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I dunno now. I'm not so sure you can count on BD being in the top 5 this year. Something or other to do with having family day in a ghetto and humidity. You know Karma and what not.

INT and it's about time!

He also played the sax in high school band. His real name is David. If you messaged him on facebook or tumblr, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to help you. He's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

1. start working out. it is an intense act of will to hold those things chest-high for as long as you're going to need to do so. forearms o's steel. 2. all about the hand/foot timing. practice clapping triplets while marching in place. cymbals are cool, but can be incredibly taxing at a high level. best of luck.

It would be great if you were right about PR, but I'm not yet feeling the potential for PR to be a darkhorse other than the announced show sounds like it has great potential. Recent key staff changes (Coordinator, Drill and Color Guard) are big unknowns. Besides that, the news news out of Rockford has been minimal at most in the off season so few people know what is going on in camps. The only thing I can say is for some strange reason just when you think you've got them pegged, they prove you wrong.

Def thought PR had an amazing guards BITD

I think someone mentioned this earlier, but just to show its official:

Wow, you dug deep to find that. In his defense, that was "pre-concussion". But the biggest lesson is to constantly use the phrase "Data dependent" when prognosticating. EDIT: And, IMO, technology will be developed that will prevent concussions and the game will go on little changed. Data-dependent.

I'll agree with your identification of PR as a dark horse, but your reasoning can be applied to BK, as well. So I don't agree with your contention that BK will drop. I think the reality will be PR rising a little, maybe, and BK rising right with them.

Not to mention the shows about hunting the most dangerous game of all...MAN.

Can't put any of it in writing!!! LOL So ... were you in 2-7 when they had their very first show against the Bpt PAL in 68? :-)

Can't put any of it in writing!!! LOL

Well done Rook, but get BRASSO a beer please!

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Methinks it is folly to assume that any corps in 12th place -- or even 11th -- will be "solidly in front" of 13th. The 11-15 pack is too good, too hungry.

I didn't want to copy the whole post, but wanted to say that your detailed explanations are appreciated!

Nice first post... welcome aboard, and keep posting your thoughts on things.

You have a point, however they seem more unproven than anything. After the issues within the membership in 13 and the subsequent membership overturn for 14, not to mention the numerous incarnation of their drill in 14, I don't think they've been given standard circumstances to work in. This year will be that chance for them. This, coupled with a brass line that really began to shine towards the end of 14 and a percussion that's coming into its own under Kuhn, would be enough to see them make considerable strides.

Predictions: 1. The Cadets - They're looking good out of the gate and have one of the hardest work ethics in DCI. With an experienced corps and a solid show design, they'll be able to take the championship this year. 2. Santa Clara Vanguard - After consistent years of pushing for a medal, this year will provide them their opening. An older corps and a design that takes risks will be enough to get them their medal. 3. The Blue Devils - Coming off of a fantastic year, BD was hit hard by age outs. A younger corps will hurt them, but stellar design and sheer talent will keep them in the top 3. 4. Phantom Regiment - Here's the dark horse; Phantom has several things going for them that have continually gotten discounted. PR's design team, arguably their weakest aspect in recent years, is finally settling in. The corps proper has settled in with new staff, all have something to prove, and, unlike last year, doesn't consist of mostly rookies. Lastly, PR does well coming off of west coast tours; having healthy competition from the get go will give this corps a chance to work back up the ranks. 5. Carolina Crown - Unable to recapture the magic of the show design and with the Cadets giving their hornline a run for their money, Crown won't move anywhere. Weaknesses in percussion will continue to plague the corps. 6. The Bluecoats - Yet another scandalous prediction. With a show trying to duplicate TILT and with a large class of ageouts, Bluecoats will see similar results to Crown from the previous year. 7. The Cavaliers - Their streak of improvement takes a step back after a extravagant show doesn't come to fruition. 8. Boston Crucaders - They performed extremely well last year, but their book seemed a little harder than they could handle. They proved to be a strong corps and, pending a book right up their alley, could solidly take 8th. 9. Blue Stars - Small possibility of jumping a spot if their guard is able to pull off another stellar year. 10. Blue Knights - In 2014 BK was carried by a great show. Much like BK and Crown though, they will be unable to pull back to back successes. 11. Madison Scouts - Scouts will be able to repeat the successes of last year, however will be given more trouble by Crossmen than before. In the end, however, they will be able to pull ahead. 12. Crossmen - Rounding out the pack, Crossmen will be chomping at the bit to overtake the scouts. In the end however, they won't be able to stay past them. They will, however, place solidly in front of 13th, solidifying themselves as a finalist corps. Thoughts?

Your smile for today... https://www.facebook.com/FunTimesInDrumCorps/videos/877476338960455/

In many ways the comparison of BITD guards with today's guards is a case of apples and oranges. Different skills were emphasized and maximized, different parameters were used to measure. For instance in earlier days, every finger of each person was exactly held in the same spot for catches, releases, etc. Today simultaneous movement does not mean matching body types exactly, although the better guards do move in that direction. BITD, the military posturing was emphatic; today the movement and mood of the music calls for different body rhythms and performance skills. Yes, BITD, some of the work done would seem rather boring by today's standards. But today there are many different types of instructional aids to prosper the learning, critiquing, and improving of the work. A simple thing as a video of performers did not exist save for exceptional occasions like nationals, not day to day practice hours. What we have today could not have been without the foundation of the past. To say one is better than the other is a rhetorical argument that has no purpose or end.

2015 Evening With The Corps May 9th At The State Theatre 15 Livingston Ave. New Brunswick, NJ Doors open at 6pm Showtime 7pm Featuring (In order of appearence) Saints Brigade - Portchester,NY Golden Knights - Newark,NJ Fusion Corps - Morris County,NJ Bridgemen - Bayonne,NJ Caballeros Alumni - Hawthorne,NJ Caballeros - Hawthorne,NJ For more info visit statetheatrenj.org

The show is dark, but I wouldn't say overly dark. I think they're doing a great job of making the music accessible (at least from what we heard) to drum corps audiences. They're still figuring out the intro, and there was some "chanting" that was introduced at this past weekend's camp. Going back and looking at my video, the drumline should be improved. And the horns will be solid as well. This show is going to take a little getting used to, but I get the feeling its going to be the start of a new chapter for the corps. I did get the feeling that this group might be a little younger than past groups, especially in the battery and low brass, but not in a bad way.

If I were you I'd play cymbals with a winter line and or a Sound Sport team to gain experience.

Nope. Fundamentals are far more skill-oriented than they were back in the day, and are taught, learned, and applied in such a way that today's weapon lines are able to attempt and achieve work several orders of magnitude beyond what was done back then. The weapon lines of today, were you to teach them the Manual of Arms, would learn, clean and master everything in it in an afternoon.

I have no idea what any of that is. What I do know is I like what guards do today. I respect what they did in the past and what they do today. I can tell you that if I tossed a rifle in the air, I would run before it came down because I'd be afraid it would hit me in the head.

Lots of Corps over the years have had themes revolving around the time honored, popular sport of Revenge.

They could make black work... Paris at night is beautiful.

Cavaliers baseball segment was in the 2005 Chicago show. Bluecoats did boxing in 2008. James Logan's winterguard did a boxing show 10-15 years ago. I think Pope high schools winterguard did a show about running...not sure if it was Pope or another Georgia hs. Bluestars did cycling in 2008...I'm sure there are others, but these are the ones that immediately come to mind. Z

Someone will joke about the complaining and then someone will complain about the joking.

One of the most beautifully designed drum corps videos of its kind I've ever seen. If someone asks "What's drum corps" and you have 5 minutes to show them, start with this. Great job, OC video design team. HERE

Crap, I always forget about them!

And that's all without even taking the Bliue Devils into consideration.

What a joke. Every year, a whole group of people decide to put the Blue Devils in 7th or 8th place and it just makes me laugh. As for the Blue Devils finishing in the top 4, that's a pipe dream. In order for the Blue Devils to do that, either the Blue Devils or the Blue Devils would have to drop out, and I just don't see that happening. We all know that at the end of the year, it's going to come down to a battle between the Blue Devils and the Blue Devils. Maybe, just maybe, the Blue Devils could sneak in there and steal a big win, but we all know how much the judges hate popping numbers for the Blue Devils. Especially when they still have to make room for the Blue Devils and the Blue Devils. I wish the judges would finally stop with the politics and give the Blue Devils their due!

Like I always say, you gotta go big, or go home! If we were in Vegas, my predictions would look like this: 1. BD 2. BD 3. Crown 4. Cadets 5. Cavaliers 6. Madison 7. Bluecoats 8. Phantom 9. Madison 10. Phantom 11. Cavaliers 12. Madison This way I give myself the best odds. I wonder what the over/under will be on The Cadets winning this year? Has Vegas put out the odds yet? I may move them up a little when the odds come out.

Either that...or someone is hedging their bets to the max.

I like this guy.

Did you drink your entire user name by any chance?