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If he can spin a flag and dance... he might have a chance of smashing some cymbals together for Scouts.

Camp Weekend Go Scouts

Men of Madison, have a great camp this weekend. MYNWA!

Clearly booing scores is rude behavior. Performers in BD ( or any Corps ) should be able to differentiate between booing scores and booing them personally in uniform.I empathize that its hurtful. I get that. Especially for all trhe hard work that they do in hopes the audience will enjoy their show. But we really need to put this occasional booing by some niwits into perspective here. imo. Not to toot my horn, but at their age I was in uniform too, and I had some " haters " wanting to riddle my uniform and me inside it with bullets and dynamite. These 18-22 year olders in BD are learning a life lesson. There are some haters out there in this world and you learn to brush it off like a small piece lint on your collar. Nobody in Corps should ever take booing personally. You never give in to "the haters". Brush it off. The booers are like whiny babies that throw their rattlers off the high chair, and then want to manipulate you to give it back, so they can throw it off their high chair again and again. Don't pick it up for them. Let the whiney babies like this howl all they want if need be. Don't give in to the attempt at manipulation. Its their loss. Don't make it yours.

The tortellini pizza at the pizza place in blairstown is top notch!

Well, take it from a vet (~20 years): anyone who EVER boos or bad-mouths a corps performance is a straight-up D-bag, period, the end. You can hate a show design, you can hate a corps director... but if you ever reach a point where you're booing the kids, you need to go find something else to do because you're missing the point so badly you wouldn't "get it" if it was hammered into your skull with a mallet.

Wow... this is just a place where you have sort of casual conversations as you would over beer. At least that is my take. I didn't mention I got a haircut recently as well. Not really much point. Lying? Man... it seriously seems like you are fishing for a bad guy for something. I can be the bad guy if you want, not a big deal. Intent was to see one less group fail. It would not have been without conditions. Oh well.

I hate the word hate! I started drum corps in 68 and marched 10 years, did winter guard 10 too. I saw BD in 76 and was in awe. I was in Miami 1983 wow too. I finally went to semis and finals in 2010. Cavaliers had a better performance finals night imo. Personally, I listen to CDs at work while I work and listen to DCI. I know what I like, can't tell you why I like what I like, I just listen once and listen again to a few, including BD :)

I think it's a pretty dumb frat boy story. I'd like to think that "cool" stories in this activity don't require breaking the law and blatantly disrespecting authority due to an overzealous sense of entitlement and lack of accountability. But that's just me.

The Forward Dynamics music organization from Oregon, Wisconsin, is pleased to announce the DCP-I Season XVII program for their World Class corps... Polaris Regiment! PROGRAM: "SIEGE" -- Concerto for Orchestra, Turkish Instruments, and Voices (Kamran Ince) -- The Surrender/Battle at the Pyramid from "Stargate" (David Arnold) -- Solomon's Dream from "Belkis, Queen of Sheba" (Ottorino Respighi) -- Danza orgiastica from "Belkis, Queen of Sheba" (Ottorino Respighi) MEMBERSHIP: 150 80 Brass (24 trumpets/flugelhorns, 16 mellophones, 24 baritones/euphoniums, 16 contras) 33 Percussion (9 snares, 5 tenors, 5 basses, 14 front ensemble) 35 Color Guard 2 Drum Majors STAFF: Corps Director: Austin Ellison Program Coordinator: Kevin Pogue Musical Arrangements: Marshall Grandstaff (brass), Doug Maddox (percussion) Visual Design: David Cheung Brass Caption Head: Alex Wolverton Brass Staff: Glenn Gilbert, Andy Kuhnert, Cassie Melanson, Gene Passmore, Pete Ruddock Percussion Caption Head: Sam Maddox Percussion Staff: Mitchell Kubic, Cole Lindel, Marshall Mountcastle, Carson Woltmann Visual Caption Head: Adam Reimer Visual Staff: Alberto de la Cruz, John Houghton, Colin Sundstrom, Serafina Szymkowski, Yasuo Takahashi Guard Caption Head: Eva Mori Guard Staff: Jennifer Black, Evangelina Milian, Brittney Woodham UNIFORMS: CORPS HISTORY: Season X - "Dichotomy: Good vs. Evil" - 6th place, 95.072 Season XI - "The Very Last Day in the History of the World" - 4th place, 95.785 Season XII - "Still Life Moving Fast" - 13th place, 94.150 Season XIII - "Who Goes There?" - 2nd place, 95.020 Season XIV - "Visions of Fear and Lust" - 9th place, 95.050 Season XV - "Around the World in 80 Days" - 7th place, 95.825 Season XVI - "Pretty Little Nightmare" - 2nd place, 96.150 Forward Dynamics 5100 West Netherwood Road Oregon, WI 53575 Forward Dynamics performs on King Brass, Pearl Marching Percussion, and Yahama Concert Percussion. Forward Dynamics is a proud member of the superior FANFARE organization.

THE EAST AND ITS CORPS HAVE NEVER HAD A LOVE AFFAIR WITH BD,......CROWDS ARE FICKLE NIGHT TO NIGHT..CANT PUT MUCH ON THAT.......THEN AGAIN THE EAST CAN HAVE THE BEST FANS............AS WELL AS THE WORST

Jeffrey definitely got some heat. I seem to recall the Queen from their '06 show taking some as well. Along with "Emo Kid" from '07. Sarah from '08... And while I'd guess that that vast majority of the "hate" dealt with the design choices of having those characters in the first place, I'm sure it didn't make it easy for the individuals that were singled out in their respective roles. I couldn't imagine being the singer in their '06 show knowing that most people were against her role before she even sang a note, regardless of how well she sang or not. The ugly truth is that the drum corps fan base CAN get pretty disgusting. There is some legitimate hatred towards aspects of the activity. None of it should ever be directed at the members on the field though.

its so funny how people get so violent over a show..It's just a show. we dont have to like everything, we just dont have to watch it. gezzz..we all kinda think our visions or opinions of a show matter all that much...NEWS FLASH!!!!

I was one of those making noise that night. Went with some non-drum corps fans and totally embarrassed them but I’m not ashamed. Actually they were the ones who stood out like spore thumbs. “Once More in 94” may be my all-time favorite drum corps memory. There’s only one thing that disappoints me that is out of 27th Lancer control is that “Once More in 94” is not included on the Legacy DVD. Don Pesceone’s retirement is part of the vignettes, but there’s no mention of that great show, even in the comments by Steve Rodinaro and Michael Cesario, though it is more memorable than the performances of the finalists that evening. Any chance of a repeat, perhaps a “Back for more in two-zero-one four?”

In an activity as creative as ours one would think new and different would be celebrated but many are so intrenched in their owns pasts they cant see beyond it.

Well, technically you can use tweezers for that last little bit!

Teal Sound?

From my observation, the Blue Devils Corps that finished 2nd last year at Finals, got a better hand at the shows I attended than for their shows the year before when they were undefeated. I do not attribute this at all to " placements", but rather to the better fan response to BD's show last year, than to their show the year before. BD got a better response in Allentown last year than the year before. If others see this as a " placement " issue, I take issue with that. By and large it was a function of the show's ability to reach the audience. Lets not get stuck in the deep weeds here as to why a show gets a good response one year and not in another year. This is not Rocket Science here. Audiences either like your show or they don't. Or maybe something in between. But its got little to do with how many titles you won since the 70's with most people in the audience except for a few jealous homers in the crowd that can't let go of their personal BD envy.

Pacific Crest still marches a cymbal line

I heard the Arizona Wolverines Playing Demons Vs. Demons the other day on my cardboard box I painted to look like a TV.....

I'd like to nominate this thread for Greatest Thread in DCP History.

I (for one) certainly do. And similarly in 2010 when the Bluecoats were making a run at BD after overtaking the Cavies, they were getting big ovations......then around Allentown or so, Cavies began to surge back and it was very apparent (to me) that they (Cavies) were the ones the crowd felt could beat BD and their support was palpable right through finals. It's like Boo's reference to current politics.....you back the horse (which is not always your favorite) that you think has the best shot to bump off the leader. DCI fans do this in different ways, and because I'm a relative rookie (5 years) I'm not yet jaded enough not to applaud for all corps and couldn't ever imagine booing or bad mouthing any of them. There is not a single performer out there that deserves "hate" for anything they do on the field.....that is patently insane.

Or evidence that you have drastically changed your mind; Or evidence that you are just board and desired to get a long thread going; Or evidence that you are a fraud; Or evidence of many other possibilities. Nevertheless, this does not change the fact that in this thread you proposed DCI *only* support 17 corps and eliminate DCI support for all the rest who are currently a part of DCI; which does greatly contradict that previous posting by you in another thread. Hypocrisy tends to be a human trait; however, many of the rest of us attempt to eliminate that from our lives This statement is always laughable; it indicates that you have been lying to us up to this point. Investing in, or bailing out, a grossly mismanaged corporation by offering money to the very directors who ran it into the ground in the first place, (instead of having the corporation secure new management *then* offering the payment). Yep, you should be scratching your head on that one.

"They call Alabama the Razorbacks... They call me Deacon Orange."

This story would make a great ABC After-School Special: "Reefer 'Methods of' Madness"

no clue. mainly because usually 3 sentences in you lose me because you take things more extreme than a political party

Of course they're not generalizations. That's how I've been putting it for the past year or so. When you say "Most people who don't like BD don't like em because they win all the time," it's a generalization. When you say "The corps that wins is always hated," it's a generalization, and an obviously false one to anybody that's followed DCI for longer than, say, four years. I know you'll dance around this, but everyone reading this thread - you included - knows good and well these generalizations have been either stated openly or implied by you and a couple of others since 2010. No. You most certainly can measure how well shows are liked. It's rough and imperfect, but you can get a good idea. Homerism exists, but DCI audiences are by and large very, very willing to give it up to those who they feel deserve it, regardless of personal allegiance. What is unmeasurable is the number of people who hate a corps because they win. Utterly impossible to do. Since we're all so keen on measurement and facts and whatnot I wouldn't even bring it up as a factor when determining why a corps is popular or unpopular. Because beyond being unprovable it's also insulting. And remember, we're not talking about hate, we're talking about popularity. BD is not really hated. Cadets 2005-8 received a lot of hate. Not BD 2007 or 2008 through whenever. What they've received can only be labeled as "bemusement". And really they weren't that unpopular at all in 2011. It's just that Cadets, Cavies, Regiment, Crown, and Scouts got a little more love.

Cadets will catch flack because of their director. In fact they did last year. Hell look at what they got 05-08 and they won once in those 4 years. however, even going back to the RAMD days, when the Cavies had their run from 00-04 with the tie in 00, 1st in 01/02, what..2nd 03 and 1st in 04....they never got what BD has the last few years. the corps performs like few. the design team designs shows that turns off many fans. there's really not much more to it no matter how hard you try to dig

So, you are a fraud; no large sums of capital to invest and entice; and all of your rambling is just for self amusement.

A. Some people like BD because they frequently win. B. Some people always like BD regardless of their program. C. Some people like BD but sometimes don't enjoy their program. D. Some people don't like BD regardless of their program. E. Some people don't like BD because they frequently win. This list is not exhaustive or complete. I think what most people find objectionable about Plan's argument is that he seems to want to shove nearly everyone who doesn't agree with his assessment of a BD production into bin (E). Personally I'm in bin ©. See how that works. *I* get to decide how I feel. It's pretty cool. You can decide how you feel too! It's a wonderful world.

At the various "Nationals", inspections were usually held outside the stadium. You'd be surprised at the number of members from other corps watching to see how many ticks you got.

Spectrum celebrates its 13th season of competition in 2012. In this time, Spectrum has become nationally recognized as a WGI finalist in both the Independent A and Open classes. In 2011, Spectrum was the champion of the Independent Open Class for both the Mid-York and Northeast Circuits, and Spectrum placed 6th at the WGI Championships in Dayton, Ohio. The 2012 program is entitled “Awoke in Beijing”, utilizing “Nouveau Americain” by Brazilian Girls, and “Beijing” by Patrick Watson. The Executive Director of Spectrum is Benjy VanKurin, and the guard is sponsored by the Barons of Steuben. The Director of Spectrum is David Bowen. Staff includes: Tanya Thomas, Jessica Czachowski (Cha-HUS-ky), Tyler Stables, Chris McCarthy, David Metzger, Chris Caraccilo, Casey McCoy, David Bowen, Travis St. Denny, Mikey Perkins, and Chris & Beth Calhoun. The 2012 Captain is Lauren McNerney. The members and staff of Spectrum would like to thank our management team, led by Chris Lane and Kelly Bennett, and our support staff and volunteers, for their countless hours of hard work to ensure the success of the program.

For those vets, staff, etc. who have read the quoted post from me, I do apologize if you were offended. I was not meaning to diss the corps or the old leadership. Im sorry if it seemed that way. I do love the corps, its members, and staff (past and present.) With the part about me saying "major changes in staff," I meant that I am interested in what direction that they will take Revolution. I fully support John Rod in him pursuing the culinary arts and I do appreciate him for the time he put in with the corps and allowing me to join mid-season. As for Mike Quigly, if anyone thought I was blaming him, I wasnt. I am thankful to him for helping me get down to Texas so I could be with Revo and working with me to get my tuition paid off. With the financial issues with me and the money that I owe them, I am working on it and will arrange something with Mike, so the corps will be paid. I understand that you guys were offended and I do apologize if it seemed like I was bashing old leadership.

Just found your selections, sorry for the false alarm.

Seriously? Besides Madison in 94, 95, 04 + 09 ---- 1973 Argonne Rebels 1973 Blue Stars 1975 Oakland Crusaders 1976 Northern Aurora 1976 Oakland Crusaders 1976 Pembroke Imperials 1976 Titans 1977 Northern Aurora 1978 Blue Stars 1978 Titans 1979 Ventures 1981 Freelancers 1981 Valiant Knights 1983 Ambassadors 1984 Ambassadors 1984 Florida Wave 1986 Florida Wave 1989 Florida Wave 1998 Phoenix 2001 Chevaliers 2003 Dutch Boy 2011 Spirit of New Jersey (from corpsreps.com) and not including DCA or international corps.

In the Division I / World Class drum corps circuit, the last time movements from this piece were done was by BD and Phantom back in '07. Before then, the Cavaliers did it in '97 and in '88 before that - Cavies being the only corps (that's still around) to play the entire suite, rather than one movement from it, in their show. Knowing BK's seasoned design team (Ralph Hardimon, Marc Sylvester, and Jay Bocook... to name a few), I think that what you will hear on the field this summer will be unlike what you've heard in the past.

I'll be willing to re-evaluate my "pompous" morality if you can give me a logical scenario as to how the kid decided that he knew better than everyone else, that he was above his punishment, that he was right in taking the field at finals.

I applaud your command of the facts! HH

I find it difficult to accept that some don't accept that Dave Gibbs and his staff have the authority to decide who marches in the Blue Devils. Gibbs and his staff have that authority, not each member of the corps. That's the issue. Not marijuana. Not anything else. Gibbs decides. At least that's how it was supposed to be until finals night 2000. That night, one member who may or may not have had co-conspirators in the corps over-ruled Gibbs and reinstated himself. He did it by stealth and in a manner that presented Gibbs and the corps with a fait accompli: Let him march the show or risk public embarrassment, performance interruption and scoring penalty. I don't how you think drum corps should run. I'm pretty certain its not like that. I'm pretty certain we don't let the members choose which rules to enforce and which to disregard, which consequences to accept and which to ignore. It's easy to say it wouldn't have cost BD anything to let him march one last show. It's easy to say; it's not so easy to live with. Gibbs had to decide not for one person on just one day but for one corps and its entire future. It might seem harsh in the case of the one individual. But the decision surely wasn't taken with just one individual in mind. Gibbs must have had the whole corps and every corps to follow in mind. Turning a blind eye in the case of a major infraction would have been an invitation to more infractions. One last thing. One more thing we don't know. It's tempting to view this young man in question as a martyr, a sainted sort whose youthful indiscretion was blown out of proportion. Maybe he was a saint but for this single situation. Or maybe not. Maybe he was trouble all tour. Maybe by finals week Gibbs was fed up with his behavior. It's possible. Surely the young man's actions subsequent are consistent with such a possibility. Anyway, I mention this by way of saying: Let's not pretend to know his character; we don't. Gibbs, on the other hand, is more of a known quantity. So if he took this drastic action in the context of a corps as mature and - shall we say - independent as the Blue Devils during finals week, then maybe, maybe he had a good reason. Just saying. HH

Whoa there, tiger....I know full well what Madison's placement was last summer. I was just talking about how many corps are bunched together these days. Chillax.

Hey everyone - have some bad/good news. Bad news: We were asked to move camp to Jan 21/22. Good news: we will now have a joint camp with Riptide Indoor Percussion Ensemble on Jan 21/22! Riptide is an affiliate group of the Sun Devils and will PREMIER their show at the end of camp. Make sure to sign up on the website to receive updates as well as Facebook and Twitter. Happy New Year!

Don't shoot me, but I always loved BD's "Tommy" show. The horns were just awesome all show long, particularly during that ending.

Great photo Dale. From 1974 ???

If the kids are ok, and on board totally with their corps show design, then whats the beef from the parent(s) with others from outside the Corps ? Why would they care what others think if their son or daughter is reportedly happy and having fun doing their show ? If my kid is happy doing something, I really don't care what some anonymous person in another zip code thinks, you know ?

If true,... and I see no reason to not believe you,... then why do we have 30 pages filled with people complaining about some criticisms of BD ? If criticism doesn't concern them, then why does it seem to concern you ( and others on here )so much ?

seems pretty straighforward. the drama in this thread is much ado about nothing. hurry june.

I can't really condemn the guy for what he did. He acted a fool, but I still think it's a pretty cool drum corps story, really. But that's just me. But it's mind-boggling that some people think he shouldn't have been kicked out of the corps. A drug arrest is not something a corps can just shrug off. Think about what kind of reputation BD and drum corps as a whole would deservedly earn if they did. Housing sites, sponsorships, donations, everything would be put at risk. If it's a choice between guarding the welfare of the corps or indulging a member, then the corps is going to win every time. When kids get together they do stupid things. Even if it's the Young Mormon's Quilting Society they're going to do stupid things. Corps can't control their kids at all times. They can forbid whatever they want, but there's nothing much that can be done until someone gets caught. And if you're dumb enough or unlucky enough to get caught you deserve everything you have coming. "But everyone was doing it to!!!" is not a valid excuse . . . anyone that thinks it is missed some of the essential lessons drum corps is supposed to teach. Spare me the lame brained whining about morality, double standards, and fairness. It's not the job of your corps to stop you being stupid. It's yours. You get caught . . . TS.

This thread is about a joint. This joint is about done with this thread. Yes ?

Diamante will be hosting their annual friends and family night on Sunday February 5th at Rancho Santa Margarita Catholic High School.The event will begin with lunch at 1pm-3pm, then a silent auction from 3pm-4pm. Doors for the show will open at 4pm with performances starting at 5pm. Performances will include high schools from all over southern california as well as the first performance of Diamante World's show for 2012. The finale will be a combined performance of the dance piece learned at the Diamante dance clinic with performers from all of the high schools as well as the members of Diamante. Lunch tickets can be purchased from Diamante cast members for $7 and show tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 The Diamante Dance Clinic will be held on Saturday February 4th at Montebello High School from 10am-5pm. Come get a full day of movement training with the staff and cast of Diamante. The dance clinic is only $30 and includes lunch as well as diamante shirt. We will be going through stretches and movement in center and going across the floor, then we will be teaching choreorgraphy that will be the finale to the family and friends night. The clinic is for all ages and talent levels and we encourage everyone to come check it out. If you have any questions or would like to have your winterguard or winter drumline perform at the open house please contact us at d3captaindrew@gmail.com hope to see you all there!<BR clear=all>

The entire PR organization should be proud of this achievement! To no surprise, the emotional, passionate, crowd-pleasing shows PR is known for seem to have the greatest impact and memory. http://www.dci.org/news/view.cfm?news_id=8d002bf7-f0fe-4f92-9876-ad053d93f321