Leaderboard

I was there last night and it wasn't just a little bit of rain. I was completely soaked through down to the underwear, and that really took a toll on the performers. I was sitting in the second row and there was water flying everywhere. it was not raining during the rehearsal and they sounded much better. I have also gone and watched ensemble several times during spring training. I don't think you have too much to worry about. They will put a great show on the field just like the usually do. For those of you willing to make a decision on where they will place at finals, based on a sit down performance in the rain, with questionable recording devices and different accousitcs than usual performances, all I can say is REALLY?

You're absolutely right. It's far better to stand on the sidelines and go on long over-emotional hyperbolic rants about how nobody knows what they're doing and should all be fired. That's the true sign of being born to greatness.

The show invites me to consider what Franklin Roosevelt said. I'm pretty sure he didn't say "by all means chop up my declaration of war and eulogy for thousands of dead so that you can make a cheesy hit in your marching band show."

This is certainly the view some will get from this show. I have a completely different view of it. I think Copland's music is wonderfully displayed and it sits center stage (if you will) with this show. Yes, there are lots of themes, most are needed, but I think some will find their way to the scrap yard. As for the marchers, they are as featured as anything else is. It's not like everything on stage is overshadowning those things on the field. There is plenty of real estate for everyone. The music came across magnificently to me. A production like this should have staging, narration, and yes, even props. It's not meant to be 1987. That was a performance of Appalachian Spring (only). This show is more Lincoln Portrait (which is narrated in the original orchestra recordings). But it's more than just that. It's a production about American Presidents and the office they so honorably tried to serve (regardless of our political stance), and the country for which they've seen grow and diversify. It's a musical history lesson of patriotism from the perspective of the White House. It's a story that can't go without some quotes and the narrated sequences from Copland's brilliant score. Yes, Copland wrote a script to go with his masterpiece. Yes, some DCI traditionalists will hate this show. Nothing wrong with that. However, I believe that more people will like it to love it. I believe it will generate a lot of applause, and I believe it will compete well. I also believe the marching members are having a ball performing this show. In the end, nothing else matters. Happy marchers and happy fans. The Cadets WILL achieve this, regardless of what some cry about on this forum.

how dare you speak logically. this is DCP the week before shows start!

also... 04 WAS appreciated for what it was... a terrific musical product with a train wreck of a visual package. I don't think there was any negative reaction from the judges based on their repertoire. From the fans as well, with the exception of the traditionalists maybe.

Is it too much to hope for Jim Wren to come in and massage the brass book a little?

I always thought Juliet was just so literal and uninspired musically. The last few years (except, mostly, for Turandot) I've felt as though Phantom is becoming a parody of itself with the sprawling fantasies, simple, hammy musical delivery and ridiculous props. I credit Phantom for getting me interested in DCI but the last few shows, and now this one, have just felt SO silly and immature and poor. I don't know. I seriously seriously doubt they'll fall out of top 12, or even score lower than like 8th, but I do wish there was something I could look forward to in their program this year.

You and I don't read the same forums, apparently. Mike

History lesson time -- I think Cadets' 1996 PoL topped Crown's version easily ... such a powerful off-the-line, and those contras .. mmmm. (SCV in the 80s wasn't too shabby, either.)

theres another blue corps that gets the same treatment

did i miss the part where they reach a dynamic level greater than mf? the whole show just kind of sat there.

I'm predicting that I will have a great time no matter the outcome. I'm predicting that all 4 competitive corps will come ready to play. I'm predicting that Hurricane Sandy had NOTHING on the Caballeros Alumni...they are ready and can't wait to blow the stadium away!! I'm predicting that the people who will win are the fans...after all, they are who we do this for!

I must agree with those who say this is apple and oranges. Since I always talk about guards(i am a guard guy), let's talk about some of the comments I have read here on horns. From my understanding(or lack of it, take your pick), it was hard to play in tune with the old G horns according to some. Yet there were great horn lines back in the day that could do things with a horn that was simply amazing(Blue Devils, Bridgemen, Phantom Regiment comes to mind). I would think it took tremendous talent to play a G horn and do it well. On the flip side, playing in tune may be easier than BITD, but these guys have to run like a pig before a slaughter and still play in tune. Both required talent. It seems to me to be a generational wash. However, I do like the comments that it was the older generations progress that has lead us to what we see today. Just my opinion....you can slap me with a gefilte fish and call me a schmutz if you like.

I just watched the Johnston performance again, and I am amazed by how much the actual corps has been relegated to the background. The marching members are no longer stars of the show, they are just the supporting cast to the "concept." As well, there is little respect shown to Copland's magnificent music. Nothing is played all the way through, just a half phrase here, a few notes there. Various melodies overlap for no particular reason. Everything has been rendered into mush, then jazzed up with meretricious 100-note mellophone runs. And the narration and audio samples do not enhance the music, but instead, compete with it. I think the Cadets really have their priorities wrong. The kids and the music should be the main attraction, instead of being reduced to bit-players. And that #### stage. Mr. Hopkins, tear down this wall!

Don Hill gets a bad rap. The guy is following Jim Wren and J.D. Shaw. Would YOU want to have to follow in THOSE footsteps? Initially I was unimpressed with "Triumphant Journey" upon seeing it in the theater at QF. But the more I've listened to it, the more I've liked the arranging, if not the execution. Well, 90% of the arranging. That Wagnerian tag-on at the end was horribly forced and didn't work. But Hill really did some fantastic stuff in the first half of the show, especially with the Britten Sea Interludes.

But what does that have to do with drum corps?

I know this is a little off base but I feel the need to stick up a little for Don Hill. I myself have not been a big fan of his work with Phantom, and didn't enjoy his work at Glassmen at all really. Yet at the same time his work in the marching band arena is some of the greatest arranging and show writing of all time. I think people on here mainly only know his work with DCI and must think why do corps keep giving him a chance. But if you have a chance go check out some YouTube vids of his great work with marching bands and you will be blown away. Try some Plymouth Canton Educational Park shows from 1998-2001. Their 1999 show Thoughtcrime is generally regarded as maybe the greatest marching band show of all time. Try LD Bell 2003-2012. Every show he did at Bell was a masterpiece, my personal favorites being 2005-2008. Those are the greatest wind books ever on the field in my personal opinion. Also The Woodlands 2006-present, especially 2006 and 2013. And last but not least Broken Arrow 2011-present. 2011 being named Grand National Champion and 2012 almost repeating. I do not know why his genius does not transfer to the drum corps field but he is one of the greats.

I am looking forward to a 12-way tie for first. It could happen....

DUH.

I have a hard time believing this. You are implying that the judges essentially ignored the artistic merit of the 2004 show, and penalized Phantom for departing from their little stylistic box. And yet, the judges go on to reward many other corps, who explore all sorts of styles, including BD, Cadets and now Crown. Makes no sense. I think you have a cynical view of the judges.

I always thought 2004 didn't fare well because the visual package was not at the same level as the brass and percussion. That changed in 2005 when Jamey Thompson and Adam Sage were added to the staff. Suddenly Phantom had a complete package and their placement showed it.

I'd like to thank our esteemed posters in their avoidance of the '63 Senior results........it still sticks in my craw even 54 years after

As someone who lives in Colorado, Troopers are more popular here than BK, at least where I'm from

I also think the notion that BAC will not qualify for Finals as comical too. But... who knows... we'll see what shakes out in due time.

The cavaliers will place higher than 6th

needs a little more

Oh PHANTOM REGIMENT, how I miss you. Music first, ######. Remember that? This staff is letting the kids, and the fans down. Jamey Thompson will keep them from falling too horribly far, thankfully.

The rumor is that some section are at 200 BPM. Two legs bad, Four legs good.

Trust me when I say this show will knock you out by mid-season (or at least I hope it does). Performance captions are going to be top notch, and the visual is way more demanding than people gave it credit for last night. And listen to the last 2 sections performed in stand-still fashion. There are several places in there where the music is amazingly difficult (the unison and tutti playing at one point in the closer was stunning), and the speed of the music was hitting the 180+ BPM range. Once their staff settles on some of the visual impact and staging ideas I believe the GE for this show is far better than last year's. Just my 2 cents.

1. Carolina Crown 2. Santa Clara Vanguard 3. Blue Devils 4. Bluecoats 5. Cadets 6. Phantom Regiment (After listening to them tonight, they are interchangeable with anyone is slots 6-9) 7. Boston Crusaders 8. Madison Scouts 9. Cavaliers 10. Blue Stars 11. Spirit of Atlanta 12. Troopers 13. Blue Knights 14. Crossmen 15. Colts 16. Oregon Crusaders 17. Academy 18. Pacific Crest and so on and so forth...

This was one of my most anticipated shows this season. I hope the visual program is just absolutely extraordinary or else consider me disappointed. The music book is just not what I was expecting or hoping for. How deflating.

Uhhh.... all of us DCA-liking folks here. Don't make us hunt you down.

When opening this topic based on the title, I thought it would be about color guard. Alas I was wrong. Uniform: everything is the same. All alike. From Mirriam-Webster's: : presenting an unvaried appearance of surface, pattern, or color <uniform red brick houses> Costume: : the clothes that are worn by someone (such as an actor) who is trying to look like a different person or thing Corps proper are still wearing uniforms. Whether or not they are military-style or not is a different matter, but you can't say they aren't wearing uniforms. As for the color guards, they are the ones who it's changed from uniform to costume.

Just the mention of his name brings a smile to me - I was just a snot nosed kid and when he saw my Brigadier uniform, I was his best friend... He may have bled BS Golden blood, but he always considered himself a Brigadier... Bobby Thompson... one of the few who truly changed the activity... even if he couldn't hit home runs...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/170032...24554df16_o.jpg

just referring to the music there, Matlock.

Yep the season is here in just 3 more days. If last year was a harbinger of things to come, then 2014 will be a VERY good year in DCA. The only prediction I can make is that this being the 20th anniversary of the Cabs Alumni they will put on a show worth the admission price just to see them. I can almost smell the hot dogs and French fries the sell "on the boardwalk".

Remember the tall mirrored panels they carried around in the drum solo - at least through most of the season? I just realized Phantom used mirrors before BD!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM4K8B2UImc There are some ROUGH transitions here, but they were worked out and Juliet became one of the most loved Phantom shows ever. I have confidence they can sort out the chopiness of their horn book. As for percussion, time will only tell. I would sure love to see Phantom succeed though.

I saw a show and tell that the music ensemble did for the guard at the end of the first week of all days which spent the whole video fosuced on the battery. They seemed (to my brass eyes and ears) to be leaps and bounds ahead of the past two years. They're not throwing down like what we saw from Cadets last night, but there was still a marked improvement. Because of that, I'm willing to give benefit of the doubt to last night's performance. I really think environmental issues either threw the performers off, messed with the video quality, or both. As for Don Hill's writing, well, I was pretty excited when rumors were going around that he was fired after last year.

Just as long as any birds are not used after dark. For everyone elses benefit, a corps tried an effect of doves flying from under a giant American flag at the end of the 1980 DCA Finals. The dozen or so flying out looked impressive. Then the corps marched off and you saw the 100 or so doves walking around the field (oh ####). Held up Finals for 15-20 minutes until they were finally taken off the field by hand. corps who did it - my old corps corps held up 15-20 minutes - Frans old corps

Who cares if the arrangement doesn't meet our expectations?.... Ok the judges might care.. I think the kids will have fun this summer playing their show for thousands and the audience will enjoy watching them perform too Too soon to dismiss them now.

There's no doubt that the talent and achievement level is way higher today. BUT What we all need to keep in mind is that each generation contributes to the one that comes after. The 70s guys eventually led to asymmetrical drill and the pit in the 80s... their 80s performances led to the teaching of the 90s guys and increase in performance quality... who they taught the 00s kids... etc. etc. Kids these days could learn any show from the 70s and 80s in a week and get in clean within a month or less, but that's only because of the generations beforehand who've learned the craft and refined their teaching methods over the years. The cyclical nature of the activity is a great thing for music education.

I think the overall quality level of the so-called "lower echelon" finalists is way better now than back in the day. Heck... I'd extend that "quality level" thing down through the top 17 and beyond. I know I've said this before... but IMO, there are corps placing, say, 16th or 17th now that would have been solid finalists in days gone by.

Totally ignoring the French horn player standing beside him. LOL!

True that, and 79 no slouch either...

I chose 1980, and for the record, the DVD does not do 1980 justice.

As much as I respect anyone who has supported any drum corps for 30 years, the conflicts in your feelings are obvious. Stop doing throwbacks and do things like the 90's? Not sure I follow what you mean here. To me, the 90's kind of became an era when everyone started looking and sounding the same. The "creative genius" program coordinator Cesario has encouraged and promoted DCI corps sticking to there own style and identity from his DCI position for the last couple years. He gushes when describing PR as the story tellers. If he was program coordinator, would that make Swan Lake ok? After all that you have been saying since last year, it seems to me that your waning support has to do with a personal issue you have with upper management. While this may be justified, DCP is hardly the place to fight that battle. As far as you speaking for the current marching members feelings, that seems to be the thing that I don't see. Nobody is forcing them to go to PR. You make it sound like they are going there hoping for the corps to do something differently than they have for the past few years, and I really think that is not the case. In fact, it is more likely that most made their choice based on recent programming rather than some VHS tape they saw from 95. Crown could do much worse than having you for a solid supporter, so if funked up uniforms, flute samples, and narration/voice paired with tasty horn licks is what you want from drum corps, start a 2014 Crown thread and woop it up! As far as the 2 words posted on facebook for this year, seems a little early to make too much of that. I can't wait to see what they do with it.