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I recall marching in one NYC St. Patddy's parade in the early '60s with my High School Corps, the Xavier Cadets. It was a good year for us as we had members from St. Lucy's, St. Catherine's, St. Peter's Jersey City, Knights of St. George (big on saints back then), Garfield, Sac and Floyd Bennett. Charts were by Jim Donnelly and Bobby Thompson. We were looking forward to blowing everybody away when we passed the cathedral. Unfortunately, the temperature was in the low teens and all the valves froze, even after we used the field expedient of bathing them in alcohol (true). For the first several blocks we simply marched to street beats, stepping gingerly along, directly behind the NYPD Mounted Patrol Division. The Headmaster came alongside and told the drum major we had to play "music" in front of St. Partick's and no excuses, period. The DM brought us to a halt, in the process halting the 1500-man regiment, not to mention the entire parade behind us. He then asked the bugle sergeant, "What the hell are we gonna do?" I hope the Cardinal and all the clergy liked our valveless rendition of "The Muffin Man".

I totally agree with this. I'm a percussionist myself: I marched snare in both DCI World and WGI Independent World, and in/post college I've gravitated towards the front ensemble and classical/concert percussion world. I love the artistry, execution, and imaginative orchestrations in WGI and DCI and I continually marvel at what modern WGI and DCI members do to push what seem like the boundaries of what's do-able in the activity. But I dig how Drumline Battle seems to be a totally different thing: more about audience engagement and fun and less about checking off the boxes on a sheet or something. I don't want to see Drumline Battle turn into WGI-lite or something: it's great the way it is, and the only thing I want to see are MORE groups & members getting involved!

[tries to find something positive to say about the design] uh ... It's certainly not the most offensive thing I've seen on Tumblr.

With the caveat that I'm just a fan looking from the outside, Troop had painted themselves into a corner, brand-wise. I get both sides of the argument. On one hand, the only way to break with tradition is to ... well, break with tradition, you know? Sometimes you just have to rip the band aid off. Sounds like what Fred and crew are doing this year. On the other hand, I think saying the Western genre is tapped out is not at all an accurate statement - there is plenty of room for creative, new and interesting shows that still resonate with the Troopers mythology. Heck, in concept that Steampunk show should have been absolutely revolutionary for them, though it didn't translate to increased scores in practice. (I submit they didn't go far *enough* with the concept.) Anyways, scores may in fact be the ultimate decider. If Troopers suddenly become a Finalist corps, the pushback will be quite diminished. But if they stay in that 13-15 range, they might find it harder going with alumni and fans. Mike

>>Man... I thought they broke up 10 years ago!!!! << They did ... but they show up at the Holyoke Parade just to scare the bejeeezus out of the other corps!

Crown playing ecstasy of gold http://www.facebook.com/carolinacrown/videos/10154014911882641

Oh come on -- you know EXACTLY what comes after that... So many infants are going to be launched this summer. Can't wait.

105k views already. Crazy http://www.facebook.com/carolinacrown/videos/10154014911882641

This is a worthy point. And it gives me an idea for a thread: "Uniforms through the years: Sketches vs. Reality"

If that design is going to be the actual uniform, those poor members are going to look like they are auditioning for the part of the cowboy in a Village People tribute band or a role in a Magic Mike film.

My first thought was The Village People!

I am sorry about your loss. With all the debate on here about what is right or wrong, we can all agree that Cancer sucks. I hope that you and your family are as well as can be in this trying time.

Did we though? Did we ALL have that feeling?

You have GOT to be kidding me. Please for the love of all that is holy do not let this be true.

Yup. Really put a damper on my last year as a marching member, riding a wave of alumni and spectators who were tearing us apart at the seams and cheering as pretty much our entire staff was ushered out the door/left for various reasons. Every corps that "those alumni." Sad but true. I wish people could have seen the vision the staff had for that show early season. It really was supposed to be as revolutionary as it sounded. The struggle to move upwards, feedback from fans and judges, and many other factors curbed that vision as the season progressed, and it took on the circus-like atmosphere it is now known for by championships.

Best brass features? Anything ever done by the Blue Devils, or Carolina Crown from 2006 on.

Wow. I'm so glad I'm going to finals this year.

No crap...there's not enough sleeve to roll up a pack of smokes.

Based on a subset of the Alumni response over the weekend, it would appear neither uniform nor the programming will ever be appropriate. Same group showed their HLD after the 2012 season as I recall.

No, you're correct, and that's the point. Or, perhaps more clearly stated, they shouldn't be mutually exclusive. But as plenty of other Troopers threads on these boards will attest, modern minds have a wide array of ideas of what "western tradition" actually means. To some, it is stuffy and ancient; to others, it is idealized and quaint; to still others, it is romantic; etc. Yet that's the identity the Troopers chose for themselves nearly 60 years ago. So it's a profound challenge to avoid alienation from a strong identity while appealing to modern sensibilities. Other corps are have broader programming canvas upon which to work, because their name, history, look, etc. don't evoke such specific ideas as do the Troopers. Bluecoats can turn on a dime, doing electronica one year and classical the next. Troopers work with a smaller canvas, and pushing the boundaries is a challenging task. But you're right: There should be a way forward even for Troop, and there should be a way to keep their heritage engaged with the 21st Century. They seem to be very aware of that, and the 2016 program seems to be good evidence of it.

Confirmed. The audio and video remasters on the Essentials Collection are fantastic.

Man... I thought they broke up 10 years ago!!!!

I also think there is some law somewhere that says I am only allowed to get involved with women who are Westshore alums. First Barbara, now Brenda!!!

You were part of the main problem.... there was some edict written somewhere that stated I was never permitted to march or play while a Ream was in the corps!

Thanks so much for this thread. Hugs to all. I only watched 95 guards during the webcast on March 19 2016 and loved all that I saw. Hugs to all the performers. Of the 95, I put a smile beside some with a brief personal note. See below. Greater Johnstown HS butterflies, nice show overall, South Brunswick HS good use of space, Shenendehowa HS good staging, cool tricks and bats. Fun!, Trumbull HS great design, palette in 'Vanishing Act', Emanon good use of pole props, Field of View pleasant to watch, Light Brigade so much fun and yeah for EWF, Jupiter HS Spanish flavour, Braden River HS delightful, Tampa Independent 80's groovy fun, Carolina Visual Productions good music and flow, Seminole HS leaving the focus point and returning was intriguing, Tarpon Springs HS is NYC, West Broward HS linear with texture, emotion with technique, Braddock Independent energetic performance, UCF Pegasus World spirit and punctuation, Clovis North HS lights!, Mount Carmel 'Into the Fire', Homestead HS 'White Rabbit' whimsical, Pacificaires interpret music well, Rhapsody in the park was cool, juggling garbage, Oregon Crusaders Independent 'In Contrast', Diamante powerful, Blessed Sacrament cymbals, drumline and guard together, FeniX Independent tightrope beauty and poise, Santa Clara Vanguard breathtaking texture, Fantasia lovely moonlight. Dear WGI, please provide a decompression chamber after viewing a webcast marathon otherwise I'll go batty! No worries; had a good web feed on March 19. Dear guards going to finals, get it! do it up! have fun! we love you and cheering for you even when we're miles and decades away! Sincerely, lindap

Back from Eastern Championship in Monmouth. Emanon continues to thrill me, Black Watch and Les Eclipses are still beautiful, and AMP is still THE story of the year in the northeast. Seriously people - If you can catch them, you must! Q's a ton better than the last time I saw them. In keeping with my notes from before, today's pleasant surprise was Shenendahowa (sp?). They're bats. I mean, literally bats, you know, little flying mammals? Very original, very creative, so much fun. Speaking of fun -Light Brigade, OMG!!!! They'll turn every arena into a party on the block circa, what, 1969? Unfortunately, that's my last show this year, so peace out y'all. AMP-love to all!

Crossmen show will be "Continuum" featuring original music from Andrew Markworth https://twitter.com/Crossmen/status/711607874405814272/photo/1

They meaning Cesario?

That last line, "good guys wear white hats." Holy crap imexcited to see them this year.

The Troopers' show will feature "Walking With Heroes" by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, "Fix You" by Coldplay, and original music by Robert W. Smith. http://trib.com/news/local/casper/troopers-take-field-honoring-heroes/article_bc8a7a07-4672-58a7-b429-aea6c073576d.html

Brassmen received in excess of 3-points in penalties at prelims for the corps proper leaving the field before the American section (due to an exit error). They would have been 10th place without the penalty.

When we changed our name back in 2012 we changed many of the policies regarding drinking and the like. Buses are now completely dry when traveling, and there is an 8 hour "bottle to throttle" as pilots would call it, policy in regards to rehearsals and everything else. Members also sign an alcohol policy agreement when offered a contract that states these policies. Yes, DCA has changed a lot in the last few decades. Dan

How about it, 2000Cadet? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgq-BxO6M5Y

Speaking of BDs soprano line. 2014 opener. :O

okay,..............thought about it,...............so what are you driving at with half of an analogy?

As for the 35 rule, the issues' been beaten to death here. It's been stated repeatedly that show sponsors and fans were underwhelmed to put it lightly by some of those corps, no matter how much they cared and how much passion they had. To be frank, many of them were just not very good. Soundsport and Minis are the way to go for those organizations who can't make a 35 member minimum.

If the crowd keeps going the way it has been... Roachester will have made the decision for them.

It was one of many rarely played pieces that we were expected to have memorized. I marched in the Crossmen during the YEA days and we had several charts that we played together with the Cadets at YEA shows. One piece was called Non Nobis, yet was affectionately referred to by many as "no one knows this".

I think the Troopers are re-positioning themselves as a "destination" drum corps not merely the JV for someone else's Varsity squad.