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Let's face it, the process was NOT an ordinary one... the prior entire board resigned so the situation is unique Almost as if a brand new organization drafts an original board for the first time When a new organization is formed a board is "recruited" by folks interested in forming the new organization - that's probably how this process worked also I believe this board is considered "transitional" - meaning they will serve for a time and then a more normal nomination/voting process will be put in place I believe "they" used various resources (including DCI and others) to help recruit/select this current board The board membership seems to be well-selected and doing a good job so far Watching the town hall video (Doug Rutherford) is really a breath of fresh air and professionalism So grounded, realistic and well-presented Bodes well for the future

After the 71 season, Garfield fired our marvelous drum instructor George Tuthill, at which point a good portion of the drumline quit and joined the Cabs, where George was also the drum guy. None of us were aged out of Garfield...not even close, actually, I was 18 in the fall of 71. I left with them and checked out the Cabs. George had me slated to play double conga, along with at least one other Garfield tri-tom player who came along. In fact the Cabs did a Giant 1/2-time at Yankee Stadium (the Giant's home at the time) that fall, and I got to march the show (71 show) and carry around the congas. We sat on folding chairs out near the monuments in center field. I decided that with my college music ed classes and other stuff, I would rather stay in Garfield, so I went back and picked up baritone. Don Angelica was our primary brass instructor. I decided not to play drums for the new guy who Don had hired to be Bergenfeld HS's band director. Don was Bergenfield's personnel director at the time, which made the job placement of this new guy easy. I mean, who would want to play in a drumline taught by this new guy Fred Sanford?

That's generally not how it works. In a for-profit corporation if the shareholders replace the entire board it's through an election. The company bylaws provide for the seating of the board. In a hostile takeover one might expect this sort of thing to happen - perhaps uncommon, but not unheard-of either. In a closely held family business you could also have a situation where the entire board gets wiped out at once (plane crash, natural disaster, etc). But even then the shareholders (or creditors who become shareholders) would vote on a new board. In the case of a non-profit there are no shareholders, so the circumstances would be somewhat different. Lawyers can weigh in here. However, what almost certainly happened with YEA is that the old board affirmatively voted on enough new board members to form a quorum, and then resigned. If there had been a fight it would have become known, and the absence of one suggests a cooperative transition. A simple reach-out to any new board member should confirm this.

Avoiding anything thematic, here are some impressions from last weekend. Sorry, didn't watch much of the guard, but have no reason to believe they won't be top notch. I agree with @BRASSO, the kids look young, and it's because we're so much older. This edition is a mature and hungry group. In past years, it was a success to have veterans return. This year, many veterans faced tough competition to keep their spots. This is a group very experienced with world class competition. There is no reliable way to rank a corps in April. What can be said is this: it is one thing to be great among the best, and it's an entirely new level to show the best new ways to be great. Gut check is that Boston is going to innovate in this department, and it is what will set them apart this season. Percussion - Three words: controlled, precise, engaging. The book is top notch, and their work is cut out for them. There is a lot for them to clean, and it's already WOW. Besides the expected control and precision one would expect from a great percussion section, it's possible we will see them be far more engaging and interactive with the audience. It's an often untapped source of GE. Last year BK and Cavies were doing it, and it's probably a wise trend to pursue. Brass - the basics are solid, and they're focusing on more advanced stuff. Double-tonguing is being heavily worked and featured. There are lots of notes in the music. The sound is full, round, dark, and warm. Attention levels are high and focus is on par with what can be found in a battery. They're not spending time on how to play, they're practicing being a great ensemble. All of the things that require a full group is what they are working on. This time of year, there is little in the way of electronics, etc., so they are sounding excellent in an old school way. The book is tough. They're hardly clean, but it's within their grasp to master it. Once school is done and they are able to devote the focus this book requires, it's going to be a treat for the audience. Tempos are fast... like 195 b/m fast. They are working on getting the music and M&M up to those tempos. No one can claim they're not going for it. I hope we get to see some old school fast drill moves, and that they get credit for what they attain. <rant> That may be asking for too much from the politics in DCI visual judging. </rant> In summary, they are positioned to have a great competitive season. Generally, to finish top 5, a corps needs to be highly competitive across all sections. To be top 3, they need to be the best in at least one. The staff is giving them the show they need. The MMs will have that sweet/rare feeling that they can control what they achieve. The MM's challenge for this season is to embrace that level of responsibility to the point where they thrive on it, while remaining undeterred by what happens outside of their control.

Let’s keep this on topic. I feel this thread should be about Cadet’s 2018 program and the wonderful, talented young adults who will be entertaining us this Summer.

I think the most spectacular example of keeping a show theme under wraps and absolutely wowing fans on opening night in Indy was the 2016 Bluecoats. I had no idea what they were going to do and it was about the most fun I’ve ever had watching a show. I said to Jim nobody is beating that. I think BD did a couple of times but they won on the last night.

Right up their alley. Aggressive brass and intense music! Sounds very cool!

This is exactly the process that was used. In addition, the people who made up the 5 new board members were recruited because of different skill sets important to the organization moving forward: Non-profit Governance, HR and appropriate HR policies and oversight, Sponsorships, The scholastic community (USBANDS/Corps/Parents), and and understanding of corps management/alumni/historical connections. The five areas are represented by each one of the new board members. This group also received the blessing of DCI before being seated... not that DCI has any official capacity to provide approval but as the sanctioning body DCI plays an important role in how the organization moves forward. Having a board in place without DCI's support (such as the situation with the old board) would have seen the Cadets sidelined for the 2018 season. This is a temporary board as the put a proper governance structure in place and take the time to identify and vet longer term board members for the future (which this new board has the authority to do). I believe the new board was focused on a 6 month transition.

Yet his question hasn't been answered.

So, back to the 2018 Cadets... I keep hearing announcements coming soon regarding additional staffing changes, show revision etc I'm sure they want to confirm/check everything, line up copyright etc so that's locked down prior to any announcements Wonder if anyone knows a time frame for the rep announcement etc? ST is 3 weeks away, so I assume in the ne Are they still using the uniform/costume design? Prop still being used? (never fully understood the prop)? How did guard tryouts go? Guard full? I'm thinking they will do all these announcements over the next 2 weeks or so?

They actually have approved it now...I missed all the previous goodies though :)

Paul Rennick uploaded a percussion recording of the full 2017 show. Great, great writing, performance and videography. Check it out:

Without revealing the show music, I can tell you it’s extremely powerful, aggressive and at certain moments very beautiful. There will be some new sounds that you haven’t heard from Crown in the past including different approaches to electronics in certain sections. The sound will be BIG, and as you can see in the video they released they’re adding bass trombones into the mix this season. The evolution for Crown continues this season and I expect this show will probably be more we’ll received than last years.

Hmmm sounds intense! Since I’m playing in a pit orchestra for Beauty and the Beast right now, I’m gonna wish for some music from the Disney classic! (Yeah, I know it’s a long shot but one can hope! XD) In all reality, with reports from Boston and SCV and other corps seemingly heading down a very aggressive show design path, I hope a corps is able to put something genuinely beautiful on the field. That was something that was, in my opinion, very lacking from last season, with the exception of maybe the Cadet’s closer. But I miss the vibes that Phantom 2010 or SCV 2016 put on the field. Aggressive, angry shows work but when nearly everyone is always intense, it begins to lose its effect.

So, they've gone from trampolines to roller coaster track? https://youtu.be/AbPe2byLd8M

10 yard penalty for being rational. You'll find that is both a blessing and a curse here. Welcome! And well said, IMO.

Carolina Crown 2018: "Beast"

Carolina Crown 2018: "Beast"

When I want to know something I find the people involved. This generally works whether it's a political figure, a public personality (assuming you can get through the gatekeeper), a private company executive, etc. For example, I know that the MM's are motivated and very upbeat because I ask them. If you want to know what happened or the history, the names of the people are not a secret - just find the articles. Then locate them on LinkedIn and ask. Some may talk, some may refuse. Then you can decide for yourself whether what you are hearing sounds credible. It takes a little effort, but I would rather hear it straight from the source than guess. If you can't find them or don't have LinkedIn, PM me and I will show you where to look.

As Brian Tuma just wonderfully said: "Let’s keep this on topic. I feel this thread should be about Cadet’s 2018 program and the wonderful, talented young adults who will be entertaining us this Summer."

Hey DCP! It's your friendly neighborhood Pioneer brass caption head. If you know of any tuba or baritone players still looking for a home this summer, please feel free to have them contact me to get set up to march. There are a lot of exciting things happening with the corps this year, and I would love to provide even more opportunities for motivated brass players to experience drum corps. New horns, uniforms, progressive show design ... it's going to be a great year for Pioneer! #GrowPio #BetterEveryDay AG

Best wishes to them whatever decision they make. For what it's worth, I would note that The Company and Kidsgrove Scouts were neck and neck in DCUK and DCE last year, and that The Company scored 70 pts. in DCI on Aug. 10 (15-16 pts. outside of a Finals berth), and that Kidsgrove Scouts' 91 pts. was three points ahead of Minnesota Brass Inc. in DCA four weeks later on Sep. 3--but given that last year was anomalous for MBI, that KS score is also about 4-5 pts. behind the average of MBI's (remarkably consistent) Finals scores in the previous five seasons. So it seems that if MBI had competed in DCI championships in any year 2008-2016, they'd probably have scored about 74-77, but maybe, just maybe as high as the mid 80s if they could time-travel their Labor Day performances back to DCI. Low 80s for sure. All of which is to say: better to be a solid Finalist and potential medalist in DCA than to have only at most a 50-50 shot of making Finals in DCI? (Obviously we have no idea how well a weekends-only corps could transition to the DCI model. Could be better or worse than the numbers I use above.)

June of 1975 at some high school field in the greater Boston area at a CYO Circuit show is when I first saw a live drum corps show. Of course that was prior to show themes and as a young kid who was about to finish 6th grade, show themes would have gone above my head. I just loved the experience. That has not changed, and while show themes are interesting and can entice me, they are rarely what I expect, more often than not I am pleasantly surprised, so if I hear about a show announcement, great. If I don’t, no big deal. I’ll still be in the stands and have a great time.

The goal of the show is to show the beautiful and the aggressive sides of a beast but not in the form of Disneys story. There is softer music in the show but it is our own interpretation of a beast.

I would not complain about conquest and captain considering that's what I played in 90 with them...

Sweet!

Yep -- much respect to MMs! For 20 years I marched at 120 bpm, so I know *I* couldn't keep up.

This this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this... Mike

Lol, thank you. I think I made it up, but could have been remembering it. It definitely fits Boston this year.

Awesome review...thanks for that :) "it is one thing to be great among the best, and it's an entirely new level to show the best new ways to be great." Is that a personal quote?...that is outstanding...love it

I believe it has to do with candy slinging potential.

I do know that the guard tryouts went very well. There were 50 people trying out for 10 spots...staff was very pleased!

The BD 2009 section you are referring was 236...and a big chunk of it was at single-time...they also would just crab instead of sliding for those sections as well...

year1buick found it...yep the internet is a beautiful thing.... https://dci-scores.tumblr.com/post/171456624229/teaser-trailer-for-boston-crusaders-2018

For a large number of us, BITD means a significant time before the 80’s and 90’s. Ive never felt any corps owed it to me to announce their show a month(s) before the season kicks off. If they wish to fine. If not, I’ll wait. The hard part is that the season doesn’t start until June!

I'm very grateful for your corps repertoire updates! :)

Announced today:

Here we go again. He hid a camera in a space where kids were known to change. Is there any dispute of this statement? That, alone, is enough for me. Tell me how I misrepresent the situation in this one sentence of mine in this post.

Copyright.

There will be a new Open Class corps. CHops has declared that they will go open class in 2018. Good to see them growing and want to wish them the best of luck.

I will put this here also since it is getting buried in the issue thread and is pertinent to the 2018 Cadets

AT LONG LAST A CORPS IS DOING A PIECE BY MASLA--- *ahem* Here are Jersey Surf's 2018 musical selections:

Amazing, because I saw what appeared to me to be a youngish looking Drum Corps for Boston once again to me for 2018. But when I mentioned this at one of the camps to a friend beside me, that person replied to me.... " thats because we're getting older than dirt ". That person was of course, quite correct, and that aptly explains it.

This was on reddit posted by 'starstarstar42'. I can't claim it, but will absolutely share it though! I thought it was a great read! "I saw Boston at their Florida camp today and... my god. Oh sure, they were pretty #### good last year. 12 to 6th is surely no joke. But this - what I saw today - this is now something entirely different. This is something that I've seen before. I've seen it and I recognize it as sure as I know my own face. I cannot mistake this feeling for anything other than what it most assuredly is. It is something I saw, and felt, back in 2012 with Crown; I saw and felt it again in '14 with TILT. And this thing is - a Super Saiyan. That's the only way I can explain it. Those corps in those years took that invisible step that upped their power to a level they had never achieved before. Maybe they didn't win it all, but that was not why we remember those shows. We remember because they had crossed some invisible line and the ultimate result of that was inevitable. Even if it took another season, even if it took two, their path was set. Boston has crossed that line. It's not even about where they place this year. It's about putting everyone else; the fans, DCI, and the top 3, on notice. They know how to go Super Saiyan now, and they are coming. We've had corps do 'dark' shows. We've had corps do artsy shows. We've had 'clever', and minimalist and Fellini-esque and psychedelic and you name it shows. Prepare for Angry. Animal Farm in comparison was just sarcastic with a touch of upset. Wicked Games was dark with a touch of brooding. What is coming this year is controlled and brutal anger. I know it because even Gino was surprised enough by it to raise an eyebrow and say out loud, "these kids are very good at doing angry". Anyways, I'm calling it right now. Top 4. They'll fight it out with someone, possibly Cavs. Here's the Shamaliyan plot twist though. It's entirely too early to tell of course, but if they keep ramping up their power level at this same rate, they may very well leave 4th in their wake. There, I said it. There is a definite possibility that, despite all I just said and what I've just predicted, that I might be underestimating them."

BAC just announced that the Cadets have been added to the lineup for the East Coast Classic in Lawrence, MA on July 1st! This will be a GREAT show!

That is a great question. Again, I would think it depends on how one is constructing the value of what is or is not "bad ###" alongside what is or is not "bad ###" for a "Madison Scout." I would agree that the show last year exhibited an interesting and potentially enormous amount of "badazzery" as you describe it. For some, I think "badazzery" can only be described in nostalgic terms whereas others see it as a spectrum in flux with various mechanisms that predict/affect how "badazzery" is measured. Last year's show was definitely not lacking in "badazzery" for me even if I was not the biggest champion of its design elements and artistic selections.

This is a really good point that I believe is often overlooked because it identifies two things that are not always easy to grapple with. First, it reveals that the root of this issue (whether the activity is "tough" or "bad ###" now as compared to then) is subjective to how one measures value and time; is it static or evolutionary, absolute or relative? Second, it shows how what one conceives of as "tough" or "bad ###" is not only socially constructed and therefore both evolutionary and relative, but also correlated to how they perceive of other concepts (like masculinity for example) that are also socially constructed and therefore evolutionary and relative even if they are perceived as static and limiting. What I mean is that the activity seems to be static or absolute in that it is always "tough" because it has always been and will always be physically and mentally challenging to do. Likewise, the activity also appears to be absolutely "bad ###" because it has been and will continue to be impressive to witness excellent execution of challenging performative material. The issue is therefore aesthetic, and aesthetics are not good at maintaining a static position even if they seem to so; tastes evolve. Just because the activity as a whole or the Scouts in particular is/are not presenting the same sort of perceived "toughness" that was witnessed or enjoyed either as a marching member or alumnus does not make the activity any less "bad ###" for those who engage in it or enjoy it now. For example, even though I did not enjoy the aesthetics of Madison's show last summer I still respected and witnessed the "toughness" of the members who worked to be "bad ###" at executing their individual responsibilities.

It would be foolish to expect anything other than your continued spewing of biased Cadet fake hype nonsense. Horse still dead, but beat it if you must.