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I hear that. Until that recent post on this thread, I've never heard anyone describe Gino as a "weak link" on any staff he's ever been on. LOL. IMO, he is one of the two or three top brass teachers in the business, and has been for many years, with several corps in DCI and DCA. Any corps would be fortunate to have him on board.

Sir you must remove this post. Common sense is not allowed in online drum corps discussions

YEEEET

I know the members felt honored to have you all! As a parent, I love hearing the report!! What an exciting year!

I want to thank the Boston Crusaders for allowing us to be there today. It was a pleasure. Such a wealth of talent is a joy to witness.

Or, you could just not visit them.

I've been wondering this for a while: Would this forum work better for all concerned if we didn't have these year-long topics? I think so. If you're new to the site, you might not know that only three or so years ago, we had dozens of new discussions every week and none titled Madison 201X or Cadets 201X. Things came to our mind. We posted until we exhausted our opinions (or patience). Then we moved on to more catastrophe (and tedium). No August to August discussions ostensibly about anything but often about nothing at all. It's not clear to me what we gain by having single threads to encompass presumably everything about any given corps. If you're a regular to these threads, then you know they tend to be either: 1) a place to collect complaints (i.e., Cadets and maybe BD; or 2) a place for sharing the rosey glasses (including BD). Wouldn't we be better off with threads that are specific (and finite)? First and most important, it would be apparent when we are discussing something new. Imagine having a clue what's inside the thread now. Rather than everything or anything all the time theoretically about one corps only. Or tell me why I'm wrong ... ... again. HH

The music stands on its own. Unique because I’ve never heard it played by any other corps ever. The brass has a quality that is Similar to Cadets 2015 but with a Crown big full sound. Percussion is off the chain with a lot of ensemble difficulty and the front ensemble is amazing. Really it’s all medal quality. Have to see where it goes from here.

We were there for ensemble. Emotional and powerful. Captures you from the very beginning and keeps coming at you.

I'd like to see more specific threads dedicated to a specific topic. The individual drum corps threads can be for show-specific content, scheduling, and other corps-related topics. But if the issue is judging, rules changes, corps vs corps arguments, best of... and other content like that I think specific posts work better. We are beginning to lump too many arguments into these "corps threads" and it's forcing people to parse through lots of pages and content in order to find what they are looking for. Initially I think the current model was designed to cut down on too many similar posts and/or a flood of posts about certain corps and not others. Things usually get better as the season approaches because we get individual show posts where we can chat about most things related to scoring, judging, the shows, crowds, and you name it. But having said that I have not been a fan of these individual corps threads. If you want to chat about Cadets 1992 or SCV 1994 or maybe Madison 1995 then I think a specific post for that topic should be started. If the topic had been started somewhere before then perhaps someone might find that topic and merge it with the present. But to me this produces more topic-related discussion.

I kind of agree and not just that thread. The problem is who defines who is a bully? I know one that has gotten away with murder on here since the site was created

The Cadets thread is the worst. It’s the only thread that’s ever regularly updated in the off-season, but it’s nothing more than a constant parade of whinging alumni. Any details about the show/music/staffing are lost 20 pages back. And so many bludging galahs saying they know something but won’t post any info “because everyone knows.” If you actually have info you should fair dinkum start your own thread for visibility.

I toured with The Cadets in 2016 and almost every year 2005-2016. Boston hired some GREAT instructors. Gino, Steve, Colin, Iian and the rest are the best of the best when it comes to teaching. I know for a fact they care about the kids music education, their health, performance and the kids overall drum corps experience. These are great guys and great educators. You won't find a smarter or more passionate group teaching in Drum Corps. They also have a synergy from working so many years together. Boston has one hell of a Music staff. As for the Cadets- I don't know much of the new staff but, Tom Aungst is on that Mount Rushmore of great Percussion instructors with Collin and Beddis etc..

We talked about Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique tonight in one of my graduate music history courses. I know it’s been done before on the field but not quite in the way I’m imagining now after digging into that work and discussing it. The idea of the fixation on an idea, his issues with drugs and mental problems, the programmatic nature and story of the work, and the general idea of the fantastic in French literature at the time would make a very exciting basis to set a show in. And of course the music is great.

If you have issues with certain people talk to them about it. Otherwise you’re doing what you’re complaining about

Cadets 2000. Period.

Tough call. It's between 1982 and 1984 Westshore for totally opposite reasons. 1982 was when all things clicked for Westshore, nearly winning DCA's, working under some very fine staff. 1984 was the 6 week wonder corps that showed up at Prelims for their first number and still beat 4 or 5 year-round corps. I liked that one because everyone got along, unlike 1983. We had a lot of fun, maybe too much. 1983 was prolly by far the best show, best drill, best music, best horn line, but the drama, 3 ring chasers in particular... the only term I can think of is the Italian term for the end of WW1.... " vittoria mutilata". Hmm, how do you say "Mutilated season" in Italian!?

They were the favorite until the week of Atlanta when things got nuts.

IMO The bullies seem to be pretty consistent all 12 months. ALWAYS have to have the last word, or point out time, after time how they NEVER said this or that.......THEN, try to add appeasement by way of humorous interjections. The bullies seemingly cannot take your sage advice to not react or steer clear of personal feuds. My vote/suggestion/response would be to lock the thread in question, start anew, and suspend 30 days a person/persons who derail a thread in such a manner.

Count me in that group, too...Dad marched with St. Vincent's Cadets in the mid/late 50's...

If you're referring to the post above (Cadets thread most likely to devolve), then not visiting it is relegating it to one-sided slander. If you're referring in general, then one reason is none of us can know where any single corp's thread is trending. Another would be discussions about Corps X might be better as discussions about any corps. HH

What you quoted was not me

I have no doubt.

May a strong visual tie everything together.

They’ve definitely stepped up their game. Powerful.

Hi All Cadence are really looking forward to coming over to DCA. I spent the weekend at the DCA meeting in December and was bowled over by the love for drum corps in the room and the friendship offered by all directors. We are aiming to make class A finals of course but if we don't there is no sweat. Thee experience is the main thing. See you all in August.

Hung out with Brasso and his friend at camp today and the staff has definitely written a book to be considered a medal contender. Strong Boston Strong.

saw my first at 3 weeks old in 1969

How about a nice game of Chess?

I wish. I am actually that old. I saw my first drum corps show as a 6th grader in 1968. The Illinois state fair show.

Guess now I have to. I wonder who my favorite corps is right now. LOL This list could change pretty much every hour, I have a lot of recent shows on there, and that's more due to the fact they're the shows I've followed, watched develop, and saw live. They're the shows I connect with, I am not ignorant of the great history of the activity I promise, just my generation I guess. I threw this together pretty quickly too so I'm almost sure I'm forgetting someone very important here. After the top two you could probably shuffle them and I wouldn't care about the order. 2015 Bluecoats on first viewing is probably the most shell shocked a show has ever left me, and that's why I'll put it on top. It felt like I was watching and listening to something I had never seen before. 2013 sewed the seeds, 2014 asserted themselves, and 2016 perfected what they've done as of late but IMO 2015 is the show that really made them who they currently are in terms of how they approach sound. Love all the music, the two minutes before the ballad are probably my favorite two minutes of drum corps ever and the whole show is just absolutely electric when I watch it. 2010 Blue Stars is the first good drum corps I saw in competition and was honestly a checklist of everything I love in a show; great and emotionally captivating theme, incredibly aggressive music, dark and loud brass, amazing percussion, and a pretty exhausting to watch visual program. This show is why I'm excited to see what they do every year. 2014 Bluecoats of course had the pitch bend but it was so much more than that to me. After some pretty complex shows being near the top it was refreshing to see a very simple concept executed so masterfully on so many levels in a way that was incredibly appealing. Amazing ballad that has gotten beaten to death in recent years, but back then it was so refreshing to hear someone just let a piece of music be what it is again and let the show breathe. And yes the ending is amazing. 2016 Bluecoats was a culmination of elements performed at a level that I had never seen before. Seeing those uniforms run out from behind the prop at the tour premier the first time was INCREDIBLY shocking, but holy hell it was exciting. The usage and integration level of the props was absolutely masterful, and they packaged it all with an incredibly unrelenting and just absolutely bombastic musical program that never ever ever let up in any regard. This show was like a rock concert in Denton for me, it was overwhelming in the absolute best of ways. It might be my "least" favorite of their recent medal run but it is still a show I absolutely adore. 1993 Star of Indiana is a cliche, but just getting rid of all the reasons people argue it's legendary I just love what it is. I love how they used space as well as silence and let the brass have incredibly variety in style and volume. The percussion is fantastic as a supporting voice and amazing and sparingly featured. The guard is pretty starkly simple but adds so much. And of course the closer is just straight up run and gun awesomeness. 2017 Boston Crusaders I had the pleasure of seeing twice and that's easily the most fun I've had seeing a show live. They executed this thing about as well as they could have, they truly maxed it out. Incredibly well told story, fantastic staging, incredible clarity in the music package, and incredible performances from all sections catapulted this one pretty high on my list pretty fast. I lept on my feet soooooo fast when I saw this show at the end, it was just pure energy. 2014 Blue Knights is among the small list of shows that made me shed a tear, and where I feel like voice overs were absolutely integral and made a show just work on all levels. What an incredibly beautiful, well told, and heart wrenching story they wove on the field that year.......IMO perfectly capturing what that moment before you pass is like when your life flashes before your eyes. At that time this was their strongest effort in quite awhile and it was just an absolute treat to watch. Seeing that show in Denver is a highlight of my live shows thus far for sure. 2017 Blue Devils started off as a show I did not like. At all. In any way shape or form. And then the Atlanta week happened where they really started to refine and add small details that brought it together into a show I have just fallen head over heals for. As a tribute to who they were, are, and will become it was just masterfully put together and really pulled at my heart during finals week. This show has probably turned me into a full fledged Blue Devils fan. 2015 Blue Knights IMO is the freshest musical program to grace the field as of late, they threw any kind of formulas or ways of doing things completely out the window and created a seamless, ethereal, and just stunning show. This is also when Mike Jackson's absolutely surreal percussion writing really took its footing and I fell in love with his and that teams work. And their usage of color........just stunning. 2010 Bluecoats is what really made me fall in love with them after they gave me my first live drum corps experience in 2009. I love shows that are dark and angry sounding and are all up in your face for twelve minutes. This show is that to a T. I do realize the synth bass gets nasty in this one but in a time when everyone was still figuring out the electronics menace they were hardly the only ones. 2011 The Academy is another show that was like a checklist for my personal enjoyment. Above all else I freaking love listening to this show. Every part of the show is incredibly exciting to listen to, and their brass and ESPECIALLY percussion were so hot that year. Loved the Hinshaw drill and the bonkers color usage in the guard as well. This is just straight up good drum corps. 1996 Phantom Regiment easily has one of my all time favorite openers in the 4th Ballet Suite, and the climax with the lone guard member spinning that oh so simple red silk sends chills down my spine every time. The whole show is just emotionally satisfying and brings to life the music of a composer whose life was filled with so much turmoil and aggression in Russia during that time. I think they captured the pure essence of what Shostakovitch is. 2016 The Academy is about the most fun I've had following a corps journey through a season. When I saw this show preseason on youtube I knew it would be special, but I had no idea it was going to end the way it did. The whole of finals night watching that online was so so so special, I can't imagine what that was like live making history. But above all that......what a show. Simple and masterfully executed storyline, amazing musical and visual moments throughout, their best performances ever in pretty much every caption and subcaption, and that closer.......it was a fairytale season for them. 2014 Blue Devils is a show that works on so many levels, it's a simple film show if you want to stop there but it's also so much more if you keep on digging. The ballad and closer blow me away every time I watch this one, and their level of performance that year was just never going to be caught. It was awe inducing to watch them that season. 1998 Glassmen has always been a show I loved for the simple fact it's just fantastic music and drill performed amazingly well. I love Borodin, I LOVE their percussion that year, and the Jamey Thompson visual program is just a treat to watch. Not much else to say than it's just the essence of what I like about drum corps. Honorable mention to the 1997 and 2016 Santa Clara Vanguard.

Not well in Allentown? By what standard? Principal staff return. Members return at a very high rate. I know this board would rather that it weren't true, that all the DCP complaints about the 2017 show would manifest in mass defections from Allentown. Not happening. Not so bad there. HH

To enjoy my 50th year of drum corps as much as year one.

Look forward to seeing You and Hubby there too. I'm driving 3, maybe 4 of us. We'll be real easy to identify, Terri. Just look for 3 or 4 outstandingly handsome guys walking together that look like they could be on the cover of GQ,, and that'll more than likely be us.

1976 Blue Devils is my #1 favorite drum corp show and drum line of all time. I was in a small corp at the time and I idolized the BD snare line. I remember sitting in my bedroom at night trying to figure out the snare charts and writing them out. Then, 1 year ago or so, a member of DCP who marched in the 1976 snare line, heck it might have been you, sent me a PDF of the actual hand written snare chart by Rick Odello. Good stuff.

Been done, Star 1990.

Cadets - singers were awesome