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Don't ever let anyone tell you that it's OK to show up at auditions wearing a T-Shirt from another corps. I've seen a few people on DCP try to pull that stunt on the the unsuspecting. Don't fall for it.

dingdingdingding I think this hits the nail on the head: it's silly to get all upset, freak out, cry conspiracies, etc. without actually seeing the sheets and knowing what we're talking about. I'm not directing this at you personally, glory, I just think it bears repeating that without ANY of us fans having seen the proposal, it's pointless to even begin to debate what we don't like about it. Lets at least WAIT to see what we're talking about before condemning it

But SOPA and PIPA address serious legal issues that will have far-reaching consequences for creators of artistic and intellectual property and their consumers/audiences (which pretty much amounts to the general public) worldwide. DCI is basically a self-contained, self-regulatory entity; the member corps make their rules by and for themselves. Yeah, I understand we are their "consumers." But I still don't think they are under any obligation to publish judging sheets that have not yet been approved/adopted for general inspection - regardless of who might like(or feel they are entitled) to, for whatever reason, have a look-see. Peace, Fred O.

I hadnt even heard of Drum Corps untill i started high school band and my band director(former star of indiana member) turned me onto it, and i was very slightly interested in it. But it wasnt till year that i truly fell in love, perhaps because of my marching bands success this season. But I have three performances that really got me hooked, Blue Knights 2010(my first live show), Bluecoats 2011, and Madison Scouts 2011 especially "Empire State of Mind." Empire state of mind is what made me really fall in love, weird considering I only saw youtube videos, but for me personally this was one of the most emotional moments in music ive ever heard, gives me chills everytime. Ever since hearing that ive become drum corps crazy, already bought tickets for a few shows next season and I hope to audition and hopefully become a member someday!

Hymn to a Blue Hour

For everyone who trashes Dynasty's percussion equipment, Paul Rennick and Phantom Regiment's drum trophy in 2010 says otherwise. I find nothing wrong with Dynasty's percussion equipment. I think their battery sounds fine if you tune them correctly. In my opinion, the Blue Devils never tuned them correctly. I think they have really good front ensemble equipment as well. In fact, in about a week, I'll have one of their rosewood 4.5 octave marimbas in my living room.

"Rigged?" Really? This is such hyperbolic nonsense it's hard to take anything else you say on the subject seriously... Conversely, you can say that unless someone is on the field they can't judge the detailed minutia of clarity, uniformity of technique, etc anyway. Are you implying that judges currently don't appeal to a bigger audience and should? If so, that's not exactly the purpose of adjudication. Are you implying show designers don't appeal to a bigger audience? That's subjective, and the general consensus seems to be that 2011 was a pretty crowd-friendly/popular year or DCI.

This is beyond words how great this will be, for not only drum corps, but for you as performers, So cool to see this. Best to you Guys and Gals. No doubt you will show them what throw your babies means..... Will share with as many people I know, when you guys are on.

I LOVE THIS. Do us all proud.

Well, it's hard to tell - are you being facetious or serious? If you are sincerely expressing your opinion, I suppose I can't argue; everyone is entitled, I suppose. But you should know that your p.o.v. is a bit lacking in historical perspective. As an earlier poster noted, the term "Music Analysis" is not new to the sheets. The M.A. caption was part of the judging system from the early days of DCI through the mid '80s, a seminal period (even a golden age, to some) in the so-called modern era. Although the format and point allocations evolved during that period, the sheet basically evaluated horn lines in the areas of technique, musicianship and content. As to the similarities/differences between the new M.A. caption and its earlier incarnation, I guess the jury is still out, as the DCI news article provides little information in that regard. But just pooh-poohing the terminology because you think it sounds too high-brow (which is how it sounds to me) strikes me as kind of snobbery in reverse, especially if you were unaware of its background and historical precedence in the activity. Apologies in advance if I've misread your intent or prattled on too long. And of course, no personal disrespect intended. Peace, Fred O.

Now for the crowd that see Drum Corps only as "art for art's sake," I suppose that's really important. But truthfully, I think some of the lure of drum corps was that in many ways it was a bunch of kids (and I mean kids-14,15,16 year olds) playing waaay over their heads and doing so simply by their determination and drive. I think that element added a lot of drama that drew community folk into the activity (also the festivals, parades). etc). I also think people miss out on the context of the 70s &80s when HS bands were overwhelmingly show bands and few were "corps style." So for the corps of that era to get to the level they performed at, really was almost something of a miracle. Nowadays with the HS programs full of drum corps staff, and style, it's not so surprising that a bunch of 21 year old music majors play like... music majors.

@Jeff Ream we sure will. We have a few tricks up our sleeves to tickle his fancy! Folks, we just created "The Edge" public fan page - please be our friend on facebook! https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Edge/171844302921592?notif_t=page_new_likes

You know what I love about this? They show up in 1994 and other than the size, it appears as though they never even left or skipped a beat. Put this performance in a time machine and take it back to 1980 and I think it STILL would have made the top 2 or 3.

Which is why I'm a skeptic (if you can be a skeptic having not seen the proposal). There is this mysterious consensus around drum corps that credits Cesario with bringing entertainment back to the field last year. I think the reality is far more complex. Cesario's well-intended and well-timed effort didn't start a wave; it road its crest. In other words, 2011 was more a natural evolution than an engineering marvel. And all on the old sheets. I'll be the first to agree that the sheets could stand to benefit from transparency and clarity. I'm not sure that's what this is about. It seems to me that "overhauling" the judging process has larger goals in mind. It seems that Cesario and others might be pumped up with enough false pride to believe that if they created 2011, they can replicate last year into the future by re-engineering the judging criteria. I am a skeptic - a skeptic on the Cesario consensus, a skeptic about this judging "simplification." We had a good thing going in 2011. Why overhaul it? Tinker maybe. Overhaul why? Music analysis never. HH

If you didn't see "The Edge" at DCA, check out this youtube video link; kindly put together by BFD TV. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI6C8NiWZFU&feature=relatednk

When he was teaching Sun and Cabs... they won championships!

OK, this makes me old.... The first show I saw was the first show I ever marched in. Springfield, IL, 1979. We were the host corps (Statesmen) and got "written" off the sheets" scoring a 21! We exited the field and lined up on the home side track to watch the Guardsmen. Classical intro....Tiger of San Pedro...all good. Greensleeves played backfield, exquisite. But the three count turn and push (WOW) made me realize this was something completely different. I was hooked. Later that summer it was Madison and Phantom at DCM, Cavies every weekend in a parade or show. Saw my first DCI finals on PBS at a pizza place with a big screen TV because we were too broke to make the trip to Birmingham. Two years in Springfield (79-80) and three years in Geneseo (81-83) and then I gave up DC at 19 so I could go gigging. Last summer the new generation started with my (then) 16 year old filling spot 150 with Madison two weeks into spring training. It changed my life, my family's lives, and now my student's lives. Too bad we keep it such a secret.

Loooking forward to coming to camp on Sunday the 29th to hear the progress since open house. Wish I could come on Saturday unfortunately I will be in trouble to go on my wife's birthday.

As a card carrying member of the Antique Auto Club of America (35+ years) I have to shake my head at the intolerance that is show by some DC fans towards other opinions. In AACA, like DC, there is a wide range of vehicles and also a "evolution" (yeah, I'll use that word ) over the decades. But what is different is I have yet to hear anyone insult another AACA member over what kinds of vehicles they like. LOL, also never heard anyone say "Wow, Model Ts suck cuz they don't have automatic tranmissions or A/C". Back on topic - wonder what the leagalites be for "pick 'n choose" CDs or DVDs (especially DVDs). Hard enough to get the clearance for older shows that have never been released. Wonder if using shows that DCI has already released in complete season sets would have new legal hoops in a pick n choose.....

I cannot imagine a drum corps show where poor performance will be richly rewarded because of the outstanding design as there will always be a fundamental lack of design clarity in poor performance. But a great performance of a mediocre or poorly designed show can...and should...still find a modicum of points and rewards on any set of sheets.

For some reason, this topic reminds me of the following I posted on DCP a couple years ago. Dateline 1890 Jezebel, verily, it's been a long time betwixt writings. Gramercy if prithee you betimes shrive me and vouchsafe me your rede, wherefore, forsooth, methinks I've been lamenting the current state of our welkin drum corps activity. The arrangers have discovered this fain whipper-snapper sirrah named John Philip Sousa, whence his palter cacophony has durst become a fardel on moe fields of green like the flood waters upon Johnstown last year. The man is out to cozen and then cap-a-pie fordo drum corps. I have a friend who works for C.G. Conn who says they are working with JP on an instrument that could replace our beloved hélicons. And the folks at Conn are belike naming the inferno creature after Sousa himself. Sousa wants corps to march only at 120 beats-per-minute, the tempo of his inferno mote marches. Fie! My heart is pained by the thought we shall not return from the new bourn. There is also a swain cornetist by the name of Herbert L. Clarke who is haply stirring things up with the most hideous of flamboyant cornet solos. I shudder the thought of such bruit joining those of Sousa's on the field. I fear we will soon no longer hear the likes of Stephen Foster's "Old Folks at Home." If it comes to the nonce anon when I can't be humming the opening line, "Way down upon the Swanee River" as I have become wont as I leave the stadium, fay, by the rood, I don't know what I'll do with my grief in the morrow. Withal, I suspect it means Morris Dances on the field shall avaunt. It makes me see incarnadine gules. Alack, I holp ere our orisons beseech the atomies lieges of drum corps so that thine take reck. Zounds!

sounds like my days with Stingray

Arent the Pearl Tenors generally regarded as the best sounding Tenors?

From SCV: "We are excited to announce that "Jupiter: The Bringer of Jollity" from "The Planets" by Gustav Holst will be part of the 2012 program!"

I sincerely hope none of the educated folk here on DCP believe the world is ending just because Nostradamus alluded to it and so, some believe, the Mayan calendar...Especially since Nostradamus had a penchant for being wildly wrong and the end of the Mayan calendar meant to the Mayans a new beginning, not an absolute end of everything, (not to mention that the calendar that's coming to an end was the second one to do so). Besides, didn't the world end when DCI allowed amps...and again when electronics were legalized?

In the last DCI season ever.... 1. BD will finish 4th (or lower) 2. Blue Stars will, unfortunately, not make finals. Glassmen will return to the top 12, Spirit will stay 3. The winner will be a corps that has never won....Bluecoats 4. SCV will be higher than BD for the first time in a while, at either 2 or 3 Thus sayeth the gods

There are just some corps that you associate with certain equipment. SCV=Pearl. And, yes, BD has done great things with Pearl; but I still associate them with Yamaha. And, I also know there was a time when SCV used Premier, etc; but they've used Pearl for so long that it has become part of their sound and identity, in my opinion.

Duke always said there's only two kinds of music "Good and Bad"

Honestly, I'm sure they'll sound fine. I've used Dynasty with my minicorps, and we were quite happy with them. As a drummer, and this is silly I know, my issue with their snares is aesthetic. Without lugs that run the length of the shell, the snares always end up looking kind of dumpy to me. Mike

its actually the sentence after that I give a flawed statement ;) My real opinion in a non conflicting statement is that BD has their ways of working and is proven to work, in which the way they do things is non-traditional and unorthodox to older ways, which people have strong connections to those old traditions, which I guess upset some when they see a group like BD go out and win so much compared to X-corps who do things the "old fashioned" way. better?

I didn't know you can shout through typing things I think a lot of people don't like BD is because they are a lot more relaxed than other groups. you see all these other corps in the lot who stare straight ahead, walk in step with the person next to them, don't talk, don't laugh, don't have fun. when others see BD roll into the lot and come off the bus smiling, i guess they get a little uncomfortable with the thought that ITS JUST MARCHING BAND. fun is the reason why people do the activity, I know I wouldn't pay 3k to not have fun, if your into the hardcore, stick up the butt routine, good for you, don't bring down all the fun happening in blue land, or green land. I marched with a hardcore group and I didn't like it, at all. thats why I love BD, and Cavies imo. :)

I never get this. Everytime someone mentions malaguena some people chime in that theyre sick of it. Doesnt seem to happen with any other piece. Its not like we've heard it recently. The most recent d1\wc corps to play it was nearly a decade ago. Dont see the same kind of hate for say.. appalachian spring, played every other year forever now.. or numerous other ones that have been repeated at least as often if not moreso than malaguena.

What a fantastic legacy show! Current members of The Blue Stars should be just as proud of this show as I know the 1979 Blue Star members are of the current corps.

It was the talent of the players and the talent of the staff that won the trophy. They won in spite of the fact that they had to play Dynasty.

please Horns stay away from dynasty.please Horns stay away from dynasty.please Horns stay away from dynasty.

engaging haters in discussion just makes more just saying

One of my favorite shots...the Jersey Surf Cymbal line: BTW - Last year the following corps had cymbal lines: 1. Spirt of New Jersey 2. Colt Cadets 3. Forte 4. Jubal (the largest with 7 performers) 5. Raiders 6. Legends 7. Yokohama Scouts 8. Spartans 9. Vanguard Cadets 10. Oregon Crusaders 11. Blue Devils B (2nd largest with 6) 12. Pioneer 13. Jersey Surf 14. Cascades 15. Mandarins (new in 2011) 16. Teal Sound 17. Pacific Crest 18. Crossmen 19. Colts 20. The Academy 21. Spirit of Atlanta 22. Santa Clara Vanguard I think the three lines I really miss are Madison, Bluecoats, and Troopers. If Cadets are indeed bringing back their cymbals, my heart just burst with joy. Zing and Hooya to all my platepeeps! Mav

Liar. I saw you kick a kitten then blame it on BD.

Yeah this is great the word is spreading and being a alumni myself I'll definitely be doing my part in the campaign.

More like...

I think the addition of John Howell will be a good thing. Sure he will bring in some additional good people however I think the problems lie more with the Music writing and the guard. Didn't see any changes there so we will see.

Most definitely '91; although I liked '86 Suncoast Sound's version better.

Heaven forbid that a corps ever attempts to play this crap music. It's bad enough as it is with all of the terrible samples we have to hear. I'm sorry, but most of today's music is just garbage.

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.

I think it's a terrible idea because almost all of the musical genres you mentioned are rhythm focused, with little (if any) attention paid to melody and harmonics. Certainly there are exceptions in EVERY genre, but the majority of music in the genres you mentioned doesn't have the depth of sound to be able to be arranged and spread out to fit a 150-member drum corps. There would be too much doubling of lines and a very thin overall sound from a large ensemble. A good drum break could be fashioned from these genres, but a whole show? Nah.

And if corps directors were more concerned about Accounting, and turned the design team over to concerning themselves with art, performance, music, drill, and pageantry, then many of these folded corps over the years would still be solvent! The Corporation, and the facilitation it provides, should take TOP priority for any director over the artistic performance. Accounting might be boring to some, but it is the vehicle which keeps track of making sure the people under the charge of the director have food, shelter, transportation, etc...

I look at drum corps as I do any performing art, so what draws me in the most is the product. I always thought the designation as a youth activity to be unnecessarily exclusive and arbitrary at best. There's nothing about what corps do that would suggest 21 being an appropriate maximum age (aside from a summer-long time commitment for the top corps, of course).

All age is all ages right? This thread will become very fun

Maybe you should front the money for all the corps to use the brand you like

You know, I marched that year (Les Eclipses) and toured with Boston alot. We all knew about the electronic keyboard in "Axel F" - but it never seemed to be a really big deal. It was sort of "huh, ok, that's cool". I don't think anyone would have dared say anything against Boston back then. They were very intimidating :P Best "small" corps I ever saw! Later, Mike