Leaderboard

Um, that's really not how math works.... Go SCV! 40 years strong! Only corps to make every DCI Finals without a hitch. Lowest placement ever, 8th. 6 championships, and 45 years of tradition and class. So glad a corps like SCV exists in the drum corps world, and may they make another 40 DCI championships. Can't wait to see where they can go with this show. It will be interesting mixing together Holst with Whitacre/Mackey.

Risk and balls come in many forms and sizes (pun intended). I spent 20 plus years on active duty in the US Army and spent a week one day in various #### holes as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea. No offense to those who have visited and enjoyed these places under different circumstances. I put myself out there more than once. I believe I know what many things "feel like". I assigned you a negative. Well, because I can. Daave 1SG, (Ret) USA Now... back to my Lazyboy.

Rather than posting placings for each corps at a point when very little has been seen or heard from many corps, I'll give some thoughts on who I think the top 12 will be (corps I am more familiar with, sorry to 13-25, I feel I would not have enough to say on your programs). In alphabetical order: The Academy - This corps has been improving so much in recent years, and when I saw them in Allentown this past year, I was very impressed with what I was hearing/seeing. It's always nice to see a fresh face in the top 12, and The Academy seems to really want it. Blue Devils - Consistently and technically great. I personally enjoyed 2011 over 2010 from them, but the execution is always there. They will be great no matter if the show is "liked" by many or few. However, I think I will appreciate their show more this year after realizing just how high of a performance level this corps can get from the members. Blue Stars - I think the Blue Stars are going to surprise many this year. With some of the changes, including the addition of Myron Rosander, and after last year, I think they will be working harder than ever. I see them rising this year. Blue Knights - The Blue Knights will be entertaining this year. Last year's show was pretty fun, and I don't think they will change much from that. That being said, I could see them losing a little momentum to some of the corps around them. Bluecoats - With "Creep" last year being one of my favorite moments on the field, I would love to see another Bluecoats show with that kind of energy and emotion throughout an entire show. staff changes could affect them a bit, but we will see. Boston Crusaders - Great corps. The video sounds pretty decent for this time of the year, but I can't help myself from comparing them to Star. They have pretty immense shoes to attempt to fill with their arrangement sounding very similar to Star's, yet different at times. But obviously this is not 1991, so it's all on them how well they do this year. I just hope for a ballad that involves the entire corps. Just my preference. The Cadets - I personally would get tired of playing Christmas music if I were marching with The Cadets. That's not saying the product won't be great, but there's only so much of that music I can take. I think they will still be fighting for top spots, but I don't see them taking it all again with this show. Carolina Crown - Fantastic brass is always what comes to mind with Crown. I can't wait to hear what they have in store for this year. It would be nice to see them medal again, but with a show that doesn't try so hard to sell its story. The Cavaliers - I never really know what to expect from the Cavaliers other than it will be a product that is fun to watch. With Michael Gaines gone, I hope they can maintain their visual identity. I also hope for a show that doesn't have such a "far-out" theme this year. It seemed like they were trying a little too hard with 2011's show design. Madison Scouts - There's been enough hype on Madison this year, I don't think I will add to it. I think they will be working just as hard as they have been the past few years, and possibly rise in the rankings. Phantom Regiment - My personal opinion on last year's show was that the drill was far too easy for a drum corps. Obviously back in the day drill was easier, but in the current times, that drill just didn't cut it for me. They play emotionally, so I hope they continue to do so. I could see them either staying where they are or dropping. No real basis for it, just my opinion. Santa Clara Vanguard - Well, I am glad to see some repertoire that isn't completely "out there" but that doesn't mean it cannot be arranged in a strange way. But with their staff changes, I see them making many changes for the better, and will likely rise. I was not impressed with their brass last year, or the year before, so I see no way but up for them, as far as brass goes. Again, not very much "meat" to what I am saying, but I am very excited to see what is in store this year from all the corps.

Ummmmmm... you are either way mis-informed about the way things are done today or just do not know what happens at camps today. When youth audition, say for the Cavaliers, Crown, Regiment, Scouts, Blue Stars, Glassmen, etc... they are given ratings at the end of the camp and counseled on how to best proceed; some youth are given high ratings and invited back to the next camp for possible placement; those youth which are given medium to low ratings are given the choice to come back for educational aspects and also counseled to seek out another corps. Yes, they are counseled to seek other corps; let me say that again: They Are Counseled To Seek Out Other Corps!!! However, many of the youth who make medium to low ratings decide to stay at home instead of following that counsel. I am not aware of any ogre type activities going on within any corps or any corps staff today which wants to treat youth in the "drop dead" manner in which you are indicating.

Both groups are from the Philippines. Drum corps is actually growing outside of North America and YouTube is a huge driver of this. Kids see guys doing stuff on YouTube and want to do that. I think the future of the activity is really outside of the US.

Renegades will be marching on Kanstuls again this season, with the exception of soloists who use multikeyed horns.

And as much as many folks want to blame "DCI" for their folding, the truth is that easily 90% of those corps that folded did so because they were run poorly by people who were terrible businessmen.

DCI is nice, but I think I'm starting to like seeing more home grown type drum corps like the ones that are in the videos below. It’s just something very entertaining about watching the drum corps that don’t have as big a budget as the top teer corps do and thus, they have to make it work some kind of way, and I like the music that some of them play. It’s kind of like homemade cookies, homemade pizza, homemade tacos. It’s the same idea.

Ayala high school is amazing! It was so good to watch live at the Riverside regional. Lots of energy & fierce performers! A great relief to all the somber shows out there

Actually in the US, the name can be copyrighted and there are legal protections afforded the user of the name if they take the neccessary steps. For example, the former Executive Director of the 27th Lancers Drum Corps from Massachusetts( George Bonfiglio ) successfully got a US Court order to make another Corps in Massachusetts not under his Directorship cease and desist utilizing the name " 27th Lancers " for their Massachusetts Drum Corps. The unit then immediately complied with the court order and changed their name from the " 27th Lancers " to " The Light Brigade " Drum Corps . Additionally, the original "The Platters" singing group was able to prevent groups touring the country from utilizing their name with performers not of their choosing, nor permission. There are other examples where the name of a group has successfully gone to court and prevented other groups in the USA from utilizing their name in marketing without their permission. The Blue Devils Drum Corps and the Blue Devils College sports team are different in that the name " Blue Devils " are not in the same genre. One is a musical group, another a sports team... thus no need for protective rights. That said, there are Corps that today have similar names but there has been no challenge made to the name selection as no protective rights seem to be at stake and none has been challenged, so Corps with similar names seem ok with it, as its clear the units can't be mistaken for one another despite the similar name of the Corps (for example " Crusaders " from Boston, " Crusaders " from Rochester)

One of the reasons I like Whitacre, is that he is accessible in allowing his works to be arranged/performed in the marching arts. That and his wife is pretty darn good lookin'.

Legend is still on G.

Pretty sure the kids can find the corps on their own. But from what I've read on threads I've started, with what the kids have to pay today many think only a few are worth their time and money. It may be they only think a top corps is worth it to them or "I have my heart set on being with .... and it's not in my heart ot be with anyone else". And how much time do you think a corps can spend teaching music education today? With short seasons and limited camp time sometimes the shows aren't even ready by the start of the season. And heaven forbid if the weather mucks things up, then it's even worse. Hey I'm 54 and was on a board dealing with how changes over the decades is killing churches in the city. And some of the reasons can be related to Drum Corps (especially the city ones). Let's just say it was a helluva (pardon the pun since it was church related) eye opener. Some things cannot be controlled or have someone to blame, you just have to decide the best way to deal with them. DCI has done some dumb things IMO, but putting sole resposibility on them for the demise all the Jr corps that dissolved since 1972? What's usally forgotten is the Sr corps world has also had a horrible survival rate during the same time.

I enjoy this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfRcHlJp_6Q I like the non show stuff... a lot of it seems to get lost every year. People depend on youtube to pick up the extra stuff.

The corps that didn't survive didn't survive for a variety of reasons. I think administrations who felt taking out mortgages on their homes was good business practice are more to blame than DCI's touring model. There were a lot of well-meaning idiotic corps out there BITD. Those who survive today do so because they are managed (or recovered) in a smart, sustainable fashion.

Since 2011 Crossmen didn't get a chance to perform at finals, here is a great recording from Quarter Finals. Wow, that Maltese Cross at the end really HITS the spot!

I’m not sure there what, if any connections there are between the original 27th Lancers and the New 27th Lancers from the Philippines. They may have just borrowed the name, and perhaps were inspired by the original corps and if you had to choose a corps as a role model, 27th would be an excellent choice. While I know that 27th never performed “Vehicle” or “Copacabana” competitively as one YouTube clip of the newer corps shows, the original 27th did have an amazing “Rocky” in 1977 and you can see a 27th influence from yesteryear on this newer corps when they play the same piece. It’s also my understanding that drum corps is still in its infancy in the Philippines, it’s unrealistic for comparisons to be made at this point. Also, when drum corps takes root in a country with as many challenges as the Philippines, even if they can’t play a note, it’s a success story.

Philippines has had a lot of drum corps over the year. I remember when I cooked for BD in 87 one of the drivers showed me lots of photos of corps over there. I ended up staying there for a summer 5 years later and asked a few people and was surprised how many people there know of drum and bugle corps. I'm sure it's much bigger now! Yea Youtube is quite a tool for spreading things isn't it?

I agree. The 27th Lancers used to be from Massachusetts with most of their marchers coming from that state. But they've been gone as a competitive Corps for over 25 years now. Today, the new 27th Lancers competing Drum Corps are from Manila...... not Massachusetts.( the current 27th Lancers have lots of videos on Youtube ) There are more Junior competitive Drum Corps now in the Far East than in Canada or the Northeast USA. Things change. Drum Corps International is truly more International now than ever before with marchers marching in Corps from all over the world with increasing frequency. I would expect the Drum Corps activity to continue to expand into more warmer climates of the world over more colder climates over the next 25 years. Show venue sites included. Its already happening, and right here in North America compared to previous show site venues for the vast majority of show site venues. It'l be the global warming movement era of the future Drum Corps growth, imo.... so long as it remains primarily an outdoor competitive activity with competition on soccer or football fields.

Heres' the order as of few days ago... National Anthem (a mini-corps of Lancers) Swing House Reading Buccaneers Alumni BSGK Reilly Raiders Park City Pride Westshoremen Hawthorne Caballeros Lancers Alumni ALL HORNS "You'll Never Walk Alone" w/Lancer Drum Line

Marching mallets.... those were the days! Except when we got the marching vibe... not so easy!

Question for reallyoldfart: Today, when over 500 show up at just a Cavaliers November Thanksgiving camp, what would you do? March all 500? March just the 150 with the least amount of experience so that the corps can educate those who cannot play? What would you do in 'todays' Cavaliers?

I have a friend in the Crusaders and he told me that they have 2 camps left before move-ins. According to him they are planning to have the whole show on the field by May 6th! Can anyone back this up?

Yes it was a Great Day for All. "Brassmen" - "Holy Name Cadets" - "Selden Cadets" - "South Jersey Vagabonds" and "NY Skyliners" Huge Corps, were all Great. All the "Individuals" and "Ensembles" (from NY, NJ, PA, CT, MA) were all at their Best. Then there was the big reunion like athmosmere by all the people that attended. A Well Run show by the "NY Skyliners" for sure.

Agreed!!!! Mr Cossetti did a GREAT job today!! He was also sick last year and performed very well then too ... (maybe that's his secret.... perform at the BHOF I&E's when he's not feeling fell!) I'll let ya know if I start feeling sick Ray. LOL (Thank you again for the help with the parking spot!!) To ALL participants, Anthony, the BHOF, Ray, Rich and the entire Skyliners Alumni Organisation, THANK YOU!! Another GREAT BHOF show!!

You arrogance in which you believe that you know better than the majority of people, and that those who disagree with you should "keep quiet and get back to the sidelines" is rather pitiful in my opinion.

If SCV makes finals it will be 41 years in a row for top 12 at DCI and their 46th year on the field.

I wish who ever holds the rights to Carl Orff's music would meet band for a drink.

Oh I get it now... you're a fraud that is just trolling. Son of a gun. You fooled us. Shame on us.

Updated as more corps announce reps: 1.) Cadets- I know 12.25 is weird, but the Cadets know how to sell a show 2.) SCV- with that team and that show, easily attainable 3.) Crown- Don't see why not 4.) Devs- any lower would be stupid 5.) Bluecoats- fix some visual issues, which helps, but hornline misses the mark 6.) Cavies- I know, they're the Green Machine, but drill design has been holding back Academy, can we not expect the same at Cavs? 7.) Phantom- Seems like a safe place for them to end up in 8.) Madison- Back with the big boys 9.) Boston- Sorry, maybe back in the TOC next year, but someone has to slip 10.) Blue Stars- trying to build back up to Top 8, but it's a process 11.) BK- still entertaining, and moving in the right direction, but only so much room at the top 12.) Academy- new brass program pushes them into Finals 13.) Sprit- very close, but the opposite of 2007 where Academy pushes by 14.) Colts- Why not? 15.) Glassmen- need to find a new direction, I think 16.) Crossmen- finding their style, but Texas gets picked kind of dry by every other corps, need something to push them back to Finals 17.) Troopers- don't get me wrong, I love these guys, but the top 15 gets pretty stacked up every year 18.) PC- they seem to be pretty consistent around this area 19.) OC- their first Open Class Title? 20.) SCVC- it could happen 21.) Jersey Surf- starting to really find their World Class stride 22.) BDB- close to Surf, but just smidge under 23.) Teal Sound- new staff, could be shaky 24.) Pioneer- I want them in prelims 25.) Mandarins- Just cause, they just seem to be a corps without a complete product These could be right, they could be wrong. Won't know till August, but it's fun to spit-ball ideas

I thought their visual design in 2000 was one of the best in DCI history.

I don't think it would be possible for me to disagree more. Mike

Awesome! I can't wait to hear their arrangement!

I loved this show. Then, when I was faced with surgery for what doctors feared was cancer in my spine, I watched this show a lot before the surgery. The result was good and this show will forever be etched on my mind as helping me through a difficult time. And I agree with others that this was the first show to hook me as a Crown fan.

I wear big boy pants. Last-minute repertoire changes are not going to ruin my Summer. I can understand, barely, holding back on show CONCEPT or TITLE announcements. But this isn't cloak-and-dagger information vital to national security. And considering any Joe Public can simply walk by the corps property on a camp weekend and hear them performing, WHAT they are playing isn't exactly secret. And with the total fusterclucks we've had on recent CD/DVD releases, I think people just need to realize that copyright grief is a part of life now and will never be completely eliminated. I still don't see what it being gained by holding back every possible piece of information.

It's not 100% accurate, even now, because it's NOT COMPLETE. Which was my point all along, that you THINK you know, but you really don't! Because for it to be truly insider status, it would have have said one of the following: Mars Jupiter Piece by Mackey *Piece by Whitacre* --OR-- Mars Jupiter Hymn to a blue hour (composer optional, since u left out Holst) Leonard and his flying machines (optional composer) Signed, REAL insider.

Ever since then, it's been impossible not to wonder what sort of wonderful innovations what would happen next.

I have to admit from the beginning that I am one of the many who did not know I loved the Bridgemen until they were no more. From 1976-1980, I saw them as a nuisance. If 27th was in a show, I always wanted them to win, and if it couldn’t be 27th then I’d want Phantom or Madison to take top honors. On more than one occasion, the Bridgemen did their show and disrupted how I thought the order of things ought to be. Competitions were always exciting when the Bridgemen were involved because you never knew how the judges would react—they were always the wild card. You also never knew how the audience would react. Everyone had an opinion on the Bridgemen. As I look back at their glory days, they were not of that era, if anything they were a large part in defining that era. At times there could be too much going on, but eventually had a nearly effect blend of innovation and tradition. They were also good. Their drum line was often one of the best, their horn line was could fill a stadium with sound and their shows were a lot cleaner than they were given credit for back in the day. I’m glad that Jersey Surf is doing a tribute to the Bridgemen this year, and I hope it goes well. From what I hear, Jersey Surf is a great organization and it seems to allow the drum corps experience to young people who otherwise would not have it due to school and work commitments. They are also well suited for doing this show. Jersey Surf remembers the audience, and whether you loved or hated the Bridgemen, you can’t deny they loved to please the crowd. I’m also glad the Bridgemen are being remembered. I appreciate what drum corps is doing today, and I do not question the skill level of the young people, but I do feel that some of drum corps tradition has been lost. I know we can’t turn the clock back, but perhaps by remembering as one person called them “bygone corps” and paying tribute to corps such as Bridgemen, 27th Lancers, Anaheim Kingsmen, and so many others that made drum corps what we have today, we can not only keep the memory alive but also build on tradition.

I wouldn't have put it quite the same way but you're right. Historically there is no real comparison.

Anyone see this video? It's beautiful. Bluecoats Standstill

Um...many of those corps folded well before DCI even existed.

Cavies had such a killer drumline that year though!

sick of malaguena and would really be okay with never hearing it again...so malaga, I guess.

Most Innovative- The Cadets Most Entertaining- Carolina Crown however... Most "cheese"- Carolina Crown a little over the top with the "Rach Star" for my tastes. I got it, you are rock stars, now march and play! Most improved- Blue Knights or Spirit Most disappointing- SCV and Blue Stars Most traditional- Phantom Regiment Most overhyped- Bluecoats Most Enternaining year of DCI- 2011

The most like they were in the 80s and 90s: Blue Devils The most powerful crowd reaction: Madison Scouts The most improved: Spirit Of Atlanta The most strange and slightly offensive show concept: Santa Clara Vanguard The most anticlimactic follow up to their 2010 season: Bluecoats

Most underrated moment that had this old phart in tears and made my 3,000 mile motorcycle ride from So Cal to Allentown PA totally worth it: Troopers' 28 seconds of FFF followed by the down/soft ending in the end zone with the cavalry flag sunburst.

Most awesome top 3 all-season dogfight in years (BD, Cadets, Cavies; and for fleeting moments, Crown) Most welcome horn book turn-around (for me) -- BD Most impressive guard turn around -- Phantom Most overhyped -- Madison Most mind-blowing drill design -- Cadets Most complete package in recent years, probably since early 2000's Cavies -- Cadets

Most interesting brass writing: Carolina Crown Most interesting percussion writing: Santa Clara Vanguard Most interesting visual writing: The Cadets Most challenging show concept: Santa Clara Vanguard Most visual gimmicks: Cavaliers (no doubt, the upside-down playing and stuff was cool, but it's still gimmicky) Most improved section: Phantom's guard (9th in 2010, 3rd in 2011) Most under-rated show: Carolina Crown (and boy, am I going to catch heat for this next one...) Most over-rated show: Madison Scouts (you know that Family Guy episode where Lois is running for mayor, and at every speech or debate she just steps up to the microphone and says "Nine. Eleven." and the audience explodes in applause? Yeah, that. People were so caught up in what the show was representing that I don't think they look closely enough at the DESIGN of the show--which, IMO, wasn't that good at all.)

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

I'll save everyone the trouble. The ************ Drum & Bugle Corps had their audition camp last weekend. There were 550 brass players in attendance, all of whom are college music majors and athletes of Olympic caliber....474 percuissionists were there, and a little over 300 guard applicants. This corps is SO talented, they learned the entire show, music and drill. Combined with the fact that they've added Joe Ship, the Ragman as Brass Atrranger, Vinnie Boombatts as Percussion Caption Head, and Lady Gaga as Visual Consultant (even though none of whom will EVER be on tour or even know the kids names), this corps is going to be on fire this year!!! Top three is guaranteed! Yes, the ************ Corps will be for REAL this year, dude!!!