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08 stars maybe?

This show goes often unmentioned...but, I will always say, if you know the full story, 1989 Cadets of Bergen County and Les Mis. Behind Star most of the year and too many endings to the show to count, all the way up till finals. It is still very sad, to know we could not convince judges that there really isn't a tear in the show, it was two completely INDEPENDENT CORPS on the field at the same time(maybe we should have just superimposed one on the other), but dawg gone it, that's how it was done on Broadway and that's what we did on the field. An absolutely inspiriing, emotionally charged show, no matter what place it finished.

2000 Boston, though they had finally made Finals in 1999, I think long time DCI followers were happy to see them jump right in the thick of things and make live T.V. During the pause between the sixth and fifth corps, the east coast crowd was electric in their anticipation, and they weren't disapointed.

"Was anyone else back in the day spinning and tossing with that same level of perfection? " Yes

It's not that I disagree with the use of sabres because I don't - I just can't really actually see them when the guard members spin and toss them. I don't think they really add to the visual impact.

I agree with this, I often have a hard time figuring out what's going on with sabres.

I have always loved BD since I first saw them in '77. They have always presented themselves with class and been on the cutting edge of every part of Drum Corps. It is always easy to try to destroy what has been so successful throughout the years because it just makes some people feel better. BD = CLASS!!! :thumbup:

I want they place to succeed,........but: A. Hotels are more expensive B. Ticket sales are slow

I have a difficult time seeing sabres on the field at all. I wouldn't be upset if guards only used rifles and flags but that's just me.

Just curious of your opinion on NBA players that miss foul shots 25% (or more) of the time?

They may be playing on less than ideal equipment; but at least they will probably be playing some pretty sweet beats. Could be worse, I guess. They could be playing on Die-Nasty, Premier, or Ludwig.

Colorguard: A Rifle and a Saber guard the Flag These weapons are still used today. I wish Cadets 83 and or BD 88, SCV 89 would have included weapons. I think guards are all back on track once again.

No the level of guards and their respective "books" are miles apart.. Guards are not getting too good, the shows may just be over your head. Understanding the triad or how the sheets are written for adjudication can help you, the viewer appreciate the the differences is style and difficulty. Just because a toss is clean in the air, does not make a good guard. Triad - Design triad = body (dance and other movement of the performers' bodies), staging/drill (movement across and utilization of the floor space), and equipment work (flag, rifle, sabre, etc). Effect triad = intellectual (range/quality of design, i.e. how "hard" or "cool" the work is), aesthetic (holds the viewer's attention through time), emotional (event planned for the specific reason of getting a response of the viewer). In this 60 sec short clip, (released to the public by DCI.) opening rifle work looks great from the stands because it spins and moves well. A closer look and the rifles release the gun about eight times included behind the back, over the head, and side to side.. the final toss is released "Back Field" and the performer steps under the toss to catch the weapon "Front field" adding elements of difficulty and range making that TOSS more exciting. When viewing guards, you have to look at the totality of the guard book and design. Guards are NOT too good. they are doing more and doing it cleaner. Just look and understand.

This is undoubtedly self-serving, but probably 1999 SCV. I seem to remember that we were nearly a point behind BD in semis. We came back in scoring, which is obvious, but I've heard people say that it's the most energized performance they've ever seen live. But most important was the crowd response when the scores were announced. When you find out that you tied with another corps, and then (what sounded like) 20,000+ fans chant out "SCV... SCV... SCV..." for several minutes, that says it all. In my opinion, this has to be the be-all-end-all answer to this thread. /thread =P P.S. This is no knock on BD that year, since I loved their show. Just sayin'.

I am looking forward to hearing Crown's hornline play again and take another Jim Ott trophy.

Method to the madness...

Not actually in the show, but i've loved this vid if bloo singing and playing creep in the lot so thought it deserved 'honorable mention'

To me one of the best examples of early season to late season improvement was Madison 2007. Mandarins and Pioneer are the only two that didn't beat them that season. I've seen a few videos of them from early season and it was pretty icky. By semis though they pulled together a pretty exciting show that placed 15th.

The Boston Crusaders made tremendous strides from June to August of this past season I thought. By Finals Night, they really had picked it up a notch.

Proving, once again, that no matter what the subject great minds will use it as an opportunity to take a shot at BD.

IMO I think Boston over the past several years has done a great job and are underrated as well.

I'll state the obvious- Phantom 2008. I was there, and it was unlike anything I saw in the three years after it.

Phantom 96

Ok, at first I thought holding their entire spring training in Indianapolis was just a tad far from LaCrosse, bu t this is just way over the line. I mean, with the price of fuel these days, how are these kids supposed to find their way to Jupiter? Last time I checked, I'm pretty sure there are no $99 one-way deals there on Southwest. Heck, just getting to Canada these days is hard enough. And, have you seen the weather there? You think LaCrosse can get cold in the springtime? Try another million miles or so away from the sun. Geez, what is their corps leadership thinking???

I got to tell you G, I may be missing something here....but I don't get this thread. Maybe it's time we pinned your name to your sweater and dropped you off at the Dog Track! :-}

And they BOTH let the SHOW tell the story, which is why both shows are so great.

Hmmm... maybe I shouldn't wear the Booster Button I bought either.... Says I supported the Jersey Skeeters D&BC - Hackensack, NJ..... in 1948....

I can understand the outrage at someone wearing an SCV jacket who may not really be or have been a memeber. This extends to other areas too. Why just the other day I saw a guy wearing a Boston Red Sox team jersey that said "Pedroia" on the back and I'm pretty sure it wasn't Dustin Pedroia. The next time I see him I am going to demand his ID and if he isn't who his shirt says he is, you can bet I'm going shake my finger very vigorously at him and let him know I am really mad at him. I've also seen bunch of people wearing NFL shirts and I'm pretty sure they are NFL players. Especially the women wearing them.

Just to clarify, Crown never (recently at least) fields the actual ending to their show early season. But they do learn it early (sometimes very early) in the season and the staff decides when to plug it in. I think this past year they learned it after the first two Texas shows. It might be more accurate to say that the early season ending is a temporary ending. Anyway the actual ending was not some last ditch effort to "save" the show but instead was planned from the start.

Because Crown is strong across the board in all areas, the winning edge is a matter of design. And....because it will be their first, (IMO) their design will need to be obviously superior. Simply said, they cannot win strictly on their performance level alone. Having said that, I think they were on to something with "Triple Crown", which remains one of my all-time favorite DCI shows. CC is able to pull off amusing moments in a show better than most....somehow, for them, it just works. But amusing is a double edged sword, and I'm not sure how many titles have been won with a lot of amusing or lighthearted stuff in it....but I think it (done well) could be the thing that puts them over the top. I say, go for the funny bone!

I don’t have a single clue what it would take for Crown to win a title and to be perfectly honest I will still be a “Crown Homer” in the event they never win a title in their history during my lifetime. I believe their place in history and in their fans hearts are not defined by how many trophies that will ever reside in the Fort Mill office. That said; I bet everyone is doing everything they can working toward a goal. I have personally heard many, many good things at the past 2 camps from the brass and percussion from the early stages of the show development. What’s wrong with being great, entertaining and fun?

2012 Carolina Crown Faculty Since you guys want to talk about staff... Here is the list. Have fun!

They have to have THE show. Performance quality is nearly on par or above in all captions, the design is what will have to carry them across the finish line. While last year was exceptionally well performed, and all-around fun for the audience and performers, it was not THE show. However, the show this year just might have what it takes...

March better or get black pants.

as long as someone gets killed in the end, it should work out well for them

botox?

Well this should be interesting!

The Cadets - xmas show

In terms of corps that perform like world champions and have championship caliber shows, Crown. Maybe Bluecoats. I think the Blue Stars deserve some recognition though.

I used to argue with you on this until I aged out and we started going to shows together. Unless you're in the front few rows the sabres get totally lost to the audience. I think maybe they should be used for indoor exclusively?

I don't think you can say guards are too "good" .... but I would rather see the return of the huge percussion battery than a guard, any day. Of course, as a drummer ... I'm biased.

Los Angeles!

Uh how bout this past year for Phantom? Was anyone else more than worried when they saw what PR was doing in the early season, but by finals, it was wow, and I mean WOOOW.

i haven't seen people get this upset about civilians who buy marine dress blues

Give the kids the evening off. Take the staff to a steak house for 4 hours and spend 2 of them discussing how to avoid being in this position next year. The other 2 hours on hashing out a game plan on what parts of the show to aim the fire hose at.

Years ago I heard Cavies had a tradition of pulling in to Allentown and jumping into the lake. I think they did it whenever they got to town (early am, day before) not right before the show. I have never seen it, anyone know about this?

I think it is sad that people are booing a corps. Also sad is that fans feel they need to boo to make there dislike of some of the current trends known. Sad but there right. Boo if you must, but please wait until the show is over so you don't ruin someone elses experience with the noise.

If you applied term limits to judging, you would run out of canidates in two years.

Definitely worth honorable mention - Suncoast was incredible - all captions!