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Fair point. Guess Plan9 has officially converted me to being overly sensitive when it comes to the Blue Devils. My transformation to the Dark Side is complete. I'm off to slaughter Younglings.

Corps need to start looking at electronic music. So much good stuff that could translate pretty well on to the field.

Why are posters always criticizing show announcements? Are they just a bunch of know-it-all haters that put down things to make themselves feel superior? Why are posters always criticizing other DCP posters? Are they just a bunch of know-it-all haters that put down other posters to make themselves feel superior?

I see this year as being the most competitive year we've seen in awhile. Kudos to so many corps for becoming so great and the staffs that are continuing to push the activity. I'll do a late spring prediction that's more of what I'd like to see than anything else. 1) Cadets- I'll be interested to see this show conceptually and visually. Musically what's not to like. 2) BD- Initially this show doesn't feel as inviting as this past year's program, but that's a gut thing and nothing else. 3) I think Crown will medal this year and could take the title as well. Show choices look awesome. 4) Bluecoats- After last year's high would I be shocked to see them in medal or title contention? No.... But staying at the top is awfully hard with so many amazing corps. Definite dark horse even though they should probably be listed as a favorite. 5) SCV- Could say the same thing here.... Would I be shocked if they moved up? No- but.... I'm not digging the concept based solely on what was announced. Still excited to see it with an open mind and bet I'll be loving it come summer. 6) Cavies- Hige step forward last year will continue this year. Maybe they battle for 4-6 but not quite top 3 level yet? We'll see. They stepped it up at a good time cause corps under them are stronger than ever. 7) would love to see BK in 6th or higher... Possible? Yes. To me they're the dark horse to shuffle the deck in the middle of the top 6. That said they very well could have their strongest all around corps deep with vets and talent and be out of top 7. It's going to be fun to say the least. Love the Whitacre choices 8) Phantom- I think they'll be better this year but still get passed by BK. it's going to be a bloodbath I'm betting... Show concept seems a little better this year but maybe a bit forced- we'll see. 9) Blue Stars- Just seems like everyone is checking the rear view mirrors to see what they'll do. Biggest wrench in the middle of top 12. They could jump into top 7 contention or be in the 9-11 range... Who knows but they're gonna be fun to watch. 10) Boston- With such big staff turnover it might take a year or so for BAC to jump to their normal single digits OR they could be typical Boston and just prove doubters wrong. It wouldn't be a surprise:) 11) Madison just seems as though they've kinda lost steam. I'm not sold on the musical stuff but again I'll keep an open mind. They really reinvented themselves with some shows 2-3 years ago. This feels a bit dry as did a year ago. 12) Colts- I just feel it's the year of the Colts! Another week to last season and here's betting Colts were knocking on 11th place. I think they are building something special in Iowa, other than corn 13) Crossmen- No doubt a solid contender to get back in. 14) Trooopers- Darkhorse of the top 14 that really could shake the finals slots up. Past that I'm excited to see how BDB will come out, if Spirit can get some mojo back and so much more.... Wes P

I think Cadets would be really ###### if they came in 3rd for a third year in a row.

Try slaughtering a couple of Yuenglings instead. It'll be far less messy...and ultimately much more enjoyable.

If you check corpsreps.com, you will learn that seven (7) corps have played this tune in 11 different seasons, most recently 2009. I agree, nick possibilities for a re-arrangement and restaging. But I think it would be better in the Crown book than BD.

DCP before a BD announcement: "Why do they wait so #### long to announce their show?? They're so pretentious and self-important!" DCP after a BD announcement: "Why did they use that phrase?? They're so pretentious and self-important!"

actually even as musicians, everything is about what the box hears, not the 25

hi...remember me?

I don't pay any attention to announcements. They're all so vapid, after all. Just tell me what music you're playing. That's what you do best.

And you're pretty good at ad hominem attacks apparently.

I think it's awesome how you've mastered vapid hyperbole PROGRESS!!

I dunno, there were a whole lot of hornlines back in the day that would have sounded a lot better had they been drowned out...by pretty much anything.

I appreciate you following ROYGBIV

Typically when BD "takes risks" the majority of DCP ends up #####ing and moaning about how they long for the days when Blue Devils would just do jazz. I wasn't initially a fan of their current design trends, but they've converted me with their past few shows, starting with Cabaret Voltaire. They may never get me to throw babies at them, but there hasn't been a more sophisticated corps on the field in years.

It's not even remotely pretentious compared to most others (this or past years). If anything, it's pretty darned straightforward.

2017: Musicals 2018: Drum Corps shows... Leading to the single most tautological show in the history of DCI.

"The Blue Devils are proud to present their 2017 show, App!"

Eventually SCV is going to break back into the medal spots, and this year is as good as any. I believe that we're going to get to the point that the top 5 or 6 corps are going to rotate in placements from one year to the next, and that's going to include the Blue Devils. All it's going to take is for SCV ( and Cavaliers) to get back to their previous levels. Bluecoats are up and down in recent years. Cadets are up and down but have the ability to pop a win at any time if they're ticked off at something or to prove a point. Crown is up and down ( within the top echelon). Blue Devils has been mostly up the last decade. SCV has been down to middle of the pack of the top echelon of corps these last many years, but they're on the up swing; Cavaliers have been mostly "down" the last several years, but they're gaining a place every year and they have several decades of higher placements and history which should help the get back up there. Then there's Phantom, who has been at the top of the game a couple of times, but is currently down as of this past year. They could be a surprise to get into this top group too. Other corps haven't won or are currently too far down in the placing to be considered to be put in the rotation. Basically, I'm thinking that SCV is going to be a "Vanguard" this year with their almost self-referential "the Spark of Invention" show...

wow. lance lives!

To this day, the longest, most sustained, audience applause that I've ever heard at any DCI Finals, was the long and sustained audience applause the 27th Lancers Reunion Corps got from the DCI Finals audience in 1994.... and they were not even competing.

Or the Brandt having to wait to announce the next score following Madison's in 95-97 because the crowd wasn't happy. In 95, it took a significant amount of time to announce the next corps.

Largest: 2011 Madison Scouts ( 20 ) Loudest : ( subjective ) I'd go with 1992 Star of Indiana if proper tone quality is likewise factored in.

I love it! Especially the way the pit ends the piece. Then again, not many people like SCV 93 or SCV 95, and I love those shows, too. So maybe I have "weird" tastes.

Star of Indiana 1992 - Amber Waves

1992 Star of Indiana 1995 Santa Clara Vanguard 1998 Phantom Regiment 2000 Madison Scouts 2004 Phantom Regiment 2004 Blue Devils 2009 Phantom Regiment 2010 Santa Clara Vanguard

Star 93 Suncoast 88 Madison 99 Star 91 Took me til after HS to really appreciate Star... 18 years later these two are my favorites

You just might be on to something regarding '92 Star. I'm not sure if some people here realize that Star in '92 won the Quarterfinals that year. By 7 tenths too. But you're right, there might have been some audiences pulling for the Cavs in '92. As it turned out the Cavs nudged Star in the Semi's ( 2 tenths ), then won the title the next nite. My guess, it must have been frustrating for the Star of Indiana '92 Corps MM's and staff to have won the Quarters by 7 tenths, but then came in 2nd in the Semi's, then slipped to 3rd place in the Finals. I think what the Corps produced in '93 stylistically was more in reaction to the judges at 92 Championships than to anything they heard from national audiences in show performances during the course of their summer travels. But who knows. In the end, their '93 show production did not win with the DCI judges either. So they took a break from DCI and DCI judging. They voluntarily withdew from DCI and disbanded their Corps. And the rest is history as to what the Star staff did next.

Nonsense. There is no evidence at all to support your contention that the Star of Indiana staff was so tone deaf, so out of touch with national audience tastes, that they designed a show whose national audience reaction appeared to stun them and shock them. These Star staff members were ( and are ) intelligent and perceptive people re Drum Corps general audience tastes. To think otherwise, is simply absurd and naive, imo.