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I'll bite: Bluecoats have never won DCI; they have won silver only once in their history, and have placed Top 3 only twice in the history. The last time Bluecoats placed 3rd, they dropped all the way to 7th the following year; in the last ten competitive season, Bluecoats have averaged placing 5th. That is awesome, and they are always an interesting corps for me: even if I don't really like their production, I always like aspects of what they do, and I think they have a good design team that isn't afraid to take risks. That all being said, to put Bluecoats in Top 3, or even in 1st, as a prediction preseason that means someone has to drop out: not just "someone," but a DCI Champion who knows what it takes to win. Corps like: * Blue Devils: they have not placed lower than 4th since 1991; haven't placed lower than 2nd since their Bronze medal in 2006; have won DCI 16 times, including 5/8 seasons. They've averaged 1.8th place the last decade, and betting against them is not logical * The Cadets: 10 Time DCI Champion, including 2 of the last 10 seasons. Bluecoats did a great job beating Cadets last year at Finals, but historically Cadets have been consistently better averaging 3rd place in 10 seasons. They haven't placed lower than 5th since 1991. VERY strong contender, and while not as consistent as BD, clearly knows how to compete for Championship annually and is formidable at the top. * SCV: 6 Time DCI Champion, though not since 1999; has been rising up the ranks the last several years, in particular the last couple; while they have had some issues over the last decade (including an all-time worst 8th place in 2005), they have still averaged 5.7 - not too far behind Bluecoats; While I think they are obviously more 'beatable' than Cadets & BD, they are still a threat * Crown: only two seasons removed from their first DCI Championship; their 5th place finish last season was their worst since 2007; they've finished Top 2 3/6 previous seasons, meaning (IMO), they have proven more consistent recently, their last season's misstep withstanding * Cavaliers: have struggled ever since staff turnover after their 2006 Championship, but seem to be on the uptick; they have momentum going for them (as do Bluecoats), and have staff that has won DCI multiple times & know what it takes design-wise and instruction wise to win. * Phantom Regiment: up-and-down but 2-time DCI Champion with their last win less than a decade ago. Phantom, IMO, is a wild-card that could be Top 3 or 7th place in any given year; to be honest so are Bluecoats (though Bluecoats have been more consistent recently). If we want to break this down even further to captions: * Brass: BD and Crown are consistently amazing with everyone else obviously/noticeably beneath those two. It would take gargantuan strides for any corps to outscore either one of these two programs in Brass in the last several seasons, and nothing is likely to change with that * Percussion: Rennick at SCV brings huge talent pool on both ends of the caption (performance & design). BD, Cadets are often in the hunt recently. Bluecoats also have outstanding percussion (and brass), but it's TOUGH to beat all of those proven Championship-winning programs * Visual: this is Bluecoats weakest caption, and seemingly has been consistently. Last year they were 4th in proficiency and 5th in Guard. So Bluecoats have been close in brass and percussion without being able to get over the hump of 3rd (at least recently I think): they've certainly never won, but have been close in both caption. Visual, they are not in the ballpark of winning and they would have to make HUGE strides there (would that come at the expense of music captions? Doesn't have to, but you never know if you put everything into one caption others could slip in quality). Breaking down just captions Bluecoats are kind of close but have major obstacles in their way: not the least of which are amazing corps competing against them! So really what I'm saying is DCI is pretty stacked with talent. It's easy for a fan to give the benefit of the doubt to a corps that has already won DCI (something all six corps have done, with 5/6 winning a DCI Championship since 2006!) rather than a corps that has not. I think realistically it's not crazy to think Bluecoats can be Top 3 again. Bluecoats won 0 sub-captions last season, and IIRC Bluecoats have NEVER won any captions at DCI Finals before. Crown had won High Brass a few times before winning DCI, so at least they had a very recent history of Championship brass that helped propel the corps to the Gold: Bluecoats do not. For them to win, EVERYONE ELSE needs to be worse than Bluecoats, and with the consistency of Blue Devils I personally find that implausible at this time. I think it's more like Cadets will come out VERY strong with a chip on their shoulder, and they will be duking it out for the Gold with BD. I think Crown placing 5th last year was more an anomaly (i.e. a misstep of a show design) and they will be fighting others for a Top 3 spot. I think Bluecoats could be Top 3, but I think it's easier to guess that: 1/2 - Blue Devils & Cadets 3/4/5/6 - Crown, SCV, Bluecoats, Cavaliers - REAL fun competition for us fans! I think Cavaliers will likely be on the lower end of this 'tier,' but you never know. I think Bluecoats can be as high as 3rd or as low as 6th because this is such an incredibly talented and competitive group of corps. Phantom could also duke it out for Top 6 obviously. Really, DCI has an incredibly consistent, amazing Top 7, with 8th-14 also being very good! But the short answer to the OP's question is TONS of consistent, DCI Champion talent and Bluecoats are just amazing w/no Championships. Even Crown, with their show/placement last year likely gets the benefit of the doubt because A) they're won DCI very recently and B) they have a Championship caliber brass program that has contended/won the Ott trophy a TON the last several years.

As the person who made this topic i would like to apologize for creating such big controversy. I love the Bluecoats. I've always been a fan and maybe my opinion is a bit biased. After hearing many things about the 2015 Bluecoats I am certain they will not make a huge drop and will continue with their momentum. I have not heard their brass yet but from what I have heard they are once again amazing. And like I said the visual program definitely looks to be much improved! Let's hope design is the same if not better than last year! Sorry for such a controversial topic! -CC

Sorry all, likely wrong topic but this should be seen by as many people as it can be. GoFundMe typically takes 8 or so percent away from the donations marchers recieve as operating costs plus another 3 percent to go to whomever handles the money (in GFM's case, WePay), and this site http://www.youcaring.com/, only takes the 3 percent to distribute money as well as offering PayPal as an option too. For anyone looking to fundraise, this is a far better idea than GoFundMe. I estimate ive lost 80 or 90 bucks to GoFundMe that could have been put towards fees.

Oh, don't be sorry! I don't really think its THAT controversial of a topic, and its a very good conversation that deserves its time here on DCP. There are some great points that can be brought up on both sides of the topic, and in general, this is a great conversation that we are having here! Much of the same that is said here could be said for a number of corps, such as "why aren't the Blue Knights being heavily considered for the top 6?" or "Why are the Colts not being heavily considered to be in finals?" And again, much for the same reasons that we are discussing for the Bluecoats. I say, don't apologize, but enjoy the great conversation we are having here!

The only thing I hope the bluecoats drop next year is the bass.

Congratulations on passing your DCI evaluations.

All 3 of the remaining prospective corps are now open class!

^^^ well he summed it up perfectly and based his excellent post with facts.

I think they used to do a California leg back before my son marched. Home come the devils never come up north?

Honestly, this isn't something to worry about. Being frank, I think flying under the radar is VASTLY preferable to being considered an odds-on favorite or anything of the sort. Is there a corps today that has more haters than the Blue Devils? I submit there is not. They're the Yankees of Drum Corps in a world where everybody loves an underdog. A Cinderella. BD is never gonna be a Cinderella...they're always going to be the villain at this point to any Rocky-esque storyline (a look at Phantom's 2008 win is basically case-in-point) and that's totally fine. They lose zero sleep over that (and they shouldn't lose any!), and they will continue to put out quality material year after year. Absolutely zero shame in it, and they're a fantastic group. But for me, personally, give me an underdog any day of the week. Indeed, my avatar probably will clue you in to just how compelling I find those kinds of things. No over-hyped expectations means nothing to have to live up to. It takes the pressure off and it allows you the satisfaction when your team DOES finally win one that you were a supporter the whole time. You went through the rough patches and stayed true. That's far more rewarding to me. Others will disagree, but to each their own.

I love how you just conveniently chose not to read my ENTIRE statement. Go reread it and then correct your statement. Thanks.

I'd love to see Bluecoats win, and I think they had the best program design in DCI last year. They are an amazing corps who has climbed a tremendous distance. But... They have been an inconsistent corps, in both design and performance. They have yet to win a caption - brass and percussion were both top 3 last year, but guard and visual definitely still have some room to grow. They can't control what the other teams do - and a lot of people expect Cadets/Crown to come out with stronger shows than last year. The only group that is almost certain to medal is BD. The competition between Cadets, Crown, Bluecoats, Phantom and SCV for the remaining medals has been fierce, and is sure to be fierce again this year.

Perhaps, but rarely, if ever, have I been put off by what SCV wears for show costuming in any season. Last season for example, their intelligent use of color with the Guard costuming was nothing less than spectacular, imo.

Because you can't tilt without sliding a little.

What, wear the shirt? Wear the ring? Or marry the third wife?

I think the predictions thread can be fun, but it's not to be taken seriously. There seem to be only a few consistent elements on it so far - that Cadets are going to have an incredible musical show (because we've heard clips) and that BD will be at or near the top because they almost aways are. When I want to know about the upcoming DCI season I contact the Psychic Friends Network but it's getting a bit expensive.

Me too. Though it's primary to get my face melted off.

Now I'm a bit OT again sorry....Fran & JimFXB I highly recommend it. 80,000 people read my last show rvw...(Glendora-SCV/BD-2014) and 110,000 have stopped by in the last 90 days ----we haven't even hit the season....No not much $ in it, but the satisfaction comes from doing what I love. Happy to help no charge if you guys want to get started. -Much humility, love and respect to all readers. - Tapper

Found this little nugget, Go to YouTube, Bayerische Rundfunk (Bavarian Radio/TV) broadcast of a Don Ellis truibute orchestra fronted by Thomas Gansch, just do a search for "Don Ellis Thomas Gansch", you should get it-- Theme from the French Connection, Open Wide, the real nugget of the concert, which is 2 hours, links for every tune, digest it a bit at a time- but the REAL nugget is the Variations for Trumpet, and Gansch is VERY, VERY good. Custom trumpet he designed for himself, etc. the guy can PLAY. Enjoy.

Appearing Saturday, May 9th Twin Valley HS: • The Reilly Raiders, Philadelphia, PA - Internationally known and one of the largest, most storied alumni corps • The Skyliners, Scranton, PA – DCA’s newest active open class corps • The Selden Cadets, Long Island, NY – Performing their championship repertoire of the 1950’s and ‘60’s • St. Rita’s Brassmen Alumni, Brooklyn, NY – “Keeping our Memories Alive - The Elephant in the Room!” • Reading Buccaneer Alumni, Reading, PA – Recreating championship excitement from the 1960’s, ‘70’s and ‘80’s • The Reading Buccaneers, Reading, PA – The reigning 2014 DCA World Champions premiering their 2015 show: “Twist It!” For tickets go to: http://readingbuccaneers.org/public_html/

and will they be substituting pumpkins for tour buses? Hence, Pumpkin Pursuit!