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From the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank all of you for your support and love throughout this entire year.It has been an incredible first year back and I hope you've enjoyed our performances. We do it for YOU, the fans. Our goal this year was quite simple. All we wanted was to have the Skyliners out again as a drum corps - whether it be a parade corps, mini-corps, competitive, whatever.....we just wanted to be back. The members, staff, support, alumni, DCA and even other corps have all come out in droves to help us and we exceeded all of our expectations. But we aren't done yet.....Since our last appearance in Scranton, the corps had three full day rehearsals where they've taken their performance to another level or three....We can't wait to perform for you on Saturday. Thank you for a great 2014. Planning for 2015 and beyond is already underway. To coin a phrase from a song - "The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!"...... Best of luck and safe travels for everyone going to Rochester. It's going to be a GREAT weekend! Larry

As a youngster, I'd dare say I'm not the only one my age who thinks they look pretty cool.

If a corps can't make finals, it has no business being granted an exemption simply to have a shot at a caption trophy. Want to win the caption? Make finals.

I need to post my video of the Hormel Girls Drum & Bugle Corps, from Austin, MN. It's color and full sound, and it's from 1947. It may very well be the oldest color/sound video of a drum and bugle corps performing their field routine. It helps that the Hormel Company spared no expense in sponsoring this all-female senior corps back in the 1940s/50s, and they hired a professional film crew to do the honors.

At least we are passionate and hopeful, and I will never apologize for that!

Jim I've known you for a long time... almost always agreed with you and certainly have enjoyed your friendship... and of course speaking as a retired drum corps person and NOT speaking for DCA... I'm very disappointed that you felt the need to slam the timing without offering a viable alternative... let me make a few points: 1. Some 500 people are attending the Golden anniversary Gala and then coming to the mini corps event - would you exclude them? 2. Many of the mini corps people compete in I&E... scheduling for I&E is a nightmare as it is... I&E chairman is the most thankless job of the weekend... (Good luck Dick Fischette) How does he schedule around all these multiple performances? 3. There are only so many management people to go around... they are taxed to the Nth degree over the 3 days... what timing would work better and allow appropriate and necessary staff? 4. This schedule has developed over almost 25 years of trial and error... again... got a better idea??? I know a lot of people would be interested in any viable suggestion... 5. Ghost could always ask to go on early... yeah right... NOT!!!!! I'm sure that Donnie and the gang are pretty pleased with when they're going on... 6. I'm thrilled to have Hamburg Alumni there on Sunday... I hope that this "rocket" gives them a ride into full and permanent existence - and not just a one year thing... Keep it up Cooley and the gang... If anyone is doing both GR and Hamburg and the 11 hours is a problem, then like me, they should probably admit their age and limit what they're trying to do... 7. Like many this weekend, I'm still a bit in shock as Red Corso's sudden passing has reminded us all how fragile life can be... to be vibrant and active a week ago Saturday and running the regional championship in Scranton and then the next day he's hospitalized from a fall and soon gone... Let's all sit back and take a deep breath and take stock of everything... we love this activity... it's not a hobby it's a way of life... but in the end, it's our lives, our health, our families that really matter... so let's all go out there this coming weekend and whether were performing or just watching and enjoy every moment of the activity we so love... and then go home and give our wives, kids and grandkids all a big special hug and thank you ... just for loving us the way they do... 8. God Bless Red Corso... Please all keep him in mind as you enjoy every performance...

Every bit as allowed as I am to tell you why I disagree. It's not a one-way street, Don. Why are you so darned angry all the time? Even if they do make finals, it's going to be awfully difficult to win guard when there are so many good guards likely placing above them and going on much later. Cabs, Fusion, Atlanta, Gold...if they do it, more power to them. But as I said in an earlier post...finals isn't about the caption, it's about the whole show.

The Blue Devils aren't amazing enough for you? I'm sure Dave Glyde is crushed.

If you're judging an indoor guard show, sure. But there are at least three guards executing just as well that are FAR better integrated into their programs than Hurcs are. Good guard judges know that, and judge the sheet correctly. They won't be quite the shoe-in you believe they are even if they do make finals this weekend.

There, I think that may be a more accurate representation... Don't be a troll..

I would love to hear them do this just to **** everyone off . Start at the 3:55 mark. http://youtu.be/h3GPtgY9hSQ

Then why still follow the activity? Not starting anything, but if I were that upset about the direction, I would not be watching it.

You made a generic statement that says this: "Funny how "competitively relevant" and "crowd pleasing" seem to be mutually exclusive ideas today. Okay, not funny. Sad." THAT is not a Scout-specfic comment, hence my own non-Scout-specific comment. Your statement is just so NOT true. Lots of shows by "competitively relevant" corps in many seasons are also "crowd pleasing".

The last time I drove up to DCA in NY. In 2001 the Weekend was in Upstate NY, the prelims started at 10 AM, the Kilties went on right before an inter mission. I was on terminal leave from the Army. All things that are similar to this weekend so far. However a few days afterwards 9-11 happened a lot of things changed because of that, and that is why I am still dealing with Army retirement papers now. Let's hope that there is no repetition of anything like that this time. One bad thing that is not similar is that last time there were 3 open class corps from Upstate NY in the top ten.

If it's answers or guesses you want, Nanci I'll get the ball rolling. Most folks are already heading to Rochester for DCA or preparing to go. I saw #1 just last Saturday at Bridgeport where he was taking in the Hurcs' contest. A great horn player, former USAF Drum and Bugle Corps member as well as the aforementioned "Mighty" St. Joe's of Newark as well as a NY Skyliner. Perhaps he is even better known to most folks as an excellent horn instructor for many, many years. I had the privilege of teachng with him and Ernie Fesler at the St. Matthias "Blue Max" of Ridgewood, NY back in the late 70's. The one and only Tommy Martin.

Welcome back Erie Thunderbirds, Minne-Brass, and Renegades! Woo-hoo, it starting to feel like the old days again!

Lol reading this, Madison Scouts fans remind me of Cleveland Browns fans.

How so? The crowd loved the Bluecoats...they loved Blue Devils too...as well as the other top corps. And those groups were VERY competitive.

"Woodesque" A tribute to Ed Wood. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryAb6uDAKq4

I've been wondering this for a while: Why did you change your name to theChezman when you are not Al Chez - and he's a member of this forum? Isn't that a bit uncomfortable?

Unless corps are getting money to do the parade, DCA can't really force anyone to do a parade. I know that traditionally Bucs leave for the Finals housing Friday night and arrive Saturday at night. That would mean they would have to leave a day early, and since they stay at a local high school, this would probably conflict with schools just starting.

You know what? I've decided to necro this topic :-) because it's a fun one. 1: Star 1990 (Belshazzar's Feast) 2: BD 1984 (the one with La Fiesta) 3: Garfield 1984 (WSS) 4: Star 1991 (Roman Images) 5: Madison 1988 (the one with Malaguena) 6: SCV 1990 (Carmen) 7: SCV 1987 (Russian show) 8: Garfield 1985 (Jeremiah and Candide) 9: BD 1976 (the one with Channel One Suite) 10: Phantom 1993 (Modern Imagination) But yeah, Star '90 is the BEST EVAR.

plus you have to factor in MBI..both guards had an 18.4 on 8/16 albeit different shows. I'm sure Fusion would have had a higher score at Reading had they wont their uniforms in the rain

heh.

Actually that was 1986

....and his masterpiece!!!!!!!! Plan 9 From Outerspace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2ukRYsYPmo If we're going that route (and I would LOVE a show celebrating the schlocky goofiness of Ed Wood, assuming the OP was referring to PLAN 9, BRIDE OF THE MONSTER, GLEN OR GLENDA, etc. and not the later-period porn days of Wood's career - but to be honest the score music for those films was likely mostly stock stuff and isn't very good: definitely not viable for marching arts, but whatever), might as well go the FULL-crazy and do "von Trieresque" celebrating the outside-the-box, intentionally provocative direction Lars von Trier. Maybe BD can go further and do "Domge 95-esque," a drum corps show celebrating the mid-90's filmmaking movement that focused on avant-garde style that created rules forsaking modern filmmaking conventions (such as CGI special effects). It would kind of be right in Blue Devils wheelhouse, though I admittedly am not 100% familiar with the scores of many of those types of films. But the concept would be very interesting: a show that sets out to askew conventions and trends (only for real, not like the Dada-esque show that only kind of sort of did something like that)

You may want to take it BUT the kid thats paying 3 grand plus may not want to nor other Scouts Fans. Look you are certainly entitled to your opinion as well as your likes ad dislikes, No argument there but to ignore the importance of the competition aspect of this activity ( something in the roots of drum corps ) would be IMO a selfish and a non supportive behavior of the Scouts as well as the activity. Scouts can not stay in 12th and maintain that, few corps can. There will always be someone knocking at that door. Eventually, it would be very possible Scouts would just drift away, which IMO is way more not acceptable than a synth, or any silly narration or a soft ending to a show. Just my opinion.

Well-said, Tom!!!! Up through 2003, the I&E/mini-corps events were held on Saturday evening, as they are again this year... so, with the exception of the parade on Friday night, the weekend schedule now is pretty much the same as the schedule then. A bit of a throwback, for the 50th anniversary of DCA!!! And I remember a parade in Rochester on Friday night in 1996... and a corps exhibition/parade event at the NY State Fair in 2001-2001, also on Friday nights.

A tribute to all the great horn bands....Chicago, Blood,Sweat and Tears, Tower of Power, Ides of March

This,from Rebecca Karu,Cadets 2 major, makes for a great match-up this weekend: It was posted on C2 public website. Cadets, I love saving this for finals weekend. You have grown so much this season, and to think that the final push is already here, well... The end of the season is full of mixed emotions. We are excited for all the great things happening this weekend like the banquet, the corps necklaces, our final push of rehearsals, and obviously our last two performances. On the other hand, we are upset that this is the end. Like Rich has been saying, this is a fast-moving train, and all of a sudden there are no tracks. But I have one last request from all of you: Fight like hell. It's all a mental game. Being tired is mental; hot weather is mental. It's all a mental game. Don't think about things that don't matter. If you think you want to give up, don't, because every single one of you is capable of pushing a little harder and giving a little more. Don't think about the negative; think about the positive. How great do you want this show to be? It's up to us. It's 100% us. We know the music, we know the work, we know the show. It's our show. We are the one and only 2014 Cadets2. And each and every one of you should be proud because you are Cadets. You have 4 more days of rehearsal. 3 nights to sleep next to your closest friends. 2 more times to put on the Cadets uniform and max out our last 2 shows. 1 more weekend to spend with with the 2014 Cadets2. You are it. This is the last weekend to stand next to the same person in the snare line or the hornline. The last time to ever perform with the same group of people ever again. But you have forever to be a Cadet. Represent us wherever you go. Take the lessons you've learned this season and apply them to your life. You are Always a Cadet. We have 1 weekend left. How hard will you fight to make this show as great as it can be?

No need to, Roark. A little bit of Jimmy V's attitude never hurt anyone.

Maybe Madison's answer lies in coming up with Johnny Baritone in this year's dra...errr...recruiting.

based on that logic someone already had a hole filled!

Oh yeah... I liked Toms post because once in a while we need reminded how much #### has to be done to keep DCA going. Not just Labor day weekend but the both on and off season. Used to work with a huge week long old car event at Hershey every Fall and know first hand how much is needed (all year) and how thankless it can be at times. And with a bunch of unpaid volunteers..... Wonder if anyone going to the shows gave a DCA volunteer Hell about the parking fee that DCA was charging. Yeah I know DCA has nothing to do with parking fees but used to catch crap every year working the car show about that issue. In that case it was Hershey (the company, not the town) charging the $$$. So if anyone thinks I'm upset with Toms response... nope..... have seen it but not with cars instead of corps and not at his level.

In order to bring some observations and make sharing this passion, The design of uniforms for Show and Marching Bands, Drum & Buggle Corps refers to : - identity (code of colours, emblems, logotype,...) - sometimes history, (emblems, reference to traditional uniform entirely or inspired from details of it). - in another way, the uniform designed can be inspired to link the show and the choice of creativeuniform. Ther are certainly many ways to built a design project, it depends on board of rules established between consumer and designer. Design a uniform is also the expression of creative sensibility, it doesn't exist just one solution. Obviously the extended approaches and kinds of styles, all drum corps try to built their identity. Year by year, they became recognizable. Design is a complete serie of researches in forms, colours, materials, visual effects. But from the point of view of functionality, it stays a question of comfort, ergonomy for users and musicians during their performances. Design is the adequation between these parameters. Enter drum and buggle corps, all present something special, Boston Crusaders decide to insist on emblem of Lion, tthe design explores graphism and iconography, using gradient colored effect which brings something modern. It is an exemple between modernity and history. It is very nice. In another approach, Cadets decide to maintain constance, the same uniform as a brand signature. It refers to traditional uniform, maybe to Cadets of Westpoint Academy. Cavaliers maintains forms, code of colours, with very recognizable uniform. Madison Scouts plays on simplicity, an enter White uniform contrary to past with typical dark green, with just Lys flower on the side as ionographic reference to Scouts emblems and Madison Scouts logo. It is well succeeded. The point in which I would like to insist on, is the necessity to earn in harmony between uniforms of musicians, and the ones of color-guards. Even if the color-guards's uniform often depends on choice of Theme (of the Show), and the choice of accessories too (colors of flag, for example, for a sequence), it must exist a kind of coherence. Pacific Crest, Spirit of Atlanta, Blue Stars and Carolina Crown work on graphic effect in visual caption, it is another approach of design. The conception of uniform doesn't consist to duplicate the same uniforms for all bands, but create something original in accord with parameters evocated before. For example, the design of head-covers presents more solutions and adaptations. Coats, Troussers and Shako or Helmet are worked together to create a coherence between us. Blue Knights have played on concept of "levitation effect", between blue of skyline, which brings someting arean feeling, and modernity by gradient colored-effect. From general pint of view, design of shoes is not always elegant. For this kind of activity, it would be question to associate the esthetism and elegance of city shoes with ergonomy of sportswear. In fact design a uniform is always a kind of challenge using creation, sensibility and innovaton or it could be just a link between tradition and innovation. The Academy plays on costum of Nineteen century and uniform which brings an interesting result. Mandarins and Blue Devils plays on forms and gradient colored effect which bring modernity, but they keep some distinctive elements, details which make the difference. Bluecoats present an original uniform, but I like too the one before with short coat, both are succeeded. It is very elegant. They plays on complementary colours with color-guards between blue and orange. Music stays the most important but when the visual effect is succeeded, it gives results very surprising. In fact all elements are important. I have not see all the show unfortunately just extracts, and for build an opinion of each one on the field, we need to compare, to see again and again. All bands performed with passion and it is the most important. They offered very high quality show. Musically; Well, the design of uniforms for Show and Marching Bands, Drum & Buggle Corps refers to : - identity (code of colours, emblems, logotype,...) - sometimes history, (emblems, reference to traditional uniform entirely or inspired from details of it). - in another way, the uniform designed can be inspired to link the show and the choice of creativeuniform. Ther are certainly many ways to built a design project, it depends on board of rules established between consumer and designer. Design a uniform is also the expression of creative sensibility, it doesn't exist just one solution. Obviously the extended approaches and kinds of styles, all drum corps try to built their identity. Year by year, they became recognizable. Design is a complete serie of researches in forms, colours, materials, visual effects. But from the point of view of functionality, it stays a question of comfort, ergonomy for users and musicians during their performances. Design is the adequation between these parameters. Enter drum and buggle corps, all present something special, Boston Crusaders decide to insist on emblem of Lion, tthe design explores graphism and iconography, using gradient colored effect which brings something modern. It is an exemple between modernity and history. It is very nice. In another approach, Cadets decide to maintain constance, the same uniform as a brand signature. It refers to traditional uniform, maybe to Cadets of Westpoint Academy. Cavaliers maintains forms, code of colours, with very recognizable uniform. Madison Scouts plays on simplicity, an enter White uniform contrary to past with typical dark green, with just Lys flower on the side as ionographic reference to Scouts emblems and Madison Scouts logo. It is well succeeded. The point in which I would like to insist on, is the necessity to earn in harmony between uniforms of musicians, and the ones of color-guards. Even if the color-guards's uniform often depends on choice of Theme (of the Show), and the choice of accessories too (colors of flag, for example, for a sequence), it must exist a kind of coherence. Pacific Crest, Spirit of Atlanta, Blue Stars and Carolina Crown work on graphic effect in visual caption, it is another approach of design. The conception of uniform doesn't consist to duplicate the same uniforms for all bands, but create something original in accord with parameters evocated before. For example, the design of head-covers presents more solutions and adaptations. Coats, Troussers and Shako or Helmet are worked together to create a coherence between us. Blue Knights have played on concept of "levitation effect", between blue of skyline, which brings someting arean feeling, and modernity by gradient colored-effect. From general pint of view, design of shoes is not always elegant. For this kind of activity, it would be question to associate the esthetism and elegance of city shoes with ergonomy of sportswear. In fact design a uniform is always a kind of challenge using creation, sensibility and innovaton or it could be just a link between tradition and innovation. The Academy plays on costum of Nineteen century and uniform which brings an interesting result. Mandarins and Blue Devils plays on forms and gradient colored effect which bring modernity, but they keep some distinctive elements, details which make the difference. Bluecoats present an original uniform, but I like too the one before with short coat, both are succeeded. It is very elegant. They plays on complementary colours with color-guards between blue and orange. Music stays the most important but when the visual effect is succeeded, it gives results very surprising. In fact all elements are important. I have not see all the show unfortunately just extracts, and for build an opinion of each one on the field, we need to compare, to see again and again. All bands performed with passion and it is the most important. They offered very high quality show. Musically;

i just want to see what they can do that I can't imagine they can do.

... and can you believe they both played in the same Jr corps prior to Sky? ... along with D'Amico, the Todaro Bros., Hazelwood, Genero and Cluna ... OH MY!!!!! :-)

calm down, they were only finger cymbals...

Wow, I really liked that. I closed my eyes, and could hear Troopers playing that. Haunting, beseeching melody. Thanks for the link.

At one point, I believe she was going to play cymbals. But, then she was told to take those Paistes and use them as Pasties.

Sun Devils will be staying at the Quality Inn by the airport and rehearsing at Wilson Foundation Academy. Visitors are always welcome!

The exciting part is that over 80% of the corps was rookies, many of them brand new to drum corps in general. Lots of fresh faces to help build the next chapter of Chops. I'm pretty sure the last time we had this many rookies, either flat-out or percentage-wise, was 2004, and, well, look what happened the next year. . .

What I watched in Bridgeport, I dont think anyone should have gotten as high a score as they recieved. So either I'm just a hard critic, or the judges were easy.

Well, guts and a lot of time and money. Those three whittle down the available candidates considerably. And I ask, what would be the point of re-starting a corps when the same MM experience could be made by the same person starting a new corps with a new image? Why would a new director of a new corps burden himself with trying to reclaim and live up to the image of a glorious past when it's so unlikely to happen? Unless there are assets or a volunteer base from the old corps to support the operations of the new corps, it doesn't sound like a sound business plan at all. Old memories don't mean squat in either the judges booth or on the balance sheet. But it is fun to remember our favorite old corps!

I think it's time Crown finally does a little Star material. So Crown 2015 should be: Walton's Belshazzar's Feast No one's done it since Star in '90. And it would be just monstrous.

#devastating

Yea, how dare those greedy ######## beg for enough money to pay their bills while on tour. Or be able to afford to eat somewhere other than the food truck once in a while. This is a charity activity, and they have no business asking for compensation for years of training and experience, and the very idea of being compensated for their time and effort is an affront to all that's good and proper.

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.

"Consumatum est Victrix est Venifica" "It is finished, the witch is victorious" Literally sums up the show. Dan