Leaderboard

I'm guessing they will recruit members, write a show, have tryouts and practices during the winter and field a corps which will perform during the summer just like they do every year.

Shout out to my 1988 Scout brothers in the pit ~front ensemble~ They got dragged out onto the field and were beat into shape by Todd Ryan and marched the end of Malaguena~ 12 killer cymbals, High Mark time, the center of all the forms, excellent feet and all~

Bahaha right. There's a reason Crown's hornline still won the Jim Ott every night even though the corps went on 4th to last...pure talent top to bottom in the brass section coupled with unrivaled arranging and a tech staff that just doesn't accept anything other than perfection. That Cadets hornline couldn't touch Crown's...there's truly just no comparison.

Drum corps is marching band.

Madison 75

If you wish to thank Michael Gaines for the excitement he's brought to the activity, today would be a good day to do so. According to Facebook, today is his birthday.

Oddly enough, the 'title' of their home page on the top of my browser says, "The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps." Also, when you click, "about Cadets" you get a myriad of uses of 'drum and bugle corps, such as Also an entire section called What is Drum and Bugle Corps? and mentions drums corps in the first few words of the section What are the Benefits to the Performers: Oh, and in the section How Can I Learn More, it says, So yeah, PLENTY of drum corps references: no need to needlessly stir the hornet's nest...

Glassmen, easily.

Who is your favorite DCI front ensemble? Do you have a different favorite pit every summer or are you faithful to one particular group? What do you like about that ensemble? DCP doesn't talk about the PIT enough, they are a HUGE and growing part of DCI. Let's get this going.. I'll start, Carolina Crown (in my opinion) has one of the best front ensembles ever. Yes, I am aware that they hit the poo out of their boards.. but they look and sound GREAT. However, I do appreciate other pits as well.. I love me some cavies and bluecoats but crown is always my favorite.

I would never bash another corps......but this has to be said. I'm all for Crown winning the Brass title this season, but did anyone else notice that they didn't move that much? Yes, they did jazz running. But did you see them actually play like that on the move? All their hardest music was played while they stood still and posed. I think maybe lessen up the dancing a bit for next season and actually march? I will use the Cadets as an example. Challenging music right? How many times did you see them stop moving? Exactly. I will however give major props to the Crown guard. They were running & working up a storm in the opener this year. Like I said, my opinion.

SCV will pass Phantom. Bluecoats will not faceplant as hard as some would like. Glassmen with effective arranger = finals. People will complain about Richard Hinshaw not being Michael Gaines.

Marching: 1) to move along steadily usually with a rhythmic stride and in step with others; 2) to move in a direct purposeful manner; 3) to make steady progress. Question: Does this describe all units involved in DCI? Yep! Band: 1) a group of persons or things; 2) a group of musicians organized for ensemble playing. Question: Does this also describe all units involved in DCI? Yep! Since the answer to both questions is Yep, then by definition, all units involved in DCI are... wait for it... Marching Bands!!!

2001 Glassmen ("IMAGO") is DCI.org Download of the Week

Well, classical dance technique is usually considered BALLET, which has been used very much on the drum corps field. Jazz running is used mostly because it is a technique to clear a larger than usual amount of space in a short amount of time. Guards were the first to implement it, then it shifted to hornlines when drill velocity and step sizes increased in the 80s. And before you look for other techniques, Phantom used tap in '05, with their Gershwin show. And contemporary dance has been used pretty extensively since Star '93. (Dating a girl who's danced her whole life pays off when it comes to DCI stuff. ;)

General predictions that very well may change in a few months: -SCV passing Phantom -The Cavaliers not medaling (as much as it hurts to say! :( ) -SCV medaling -SCV taking percussion -The Academy in Finals -Madison higher than 10th

Historically speaking, the Blue Devils have never lost the year after losing a potential threepeat, and I don't see that changing this year.

I thought it was in reference to President John F. Kennedy going to Garfield, NJ and stating, "Ich bin Cadet." (His speechwriters had originally written, "Ich bin ein Cadet," but they were still smarting over the popular misconception about the Berlin speech having something to do with doughnuts.)

IBC

The plans for 2012 are still in the works. Watch for staff and program announcements in the coming weeks. A lot of people have reached out to the corps over the past year and offered to help in a variety of ways. The biggest thing is trying to piece all of those people together in a way that is actually beneficial to the corps (i.e. consistent staff on tour, at camps, etc...). We also asked for program ideas from our members, fans and followers and have a lot of great ideas that have been submitted. We're still working through those as we try to prepare a program for our 51st season. The corps received a lot of positive feedback about our 2011 production and we're happy to report that many of the vets from last year are returning for 2012. Recruiting is in full force throughout the upper midwest (Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana) as we look to build off of last year. We're seeing a lot of activity coming in through the website and have been in touch with every single one of these people who are looking for a place to march. First Camp: November 18 to 20 Cudahy High School 4950 S Lake Drive Cudahy, Wisconsin 53110 Click Here for Info and to RSVP

Wow. I distinctly remember them wearing black unis with the red shoulder overlays to coincide with the Pines of Rome theme that year... especially since '98 was my first season and we beat them :) Walking through the warmup area at the Toledo Glass Bowl and 'getting' to walk by Regiment, Madison, and Cavaliers on the way to warm up for MY first show was pretty epic. But they definitely wore black in '98. Maybe Pioneer wore black in '97

Andy, your proposal has some upsides, for sure. But the downside that comes to mind for me... as someone on the DCA show staff for Finals.... is that it might keep people either 1) from attending Finals, or 2) from arriving there later, if they already have tickets... since the "time window" between the end of the Alumni show and the start of Finals is pretty short. The corps on early at Finals.... in particular the Class A corps... I'm sure would like to see an audience in front of them. Regardless of what any of us might think... and this is not a knock at all on the mini-corps or alumni corps, who are wonderful and definitely worth seeing... but the "main events" of DCA weekend, for all intents and purposes, are the Prelims and Finals.

(Enters the minefield): This just in: There is no conspiracy (nor was there ever) to keep a corps (or corps) from the top ten of DCA. Ohio Brass simply wasn't good enough to make the cut, in the four years the corps competed. Steel City didn't win in 1986 because Bush had a monster drumline. Kilties made the top ten this year, because they earned it.

I personally was very interested in seeing what their next four posts between now and September 2013 would be. Now we may never know. And that, sadly, is something I'll reluctantly carry in my tortured soul the rest of my life.

Leave it to DCP to turn a great honor for drum corps into an argument. Geez.

Well...I would hardly describe this as bothering me. However, since you asked......what constitutes difficulty vs what is the most effective performance of the material is the question. Quality of design is about the dynamics, flow and quality of the performance both visually and musically. In short, difficult does not mean good, it just means difficult. Being an old rock drummer, I always studied the masters of the trap set and the "best" (IMO) were always the ones that put just the right stuff where it was needed for the production, not the drummers who were unapproachable soloists. So my comment on the treadmill highlighted the absurdity of defining a brass line based on difficulty. Is it a factor? Of course, but the park and bark is part of the show design, meant for a particular emphasis, and not to make something easier to play. That is the inference with some on here, and it just isn't so. Also, suggesting a corps is purposefully masking "ease" through slight of hand by having other parts of the corps do difficult drill symultaniously is again ignoring the intent of the design. So which is better? Simple gifts played wonderfully, balanced and emotionally in an parallel approaching company front.....or.....simple gifts played wonderfully, balanced and emotionally....running backwards?

In 2012, Pioneer will march 15 snares, two tenors, no basses, 20 plates, and 3 pit. Their hornline, of 18, will have to double as guard.

Did this not bother anyone else that we haven't seen the OP since the original post?

Absolutely. The beginning of Regiment's '07 show is on my short list not only of favorite front ensemble moments, but my favorite drum corps moments.

I totally agree. Phantom's/Vanguard's ensembles under her direction sounded absolutely beautiful!

SCV!

And in other breaking news, World War II is over.

You know what gets me about responses such as this? That the acceptance or rejection of an OPINION (by some) depends on someone qualifying their ability to offer an OPINION based on their corps experience. Is there some expected level of experience that is required to reach for an opiono to be accepted? Really? Is there a certain quality of resume' required? Give us a break. It is a persons opinion and, in this instance, is based on observation. Yeah, their "conclusion" is based on observation but I see nothing wrong with it and it is completely within their right to present it. It is self-evident to that particular poster. The poster was only asking if anyone else had a similar observation. Nothing really judgemental about it and it really didn't come across as bashing as they feared. I agree that moving while playing a difficult passage may take away from the music but at this level of drum corps, however, a corps at this level (top 5) SHOULD be able to move and play (difficult drill and music) with equal high levels of performance. If you don't and someone else does, you should not be rewarded equally. All that being said, I don't believe you are owed an explanation of the posters conclusions. The post says it sufficiently. In my opinion.

Well...you couldn't really use BD as the example

I'm a guard girl and even I think tilted snares look bad. Always!

As irritating as it is to see that , it serves as a good reminder to avoid over-hyping a product and instead, let the product speak for itself!

Madison is the new Madison, Madison is the old Madison and Madison is the the future Madison. 2012 will be year #74 that Madison is Madison.

Why? Because there is no room up the ladder. Cadets- No, They have Sacktig Devils- NFW! But, I would love to see devils do that much marching. Cavies- Just left there. Crown- That would be interesting! But, their team is set. Everybody else is below the ladder

Next on DCI's headlines: "Vanguard would like to welcome Michael Gaines to their 2012 visual staff..." (take this lightly)

I'm betting the Vanguard will be making an announcement in the near future!

About 3-4 years ago I mentioned the Music of Burt Bacharach to David...I guess that will have to wait a few years now.

Phantom Regiment will stick with Classic roots and stage the entire opera of "Tannhauser" within 12 minutes. This will win the hearts of fans and every drum major will die come the closer.

Either Colts or The Academy will make finals. I've noticed a trend recently that the previous years 15th or 16th place corps always makes finals. Madison Scouts 2007: 15 2008: 12 Troopers 2008: 16 2009: 12 Madison Scouts 2009: 15 2010: 10 Spirit 2010: 16 2011: 12 JUST SAYIN'

Since this is just for FUN... here goes. 1. Cadets 2. Phantom 3. Devils 4. SCV 5. Cavaliers 6. Crown 7. Scouts 8. Boston 9. Coats 10. Spirit 11. Blue Stars 12. Crossmen

I agree. Vanguard taking Percussion in 2012. 2004 was quite some time ago. SCV needs their 11th Percussion title so they can tie with BD! I totally think they can do it! :)

(Wild) Predictions: -Phantom Regiment will play "Romeo" -The drumline of SCV gets used to Paul Rennick and takes top percussion next year -Bluecoats will probably drop the Metropolis-esque themes and do something like Imagine or Criminal -Blue Stars will NOT have a gigantic prop that impedes movement (and will hopefully use their aggressive books to an advantage) -Blue Devils will do a "weird" show next year -Cadets will use their split uniforms in some way next year (some members with maroon pants and white tops??)

I've always felt that marching cymbals served a good purpose (not just musically). A lot of kids got their start in perc lines by playing the plates. I guess that you could call it "baptism by fire". Today many corps prefer to throw them in the pit, which might be a mistake. I've known many good snare drummers who emerged from cymbal lines.

cymbal lines aren't dead.... better than ever actually...zildjian.com A reason why there aren't a lot of outdoor lines on the circuit is cause it's one of the most physically challenging instruments on the field. Problem with cymbal lines are your cymbal line is either smokin clean or a polished warm turd that just can't get there. There is no in between.

I didn't read the whole thread, but here's my input. Cymbal lines don't exist because there aren't quality instructors out there. I'm not sure who work with SCV, but whoever it is, is a GOD. Pepper from Madison/Pioneer do really good things. Colts have a pretty consistent cymbal line, but I think it's has lacked in the last few years. All the cymbals players now-a-days have a indoor background, which isn't bad, but outdoor and indoor cymbal playing is different. Indoor you can get away with more textures that will speak because of acoustics. Out door writers limit the cymbal book to crashes and chokes with very few other colors. You can get a lot from an well staged cymbal line. I like flash and ripples, but there are a variety of textures you can get outdoors that I don't think they are explored much. This is my thoughts, take them as you may.

Since the majority of you die hard drum corps fans come into the stadium just to watch the last few corps, you are never around to see the Academy, if you came in earlier, I'm sure you would notice their cymbal line.

What if Cadets marched a 4-person cymbal line instead of having 2 narrators and 2 lip-synchers?