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I dunno... Not all cliche is bad cliche... Some shtick is good shtick... right Garfield? But what gets me the most and takes me out of it all is probably the use of "drama" in general. Not the use of emotion... but the use of drama. As if a multi-act play in 11 minute compression is unfolding. Especially when it highlights only a few people (usually a couple of guard members)... and ESPECIALLY ESPECIALLY when it requires one of the uniformed (in the classical sense) horn/percussion members to play along... and ESPECIALLY ESPECIALLY ESPECIALLY when said uniformed members remove their hats/helmets to do so, as if to say "SURPRISE!!!! I'm an unnecessary character in a less necessary story!... okay on with the playing..." I personally cringe my face inside out in those moments. But I'm a biased hornliner from yesteryear... I have preferences and expectations that I can't shake.

I think back to the days marching with a local-circuit corps, and remember how several of those local corps (including mine) were... uhhhh... not exactly stellar. LOL. And I wonder if there could be a "pick any show you wish you did NOT see live"... I could fill 10 pages.

Cincinnati Tradition will remain Class A for 2017. Any other information on this is incorrect.

Wow! You had such a good experience that you traveled back in time?!

You fail to note that Tom Aungst has left Crown and returned home to Cadets. You'd be great in Michigan or Washington for your cherry picking skills. I think all of us on DCP would agree with the truth of the embolded quote.

Southwind's looks very nice in person!

The Israelites finals show in Jericho in 1400 BC. I've heard they brought the house down.

Too much stationary %$*) on the field. And there is way too much of it, especially 2016. If you want DCI on stage, go see Blast. Themes for the sake of having a theme. Excessive horn line body movement. Skin tight uniforms. Unless you have a body of death it isn't flattering.

I think DCI finals were better when they were held in a different city each year, or every few years. My kids saw lots of the country doing drum corps (No offense to my Sister City). The Olympics rotate. Why don't we? (Yes, I know all the reasons)

I agree with 99% of this. Relating it to the ongoing changes to Boston, I can attest to the fact that the goal setting is paramount. During the time when I was involved with BAC (80's), the goal really was just to "be Boston", which I have concluded looking back in time was a euphemism for simply keeping the corps alive. (And as we know, that strategy worked). Later, during the 90's the unstated goal definitely was evolution (both creatively and organizationally) to get into the top 12...and stay there. Even with the close call last year, the corps managed to achieve that as well (now 17 years running). Five years ago, when the BAC Board embraced the "Building a Champion" motto, there were certainly some skeptics in DCI and they are still with us. However, the BOD at the time said they were going to build the organization first by community outreach and embracing the financial sector and the political forces in the City Of Boston. Then when the money starting flowing in (which it has) they would hire the very best designers and teachers in the activity. The Blue Devils model has shown us that organizational strength must happen first to facilitate the competitive success, especially if you want to avoid being a "one hit wonder". At this point, it is unknown how successful the corps will be in 2017, and certainly nobody that I know thinks the "Champion" moniker is around the next corner. But, circling back around to the above post, the BOD and Corps Director DO have their sights set on Boston becoming an EVENTUAL and CONSISTENT contender. This poster is correct about goal setting in terms of placement. Time will tell, but at this point, it would seem even to the most indifferent onlooker that Boston is putting the building blocks in place.

Please re-read...

Well said and a good assessment of how not all Corps serve the needs of youth ( and by choice with many Corps in DCI in Open Class, World Class, & Soundsport Div)., in the same manner.

I have found the ongoing dialog between cfirwin3 and Brasso most stimulating and enlightening. I just wanted to chime in with my years past experience with the now defunct SIMPLEX MINUTEMEN (1965-72) as a competitive neighbor, marching competitively with the current being discussed topic. I speak of the SPARTANS,, a shining example and "model" established by New Hampshire's treasured, and long admired and respected Corps program. Located just up the road from my hometown of Gardner, Ma and just across the border in Nashua, NH. Both our Corps members consistently and without much political rangling seemlessly jumped from each others Corps in friendly competiton.. The Minutemen of my time was the first fully corporately sponsored Corps of the now defunct "Simplex Time Recorder, Co. that "offered" its membership international travel as an exhibition and Parade Corps. The Spartans offered the challenge and excitment of being a on the field "Comptitive" Corps. two different "Corps Experiences". What the SPARTANS have done, and the Minutemen was unable to sustain, was the fact that our Corporate Sponsor and our lifeline failed taking our Corps with it in 1980-81? I believe. : - ( The SPARTANS to this day is a stateside, locally embraced supported and well financed Open Class Corps that is so focused on being "JUST" who they are and are as "well aware and committed to maintaining and servercing and targeting the specific needs and talents of its membership. From what I was able to observe, during those years and seemingly to this day, the SPARTANS wish and seasoned managementr maintain its goal and purpose a model of success and satisfaction in,keeping their current place among the ranks of DCI and the Drum Corps Activity itself.. In short (and I appoligize for thie length of this. I am a wordsmith. I firmly believe, and the proof is their historic longevity, is that the SPARTANS continued success and achievements has always been consistent with their Corps Mission statement. Salute SPARTANS! and RIP to my beloved Simplex Minutemen.

I completely agree. There are some shows you just can't unsee.

It is a shame. I have been DM and I have been in the horn line. My favorite years were in the horn line.

There was a story?! jk

Both St. Elmo's and Harry & Izzy's should be on the list for cocktails and dinner. And they're convenient to LOS.

I don't disagree that the Academy has a different " philosophy for the future " than ( for the example that I used ) the Spartans. Lots of Corps set out with agressive plans, agressive missions, that are no longer with us. Many had outstanding brief success too. But when placement slippage began to occur, such Corps had no long term history that could guide them thru unprecedented ( for them ) falling placements, fortunes, loss of key staffers, loss of marchers, etc. The Spartans ( I could utilize other Corps like this equally for examples) would frequently have changover of staff, marchers, but their planning always anticipated this, and every season too. I guess my point is that Corps choose the path that they feel most comfortable with regarding time, energy, resources, committments of staffers, marchers, volunteers. Corps that can choose a path most suitable for their resources, generally are able to become the Corps that survive for 50 years or more. DCI has had lots of flashes in the pan Corps that rose up the placement ranks, had a few years of success at or near the top of the mountain, then crashed and burned ( or threw in the towel )... then disappeared altogether. As a matter of fact, insofar as the World Class Division is concerned, this is far more the norm than the exception, as I'm sure you ( and many others here ) are aware. Academy may become the next Blue Devils. Or the next 27th Lancers, Glassmen, Anaheim Kingsmen, Freelancers, Star of Indiana, and so forth. Nobody knows the future. Thats what makes watching this all unfold so intriguing, imo. I loved the Academy's show last season, and their upward placement trajectory is fun to watch as it has been done so not by doing esoteric, complex shows, but with easily identifiable themes, appealing music, fan friendly shows. Whats NOT to like with this ascendancy so far from them within the World Class Division of DCI that they have chosen for themselves ?

Not sure that you are in disagreement with my comments. Placement (which doesn't have to be specifically talked about), in general, is a choice. A choice of "comfort" and bound to resources, perhaps... as you suggest. The only reason that we can comment on the perceived pecking order, is because of the static choices that organizations make. But the Academy doesn't appear to be making static choices... they appear (to me) to be quite active and in pursuit of something. Merely working to improve placement is an ambiguous endeavor and success largely relies on the achievement (or lack thereof) of those around you. Corps don't tend to 'step their way' to contending. Corps choose to contend and risk placing 2-6(ish), sometimes consistently. Or they choose to place as finalists and risk not placing at all. But no corps really choose to place in the middle of the pack... they just end up there by doing well in making finals or doing not so well in contending. There is almost always a gap (or two) in scoring in there that confirms it. We could name 6-ish corps that could win this year... we could name 10-ish corps that could place. We could name 3-ish corps that could place well or turn out to be (by design or proficiency) unable to win... But I think that the intentions of an organization are on either side of that divide. Academy's success (I am positing) depends on their philosophy for the future. And I am willing to bet that it is more aggressive than just making finals. If BK (for example) chooses to contend (and I think they could)... then Bluecoats, Crown, Cadets, SCV, Devils, etc. may have to deal with a placement lower than them while striving for the same. The Cadets (for another example) are NOT middle packers. They are proficiently capable of winning. They even attempt to design winning shows. They were the center of a TV documentary based on this very premise. But there they are, not winning. But they AREN'T tiered, they aren't a middle pack finalist. They aren't comfortable, and they really aren't lacking financial resources. Their proverbial "rut" is not with a lack of desire to contend... and thus, the idea that they would not make finals is absurd. Same for the Cavies... even PR... But it's a different story when you get below that 6-8th line. The goals are different. Any group that has those goals is at risk of not placing. I don't think I'm over-simplifying it. A group that wants to compete with SCV (who is competing with the Devils) is better off than the group that wants to compete for 'better than 10th or 9th' (or something like that). It starts with self-classification and designing shows that match it.

Since DCI is a score competition, and there are financial rewards for higher placements, every Corps in both the Open Class Division, World Class Division, and now the relatively new Soundsport Division are seeking to improve placement wise from last season. As such, each Corps has realistic placement expectations within their current peer mix of Corps for the current season. If we selected a half dozen Corps from both the Open Class and WC at random most of us here on DCP can easily determine the names of the Corps they can realistically be expected to be competing with this summer in the placement pecking order that we call DCI. Long term, the vast majority of the current Open Class and World Class Corps have settled in to the mix of Corps they feel comfortable with competing with in terms of the commitment of time, energy, and financial & staff resources. To this extent then, the Blue Devils A, SCV, Bluecoats are as realistic in this then long term as are Jersey Surf, Spartans, and Pacific Crest, Blue Devils B and so forth. Most Corps staffers, including the Blue Devils, rarely talk " placements " for that season with the marchers. They might mention it on occasion, but the primary focus , with all the Corps and ensembles in all 3 Divisions of DCI, is for each member to " improve their skills and become the best marcher they can possibly be by the end of the season ". Every once in awhile, we might see a Corps or two deciding they want " more " in competition, beyond their current pecking order mix of Corps. Genesis comes to mind. Unlike the vast majority of the Open Class Corps, they have decided that they want " more " than Open Class Division competition, and have committed themselves with resources, time and energy to make their status in World Class Division become a reality. But we have heard no efforts are being made to compete with the Top 12 Corps... not this season anyway. The Spartans are quite happy to serve their youth in the capacity and levels they have chosen for themselves... a quite successful model, by the way.. as it has worked for them for over half a century now. Hundreds of elite level seeking Drum Corps over the years probably wished they adopted the Spartans model now in retrospect, as the Spartans have served more youth in their Corps over the last half a century than all the elite Corps that are but a distant memory to us all now. These folded Corps planning& organization, alottment of resources, etc for current and future competition, if we measure success by the numbers of youth served, was of course undeniably subpar compared to that of the Spartans.

2017*

Hmmm.... 1963 NY Skyliners. I had a three record set of the Dream that I had purchased for 25 cents in 1968, and that was my favorite show on the album.

That's only half of the picture. If any corps is going to be working towards making finals.... then they are at risk of not making finals. But... what if an organization decides to design, construct, and instruct a show that is serious about contending? Even if the group is young, less experienced, and technically unable to contend, It would be nearly impossible to derail that kind of approach and mentality (unless 6-8 corps were serious about contending... which is also entirely possible). I get the feeling that Academy is looking more forward than behind... the question remaining: How many others are doing the same? This was the thinking that changed everything for the Bluecoats about 15 or so years ago. Someone dared to ask "Who are we competing with? How high do we want to shoot?". This mentality did the same for Carolina Crown in even less time. Star did this (and burned out... or moved on... depending on your favored version of the story). Even the Blue Devils (in another time and distant culture) pulled this off, and they never went away after that. The clever design of their show last year, and mature manner in which it was executed reminded me too much of some other quick ascending giants for me to count Academy out as 'fighting to stay in'. The crowd was/is practically begging them to notch it up. Like I said, the biggest problem is with the ones ahead of them from last year. Are those corps thinking about contending as well. And I think that most of them are. Heck... in a world with those bombastic/corny/jazz-loving/head-bobbing/hip-swaying/blast-o-ramic Bluecoats can win... why can't anyone win?! We ought to know by now that contending is much more of a choice than it is a destiny. It always has been. Anyone shooting for 6-12 place is at risk. Anyone with a near-future optimistic eye on 1... watch out for them.

There is a famous steakhouse called St Elmos a few blocks away. I recommend it. They are known for their shrimp cocktail, but it is recommended you go easy with their cocktail sauce, at least at first.

Heck yes...I bring my laptop, phone...

My kids carry in backpacks every year. One quick search at the ticket gate and they're in.

Let's be honest, all the drumlines do it to some extent. I said Crown because I felt that in 2015 the percussion feature early in the show was sooooooo heavy in the visuals and they played rather dirty during it, especially the snares...which for me took away from it's intent and lost appeal. In regards to 2016... Yes, they were 4th in the 3-day average (behind BD by 0.242 & ahead of The Cadets by 0.042). Prelims: 6th in Ensemble / 5th on the Field - 5th Overall Semis: 3rd in Ensemble / 4th on the Field - 4th Overall Finals: 5th in Ensemble / 6th on the Field - 5th Overall I wouldn't say they ran away with 4th place. Semis breakdown scores were interesting, CC went up 0.525 from Prelims to Semis and then down 0.275 from Semis to Finals. Taking out the Semis scores, Crown would have been 6th in the Prelims/Finals average. I actually have to give them credit, I saw them in ST and rep after rep after rep they couldn't play a 5 stroke roll clean, I was in complete shock...so good on them for what they were able to do by the end of the season. Yes, Crown has moved up in Percussion the past two years, 6th to 5th and 5th to 4th. However, 0 times have they averaged higher than 19.00 in Percussion the last 7 years. BD & Bloo have 6 times / Cadets & SCV have 5 times / Cavs have 2 times / Phantom has 1 time / Crown has 0 times.

The topic title says "pick any show"... not "pick just one show." So I used that loophole for some leeway. LOL. And by "live" I assume it means "in person".... saw 2014 BD and 2006 Cavies at the movie theater for the quarterfinals/prelims cinecast.

Both at the same time. Major GE points

The food is ok, the best advice I can give you is don't try to go to the concession stand at intermission. The lines are insane. There are a lot of great restaurants near the stadium (shout out to Shapiro's Deli!), so the best thing to do is gorge yourself before you go in and smuggle in some snacks. If you're in the upper level and need to go to the restroom stay away from the ones anywhere inside the 20 yard line. They are really small. Walk a little further to the endzone (the one on side 2). They are huge and nobody thinks to go to them so there's no wait. It's true that you can leave and come back as much as you want, but the stadium is enormous and it takes a long time to get anywhere once your inside. If you want to go see some warmups I would caution that you will most likely miss a couple shows in the time it takes to leave and a couple once you're on your way back. And as far as what you can bring in, keep it to a minimum. I'm pretty sure backpacks are not allowed. There's a funny recording that plays on a loop outside the stadium warning you not to bring in weapons or weapon shaped items, so leave those at the hotel too ;)

We are asked only " one " show ? ( tough question.. lol!) Ok then : 2003 Blue Devils " The Phenomenon of Cool " ( 1st place ). I saw and heard it on video, but not " live " this season.

Cadets '16 isn't as bad in design as everyone thinks.

Yeah, But Cadet's percussion is actually clean, even with the visuals.

2014 Blue Devils 1993 Star of Indiana 2006 Cavaliers 1965 Chicago Royal Airs 1969 Yankee Rebels (DCA) 1968 Long Island Sunrisers (DCA) 1972 Blue Stars

There are some examples of the opposite happening too haha. The Colts 2012 closer is one of my favorites. A drum major gets off his podium and plays an awesome solo. If you haven't seen it, you should.

1971 Argonne Rebels.

Any of the years in the mid-50s when my Dad marched with St. Vincent's Cadets... Honorable Mentions: Phantom 2008, SCV 1999, Madison 95/99

Gail Royer always said his favorite show was the 1968 Chicago Royalaires. I could never find either audio or video of that show. I'd like to see live any show that impressed that arranging wizard from SCV.

Finals BD 2015. I saw it on video live but I would have loved to see my son win. They really brought it! (in person)

Finally saw Broken City Percussion's WGI show.....or at least heard the music for it. Blue Knights have one of the freshest voices in the activity in Mike Jackson, God I could listen to his writing and creations all day. So tasteful, ethereal, and restrained in a beautiful way. I wasn't a huge fan of the show last year but the percussion writing, especially in the snares, was top notch.

I didn't mind the gradient as much as the weird white bits that make all the members look like they are wearing a sports bra over their tunics!

I'm with Elphaba. SCV was a monumental game-changer. And, a few scant years later, in 1976, so were the Bridgemen and the Blue Devils. There have been some notable seismic shifts since, like whatever George Zingale touched, and a big one last year, 2016, when the Bluecoats took tech special effects into hyperspace. One thing for sure: the activity isn't through re-inventing itself, and not everyone will be thrilled about it. (OK. That's two things.)

"Drum Corps Watershed": 1970. The Mid West tour by the Santa Clara Vanguard. Almost "Out of Nowhere", they managed to defeat all three reigning National Champions : VFW, Racine Kilties, American Legion the Chicago Cavaliers and World Open/CYO Casper Troopers, as well as several other nationally prominant units such as the Chicago Vanguard, Garfield Cadets, Blue Stars, and Madison Scouts. After this, things would never be the same. Elphaba