Forte Piano

I see what you mean with Madison - they definitely need to step up their visual game if they want to move up. I guess we will have to see what happens in June... Blue Stars got Rosander, which I also think is a step in the right direction. I can't see them using another huge prop this year after all the grief it caused last year, nor can I see Rosander writing drill around an excessive prop.

If this is your house, then sure!

Anyone willing to calculate approximate mileage for each corps? Sounds like a task that I do not have the time or patience for

Well if you look in the Blue Stars' history, they were 14,14,8,8,8,11. Clearly something changed last year from their trend. BK also had a good year last year, but not significantly better than their previous years that it was unbelievable. I guess I just don't believe the Blue Knights are on an upward trend, and a 12th place finish would not be something unexpected. Heck, in my prediction I put the Cadets in 8th, so BK dropping to 12th is far less drastic than my prediction for the Cadets.

Bluecoats have medaled once. I don't think the kids that go to the Bluecoats are much different than the ones that would go to Vanguard. Plus they are on opposite ends of the country, so they would attract the talented kids of those areas. BK jumped 2 places because the Blue Stars had a less than desirable show design and the judges hit them hard because of it. BK did manage to jump Madison last year as well though. However, Madison is seeing some good changes this year, and both theirs and especially the Blue Stars' shows look to be a big step in the right direction. Don't get me wrong, BK is a very fine corps, and I would never wish ill upon a corps. I am just stating my opinions and how I don't agree with your reasoning.

I don't see how 12th is very much different from 11th BK was in for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. I agree with his faith in SCV. They changed a lot for the better this year... The biggest one IMO is that they pulled in a brass staff that could make their hornline sound good this year. Those predictions are not outlandish at all.

Boston also starts move-ins May 25, which is later than most corps. Madison starts the 24th, and has their first show about a week later than the first DCI show as well. However, BD's brass starts this weekend, and the percussion is also rehearsing this weekend, and moves in the 19th. Not sure what the color guard does, but it looks like they rehearse weekends and then fully move in the 25th. The Cadets start the 12th, SCV starts the 20th, Bluecoats starts the 18th, the Blue Stars start the 18th, Blue Knights starts the 19th, Spirit starts the 23rd, and not sure about Crown. (edit)Phantom starts the 16th, but is also traveling from Akron back to the west coast. So some corps choose to start tour later than others because their move-ins dates start later than others.

Sorry, I was implying that I think placements of corps are going to change a lot this year, not from the judging sheets changing, but from the corps themselves changing, etc.

I mean, let's be realistic... If a corps is doing its job well, then it will be rewarded, regardless of what the judges sheets are tailored to. The scores could shift slightly in another corps favor, but I expect to see no drastic changes in terms of judging (placings however, is a different story).

I am so excited to hear Crown this year! That brassline seems capable of playing almost anything, and they have surely picked a difficult few pieces (depending on what parts they play). I heard Crown was marching 90 brass this summer... Has anyone else heard this? I would be interested to know where they would add the extra members. Either way, I cannot wait to see them this summer!

They definitely have a lot of things going for them this year for sure. I'm excited to see where they go this year! Compared to the last couple years, this show sounds like a major step in the right direction.

I did a google search and found this site: http://www.fromthepressbox.com/ It looks like it has all DCI shows throughout the seasons all the way back to 1972. And DCA shows back to 1964 with some missing years "coming soon..." Now umm... make your predictions

I just have my doubts considering some of their internal issues this year. I have enjoyed the Cadets' shows a lot in years past, but for now, this is where I potentially see them this year.

1. Blue Devils 2. The Cavaliers 3. Santa Clara Vanguard 4. Carolina Crown 5. Phantom Regiment 6. Blue Stars 7. Madison Scouts 8. The Cadets 9. Bluecoats 10. Boston Crusaders 11. Blue Knights 12. The Academy

Carolina Crown 2008 Phantom Regiment 2008 The Cadets 2007 The Cavaliers 2006 I like the idea that BRASSO said about a highlights clip... So maybe a "Best of 2010" video and "Best of 2009" as well, to finish off my 6 choices. If you are showing it to a general audience, the shows need to be full of energy and just keep the viewers engaged. Of course there are plenty of shows from those 5 years that would be great to show, but IMO at least show those 4 shows. Maybe Phantom Regiment or Blue Devils from 2007.