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Psychotic

I didn't take a notepad as it was first liveshow for the little one. Carolina Gold..... interesting show, smart choices for what's being asked of the 18 brass vs the 8/4/5 battery.... balance not bad considering. But anything visual was over reliant on the guard. Props to the drum staff for tuning dark to help balance even if it means sounding dirtier Kidsgrove..... very fun show. Battery seemed to have some challenges. Score could easily improve if far fewer levels of the big guard solo and duet moments/deaths weren't crammed in so close behind the pit. Bush sh has come a llllooooooonnnnngggggg way. Dots connecting better performance up, brass fewer stamina issues. White Sabers. It was at this point for family unity and also customer satisfaction we moved off to the hill on side 2. From the 50 to the -20 lol. It was too packed in and Sadie needed to move. But WS seemed to bring their a game. Another good week of cleaning who knows Fusion stayed focused after a long delay due to a medical issue in the stands. Even out in no mans land the guard shined, and the connexus points seemed far more fleshed out C2 after a delay for electronics issues that seemed very very long they got going. Musically they seemed fine but man the white pants gave away sooo much from the side. They do not look ok natural or smooth marching the 5/4. Rocking chairs still seem eh and I'm guessing due to technology more of how the show connects was missing. Bucs.... #### good. Top to bottom. Easily the best bass line since 00 Bucs ( i'm biased on that one). Knowing their schedule the rest of the week, yeah I see a 98 or 99 next week. ive said it a lot I'll say it again after sitting off to the side: the field visual judge needs brought back. A week before finals and groups getting 90's with blatant foot phasing, out of step, direction change mishaps even minor bumper cars. You cannot expect the EA person to get it because that's not their sheet. If there had been a field visual judge some places would have flipped

Looks like CV is seeded 2nd in open class.

I for one look forward to serving our amplified and electrified marching overlords

Look up Matt. 6: 3. I have been in email contact conversation with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since Friday. God bless you. You seem like a most angry man whenever you post. There are doctors who can help with that.

While there are many Cadets supporters on DCP, and no doubt some who are supporters of George Hopkins, I would hardly call DCP an echo chamber of the George Hopkins fan club.

Live look into Bobby

Now imagine if all that energy could be put to better use raising some capital to help those DCI mms in Texas who have lost homes, places of work, need shelter/food/sanitation, etc. He'd probably blame Hurricane Harvey on GH as well.

Yes, there is a lot more. I'll attempt to be brief. Everyone noticed the staff migration to Boston, and the corps' improvement. While the staff is being paid appropriately (as any recruiter will tell you) it takes more than merely money to get/keep an A-list staff. There needs to be organizational stability, a good work culture, and the chance to grow. Before the success of 2017 could happen, Boston needed to create the right environment by getting clear about their mission, making some leadership changes, and increasing what was beneficial in their culture. The G7/TOC movement shook up DCI. It was conceivable that DCI might dissolve if the G7 broke away. In response to that risk, the leadership at Boston examined who the organization was, and what it was about. The leadership believed that musical and artistic education, with a focus on the pursuit of excellence, provided unique and important benefits to young people. BITD, the corps was smaller and had a higher percentage of kids from the local region... as Colin McNutt explained in his recent interview, it was his chance to pursue his musical ambitions. To return to providing such benefits to the local region, Boston formed a larger organization, Inspire Ars & Music (IAM) that would consist of far more than the drum corps. Programs such as the Hyde Park Youth Percussion Ensemble (HYPE) and the Great East Music Festivals (GEMF) benefit over 20,000 young people ranging from kids who've never even touched a musical instrument previously, to kids who are intermediate/advanced and looking to improve. In short, IAM expands the reach of the organization and raises visibility to the kinds of benefits many of us experienced in drum corps. This has translated into revenue streams, volunteers, and fundraising opportunities. After years of changes and adjustments, the leadership at BAC has settled into a successful combination of people. There is deep competence, deep love for the activity, a bedrock of trust toward the leadership from alumni/friends, and a solid commitment to giving the current MMs an awesome marching experience. Many of these changes were in place before the 2016 season. It was the reason the homers were so hyped. Most everything was going well, behind the scenes. Debt was being retired. Great ideas (some learned at DCI board consortiums) were being implemented successfully. The board was being expanded, which lessened director fatigue and opened new avenues to bring in expertise and raise money. A management consulting firm (I believe donated by a board member) was brought in to evaluate how the organization functioned, and provided detailed feedback and advice (kind of like a judge's critique!). Things were starting to click in a big way: board members served on internal committees and raised money, the executive board focused on the org's direction, designers designed, admin staff killed it, instructors taught, and volunteers were worth their weight in plutonium. On the field, the corps was not as competitive as expected. Because the organization was functioning so well, the leadership was able to quickly evaluate what was needed (design and staff changes), and take swift action. It was clear to prospective staff and designers that the organization was headed in the right direction. In addition to money, they saw stability, commitment, sustainability, freedom, and the chance to take on new challenges. More money and a better staff were "symptoms" of a deeper (good) condition at Boston. Talk to any of the current staff at BAC. You will hear the same things. They are happy and energized to be there. They love working with the other staff members. They want to stay on. The summer was great. The kids worked hard and had a blast. They feel very much like family, instead of like an expense. They are allowed to do what they do best, without interference. It's the same kinds of things workers say in the business world... a great work experience is just as important as money. This was not always the environment at Boston. It took years of work, behind the scenes, to create a culture that would attract great staff and marching talent. More than ever previously, Boston's leadership is trusted and sound. The management of finances is stable and improving. IAM has a mission that can survive independent of DCI (or the G7). People have clear responsibilities and are enabled to deliver results. Getting those things happening was no easy task. Once they did happen, the increase of money and staff improvements seemed incidental. Top level staff and designers were not going to migrate to Boston for money alone. They were also responding to much deeper things that the organization could provide.

well CV just made #### really interesting

Atlanta CV just put up a 92.7+ here in Georgia.

Haha, no way am I going to let someone remain in trouble. They were absolutely devistated... Just awful down here and it is not over yet. JJ Watt just started a fund so if anyone is willing to donate he has something up. I am also considering starting one up too... Anything would be great.

Called it! previous post: " And you'd probably be one of them helping little old ladies across the river as well. Be safe." HMC, Help is on the way. Don't give up faith and hope.

Hey guys.... Here is a quick update. My apartment complex is flooded and the water is rising. Thankfully the water has not reached my part yet... Either way, I am on the third floor so I am safe and I am not worried... Spent the day getting people out of their flooded homes... I did post some pictures on Facebook, but this is the worst storm I have ever been through. Much worse than Allison. No doubt about it..... I had to swim to help people But if anyone here can help me out with starting a fundraiser or what ever on this page as relief for the people that lost their homes... I would appreciate that. Thanks guys

See, his basic premise is that there are "grumblings". Of course there are grumblings. There have been grumblings since the beginning of drum corps time. Let's stop giving in to the notion that the sky is falling because drum corps isn't the same thing it's been since, well, since I marched. Let's stop believing the "Bobby's" of the activity who are angry at everything and willing to toss bombs here. The sky is not falling. There are more corps, and more feeder corps, and more starter corps now than in 25 years. Let's not let the doomsayers ruin it for the rest of us.

Yep, GH did that ALL on his own.

Wow! Seriously? I'm no fan of cheese either, but those bells seemed to add so much atmosphere to the great ending.

The battle does appear to be for second. Cabs are performing well but Bucs seem to be on a roll as they have been all season with a significant gap all season. Cadets2 had a very poor performance last night with yet ANOTHER technical problem with electronics (which has been an issue ALL season!). If Cadets2 can get in a clean performance they will medal and possibly even over take Cabs. But right now four corps seem to be battling for spots 2-5. On a side know... Kidsgrove had a very enjoyable show. And the Fusion guard was tremendous!

Mr. Willis and Cadet93 are being too binary in their thinking and not creative enough. From its inception Crown, like Star, has not had a "Crown uniform" but has been a chameleon corps in its look, a quite different approach from what the legacy corps (Madison, Cavaliers, Boston, Phantom, SCV and Cadets) have been with their 50 to almost 90 year identities. Boston tried the Crown type costuming this year; it has pluses and minuses (grey in the LOS box seemed to wash out, even more on the high cam videos; plumes were radiant and used well.) Modern styles have as much problems as the traditional wears. You are comparing kiwis and apples and expecting these fruits to taste the same. Different tastes altogether. The energy of the Cadets' look hasn't been just the actual color and style of the fabrics they wear; it's been their cleanliness of drill, their quest for achievement, their difficulty of maneuver Those aspects have not been there since 2011. Costumes do gloss that a lot for many units (faux skirts, half capes, distraction of multiple colors, fako-s, bizarre striping, odd cuts of materials, etc. particularly skimpy or half naked appearances by guard and other members. But the guts is still the precision and cleanliness of whatever is attempted whether Bloo sliding down ramps, BD playing mirror-mirror with stair cases, etc. or Cadets in a revolving block.

it was an AD more worried about his precious field out

Yeah, that's just a quirk, to be sure, and I think nobody should be surprised if last year's Class A champion proves to be better than a fifth seed.

The only reason CT is going on first is because they didn't get a DCA score due to the numerous show cancellations. I'm being redundant, I know. I think many will be surprised by them come Saturday afternoon.

great now the Impossible Dream is in my head

So the apparent Prelims seeding is, in Open: 1. Bucs, 2. CV, 3. Cabs, 4. Sabers, 5. C2, 6. Fusion, 7. Kidsgrove, 8. Bush, 9. Sun, 10. MBI, 11. Sky, 12. Hurcs, 13. Gold; and in A: 1. Govies, 2. Knights, 3. T-birds, 4. Chops, 5. CT. Whoever predicted that before the season started, please collect your winnings now; I'm sure they are substantial.

https://www.youcaring.com/victimsofhurricaneharvey-915053

For the most part yes. Judge critiques become essentially reduntant after Allentown. Not more can be said once all the Corps busses all roll into Indy. If the staffs have not figured out what to do in changes/ improvements by then after listening to judges tapes/ critiques all summer long, its way too late to do anything after Allentown. Corps do make changes however after Allentown that sometimes will only show up at Indy... but those changes were planned for, and well before Allentown, or any input from listening to late season judge tapes/critiques in most all cases.

74+ ... hard to hear the PA

Absolutely. The challenge becomes that the DCI drum and bugle corps not get lost in the shuffle of all the other fine arts enterprises or become the second priority for why there is an umbrella organization. For instance, what is the first priority Cadets or YEA? It starts off as one and gradually geometrically grows into the other. Boston and Bloo have seemed to get it right. BD and SCV are obvious. Others provide challenges. Madison will have to think and react wisely not just smartly.

I just donated to the Red Cross. Stay safe!

I think this is where we are finding increasingly that there is " common ground ", imo. ( the focus of this thread, that for the moment seems to have lost its focus ). Both the newer fans/ marchers of the activity as well as the older legacy fans/ alums of the activity agree that this is no longer " Drum & Bugle Corps ", and its competitions are no longer ajudicating the profiency levels of the playing of the " the Bugles ". . Why a few still cling to this inaccurate nomenclature then of a " Drum & Bugle Corps ", while so readily accepting everything that has made the activity anything but " Drum & Bugle Corps " is a bit peculiar to me. That said, there IS increasing ' common ground " here among the newer folks and the legacy folks that its no longer " Drum & Bugle Corps " and so as things move forward in the coming years, the reluctant will eventually come around to what is increasingly the more " common ground " of thinking on this, imo. I think " Music & Dance Precision Troupes " could fit the bill as reflective of what the new and improved nomenclature could/ should become, imo.... as well as far more accurate of what they now have become.

Thanks for that. It was long but interesting and gave me some insight into Boston. Relevant to Madison, I think, is the need for the Scouts to keep working on creating a modern non-profit organization to support the corps itself. The moves this past year were positive ones, I thought. The name change, and the expanded reach into new activities. That follows what the Cavies have been doing. And certainly other corps - BD and SCV - have had much experience with an broader mission. I'm optimistic that FMA sees the right path and is headed down it.

Posted by Hookem on the Cavaliers thread within this hour: Hey guys.... Here is a quick update. My apartment complex is flooded and the water is rising. Thankfully the water has not reached my part yet... Either way, I am on the third floor so I am safe and I am not worried... Spent the day getting people out of their flooded homes... I did post some pictures on Facebook, but this is the worst storm I have ever been through. Much worse than Allison. No doubt about it..... I had to swim to help people But if anyone here can help me out with starting a fundraiser or what ever on this page as relief for the people that lost their homes... I would appreciate that. Thanks guys"

Sending good wishes to everyone associated the Guardians to safely get through the flooding. I just saw that all interstate routes in and out of Houston are now blocked.

No problem calling them drum corps.

I knew Blue Devils were going to win DCI and I still had a wonderful time watching all the corps. From open class to worlds. I believe in going to DCA with a positive attitude. I'm very much looking to seeing a lot of shows that I haven't seen at all this summer.

Agree with both of you. I am not advocating for the traditional uniform, as I love the costuming in most cases. I am just saying Cadets have the biggest challenge with this. Although I would throw SCV in the same boat, and they did it with success. Altough I wasnt the biggest fan of their look. So it can be done. It will be interesting to see where both go next year.

I think 1993 is one of those years where both the competition was great and there were so many great shows at the top. Madison and BD doing Strawberry Soup, The Phantom crab walk, The closeness between Cadets and Star in which both shows were beyond great. Blue Knights with the Star Trek theme, SCV with the soft ending. Madison playing in the pouring rain. There were even 2 band new finalists that year in the Glassmen and Colts. Maybe its because its the year I discovered drum corps, but I think it was a special year.

They still would be out on the field if the corps had to wait for gimpy me hobbling down from my 600 level perch to retrieve them. I forgot to cite in my original mention of the post that Peter Bates did quite the juggling act moving the bells as he had his soprano/trumpet, fluegel horn, and white helmet in one hand while he pushed the bell set with the other hand. He should be in the guard, ha, ha. t

actually the mms liked them, or at least the ones I spoke too. Most appropriate to the subject matter Cadets played and the churches I have been too. You might not like them playing the Angelus at 6 am if you are only crawling in from the night before. :-p

Gotta love it when someone gets the reference!

I get what you are saying, but this is fundamentally not accurate. Look at the scores for every show since the beginning of the new scoring system. Every show panel essentially starts where the previous show panel left off. This is why "content" and "achievement" scores somehow magically march forward and upward almost every single night. If relative content scores marginally increase every night for all corps, which they in fact (almost) always do, then relative achievement scores will also increase, potentially without actually reflecting better performance. DCI scoring is, first and fundamentally, a RELATIVE scoring philosophy. At the end of every night, and at the end of every season, DCI only really cares about the rankings from top to bottom being RELATIVELY accurate in terms of placement. And we all know they have a vested interest in starting low to give "room" for "improvement," and keeping scores close to create drama. When you try to look at specific show scores, outside of the bigger picture, you can make all sorts of conclusions that simply aren't accurate.

To the common fan on the outside looking in, money is absolutely the area of focus. Are you able to elaborate on the other parts? On the surface, it appears that Boston was struggling competitively until they brought in the new crew this year. If those guys coming in wasn't the biggest advancement Boston made this year, I simply want to know more.

Bobby...dude. We get it. Nothing is going to change because you rant about it. We had our time. Now it's the current members time to shine. They seem to be just fine with the evolution. Just go with it. All you're accomplishing here is pissing off a bunch of people.

Firing the admin would be a huge mistake as they have been making sound decisions financially and organizationally that will help insure the future stability and continuity of the organization. Not to mention building a culture of sound leadership and excellence for the young men that will impact their lives and the lives of those around them for decades to come. Competitive success is great, but I've seen FAR too many Corps chase it like it's the most important thing (which is laughable in a subjective art form).....to their own peril. Take Magic of Orlando in 2002. They went and bought the best staff for a short-sighted goal of shooting for the top....they didn't have a solid structure or long-term plan, and a few years later, they were GONE. Never to come back. I would rather have the Scouts stay around where they are (or inch forward) while building a much stronger financial foundation....and when they are ready (and ONLY when they are ready), make a big move like Boston did.

So having a uniform with a fleur, spats, citation cords, an Eisenhower style jacket cut, gauntlets, and a show with tuba flips, the brass sword, hat bow, a fleur, and other classic Madison moments didn't look like the Madison Scouts? As an alum, I thought the number of nods to our history was done well. But I guess you know more about our traditions and the elements, such as in this show, that define the corps.

Pull out the 1978 brass and percussion score, rewrite it for Bb/F horns, and call it some 40 year anniversary of something or other. Pair it with a modern drill and watch Phantom move into the top 6.

Prosprie had BK 4th in percussion. Wow. That is incredible! Music was definitely their strong suit this season. They finished 7th in brass as well. They were my favorite corps to listen to this season, and honestly, I thought their brass and percussion were underscored a bit, for one main reason: dynamics. Best dynamic control of anyone in 2017. I really hope 2018 will see the same style brass and percussion with continued improvement. There's a medal in your future BK, why not make your 60th anniversary that much more special?

FANTASTIC FINALS RUN TONIGHT BK!!!!! You all lit up the stadium with an absolutely stunning performance! Goosebumps upon goosebumps!

Caring who wins for me usually comes down to hoping for a change in the status quo. In the late 80s and 90s, it was hoping Cavies or Phantom could break through. In the mid and late 90s, it was wishing for someone to end BD's hold. In the early 00s, it's a successor for Cavies. Not that I wish any of the past winners ill. I just like to see new champs. Tight years? How about 1990, a mostly forgotten year, when the Cadets were extraordinary, the only way they could beat a fabulous Cavie team. Six corps were crowded between 94 and 97.7. A very hot Crossmen led the second six in which a Canadian corps (Dutch Boy) edged out Freelancers, Crusaders and Blue Knights, among others, for the last finals spot. HH