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So I'm friends with everyone's favorite Madison Scout on Facebook...

Been busy the last few days and just saw all this so I went ahead and added BD 1993 to the list. I ment no disrespect to BD by leaving them off the list. I made this from memory and I guess over time and with age you forget some things . Sorry about the confusion. I was just trying to make a fun poll while we wait for the upcoming season>

As far as the poll choices go, Percussion hardest, Guard not quite as hard, Brass least hard. This is based mostly on numbers, since a hornline makes up about 50% of most corps, guard around 25% and percussion about 23%, if each section ages out the same percentage of members each year, the percussion section will have the least spots available. Percussionists trying out for one section are less likely to simply be moved to another section if they can't cut it (especially in regards to pit to battery and vice versa) whereas guard folk going for weapon line may only make the flag line, or a trumpet auditionee may be asked to play mellophone. Add to that what others have already said about the 'cool' factor of being in a snare line, and percussion is definitely the most competitive section. This is probably even more apparent in some of the smaller corps that struggle to recruit a full hornline, but have relatively no problem finding folks for the battery.

I predict that at least one poster this year will point out that there is a difference between " DCP " and " a poster on DCP ".

I was with you until you added "very far down the totem pole from those two".

I'm not going to make a full prediction sheet because, well, I just don't care enough. But I will say this. Doubt the following corps at your peril: Santa Clara Vanguard Boston Crusaders Madison Scouts Glassmen

What a blessing it would be for us to have that VK back with us again on that level of performance.

I predict DCP will bash Blue Devils all season long no matter what they play or how well they perform.

I don't understand the negative stigma associated with hyping a corps in the off season. I'd much rather listen to people saying positive things and dropping morsels of information in these bleak midwinter months than listen to continued griping about topic x*. I especially don't understand the negative comments in a thread created to hype a specific program. I am super excited to see Spirit of Atlanta this year. They put out a fantastic program last year (however I am still a little upset they knocked my corps out of finals), and I expect them to do the same this year. I'm also glad more corps are releasing media early in the season. * judges, Bb horns, electronics, Lucas Oil, anyone in the top 6, etc.

whether you feel this deserves coverage on DCP or not... the fact is about 35 of the finest drum corps people I know are performing today in Charlotte for America's Got Talent... and frankly, while not being "exactly" what we like to call drum corps, they are performing exactly the same kind of moves we taught them to perform on the football field... Not only do we wish them well... let's hope they kick butt... the activity could use the shot in the arm... Anyone who has any first hand info on how things are going... please share...

Here's a more graphic announcement for those who like it short and sweet!!

I went 1997 BD. Underrated show all around. Best "quiet ending" ever in drum corps. I know its hard and sometimes laughable to call a championship show underrated, but still. I feel like there is a lot of underrated drum corps from the mid-late 1990s.

not being a BD lover ( not because of shows they choose ). I think it was 5 seconds into their show this year that I was blown away with the sound..so full ..so rich....for me the best.

I agree with you that 93 Star is (slightly) overrated, but your perception of Star is not correct. Bill Cook, Jim Mason, and company had decided before the DCI Championships (heck, before the 1993 season even began IIRC) that it would be Star's last season in DCI and they would be touring with the Canadian Brass in 1994. I believe they signed a letter of intent with CB at the start of the season, although they didn't make the official announcement until September. So no, 1993 was not an "FU" to the fans, nor was it Star taking their ball and going home. The creative staff felt they had reached the limits of what DCI could offer at that time, and wanted to go out in a blaze of glory trying something very different. As to the poll: real tough call for me between 92, 94 and 98. I went with 1994. Why? The monkey-sticking at the end of Day Danse. Still amazing to this day. Such intensity in that show. There's a reason I considered it the top DCI show for 14 years.

You know... I wouldreally like another corps to completely WOW me with their horns this year. Crown has been the only corps the past couple of years where I literally said WOW. Madison is the closest. They wowed me at the beginning of their show, and performed the hell out of the book. But the end of the show they often let emotions overtake good brass playing. (I appreciate the emotion, but it still has to be controlled). Phantom is always one of my favorites, but they have had some weak trumpet sections... or trumpets (the actual horn). But I would really like another hornline to step up. Who will it be? I could SCV as a contender. Bluecoats? Other corps lower down, and not previously mentioned are BK, Spirit (they came close to the WOW last year), Academy and I could see Crossmen in the second year with their staff really making a statement. Every corps has a part of their show where the horns sound great and top notch, but the only corps to consistently sound great the entire show recently is Crown. And I honestly have to say BD deserves some love to. But they don't have that sound I'm looking for, but I don't want them to change it either. Anyway, I guess those are my brass predictions. I'd love to see more horn lines stepping up to the plate.

92 Cavies. Such an interesting book.

Crown will win horns!

You have some good points here, and I can offer some insights. I am a Catholic priest . I was not a priest back in the good old days, at that time I was a member of a CYO band and was an avid drum corps fan. I’m not sure whether the “power” of the Catholic Church in urban areas in the past is the issue. Without downplaying the influence of the Church in many cities, it was not a matter of power, it was a matter of people. It’s not a coincidence that urban corps in Catholic parishes folded when people fled the cities for the suburbs, at least in Boston. Today it’s more a matter of priorities. I would love to start drum corps in my own parish, and have given the matter seems serious thought. Here are my issues. How do I justify the expense of a drum corps when the teachers in my school are not getting the salaries of a public school teacher even though they work just as hard? How do I raise the funds to keep a corps going when I am asking people to make significant contributions for pointing work on buildings? Where can I find storage places for the equipment without evicting the food pantry and thrift shop? As worthwhile activity as I believe drum corps to be, it just couldn’t happen today in a Catholic parish, and I’m in a parish that is relatively strong and financially healthy, but I wouldn’t be if I had the expense of a drum corps. Some might argue it would fill the church every week, but that doesn’t happen either. Parishes still run scouting programs, youth groups, and sports teams, but this does not generate better attendance and it’s more as a service to the community. As far as why a parish can’t do the same for drum corps, it costs far less to open the gym, turn on the lights, and run a basketball program that probably serves more kids than it would to have an program that requires professionals. People don’t look to parishes to provide all social activities as they once did, any more than people join the AL or VFW for those reasons. So if smaller and newer corps were to be founded and local circuits were to form again, it would have to be by groups formed specifically for that purpose. However, if such organizations formed, I would argue that all of us who benefited from the activity should do what we can to support it, especially if it’s why we claim we are where we are today because were in a drum corps, a drill team, or a CYO band.

Actually, I don't hate the idea. People are free to spend their money as they so choose. Personally, I don't think it has any chance of making an impact, given the costs of doing business these days. You would need millions of dollars to make much of a difference in a country as large as the US. And...I do see you have gone beyond the idea of supporting a youth activity in mentioning DCA (and yes, their average age has dropped over time, but they are still open to 'all-age' participation) and alumni corps. That might make it more difficult to get funding from people/groups who like to support youth activities...but again, people are free to support what they wish.

The Standish Guards Drum and Bugle Corps of Plymouth, MA is proud to announce Andy Shaw as our new brass instructor for 2012. Andy is a graduate of Bridgewater State University and works for the Plymouth Schools as a music teacher. We are currently raising funds for more horn purchases and recruiting anyone, any age or experience, to give us a try. Our goal is to have enough members for a mini-corps, play good songs and have fun. As I have stated before, we intend to compete, no matter how many members we have and we will be going to Annapolis. Also our percussion section will be competing at the Bugler's Hall of Fame shows in Springfield, Boston and Bridgeport. We are growing with 10 drummers and only a handul of horns, but we are steadily getting there! Anyone looking to join us feel free to contact me. Dennis O'Neill Director Standish Guards, Inc. standishguards@yahoo.com 781-217-5730

Keep Plugging away Dennis ... Best to the Standish Guards ... Your friends from Pittsfield, MA ... Red Knights.

I predict that everyone will feel that someone is "dissing" their favorite corps at some point during the season. In fact, mark it in stone.

like someone said its still january, there will be spots open and opening up until june 15th and beyond so if the op is serious about marching, they shouldn't have any trouble. emailing corps you're interested in joining would be my first step along with visiting their websites/facebook pages, last i would check dcp. maybe i missed it but how isn't there a "current openings in corps" thread for 2012 yet?

Whoever says last years show was bad must be blind and deaf. Cant wait to see this years.

dion't count bass. bass books these days require mad chops, and then the timing stuff on top of it. problem is once people get a taste for bass, they stick with it

Thanks for this. It takes some integrity to admit mistakes. And 93 BD is the shizz. The trade off bari/sop duet with the staccato comps from the hornline is one of the best moments ever. 92 Star still the best though.

Kind of a sidebar. But if we really want to save drum and bugle corps (ie brass/percussion music) as a viable and distinctive art form, I believe that it can be accomplished via funding. Form a non-profit grant giving foundation where people can donate via paypal, payroll deductions, etc. Basically I think DCI is too far gone to even worry about. This would apply mainly to DCA, SDCA, Alumni, and parade corps. The foundation would be based upon the principles of grants being disbursed to organizations who agree to the following principles: 1. Purchase of 2 or 3 valve g bugles only (and or percussion or guard equipment if meeting other criteria fully) 2. Grants will not be disbursed to groups using synths, amps, woodwinds or instrumentation other than g-bugles & percussion. Any group that violates this agreement will void the grant contract and risk legal action. 3. Organizations should show a solid business plan for survival and demonstrate need. 4. A mandatory number of local performances and proof of commitment to recruit a local membership 5. Start-up assistance for corps meeting certain criteria 6. Financial assistance for corps hosting local/regional shows or revival of regional championships Basically money talks, and I bet a lot of corps would be glad to have free instrumentation, uniform funds, etc. I know Mike and John are going to hate this idea, but for those of us who prefer our brass pure and unfiltered it might be a way to make a positive impact and rebuild the activity. Just a thought...

Percussion, guard, brass, in that order. Percussion is the obvious choice because of sheer numbers. Guard is next because it is so individually exposed. The horn line is very far down the totem pole from those two.

January camp video recap posted by the corps:

Wait!!!! They played "Empire State Of Mind" in Lucas Oil Stadium and my TV screen didn't go black.............I'm so confused!!!!!!!!! Does Not compute!!!! I need therapy now!!!!!!

By that, you mean breaking whole musical phrases into bite-sized chunks, then throwing them into a musical Cuisinart, so in the end, they're barely recognizable as coming from the same composition? Something like that?

The answer is simple. Regardless what you have done in the past, don't allow self imposed limitations to rule your desires. Just get out there and do it. Believe me when I say that there is more to drumcorps besides playing a brass instrument. Do it!

2010 Scouts, theres a judge in the middle of the fleur de lis set and also walks infront of the duet during the ballad portion of rhapsody. 1999 Scouts theres a judge in the middle of the star. i feel like judges are really good at finding their way into the middle of huge sets. also you seem to notice these things in your own shows as a performer, i found the judges who felt the need to yell at their recorders annoying especially when you could hear them on the field while performing.

So now that I have proven it, is the OP ever going to come back and add 1993 Blue Devils to the poll? Or are we going to continue to not be fair? Just wondering.

This is biased and only supported with what I know about the BK. Cavies (Cause I want Hinshaw to do well) BD Crown Cadets SCV Phantom BK Madison Bluecoats Boston Crossmen Blue Stars Yeah, I teach BK, and I'm Crossmen alum. I told you it was biased. I love this game.

98 SCV

Belshazzar was a tour de force in brass. 1990 for me. Looks like Star has accumulated 56% of the votes. Pretty impressive.

'93 Star got a perfect score in either semis or finals. they were smoking that year.

Sorry, I don't see Glassmen beating Crossmen in 2012. Or Boston or Spirit for that matter...

or there simply could be 15 other groups that you've not seen yet that could be even better..... excited to see it all

didnt we hear this before? I'll just wish Scouts the best. I would love to see them move on and up..whatever that means

:worthy: :thumbup:

More like...

And we have our new "hype corps" for the 2012 season. "Honk Honk!"

I gave you a green plus to cancel the red minus someone gave you. Why on earth would someone do that in response to the positive note you wrote?

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.

Madison Scouts "The Madison Scouts are pleased to announce that Adam Sage will be leading the color guard caption for 2012 and will be joined by Adam Dalton. Returning for his third season is Jim Moore on design & choreography!"

When you marched, what was your way of getting 'hyped' for a show? Ritual, bus traditions, etc... (either what you did or your bus did)

What about one for the USMC Drum and Bugle Corps? Here are a couple of pictures, might be too big.