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Since we're "dreaming" here... Dallas San Francisco Philadelphia Nashville

Now THAT is perhaps the thing that makes me the happiest.

The only thing I can offer to this discussion is the thought (which I will not posture as "fact," but just something to consider based on my own perspective) that the brilliance and curse of great design and superior performance is that it makes what is very difficult appear very easy, lending itself to perspective from others that the design and demand are cutting corners. It represents a different philosophy in auditory and visual presentation, but I don't see evidence it is inherently more or less difficult than the design/demand that came before it. This is true for any/all corps, not just the Blue Devils. I think there is far more coordination and integration (vs. segmentation) than we often give credit for in these spread out "pods." The original poster didn't really address this element, but it is worth noting the impact of increased prop usage. When you utilize props, particularly large ones, it necessarily impacts how you design your movement of personnel. One person's "effective placement" is another's "clutter," so I won't even begin to try to convince anyone which way they should interpret it, but it is an element that impacts visual presentation nonetheless, and if you are looking for an area where a potential "solution" (assuming you identify what is currently going on as a "problem") exists, then the number and/or size and/or amount of movement of props could be starting places visually in terms of how the "corps proper" utilizes the full field for formations and transition drill. As to the "drill v. body movement difficulty" debate, the only analogy I can offer is that it is very difficult to run a sprint; it is also very difficult to hold a plank position. Borth tax you and are difficult, but in different ways, especially when you add in a simultaneous demand of another activity (i.e. performance). Judges (in the recordings I used to hear) typically referred to this as a difference in performance demand and environmental demand. I don't want to go down too many rabbit holes, but I feel compelled to at least mention that the OP could have used a better example than 2009 Blue Devils for the breakdown of musical presentation/demand changes. Yes, there are some soloist and small ensemble moments used in that show, but for the most part it was NOT carried by soloists. You would have had a far better argument with 2004 BD as an example for critique. Further, even if what was written was true of the 2009 production, I find it disingenuous to use one show from one year as representative of what is happening to the activity as a whole, particularly since the way BD designed and performed that show from a musical standpoint was very different than 2010, 2011, 2012, etc. If our tastes cannot allow for variety in musical presentation then I feel the problem is with us as reviewers and not the activity or corps as a presenter. I have other thoughts, but also a job that I must return to...

As a quick tag-on to this, I have to ask....how disappointed do you think you (or other people) would be in the event the Blue Devils don't do anything else with the window/ending? (To be clear, I haven't heard any rumors one way or the other; this is purely a theoretcial question.) I can't help but notice from the tone and vocabulary used in posts this year regarding BD that part of the credit people are giving Blue Devils is preemptive and has to do with anticipation of them doing something more with the ending (i.e. they've "allowed" for what they feel is a placeholder ending all season because they expect something to come of it.), so if they do nothing, what is your take on the show? Does it change the minds of anyone who has called it their favorite BD show of the last x years? I'll offer a response to my own question just so people don't think I'm trolling; For me it changes little. An empty window might need a little more personal interpretation as to why it's there in light of the fact that they make such a demonstrative effort to place it where it is at that moment of the show, but it's also a few seconds out of an otherwise stellar show. Had the window been placed center-field the entirety of the show and they end up doing nothing with it, it's a problem in a show that's about change. Baiscally, my experience of the Blue Devils show will not be "incomplete" or disappointing if they do nothing more with the window/ending, but I am curious if others feel the same considering the notable buildup in anticipation over the last few weeks.

2009 SCV

1997 Blue Devils 2004 Blue Devils (Finals, specifically)

I am still betting on a BDC snare member in 70's uniform, playing the cadence of Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor. It brings them full circle on the current show from a musical standpoint and visually with their history, and it is an ending type (i.e. snare playing last notes of the show) they've used before (2003 show), linking them yet again to one of the championship shows of the past. But maybe I'm way overthinking this...

...except the Blue Devils for a third of the show. Sorry, sorry, with all the commentary I HAD to; it was just too easy. In all seriousness this year's show is just such a superior contemporary homage than the 2007 show. I've been loving it all year.

Okay, I'm going to throw this out there and then retreat back into my Anonymity Corner for awhile.... It's an observation/suggestion for those disagree with the whole G8 concept: I'm not asking you to like the concept, but can you please at least find a way to give it a chance? Let's be honest, DCI needs this to go well. I liken this very much to a Presidential election; you may not agree with the point of view of the guy who got in on several issues, but for the sake of the country you need to hope he does well while he's there because a lack of any kind of success is only bad for the country. I'll throw this out there as a specific example: I'm not an Obama-supporter, but if the guy is going to get his way, then I need to hope that he's right and I'm wrong about what's best for the country because if he gets his way and he's wrong, it's not good for any of us. I'd be thumbing my nose at him from the unemployment line, which wouldn't be anything to take pride in. Same thing applies to DCI and the G8. Many disagree with it, quite a few outright hate it, but for the sake of DCI as a whole we need to hope it does what they advertise it as: an opportunity to open up this activity to new fans, increase the exposure in new ways to existing ones, create interest in more shows, eventually motivate more kids to tryout, and overall increase the brand (and especially the revenue) of DCI so that it maintains viability in a world that is increasingly disinterested in a fine arts-based activity. Do I hope that eventually this activity has built itself to a competitive point where the G8 can be an ever-changing list of corps? Abso-freaking-lutely. How cool would that be if 5 years from now we're writing about how exciting it would be for Blue Devils and Crossmen to be going head-to-head, or Cascades against the Colts. But let's be honest at this point about who casual fans want to see most. If I'm a casual basketball fan and the NBA is going to initiate a new kind of in-season exhibition, I want to see the Lakers, Celtics, Heat, and Thunder pioneer that sucker, because if it is something the perceived "elite" can't pull off effectively, then it's a decent guess the Clippers and Nets don't stand a chance. Would I hope as an ardent basketball fan it would grow into something of equal interest no matter who is involved? Of course, but to start it needs the involvement of the teams with the most recognizable brands and best resources to make it work. Just look at the trouble the NFL has when sending the Bills and 49ers to London for an international match-up. This was longer than intended, but I'm just saying give it a chance. Not "drink the Koolaid" and say this is the greatest things ever, but at least try to recognize that we need this to do well for the sake of DCI so that this activity develops and survives. This concept has already helped generate more shows and a longer schedule, both good things considering some of the criticisms on this very board the last few years.

Based purely on the FN viewing, my favorite part is the drum feature about 3/4 of the way through. To me, it's their most enjoyable feature (in terms of combination of beefiness and musicality to the book) since the features from the 2001 show. I'm going to do my best to remain positive about the show, as requested by the OP. Love the volume. The new brass is a lot better and only leads to the question of why did they not do this sooner? Love the pseudo-tire tread drill near the end of the show (a la the 2001 show). Already mentioned the drum line. Pure awesomeness. I understand that the show is based on abstract jazz as it is, so asking for a show to be filled in its entirety with cohesive, melodic phrases is counter to the show idea. However, I think that a number of the critics are missing the amount of cohesion that is already there. The development is dissonant to be sure, but that doesn't mean it's not there. If I could have just one request (because I'm sure BD's staff is pouring through comments looking for MY preferences) it would be that the closer incorporate more of La Suerte. I honestly feel that a lot of the negativity diminishes (if not goes away) if the closer was the part they create the most cohesion in the musical ideas. They DO spend a lot of time on dissonant chords that feel like transitionary dissonance rather than the main body of the music. I mean, who doesn't want to hear a fuller version of La Suerte??? Beyond THAT, though, I get what they're doing and am now VERY happy I subscribed to get the Blu-Ray DVD set when it comes out.

I'll go with 1995 BD as my top choice. I still listen to that one far more than Cavaliers or Cadets 1995, not that either one of those is "bad" by any means.

I don't think they have a problem with your opinions as long as you label them YOUR opinions. The earlier post made a large generalization, imposing a certain opinion on the crowd as a whole. THAT is where they have the problem. I am quite sure that there were people in attendance who felt what was described in the earlier post, but there were also a ton of Cavaliers fans who felt the Machine show was/is THE prototypical Cavaliers show for the 2000's and cheered accordingly. I know that there were a lot of people on this board who commented in 2006 that they didn't feel Phantom 06 was title-worthy but they were just happy that it beat Blue Devils, leaving The Cavaliers completely out of their reasoning. Basically, the opinion that the crowd was "tired" of what The Cavaliers were doing is false simply becase there are too many opinions that factored in that night.

It's not worth getting worked up over until we start hearing camp reports and/or recordings and video to hear how the quality is changing. As for me, I think these are high-quality signings, but I'm not expecting immediate impact. If it happens, great for Madison, but I'm not going to force unfair (and possibly unrealistic) hopes and expectation for what they should play and how they should look and sound in THE FIRST YEAR of involvement of these new staff members. Give them time to put their stamp on Madison and don't read too much into the first year. Remember that Madison missed Finals in 2002 and bounced back with a good show up to 8th place in 2003 and everyone thought Madison was back for good. Here we are 6 years later re-discussing our hopes for them getting back to Finals. A single year's result can just as easily be an indicator as an anomaly; these individuals have established themselves because they understand how to develop members and performers over time.

I'm guessing he's just looking for a general "how you got access to what you saw" to help establish credibility/validity of what you described. In other words, would you happen to be part of the DVD production group, a quality-assurance expert who was given a copy for feedback, etc.?

I know that it rained 2005 in Boston. I was in the audience and had to leave my seat for awhile.