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Concert in the Park at 5:00! Should be a great night for the organization. Performances by all performing groups including the Boston Crusaders, Hyde Park Percussion and Brass ensembles and Blessed Sac. Mayor Walsh receiving the Inspire Arts & Music Champion Award. Reception for sponsors at the Langham hotel to follow. Biggest showcase and fundraiser of the year. Mainstream the organization. Already the 4th annual. I predicted when we started this would become a $500,000 annual event, let's see how we do.

Riverside, CA My husband and I will be screaming our heads off watching our son....Bluecoats age out snare!!! Good luck to all the corps!!!

Just saw this pop up on Reddit. Thought I would post here.

Wow, I love the show music and think Boston sounds fantastic!

Trying to not sound sick in what I'm about to say....... Please no.........I'm so sick of the good having to triumph in the end crap. I feel like it would totally contradict the entire rest of the show and kill the darker tone. In the voiceovers you can hear the male voice mention Bridget Bishop. Bridget Bishop was, long story short, the first one executed during Salem Witch Trials events of 1692. I would rather there be historical accuracy/venturing into what actually happened than editing it into something that isn't so......taboo. I love that this show is seemingly telling a story that is pretty risky/not looked upon in a positive light and not shying away from it. Takes some balls IMO. This isn't a happy show. It isn't a happy subject. And that's okay. I've been waiting for a show with this kind of tone/subject matter in drum corps for about as long as I've been following the activity. The emotional potential is pretty massive depending on how they portray this visually. I can't wait to see that...... I am not saying I am gonna get joy out of it, but I'm excited to see a show that isn't afraid to commit to its inspirations and not lighten it up.

This times infinity. ALL of the top corps are executing incredibly high-demand books at exceptional levels; a corps has to have the design to back it up as well. The reports that the brass section in particular is young and rougher right now worries me not in the slightest; every Cadets brass line is grown into something extraordinary by the end of the season. What everyone should be taking away from the reviews in this thread is that the show had been almost unanimously viewed as much more cohesive, sensical, and a giant step up in terms of smart and logical design choices. The Cadets haven't had any issues playing their horns or moving the last three seasons (in fact, I regularly listen to the music books of each of the last three seasons, sans the last minute or so of '14). Their plague has been poor, dated, and nonsensical design choices, both large scale and small scale. I don't care what they sound or look like now; that will be to normal standards by August no matter how green various sections are now. The only thing any of us should care about preseason (for any of the top corps) is the structure of a fabulous show, and multiple reports allude to a vastly improved package this year.

Be prepared to worry my friend. I think we are seeing the beginning of corps making significant uni/costume changes each year or more frequently. IMO it's the final frontier so to speak for corps visually. As corps explore more cohesive musical themes and are successful with them, the complete program package will be to have the costuming tie the program together. It began a few years ago and hit the accelerator with Bluecoats last year (Academy too). The visual designers are unleashing their creativity as they become more collaborative with the music designers. And, the way new costumes are made (printing on fabric) brings costs to a manageable point where more frequent costume changes can be made.

So before tonight, I had heard the show through the ballad, and I'm very impressed with the work done on that portion. I was absolutely blown away by the last two movements, and I think it definitely got the ending it deserved. Couple things from the electronics (dare I say) caption (whoa I can already hear people yelling "get off my lawn"), I think they, at this moment in time, have figured out the singing-while-brass-plays-loudly thing better than Crown has. Also this is the first instance of narration that hasn't felt awkward to me. Great job, BAC! Well on your way back to the top, and I think a top 6 appearance is in order.

I'm am so PROUD of the organization for reconnecting with it's roots in the HYDE PARK area of Boston...where the corps was formed in 1940 as the Most Precious Blood Crusaders and then later in 1955 as the Hyde Park Crusaders and eventually the Boston Crusaders...

So excited for the Cadets right now. Have not said that for several years. As a matter of fact, I feared last season would harm the corps for years to come...relieved that this is not the case. Hopefully this season will be the beginning of their climb back to the top!

Positive thoughts and prayers for the safety of our young marching members as this season begins. We appreciate you and know the sacrifices you make. And please, wear sunscreen!

With everyone else ramping up this week, its been a bit quiet in SCVLand as they wrap up in Weed and head back home for a week in Tollhouse before the first few shows next weekend. All reports are great and everyone coming back from rehearsals have their jaws on the floor and gushing about the show and excitement of the visual and music book. I'm assuming the addition of Gaines, Toth and Adam Sage has had a dramatic impact on the look of the corps and from what I've personally heard, this sounds like one of the strongest brass lines from them since I started following the corps many years ago. The show is super aggressive, edgy, quirky and with a lot of musical and visual excitement. A very new look and definitely a new sound! Once its clean, it could be very competitive and pushing for a top 3 position somewhere in the mix. Everyone is better this year, but there seems to be a real "swag" and excitement around the corps. Maybe it's the 50th Anniversary vibe or something, but I saw it in person and reminded me of the old (old) Vanguard I grew up watching and idolizing. Can't wait for the season!!

From their FB page. Classic Marine Pearl to cover up the crotch window (at least in the battery)

I think Boston's going to have a great year. Wow. I like this show.

They are starting cleaner than other years. It is critical to have a solid start. It's my understanding they actually have been cleaning after the shows was set. I see good things happening this year. Drum line sounds pretty #### good.

Amen Brother. No PC in D&BC.

More detailed thoughts when I'm not on my phone...... But HOLY CRAP I LOVE THIS SHOW. If it's visually as good as it is musically......I'm gonna be blown away.

HOLY HORNLINE BOSTON!! This music book is incredible!!!!

If I could add something, BAC also does a great job at connecting the alums of groups that marched in the drum corps, bands, and drill teams of the CYO and Eastern Mass to Boston Crusaders today. Mike Woodall who often MC's the encore is always pointing out some corps, some instructor or personality in loved in Massachusetts drum corps past and it matters a great deal to those mentioned and it's great to hear "blast from the past" names. Things like this mean a great deal. It also leads to at least some donations. When I look at the list of donors, there are more than a few who probably never imagined in their marching days that one day they would be donating to Boston Crusaders.

That is really great. Cultivating a local base.

There is no admission fee for the Concert in the Park. The $500,000 that is being referenced comes from corporate sponsors, many of whom are financial corporations based right there in downtown Boston (some of which can actually look out their skyscraper windows and see the corps below) and some high tech firms based there in eastern Massachusetts. I have never personally been involved with this project , but some of Inspire's BOD members have been on a mission to galvanize local support for the last 5 years. It is also cool that the organization is giving Boston Mayor Marty Walsh an award. Talk about high visibility...! Check out Liahona's link above....I think this explains a lot about IAM and the Boston Crusaders these days.

Having corporate sponsors in the financial district of Boston for this event raised the 500K. See http://www.concertinthepark.org/sponsorship-level.html The concert is free to the public.

You also inevitably end up practicing longer hours to learn the new stuff and try to clean it, which leads to a worn out group. Definitely a snowball effect.

Wise statements. The one thing I'll add is a "good show" is a great starting point. You can spend the summer cleaning and refining... not wholesale changes to 2/3 of the show like last year. As you "change stuff" the competitors are cleaning and adding and your score gap actually widens. As you "clean stuff" you can close the gap as long as you are cleaning "a good show"

How about y'all just wait one more week? I promise it'd be better than watching a crappy video

This is the fourth year for Concert in the Park.

One never gives up the high ground!

Before I forget. I've been disappointed the last couple of years with the pre season hype about the Crusaders. Many have taking a wait and hold attitude this year for the most part. What I've found nice to read from some today, who might not have strong allegiances to Boston, is their enjoyment of todays Concert in The Park. Thank you.

I'm about to watch a uniform run-thru. Very excited.

Ha! No doubt, no doubt. See my previous post: we produced The Crucible last year: The Crucible is of course about 20th Century "witch hunts".

Listening now. Wow, I've never heard Moonlight Sonata that way before! Makes BK's version from last year sound tame. Scythian Suite is great too, a bit choppy, but certainly keeping the integrity of the original! Question... Was the siren an actual sound effect, or is that just the streets of Boston? The "drum break after the opener" thing sounds a bit like Inferno, but it works in this case! Also, the pre-recorded narration works as well and fits with the arrangements to a T. Am I the only one who notices the handbells playing Clair de Lune? Ugh, another vocalist... (Sorry, she sounds great, but she does sail over the brass just like the one in 2015. Hopefully she will be integrated well visually) The Ginastera arrangement is fantastic! Great ending! I'd be curious to see how they carry out this "execution," if there is one, without making it too grisly (I'm sure some of you may already know, but I'd rather wait until I see it myself to find out). And perhaps there could be an alternate ending later in which the accused is found innocent, a la Crown 2016? Overall, this is a fantastic thematic vehicle, and perhaps the most cohesive musical book I've heard from them. Looking forward to their progress this season!

BAC is back. Gino, Colin and Ian got it going Boston Strong.

####. Well, they've cast a spell on me. Outstanding!

Concert in the park... Mayor Walsh..

Indeed, for most of the last decade. As Sully tearfully told us after Denver in 2006, "you're better than the show you're performing and you deserve better." Anyhow I will hold off making my definitive critiques and predictions until I can see a good video made after July 1

Just echoing others... yes the show is good but I do expect a slower start at the onset and then some tweaks and a whole bunch of cleaning to get he momentum going some of the transitions, staging and the end (to be added) but a good framework is there So give it time. Maybe three weeks to really start seeing where they stand imo

One week from tonight.

So I was fortunate enough to see a video of the Cadets and thought I would write a short review: Firstly the video i saw showed about 9 mins of the show and apparently the video is sped up so too fast but anyhow WELCOME TO THE NEW WORLD Cadets. This definitely in no way shape or form is a copy of any other version of Mass so I don't think they are in danger of people telling them it's just a rehash because it isn't! Right now they are as dirty as hell but if they were super clean i'd be worried, but they definitely have their work cut out to figure all the pieces out. I am not sure where the comments of them doing 'run & gun' drill came from. Seems a good balance of drill and staging and it definitely already has more wow moments than last year - both visually and musically. Brass - As others have said they seem young and lack that ensemble balanced sound right now but they have meat in the book, giving them tons of room for growth Drums - Sound super stella this year but seem staged back field a lot of the time (except for one great feature mid show) Guard - Already better than last year, staging is WAY better and they have some nice moments. I hope they are spending lots of time working on technique (but it was super windy in this video!). I suspect they will place in the 4-8th range this year Drill - 1,0000 times better than last year. As i said, good balance of traditional drill and staging and most of the time, what is happening has a purpose. Clearly tons of layering and body to add. The abstract start needs more purpose and no doubt it will. In the video it looks like lots of people running around! Music book - really like it. Some bits of Mass I recognise and others I don't but i like it Choir - I am not sure this is figured out yet - didn't sound ensemble/blended enough (I think one person was missing). I suspect this will work really well in a Dome but not so well outside. Overall conclusion? I have seen a vid of Crown and Cadets and I like Cadets more. It feels more modern/contemporary than Crown however, Crown right now is MUCH cleaner. As I said, I suspect Cadets will have a slowish start and build as the season progresses - which is the right way and good for them. As others have said by DCI I expect them to be around 4-6th but who knows! Great building blocks for the future - esp if this staff works out and they can keep them.

We had more than a few tell us that '84 SCV had its "DCI High Volume" moments (first hit in opener, Tenderland push with diagonal company front and horns to press box)...I had condensation clouds coming out of my bell during the push (I could see it in the lights)...the added touch was when an old guy in the front row 45 made direct eye contact with me; I held his gaze for a good 6-8 counts, played louder for the crescendo and he just burst into tears. For the modern era, the Infinity Chord by Troopers 2011 at Allentown had me sobbing as the place just shook; that was awesome payback.

I'm telling you that the air-speed velocity of an African Swallow is faster than a European Swallow

Nice chatting with you there last nite as well, emc2. Boston's Assistant Corps Director Ron Lambert did a terrific job last nite in MC'ing the 1st public field show performance of the 2017 Boston Crusaders. The audience was about 90-95% or so filled with non MB/ Drum Corps people. They were just nice people in this small N.E. College rural town out for the nite to see what the free concert was all about. Boston performed here last year at their ST camp completion, and word must have filtered out among the community that if you have not seen what these kids can do, come out and see. Well, they did, and the stands were pretty much full..... Ron explained to the audience in a very engaging manner what the show would be about, what the music would be, and why it was chosen and what moods the show would be attempting to convey and the like. He explained to these mostly unfamilar with Drum Corps folks what this activity of Drum Corps entails. The College's President and his Wife were present and seemed to be be enjoying the event and the tutelege. .. after the field performance, Boston took time to bring back some of their ensembles , battery, brass, guard etc to replay a portion of the show with that Corps section, and explained the moves they were doing in that segment of the show, and why.. Boston then had their encore songs played, and Ron explained the background to the songs... finally, Ron brought out the Guard around the semi circle to lock arms and explained what " Giant " was all about historically as a Corps song for the BAC Jrs/ Srs, and then had the Corps finish with that. When it was over, the lady sitting to the left of me told me what a " great show this was ", and how " the explanation of what Drum Corps, Boston Crusaders, the show, the instruction, etc is all about really was so interesting and so educational ". When I left the stadium I glanced over to the sovie stand and there was the Lady and her husband appearing to look like they were going to purchase some souvies along with others from the community.... it doesn't get much better than that, imo... haha!. In some small way, the Boston Crusaders won over some new fans to this wonderful youth activity of ours. Once again, terrific job by Boston Crusaders Assistant Corps Director Ron Lambert in MC'ing the Castleton Vermont Community Performance last nite.. and great job by the performers in the Corps as their 2017 show is going to be epic this season, imo.

I watched a bunch of stuff tonight. All the way back to 1975 Blue Devils.

And I thought the whole corps was just fainting.

Ain't it the truth, emc2... haha!... wait'll they see visuals/ guard added to this..

wait 'til they see the Color Guard in action...great year for this Corps/Organization.

Respectfully acknowledged. To clarify, I wasn't saying they SHOULD go to that kind of ending. I was just saying that it may be possible. In fact, I think Crown's show last year was proof that such an ending in an inherently dark show doesn't really work. (OK, it worked pretty well in Inferno, but it fell a bit flat last year.)

Ditto. That was outstanding.

For anyone who is interested, Boston Crusaders is broadcasting the concert in the park live on their Facebook page.

I seriously excited for this show like I haven't been since maybe Turandot, certainly Spartacus. Can't wait to see Regiment at DCI West in 10 days!!! Harvey

Based on bootlegged videos I have seen of Cadets and Crown, Boston's show live, and no knowledge of Bluecoats but giving them reigning World Champions benefit of the doubt, this is what I think could happen in Massilon: Bluecoats Boston Crown Cadets Troopers I don't believe there is a guard judge at this show, but if there was, BAC could actually win guard, based on what I have seen. Before anyone comes unhinged at me for being a homer or a hyper, I would just ask that folks have an open mind. Honestly, this is probably the best Boston Crusaders in history.