Leaderboard

Fans.

I marched in the 80s. I have been on this board before under a different screen name. I swore to God I would never come back, and that I would never go to another show again....AFTER vocals were instituted. The use of the Yowza, and the singing that the Cadets did drove me away. I truly can't watch those shows EVER. That said. This year my son asked me about taking him to see a show. I relented. We went. I was floored at the sound. I was anti amp, anti electronics, and still HATE vocals, always will, but there is no comparison to what I am hearing out there on that field. We can all debate the songs and them being chopped up bits, etc. I am talking about the beauty of the sound, and how well its woven. I am almost to the point that if DCI wants to try woodwinds, then so be it. I have no doubt some corps will go full on overboard and alienate half of the world with their overuse for a year. Then they will learn how to use them wisely and it will be incredible. I bought the Cadets pretour cd and am astounded by the sound. If this is what it sounds like with all the changes in place, then change on. I missed about 5 years of corps over my stubborness. I have some catching up to do.

So last night I woke up @ 4:25 am and couldn't immediately fall back asleep so I decided to listen to iHeartRadio. I put on a program called Coast to Coast AM which is basically a show about the occult, aliens, the paranormal, and conspiracies. Apparently it's the most popular show in its time slot on the radio ( @ 3 million listeners) and has been running for a pretty long time.... I must admit that I've heard the show a few times during long drives across the country as I find it both interesting and amusing to hear about these things.... ( I also like all these types of movies ) Of course most of it is whacky, but that's part of the fun I guess. ANYWAY, I came in on the viewer' calls segment of the program; there was this caller from Missouri talking about the Tournament of Champions show in Warrensburg, Mo on July 11th. He wanted to let the host and the other listeners know about "these collegiate marching bands" and their band competition shows happening across the country. The caller singled out The Cavaliers in particular for worshiping the illuminati during their show! () Of course he described the corps as being a "collegiate marching band from West Virginia, I think"... The caller described The Cavaliers by saying that they "came on the field wearing black robes and actually performed a "satanic ritual" in their show... " I think there were 7 bands there and they came in last place...." Okay, I found a link from the show... http://www.coasttoco...show/2013/09/06 " Savant from Kansas City phoned in to discuss how the Illuminati thinking has invaded the United States and was mostly recently seen in a collegiate marching band competition he attended. "[One group] actually did a satanic ritual on the field worshiping the Illuminati... they all came out in black robes, they had banners with the triangle with the eye in it, they all bowed down to this thing," he recalled. " Okay, I'm sorry, but that was just a bizarre experience for me. I've heard this show a few times over 20 years and this is the first time that I've heard any drum corps mentioned. To think that a person on this planet believes that a "collegiate marching band" would perform a satanic ritual live and in front of a stadium full of people was pretty funny to me. What's a little disconcerting is that approximately 3 million people got some pretty inaccurate information. Did anyone else hear this program? Has anyone heard anything else this bizarre about drumcorps?

Auf Heartliner: "Heartliner knüpfen an die Leistung von USA Reise an. Mit einem zweiten Platz bei den German Open belegten die Heartliner nun auch in der DCE Premier Class ihre Leistungsfähigkeit. 70.50 Punkte sprechen ein klare Sprache. Die Heartliner 2013 spielen auch in Europa mit. Gratulation Heartliner." Translation---Heartliner took second at German Open with a score of 70.50. They next go to the Drum Corps Nederland championships on 21 September and the Drum Corps Europa Championships on 28 September.

Gaines writes to the grid. Rosander writes to a continuum. That means Gaines' drill is much easier to clean, all other things being equal. So, for Rosander to win, he'd need a more-talented drum corps, lol.

I as a fly on the wall of BD's '14 design meeting had to squeeze in as Sam the Spider, curled up like a green team gear, Charlie the maroon centipede, and Manny the Ft. Mill moth who would become a purple butterfly, had already beaten me on board. SCV had captured Hearst Castle in their last foray in Parisian squabbles and had holed up there to host their VC championship banquet while PC had cornered the beach resorts along the Carmel coast. So here the SS Concord was afloat somewhere before reaching Catalina to discuss, dissect, and determine a better direction for the '14 season. The carpenters had been let go as the cabinets did not need to be altered since '13 had proven unlucky with no new trophies to add. They had tried to get that creative genius from JDFuncorps to join them, but he was holding out for tour money with Spirit. Thus the mood of the meeting seemed strained, even stiff, yet this veteran staff paddled on. They were debating whether they would continue last year's strategy of having Plan9 and BDSop post a new thead about BD every other day on DCP so that the corps was not forgotten in the public eye. "But DeeRae said we'd make loads of money from doing that movie thing! But today's kids aren't buying enough of our souvies. Where's the money? They just want those little monsters and anything with purple pants. We didn't plan well enough for their reaction to Einstein and friends. We should have had all that screaming and cheering in Indy, well before we even took the field. Even the judges now are doing that funny counting. And our blue system kids—since we officially dropped "C' from the alphabet (for Cadets, Cavaliers, and Crown), all they are reciting is A, B, B, D! Plus they keep shouting Blooo when we come out and Canton is claiming royalties. God help us if Denver wants the same if it's at night." "We've got to get back to our roots! The audience and some judges want a "dog and pony show." Even our alumni started to complain that we're too cerebral. Don't mention "ponies." Crown did that already in '07 after they paid royalties to Troopers who think hosses belong to them. Remember the mocking of our coat racks?" "Well if it's "park and bark" they want, we'll have to give it to them. That will get us out of the dog house. Yeah, maybe we need to throw the audience and some judges a bone." "Wait, wait, wait. I the great Chandler have an idea. This article I have been reading to distract me from my sea-sickness says that Americans spend 47.7 Billion dollars on the care of their pets. What if we could tap into that? What if we really gave them "park and BARK?" "But what if Torchia or Grandma are 'cat people?" "Well the cub scout pack of cheddar- headers already did "Cats." No they did 'Memories." We could always pick other numbers from that show." "And Wayne has always wanted to do a jazzed up version of Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens to give it real zip compared to what those classical Rockford rangers did with it." "Well, we'd have to be careful with animals, I mean Crown already has Barney and wormholes, Phantom has the dragon, Hopkins is always talking about the Elephant in the room, and DCP would expect dinosaurs." "DCP is no problem because we could try "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo" by Lobo as our warm-up. Who'd bark at Boo? Plus Brian can be our drum major with Scoobie-Doo and Snoopy. ScoJo got excited. "How about if the pit started it off with a seven voice canon of "How much is that doggie in the window?" for the pre-show? We could call it our tribute to Annette Funicello. Then half the guard could be costumed like canines and the other half as felines. We could trade the red balls in for tennis balls and balls of yarn." "Well after last year's outfit and tattoos, leather and chains wouldn't be a far stretch!" "No, how about if instead of the guard, it was BDC dressed like that? As little puppies and kitties! We would have kids and their grandparents in the palm of our hands! Who wouldn't feel gushy seeing the little darlings? They all mastered the System Blue already: blue ice, good; yellow snow, bad. Blue skies, good; brown nappies, bad. Etc. Besides, BDB are still popping their pimples over their loss to SCVC; using the little kids would shock them back into focus. DG chirped up. "I'm getting into this. We could do a Bocook thing and bop and chop great dog tunes like Lassie, and Rin-Tin-Tin and Danny Elfman's version of the Jetsons for Astro, of course. And Elvis's Hound Dog, and "Who Let the Dogs Out?" by the Ba Ha men. "And What about 'Cat's Cradle" by Stevens? Oh, this is going to be good! Look at all the numbers I get to choose from!!! http://dogvacay.com/...puppy-playlist/ http://answers.yahoo...14144557AAuZHxc http://www.sputnikmusic.com/list.php?listid=68339 Emmons and Ryan chimed in together, "Well we could rotate a bone, do a lot of stop-and-goes, and use dog houses as props complete with seating areas, mirrors, and even fire hydrants, made from PVC pipe of course. But will we still get to do the special drill we've been working on, 7 different ways to make the letter G...for Gibbs,of course?" "If it gets us a ring! No poosey-footing around this season. Our soloists will sound like dog whistles and that will get Saucedo and his Carmel Greyhounds whistling in Indy for more. Yes, this is our year!!! So we are agreed ladies and gentlemen. It's "Best Friends, Canines and Cats" or as it will be forever known on the tour busses nationwide, "Paws and Claws, BD '14" That is, until some band director steals it. Then we'll get them with royalties! (cNdP '13)

Just watched several different videos of it. The sound of that soprano line. Nothing like it. That's all I've got. The end.

Are you denying that rehearsals take place at midnight all through the winter in Area 51 in Nevada? Are you denying that papers obtained via the Freedom of Information act from the Spacecraft that crash-landed in Roswell NM were found to have the entire drill charted for '93 Star? Are you denying that Carolina Crown stores their buses in Hangar 18 at Wright Patterson AFB? Do you deny that no Earthly record of birth can be located for George Zingali, and that when he raised his left hand the index finger glowed? Coincidences? I think not. The sooner we get to the bottom of these and other secrets being guarded by the CIA and DCI (ever notice that the head of the CIA is referred to simply as DCI? Another coincidence? Yeah sure, you believe that...) the sooner we'll find the truth. Why did it take the Boston Crusaders so many years to reach finals after marching in President John F Kennedy's Inaugural parade? It's a cover-up, but fear not. Oliver Stone is working with Lucas Films on a new movie, with the working title DCIET... They're coming....

I think the people who've already replied to the thread have the basics covered... Try your best to watch the vets and how they rehearse. I say rehearse because a lot of us will act goofy during the camps; it's our first time seeing our friends since last summer so we tend to pick up right where we left off. Normally though, as soon as we're needed to do something serious, we get on task. That's when you should watch us. Also don't be afraid to come and interact with anyone during meals and stuff, especially not the vets. All of them have been where you have before, and they all now how nerve racking the process is. The weekends can be much friendlier if you make friends quickly. Take in all information the staff gives you, and apply it to your fullest ability. Camps at Crown are very big on that, because it is a learning process. If they ask for a volunteer for something, raise your hand immediately. The more one-on-one time you can get with staff members the better. Especially when you're playing in front of them + 30 other kids. Never relax. If you're in the middle of the block in the middle line during visual block, you're still being watched. You're always being watched. Sometimes staff will ask trusted vets questions... "How is _____ doing? How's their work ethic? How would they handle a summer?" And make sure to take care of yourself. Eat a good meal before you drive/fly down to camp, don't rush yourself. Pack a couple of days ahead, you want the experience to be as relaxed as possible, in the sense of not stressing yourself out. When you get to camp, be sure to always be drinking water or gatorade. Don't overeat during meals... Food truck food does something different to everyone their first time eating it... Mine was not pleasant (the food isn't bad, it's just different than what you eat on a daily basis). But having said that, make sure you eat. Nothing is worse than you getting light headed halfway through a visual or brass block. And try not to stress out too much when you get called in front of the brass staff to audition. There are hundreds of other kids in the same shoes as you are, trying to prove themselves to get a spot. Don't worry about them, and don't worry about how the audition is going to go. Just go in, do what they ask, and own it. Confidence can make or break people at camps. If you have any questions feel free to PM me or something. I'm from NC as well, so maybe if you're close enough we can carpool.

Because nothing screams illuminati more than 100 guys in bright green running around on a football field blowing horns and beating drums and telling thousands of people they are a secret society.

BUCKY'S WORLD In Bucky's World Where we go to escape, There is never a frown, Or a tear. It's a world full of welcome, And smiles, and joy, Where no one need cower, Or fear. Bucky's World is festive, With music and drink, Where camaraderie lives, Through the year. A chamber of fable, And legend, and myth, With his fanciful stories, To hear. It's to this special world, That we always return, To see Swanee, The musical seer. For his impish grin, And devilish style, To our hearts, Is so very dear. With a nickname like Broadway, He is surely a star, An eternal child, Still filled with cheer. And to keep him that way, In Bucky's World, If you treat him nice, He'll let you buy him a beer.

I'm with you on lucked out... My friends and I were all corps junkies in HS- Mr. Kuhn had worked our band camp a few times, as well as Marty (?) from SCV. I started going to shows in '83, had instructors who marched Cavaliers in '84, went to a Marty Hurley clinic in '85. Wanted to march after my senior year, and tried out for Sky in fall '86- crushed to get cut in December. Mr. Orwoll called in early June of '87 and asked if I'd like to join the Colts (I had a friend marching) and I accepted. Scott Stewart called a day later with an offer to join as equipment guy/back field conductor (had a former teacher in the pit) and a chance to play in the Madison front line in '88, and I explained that I had just said yes to Colts. He was cool, and said that he hoped to meet me on the road. Loved my half year with Colts, but knew that they had openings at Madison, and I already knew the pit guys and instructors, as well as the fact that the Scouts were going to tour Europe. Showed up at auditions, played a bit, threw a frisbee and played four square, got an offer and joined Madison at Thanksgiving camp. The ring was a shock to me, the fact that we were really good was not... it was a special year, and I almost feel guilty for being there with so many vets and ageouts as a rookie. In the end, all four guys in my wedding party were Scouts, I still collaborate and teach with m' brothers 25 years later and marching in the alumni corps was so cool! My corps was the right fit for me, and I hope that every marching member finds a perfect home sometime in their years in drum corps.

Harry Hazelwood tribute to Bucky: Bucky Swan I sit here heartbroken ... one of the personalities that made up the Skyliners is now gone ... I cannot imagine the number of kids that grew up in the 60's, holding onto their Portrait in Brass album, that went to bed wishing they would one day play like Bucky Swan ... ... And I will smile and say Thank You, for knowing you has been a great pleasure ... Andy

Well-said, Frank. I'm one of the hundreds... thousands, perhaps... of drum corps people who was taught how to play by Tom. May he rest in peace.

Bucky will be remembered by many as a legendary soloist and a masterful raconteur, but that's just part of the story. He was an extraordinary instructor who could teach a tree how to play. Mostly, he accomplished this the old-school way: by example. And he didn't even need to be physically present. Every horn player of my generation gained immeasurably by simply listening to and attempting to copy his recorded performances. Bucky Swan is gone, but he has left us all so greatly enriched.

PREFACE: Its ok to do this in my mind. We all have our reasons we marched where we marched. Times have truly changed, but this has happened since the advent of DCI. That said, why did you march where you marched. I will start with my first corps being the Dubuque Colts. They were my first corps. I marched there as they are my hometown corps. They were in need of people. BAD. They took me with ZERO experience and no audition. 13 years old and heres some cymbals. Here is how you count and here is when you crash. Talk about a learning curve. I then marched with the Guardsmen on bassdrum for a season. It was a trying year, but it was fun. I had a roommate that was the hardest working snare drummer I have ever met. He was non stop practice. Even on the bus he wouldn't stop. He went to the bathroom while people slept and practiced. He told me all season, Garfield will win DCI and I will be with them. He went to Garfield in 83 and marched the threepeat. Ringchaser? Sure, but he earned every bit of it. My last corps I marched was in Kansas. The Sky Ryders. My junior year of high school. I loved every bit of their style and wanted to be a part of them. Guardsmen were folding and I didn't want to go back to Colts. ( I just didn't want to spend my time so close to home ) Sky had a drum corps world ad looking for members and I was in heaven. I called and was offered a spot in the cymbal line. Bingo. My favorite spot to be in. ( had dreams of SCV cymbals ) Off I went. Your turn. Where did you march if you care to share, and or why did you go where you marched? There is no wrong answer, we all have our reasons. If you wanted to experience winning, is that honestly wrong?

As most readers know I've seen or marched in every DCI finals since 1975. These past two seasons (12-13) are the first DCA Championships I've been to since 1981. I've been to 1 other DCA show since 1981 Hershey 2004. To me: DCI is an excellent meal. DCA Championships are like a great dessert. DCI is more cerebral. DCA is more Visceral. I enjoy both very much! Honestly, I get more chills and goose bumps at DCA shows.

Fact is -- no two books are equal, and no two corps have the same level of talent in every section. And no two judges see/hear with the same experience, tolerance or knowledge. Let's just hope they both have cool shows!!

Perfect response. Please close this thread!

http://www.spezzifuneralhome.com///////////book-of-memories/1667009/Swan-Thomas/obituary.php

....... you didn't build that ".

Are you getting a new laptop? If is there a HDMI on the old laptop? Than it is just a simple connection HDMI from Laptop to tv.

"They're comin to take are guns"! Gual dern commie fascist muslim atheitsts!

I'm surprised that Coast to Coast AM didn't have anyone mention the 2012 sighting of the alien ship with the bird people in it. .... Or the BK 2012 show. ( haha! )

He called himself Savant, huh? That's a minority view. Thankfully he was too dumb to notice the "collegiate band" that presented a pagan ritual in which sacrificial victims dance themselves to death to a demon god. But maybe by then he in was in the parking lot hiding under his car.

BUCKY'S WORLD In Bucky's World Where we go to escape, There is never a frown, Or a tear. It's a world full of welcome, And smiles, and joy, Where no one need cower, Or fear. Bucky's World is festive, With music and drink, Where camaraderie lives, Through the year. A chamber of fable, And legend, and myth, With his fanciful stories, To hear. It's to this special world, That we always return, To see Swanee, The musical seer. For his impish grin, And devilish style, To our hearts, Is so very dear. With a nickname like Broadway, He is surely a star, An eternal child, Still filled with cheer. And to keep him that way, In Bucky's World, If you treat him nice, He'll let you buy him a beer.

That show is so crazy, I think most of the listeners either (a) listen for fun and don't take it seriously, or (b) are such kooks they would believe anything on the show, in which case there are much more serious matters on their minds involving secret government plots and space aliens.

Okay, I've perhaps got to rethink the first post here, considering the following just came to my attention. It's in the fourth paragraph. <Savant from Kansas City phoned in to discuss how the Illuminati thinking has invaded the United States and was mostly recently seen in a collegiate marching band competition he attended. "[One group] actually did a satanic ritual on the field worshiping the Illuminati... they all came out in black robes, they had banners with the triangle with the eye in it, they all bowed down to this thing," he recalled.>

Well, they weren't close at all...I lived in San Diego...several hundred miles south. Something just grabbed me when I saw them live at Riverside...and they had application forms at the souvie both. Honestly, I tried out not really understanding what I was getting myself into. I just kinda lucked out!

Go Heartliner!!!

Since Parades actually pay money, I guess that being a parade corps is a way to exist.

My band director introduced us to Drum & Bugle Corps. One of my friends marched Sky Ryders the summer between Junior and Senior year of High School. I liked what I had seen of Drum Corps so far and was envious of my friend traveling the country performing. I saved up money, learned to play Baritone attended the winter camps and stayed home for some stupid reason. I saw the show when they performed in Overland Park, KS and it was horrible. They needed more people and new drill. I called up Dan Jewet and if they needed and Baritone Players and he said come on out. I packed my bags and headed to Hutch for the 2nd tour of the '85 season. Didn't think much about winning the big banana but did feel, with the revised show we had a chance to make top 12. We came in 15th and I watched finals from the stands. I marched '87 with the intention of being in top 12 which I thought was probable due to their '86 9th place finish. Winning wasn't the big deal but top 12 was a big deal to me.

Bucky was one of our Brass instructors back with the Meadowlarks in the mid/late 60's along with Gus Wilke. He had a way of making you comfortable, but drawing the best out of you. If you look back at both The Meadowlarks & St Andrews, we were truly blessed to have had two of the best instructors, mentors & friends we possibly could have. Back then, as kids usually do, I really don't think I appreciated just how lucky we were. May he rest in peace.

This = integral. Do what the vets do, and do what the staff asks. Don't argue, show interest in constantly improving yourself each rep, push through any fatigue or soreness you get from a weekend-full of rehearsing, and be social with vets. If staff ask you to play or march a way that is foreign or different from what you do in your current school or what you've previously been taught, try your best to adapt quickly. On the flip side, don't get frustrated: your goal should be to be better every single rep, not necessarily be perfect from rep #1 (although obviously perfection = awesome, you want to show the staff that while you're learning a new skill set or technique you are also striving for perfection and improving every chance you get). I've seen members who sucked on something in the morning block, but impressed the staff with their constant improvement (and by evening block they had it down). Remember you're currently on the outside looking in, so don't feel bad if there is brothers/sisterhood amongst the vets & staff that you're not a part of; when you're at your most frustrated or tired remember that feeling of being on the outside & how much you want to be a part of that - use that to give you that extra 'push' when you really need it! Also, remember the basics of taking care of yourself: eat meals & snacks, drink plenty of water & gatorade, relax when you can, exercise good hygiene, etc. Since it's only early September, I HIGHLY recommend you start some sort of exercise program now to get in shape: lift weights, run, etc. They better your endurance & the better in shape you are, the easier it will be for staff to recognize that you can physically hold your own. Last thing: HAVE FUN! Remember why you're doing what you're doing: probably not to win a ring or pad a resume, but to learn a ton, make new long-lasting friendships, and to enjoy yourself. Performances won't be for quite awhile, but remember the whole reason for all of this is to have a blast playing in front of thousands of people come June. While you're working hard remember to enjoy the little moments of playing in a huge horn arc, or full ensemble, or whatever. Good luck!

Our condolences to the Skyliner and Swan Families from all of us at Mighty St. Joe's.

Ray, Fran, et al How about a gathering of the more "experienced" people and have a round table(s) discussion about our activity. have a tape recorder on each table and record the "I REMEMBER THAT......" We can all look up the scores of a show or season, but not the personal stories that went on behind the scene, or just stories and memories. After a bit, rotate members to new groups - each person will feed off each other for new stories. Just think of what we have lost with the passing of "lefty" Meyer of Sky, Jim Costello of Hawthorne, Vince Bruni of Empire, Pepe, and on and on. All of there thoughts, memories and stories are gone and can never be duplicated. Think of what we could learn from Jimmy Russo, Lou Storck, GEORGE HAYEK (a Caballero from 1946!!!)David Bruni, and sooooo many more. We need to preserve this for future generations. This could take place at next year's HOF dinner or other time when they would be togeter.

Granted they are a fantastic group, but in the list of sequestration priorities...no.

However, it was tolerated by just about everyone because it... ...worked ...was humorous and brought many smiles to many faces ...waited until within the very final minute of the show If anyone wishes to read more about this very show, it was featured just this past Monday in the weekly column I write for a different drum corps website.

I chose #3 for the same reasons that many people have chosen #1. Your reasoning right here fits why I picked #3. I want the visual and musical packages to compliment each other and become greater than the sum of the parts when both are put together. I believe the key to that is music first, visual second. It's worked well for so many shows in the past and I would add some other corps into the mix as well.

Work's been tough, overtime, and exhausting. I'll try and get a couple more up before work, and if I get an early Twi shift, I'll do more. Next up, Cincinnati Tradition (7FE/1DM/6CG/13Battery/16 Horns), who had clearly started making serious moves based on their scores at the southern and midwest shows they attended.They were quietly going about their business with their "Breakdown" program and gave themselves a chance, which is what you want- the opportunity to go for it and take a crack at Finals. The opener, "Joy", was upbeat, energetic and well-nuanced, and was a good start to their run. There were some performance issues that detracted, but the corps is a much improved organization from 2012. The Bari section's really started to come to life in the corps, and that's an important element to give more body to the ensemble. The Bari-Mello duet was well-done. The percussion/horn features were well constructed, the upper brass had to worry a bit about overplaying, but made for solid moments and excitement. The visual package had a lot of new ideas and was well thought out, but there was still some form and performance issues, much to develop and grow into in the future. The corps descends into madness with "Creep", the Rorschach flags a nice touch, and then ends the program with a crazy-go-nuts section and a Girl that's obviously seen too much boring Drum Corps or something of the sort! The ending is what bugs me. I think it was the big issue that may have held the numbers down for this corps. I don't need a Disney ending, but, ending the show on the low emotional note- and that's putting it mildly, just leaves people upset and down. Yes, that could be the intent, but somehow, yah gotta bring some kind of closure that's more satisfying. How? I have an idea, and I think it would have had a better message that people in the stands and the judges would have tapped into. It would have had to be done in the planning stages and the time usage would have had to have been thought out. After the mental collapse, the corps figuratively circles the wagons and helps their corps-mate. We've all had moments where someone in the corps has helped us in a bad day. We can all relate, and if that would have been included with some kind of hopeful musical ending that she was eventually gonna be okay and her friends were there, I think it would have been a much more satisfying end to the program. I'll get back to the top 4 ASAP. I'll get my nose to the grindstone as best I can, there was a lot to think about this year, and everyone put forth an honest best effort, and I'm worried I'll short someone.

Not worth your time. OC 990's read like a bad movie script and with no 990's for Colt Cadets, Santa Clara Cadets and Blue Devils B & C nothing would be relevant.

Doh! Would it still be performed by a drum and beagle corps?

We're not as far away as you might think. From Annapolis to Manassas is only 70 miles (hour & change of driving). I live in Sykesville and I make the drive-not too bad on a weekend morning. I don't know anything about the new group, but I will say that we (Shenandoah Sound) are a stable, established corps in good shape and we will continue to be the corps for the DC area.

Having known JW since my VF days, SoA couldn't have found a better guy for the job. Best of luck, Spirit. Do me one favor, JW... bring back the delta/baby blues!

ok there's DCA 2013. Sorry I didn't get to the alumni show, and while I will watch whatever is broadcast on the fan network next year, I won't be going to Rachacha. I did feel at times that corps are trying too much visually given the schedule, and really only one truly pulled it off. Far better in terms of design for A Class, i.e. people being smart aboutnot trying to do more than they can...not perfect, but better. Again, the best prelims and finals shows in terms of quality I have seen in year. Thanks to everyone for giving their all on the field this year

So work is slow, time for some reviews: I'll start at the top an work down, and for corps that did both days, I'll comment on both. Bucs....When I first saw the show I thought they may have bitten off more than they could chew. Even at prelims, I recognized the incredible demands placed on the performer. I heard people saying "it's not hard being on a ladder playing"....bull ####. The Bucs definitely went the thinking mans route with the show this year, and nailed it with the intellectual and aesthtic parts of effect. They had some moments where they hit on the emotional, but the way the musical design flowed didn't allow some of those moments to come out the way they did last year. I felt, especially in Bacchanale they avoided some of the more familiar parts of the song on purpose, and that was ok. Being able to sit and watch the show without taking notes really allowed me to catch a lot of things...little moments and detailing you don't see at the DCA level. I mean who in DCA has the drumline running a crazy serpent drill during a percussion feature, while at most getting to the forte level dynamically? Usually you see thatkind of thing and they're playing a lot of 8th notes and high sticking stuff, not all kinds of flams and diddles. After prelims I still wasn't sure, and thought maybethe spread between Bucs and MBI was too big. Finals sealed the deal. This was the show Bucs aimed for all year, and they delivered. I mean watching the sequeantial rifle toss while on the ladders, then throwing them to the members behind them, getting down and then trading the rifles for sabers captivated me. I'm a drummer man, guard #### shouldn't be reeling me in LOL! Maybe not my favorite show of the run, but finals night the Bucs left no doubt whatsoever they remain the corps to beat in DCA. When your worst placement caption is 2nd, and you're .2 out in each, that says a lot! Cabs....Wow. I watched the show on the fan network this summer, and it intrigued me as it was SO un Hathrone, but seeing it live truly made me a believer. The guard was amazing. No, they didn't do as much of the crazy athletic stuff Bucs did, but they spun and tossed their ##### off. I was concerned at prelims visually because of some issues in the bass drums, but the rest of the corps seemed to be moving well, and the brass line was one of the few at the end of the day that didn't seem to let the humidity get to them. Of course Dad was thrilled because they played the Stones, but the music worked....the in and out of Ravel, Loved the old drum used atthe begining and end ( wonder what closet at the Post that thing was stored in)....you could feel that this show was gaining momentum and could be really special. And Sunday night it was. Saturday the down ending left me a little "eh", but it's cause I couldn't hear what Ponzo was playing. The Bull Call as a down ending? genius? Percussion, who all year I had heard was overwritten came out of nowhere and squarely inserted themselves into the race. This show was one thatin any other year wins. I wasn't sure they'd get MBI...I knew there'd be a spread in guard, but looking at the recap the spread on the communication sheets shows a lot about how Cabs got to 2nd and MBI fell to third. Awesome show, and one I'll disect a lot. MBI......1st, 3rd, whatever, I loved the show. Percussion trophy was a no brainer. I was shocked when I saw they didn't win prelims. Being a devout Lutheran I loved the way they used the Lutheran nation anthem throughout the show, turning it darker as the forces of evil continued to take over and go Primal. I felt prelims was the better run, and I really dug the role playing the performers had and how they enhanced things. My one concern was the ending felt kinda flat and that it came out of nowhere, and I figured it was just a heat and humidity kind of thing, but this show was truly engaging on all levels. Sunday....I thought they tried too hard, and it really showed at the ending. The spread in guard was enough to keep Cabs ahead, but the music communication scores were the one spot that surprised me until further reflection.....MBI was technically great Sunday, but I didn't feel a truly Primal passion, more of a forced one, and as such, the score makes so much more sense. Still no slouch of a show, and in no way should MBI be disappointed. Empire......if there was one corps that I felt shouldn't place where it did all weekend, it was Empire. We can debate on the physical demands being placed on corps, and we will, but looking at what else was out there, I didn't feel had those demands...but because they didn't, #### did they play well. This was show was an Empire fan's dream. Greatest hits from all eras...to be honest, I was expecting more in the way of props and costumes...maybe some old blue tuxes appearing. The screamers up front were an addition, not a distraction. Yeah they had their moments, but they didn't take away from the corps behind them. So many style changes in a show isn't easy...two different types of broadway, swing.....a joy to relive so many great moments of Empire history. When Jimmy played the second solo in the Saigon piece, i was instantly transported back to 97. Hearing the Oz tidbits and My Way....so enjoyable. Sunday....what did they have to lose? they let it all hang out! Loved the way the backdrops turned to show each tune "closed", and of course the big banner and smoke led to the revelation of the Mr. B. backdrop in his Sinatra pose. I was disappointed in one thing....the crowd's reaction. I wanted bigger, better and louder. Sure if finals had been up north it would have been, but those members laid it all on the line, and gave us one more Statesmen blast...and hey, they ended up 4th. I'm not going to complain. I'm going to savor seeing the show, reliving the great memories, and seeing David drop to a knee at the end one last time....and this time, I won't give David a hard time about it. How he didn't lose it I'll never know. Cadets2....I said at Reading this was a freight train ready to run away....then prelims hit. the brass didn't project up to where I was. The kids looked and sounded tired. Things that had been crystal clear a week before sounded not as clear. Being up higher gave me a great appreciation of what was being asked of them visually, and the all white made stuff stand out...like a left foot halt for a corps that leads with the right. I did think the percussion had a great show, and being up higher and seeing the Zpull unfurl was breath taking. Of course the much talked about guard issues were really the big issue on the recaps. Sunday...much, much better show. brass had power, and the energy was back, but it may have been too little too late. The difference between 4th and 5th was the 8th place guard, which had to bleed over into the over visual captions as well. But hey...the last time Cadets did Les Miz they were 5th too, so what can you say? A truly fun show to watch as a fan, and not a total ripoff of 89, but done in ways that kept it fresh and exciting. Atlanta CV......Where the hell did you guys come from??? Watching you on the Atlanta regional feed, I thought the corps was better than last year, but wow! Now, I'm a sucker for the music of Interstellar Suite, and I loved the irony of seeing Atlanta's other corps do it. A year ago this show was top 5, that's how high the quality was above you. Smooth flowing drill with demand where needed. The music was taken on some twists that those who know the original could know and love, and the use of the giant telescope was tastefully done. Saturday came off as a touch flat, but still an engaging show. Sunday....Truly the best run of the weekend. Finals energy kicked in, and the corps delivered. Someone near me, who expressed their dislike of the musical choice Saturday was impressed Sunday because the corps came to play. I know I've long been a critic of the percussion, and deservedly so, but this years writing was very musical and supportive of the total package. This is another show I'll enjoy watching over and over again. Fusion Core.....Bigger and better, and with a deeper show, Fusion still found a way to engage us all with the love story told. Some very great brass moments, and man did the percussion come a long way in a week. Even with being higher up and no amps, the pit scoring came throughand showed how much it did to add a layer of depth to the overal musical package. the battery also had a much better day. The story was easy to follow, and the old couple toned things down even more...and the way they "left us" was tweaked further from Reading, and totally had the crowd ahhhhing. That due's ham....he kept going for kisses, I was waiting for him to grab her ###! I would have lost it! Sunday...best one of the year. traded captions with CV, and hung in there close with them. Again, what a testament to the talent above them, as this was a ###### fine show. The corps keeps growing in good ways, and the incredible leap the percussion made this year was that next step in the puzzle. I look forwardto seeing where it goes from here. Bush...Welcome back my friends. Saturday, I sat there mesmerized...catching all of the Bush greatest hit licks especially in the opening statement, to the way you weaved in and out of the backdrops and the banners drawn across them, and of course the cymbal line. I don't watc to give them too much love or it will go to Cameron's head LOL. Wondrred back in July if the corps was trying too much, but the amount of growth in a month plus was amazing. The corps bought into the message and gave us that Bush spirit we had been missing for, IMO, many, many years. Sunday....Saturday was IMO, the cleaner show. Sunday was the more emotional show. For anyone who had been there through the hard times, it had to be an awesome feeling, and you let it all. Special shout out to Nick and his chipped tooth out there spinning away. Bush, you made a statement this year that you're not dead......but you must look up and see that it's a crowded field with talent in front of you. A climb back to the top will not be easy......butnever give up......I believe, and you are. Back in a bit with more....

Plus someone told me he had crabs, another nautical tribute. That announcer is very thematic... You know him?

A few more thoughts before I dive in since I have 5 minutes.... Why is it DCA allows the 11th place corps to do the exhibition when we had a corps from Germany in the house? No disespect to Sun, as I enjoyed seeing you again....but what's the message? "We take 10 corps into finals, but we let the first loser perform anyways, and oh hey thanks for coming across the pond Heartliner....one and done?" It makes no sense. And.....So it doesn't get in my way in the review... To everyone who in any way was connected to the Empire Statesmen, I have loved you and hated you, beaten you and lost to you. But I always respected you. No other 11/12 place corps that I can remember got called for encores when performing an exhibition at finals. Yeah at times some of the shows got too cheesy even for me. I remember that night before prelims in 88, over at your hotel watching you guys perform for whoever came to watch, listening to Pepe talk to you and being in awe. I remember in 89-90 trading wins with you both summers. I remember in 91 cheering for your first title, and I remember crying when the giant flag tore in 92. 1994...My god what a corps. In 95 and 96, yeah I'd say my corps and your corps didn't get along. And I'm not even counting the #### that was said on many retreats or the time we were spit at watching you troop the stands. Of course in return, when we got all done up in our black and the war paint, we scared even Tommy Allen. Then 1997 hit.....and my God, IMO, Miss Saigon changed DCA for the better. I so wanted to hate you based on the interactions of the two corps the two previous years, but then I saw that show, and I didn't care. In 2001, when my friends and I found ourselves looking to teach, we landed in Rochester of all places. I mean I can say I was there when the discussion was held switching from matched grip to traditional...and that was no easy conversation to have ( thanks especially to Rob Summers). You took in "that Westshore guy" and taught me Statesmen Style. Yes, by the end of 2001, even this guy put a lime in the coconut and shook it all about hey! So many great moments with a corps that..well...My god were we horrible early on....and yet the corps and staff never quit....if only we had two more weeks.... I've been a fan and sometimes a critic since then, but I've always been welcomed back, and always got a sweaty hug from David ( usually because he was always pumping his arms when I'd see him). For all anybody could hate you for, and I'm sure many in DCA have their reasons......they'll love you too, and miss you. You always stuck to your mission, win or lose, and in an era where demand for the sake of demand and super deep concepts became the norm, you kept on being the Empire Statesmen. David, Mr. B up there in heaven, Dave Hawthorne, Ron Abate, the 2001 drum staff ( Murph, Gary, Adam, Mike).......all my friends still there, and the ones who retired ( yes you too Patsy)...thank you for 30 years of kick ### shows and your friendship. You will be missed, and yes, you tuxedo'd ######## made me cry Sunday

The PA announcer for Finals was wearing a very tastefully-appointed, nautical-themed shirt, in honor of the venue's proximity to the Chesapeake Bay.