sched88

I can't wait to see this show live! I really liked Ouroboros last year. Although the music wasn't the beautiful, melodic style that they had been doing, I enjoyed the change of pace and liked the aggressiveness of the show. I'm hoping they can bring home the gold this season! It's going to be a battle from the looks of things this early. But, just like other years, we'll have to wait and see what happens when all of the top corps go head-to-head to see what is reality.

Yea, SCV! Can't wait to see you live!!!!!!!!!

Way to go Vanguard! I can't wait to see your show in person!

I was thinking of heading to that show. If I don't go, then it won't be until DCI East that I will see any live drum corps.

Me too! The sound is amplified there.

YES!!!!!!

This is so true.

Excited to see what Mandarins and The Academy will do. Very impressed with what the Mandarins' color guard did last year as well as their sound. Great stuff! The Academy has had some really cool shows the last couple of years. Last year was no exception! Blue Stars had the best show for me since Le Tour. Their sound was so rich and big and the color guard was very entertaining. I want more of this! I was ecstatic over SCV's resurgence into the top 2! Was really pulling for them at Finals but to no avail. This year they will build on the ever strong percussion as well as the vastly improved color guard and brass line. Now, let's see the DRILL!!!! Can they do it in 2018 and win it all? Always ready to see what Carolina Crown has to bring to the table. I know last year's show was kind of avant garde, but I enjoyed the heck out of it. I loved the weirdly percussive final piece with their big brass sound. Ready for the HAMMER to drop in 2018. The Cadets have always been one of my top favorites since seeing their show in 1993. I was losing hope in them because of some of the show concepts the past few years and what seems to be a less competitive drum corps as far as the top 3 are concerned. Not expecting them to contend or even move up too much from last year, but I am ready to see a show designed with a new team (or at least a team that has more say in the final product). Hoping the show kicks a** no matter how it places. Can't overlook the Bluecoats as I enjoy the new direction they've gone the past few seasons. Their overall brass sound hints at BD which is cool to hear. From Tilted props, to ramps to a zig-zag stage, what is next? Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be innovative and cool. These are the ones I'm most excited to see. Of course, being a big fan of drum corps, I'm excited to see all of the shows! I hope there is a mix-up in placements at the top this year with some surprises. I'd also like to see some placement changes from night to night as well. Of course, that may be asking for too much!

Yeah, I think narration is more annoying than singing.

Same here. Even without the revelations of the things he did, the activity passed him by (idea-wise) and he wasn't helping the Cadets IMO.

Again, not disagreeing with this. But you know from all of the past posts on this site, how many people want to pin it on him.

Unfortunately, even though GH can't be responsible for the whole of DCI, the Cadets or the mms, the fact is that many associate the changes in DCI (i.e. vocals, amplification, etc) with him. I know other directors in DCI wanted changes as well or they wouldn't have passed, but GH is who people want to "blame" for some of these changes.

I don't think anyone was implying that he was fired for vocals in drum corps, but that they associate vocals in drum corps with him because he liked using vocals so much.

I agree. While I don't usually like vocals in DCI, there are some that were done very well and fit in.

Sweet! Glad they changed the name of the show along with the new corps director & artistic director.

It doesn't really matter to me any more whether I know a corps' show theme or music. When I did know beforehand, it didn't help me enjoy the show any more than if I didn't know. Sometimes, I got excited when I heard clips of what a corps was playing and then saw it in the show and didn't enjoy it as much or visa versa. A good example of both scenarios is the 2016 Cadets show with the Mackey piece. I was all stoked about it when I heard them play it in one of the camps. Then, when I saw it in the actual show on the field, I wasn't impressed. The opposite would be last year's Carolina Crown. Some of the music was unfamiliar but when I saw it on the field, I was blown away. So now, a show title or list of music doesn't matter to me. It won't sway the way I will feel about a show until I see it live.

Well West Chester's stadium is smaller than some high school stadiums. Plus, the seating is very tight.

Right! YEA! had one at Chambersburg but Hop said they didn't make enough at that show so they didn't come back there either. Now, the closest thing is Allentown or Chester. I know that's not real far, but it was so nice to have something less than an hour away.

I need a new circle of friends then! LOL Seriously though, I know they're around but I never come into contact with them. I used to go to Cavalcade shows back in the 80's and early 90's but then I went to my first DCI show at Hershey and I haven't been to a marching band show since! It's through Cavalcade that I found out about the Hershey Spectacular in the program. Yeah, I'm still a little bitter about the Hershey Show. I had tickets purchased that year and got the letter about the cancellation due to a more profitable rock concert. That show was so close and convenient and they took it away.

You know I thought that too. There are plenty of competitive marching bands in the area but a lot of the people in my circles never heard of drum corps or think marching band is stupid. I know there has to be others out there but I just never seem to run into them. I don't see other people wearing any corps t-shirts or anything else to identify them as fans.

Hey drum corps neighbor! I go to the Giant you're talking about but never saw him there. Good to know there are others near me.

You live in Mechanicsburg too? Wow! It's the Planet Fitness on Gettysburg Pike. You can see it from US 15 close to Stauffer's of Kissel Hill and Hoss's. I didn't know I had drum corps people so close to me. I thought I was the only fan in the area. This area isn't very drum corps friendly from my experience. I get made fun of for liking it. Good to know there are others here. We should meet for dinner some time and discuss drum corps!

Was leaving Planet Fitness this morning and who do I see? Gino Cipriani was just coming in. I've never met him before so I introduced myself and had a short conversation about Boston. I tried to ask him about this year's show and he just mentioned a little about the music. He also stated that they are making the show more difficult this year and that it will have a story from start to finish. He was very friendly. I hope to see him there again some time and chat about drum corps.

I was surprised that the Cavies beat the Bluecoats on Finals night. I know everyone said how great their colorguard was but I couldn't get past all of the clutter on the field. It was a difficult show to follow visually -- just too much going on for me. I didn't enjoy the music they played either. Bluecoats' music was great! Love their sound. I picked Bluecoats for 2018. I loved the Cavies in the early 2000s but this recent version lacks the sophistication that they had when they won Championships.

I voted for BAC because it seems they are pushing to have fresher ideas for shows plus the staff they have assembled. In watching both shows last year, if I was a potential marcher, I would try out for Boston. Cadets have really lost their way and hopefully they'll find it again. I'm not thinking it will be this year however. We'll see. Just watched some of my favorite shows from 2017 (Crown, Bluecoats and SCV). Makes me hope summer gets here quickly! Not to mention the frigid temperatures are getting old quickly!