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There seems to be many battles going on this year in DCI- Battle of 1-4 Battle for that coveted last Saturday Night Spot (12th) And the battle for what used to be the final spot for Friday (17th). Colts, Teal Sound, Pacific Crest and Mandarins are all within about 3 points as of last night. This should be a great battle to watch for the next couple of weeks. Teal Sound (yay) edged out Pacific Crest and Mandarins last night but who knows what will happen tonight. These are the battles that make this the best activity in the world. Predictions and discussion?

WOW- So glad everyone is going to be OK. I got that pit in my stomach when I saw this thread. Bus crashes more often result in terrible tragedy for the occupants. Going along with the sentiments of MS Bus Driver, I can definitely say that this driver did an awesome job. Having driven a bus for a drum corps I can definitely say that driving the bus was the most responsibility I have ever shouldered. Getting on the bus I would always say a short prayer and remind myself of how many lives were resting on my driving skills and alertness. Thankfully, I never had any incidents. But I would always be playing scenarios in my head as to how I would react should something unexpected (loss of brakes..)occur while driving. Also, I would never (and I mean never) allow anyone's failure to launch on time affect what I felt to be a safe speed. I pray that there are no more incidents but more importantly, hope that the charter companies do their diligence in keeping their equipment and drivers fresh for the long season. good luck to all corps this year. A thread like this really makes one forget about the petty differences that are bantered on this board. D

Dave, I remember this show... The hornline really sounded good in Secaucus that day. For me, the worst moment ever occurred during the "Zorba Circle" when after the dance, I ended up in front of the wrong horn. I picked up the horn and noticed that there was still a horn on the ground where we had completed the circle. Unfortunately, the horn I picked up was not my horn and the one on the ground was. Needless to say, I was emabrrassed that I picked up the wrong horn. Do you remember this? Dennis

“If you don't create change, change will create you” I dont know who coined this quote, but I think it is on point for this discussion. I, for one was not the biggest proponent of electronics in Drum Corps until I saw it being used effectively on the field. While there will always be "purists" that want only what was on the field since the early days of drum corps, I think it would be ridiculous for drum corps not to keep up with the times and be a "creator of change". Electronics, if used in conjunction with percussion and horns can create some beautiful sounds. Mix that in with the marching precision of a drum corps and it creates a product that people will enjoy. I applaud Randy, Jeff and the rest of the team at Teal for having an identity established and sticking by their guns. I believe people will really enjoy Sinvitation 7 this coming year. I havent seen any of this show, but know that these people are extremely talented and committed. Dont knock the show just because you are against electronics. It makes sense to just take it in and enjoy. Change is only limited to the imagination. Those that can't imagine will never accept change.

I think they have an outside chance of making the Friday night show. But either way I am very proud of this corps, their members and their staff. They have a plan and are sticking to it for the future. They seem to be comfortable being Teal Sound and that is a great thing. Keep it up Teal. In a few years this thread just might be about whether you can make finals... D

I remember that awesome hornline from BAC in 1979. I was marching with the Long Island Kingsmen and we were scoring pretty close to them throughout the year. I remember being within 4 or 5 points of them and wondering how we werent closing in on them strictly based on their size. Then I saw them in Alabama and holy cow. I knew they would beat us. They were a small package but they had some serious power. And yes. They definitely had 25 horns.

Your name shouldnt be Treadstone. it should be tread troll. Get back under the bridge.

From the Teal Sound Website DCI Board of Directors recommends World Class schedule access to Teal Sound As of November 12, 2009, the DCI Board of Directors is making a recommendation to the DCI Voting Membership, to be voted on at the annual January meeting, that Teal Sound be given access to the World Class schedule. Awesome news.

Congratulations to the entire Teal Organization. There are a lot of people that worked very hard to make this happen for them. Randy, Brian, Cliff, Ron, Debi, Cherie, Ryan, Mike, and countless others. To all of you (even those that I didnt mention or know about) that worked to make this happen big congratulations. Take a few minutes to stop and smell the roses and then get back to work. My guess is that there is still a lot of that ready for when you get back. Woo Hoo.

Wow. Old School has issues. I think he needs to go back in time and not "burn" as much.

Old School- Why do you insist on hating the player? Instead, hate the game. Stop blaming TS for putting a show on the field that you don't like when the bottom line is that you just don't like the way the activity has gone over the last several years. TS is not the source of your tension. They are just the "little kid" that you are trying to bully into doing things your way. The way things used to be. To a degree I am also like you. But I have the maturity to understand that the activity, its founders, participants and even fans have evolved. And there are some (maybe not even me) that really like the way drum corps has evolved. Stop hating on Teal Sound because you think they stand for what you dont like. They dont. I know Randy Blackburn and the rest of the staff at Teal. Believe me- they stand for the drum corps activity (warts and all), the kids and parents that make it great (with or without you and me) and life's little lessons that come out of a drum corps season. Whether they do that with a band- electronics, three tenors... or whatever is up to them and what the rules say. If you dont like it, dont watch. Changed my avatar. I am old school too.

Cool. Now if they would only fix the video on demand we can all enjoy the shows from Michigan City.

Not sure it has ever been a secret that they have aspirations to step up to the WC. And I agree that they will have to do something with their feet...

Wow. I see your frustration but based on the article it looks like it was just a mistake and nothing more. Just my opinion.

My apologies to John and the Blue Stars organization. I thought Teal had beaten Blue Stars earlier in the season. I was wrong.