open at 7:00, but does anyone have an idea about what time they will actually do the run-thru? I haven't seen any of the last 4 min or so of the show (only up through Fanfare). I can't wait to see how they are ending it after such an awesome beginning.

I can't say that I've ever seen some of the behavior mentioned in this post, but being from the Boston area and knowing what happens in Red Sox Nation when the Yankees come to town, perhaps I see it as mild in comparison. As far as corps staff members crowding the aisles of the fifty yard line: first, there are safety issues involved. Aisles are supposed to be as clear as possible in case of an emergency and this is just plain logic. Also, if staff members are disrupting the people in the stands as Soocerguy has noted, this is wrong. Keep in mind, corps in most cases are paid performance fees from revenues that I assume come from ticket sales. People in the stands also buy souvenirs, and in the case of people who sit on the fifty yard line, probably support corps monetarily. The people in the stands are paying customers and should be treated as customers. It's basic customer service. While I know staff are often paid so little they are in fact volunteers, staff gets to see a corps perform each night. Spectators, especially those in New England, the West Coast, or deep South only get the opportunity to see some corps live once every four or five years. This also has to be taken into consideration when it comes to staff behavior. This being said, we also have to remember the venue. If I were at the symphony and heard cries of "Men-del-ssohn Men-del-ssohn" from the audience the way I might hear "Mad-s-son, Mad-i-son" at a drum corps event, I'd be annoyed. I'd also find it odd at a drum corps show if as soon as the drum major took to the podium, there was a silent awe as the performance begins as I might expect at the symphony or a show in a theater. Drum corps performances happen in stadiums and the enthusiasm of the crowd is a huge part of it. Most corps thrive on the audience response, even the very best who may appear to be untouchable. Of course audience enthusiasm is not an excuse for boorish behavior.

I need my "fix"...I am seriously experiencing "BAC withdrawals"...

Let me see if I understand here... you're getting snarky over people hyping Carolina Crown... in the Carolina Crown thread? Gotcha.

Beginning at the 3:24 mark: "And winners of the Jim Ott High Brass Award"...................

I went to Gardner Webb last night to watch ensemble rehearsal. I really liked what I saw and heard. All the chatter about voice overs is unfounded. They are not using them, and the show doesn't need them. The superhuman narrative comes through loud and clear and does so without being "cheesy". Visually this is the Crown I have always wanted to see. Drill retains the open space and massive field coverage (Fanfare For The Common Man - 5 yard line to 5 yard line) but has a ton of frenetic in close drill segments as well. There are a couple of moves in this show that are going to blow audiences' minds! They have taken the whole body movement thing to a new level. Guard work is very cool! I am not a percussionist, but I can tell it's a Thom Hannum book! Drums cover every inch of the field at one time or another. The battery going out to multiple concert bass drums and timpani for "Fanfare" is neat. Really strong in all captions. This is definitely medal caliber design.

I played contra and did a snap turn once that took out a flag girl. Does that count?

oh dear lord let the offseason end soon

i'm not a percussionist (or a drummer), but to me it looked like the judge was moving to take looks at different parts of the line.

I like this uniform better than the traditional Cadet uni.

Whomever produced it, it's a pretty good history lesson and I'd love to see many corps create some sort of medium where we can educate ourselves on their history. That could also help in recruitment I guess.

Well I guess it's settled then. There should be only three corps in competition and the rest of DCA can take the summer off. The members of all those other corps can save all that money and avoid all that sweating because it's only a three-corps race. <Now where's that cursed sarcasm button?>

I heard the drums are already in. Like everything else this season, they are tight lipped on the finish.

I would think the Scouts should be getting a delivery from Yamaha soon right? Looking forward to seeing the new drum finish.

True, maybe it's how they wanted him to write things... I doubt it was the source material, because I've heard the original source material for many things he arranged. I am willing to bet it's the way he was asked to arrange that I didn't care for in the past. I really have always liked Phantom, so it's all good.

Love it!

I’m a big fan of Deadspins ‘Funbag’ column, where these sort of hypothetical situations are discussed. A similar idea entered my mind recently: Imagine two able-bodied drum corps vets are deserted on a jungle island. Both are 4-year-vets, both are proficient in martial arts, and both are given a backpack of the usual survival supplies (first-aid, fire gear, etc.). Along with their respective backpacks, one is given a pair of 20” Zildjian marching cymbals and the other is given a Yamaha Bb contra* …. Let’s say, both competitors have marching experience on each instrument. The rules are simple: fight to the death. The only thing that can cause damage to your enemy is your instrument. This fight is controlled by omnipresent game-makers (yes, like in ‘Hunger Games’), so any cheating will result in immediate disqualification/death. Who would win? Note: I didn’t include other equipment (sop, snare w/ sticks, rifle) for various reasons. Guard equipment is derived from weaponry, so that would be too much of an advantage. Battery drums are too cumbersome. Other brass instruments are too small to be effective. *I’m not calling it a ‘tuba.’ If it’s in the key of G OR if it’s an instrument of death, it’s a ‘contra.’

It's called hype in the off-season. It happens every year at this time. With just about every corps. This being a Carolina Crown thread, it would follow that people are hyping (...wait for it....) Carolina Crown. Crazy, I know. But what's DCP without a little crazy?

Finally something to disagree with. You're wrong. Or you're at least partially wrong. Yes, it's a sponsor issue. But yes, it's a DCI issue too. You're right that DCI isn't, shouldn't be and can't be the police at every show. DCI is however the governing body that sets the standard for appropriate conduct for its activity. This is akin to the NFL or MLB sanctioning players for off-field conduct (at least to the extent that collective bargaining agreements permit it). DCI is similarly in a position to demand a standard of conduct for its participants. And DCI, which is the corps, should expect each corps to enforce the standard. In that respect, this should be a DCI issue. The ushers can go back to flirting with the high school girls. HH

Actually, there were no TUBAS on the field until 2000, but why quible?

I loved Shaw's writing and I look forward to Hill's writing. They're both still in the shadow of Jim Wren, though.

Oh man...I haven't laughed that hard since Banished first posted his videos. Wish it weren't so dark, though.

Went to see the Cadets preview show in Allentown tonight and Holy #### this going to be an awesome show!!!! The arrangement of Jingle Bells is going blow the top off the Oil Can. It definetly has 2007 blue shades Vibe along with 2002. The whole show has an aggressiveness that is unmatched even compared to last years show. It is beast and #### good arrangements worthy of defending the title. No other corps would have the guts to do this kind of program but the cadets have a real monster!!! Drill will be flying again for sure! What a great blend of emotion and power with these Christmas carols! And a side note Cadets2 sounded awesome! Had a quality that matched that of the cadets just a little smaller. Not 100% familiar with DCA but from a DCI stand point I was impressed with both the brass and percussion. Very cool they are doing an old school cadets book for their opener.

I managed to make it to the Scouts rehearsal site tonight. Much later then I had planned due to work but couldn't help it. I was the only spectator which was unusual I thought. Anyway - I didn't get to hear the hornline let loose as they were doing visual the entire time I was there. They were working hard and looking sharp. That drum major really knows how to take command and was very impressive. The drumline sounded very good (I of course spent most of my time watching them rehearse). A little smaller than the last couple of years unfortunately (8-4-5 and no cymbal line) but they sure can drum. The front ensemble was doing their thing as well and sounded very melodic. Guard seemed very much in synch - and were very much enjoying their practice time. I wish I could give insight into the music but I didn't hear any except from the pit. Still, it was cool to see where they (and Star) rehearse(d) and I was really impressed with how the staff were running things.

Big Dale? Now there would be an impressive DM... depending on which history they honor with Militaires... I can imagine his tall frame in the original queen's guard uni complete with tall fury Busbee... but then again... the striped barber shop quartet jacket and roaring twenties straw hat could work too...

Green shirts, plus green pants with white stripes on the legs. Much like a herd of zebra will confusing a pursuing lion, watch how the drum corps performs pass-throughs at 210bpm to make the visual judges look like that guy from "Scanners"... Visual Effect judge: Visual Analysis judge: Visual Proficiency judge:

Man... I wonder if they have to refill there water jugs EVERY single water break after doing this.

"Coming to a stadium near you....."

And some people wonder why we choose to play contra...

Hahaha, 1:19, in the back.

I think that, oh damm, commercials over, back to the Stanley Cup game.

Does anyone else find the all the various names BD fans try to use on the BD half-skirt just a little amusing? Sorry - not being mean spirited or anything all. It just makes me smile a little. (BTW it's not capelet at all . Capelets are over your shoulders.)

Been there, done that. Looks like the Bridgemen's 1978 rifle line: Fred O.

OMG Do your Opera homework before you POST. No doubt the guard will be "Princess Turandot."

Too busy ?

No, everyone knows Shakespeare is French...he owns a book store in Paris! I took this photo myself when I was there in February!

Did Someone mention New Uniforms?

Oh, what the heck... I'll grab a club and take a swing at this well-beaten horse carcass as well. I wonder what someone who plays college softball would say if it was suggested that the rules be changed to where you could use regular baseballs and pitch overhanded. You could still call it softball but the changes shouldn't be considered significant because, you know-- softball has pretty much always been baseball anyways, right? I understand that the activity must evolve over time. But, IMO, those changes should-- as reasonably as possible-- still stay within the framework of the particular activity in question (in our case, DCI) and not veer towards fundamental changes. Keeping with the baseball analogy, I think most of the DCI changes over the years could be considered in the realm of nighttime games, designated hitters, etc. However, to me, allowance of woodwinds would be the equivalent of swtiching to a different style ball, etc. I know it's all opinion, but that's how I've personally thought of this issue. (As you might guess, I want to leave woodwinds out of DCI.)

Hi Mike, I know you're shtick here is to always be devil's advocate for all things new and modern... and fancy yourself progressive. That's cool. However... That's why I'd go see Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale in person for state-of-the-art electronic sitar music. On the other hand, I would not go to an Indian Music concert and expect to be wowed by the brass. I prefer to let each idiom do what it does best. If we're as good a drum corps as Anoushka Shankar is a sitar player, we'll be in very, very good shape my friend. It's not about the choice of instrument. It's about the performance. Just because you CAN use something, doesn't make it the right choice. Chuck Naffier

All I know is that no one's sleeping. ;)

Bonus? I call it a win. Few will remember scores or placements in 3 months, but ESoM and this Scouts show will (I think) be a turning point. (Yes I'm utterly biased, having marched in a corps that caught babies every night but never scored well.)

Just off hand... 9 corps in 1992