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Phantom Regiment sure doesn't have a ton of money, and they seem to do a LOT with less than other corps. I don't think that what it takes is money; it's more the design, then the cleaning of that design that matters most.

JohnZ for the win

I really liked Crown's show this year. I thought is was unique and very entertaining. Being the guard geek I am I just ordered a flag used in this years production. One of the purple swirly designed flags they used in the second half of the show. Anyway, more and more corps are selling their show flags from their productions and it is a great souvie as well as a terrific way to support a corps. (last year I purchased a Cavaliers flag from their 2013 show for only 22 bucks including shipping) Give it a thought!

OH, well TRUE. Look at Star 1993. Warm fuzzies all over; obscure for the time.

Yea, that is weird. DCA should fix that. There's absolutely no reason they can't put the first intermission after White Sabers and split Open Class into two seven-corps blocks.

Hard luck? I believe you make your own luck. We go out and do our job, everyone after us is going to have to compare to that. We're going to control the things that we can control. Performance order, judging panels, all that other stuff is just wasted energy worrying about. We figure if we do what we know we are capable of, everything else will take care of itself. Can't wait to throw down next weekend and see what happens. Safe travels to everyone and we'll see you all Saturday afternoon. Dan

The eleventh mini-corps listed is Cincinnati Tradition, who are apparently have two ensembles at DCA this year. Here is the schedule: 8:30 p.m. -- Thunderbirds 8:45 p.m. -- Rocketeers 9:00 p.m. -- Thunder Brigade 9:15 p.m. -- Cincinnati Tradition 9:30 p.m. -- Renegades 9:45 p.m -- Minne-Brass 10:00 p.m. -- High Country Brass 10:15 p.m. -- Impact of Orlando 10:30 p.m. -- Sacramento Freelancers 10:45 p.m. -- Star United 11:00 p.m. -- Ghost Riders

the corps that year were well aware they were no way a Div. 2 corps but as you said had to compete in it. Finances were coo koo crazy there. so many were burned. The last Ex. Dir. tried his hardest to pull them out of debt, not by his doing but all the years of the early 2000s.Coming back at all cost isn't long lived for sure

Putting together an accurate list of top 10 favorite shows is too hard. There's a lot of criteria one could go by when deciding favorite: guard, percussion, theme, music, emotional moment, et cetera... There are moments in every show that are great, and there moments in every show that are not so great. I think it's been interesting to see that the newer members favorite shows skew to more recent shows, and the less new or well established members favorite shows tend to skew older, and even all over the place.

I think the staff of the last few year has done just what you are asking.( and a good job of it ) This also in itself can be a problem. I think, as I have said, having your feet in both the present and the past can always be an issue and very tricky. I do think ( knowing several personally ) they were also thinking of pleasing way to many people. Judges, ( which it is a competition and they want to stay in finals ) Audience , alumni, etc etc. maybe it's time to just do want they want and not try so hard. You will NEVER please everyone. People think they might have the answers to all this BUT saying well do this or that is one thing, actually doing it, putting your reputation as well as money and a season on the line is something quite different. So what's the answer? Well, I say 1st decide what you want to be as a corps . Could it mean a flair of the big sound, aggressive Madison we know , yes it could be. could it mean the complete opposite YES it could be. Does the corps need to remember it's going on 2015 and they are in a competition. YES, 1st and foremost! It's nice to think we all don't care about competition but thats easy to say on this side of it. Fall out of the competitive arena and there might not be a corps. JMO

And even if you achieve the attempted material, it still doesn't make that content good.

Absolutely....I think DCA corps should be able to execute visually at a decent level of precision.

...and I completely understand that. Heck, if they were executing that show, they'd be winning or very close to it.

I think Adam did well at Madison. He also did great things with the guard at Regiment from 2005 to 2008.

I'll agree with John. Brass and filthy feet issues aside I'll watch C2 any day

Well, read again what I said. C2's show is more fun, and more enjoyable from an entertainment perspective. Of course the main corps has more challenging stuff, and actually executes it. But it was cheesy, and it wasn't entertaining other than in an "boy I appreciate how hard it is" way. And at some point we have to stop equating "hard" with "good". They are two totally different and independent concepts.

I know this is an every year topic but its too bad MBI doesn't get a last weekend bump before going out East. They are a force this year and doing some amazing body work. Looking forward to seeing them as always.

yet the weakest link remains

Really 5 Class A corps???? Why bother , Just let corps compete.

I don't know Jeff. Cabs have been strongest in Visual Effect all year. They even won that caption in Wildwood. What we saw in Scranton from that Effect judge was opposite what we've seen all year. So looking at the recap last night, the effect caption went back to the way it's been all year. So Scranton was the fluke, not last night. And the spread really is that far. Although it is bigger than some other shows.

rumor is MBI won the tie

I predict one judge tonight at Reading may have lost any assignments they had next weekend

i know this: the lack of a field visual judge is the biggest gift DCA corps can get. Some absolutely abysmal individual marching issues out there. and as for the results....well...i have friends pretty much everywhere so sorry if this offends, but I didn't see it going the way it did at all. Not said out of any bias towards any team over another...one corps came to win, one corps came not to lose. i'll have the review started tomorrow

the field at Exeter drains really well. judged a 14 band show in a downpour there 5 years ago, no issues. in fact i dont think the rain did affect anyone except my notepad

Will ya chill out? I was not being negative at all. What I said was in hopes that they do have their ducks in a row. I said this because I WANT this to be a successful campaign. With that being said, none of us know what is truely going on for them financially. I can tell you that as of this morning when I asked someone who is married to a Southwind staffer when they folded, they believed Southwind was still $300,000 in debt. At the very least they were that far in debt when they folded. So if they have somehow managed to raise that kind of money, kudos to them. Alls I am saying is that I really hope they aren't trying to start up something if they still owe even $1.

I know people tend to underestimate BAC, but really? 75th place? I think that's a little low.

1990 Boston Crusaders! Great corps, awesome show!

Travel teams they are recruited for, and choose. Oh, wait, that ruins Brasso's argument.

Oh for the love of god. Clearly you're learning about this as new news and have not been following their foundations and planning which has been public knowledge for at least 2 years. Furthermore, they started back up with a soundsport group instead of just jumping back in like Magic and others did. Do people always have to throw out negativity when something positive happens in this activity.

I don't understand this idea that in order to have a competitive show it must be boring. That makes no sense. The judging sheets don't have negative marks for making the crowd go wild. They don't have negative marks for wow moments that people will talk about for years after. You can absolutely have a show that is clean, designed well as to fit in to what the judges are looking for, and still make the crowd go nuts. Thinking you have to pick one or the other is silly. And I disagree about Scouts "winning". It would be nice to see the Scouts win again, but if you consistently put a very competitive show on the field that draws the type of attention the Scouts of the 90s did, then recruiting will be a breeze. I know I didn't join the Scouts because I wanted to win. I joined the Scouts because the shows were fun and challenging to march and play and to top it off the roar of the crowd was amazing. AND, we were still competeting at an elite level.

That was one great show!

As an alumnus, would i like to see another trophy in the corps office? Sure. But do I want to see it at the expense of the tradition, philosophy, and upholding of the corps' values and brotherhood? Hell no. But do I want them in finals...? You bet your butts I do, that seems to be attainable. To hold your corps values and identity while loosely playing into the game. ugh, i hate using that expression. playing the game. there shouldn't be one. the score sheets aren't even written to create a game. its all invented by the Joffreys in DCI. Off topic thought in 3... 2... 1... I don't want to point a finger and say DCI is messed up, the score sheets are messed up, the direction of the activity is messed up and Madison is all right. That would be silly to say. Because its not all one thing vs the other thing. And as Jurassic Park taught us... life finds a way. Evolution is inevitable. To be honest with all of you out there in the virtual marching pitch of DCP I am less proud of the later 2000's when the corps started to lose its identity. I am proud of the work that the gents did, whether in finals or not, Im proud that they took it all in stride, and kept the brotherhood alive, and their values stood the test of time, but there's a bit of "playing the game" that had to happen to bring them back into finals consistently. Which I understand, but as an activity that is presented as educational, I feel very little of that happens like it did ten years ago and the scoring and ideals are at the top of the concern pile for me. And it stinks to feel that to participate in an activity you have to give up part of yourself and your identity. Seriously, that stinks like a laundry bag coming to the end of the tour week. But I will say that the trend of getting all new stuff every year bothers me. (unis, horns, drums... etc) That is wasteful, which is not how I remember the corps being. Its not how I remember ANY corps that I marched or taught at operating. Its probably why we see less corps ever year, but that's a different thread to start in DCP. You'll hate hearing this but they aren't the only corps struggling to keep their identity in an activity that is in constant fluctuation and striving to "push the envelope". Heck I pushed a manilla one the other day across the desk. It wasn't that hard. I didn't need space pants or a new uni to do it either. (see what I did there... bwahahaha) I know several corps directors of the same box have been told to buy into the new way or expect the same results. Which stinks. that my friends is frackin' annoying. Actually it makes me want to turn big and green and smash stuff wearing only purple shorts. To see so many corps that had developed great identities over years (even you spacepants), and now are struggling to fit some model that is set by a bunch of dorks in polos in an office in Indiana. (think aboot it... I may be onto something here) Its like a big guessing game of what the big secret company wants to present to the public every season and less about what you the ensemble want to present and educate your youth with. ok, enough propaganda and back onto topic... I am proud that they are in finals. Do I want a higher placement, sure, doesn't everyone want that for their corps or even a show they like every season? I know for a fact that they are getting the talent. You can see that in the videos. Will they get more talent with a ring, probably. Will they also get more ego filled applicants? Probably. will they then get members who aren't there to buy into the corps values? probably. I am extremely proud of the corps at this moment. After talking with my little brothers, and how THEY feel about the corps, the show, and what they get out of it, I am actually relieved that it feels like things have come full circle. I liked the last couple shows. Empire, Corps of Brothers, and Time Trip because it had music I can listen to. To me, when you take away the visual and cup-cakey frosting like fluffiness, the show itself should still be able to be listened to on its own. And over the last few years it now feels like we are getting back to that with Madison. We went away for a bit, but we are back. Each corps regime was an extension of the director's persona to an extent. I love all of the directors simply for taking the job on. And year by year, we've gotten a little closer to the Madison of yesteryear, and the addition of the new staff will help to give us the Madison we all know and love. I'm not saying we are going to bring back Malaga, Malaguena, or any other chart the guys in green are known for. In fact... i say leave them be. Make new Madison Classics! They became classics when we played them first, maybe a second time. But don't dig them out. Be the Madison we can be, and make another classic. They names being announced are people who helped create the original classics, let them make new ones in the style of Madison. Less footwork, less BK style dancy-ness (yeah, i know what you're thinking, i shouldn't say it like that, but BK to me has always been the dancy corps, and it works for them) and go back to a strong marching program, tough drill that makes the members hate running that same spiral set of death over and over again, and Boerma's famous last three weeks of tour from the scaffolding "take it back... play louder". Do I want higher placements in the DCI Game of Thrones? sure, do I want the corps to devalue itself, its history or the values and brotherhood instilled in the members. No. Do I want it to gain the throne only to choke to death on the cake on its wedding day? NO. But it feels now, after several years of fluctuation, that they are coming back full circle. Which I believe starts at the top. The guys in charge, like the Starks hold the value at the top of their priorities. Which makes the corps what it is. And this coming season, I feel we'll see something we've not seen in a while. A new Madison, like the old Madison.

here's what I hope for..... Madison picks something that thrills fans, but doesn't feel beholden to live up to mythical past shows such as 91-97, 99, 82-83,88 etc.My biggest issue as a fan has been watching Madison try to please those who want the past redone, and realizing in DCI you need to move forward. 2013 was IMO the closest they came to merging the two demands placed on them, which often conflict. Just be Madison. Why did 2010 work? It wasn't super deep and it connected to fans. same for 11 and 13. the talent pool in DCI has never been greater, so wearing all white leaves you open to visual issues being magnified.

Asking as more of a "science numbers" person rather than a "financial numbers" person -- "$50m" in this case is 50 thousand? I've always seen it as "50k," whereas "50m" would be 50 million. Is the "m" (here) derived from the Roman numeral for 1000? Just curious.

Balls to the wall Latin would be great, don't your breath on the spats. I'm hoping a 1988-2002 type look comes back, personally

I use to teach scatter drill with firecrackers Actually, I teach everything with firecrackers

via Imgflip Meme Maker

I'm guessing that Michael W. Smith would have taken the corps in an entirely different direction. :)

Here is what I posted in the other thread. ### For me, In want them to perform the show that the crowd talks about/sings as they leave the stadium. I always want them to be the crowd favorite. You are correct that in a perfect world, they can achieve that, and place in the upper end of the activity. What I would REALLY like to see, is for them to lead a resurgence in shows that play to the crowd and have big, powerful, WOW moments (in my mind at least). Can DCI turn in that direction, who knows. If it can, I would like to see Madison to lead the way.

oh you mean like how DCI worked in 28 new faces this year onto judging panels. oops

I think the writing is exactly what the show design calls for. I think the fix for it is in the show construction not in the front design itself.

My " 10 favorite drum Corps shows of all time" changes daily,... if not, by the hour.

Frank, thanks for the compliment. I can still remember when I, at the age of 10 or 11, I listened to the most noteable trumpet player of that time, Harry James. I tried my best to emulate his style of playing, plus I liked his first name.....lol. In my later years, my idols were Rafael Mendez, Doc Severinsen and Maynard Ferguson. Needless to say, I never reached the talent level of any of these wonderful players, but I certainly set my goals high.

Sort of a "Something Old, Something New, In some ways Borrowed...BUT IN ALL WAYS BLUE!!" type of thing???

Really liked Crossmen's new uniforms!!!

DCP is a great tool for teaching members how to post and comment on social media responsibly. As you know, particularly on the DCI and even more specifically with younger corps members, staff members are constantly required to teach beyond the dots and notes that make up the show. They are constantly required to teach everything from social skills personal responsibility, from time management to how to do your laundry. Teaching good social media skills is a part of that. I remember a couple of years ago when the Cavaliers required all members to turn their phones in to corps staff before getting on the bus. Was that a missed teaching moment or what?

Procession of Bacchus...Reading Buccaneers' closer in 87..Nightfire's opener in the aborted 94 season (almost the same arrangement, actually) I could see Cadets on that chart.

oh no! DCI posted selfies kids took...and Hop's in one making a funny face! The horrors! Egads!! how poor sportsmanlike of him! (insert sarcasm)

I would love to see Cavies dust off some Rutter classics. Crown should tackle John Adam's Harmonium Cadets get existential and visit Hindemith's Symphony in Bb and Symphonic Metamorphosis BD shows us how a Stan Kenton/Don Ellis show is done Phantom changes things up with 1712 Overture by PDQ Bach Bluecoats - John Mackey SCV - if they do another re-launch I would love to see more Bernstein explored - Age of Anxiety, Prelude Fugue & Riffs, Slava, Candide...if they go in a new direction since they are such great storytellers...something based on the Homer's Odyssey could be interesting Blue Knights - Holst or Malcom Arnold

Feeder programs were great when corps were more loclly based. Nowadays, each corps' feeder program is basically....other corps.