JFitz19

A number of years ago I, at that time a long standing Cadets donor, volunteered to help out at an event for local bands at Symphony Hall in Boston. The staffer in charge was quite arrogant and condescending to us volunteers and gave poor directions. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. Later that same day I complained in an email to he who shall not be named. IIRC, he replied that he would speak to that staffer. There was never another Cadets volunteer possibility near me in Boston, but I have never forgotten the obtuseness of that staffer.

St. Kevin’s, 1960. Several times. Back then they were other worldly. Decades later I am still upset an offside penalty cost them the trophy at VFW in Detroit. Troopers 1969 and 1970. This group of, what from the stands looked like a bunch of 14 year olds wearing glasses, 😊 stole the show. They were unlike all the other corps, and their drills were miles better than the rest. So amazing to watch live. Suncoast Sound 1988. Saw them late season under the lights at historic Manning Bowl. I was truly blown away. Unfortunately, the Finals video was made early in the show, and it was not yet dark, so a lot of effect is lost.

I have been to finals every year since 1989, except 2021 and 2022, but I saw everybody at Allentown in 2002. I wish I could have seen Cadets and Vanguard in 1987. And, Terri, I was a Big Royal Airs fan and managed to see them on the East Coast in 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967. Saw the 1965 corps at CYO Nationals (they won). Wish I could have seen them in 1968.

I well remember all those corps. But going back 20 years to 1960, it was much different. Then, between the two major circuits, CYO and Eastern Mass, there were 12 Class A corps, equivalent to today’s World Class corps, in greater Boston. They were St. Kevin’s Emerald Knights, Dorchester; Cambridge Caballeros; St. Mary’s Cardinals, Beverly; St. Mary’s Majestic Knights, Charlestown; Immaculate Conception Reveries, Revere; Immaculate Conception Rockettes (all girl, as it was defined back then), Salem; Gatesmen, South Boston; Holy Trinity Cadets, Boston; Braintree Warriors; Sir Thomas Moore Cadets, Braintree; St. Rose Scarlet Lancers, Chelsea; and the Boston Crusaders. During the sixties 6 of those corps (St. Kevins, Crusaders, Caballeros, Cardinals, Majestic Knights and St. Rose) at least once placed in the top 10 at the VFW Nationals, then the most prominent national championship, and the Reveries came close twice. The sixties is my favorite drum corps decade, and I saw all of these corps in local competition. Those were the days!

My friends and I were top section, third row on the fifty. We expected BD to win, but got order right on 2,3, and 4. We all were blown away by Crown and thought they were the “best” corps. Vey impressive, and brass was sublime. Thought Boston did not profit from their performance order. They were very good, but my comment right after they finished was, that they lacked the intricacies of Bluecoats and the grandeur of Crown.

Have to add to the love for 2003. Also loved 1974 and 2018.

Watched the show from the top row last night. Some corps still overdoing the amping. It was hard to tell, but, some distortion in brass sounds could also have been a factor of the winds, which increased and abated through the entire show, A few random thoughts. Phantom’s leg kick at the very end, coming in the tight circle of horns up front loses effect. We will see how it looks with the tarps back. Phantom seemed cleaner than Mandarins, so I was surprised when Mandarins passed them. As others have mentioned, Phantom’s brass was loud and sounded very good. Not a fan of the sound of the Mandarins brass. Could have been affected by the extreme loudness of their amps and the wind. I may have a different opinion in Indy. Must say, however, that they have a modern, fast paced drill, and they perform it with enthusiasm. I could not get into the Bluecoats show on Flo, but I loved it here. Their guard had problems not seen in past Flo performances. As others have mentioned, Boston was super clean all around and sounded wonderful. Lower voices, especially, were fabulous. I think that if Bluecoats can clean, clean, clean, they will pass Boston. In conclusion, this was a well run show by the Boston organization, which we have come to expect and appreciate.

Phantom was scheduled to go on before Blue Stars. Anyone know what is going on?

Loved the Sky Ryders in 1989, the year they played Carina Burana.

To everyone disappointed in Cadets’ uniforms, I attended both the Lynn and Quincy shows. The uniforms read very well on the field and are completely appropriate the theme of the show. The traditional uniform would not have worked. Oh, and they sound great.

Just back from Lynn. Cadets were wonderful, and the uniforms worked very well.

Some timeless shows for me going way back: St. Kevin’s Emerald Knights. 1960 Chicago Cavaliers 1961 Chicago Royal Airs 1965 Troopers 1970 Santa Clara Vanguard 1974 Anaheim Kingsmen 1974 27th Lancers 1975 Garfield Cadets 1983, 84,85, 87

Regarding 2015: I remember that there was a problem with the soloist’s mic that staff was trying to fix as Crown was ready to start their finals performance. Iirc, the fix did not happen, and he had to play without it. I remember thinking, “I hope this doesn’t affect the performance,” but I think it did, just enough, ultimately. Happened at the worst time.

Have to agree with Craiga. I did not attend the Saturday show, but I was on the 40 in Lynn. After watching both corps on Flo and wanting more on Saturday, I was really overwhelmed by both performances on Sunday. They were both fabulous. Also really enjoyed Spartans, Jersey Surf and 7th Regiment.

Cadets are scheduled at 10:08.

Thanks, sounds like a good suggestion. I have download the app to both my iPad and my iPhone. However, when I tried to access Flo via Safari, in both, it defaulted to the app. The silver lining is that I discovered that there is much better coverage of the screen when I use my iPhone. It is not a full screen, but I assume that the iPhone is preserving the proper aspect ratio. I will use the phone going forward. Thanks everybody for your help!

Unfortunately, while there is a square on the computer screen, it is not to be found on the iPad’s Flo screen.

Does anyone know to to maximize the Flo screen on an iPad? I can do it on my desktop, but can’t on my iPad, which I am using to connect to my smart TV. Thanks.

I saw both St. Kevin’s and St. Mary’s Cardinals many times starting in 1960. Loved them both, but in 1960 SKEK was something else. They were so good that you felt sad when they left the field.

To Tame the Perilous Skies.

I wish I could have seen Garfield and SCV back to back at the 1987 DCI Finals. RE 1978 SCV, this was one of my favorite shows ever. A few weeks before Finals the 27th Lancers sponsored a show at Lynn’s wonderful Manning Bowl. Competing corps were Blue Devils (they won), SCV, Phantom Regiment, Madison Scouts, Bridgemen, and the Lancers. They were the top 6 from 1977, IIRC. Had a seat on the 50, and I was blown away by BD and, especially Santa Clara. Best local show I ever witnessed.

1. Crown 2. Bluecoats 3. Blue Devils 4. Blue Knights 5. Mandarins 6. Boston 7. SCV 8. Spirit 9. Cavaliers 10. Phantom 11. Crossmen 12. Blue Stars 13. Cadets

That weekend of Woodstock in 1969 I attended the World Open and CYO Nationals on successive evenings. Saw the fantastic Troopers win both nights. CYO was historic, as the 27th Lancers defeated the Boston Crusaders for the first time, finished second and also took down a wonderful Blessed Sacrament Golden Nights corps. One of my best drum corps memories.

I was lucky enough to attend all three nights in Indy, and was blown away by the performances of both Boston’s and BD’s guards. In the past I had not particularly been a fan of BD’s guard writing, being part of the group that felt that their equipment work lacked sufficient difficulty in comparison to others, particularly Crown in the last few years before the departure of staff to Boston. Things were different this year, as BD really stepped it up regarding equipment work. At the end of Finals before the score reveal, I stated to my friends that despite my love for Boston’s performances, I would give the Zingali to BD. I felt that that BD had demonstrated a greater variety of skills, particularly with regard to dancing and overall body movement. Both guards had been flawless on Friday to my wandering eyes, and each had a couple of minor errors on Saturday, so it seemed to me that performance was pretty even. However, Boston won on Saturday by 0.15, a clear margin at that level. Judging really seems to have changed since 2015 when that amazing Crown guard lost handily to BD. So has the Crown/Boston approach, which seems to me to have emphasized multiple and unison throws, particularly by the weapons, changed the emphasis for judges? I am by no means knowledgeable regarding guard evaluation standards and am wondering what others think about this.

Stop: Tossing rifles and flags over/away from the corps at the end of the show; tossing rifles from a high prop to guard members on the field. Body movement/dance included to “Check the box.” Fine, if it is organic to the show, however IMHO, that doesn’t happen very often. Drastically cut back: Running. Too much of it appears to be aimless. So many corps doing so much of it, It is getting to be very tedious. Keep doing: Lots of unison full guard work. Thanks Crown/Boston. This change has made guards very exciting again and has ended BD’s strangle hold on the Zingali.