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Thanks for all of the support from others. I am now a member of teal sound.

The Cavaliers.

Why didn't SW make finals in 2000? Top 12 in every caption.

modeling your HS program after BD isn't necessarily a bad idea... just sayin. #halfjoking

And talking about their finances since someone called me out about calling out their financial stability. I have a right to be a bit skeptical with an organization that has changed names and changed locations as many times as the organization has under George Hopkins. The latest change being USSBA to USBands. Why exactly did they feel the need to change the name??? It almost seems like they are running from something. But hey, it's just a hunch. Blast away!

With this hipster thing taking hold, most corps who haven't announced yet aren't going to simply because it's ironic. Or something.

Just got the announcement. Not supposed to say anything until tomorrow night. But I have to say..........if this show is what I think it is going to be about, wow, I am excited already!!! :)

My next goal is to get through the next camp without adjusting my arms to deal with the pain of that Jupiter contra!

2B or not 2B - Keep posting! I enjoy reading you. Those who pick about spelling, capitalization, etc. are the real losers. They have nothing to add other than their supposed intellect. What REALLY counts, is the message. More importantly, your enthusiasm for the activity. Thanks for being a DCA fan. I'm sure the participants appreciate it.

I 'll do better and give you 5, since that was the statement that initiated this challenge. http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php/topic/149697-farewell/ http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php/topic/150032-saving-drum-corps-part-i-defining-the-problem/ http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php/topic/150226-save-drum-corps-part-ii-a-the-solution/ http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php/topic/150640-why-not-profit/ http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php/topic/149889-whats-with-all-the-hate-for-bd/ And this is just from the past 6 months. Keeping in mind that DCP has been around for a couple of years.

OK, I’ll start. It was the winter between the 67 and 68 seasons, or most likely early fall since John Sasso was still playing in the lead sop line at practice. We found a new home at the Hempstead AL post on Long Island. Nice place with the usual hall for the brass and basement for the perc section. Also had a very large bar for after practice. It was that time of year when new music was being introduced and the old songs played to stay in shape. This was the winter when things got very serious and John was making sure we worked very hard. There we were on that Friday night as usual and he made us play until near death. Finally, around 11pm we catch a break while the drum section makes their way upstairs. Small crowd of outsiders as usual start pressing against the walls of the now very small hall. We’re filled to the brim and in the arc with John by my right side. Funny playing next to him, you never want to miss a note. So, here we are cranking out some new stuff, I believe Conquest was on the floor by then and now it’s time to put on the show for the outsiders. My lip is about shot and the sweat is pouring down. Contras are begging for oxygen, mellophone neck veins are popping out and everyone is noticeably worn down and wanting this to wrap up. John keeps it going and gives the gathering a treat. Time for Rock-A-Bye. Drums start the familiar beat, horns up, still marking time and our feature steps forward, ready for action. Now, I don’t know about any of you guys or gals out there, but I was spent and mentally half way to that bar, but here I am next to Sasso and it’s time to go to work, again. I look at that clock, I sort of look over at John and think, when is this gonna end and there it is, one of the sweetest sounds you’ll ever hear. He starts out like he just walked in the room, fresh. He gets better as he plays, if that’s at all possible. I shake my head and look over at John and say, how the f%#$ does he do it? John lets out a chuckle and says and I quote, “Iron Lips”. Now I can’t claim that’s when it started, but I’ll always remember that night and know that’s the first time I ever heard that and how fitting it was. He truly was and still is an amazing player.

As an un-abashed Boston supporter, I actually wouldn't say that BAC has been "underscored", if the meaning of that word does indeed connote a massive DCI conspiracy, etc etc etc. Having said that, I think I can speak to a general frustration with the 7-9th place finishes of late for the corps. But, this has more to do with the general (and substantial) improvement of all the upper level corps in the past decade. When I watch the dvds of BAC's 5th place finishes in 2000 and 2002 and the 6th place in 2003, I see exciting, driven performances. But when I look at 2009, 2010, and 2011, I see (and hear) similar excitement levels combined with vastly superior design and performance qualities. For my money, the 2011 Boston brass performance was arguably the best that corps has ever put on the field. The guard was very strong and the drill design has been on a steep upward trajectory since 2008. (I really can't judge percussion..sorry). These days, it seems to me that all corps are in a break-neck frenzy to improve year over year, so with the kinds of products BAC has been putting out lately, it is in fact a frustration to seem to not climb the ladder. So, I would say it is more a case of the bar continuing to move upward. I personally have no complaints with the judging community...sometimes, people forget that even though Boston came in 8th last summer, some captions were even higher. The challenge for BAC (or any corps for that matter) is to improve MORE than every other corps is improving....a tall order in today's World Class, to be sure.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAAAAAAA. Oh, man. You need to do stand up, get your eyes checked, get your ears checked, or maybe all three. In the last 5+ years, no corps has been under or over scored by more than a place or two. There is no massive DCI conspiracy. There is no gouging of certain corps. The interpersonal experiences and biases that judges have towards or against specific corps is vastly equalized in the long run---plus the individual judges are scrutinized so strictly, thinking that there is a certain corps that is over or under scored in the long run is silly and obtuse.

Well... they do play like a bunch a little girls...

A complete slap in the face to the current mellophone section. Some of which are fine college musicians, future premier educators, and several with a performance degree partially under their belt.

As the season neared a close The Cadets, as far as I am aware, prepared the Demon victory finale to their show. Does anybody happen to have any resources or knowledge related to that ending?I heard a podcast featuring George Hopkins where he discussed preparing the ending and why it never ended up happening. I was pretty disappointed when the ending never made the cut. This would be really interesting to learn more about.

The demon ending was put together by the design team and they had everything planned out with what they WOULD do. It was never written out or rehearsed though.

Why didn't the Bluecoats beat the Blue Devils in 2005?

And it just keeps getting better! Home show for you, Andy.

Once Texas bands learn to move and play at the same time (Texas has NEVER won visual at GN), maybe I'll enjoy them more.

I'm not so sure about that. Yes the opportunity is being offered to current members of the corps, but they weren't made aware of this until the release came out (as far as I know). Don't you think they have some entitlement to have a shot at the solo first? IMHO the second key fact that you point out has nothing to do with my argument. Sure give the money to the soloist, thats all well and good. All I'm trying to say is that this whole gesture to bring in someone that isn't in the corps already to play a solo doesn't really reflect well on what the staff thinks of the personnel they have at hand. If I was in that section, I'd be pretty peeved.

One thing about Sun was always the imaginative nicknames members were given as I'm sure most other corps had, but there were years where almost EVERY MEMBER had some descriptive adjective in place. To this day there are members I couldnt tell what their real name is. And then of course there were the names given to blanks, the most famous of all being Stan.

From what I understand the line has been filled for a couple camps.

We picked up three additional members of the horn line at Sundays' rehearsal. (I think we've topped 70 brass players.) Irrespective of your intentions to play or not, you'll meet some great folks and find out how much you have in common. Maybe someone can help with carpooling if you want to give it a whirl. Lots of patient people willing to help. I travel down from Central Vermont to rehearsals, and could help anyone along the way (I-89, I-93) with a ride. I stop to carpool in Londonderry NH with someone who lives in Auburn, NH. Warning: I listen to "ol' skool" drum corps CD's all the way down and back.

Thank You Spandy. I did miss that. So MBI will have the Extra Time, + a Few show reads also. It might not mean much come "Labor Day Weekend". BUT, sure could be a Help for Bridgeport on the 30th. Which I think, will be one of the best Shows of the Year. Can you Believe, All Tickets are $5.oo for this show? The entire Top 5 of DCA Finals of 2011 + Bush, and at least 2 of the BEST Alumni(type) Corps in Exhibition!!!

Picture this scenario: -You volunteer at a Non-profit, and by volunteer, I mean you work about 50 hours a week there. You end up spending 3 to 4 grand every year volunteering for this non-profit. You don't really mind because it is what you love and you have a background in it (you are working on a college degree in non-profit business administration). -The non-profit decides that they are looking for someone with a little bit more experience in a certain aspect of the job. -The non-profit posts ads on craigslist and their website actively looking for someone for this role. -The non-profit offers money, not enough to cover all the costs of the job, but more than enough to make people that weren't interested before, interested now. -The job could have been tailored a little bit to fit your strengths, but they still decide to go in another direction. -You see the person who hasn't put in the time and effort you have, making more money than you are, for a job you could have done fairly well. -You are told to "be a team player" and swallow your pride, because bringing in this other guy is better for the health of the company. My question. Do you feel betrayed? Even better, does the 18-22 year old you feel betrayed? I'd say the majority of the time the answer would be yes. Why do I think this? Because we all face real life scenarios on a daily basis, just like this.

only if he makes a new screen name since the old one is banned

prediction threads the second finals scores are announced. Any of Howdy's threads. Several of the threads claming DCI needs to restructure in ways that eliminates corps. the latest incarnation of what was your favorite (insert topic here) threads and mypersonal fave, old threads being resurrected for the sake of being ressurected

Actually, that nickname was conferred by Uncle Nicky. He had one for everybody: "Shoes" for Bobby Files, "Soupy" for Bob Cephus...etc. He would stand by the gate as you entered the contest field and whisper it in your ear as you marched by. It was like having Angelo Dundee in your corner. Made you feel like Muhammed Ali.

As is your absolute right. I continue to donate to YEA! each year, as is my choice. It is up to them how they spend the money I donate. I don't pretend to know the details about their finances, nor is the item-line detail of their budget process all that important as long as the overall organization is something I feel good about supporting. This case is not even relevant to the overall funding of the organization as an alum donated the $ specifically for the mello scholarship.

I'm sorry, I still don't buy it. If there was a bias towards people or corps, Phantom Regiment wouldn't even make the top 12. Dan Farrell is absolutely despised by many within the DCI ranks, plus PR has a huge visual "reputation". Even then they are given a chance. Corps specific stereotypes and dislike towards figureheads in each group don't hold corps back much at all. This is a youth activity. The vast majority, enough to almost always outweigh the "bad apples", makes sure that the kids in each group are rewarded for their excellence. The Cavaliers, Blue Devils, and Cadets don't win because of DCI. They win because they are the best. Boston doesn't get 8th because they aren't liked by DCI. They get 8th because that's overwhelmingly what they deserve.

Cooley DA Boots

Because other corps scored higher than them?

"What The Cadets seem to be doing is original and a first"......this couldn't be further from the truth. I marched for free my 2nd year in another DCI finalist back in the 70's..., as I wasn't going to march, but they called me to replace a kid who couldn't do tour.....I had no money, and they called back an hour later and said I could march for free....done deal. Right, wrong, or indifferent, it has been happening for generations. However, I think your "fears" with this are probably unwarranted, as there is not a corps on the field at DCI who doesn't need the dues/fees paid by members as an integral part of their operating budget. I am ok with you, and others, not liking it, but you are off base in saying this is something new, or unique to the Cadets.........far from it........... GB

Congrats, and best of luck on a safe and exciting tour. I can't wait to see Teal Sound this summer. I have to say they ended up being one of the biggest surprises last year. I went from not liking their show at all in June, to really enjoying them at the end of the season.

yeah it sucks knowing every show will have a winner and others that don't win let's add to it since it's kind of a swipe at Bucs and/or DCA and some black helicopters flying overhead plot. the corps that comes out the most ready at Wildwood wins the show. It's hardly a secret that corps has been Bucs. But as we saw last summer, that doesn't mean in the end, Bucs will win.

Translation? The original soloist had already paid $1500 toward their fees. I can see where this upsets many people, but I am sure that the staff realizes that the solo is out of the grasp of the remaining mellophones. While it might be a slap in the face to the members, baseball teams employ tactics like this all the time near the trade deadline. In the end, its about what one move does for the team and it has nothing to do with the feelings of the individual. In basketball, if you can make the shot, you do it, if not, you pass the ball. It may not seem like it, but this is a calculated corps move. It will work. George always finds a way to make it work.

No. It's really just an article that they're looking for a soloist for their show this year. We can all pretend that it's really a thinly veiled attack on the current mello line and how talentless they are, because it's DCP and that's just how it rolls here in the off season... but here in reality... it's just an announcement that they're auditioning for a featured solo performer.

ZOMGCONTROVERSYINTHEOFFSEASON!!!! .... Reading the article, it appears an alumni is providing the $1500, not the YEA/Cadet organization per se and is also open to members of the current mello line. Not sure I'm getting the outrage, but perhaps I'm too focused on hockey at the moment.

But seems they might not be right for what is needed. Different players have different strengths. One player might be technically brilliant, but not have the same sort of lyrical sensibility required. Drum corps also complicates things a bit, since players making the line need to be able to move and have endurance (especially a group like Cadets), which is a different skill set than the park and blow demands of a heavily featured soloist. I don't think it is necessarily a slap in the face... I mean, there are some of the kids in the section that are probably rock solid from a leadership perspective, or from all sorts of other abilities, including playing, but just are not right for THIS role. Anyway, when you're on that level, why give a featured role to the kid that might excels in all the other areas except for the exact one that is needed for the performance role? It is not the touchy feely sort of thing to do... but the performance level here is incredibly high. Kids should be treated as professionals on this level.

All of em! I just love drum corps.

I haven't gone to every finals for the last 60 years, so I haven't heard every finals performance, but I appreciate reading everyone's list so I can listen to what I have missed. I am willing to to agree that everyone is correct. This is part of what DC is about. I didn't mention 80 S of A because I didn't think I needed to reiterate what had already been said. But I don't remember hearing a louder horn line and I've heard everyone at one time or another. However I was not excited by their repertoire, but they did execute. I am not one to often pick nits, but I do like terms well defined. I'm not sure about the difference between "Impact" and "Hits". To me, a hit is a strong dramatic, but short passage. Impact could be this or more extended passages at high strength and volume. Many Corps have done both where they start a passage with a big hit, and then continue at high power. What do others think? Kevin

I don't know about any percussion clinics, but I might be attending a "Guinness clinic" at an Irish pub in downtown Baltimore this evening.

pretty good relative to other states' best bands? yes pretty good relative to the dci world? no

From a (now ex-) college music major...

They've been going on before the other "12th Spot Contenders" (except for Regionals) for most of the season. And, they've been regularly beating those who went on after them. Don't know what happened last night. Let's just say they got beat by the better Corps that night and we'll see what happens in Indy. Go Spirit!!!

Yes, a strange turn of events. Wish the recaps were up! Congrats to Glassmen! C'mon Baby Blue--you can do it!!!

Sorta like the Blue Devils do in a full show performance. ( oh gawd, somebody stop me from being this cranky tonite. )