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I know, right! How could people possibly make the connection to Peter Pan characters with that show?

This is silly. Of course it's "everyone's business" what they're playing! People on DCP are fans -- you know -- the people sitting in the audience paying to watch the Bluecoats perform... While you're right that "technically" no one needs to know what they're playing, "technically" they could perform in an empty warehouse all summer. But that would be silly too! The Bluecoats (and their online defenders) should be pleased that fans want to know what they're playing. It's a much better situation than fans who couldn't care less what they're playing. </soapbox>

I, personally, think that some of the Bluecoats' body movements were pretty messy. Watching them play "Creep" in the beginning of their show, it's not very together. The movements were there and were executed well, but it wasn't executed together. Almost like the attention to detail was lacking.

Don't worry, no offense taken - I actually completely agree with you. The vis staff told me sometime in July to try and be as still as humanly possible while I played the solo, so that people wouldn't look at me and wouldn't be able to tell where the sound was coming from. Sure, I had the musical spotlight, but the visual focus was clearly supposed to be on Joey and Deanna, rather than on me trying my best not to move.

I guess from my perspective, I'm left wondering what obligation they owe anyone to do this? Would it quiet the complaining five or six people? Sure, but maybe they'd prefer to handle all their business in-house, and because it technically isn't anyone else's business, they released what they could. Y'all realize they didn't have to release anything, right? So instead of complaining about what they didn't do, why not try and be happy for what they did do?

I just watched a video of the 27th Lancers 1980. That was an amazing drum corps that was way ahead of it's time. The end.

http://www.crossmen.org/page25917916 This automatically makes me think of the Songs for the Planet Earth series, very excited to see this!

Announced on Earth Day. I see what you did there!

looks good...... Just stay jazzy and groovy and that's all this Crossmen yearns for......

Don't you think some of these announcements are getting a bit ridiculous? I just want to see and hear some Drum Corps!

It cracks me up that anyone would question whether the Cavaliers will field a great show this year. When was the last time they had a bad show? I've only been around corps since around 2004 but I can't remember them ever not being in the hunt for the gold.

Yeah - The Boxer stands out for me as well.

We've got some really strong programs here in the Houston area. As good as they are I don't believe any of them would be competitive in the DCI arena.

I don't want to get my hopes up too high but this sounds like it has potential. Enough to make me want to add a Crossmen banner to my signature.

Or what if they added a one time fee to view finals online. I really don't think DCI would lose money by not selling actual tickets to finals. I think it could be a way to generate even more $$.

Over the past few years, I would say Crown. While I have a tendency to think they overload it in their shows, they generally do it well and to good effect. I would say that 2011 is the exception to that. Just felt that a lot of the body work they did really didn't connect with the show. If I just listened to their show, I knew I was at a rock concert. If I just watched it, I'd think I was at a ballet. There were times it made sense, but overall I felt it was forced.

Because of their Winter Oylmpics gig, they kept most of their 79 stuff. New Country did replace Take Five. Finishing 2nd to the Blue Devils still bums out some alumni and fans of that corps.

You're just naive... Let's see how they arrange the show first. I mean, yes, both shows probably involve marching, spinning, dancing, drumming, synthing, et cetera... I don't see any rock or Rach music listed in the Cavies show... There's a piece of music from Fame in Cavalier's show.... There's a piece of music that Cavies played in the 80s in their show. I guess if you want to be negative you could say that the idea is derivative, but we really can say that of most of the shows... Eh, sounds like you don't like The Cavaliers to me...

It had its moments. Absolutely it was. Yes. The question is: Why does it matter? Drum corps is almost entirely cheese. But since we're such an insular community we've deluded ourselves into thinking that only certain aspects of drum corps are cheesy (like "Tinkerbell on a podium") and that the absolute cheesiest aspects of drum corps - hilariously over-dramatic and over-designed "intellectual" shows - are in fact super serious and kewl. It's all cheese. And it's almost all great. Cavies have selected a great repertoire, and should have an amazing show. It'll be at least a little cheesy . . . though I don't think the Lady Gaga will make it so (not a fan, but I don't understand the hate . . . I also don't understand why drum corps fans think pop music always = cheesy).

2008, the boxer is one obvious one 2010 and 2011 epic contra features! They make me quiver when I hear them. 2011 creep and just the entire closer. Hope there is another stand out moment again this year BLOOOOOO

Groovy stuff. Listened to all the originals. Definitely has the potential for the true Crossmen feel. And I very much trust Chuck.

I know there are ways to download youtube videos... do you want to give the presentation somewhere that has an internet connection? If there is internet, you can just put the link on a powerpoint slide, and you can click the link and it will open the website (in this case, whatever video the link is to) this is not an official DCI video, but does explain the sections

I don't think any of these are the specific video you are referring to, but

I wonder if this benefits the individual corps any more than buying tickets directly from them. I know we usually buy our San Antonio tickets from Ticketmaster but this year we got them from Madison directly.

A lot of people probably don't realize this but Madison has done this for decades. Go back and watch a few old clips of Ballet In Brass in the 80s and you will notice a lot of movement of that nature. And yet we treat dance as though it's a new thing. Tim K, even though I snipped much of your post to isolate a good point (my apologies), I agree very much with your larger point in regards to variety. It doesn't just have to be the same type of stuff. There are many styles of dance that can be effective. Even the Bridgemen back in the day found ways to incorporate dance into drum corps. It's been around since at least the 80s (and even in the 70s you can find hints of it if you really look for it). Blue Devils even had some movement similar to what we see today in part of their 1988 show. VK danced too. Santa Clara definitely had some especially in 88 and 89 with their Phantom Of The Opera shows. Nothing new and I think Tim K brings up a great point, the more variety we can get in this element of drum corps, the more interesting it can become.

I will completely AGREE with this post! For the past couple of seasons, I haven't been able to subscribe due to the fact that i'm a college student and I have to plan out what show i'm going to go to and how much it's going to be... plus saving up for gas money for the giant whale that I drive can be an issue sometimes. However, if DCI streamed finals live I would totally do everything in my power every year to either subscribe or buy the finals stream.

I disagree. If someone has been making outstanding contributions to drum corps for years they deserve to be recognized whether they are still teaching or not.

We. Definitely we. Don't care what the selections are: if Chuck Naffier is arranging I wanna hear the end result.

But I thought The Cadets were playing Christmas music.

Music selections include: Sounds really good too! Wow, good job so far all corps!

I've heard several versions of that piece of music. It amazes me how one version a piece of music sounds good, but another version might now. So, I'm gonna trust that their version will be good.

Crossmen!

Popular songs... You know, that's how that little abbreviation got started. Rock songs were "popular" at one time. I know cause I lived it. ...and I know I'll love what Crown's doing this year too... Of course I like BOTH Crown and The Cavaliers...

If we have learned AYTHING at all about this activity, it is that there is nothing.... NOTHING....that is considered " permanent" or sacrosanct as a part of the Drum Corps activity so that it " will never go away ". So I don't accept your premise at all on this aspect of the activity other than that it is in vogue in the present time and era.

You're right and wrong. Right that Crown's book is anything but cheese this year. Wrong in that you absolutely can still be smitten on DCP :-)

When Crown does it, people call it cheesy. When Cavaliers do it its intriguing. (Not personally directed at you two saying you said that about Crown's show, but the DCP community as whole.)

True - they seem to do their "moves" with as identical form as possible - probably better than any other corps. The problem is they do way to much of it.

Come on! -- silent flagwork and toss followed by rimshot -- Cadets 92 :)

Crossmen have the best body movements and they don't look like bandos when they do it. Not sure why they aren't in this poll.

The first time I saw Into the Light I was taken aback and not really sure what to think of it. When I saw the show at Finals, I was so emotionally moved by the whole thing. I still can't stop watching it. And yes, Carolina Crown's Nimrod took my breath away. I'd like to add a guard moment if I may - - Cavaliers 1990 "All Things Bright and Beautiful" - - during the duet, there was this three-way exchange of saber, flag and rifle that was so graceful. The cameras only caught the tail end of it. Pity.

This. Kinda sucks the DVD goes in for the close up on Nick (nothing against the guy at all) when the focus is obviously supposed to be on the main characters. I would have picked the beginning of Somewhere for the synth closeup.

I don't think anyone sitting with us in the Crown block seats breathed thru the entire solo. We were so afraid someone was going to yell "Go Crown!" or "Way to go Nick!" and spoil the moment. Thank goodness no one did. Kudos to ALL the fans!

The Santa Clara Vanguard 2011. Their entire show from start to finish .

Amaichi! this program is sublime,sophisticated and sensitive,the performers are exquisite and very well trained,the design is superbly presented and layered seamlessly.the show connects with a tremendous resonance and should be extremely well recieved by the judging community and fans alike! attention must be paid!

<"The Iron Stable: The Past is the Future" > Where is the 300 word paragraph full of adjectives, though saying nothing?

I can't wait to hear it live. I got the opener midi sent to me from another alum. I can't wait to hear it live. All I need to say as well is to bring your catapults and plenty of babies.

AIM chatroom drumcorps is open

I thought Banished was still marching but he's so talented he could probably do both tonight.

I understand George Hopkins is judging drums as well.