Leaderboard

Not to rehash the old "sync rights" discussion......... but most of the complaints surrounding the various cuts and omissions from the 2011 DVD's, Blue-Rays and Fan Network videos were directed at DCI for not being upfront about the situation..........bait-and-switch........buy our products, don't miss a thing, OOPS! So, today I see that they are promoting their own 2011 Finals Clips package on YouTube and what is the new advertisement front-and-center on the official DCI website? Don't forget that all of these corps' complete performances are available on DVD and/or Blu-ray disc. Among the most requested items on drum corps fans' wish lists for the 2011 holiday season, be sure to pick up your copies today at store.DCI.org. "COMPLETE" ? Seriously??? With all the negative feedback, this is the best they can do???

Most ab muscles: cavaliers bass drums. Most likely to win So You Think You Can Dance?: Bluecoats' hornline Most capable of winning martial arts tournaments with Bo staff skills: The Cadets Most medalists in the next season of track meets: Santa Clara Track & Fie--I mean, Vanguard. Most Improved: Spirit Most ear piercing trumpet screamers: tie, Madison and Blue Devils. Most 'tude: Tie, Crown and Bluecoats. Most Fan/mainstream friendly: Tie, Crossmen and Crown

Most surprised that I enjoyed the show: Carolina Crown. At first glance I assumed you’d be too over the top. I even had my mind made up that I’d be disappointed, believing that “Bohemian Rhapsody” belonged to Madison, but the opening chords blew me away and I was riveted from that point on. Corps that made me most proud: Boston Crusaders. I’ve followed you longer than any existing DCI corps. Even in your lean years you’ve never let your fans down, and this year’s show reminded so many of us why we love you. Most robbed: Phantom Regiment and Carolina Crown. You both should have placed higher. Most sentimental corps: Troopers. Saw you first at the CYO Nationals in 1976 and have loved you ever since. Though I had to see you on a movie screen since Boston was not in your tour plans last year (or this year for that matter), as soon as you took the field all kinds of memories surfaced. Most enthusiastic corps: Carolina Crown. They love performing “Rach Star” and they loved their audiences. Most happy to see compete: Madison Scouts. Kind of wish “New York New York” was closer to 1977’s, but “Empire State of Mind” had all the makings of a Madison classic, and anytime I see you live you always make the show worthwhile. Most complicated show: The Cadets. Saw you in Lawrence a week before finals, and everyone predicted that if the show was perfected, no one could beat it. You perfected it. Corps from 2011 that I’d most like to see make the top 12 for the first time next year: the Academy. I only saw you via computer last year, but I was impressed and I’m hoping for bigger and better things next year.

Most amazing & beautiful ballad: Santa Clara Vanguard

well, the simple answer is: because the administration doesn't care.

You asked, so ... I think you're being too sensitive. These are as complete as permitted by law. I don't think DCI has to explain itself further in this case. HH

I'm assuming he's thinking they'll change as, as you know, they have changed every year since 2005. Mike

Most dissed on DCP - Pioneer/BD

Best Colorguard Sequence: The Rockford File - Phantom Regiment

Most emotional response from the crowd- madison Most entertaining shoow- crown Most disappointing season- blue stars (sorry but true), and glassmen Most improved- Spirit, runner up is Boston

I'd really like to see Madison go with long sleeves and add a little red to the sash/hat band....and maybe lengthen the sash so it goes over the belt rather than being tucked into the belt which has always looked weird to me.

shouldn't that be 'will DCI EVER learn' ??? hehe, sorry. but yeah... they should figure it out

Tim, if hopkins changes the uniforms again I think the alumni association might have a stroke.

Most awesome closer - Madison Most crowd response - Madison's closer Most everything - Cadets! Most improved corps - Crossmen!

Boston soloist (Charlie) was the best last year and brought out many emotion as well. Just a wonderful player in all respects. Have a great holiday.

Yes-most improved: Spirit! Most breath control: baritone soloist for Boston

Most unique colorguard....The Cavaliers

Blue Devils are switching to green uniforms. Confirmed.

they should just go back to that for another 14 years lol.

And the crest was that of the Montague's, which, unless Romeo has twice removed cousins in China, wouldn't fit the Turandot theme

I am waiting for corps to start tackling music from video games. The best music being written today is in that genre. It's the new "movie score" for the modern age.

It's been a well-known "secret" that the Marching Hundred hazes their members viciously for many, many years. Why they haven't shut that band down, dismissed everyone, and started over is beyond me.

when FAMU came to Miami for a football game in my time there (2004-2007), about half the band was suspended due to hazing issues. this is absolutely NOTHING new for that band.

ugh, that would be awful... but cool!

And again, your opinion.

A preset no over-under scoring system which is a sliding scale? So that means the most pathetic band in the entire United States can attend the last USSBA contest and get what, a 91/100? That is completely absurd and stinks of the "we cannot hurt their self-esteem" syndrome. If a band performs at a 60 level near the end of the season they should get a 60, plain and simple.

Old... New.. Borrowed... Blue... Something that has SCV written all over them? I've always wanted to hear SCV play something from the Planets, seems like it'd be perfect. And hey! Cavaliers played planets, so maybe that's what it means by borrowed. That's all I can think of so far.

The types of music you mention don't have a lot of tempo variation or melody, and quite frankly I don't think they are becoming more popular. The are a fringe type of music that is popular for parties and at clubs. If you want to hear what the kids are listening to today, simply tune into the radio. I could see a corps trying something like this for a small snipet, but 11 minutes of any type of music you mention would send anyone not on ecstasy straight to the hot dog stand.

Ok, I tried to stay away from this one but I just can't. SO, we have: DCI B Corps which seems to be for members who aren't quite in their "prime" yet. They're young or just starting out but they get a great education getting them ready for the DCI corps. DCI which is for members who are, what I would consider "in their prime" for HIGHLY ATHLETIC formatted drum corps and more importantly for members who can dedicate a whole summer for conditioning and touring. "All Age" for those who love the sport of Drum corps but can only do it on weekends or who are over age. Alumni corps for those who can't commit to every weekend but who still want to be involved in some capacity Parade and Mini corps for those who have even less time to commit but love to play THANK GOD for all those categories. There's something for everyone. Just because your in your 40s (or above for some very few but very dedicated individuals) does not mean you should hang up your uniform. It's not, for the most part anyway, about age. It's about dedication and commitment. If you are 45 and you're willing to put in the time at home that's needed to ge the job done, you WILL be successful. If you're 25 and lazy as all heck and not committed or dedicated to what you're doing and you just think you can show up on weekends and do your thing........guess what.........that 45 year old that's marching next to you is going to march circles around you..........probably literally.......ever womder why you're always the one who is gets the spot that everyone else rotates around........that's probably why........hahahaha.....j/k, but you know what I mean. Now, do we have to work harder.......yes.......PHYSICALLY!! Mid age bulge gets in the way and its harder to lose which may hinder our abilities a bit but our 30+ YEARS of playing can REALLY help out a line. For the past five years I've been marching in the mello line with two girls who I consider my best friends and who I love like sisters. Every year I remind them and myself that I'm old enough to be their mom!!! I hurt more at the end of the day...I may not be able to get down on my knees as much, maybe I don't play as good as I did when I had more time to practice but I'm no slouch and I may not be able to do a handstand and play my horn upside down but hell...I couldn't do that at 20 either but if they were doing that when I was 20 you bet your behind I'd have figured it out!!! Yes, I agree, some people should not be on the field, but not just a select group of people in their 40s, I actually can think of more young people than old that shouldnt be on the field. On the flip side, there are some people that I believe could do DCI if they were able to go on tour and be on the field every day practicing and training. Grant it, they'd have to be healthy BUT it would not be impossible for the right person. Now aside from just playing and marching, the experiences that younger members have from marching with members who are older than them are probably some of the greatest experiences they'll ever have. My kids for instance are, in my opinion, great, well rounded kids and I attribute that to all the people who have been a part of their lives from drum corps. Lily Woo, Don Derisi, Lauren Kulich, Cyrus Maddockse, Tommy Martin, the Sky ladies...........just to name a few. They learned so much (life lesson type stuff as well) from these people but most importantly they learned how to work TOGETHER towards one common goal. We compliment each other. I've learned so much from our younger members and I LOVE THEM!! IN LEARNING YOU WILL TEACH AND IN TEACHING YOU WILL LEARN!! The beauty of all age.......multi generations working together towards one common goal!! Ok, off my soapbox.........thanks for bringing up this topic!!

People are going to be really surprised when this announcement comes out, but it's going to be a good one! A couple folks are on the right track with the borrowed and blue stuff, but no right answers.... Just wait. This is going to be a great show from scv!

Yep, seriously crazy that teams with huge differentials should still be reasonably categorized in the same major league: the Colts are currently 0-13 with a total points scored of 184, the Packers are currently 13-0 with a total points scored of 466; that is a 100% win differential and a 60% score differential. Kick the Colts out of the NFL according to your philosophy!

more "fan friendly" music married to their cutting edge drill.... deserves to be hyped!

I’ve often thought that all Madison has to do is get off the bus and the crowd goes wild, no matter what the show. No one is better at bringing out old standards from past shows and make them seem brand new than Madison. How many times has Madison performed “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue” or “Maleguena” or any Gershwin music and the crowd swoons? I know I love it. ESOM has the potential to be another Madison favorite for the ages, so bring it back. As for next year, it depends on the theme of the show. Of course I also agree with those who mentioned the blocked out portion on 2011 DCI DVDs and Blu-Rays, Madison, get the licensing rights in advance of DCI.

I think you need to go into more detail. 1. At times, you sound like you're making sweeping generalizations about DCI as a whole....other times, you sound like you're speaking of Blue Devils specifically. 2. It is deceptive to exclude "feeder corps" from your "data". They are open-class corps too. 3. There is a published survey for 2009 that indicated 30% of top-6 marchers had experience with open-class units, and 31% had experience with other WC units. Evidently, a significant portion of the training that top-6 marchers have was acquired at other corps....corps that either you or the G7 have proposed eliminating from DCI. Eliminating those corps would eliminate that training, and therefore, lower the performance level of the top-6 corps. Are you sure that's what you want?

Man... do you know the street value of a Sousaphone??? My mom went to South Gate. Not exactly Bel Air... so seriously bummed that instruments are stolen from these neighborhoods where these types of programs can really make a difference for kids. Very curious about the tuba-only thefts. Odd. But... as a public service... I suggest not doing a Google image search for tuba fetish.

I'm sure it's an encore piece... Does that count?

You may be interested in knowing who ckomnick, the person who asked you about your source, is outside of DCP. But then again, maybe not.

I've never been to finals (as a spectator)but I plan on it next year. The main attraction for me will be watching corps perform. I could care less what else there is to do in Indy. (OK I do want to walk through that cool colored ceiling walkway thingy at the airport again)

There are no " cynics " here on this thread.( well, maybe Jerseyboy ). This is a " hype " thread. We've had offseason hype since the dawn of Drum Corps my friend. It is nothing new, nor is it unwanted, nor unappreciated. We love " hype ". I simply stated that its " hype season ". Only a " cynic " would read any more into the fact that this is " hype season " and this was a" hype " for a Drum Corps. Consider this like a football offsesason thread,( for example Notre Dame ) where we read that the college just landed a 5 star football recruit, and their "football recruiting is the best in years". It usually has little correlation to what happens later on the field ( as ND knows full well these days ), but nonetheless it makes fans feel very good when the dreary winter comes, and they receive the good news on off season recruiting. Its understandable, and the offseason " hype " is always...ALWAYS... appreciated. As for Spirit, they were not hyped last offseason, and as a result few people were predicting them in the top 12... but despite any " hype " they surprised most people by making Finals, and almost catching Blue Stars by Finals Nite itself. Just sayin'

Pride in a corps means a lot. Hope in a corps' future means a lot. The excitement of witnessing a productive camp means a lot. The eagerness of wanting to share one's pride and hope with others means a lot. Putting down others because they're excited for their corps is what means nothing. Tis the season to be jolly.

I must agree to disagree and while saying that agree to agree with Mr. Fallon on this. While taking into consideration the adoration any horn player of note could have for Mr. Ott and while Spirit's closer was great ... there remains one song, one player and one corps that stands out from any other closer, solo performance (show after show and year after year) that could just have me in stunned awe. The year - 1984. The song - I Have A Love The Corps - Garfield Cadets. The caveat - I to this day have absolutely no love for Garfield and except for a couple of George Zingali years and the peace sign No More War show, I have been underwhelmed for decades. Actually the only thing that impresses me about The Cadets (or whatever they are calling themselves nowadays) is their longevity. But Barbara ... Barbara is and was the player who could make me tear up - even when I knew it was coming - even on CD or DVD. So like Ray says. Hold that thought for Mr. Ott and that performance ... and I'll just cuddle up with mine.

Sorry...I agree with Peel on this. Too much light can destroy, lead to bad publicity. Take the series' "Sister Wives" and some of the "Housewives of..." shows. They are destructive without caring one bit for the subject matter other than it makes good teevee. Another example of the teevee destruction on an entire family would be that motorcycle show which has more throwing chairs and breaking doors than about building a freakin' motorcycle. Once again, people on here...in the off season...looking for solutions which do not exist. TV is not the answer. TV is yesterday. TV is dying the way radio has died. TV needs money and the viewership for drum corps isn't there and has not been there since the 1990s when PBS dumped the broadcast and then later when the ESPN2 experiment proved unsucessful. TV just isn't the answer. And we are one 20 year old sharing a sleeping bag with one 16 year old captured on a night vision camera away from further destruction of drum corps all captured and played over and over again on the teevee. That's the reality you all are asking for.

I was thinking Larry

Fred.

I credit Patsy Bonfiglio (wife of 27th Lancer director George Bonfiglio) for staying in college while I marched. At the close of my first season with Two-Seven, I started college. As we prepping for the '71 season, my grades were bad for the second semester. I was wrapped-up in being a Lancer, and college work was just not as attractive. I almost quit college because it was getting in the way of partying. I was too lazy to study in the manner I should. Patsy summoned me to come to the house with the statement, "I have a bone to pick with you." I broke into a sweat because I was having a grand old time with beer, a couple of girls, and trying a little weed once in a while. ("God! The jig is up!" I thought. "Maybe Patsy is going to lower the boom on me.") As Patsy gestured me to sit at their kitchen table, I felt very apprehensive. First sharply - then gently - Patsy scolded me, telling me I was too gifted to not be able to juggle both my obligations to the corps and get my college grades in order. She held out her arms, hugged me and whispered "You are bound for big things, Billy Sullivan." So, I stopped smoking pot and cut w-a-a-y back on the drinking. After our great 1971 season, I made the Dean's List the fall Semester, and Patsy once again summoned me to the house "… and bring your report card." She directed me to show it to husband George Bonfiglio. Both were genuinely proud for me for being to be "a good Lancer" and a good student. Patsy said, "I just knew you wouldn't let me down." That gave me the "juice" to square myself away. I made the President's List every subsequent semester, graduating with honors. Even after I aged-out, Patsy called from time to time to check my grades, and she sent me a graduation card ... which I still have, 35 years later. Coming to the Two-Seven from an otherwise fun experience with St. Agnes CYO Band after the 1969 season, I developed a heightened sense of PASSION: the devotion to a cause greater than oneself, and tireless diligence in its furtherance - the ability to follow the calling of my heart with boundless energy and irrepressible enthusiasm. Lancer members, the staff and the volunteers who had developed a sense of this Lancer Passion drew others like us to them. Each had their own unique version of a PASSION for the places we might go and the things we might do – if we did them together. As we grew away from the 27th Lancer organization to move on into other phases of our lives, careers, and loves, our ability TO LIVE BY OUR PASSION earned respect from the people with whom we had contact. People in our lives judged us for the depth of our beliefs and our emotions -- more than by any logic or knowledge we might advance.

The day my forest green Madison Scouts uniform was issued to me. I felt like the king of the world. 1975 CYO – Just before the start of the show the feeling was electric on the starting line. The whole corps was “in the zone” 1975 CYO – After the last note, you couldn’t hear anything but the crowd going crazy. It was nuts! 1975 DCI finals retreat. “In second place, with a score of 91.00...(a wait of what seemed like forever)...the San(explosion of crowd noise the drowned out the PA announcer).

Two or three moments for me, Saving all my money fron a part time job I had in the summer of 75 and taking a bus 1700 miles to see DCI finals in Franklin Field. Oh yeah, as a 14 year old and by myself! My parents didn't mind me going alone as I told them I had a middle school friend who moved there who I would stay with which I lied about but there was now way they would let me go alone. I took a small sleeping bag with me and a small shoulder bag w/ 2 days worth of clothes and some snacks in it. I knew I probably couldn't take my sleeping bag in the stadium, so I hid it under some trees near a park. I was going to sleep in the park Friday night before finals but it turned out to be a pretty scary place to say the least. So, I jumped on a city bus and just got off in an area that looked safe. There was a school nearby and I ended up sleeping near the football field. There was a corps staying there, I believe it was the Belvederes, but I'm not sure, but I figured it was the safest place to stay. Took the same bus line back into the city the next morning and took in the incredible performance of the Madison Scouts that night. I knew then and there I would march in a drum corps someday. Who that would be I had no idea at the time. Back then it was probably pretty odd for a Colorado kid to march with a California and a Wisconsin corps. DCI in Montreal 1982. Though I had seen Garfield numerous times that summer on tour, something about their finals night performance told me I was seeing something that would change drum corps and the history of it forever. Zingali's drill was amazing even though a lot of corps had started expanding their field coverage in 1980, this was truly a masterpiece. The 2nd year of their "new" concepts earned them their 1st DCI title in 83, but it was the 82 show that my gut told me that I was seeing the future and at the same time something historical. DCI week in Denver 2004. I never thought DCI would ever return to Denver in my lifetime and I told my friends that if it did, my life would be complete. Well I guess I'm living on borrowed time now. Hanging out in Washington Park watching all the D2 and D3 corps warmup. Now this is Wash Park where the cheapest home will run you 3/4 a million easily and all the bikers, joggers, and health nuts stopping in their tracks ( which they do for nobody in the park) and gawking at the sounds they were hearing. Hearing some of them calling their friends telling them what "cool" bands were in the park. And the snobs actually allowing the corps to walk over to South stadium w/o trying to break their ranks was a great sign of respect. I know too many speed bikers in that park who stop for nothing. You'd think they are all training for the Olympics. It was a great week for me in Denver even though it is not one of my favorite drum corps years.

It's a shame people don't remember 88 SCV. Their 88 show was better than the 89 one in almost every way.

I marched for 4 years, then taught for 4 years. There are a lot of miles and a lot of shows. Two "sets" of memories stand out. First. Winning CYO Nationals in 1977 in front of my home crowd. So many great Lancer corps competed before mine, yet somehow we walked off with the trophy. I was also lucky enough to be teaching in 1981, when the corps won their 2nd CYO. Second. The other memory is Drum Along the Rockies - Mile High Stadium 1976. We beat BD's, and took top drums. I remember the enormous scoreboard flashing with the words "High Drums - 27th Lancers." The other half of this is that I was also teaching 27th in 1980 when we beat BD in Allentown - prelims and finals. I am one of very few people on this earth that can claim they defeated BD both as a marching member and as an instructor of the same corps.

Watching my son march in Finals this past Saturday. I'll never give up my memories from 16 years of marching, but nothing compares to seeing my son live his dream for the whole family.