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Yes...we are told to stay off DCP. I see no problem with that. Most of the people here are trying to egg us marching members on anyway! I'm not falling for it! I do not represent my corps. ONLY my corps admin represents my corps. Official statements from my corps comes from my admin. I am a member of my corps, and even though my comments or opinions do not reflect the general consensus of the admin of the corps, we are instructed to stay off. We are told that comments may be seen as disrespectful, even if we are defending our own corps. So we are told not to respond. Again...I see nothing wrong with that. But people would be lying if they don't come here to read the comments. I do! I read some of them and just laugh! I appreciate the reviews, and I appreciate the good and bad comments. Then I sign off, and keep my thoughts to myself. Then go on the field every weekend and do the best show possible. And I am having the time of my life doing it!

It could even provide some riveting moments!

In a perfect world, I would agree with you. Unfortunately, the world today isn't perfect. Corps have a standing policy against DCP posting not because of being embarrassed by its own participants, but because of the message it sends across the community. In this day and age, Social Media is incredibly powerful. You can change an entire public perception on something in 160 characters or less these days. Sure, it would be interesting if current corps members came on here and engaged the DCP community and opened themselves up, We'd be able to learn more about a specific idea of their show, why they did this or that, how they are achieving this or that... etc. But the problem today is that wouldn't happen. Instead, we as a community would think of that person as a direct representative of the corps. I think back to the Secaucus thread. A current member of Reading posted about how they were actually getting closer in a couple of captions and how they have a better ceiling than Cabs. I remember thinking at the time, "Is that what the staff is telling them? Did they have this conversation with the members, because that's not correct information?". I'm sure I'm not the only one. The bottom line is we as a society are very accustom to drama. Its why reality TV shows today have the highest ratings. We'd like to believe we wouldn't hold what one person says against an entire organization but we would do it anyway. It's not worth the trouble. Better to just do the talking on the field for now IMO.

Being with Sky for all those years, we paid a lot of syntax ... baby ... oh baby ... :-)

So, there was this post in the San Antonio regional thread. It stuck in my craw, and I’ve been chipping away at a response since then. Maybe the postseason is a better time to bring it up anyway. It’s a familiar critique: Troopers programs are old and hokey. They’re not in step with modern drum corps. The argument is facile and, as I will argue below, wrong. It needs to be challenged. It’s a slander that has lived too long, to the detriment of Troopers’ recruiting profile among potential DCI members. This is a corps that, like all other world-class corps, is fully committed to the modern expression of its heritage. And this is my small, independent, part in that effort. I want to see Troopers advance, and one obstacle to that advancement is the cool-kids critique, delivered above with the subtlety of a shiv, that Troop is your grandfather’s drum corps. Style preference is something different, and not my concern here. I’m drawn to certain flavors of drum corps more than I am drawn to, say, the Blue Knights flavor, but I’m not going to claim BK is stuck in 1977. Here are some facts: Collectively, world-Class corps built their 2014 programs on a total of 113 “movements,” or distinct music selections, according to the “2014 Programs” list on DCP. A small number of those 113, such as the use of “Appalachian Spring” by both Cadets and Jersey Surf, are duplicates, so the total number of unduplicated compositions performed in 2014 is slightly fewer. For my purposes, I consider all 113 instances of the compositions. Of those 113 instances, 18 of them, or 16 percent, represent compositions that are older than the oldest composition in the Troopers’ 2014 program. If you watched every world-class corps at prelims, one out of every six musical selections you heard was older than the oldest composition that the Troopers put on the field. The Troopers’ 2014 program was built on six compositions. Four of them are more recent than a third of the compositions performed by world-class corps in 2014. Two movements of the Troopers’ 2014 show were composed (or released) since 2012. Only Blue Stars could say the same. Not even Crown or Bluecoats had as many compositions in their 2014 repertoire that were as young. One world class corps -- Phantom Regiment -- built the theme of an entire show around music that originally was composed in the same year as the oldest composition used in the Troopers’ 2014 show. The Vanguard’s entire show was drawn from music older than five of the six compositions in the Troopers’ production. Cavaliers and Crossmen each played two pieces that are older than the oldest composition in the Troopers’ show. Spirit also played two. Academy played four. Below is a list of each composition in the 2014 shows of the world-class corps, as taken from DCP. Also listed is the composition date, or in some cases the release date, of each composition -- or of the founding composition of a more contemporary work. I assigned a date of 1814 (200 years) to compositions listed as “traditional.” For original compositions performed in 2014, I assigned the year 2013. How accurate are the dates in this list? They are web-search accurate, probably within a couple percentage points for the oldest or most obscure compositions. There may be quibbles around the edges; I believe the framework stands. With those stipulations made, the average age of the six compositions in the Troopers’ 2014 show is 61 years. The overall average among world-class corps in 2014 was 70 years. For 8 world-class corps, the average age of the compositions in their 2014 shows was older -- in some cases, decades older -- than the Troopers’ average. Thirteen corps had shows with younger averages. Corps / Composition / Year / Age Pioneer / "A Mighty Fortress" - by GLAD / 1527 / 487 Pioneer / "We Gather Together"- by GLAD / 1597 / 417 Cavaliers / When I am Laid in Earth by Purcell, Henry / 1689 / 325 Academy / Rondeau by Mourett, J J / 1729 / 285 Pioneer / "Saints Hallelujah" - by Canadian Brass / 1741 / 273 Academy / Mvt 2 from Symphony No 7 by Beethoven, Ludwig / 1811 / 203 Cascades / Dies Irae by Traditional (trad) / 1814 / 200 Cascades / Simple Gifts by Traditional (trad) / 1848 / 200 Crossmen / Erghen Diado by Bulgarian Women's Chorus (trad) / 1814 / 200 Pioneer / "Garry Owen March" - traditional (trad) / 1814 / 200 Spririt of Atlanta / Down to the River to Pray by Traditional (trad) / 1814 / 200 Academy / Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 by Lizst, Franz / 1847 / 167 Pacific Crest / Orpheus In The Underworld: Overture by Offenbach, Jacques / 1858 / 156 Spririt of Atlanta / I Need Thee Every Hour by Hawks, Annie / 1872 / 142 Cavaliers / Danse Macabre by Saint-Saens, Camille / 1874 / 140 Crossmen / Habanera from Carmen by Bizet, George / 1875 / 139 Academy / Dance of the Hours by Ponchielle, Amilcare / 1876 / 138 Phantom Regiment / Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky / 1876 / 138 Troopers / Shenandoah by Skinner, Frank / 1876 / 138 SCV / Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolai / 1888 / 126 Cascades / Firebird by Stravinsky, Igor / 1910 / 104 Troopers / America The Beautiful by Ward, Samuel A. / 1910 / 104 Pioneer / "Irish Tune From a County Derry" - by Percy Grainger / 1911 / 103 Phantom Regiment / La Peri by Dukas, Paul / 1912 / 102 Cascades / Rite of Spring by Stravinsky, Igor / 1913 / 101 Cascades / Carol of the Bells by Leontovych, Mykola; Wilhousky, Peter J. / 1924 / 90 Cadets / Music for the Theater by Copland, Aaron / 1925 / 89 Spririt of Atlanta / Willow Weep for Me by Ronell, Ann / 1932 / 82 Boston Crusaders / Symphony No 4 in D Minor by Knipper, Levi / 1934 / 80 Cascades / Summertime from Porgy & Bess by Gershwin, George / 1935 / 79 Spririt of Atlanta / Promised Land from Porgy and Bess by Gershwin, George / 1935 / 79 Crossmen / Caravan by Tizol, Juan / 1936 / 78 Academy / Crown Imperial March by Walton, William / 1937 / 77 Colts / Powerhouse by Scott, Raymond / 1937 / 77 Academy / Waltz No 2 from Jazz Suite No. 2 by Shostakovich, Dmitri / 1938 / 76 Boston Crusaders / The Battle on the Ice from Alexander Nevsky by Prokofiev, Sergei / 1938 / 76 Boston Crusaders / Concert for Violin and Orchestra by Barber, Samuel / 1940 / 74 Oregon Crusaders / Huapango by Moncayo, Jose Pablo / 1941 / 73 Cadets / Lincoln Portrait by Copland, Aaron / 1942 / 72 Troopers / Lincoln / 1942 / 72 Cadets / Appalachian Spring by Copland, Aaron / 1944 / 70 Cadets / Symphony No. 3 by Copland, Aaron / 1944 / 70 Jersey Surf / Appalachian Spring by Copland, Aaron / 1944 / 70 Boston Crusaders / Movement 4 from Concert Romanesq by Ligeti, Gyorgy / 1951 / 63 Cadets / The Promise of Living (from Tender Land) by Copland, Aaron / 1954 / 60 Scouts / Concerto to End All Concertos by Kenton, Stan / 1956 / 58 Boston Crusaders / Movement 2 from Symphony No 11 by Shostakovich, Dmitri / 1957 / 57 Cascades / Turn, Turn, Turn by Seeger, Pete / 1959 / 55 Oregon Crusaders / Nocturne (Homage to John Field), Op 33 by Barber, Samuel / 1959 / 55 Cavaliers / Chamber Symphony Op. 110 by Shostakovich, Dmitri / 1960 / 54 Boston Crusaders / Polyuska Polye (O Field, My Field) by Knipper, Levi / 1962 / 52 Scouts / Fanfare for the New by Montenegro, Hugo / 1964 / 50 Blue Stars / Homeward Bound by Simon, Paul / 1965 / 49 Troopers / The Ramparts by Williams, Clifton / 1965 / 49 Blue Devils / La Strada Theme by Rota, Nino / 1954 / 48 Scouts / Passacaglia and Fugue by Ferguson, Allyn / 1966 / 48 Academy / What a Wonderful World by Weiss, George; Thiele, Bob / 1967 / 47 Academy / What a Wonderful World by Weiss, George; Thiele, Bob / 1967 / 47 Jersey Surf / I Think It's Gonna Rain Today by Newman, Randy / 1968 / 46 Scouts / Star Children by Ellis, Don / 1968 / 46 Scouts / Bulgarian Bulge by Ellis, Don / 1969 / 45 Carolina Crown / Space Oddity - by David Bowie / 1969 / 45 Scouts / Final Analysis by Ellis, Don / 1970 / 44 Blue Devils / The Clowns by Rota, Nino / 1971 / 43 Crossmen / Emmanuel by Colombier, Michael / 1971 / 43 Jersey Surf / Lean on Me by Withers, Bill / 1972 / 42 Blue Devils / Be Italian from Nine by Yeston, Maury / 1973 / 41 Colts / Breath from Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd / 1973 / 41 Colts / On the Run from Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd / 1973 / 41 Colts / Time from Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd / 1973 / 41 Colts / Great Gig in the Sky from Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd / 1973 / 41 Colts / Brain Damage from Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd / 1973 / 41 Colts / Eclipse from Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd / 1973 / 41 Scouts / Open Wide by Ellis, Don / 1977 / 37 Scouts / Niner Two by Ellis, Don / 1977 / 37 Blue Stars / The Chairman Dances by Adams, John / 1985 / 29 Carolina Crown / Insterstellar Suite - by Amin Bhatia / 1987 / 27 Crossmen / Bulgaria by Erskine, Peter / 1993 / 21 Academy / Paris Sketches by Ellerby, Martin / 1994 / 20 Phantom Regiment / Dracula by Feeney, Philip on The Dracula Ballet soundtrack / 1996 / 18 Colts / Everything in its Right Place by Yorke, Thom / 1999 / 15 Carolina Crown / Shadow Behind The Iron Sun - by Evelyn Glennie / 1999 / 15 Blue Knights / A Kaleidoscope of Mathematics by Horner, James / 2001 / 13 Blue Knights / Hand of Fate - Part 1 from Signs by Newton Howard, James / 2002 / 12 Crossmen / Zambra by Ojos de Brujo / 2004 / 10 Pacific Crest / Shadowplay - from Ka' (Cirque du Soleil) / 2005 / 9 Phantom Regiment / King Kong by Howard, James Newton / 2005 / 9 Phantom Regiment / Flightplan by Horner, James / 2005 / 9 Cavaliers / A Walk On The Water by Melillo, Stephen / 2006 / 8 Blue Knights / To Build A Home by Watson, Patrick; France, Phil; Swinscoe, Jason / 2007 / 7 Blue Stars / To Build A Home by Watson, Patrick; France, Phil; Swinscoe, Jason / 2007 / 7 Carolina Crown / There's No Place Like Home - by Michael Giacchino / 2007 / 7 Carolina Crown / Vitae Aeternum - by Paul Lovatt-Cooper / 2007 / 7 Bluecoats / to wALK Or ruN in wEst harlem by Akiho, Andy / 2008 / 6 Pacific Crest / Firefly by George, Ryan / 2008 / 6 Bluecoats / Uffe's Woodshop by Braxton, Tyondai / 2009 / 5 Bluecoats / Platinum Rows by Braxton, Tyondai / 2009 / 5 Blue Knights / Brief Eternity by Rosler, Don; Treece, Roger / 2010 / 4 Oregon Crusaders / Mind Heist - from Inception Soundtrack by Zimmer, Hans / 2010 / 4 Blue Devils / Old Toys from Iris by Elfman, Danny / 2011 / 3 Blue Devils / Movie Studio from Iris by Elfman, Danny / 2011 / 3 Oregon Crusaders / The Alabados Song by Bissell, Paul / 2011 / 3 Blue Stars / Home by Pearson, Drew and Holden , Greg / 2012 / 2 Bluecoats / The Hymn of Axciom by Teng, Vienna / 2012 / 2 Oregon Crusaders / The Hymn of Axciom by Teng, Vienna / 2012 / 2 Troopers / A people's house / 2012 / 2 Blue Devils / Circo Compagnia by Goodwin, Gordon / 2013 / 1 Blue Stars / Original Music by Saucedo, Richard / 2013 / 1 Boston Crusaders / Original Music by George, Ryan / 2013 / 1 Mandarins / Original music / 2013 / 1 Pacific Crest / Original Music - Tango by Meehan, John / 2013 / 1 Troopers / Original Music by Paul & Sandi Rennick / 2013 / 1 Carolina Crown / Perihelion: Closer To The Sun - by Phillip Sparke / 2013 / 1 / Going back to the 2013 season, Blue Devils built their entire show off a composition that was marking its 100th birthday -- a composition that is essentially the same vintage as a single selection in Troopers’ 2014 show. (By the way, what were the Troopers actually playing in the 1970s? “Day by Day.” “Introduction and Fantasia” (c. 1970). John Denver’s “Looking for Space. “Land of Make Believe.” “Aquarius.” Even “Tubular Bells.” And, yes, a lot of American-western music.) Looking at the table, maybe you get the impression that the age of the Troopers’ source music doesn’t really stand out, one way or the other. Maybe it looks pretty typical to you. And that would be the point. From an age standpoint, the Troopers draw their source material from the same well as the rest of DCI. Yet this inaccurate characterization of the Troopers playing to the dinosaur crowd persists. Why? Why does Robert Smith’s 2013-14 arrangement of “Lincoln Portrait” earn a remark about belonging in the 1970s, while Don Hill’s 2013-14 arrangement of “Swan Lake” -- a composition that is 66 years older than “Lincoln” -- gets a pass? If it is possible to make “Sherherezade” (c. 1888) relevant to the modern ear, is it not also possible to do likewise for “Shenandoah” (c. 1876)? Is anyone arguing that Robert Smith is unskilled at creating modern drum-corps arrangements? Is anyone arguing that Paul and Sandi Rennick don’t know how to write for the DCI drum line of 2014? Is anyone arguing that Noah Bellamy and his visual staff haven’t seen a drum-corps show since 1977? No? Then why this persistent critique that the Troopers are a relic? Cadets can play “Lincoln” and earn a medal, but Troop draws from the same material and gets a bus ticket to the nearest American Legion contest. For that matter, the Cadets’ uniform has its roots in a far older era than does the Troopers’ uniform. Yet Troop is the corps that is popularly dismissed as musty. I don’t get it. I’ve said before that it’s not the music, it’s what you do with the music. If I’m right about that, and if the facts don’t back up the claim that Troopers play only old stuff, what is it about what the Troopers are doing with their music that feeds this impression?

Another possibility... Perhaps rather than Bucs going through whatever people may speculate they have gone through, maybe everyone else is rising to their level on a more consistent basis. They have set the bar extremely high over the past decade and maybe it has just taken this long for everyone else to become competitive at that level. I think you can look at the last three years or so and see the improvement in design and execution from everybody else. It's not really a one or two horse race anymore. The depth of the competitive field is much, much deeper than it has been in a long time. ...and this is a GOOD thing! Makes for more enjoyable and suspenseful shows on a weekly basis. I believe ANYTHING can happen in Rochester. Remember last year? Empire came in seeded 7th and ended up 4th. What a great time to be in DCA...especially on this, its 50th anniversary! Dan

I'll never understand why, when a percussion program is weak, everyone automatically starts naming old, retired guys to fill the spot. There are always uber-talented up-and-comers who would do fantastically in those spots (given a few years to build), and it would be a lot more interesting. I wasn't happy at all when Crown hired Hannum a few years ago, or Kuhn at Phantom... they could have given a new guy a chance to shine, but instead, it's just the G7 recycling the same few names over and over and over...

I've said it before.... The Buccaneers don't rebuild... they reload. LOL It's just taken them a bit longer to do so this season. And let's give credit to the Caballeros here, for putting a product on the field that has, for all intents and purposes, forced the Bucs to play catchup for the first time in a very long time. Based on those Scranton scores, it appears the Bucs have taken on the challenge. But the corps from Hawthorne and the corps from Reading both have decades-long track records of working very hard and never quitting. So... this should be a very interesting two weekends coming up!!! And let's not forget Minnesota Brass... the only corps not from Reading with a DCA Open Class title since 2004.

As a member of this staff, I can say that you are very incorrect. There are no new Brigs that haven't been on the staff for years. Sorry to cut through with some truth, but this can all be verified on this same message board. How about this idea, come to the show this weekend and buy a ticket. You can see all of the corps and provide your opinions on what you see that night, as opposed to what is being written on this satirical message board. You might enjoy that more. Hope to see you there.

Oh, I have some GREAT suggestions... First, practice more. Second, practice more. Third, practice more but start with your left hand. Fourth, practice more. (If I knew you and your practice practices (see what I did there?), I'd push you to practice more and, oh yea, practice more.) Wait, who is this again?

Hey, BigW! Finish the dammnn review! This is a most interesting season. Public opinion probably says "anyone but Reading." That's understandable. There is NO doubt, Caballeros this year are, well . . easy to take. It's a most pleasing show. Wonderful melody, nice movement, great looking, and well played. What's not to like? Bucs? YES, I am an alumni. However, this is not one of my favorite programs from Bucs, my 'team.' This year's Bucs have faced unique challenges. This was bound to be a slow-to-get-moving season. But, have they met that challenge? Have they now moved enough? Bucs have CLEARLY grown and 'upped' their game. BUT, in the end . . . . what wins? Is this all about popularity, innovation, execution, political pull? I really don't know. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

I believe the staff change was essentially at the start of the '12 season, and that resulted in Black Symphony. The staff is outstanding and knows what they are doing, the difference is that this year they have absolutely taken some chances in terms of design, and it's really refreshing. Is it perfect? Absolutely not (at least night the last time I saw it, in Wayne). A lot of it was unreadable in the early season. That will lead folks to question things. Sure, they have younger members...so combined with the major change in style (particularly the Metheny piece and the Doors groove) it's going to take time to get all figured out. And from the results of the Scranton show (I was not there) it appears they are on the right track. I'll let you know my thoughts after I see them in Reading this weekend.

Is it wrong that I hope you end up not jumping in with anyone, because I'm looking forward to your review? :) Seriously, good stuff. Thanks, I hope youkeep it up.

Oooh, I'm always up for uniform talk. Top down to bottom - Blue Devils - big changes this year. I'm assuming this is the end of the jackets that debuted in 2011, as there's not much more to cut off or otherwise sew on to them? Overall, it was a brilliant move, though - lightening up the whole ensemble with the sleeve and shirt really made them look more formal / nightlife-like, and the red underside of the cape delivered some badly-needed contrast. Big thumbs up from me. Bluecoats - white Escher-style baldric and sash also gave some "pop" to the uniforms from afar, which again...badly needed as there is so much darkness on it. Also good move going with white plumes - it gave the corps definition from above. Also a big thumbs up. The Cadets - cummerbund changes... ok. I kind of wish they would just ditch the uni altogether and come up with some sort of modern hybrid. With all of the theatrics going on, West Point jackets look increasingly out of place. Thumbs slightly down. Santa Clara Vanguard - White variation on their uniform from last year. I got the weird extended epaulets from last year - they had to sit on the shoulder caps. I have no idea why they did it again this year with a custom-built jacket . The "drape" style baldric didn't fit uniformly member-to-member, but that's a minor quibble. Honestly, white jacket and black pants will always look classy, no matter what you stick around it. Thumbs up. Carolina Crown - viewers pegged the problem with the updated colors early in the season. Last year, the dark purple better sat with the black jackets. This year, the light blue heavily contrasted. As with most things Crown, though, if you don't like it, wait a season - it will change. Thumbs down to this year, probably thumbs up next year. The Cavaliers - love the minor changes they made to the 2010-2013 jackets here. Back to the 2002 baldric, green on the back... back to looking like the streamlined Cavaliers we all know and love. Huge thumbs up for such minor tweaks. Phantom Regiment - oh boy oh boy. Did not like the two-tone jacket, though honestly there's not much left they can do that's new at this point. (Well, except red jackets... come on!) Did not like the satin-ey baldrics. Did not like the tassels on the oversized wing. Especially did not like the black alternate look. Back to the drawing board, Phantom. (And I assume they will, as - like Blue Devils - it looks like they've been cutting up the jackets.) ... that said, both of my kids thought they looked brilliant. So two thumbs down, but four smaller thumbs up. Blue Knights - I love the new look, especially because it does not look like anyone else on the field. Bright and airy. Graceful and floating. I am not a huge fan of the modern day tendency to use gray as a neutral color, but boy does it work with the blue and white. My only complaint is the gray drop-sashes - they don't add anything to the look and tend to distract from the line of the performer. Thumbs up. Blue Stars - Not huge changes from last year (I think? I'm doing most of this from memory - bear with me), as it was just the red plumes? Well, except for the overalls. Yeah. I kind of wish they could remove the silver stripes from the jacket - it's too busy on the front. Otherwise, they look like they have for a while now. Thumbs still up. Boston Crusaders - up close, these look awesome. I've grown to love the Waldo across the jacket, and the crossed belts are a neat way of keeping it traditional and still emphasizing the "slim and tall" look. (part of the reason of moving the buckle upwards) That said, from a distance, it really looks like black on black, especially with horns up. And the drop sash here also doesn't work. With Cadets and BD, they've at least added contrast against the pants, but here, it just muddies the look. Thumbs sideways. Madison Scouts - I thought they looked great in the all white. Like Phantom does, it made them look big and glowing. Especially in the drill when they covered more of the field - it looked like there were more people out there than there were. However, the short sleeves need to go. Thumbs till up though. Crossmen - I like the concept of the uniforms, especially with the swappable plate on the front, but the tactical mistake here, to me, is having the panel extend halfway across the right chest, and having it drop in a vertical line. It makes the members look wide. BD had a similar problem with their 2004-5 uniforms, which reached all the way around to the left hip almost - it gives the illusion of horizontal extension. I'd have had the Crossmen panel cut more triangularly, wider at the top than the bottom so that it hits the bottom of the jacket back on the left. (Which also would have been a throwback to the baldrics from the 90's and 2000's) Overall, though, a sharp look, and I do like it. Thumbs up. Colts - I can't decide on these. I hate the collar (45 degree twisted polo collar - eek), but I do like the gradient. Can't even give them a thumb yet - I'm not sure. Troopers - Second year of these uniforms, and one of the few corps, it seems, not to have changed anything this year. I get that they're more Trooper-esque than actual Trooper, but I do miss the old unis - the single buttons and dark/light blue did good to streamline the members, I think. But as far as modern looks go, these are solid. Thumbs up with a slow nod. The Academy - I love the heck out of the "dress up" concept. But in practice, I'm not sure if this is the best look for them. I do enjoy the changes to the ties and lately the scarves on the hats, but there's a whole lot of "long and flowing" here that, again, muddies up the form. They do manage, however, to look completely unlike anyone else out there. Thumbs sideways. Spirit of Atlanta - I love these new uniforms. They're a great combination of old and new. Cant' get enough of them - seriously. Drum corps is about big, bright and bold colors - going where marching bands fear to tread. Thumbs up over my head. Oregon Crusaders - Tweaked from last year to include tails and feathers. I'm... surprisingly ok with these. Can't tell you why - it just works. And tradition is still good in uniforms - I've always liked the compass and the shade of green. Thumbs up. Pacific Crest - Also one of the few corps not to change this year. I know a lot of people don't like these jackets, but for me, the teal and copper has been a solid look for them. Love the white accents on the shoulders, too - more "afternoon" corps should be using lighter colors. They just make performers look bigger. Black on black on black just makes marchers look small in natural light, but more elegant in artificial / stadium light. Thumbs up. Mandarins - Changed the red on the hip to gold this year. As they're Chinese influenced, what can you say? It works. The jackets have been designed all along to be slimming, it seems, and they work well. I liked their last uniforms as well - they just seem to have a good idea of what they want to project and maximizing the effect. Thumbs zuidou. Jersey Surf - back to the old dark "military" looking jackets and pants. These are ok, if you like dark on dark on dark. This corps for me, recently, doesn't really fit this image though. Might just be wishful thinking back to the last couple of years. Thumbs sideways - ok, but kind of blah. Cascades - Also seems to be unchanged from last year. Another one where I get the concept, but I'm not sold on the execution. The twisted baldric on the front makes everyone, again, look wide. I do like the sequined panel under it, though. I like the bright green, but I don't care for the dark on the jackets. This just feels like a design that's halfway where they will end up settling - we're just not there yet. Thumbs down. Pioneer - I love the hats, but nothing about this corps screams "Cadet." White jackets = good, though. Again, lighter in daylight is better. Just... not military. I miss the old white and plaid with the aussies - that really created a distinctive and Irish look for them. Thumbs down. Mike

correct. and if anyone really, truly wants to see why corps say no to posting, go look at the RAMD summer of love in 97

This! This! Why not some Paul Creston? Charles Tomlinson Griffes? Amy Beach? George Whitefield Chadwick? There is a TON of great music by American composers that remains untouched by DCI. Also, broaden your show design concepts. Maybe the Troopers are regarded as "old-fashioned" because literally every single one of their show designs the past 20 years has been about 1820-1920 America: the Old West, the Civil War, the emergence of the steam engine, and on and on and on. Pioneer does the same thing with the Irish theme, but Pioneer approaches DCI a bit differently than the other World Class corps. Pushing for Finals and being ultra-competitive is not at the core of what Pioneer is about. And yet I feel the Troopers, while maybe not ULTRA-competitive, do want to be a consistent Finalist. I don't think you can manage that with one foot in the past and one in the present, serving the judges and the audience the same flavor of show every year.

Cadets: Something we have never heard before. Something we have never seen before. Something that pushes the ridiculous level of talent you've been blessed to receive these past few years. Something... dare I say.... innovative.

a corps facebook page is for the faithful to swallow the sermon.

His name is Tilt.

I use our Facebook Page and FB Groups to give the weekly video and other information more than here on DCP.. Because trying to add a video Link pictures etc takes a little more time on Here than on FB.. With my limited time I have , I can load stuff onto the Four or Five FB pages faster than trying to link things here etc.. During the winter months I use DCP more for Camp up dates.. I have more time. then.. I think that is what Liz was getting at with we can control it better. Lets say Manage it easier. As for Public forums we just stay off.. We all know people can read one sentence several different ways depending on what mood they are in and instead of what Chris said its Did you hear what the Cabs said. so we just do what we have to on the field and hope everyone enjoys our show. So with that said. hope everyone is enjoy this DCA Season .. Me I like the reviews and my entertainment is actually reading you all bicker back and forth. I respect all your opinions and Hope you ALL go to what ever shows are remaining in your Area's..

With a name like Levi's it's bound to put some butts in the seats.

2001 ? 2001 only has relevance if you believe the Colts are going to finish ahead of Carolina Crown sometime again in your lifetime ( as the Colts did in 2001 ). I wouldn't hold my breath on this happening if I was you. And I'll stick by my prediction that Pioneer will never top the Troopers again, and the Troopers will never beat the Blue Devils again... and such placements won't have anything at all to do with the music these 3 Corps will select in the future, whether it will be something old, something new, or something borrowed.

Oh man....I would LOVE to hear a corps pull off "33 222 1 222"....while marching! 'Coats? Xmen? 27th in the old days?

I was wondering the same thing. In years past, the Prelims were out pretty quickly (within days of Finals). I realize the crew is probably busy, but this is the time to get the recordings, before all of the copyright claims chop up the shows...

Without "that" piece of our anatomy----------fiber would be a killer!!

Thank goodness. Life would be pretty unpleasant if we didn't!

Yes, this is what we did when I marched to build left hand chops. All the exercises you know, start with the left hand leading off, and your goal is to match the quality of sound you have with the right hand leading off. It feels weird to start with the left, but do that a lot. Alternate one time right, one time left so you can hear the difference. It helps. Other than that, hours of drumming, but leading with the left is something that works.

The internet. Where no one is ever wrong. Kind of like real life, but with far less apologies.

Threads like this are funny. You can probably guess a person's age pretty acurately based on their range of shows listed.

Predictions are opinions, opinions are like a$$h*les. We all have one.

Well, the front ensemble arranging will at least be changing. Andrew Markworth is no longer at Crown.

Don't judges also have a policy in place regarding their posting here on DCp even if they are polite in speaking their minds?

And PPS ... regarding that one person's post about the show sounding like it would be at home in 1977 ... it is interesting to note that Trooper's 1977 show ALSO included "Shenandoah" and music by Copland. I think this is more to the point of that poster's critique - not the age of the composition, but perhaps the over-reliance on repeated themes, selections and composers.

Other winners of Thr Riker's Cup were PeeWee, JoJo, Swan, Manny, and believe it or not D'Amico ... (I know ... it's uncanny) :-)

Me and Roman B. may be the only people that like Pioneer's Marine hats. I think it gives them a sharp, clean look. Mike

By the looks of the numbers that have auditioned the past few years, the numbers of the program and the amount of kids that still want to be a part of the tradition of the Troopers.....i.e., playing American Music, the "old style" or still original look of the corps, the history, etc..... their is something to be said about the way they have kept to their traditions through all the changes drum corps has taken over the past 20 years or so. Something that I noticed this past year was that the staff and design team are continuing to develop the program to move forward....All sections are improving.....I would suggest it is hard to say that the corps is a "museum piece" unless you are within the corps, have been around the corps and really know what it means to the kids to be a Trooper!!

the Troopers had this "identity" issue years ago. I think if anything, making finals in 09, then bombing for a few years after hurt them. Last year they made the almost miraculous run at the last finals spot, and this year not far out. the identity isnt the issue as I see it...it's retention. keep staff. keep kids. when you do that good things happen

I don't think it has anything to do with being written first. Its about integration between the sections. Crown has a poor blend and balance between the brass writing and the percussion writing. Anyone can clearly see the focus is put on Crown's horn line through the majority of the show and percussion moments are just the spots in between the horn line showing off how many notes they can play. BD does it right with Dave Glyde scoring out the integration between the brass and percussion for the entire show. BD should be the road map for how a music coordinator designs a show.

And to you who commented about my attire, as I told Nanci, money was tight when I was a kid, and my entire wardrobe was hand me downs from my older brother.....☺

This could be Minnesohtah's year dontchaknow.

I think Bluecoats' helmets are pretty #### stylish. I like how the curves and edges are sharper and a little more exaggerated than your normal helmet like Phantom's.

I did answer you: 42 is portrayed as the answer to everything.

Registration deadline was this past Saturday..........looking forward to seeing the entire I&E line up and schedule,..............there are usually large crowds, but being on a Saturday this year, between prelims and finals, attendance could even be larger!

Not agreeing with guard. The guard has been really improving in the last few years. I think AS does a great job.

And many of us have stated Cadets show was....clean....

The 2015 Top 5! Blue Devils presents: "Yes We're Playing Jazz Again. Wanna Fight About It?" Bluecoats pesents: "SWAY" Cadets presents: "COP LAND Starring Sylvester Stallone" SCV presents: "SCV 1999. We're not changing any of it." Crown presents: "The Quadratic Equation. Somehow."

Crown could use some help, but probably at the tech level more than the book level. The book was serviceable this year (they've never been percussion-centric), but the glaring execution problems from the battery were what killed them in the caption. Hoping for their sake that Madison had a next generation set of leaders ready for this type of major change, since there don't appear to be that many name-brand designers or caption heads in play this off-season (MacIntosh has already stated he's back at Cavaliers 2015 with his staff, so he's not in play).

That seems infinitely improbable.

I would love to see someone use opera's famous Double Bill: "Cavaleria Rusticana" and I Pagliacci" as a basis for a show. It would be perfect for Phantom, not because it has two murders, but it fits the style that fits them best. I have also thought that "I Pagliacci" in particular has some great music other than its one famous aria which has been performed many times by many corps. A corps might want to wait a few years before attempting this show since the grittiness would be similar to Blue Devils 2014 and the troupe travels by wagon in "I Pagliacci" which would be entering 2014 Crossmen territory. People may also recall a violinist named Vanessa Mae. She pops on and off the radar screen from time to time. She released a self titled album in 1995 that was marketed as classical but was actually electronic music. I worked in a "record store" (even though CD's and tapes and not LP's were sold, it was still referred to as such) when it was released and classical lovers panned it and electronic fans saw her as a sell out, but it sold well. Some of her works would adapt well to drum corps, and according to Corpsreps, Mike Batt who composed most of the music on the album, has not been performed by drum corps, or at least he was not credited as the composer.

Crown should step away from the space themes