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I’m back in Columbus now ... almost exactly three hours from Marion. I got to see most of the opener (brass and percussion only ... the guard had a separate practice in the field house). All I can say is this is something we have never seen from Bluecoats before. The brass demand is off the charts and the percussion is nasty fierce. My estimation is talent in both these areas is way up from last year, and they are also ahead of where they were last year. I timed 4’37” of show on the field at the last run through, and I have it on good authority that there is another 23 seconds I didn’t see so the opener is a solid five minutes. Once again, no chop and bop. The musical ideas are fleshed out nicely. The opener is very aggressive in so many ways. I think I can safely say Bloo will be in the mix once again this year.

Ok I’ll play 1. BD 2. BAC 3. Bloo 4. SCV 5. Crown 6. Cavies 7. BK 8. Cadets 9. PR 10. Blue Star 11. Academy 12. Madison Brass: BD Percussion: BAC Guard: BAC Visual: BD GE: BD

Given that I am being pummeled via pm and text msg over what I witnessed last weekend...I think I can say the following. Think of the corps' growth from 2016 to 2017....that rate of growth (in all facets of show design, talent levels, and performance levels) has exploded exponentially in 2018. This is Boston's TILT. When I predicted last June that BAC might finish in 5th or 6th and could even possibly medal in guard people laughed. Thus, I am not going to predict any placement for 2018. Just gonna enjoy each performance.

It is indeed the hardest brass book by Bloo ever. We will see how it all comes together in August.

First post for me. Father of a new Spirit (and first-time DCI) member. Excited for him and the corps this year. Hopefully on an upward trajectory. Been following the activity for 5 years now. What these young men and women do on the field is beyond amazing to me. Wishing everyone in the activity this year - members, staff, the many volunteers, judges - a healthy and safe 2018 DCI season.

Boston had a good practice today at Castleton, Vermont and as previously scheduled, the MM's had a free nite off tonite, and will be right back at it tomorrow.. Boston has a lot of work to do to reach their goals, imo. But they're on track, on schedule. Morale is sky high. They're working hard, and working smart. Theres enormous talent and great potential in every Corps section I've watched and listened to with this year's edition of the 2018 Boston Crusaders. I've heard it said that the marchers are even saying they can't wait to get out there this summer. After watching and listening to them today up close and live, I can fully understand why that is. The sky is the limit with this 2018 edition of the Boston Crusaders. Nothing is out of reach.

I hear "Laurel", but my friend swears it's "Yanni".

Three weeks from tomorrow....

Going for the Sanford. Nice beats

Nice reaction from the folks in the stands, got to say hi to the folks manning the souvie table and dropped some cash in the donation bucket members seem in great spirits!

Nice for BAC to get some LOVE...I say way cool :)

Impressively grateful, Liahona. Well done and good luck, BAC!

Translation: Tradition won, and now they've moving up to Open Class and contending for a finalist spot. Film at 11.

This is NOT a leak..posted by Gino for those that follow him...A short 30 sec clip of #14... https://streamable.com/vvcov

One interesting note from Scott: not a single marching member from before the Hopkins news broke has left the corps.

Assume away :) Even my own MM is being very tight lipped about the entire thing. These members seem to be cherishing every moment and it's wonderful to see!! I"m as anxious as you are to hear news about uniforms!

There are going to be some amazing tan lines come August :D

It's from Allentown, but... HELP ME / RALPHIE

On the Cadets FB page Josh Clemens posted some great color, action shots from last night's community performance. For instance...

Bases...

Snares...

I'm never not going to hear "RALPHIE!" now.

It is sounding more like this is loosely based upon lord of the flies...

It was funny to hear Gino say that....a got a real chuckle :)

We did indeed! Really nice guy!

i think it's great.

MMMMmmm....hornline goodness!!!

As we get closer to Tour Premier, this is my “not so official” official picks: 1) Blue Devils 1) Crown 3) Bluecoats 4) SCV 5) Cavies 6) Phantom 7) Cadets 8) Boston 9) Blue Knights 10) Blue Stars 11) Colts 12) Crossmen OK, don’t rake me over the coals just yet!!! LOL!!! I do believe there will be a tie at the top, simply because it’s been a while since we’ve seen one! I do think this year is LOADED! Should be fun! I was able to hear the Colts show in Dubuque at the end of their Memorial Day Parade, and let’s just say THIS AIN’T YOUR MAMA’S COLTS!!! WOW!!!! Drum Corps fans will LOVE this years production!!!!

OK, so, years of old corps bus fumes must have addled that particular part of my brain (no comment on how other parts were addled) but your post triggered SOMETHING that suddenly connected the Conquest "hits" with the corps initials THANKS!

In general, this is correct. Lower stick heights (softer individually) and unison playing is generally >>>> higher stick heights and slightly out of unison. Then you get more intricate things, your splits across the snare line (e.g. have this roll be half-speed, but half the line is offset from each other such that it sounds like a full-speed roll), stick tricks/visuals. Then there's the crazy #### BK does. BK's battery writing is different from basically anyone else--much more legato drumming than you usually hear (more roughs [two or three grace notes into the main note, in contrast to the single grace note of a flam], etc.). If you listen to percussion enough, you can start to tell whose writing is whose. Legatos/roughs/etc. is going to be Mike Jackson's BK writing. Rennick's writing has a bit more "classic" feel to it, for lack of a better term. ScoJo writes like they're trying to ram as many notes down their gullet as possible. McNutt really likes flams. Etc. I was a pit guy when I did corps-style things; others will probably be able to make clearer writing-style distinctions than I can (garfield?).

[hypes internally]

I bought a turntable a few years ago that copies record albums and cassette tapes to CD. I found a local vendor that does the same plus copies VHS to DVD. I snail mailed copies to various people across North America with the provision that this is a gift for their personal enjoyment. 1980 State of the Art and SCV's Through the Years are 2 of my favourite CD's. Cool you too.

<Disclaimer: This is a combo of what I think will happen, wishful thinking, and how strong I feel about their show (except for Blooo and SCV who have yet to announce).> 1. BD- Would like to see a new face at the top, but for the first time in a long time, I am really digging this show announcement and rep coming out of Concord. 2. Crown- Well, yeah. 3. SCV- When I first heard last years show announcement, I didn't think it would be that strong of a show, but boy was I wrong. I think they will announce their program soon, prior to their first show, according to what Michael Gaines tweeted today. I think momentum is on their side, but could easily see Boston, Cavies, or Coats sneaking into the top 3 too. 4. Boston- Putting up a strong fight for medal contention, but I think it will take a little more time. Prove me wrong BAC! 5. Cavies- Another strong year for cavies, but will be edged out come finals. 6. Cadets- I see the corps really working their butts off to prove themselves after everything that has been going on. Late season surge possibly? 7. Bluecoats- No idea what they are bringing to the table this year. Probably completely wrong on this one. 8. Phantom- Loving this show announcement, I think they are back on the upswing. Rooting that they could maybe even place higher. 9. Crossmen- Simply who I think in this range of corps has the most potential to climb the ranks. 10. Blue Stars- Interested to see how strong this show will be. I found last year to be a little cluttered in design. 11. BK- Show concept scares me a little, losing the brass caption head will hurt them. 12. Mandarins- One of the first to announce their program and I was pleasantly surprised how refreshing and new this concept should be. They will make finals this year. 13. Madison- Scouts will be out, but usually a perennial finalist, would always enjoy to see them to sneak in to grab the last spot.

they call me nostrildamus

That's good news, and it makes sense: MMs would be more likely to leave if he stayed.

That's great! Shows the corps is stronger and mightier than one horrific person.

Okay, I'm new here, and this will be my first post -- but, just had to say, those are my son's hands!

Except everyone is getting a little better ...

Judges? You are new here! Welcome aboard!

For what it's worth, I think CT will make Finals, and that they have a good chance of placing higher than tenth.

Now off to Ada to finish up before Akron...

not just fast, but we can fly too. Here's the high jump qualifier:

That fog horn sound at the beginning is actually a conch shell that is blown by a pit member. Wind or percussion?

YOU GO TO FAR! oh danny boy ,,,,,,

Maybe Fran has some to sell ...

#HairyPantsBand

Underestimate Cavaliers and Boston at your peril. Both have top lines: brass, guard, and percussion.... It's going to be some heads turning for them this summer for sure.