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This is a VERY important topic. We should all get exceptionally worked up about it and spend a majority of our time working on it.

I think the most fit corps in DCI is clearly the Blue Devils. They have running block at least once a week in-between all the free days and bowling nights.

A wild ihatechewis08 appears! ihatechewis08 used Troll! It's not very effective...

Difficulty level confirmed.

You really need to stop already.

Ahh, now I've figured out the discrepancy between your posts and the real world......you haven't actually met a girl have you? Now, relatives and "internet friends" don't count. Surely, once you've met some of the quality young women who march in most corps you'll have a better understanding of how ridiculous your posts are.

And also, I think the Blue Devils are the most fit drum corps. They only gain between 5-20 pounds over the course of the season! With all the beer and food cravings (for obvious west coast reasons), they should at least gain 25 pounds.

I don't care for Academy's new uniforms. Too much black and plastic looking for me... First public picture of the new Academy uniform!

God help them if it is '93 Glassmen

No instrument is a metaphor for what drum corps is all about. Drum corps isn't really about instruments at all; they're just the vehicle, a means to an end. And like a vehicle, once outdated, corps will buy a new model. No single instrument captures the essence of what drum corps is to members today.

Am I going to say anything bad? Phantom Regiment played several encore songs before playing the 11 minute 2011 program. The color guard did not dress for the concert. They were all there for support The corps did not wear their helmets. Good call as it was still 92 degrees. It's hard to tell how each horn section did. They were packed together. About half way thru the program I thought a couple horns started on the wrong count but maybe it is part of the show. Will see on Sunday. Percussion is featured throughout the show. Seeing they are a 100% new group, I think they sounded amazingly good. Not the traditional PR percussion sound. There are 8 snares, I think. 16 contra tubas! The pit,also 100% new members, flew across the pit apparatuses. And, yes, we do have a synth but it is not featured as far as I could hear. Horns played softly and then with volume but waiting for the on the field production to see if they can play and march. Percussion has solos. Pit has solos. So please don't tell me that the program is incomplete when you see it. Can't wait for dress rehearsal on Sunday night! GO PHANTOM REGIMENT!

That opener has me nostalgic for Luther Vandross, which is a very, very good thing -- worth 5 dollars in itself. And a nice rejoinder to last year's critics, too, done in the best possible way: not a blog post or defensive comments on DCP, but instead, a stellar follow-up show the next year. I can't wait. I bet we'll see some classic high tosses and great movement from that guard during 'Say a Little Prayer,' too. Also during the opener. And I can only imagine what crazy costumes Scott Chandler's going to think up this year... I wonder if this show will be prop-free? (Doubt it. But I don't mind -- never did.) The rest of the show seems like a good foundation for great program -- lots of filling out they'll probably do, as you can sort of tell it needs a bit more shape. Of course... I'm sure we'll be seeing complaints about choppiness, musical arrangements, etc. before long, but then, you can't please everyone. I bet this'll be one of those "I don't care if they win because they've gone out of their way to remind me of why I fell in love with them to begin with" years for BD fans. So excited -- for all the corps, actually. This is going to be such a fun season.

if you ignore it, it will take care of itself in satisfactory manner soon enough.

At the Premiere on Sunday they performed 11 minutes of their show. The staff mentioned they finished learning the drill that morning, but did not get to put it all together during the ensemble that preceeded the Premiere. So I think it is safe to say the Blue Stars will have a complete show at Saginaw.

Didn't the cream team move in a week later than the maroon and gold team? Bad comparison as the Cadets still rehearsed until after 6 that day anyways. Although to your credit, Crownband is improving by an incredible amount on the angles of their arms with the rock on signs. Really looks like theyre having fun at least!

A couple of things... I'm very much not advocating some kind of rule outlawing timpani in DCI if you got that impression. I'm certain there are many excellent players and students out there willing to learn. And I'm also agreeing that learning timpani would be good preparation for college. The disconnect is the fact that these kids aren't showing up. Often times the timpani player is a cut from the snare line who decided to try timpani since nobody else showed up to audition for the spot. A little history of the front ensemble... back in the 90's there were many drum corps who would not have a 'timpani spot' in the pit. It was much more common that front ensemble members would switch instruments between songs. However, nowadays pretty much every drum corps has their members stay on one instrument the whole show. The reason for this is because each instrument requires specific techniques and over the course of the summer you can get the front ensemble to a much higher level than if, for example, students had to divide their day between learning vibe specific techniques and marimba specific techniques. Obviously, if drum corps were all about making people the best percussionists possible, this model is terrible. Boston Crusaders are a notable example of this last year in which they switched off who was playing timpani. However, again, this was probably because they couldn't find a dedicated timpanist to fill the spot. In my opinion drum corps is about providing the students with the best experience possible. If you have 5 mallet players who have been playing mallets for a minimum of four years, a drum set player who has been playing drum set for 6 years, a keyboard player who has been playing piano for 12+ years, and one timpanist who has been playing timpani for 3 months, should a drum corps keep that timpani spot just for tradition's sake? Or for the percussion education of that one student? This is a very real scenario for open class corps. My only argument is that we're at a point where drum corps are now free to choose whether or not having a timpani spot will contribute to the overall success of the drum corps. I should point out that carolina crown's timpanist didn't go to BD because crown axed their timpani spot... it was more like the other way around. I don't think there's anything wrong with that but I support crown's choice not to write for a spot they weren't sure they could get the talent for.

Ha! Zing!

I hate when so called drum corps nuts must add as part of their post, a large image that takes up the space of three normal posts. But thats just me..................

I guess I am confused. Here all this time, a few seasons and thousands of dollars later paying for my kid to march, I thought that drum corps was ******not***** about making excuses, cutting corners, or short-changing students who want to jump for the brass ring. The timpani are an incredibly difficult instrument to learn, play, drag around, tune and most of all, pay for- agreed. But, it is sad to see so many be so willing to just wave this instrument off because it is "difficult" to find good players. There are, believe it or not, still kids out there who not only WANT to play this instrument, but teachers willing to teach them, and people willing to mentor. The statement that this is still a requirement to get into most college percussion programs is very accurate. Timpani is a unique instrument that requires a lot of skill, talent, patience and very hard work. And silly me, here I've sat a drum corps fan/parent all these years thinking that these traits were what drum corps was all about. Thanks for correcting that perception today. To me, timpani is the metaphor of what drum corps is all about today. < /sopabox>

I would have to disagree with you. There have been more demanding timpani parts written for wind ensemble/concert band literature in the past 10-15 years than at any other time.

Yeah, pretty much girls shouldn't be in drum corps. They can't take it. Plus they have cooties. This has to be one of the best FAIL posts I've ever read, ihate. Until men start having babies, you will NEVER convince me that girls lack mental strength. Who survived in the Donner Party? The Girls, that's who. It's the girls who have the mental strength, son. The boys wimp out.

Going waaayyyy out on a limb, I'm going to say United States Marine Coprs. You tell them that they're fat.

:spitting: can't believe I even signed on. Back into the darkness I go.

I'd say cavaliers and cadets For one, i know that cavaliers usually have the least injuries in drum corps (from what ive heard). I think part of the reason for that is because of how in shape their members are. I think they choose the more athletic looking members who they think can handle their drill. Isn't that why most people want to go to that corps? To march intense drill? Plus, How often do you see a fat cavalier? Really? You can just tell by looking at The Cadets that get their butts kicked. Usually by their silent intesity and tired faces. So you have to have some endurance for that corps.

Things that I saw in Bloomington this weekend. The show is coming along nicely. They learned 50 pages this weekend , I think that puts them up to about 170 pages . Talk about hallin' *** (220 bpm ) !!!! I saw all the work that has been done on the Vol. bus , talk about nice !!! I got to see all the new drums and pit equipment. I saw most of the guard work for 3/4 of the show , I was speechless !!! I saw alot of dirty pots and pans. I got to see our new sports med. lady work on all the guy's that are banged up, ( and 1 instructor ). Overall I have saw a MUCH improved corps at every level .

Link to Article

Thank you BD for making this available. After a couple of listens I can say this is easily going to be my favorite BD show since 2007. Interesting that at least 2 of the last year's top 3 are starting their shows with piano and a ballad.

I like them better than early 90s glassmen unis

...and easy to keep clean. Just a damp sponge.......

There once was a little corps from Saginaw Michigan who did that in 1987. There once was a big corps in 1985 from Casper Wyoming who did it as well. Doesn't matter if it's original or not ... it just matters if it's great. ALL OF DRUM CORPS IS JUST A RECYCLED VERSION OF SOMETHING THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. period.

Heck...I'll be there! Bring on the heat--I'm still trying to thaw out from such a cold winter. You are so right that the elderly love Phantom. I know that at previous Sinnissippi park concerts the corps actually had to hire bouncers because of some of us perky old ladies were standing up towards the stage and flirting with the snare line. I must admit that I had a few too many gin and tonics that year and when I got back to the home I realized I didn't have my bra. That's the year they played Spartacus and I guess I just got too wrapped up in the excitement. The only thing I know is that was my lucky bra which explains their championship. This year I swore off juice for this event for fear that I would lose self-control and embarrass myself. With the heat that's expected tonight, I suppose I'll be wearing my long bill bonnet and my leopard print bikini. If you're there keep an eye open for me. Just remember that Elanore is the one with the tan and I'm the one who got my tanning bed privileges taken away from me at the home (that's another long story).

I think the fans are the most fit of the drum corps world followed closely by the directors of the corps, now pass me the nachos and another couple of dogs *Burp* I think my shoes just became un-Velcroed

.........yesterday my life was filled with rain, Sunny, you smiled at me and really eased the pain. Now the dark days are gone and the bright days are here my sunny one shines so sincere, Sunny.....

From experience working and touring with the Colts for a number of summers in the 1990's, I've observed that there is a surprisingly large community of drum corps savvy people in Iowa. There are also many good people in Iowa eager and willing to step up in a time of crisis to help a neighbor or a busload of kids belonging to people they have never met. I am relieved beyond measure that no one was injured too seriously in what looked like a very frightening accident and, in looking for any silver lining possible, I would imagine that there are a number of Iowans..... perhaps even some Colts parents..... stepping up to offer whatever help they can.

Its okay, my younger marching friend. I once marched in one of those easier shows as well, and thought at the time that it was one of the hardest things I had ever done, which it was...before I moved on to a larger, more competitive corps and realized that there was another level. Take this for example - The area in which I live has many students that start at the Jersey Surf and eventually make their way to corps like Carolina Crown, Cadets, and Blue Devils. I am sure that the marchers feel that their show at Surf is very hard, up until they march at an incredible level with one of these three upper echelon drum corps. I am not sure if you have aged out, but I would recommend looking into the difficulty level of the top corps, as it will probably blow your mind!

Its okay, my younger marching friend. I once marched in one of those easier shows as well, and thought at the time that it was one of the hardest things I had ever done, which it was...before I moved on to a larger, more competitive corps and realized that there was another level. Take this for example - The area in which I live has many students that start at the Jersey Surf and eventually make their way to corps like Carolina Crown, Cadets, and Blue Devils. I am sure that the marchers feel that their show at Surf is very hard, up until they march at an incredible level with one of these three upper echelon drum corps. I am not sure if you have aged out, but I would recommend looking into the difficulty level of the top corps, as it will probably blow your mind!

'91 SCV's chopper effect is still the coolest thing I've ever heard on a field.

what about some of the lower level corps? i've heard that their staffs run them ragged and feed them next to nothing...

many of those that booed didn't feel they were wrong either.

don't feed the trolls folks, please.

For the price of buying the cheapest set of fiberglass timpani on the market, I can almost get three marimbas for my group. That alone makes it a hard sell for me. Also, it is a lot easier to find a decent bass guitarist than a good timpanist.

Just got home from work and read this. Haven't read all the posts. My thoughts and prayers to the Troopers and I am so glad that everyones doing well under the circumstances. It's every drivers nightmare that something like this could happen. Kudos to the driver of that bus for doing so well. Really. The force behind a blowout and the weight of the bus could have caused something much worse. I'm sure he did the best he could to keep it under control to minimize the damage. Hope he gets back on that horse... Considering the thousands and thousands of miles that Corps travel every season, we are very lucky that stuff like this happens only rarely . That in itself speaks for the expertise of most of the Corps Drivers. It speaks for the love of "their" kids and the desire to keep them safe. So keep everyone in your prayers guys. Not only for the Troopers but for everyone who is about to hit the road.

Hmmm... your opinion is noted (like everyone else's). If groups have members who decided their season is over because of a handful of people online guessing at where things will end up, then maybe this activity is too tough for them. Honestly, I were a member and people counted my group out, I would be more fired up to prove them wrong. Playing the dark horse is more fun than the "chosen child." Personally, I think it is pointless to make a "prediction" after the competition. You don't have to make a prediction... so we will continue having fun. To be honest, the main reason I started this thread was to bring a little life to the forum. It was getting a little boring around here. I will be sure to take away the comment that was in my original post that said "if you are not ranked first in someone's prediction, give up now." - Sorry for the rant... and I probably should not have responded.

As my soccer coach use to say, it doen't make any sense to teach you certain plays if you cannot last 90 minutes, If a corps member runs out of gas at minute 9, he/she cannot have a stong show ending. Running makes the difference, a corps that doesn't run.....doesn't finish well.

I'm not arguing that you are stating something that is false because I'm sure it does happen; however, it's pretty obvious that a lot of corps do NOT cut based solely on body type and appearance. One has to wonder how many injuries over the last few years have been due to a lack of physical conditioning in the off the season. I can imagine that some corps cut applicants who are clearly not taking off-season physical training seriously enough to make them ready for what the designers are putting together.

The real question is... How many World Class corps cut individuals not based on musical or visual prowess but based on body type and appearance? It happens...

I have no idea...I think probably all of the WC corp staff have their marchers doing at least some demanding physical training...last year with the Blue Stars, I remember watching the brass instructor make the trumpets run around in a circle for a good 30 seconds, then make them pick up their horns on the spot and begin a section of the music. And I imagine rehearsing a show sun up til sun down every day for 3 months in 90-100 heat will make anyone physically fit...

I think the number of sets you have directly correlates to the difficulty of the drill. For example, some corps like The Cadets have 200+ pages while corps like BD have closer to 92 pages for the entire show. Now look at BDs follow the leader/scatter form drill and tell me it's hard.

In 2006 after finals when Phantom Regiment got second place and they played Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral for The Cavaliers, the 2006 Champs. Look it up on Youtube. Super duper classy.

You really should consider watching DVDs instead. This sounds like you don't like being around people.