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Everybody had better watch out for so-and-so; because so-and-so will be turning some heads, this year!

Looking back, some of my best classes in high school and college were the classes where at the time I hated the instructor because of the intense demands he or she put on me. By contrast, at the time, I loved the relaxed teachers that were easy on us . But looking back now years later, I find that those teachers in my easy classes were just wimpy and pandering teachers that really were just lazybones copouts that did us no favors at all long term. I don 't even remember their names . They became forgettable. But I recall the instructors that were far from " relaxing" and pushed me to levels of demand that at the time I did not know I had within me to reach . These teachers long term became the most memorable for me personsally, despite the fact that I cursed and hated them at the time .

I think Madison gets to at least 8th place and Troopers get back into Top 12.

That was my first thought too. Lots of edges out there to trip over. My second thought was that it could present a real challenge for any corps that goes on after them if they forget to remove them after the show. :D

Like what Centerville High School did this past season with their show "A View Askew"

Totally agree. Especially when the story isn't constructed well, and the elements don't work together.

and with an Irish flair... http://www.limerickleader.ie/what-s-on/arts-entertainment/music/twenty-two-bands-to-march-in-limerick-s-band-championship-1-6611994 and to cure your jet lag, Starbucks is opening there in Limerick if Barry's or Bewley's tea is only an afternoon thing for you. Slainte`

A resurrected thread that I didn't answer the frist time around: 1. 1980 27th Lancers: 1980 was the first summer with my driver's license so I could drive to shows and was old enough to go with friends rather than organized groups or adults as chaperones. Anytime I watch the show I'm 17 and own the world. Besides that, it's an amazing show and still tugs all the right heart strings. 2. 2000 "Red" Boston Crusaders: All that BAC had to do to finally place in finals comes to mind when I see this show again and again. Those who thought 99 was a fluke were proven wrong with this show that is still a phenomenal show. 3. 1999 Madison "Jesus Christ, Superstar" If I either watch or listen to this show and the conditions are right, I still get goose bumps when they get louder and louder. Since this thread was posted years ago, I will give a shout out to three shows of more recent years: 2013 Carolina Crown, 2011 Phantom, and 2014 Bluecoats.

I landed in Dallas Fort Worth Texas yesterday (on JetBlue Airways, America's favorite airline) around noon to discover that the North Texas area had been closed due to the largest accumulation of snow in 64 years - wait for it - 3" That's what's left in my driveway 5 minutes after I finish shoveling... Uh boy

Or they could just use bell front marching french horns.

I miss Chops, Inc All Age corps..... some show titles The Kitchen Sink I Don't Need No Potatoes - Just Give Me Some Meat! 4 Chickens and Some Dry White Toast Would You Like Some Fries With That Shake? I Kissed Winnie Cooper and my fav: Yes, We're Serious - And Don't Call Us Shirley! Actually some made sense when you saw the music played.... but the titles

The fact that nobody knows the reason behind it, combined with the fact that there could have been all kinds of reasons, combined with the fact that (as far as I know) it only happened once, suggests to me that it is ridiculous to still be complaining about this. If you have never been in a position that looks "bad" for reasons others are not in a position to know, then it probably just hasn't happened to you YET. We are all human. Let's all be humane.

Or here's a wacky thought: perhaps what some might think of as "slotting" is actually "consistency." Blue Devils win a lot because their designers know how to design to the sheets, they attract incredible performers, and they have a staff that knows what it takes to win. Any thoughts to the contrary are either ignorant/naive, or just plane blind bias.

Point taken. If you get people with deep integrity who do their best to rank and rate the contest and don't worry about playing things "Safe" but to do what is fair and right to the best of their professional ability, it'll be fine. The last thing one should do is worry about offending the "wrong party/parties". One has to be able to look themselves in the mirror later in life and know what they did was as right and as honest and fair as it could be.

I am gratified that my book, Spectacular Sound Mixing, http://xtremebrass.com/store/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=28 has been adopted by Drum Corps International as required reading and training manual for all music adjudicators. This will provide some degree of standardization for the evaluation of how sound systems may be best integrated into field shows. Some DCI corps have already been making use of this resource and it may soon be adopted by the BOA and DCA folks, as well.

Sorry, that was rude of me. I always saw it as a reference to Shostakovich's music and his defiance towards the Stalin.

True, but it's also important to consider that in order to move up, someone else has to move down. So far, we've seen lots of predictions about corps moving up, but none of them ever seem to include who they will pass in order to ascend. It's also important to remember that a corps can get better in terms of quality, design, and execution, yet still fail to move up (particularly if those above them also improve).

Oh? They're using trampolines again? Ba-dump-tsss

We donn need no steeeking programs,.. no steeking show dah zions. We gut maginations, and we gut wishlists... alls that's needed. I predict another prediction commin' on: Blue Devils to repeat. Oh Glory Be.., there, I said it !

Regarding the altitude in Laramie: I grew up there. I took great pride in the thin air argument, and we always talked about how the sea level sports teams and so forth would struggle at the altitude. But over the years I've seen sports teams from sea level come into town and win. They don't suffer at all. I personally would spend entire summers at sea level and come home and have no significant issues for band camps or whatnot. I saw a SCV Cadets corps come into Laramie and blow the doors off of a D1 corps in exhibition. So, a fit person won't be bothered enough for it to make a difference. By the time they get there, the drum corps kids will be fit people.

Excellent possibility. I expect another slugfest between Troopers, Crossmen, Colts, and perhaps Oregon Crusaders next year.

YES! I was just talking to my buddy Phil Becker last night about this show. (Phil marched 91 SCV and is about to get out of the Army band - with hopes for the Air Force band). 91 SCV may not have been a serious contender for the title, but it was a beautiful, intense, emotional show. I loved watching it live.

you want chock full of emotion throw in 1984 Suncoast sound - I don't think there was a dry eye in the house after requiem.

There are a lot more then three shows for me, too many too list and here is a hint... drum corps existed before the 80's.. :P