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I really hope the guard can grab that trophy on Saturday. I started in '03 when the new staff came to rebuild Crown. To see Michael Townsend's choreo become fully realized and cleaned to near perfection is such an amazing thing to witness this season.

Can you imagine the mocking that would be hurled at them if they did go back (and rightfully so, given the hype they built up around the change)? Honestly, it's absolutely the right thing to stick with the change, for good or ill.

I'm still rooting for the Cadets to pull it off. Still feels weird, but there you go. :) Honestly, though, it's the first year in a long while where I will be happy with the results no matter how it shakes out - I'm a huge fan of all of the top 4 contenders. On a side note, this has been one of my more favorite threads this summer, as the Cadets folks have been so enthusiastic about the corps and the show's twists and turns . It's been fun to read, especially as a lot of the corps threads... um... have been ... less... positive about their corps. Anyways, it's nice to get a reminder sometimes that this activity is supposed to be fun! Mike

Would rather watch scv over the other 2. They are the people's champ.

I love the fact that our son gets to age out with the Cadets this year with this show and this awesome setting. Couldn't ask for a better scene than this one coming. Congrates to the Cadets and all the Corps. Its been a great year !!!

BRASSO, on 03 Aug 2015 - 3:31 PM, said: I hope this tired joke runs it's course soon.

Hey DCI: is it really too much to ask that you throw up at least a single high camera and microphone to cover the Open Class WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS on DCI Live!?!?

Yeah, after a couple years of strong females the shopping thing seems a little regressive.

Marching members of the Modern Era realize that Saturday, August first is the simultaneous triple birthday of Gino (brass caption head), Colin (percussion head), and of an aged out horn sgt. who hasn't been heard from in too long. Well, at the Bethlehem rehearsal Saturday just before ensemble, Gino went to continue the routine with the brass line, the DM asked for a moment, and then beginning with several cross field soloists the hornline moved Gino to tears as they surprised him with a symphonic full line brass rendering of "Happy Birthday." Said the master to the faithful, "That was so amazingly cool!!! No corps has ever done that for me before! When did you have time to learn that???" flabbergasted Gino asked. "Walking over to the field!" was the "spontaneous" full line response in perfect unison. Great kids, great tribute.

I think this amazing show which still is amazing would be even more amazing with those cream pants highlighting that wonderful marching technique and stellar Cadets drill. Bring them back for INDY. We all respect you for taking risks but we'll love you more for going back!

I don't think THEY thought the color change was going to be a game changer. It think everyone else thought it would be.

Wow..Guess you miss all the visual with bluecoats dark uniforms also then.

Yup. He's the one who ran to the field and poured water on my face after I passed out in Texas.

Standing ovation for PR! WOW much improved since I last saw them. Show is much more cohesive and brass is on tonight! Couple notes: twice the crowd could hear the judges talking. Come on DCI

Fine I'll play then. I hope City of Light is the last PR brass book I hear written by Don Hill. I haven't enjoyed a single show he's written. Ironically, I am infatuated with EVERY SINGLE PR show musically from 02-2011. My vote for replacement goes to Frank Sullivan. I've enjoyed most every show he's written. You can't watch this and not think he'd be great for phantom! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc1bsIXVlDs also if they get a program coordinator who has a clue, that'd be great. Programming has been... not great...even frustratingly bad, as of late. ---- Cavaliers: I would love to see Michael Gaines come back, or see him at bluecoats. I think he'd fit their style well

Agreed.

What an awesome night. Congrats to all, but especially Bluecoats. Thanks to everyone that came tonight. We may have set an attendance record here too. Cue the DCI is dead choir!

And in 4th place.. ...which is actually a 4-way-tie for 1st..

Cadets taking VP, VA, moving up in guard, Taking brass and Music analysis...although tied, sounds very promising.

If I were a meaner person I'd call out those who were so sure it was a 3 horse race with Bluecoats out of the picture,... But you know who you are ;-)

Electronics are working tonight!

Ok that was pretty freaking cool. Lightning in the background as the entire SCV corps lights up. So cool.

All history aside, I don't know how you can say that the admin has no interest in building a strong percussion line after the numerous moves they've made since 2010 that indicate the contrary. They have been lucky with a consistent core guard staff and brass staff, both of which have grown and changed considerably, but have seen the same key figures at their respective helps since... 2003? They're still looking for that magic in the percussion caption.

If I know you well I'd say the next corps might make you say yes. EDIT. Corps after next. No offense SCV. ;)

Cadets seemed to have a strong run tonight. Great energy and it felt like they upped the tempo in the opener. Crowd seemed to love them.

The Cadets set the place on FIRE!

Good deal. Hope your grandparents stay safe and their property too.

Rx: Chill Pill 500mg Disp: 40 tabs Sig: Take 1 tab PO q 4-6 hrs prn tightening of the anal sphincter Just kidding. I think he was as well. :)

GO RED TEAM!!!

This crowd is one of the best in the circuit. 10+ times heavy cheering / clapping for PR

Please respect my opinion here, but I think Phantom needs to find a new program coordinator. I just think that their shows, while always performed with the typical Regiment flair, lack the "oomph" needed to win a championship.

I don't want to sound like Channel3 here but it just doesn't add anything. It dumbs down the show. When I think of "City of Light" I think of the beauty of Paris, not the shopping destinations.

Yea, when I was there the schedule was different...almost everyone was there in January, and we did two camps each month, plus Sundays and Wednesday night sectionals. They don't do that anymore, but with the extended spring training, the net result is the same: Champions are built before you ever get on the bus.

I thought dinosaurs were extinct

Why don't you take it up with the high school kids on Facebook rather than using it as an excuse to (yet again) bash Crown fans here? That way you can get your point across and maybe they will get it as they will be hearing it from someone on their own maturity level.

Seriously? I'd LOVE for a finals week surprise! Congrats tonight! Gotta be a HUGE momentum boost going into Thusday! Regardless of where it finishes, this is a revolutionary, fresh, amazing show that will be talked about long after the scores are forgotten. It's been a blast this year, finish out with a bang! #BRINGTHENOISEBLOO!!!!!!

Funny how lots of folks on here are design experts and know exactly what is driving the judges scores. Please share how the rest of us can have such insight into what wins and how to bring it to life because there's some good jobs out there we could have.

i dont think marching is going away. witness BD adding more actual real difficult drill to their production this year and certainly marching 200bpm at the end of your program exhibits great stamina and concentration which *do* get credited on the sheet. in any case i think it's pretty clear the activity is going to keep changing and exploring new ways for these young performers to shine.

Guard looked good on Blurry periscope, lol So no idea really...

Let's go Regiment!

it's important we remember this was NOT the plan only a month before spring training Cadets unexpectedly lost their guard caption head (who last season led them to a #2 finish with a 9.7 substance and 9.8 achievement score) the guard staff was an emergency back up plan a few weeks before the season they were left scrambling and it was too late at that point to secure most folks as they were committed So - that said Cadets guard is marching a ton of vets -- now that they've stopped making rampant changes to their staging, drill and books - they do their best to make it clean and sell to the box on Thursday A lot can get accomplished when you are vet-laden They'll be fine.

That is one of the best things I've ever seen.

That's what I posted ... well just the front of the sheet.

Coats are definitely trending up. I was afraid they might not be able to sustain and build on the success from last year. They've done that and more and they'll start to get a bump in the talent level as a bonus.

Was very glad to be back to hearing live drum corps with my family once again! Haven't been to this show since 2013, and I couldn't go last year due to the bad choice of venue. Before I begin, here's what I liked and disliked about the stadium and the handling of the show. The Good: - Quality of the stadium, in many ways, is MUCH better than when I was here two years ago. Restrooms look much less hideous, at least. - Security was also much better than in previous years, especially after adding on the new main entrance. Two years ago, it was an absolute nightmare. - Crowd control is also much more efficient. When I was here two years ago, I recall there were people still finding to their seats DURING (yes, during) the first show of the night (The Cadets). - No more "multi-cam!" Remember two years ago when this show was broadcasted on the Fan Network and there were monkeys recording the show? Well, they've officially scratched that and replaced it with a "high-cam." It's placed at a somewhat awkward location (at field left), but it's nowhere near as distracting as the "multi-cam." The Bad: - Apparently, we didn't come into the stadium the correct way, because the hassle getting here via car was insane. We ended up coming from the same direction as almost everyone else: via Abbott Road (near where the corps warm up), and there were people making some really dumb driving decisions. Some were turning left in a non-left lane, others were trying to merge into the lane and therefore cut off other drivers, and still others were not even going to the show and were both confused and annoyed by others' driving decisions. And even worse, at one point, we accidentally drove into the handicap lot. Nevertheless, we were able to find a spot, although we ALMOST missed the start of Vanguard's show. We decided to beat the crowd by leaving after the Blue Devils' show (sorry, Phantom) to give us enough time to get home. Next year, when we come here, we are doing 2 things: (1) getting there via Big Tree Road, and (2) coming at around 5:15pm instead of 5:45pm (gates open at 5:30pm, so it really doesn't matter). [/rant] That being said, THE SHOW. Santa Clara Vanguard (5th - 91.30) "The Spark of Invention" Good: Beautiful visual integration. Angry, intense Vanguard is back! Appreciated the return to traditional red and green uniforms. The lights on the uniforms, drums, Tesla coils and flagpoles were a nice touch that the audience really enjoyed. Not good: Drill, while well-written at many times, was a bit cramped sometimes. Tesla coils don't really do much until the end; until then they're just being pushed around. Prop integration, therefore, not as good as last year. I love Shaw and the Rennicks, but their musical program isn't as cohesive as in previous seasons. Blue Stars (8th - 85.10) "Side Show" Good: Awesome percussion and guard sections. Great musical arrangements - probably my favorite from Saucedo in a while. Not good: The "side shows" were well-performed, yet to the point at which they distract from what the corps itself is actually doing. I have a feeling this is why Visual GE has been hurting. Brass was a bit weak compared to the other two aforementioned sections. The Cadets (3rd - 94.10) "The Power of Ten" Good: Some really awesome musical and visual moments throughout. Loved Sacktig's drill. The black uniforms actually made some of the visual aspects with neon "pop" even more. Loved the horn feature! That was the highlight of the night for me (although I am a horn player myself). My mom's and younger sister's favorite show of the night. Not good: I know people have said it before, but the problem with all-black uniforms is that it muddies up a lot of the drill up high. If they at least changed the color of the cummerbunds to neon green or silver, this would be the best show on the field tonight. Guard, of course, is weak as well. Not featured enough, and weapons and dancing weren't the best. This is the same guard, by the way, that placed 2nd at Finals last year with an all-flag book. I have no idea what happened. Bluecoats (4th - 93.85) "Kinetic Noise" Not good: Electronics started working at the beginning, then suddenly petered out before the opening hit, so the opener, ballad, and the first 1/4th of the drum break went on electronics free. (They did kick back in just before the snare rolls and the voice-over of "You may call me brother now.") Couldn't help but watch the Bluecoat always located in the right end zone run over to what looked like Glasgow and talk to him about the situation. Good: Amazing brass sound! Best contra section of the night. Corps performed as well as ever beyond the electronic glitches. Closer was quite insane! Impressive body work, too. Not good (continued): It's individual marching issues that they need to resolve now. They can't really do anything more with any other captions. Carolina Crown (2nd - 94.85) "Inferno" Good: Straightforward, yet very, very effective concept. Amazing brass and guard. Percussion is on the comeback trail; this is definitely their best since the 2010-2014 slump. This was my dad's favorite show of the night. Not good: Obviously, percussion is still their biggest weakness. Other than that, the visual program is a bit weak in both design and execution. The execution part is nothing that a few days in Dayton and Avon won't fix, but design is a bit less sophisticated than others. I don't doubt that they could still win, but that's just food for thought. The Cavaliers (7th - 87.10) "Game On" Good: Surprisingly nice brass arrangements, and the drill has some good moments. Did a mental happy dance at the end upon finding out that the new ending was in fact based on the actual end of OTSOG. Not good: A very dull concept that just isn't executed well, probably my least favorite in many years except for 2012. Lots of dirt both musically and visually. Guard is especially rough, and like Cadets, is currently their biggest weakness. Phantom Regiment (6th - 87.25) "City of Light" Good: Actually surprised at how good this came across live! Narration has been trimmed a bit, so it's no longer super-obtrusive. Leg extensions at the end got the crowd going! My older sister's favorite show of the night. Not good: I couldn't get into the shopping segment ("Horoscope" by Lambert). That was a design choice that was tough to swallow. Guard was a bit rough compared to the other 2 main sections - I can tell that Veda leaving for Madison hurt them. Blue Devils (1st - 95.50) "Ink" Good: My favorite show of the night. They are the Peter Sellars of DCI - they can stage a show better than anyone else out there. Absolutely no performance weaknesses, either. None! Not good: Electric bass was a little too hot - let me hear more contras, please! CONCLUSION/Suggestion for DCI Overall, I enjoyed my experience of seeing all eight of these corps live, and there was something to like about all of them. All of the kids that stepped on that field should be proud of themselves! I do have one suggestion for DCI, however. My mom pointed out that she could only understand 2 or 3 out of the 8 shows tonight because of the lack of show descriptions in the programs. She even called the program "a waste of money" because of it. DCI, I know you haven't done this in a while (not for at least a decade, I think), but next year, casual fans who don't want to use Google to understand stuff would love it if you included a synopsis on every corps' page of the program. Thank you!

Looks like smart scheduling to me. But coupled with the fact that they rehearse fall less than every other contender once the season starts, it probably a wash in terms of hours, if such a thing even matters. The Blue Devils have always been the masters of "work smarter, not harder". Visit any Devils rehearsal and you'll see that in action.

THANK YOU. Cadets seem to be facing so much more criticism at this point when they are literally a few tenths behind the top corps. So many people coming on with their own little opinions about what needs to change and so on a so forth to accommodate THEIR needs from the show. I'm sure Cadets, Crown, BD, etc have an idea of what they should do to make the most out this last week. The competition is fierce this year and just because Cadets may not come in first, second, or third, does not mean they haven't performed a great show to the best of their ability.

Finals prediction: 1. Cadets 2. Crown 3. BD 4. Bluecoats (mostly due to individual marching technique) 5. SCV 6. Cavaliers 7. Blue Knights 8. Phantom 9. Madison 10. Blue Stars 11. BAC 12. Crossmen