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From their website. Although the details are still being finalized, the design team has settled on preliminary source music from (but not limited to) the following selections: Ottorino Respighi - Pines of Rome Ottorino Respighi - War Dance from Belkis Queen of Sheba Zbigniew Preisner - Lacrimosa from Requiem for my friend Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 1 (Titan) These pieces will form the basis of a production with the working title of "The Titans" (This announcement was made to members of the 2011 Crusader Club prior to the public announcement - just one of the perks of joining the Crusader Club! Details on how to join the 2012 Crusader Club will be available in the next few months.) "This show allows Boston to continue to be Boston," commented Program Coordinator Brian Murphy. "We will bring an emotional, strong and aggressive production to the field in an accessible package." The Crusaders begin rehearsals November 19 with the auditions in MA, followed by TX and then a full weekend in Florida November 25-27. Fill out an application here.

The corps members seem quite thrilled with this concept. Several of them posted various orchestral recordings of this source material on FB yesterday, and it was slow here at work so I got the chance to listen to much of it. I am old enough where it did evoke some memories of Cavies and Star, both of whom did great work with the Pines of Rome material 25 years ago. Then, it occurred to me that none of these current corps members were even born when these corps did their take on it (now I feel old..again...lol). I do think that Boston is really making a effort to walk the tightrope of effective programming...that is, selecting literature which is substantial if not historic while still finding melody which is engaging to the fans. If you look at 2009,10,11, and this year as well, that really seems to be the focus. With huge numbers of returning vets in the hornline, this should bode well for BAC in 2012. Good luck guys!

32 WEEKS TIL DRUM CORPS SEASON!

I'm sure most of you guys have heard of the Chase Community Giving program. If you haven't, basically it's where a bunch of charities/non-profits are in the running for large donations from Chase Bank. You can vote over Facebook, and the groups with the most votes receive donations. If you haven't already heard on Facebook, The Academy and Crossmen are in the running this time, so make sure you vote for them! You can vote on Facebook, or I'm sure there's a way to do it online elsewhere. Every vote counts!

An hour or less from home for me. Sweet!!!!

The DCI Video dept wanted to mention to the rabid fanbase that the 2007 ATL, San Antonio, and Indy regional shows are reposted to TFN. Enjoy.

Lot's of enjoyable shows that year: Just some of the highlights for me: Blue Devils- Opener and Drum Feature Bluecoats- Smooth Criminal, and "Laser" Security system Crown- "...and down the stretch they come..." Phantom- Underrated hornline SCV- Percussion book *Also, the crowd reaction to BD and SCV since it was in California, and the emotion with which those kids performed that night was AMAZING!!!

A better solution would have been to play the audio with a photo slide show from the performance. The audio and video aren't synced so there wouldn't be a problem with the rights. You still would get a sense of what was going on in the show.

This looks like a fine show, Jim. Thanks to Hanover for taking over this date. Combine this with the Dixie Stinger and our indoor spring is pretty much taken care of. Thanks again.

Cavies. Sooooo much. I've watched that show soo many times, and it still blows my mind. I enjoyed a lot of shows - Academy, Coats, SCV, Cadets. Phantom wasn't my favorite... but I'm also not that much of a Phantom fan in general, with the exception of 2008. I loved the first few parts of Crown, especially the horn parts in Paint It Black and the opening hit of the show. Other than those and the closer, though, it wasn't mind blowing. Still... Sorry to use this pun, but it was simply an XtroardinarY show. The drum book was amazing, for one thing.

Ray, You can come and stay at my house and I'll drive to Bayonne. How's that? But I'll need to stay far away from the cooler !!!

Charlie , you can pick me up for a change . The cooler is ready and filled. Ray Williamson

Where did you get your tracking number?

Possibly, or maybe it is just that the older stuff was just better and more entertaining!?!?!

Dennis Morris, long timed New York Federation Judge and frequent visual arranger/instructor for drum corps and winterguards was elected County Judge for Schuyler County (Watkins Glen) NY. He performed for a number of corps and wrote drill for Rochester Crusaders among many others. Dennis, a lawyer, current county attorney and past employee of the District Attorney's office there ran against the current DA and is part of the Watkins Glen Squires "mafia" (oops, maybe I shouldn't use that term now?) that includes Steve Rondinaro, The Calhoun Family, Judd Spena and many more great drum corps people. He learned the drum corps ropes working under Hardy Carrasas, 2011 inductee into the world drum corps hall of fame and has judged for both DCA and DCI and just about everyone else in the activity (band and winterguard)... The fantastic part of this whole affair is that Dennis, a Republican, lost the primary and ran anyway as an independent. I read that as a third party candidate, his election was someplace between improbable and a miracle and that it was primarily due to the efforts of all his drum corps friends and Squires Alumni... Now how cool is that? All I can say is don't break the law in Watkins Glen. Congratulations Your Honor!

It isn't embellishing when you simply state the FACT that he started at 3 in the C corps and had 19 years in the org...as listed on his own listing on the alumni roster. Please point out where any embellishing was done...

That was me, and yeah, you do.

Was that 3 year old a member of a Blue Devils corps? Yes. He was a member. Period. The end.

Nice. I think Boston in recent years has handled fairly weighty music very well. Mike

BAC just announced their 2012 named 'Titan' Below are some of the selections Pines of Rome (Respighi) War Dance from Belkis Queen of Sheba (Respighi) Lacrimosa from Requiem for a Freind (Preisner) Symphone #1 (Titan) (Mahler) Sounds like a good match for BAC. I think Cavaliers played 'Belkis' in 1994. Great peice. I assume they will put their own spin on 'Pines' just like they did last year with 'Le Miz' and '1812. It's great to see more of a stronger identity developing from BAC the past several years. With a new arranger for 2012 it should be interesting.

If you really knew the BD organization, you'd know that they are upfront and honest about who has, and has not marched in their organization. In fact, I know for certain, that just because your name is Odello, does not guarantee you a spot in BD. You've got to earn it like everyone else. Andrew is the real deal. FYI - it was his grandparents that started the entire organization. His Dad Rick, marched snare and wrote the book (along with Terry Shalberg) and taught in 1976 +, and now manages the three-peat "B" corps.

Actually, it looks to me like you're the only one that has a problem with this. Was he told what to do? Probably. However, I seem to remember being told what to do when I marched. Even when I was with the Renegades. What it comes down to is this, his name is on the roster, yeah? That's all I need.

NOW it is....but when he was a young'un it might've been different. Here's Andrew's listing from the BD roster:" 2011 A Corps – Snare 2010 A Corps – Snare 2009 A Corps – Snare 2008 A Corps – Bass 2007 A Corps – Snare 2006 B Corps – Bass 2005 B Corps – Bass 2004 B Corps – Bass 2003 B Corps – Bass 2002 C Corps – Snare 2001 C Corps – Snare 2000 C Corps – Snare 1999 C Corps – Snare 1998 C Corps – Snare 1997 C Corps – Snare 1996 C Corps – Snare 1995 C Corps – Snare 1994 C Corps – Snare 1993 C Corps – Cymbals Looks like 19 years to me...as a performing member.

They do it every year. BDC is open to enrollment as young as three years old. Have you ever seen them perform? They're great to watch, and they have little kids out there carrying trumpets and flags as young as 3.

Glassmen pit is very under-rated. I am also a big fan of the Crossmen 94 pit. Why else would DCI do a feature on them during the finals telecast?

Yes; trebuchets. They could be employed to send members of the corps into the audience at the end of a show.

Why yes, yes they have

I liked it before I marched, when I marched and still today I love this activity! I think that, lately< corps are starting to become more entertaining for the fans and I hope that DCI continues to tell the corps to be more entertaining. Vince Bruni had it right with the Empire Statesmen and year after year they entertain the fans. They put out a show that caters to the fans...and if they win? More the better! Love to see these "dark" shows go away and bring back entertaining shows, music that we can whistle/hum to as we leave the stadium.

Sounds like a great show

Sorry, having a hard time believing that a child "marched" at 2 years old. I can buy that he was dressed in a little-bitty uniform and was cute as a dickens....but marched? My brother marched at 5 years old (he was a cymbal player....he crashed when someone pointed at him) so I know young kids can sort of march....but 2? It's hard to get a group of 2 year olds to stand still together to get their picture taken! Never mind march.

2, 3...doesn't change anything. I have no doubt he was adorable all dressed up....but marched? Hard to imagine.

I have....actually my first corps was very much like it (I mentioned my brother marching at 5...and even calling that marching is stretching it). But at 3 they're holding something and standing where they're told (you hope)....to compare that to marching is disingenuous. Heck, it's not uncommon for 3 year-olds to not be fully potty trained yet. Like I said, I'm sure he looked adorable in his little-bitty uniform and all, but... It's great the young man had the opportunity to march for the majority of his life and with such an accomplished organization....but isn't the truth impressive enough? Why stretch it?

Well if it says cymbal next to his name, of course it's impossible that as a 3 year-old, he stood where he was told holding cymbals and looking adorable Sorry, I've met to many three-year-olds. I can't believe folks are arguing this...have you never met a three-year-old before? Y'all can believe whatever your little heart desires, I'm out. 'night folks.

Geez! Once and for all, I never said he didn't march ever. I didn't say that his family weren't true-blue Devils. I said that saying that a 3-year-old marched is disingenuous at best and that I'm sure he was adorable when he was dressed in his little tiny costume. I stand by that. And it's not that I have a problem (as someone stated above) it just seems that when someone has such an amazing marching career.... embellishing it does nothing but diminish his true accomplishments.