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...and that's the toxic environment DCP breeds.

Sounds like Sensemaya to me.

#HairyPantsBand

The corps is not inactive. Suspension of rehearsal and withdraw of the summer schedule has nothing to do with the minimum requirement. As stated by BigW, drum corps in Canada have outgrew the traditional sponsors. To survive corps had to find extra source of revenus. In the case of the Stentors since 2001, that extra revenus has come from our lobster dinner (started during the Academie Musicale period 1983-2000). History of that dinner is quite something. It started small with 300 guests in the basement of a church to an high point of 2000 guests in 1994 and still going strong with a bit more than 1700 guests just 2 weeks ago. It became so big that even the Prime Minister of Quebec have joined us in 2007 and Canada's leader of the official opposition two years later. Banks calls in to know the "date" in order to plan for national meeting with a "night out" with us or to make sure their calendar allow them to be in attendance. Nearly 3 tons of lobster are cooked and served in 2-3 hours. A spectacular sight! It started with a team of parents, but when their kids moved along, so did the parents. It rapidly became a "Francoeur" thing. And mostly has been since 1984. Last november, out of nowhere, Mr Francoeur died of a hart attack. Came January... Mrs Francoeur entered hospital for 5 five coronary artery bypass. You now have a corps director who has to take care of his mom, replace his parents in running the lobster dinner and the family manufacture. The decision to withdraw have been made to allow me to take those challenges succesfully and secure the financial future of the corps. Trying to do more would have been a corps suicide... Now, 1 of the next 3 things could have save the season: 1) Having people ready to rise in leadership and invest the require time to fullfill the empty space. Leading a drum corps, whatever the size, is no easy task anymore. No one felt ready to invest 20-30-40 hours a week, every week. 2) Having 100 members in the roster. That would have provide for more volunteers but also stimulate people that is was worth it to invest a large portion of time in running the corps while not having to worry about membership. 3) Having sufficient funds to hire capable people to lead the corps for 1 year (at least). Here you have to take in consideration that somebody with the require qualities would have to leave a "safe" and well paid job for a "not so safe" job that required way more time but also a much wider and complex knowledge on multiple subject. However, with a 80 000$ salary we may had been able to find somebody for 1 year. Not sure still!! Nothing here was a secret at any time during the decision process. Parents, members, friends and sponsors have been notified by meeting, e-mail, facebook and phone calls at the beginning of February. 2 weeks after my mom surgery... and 2 weeks before the first camp of the season. From personal perspective, it was not a fun decision to take, nor to annonce. But on the good side, since then, about 20 (additional) persons have joined committees and work weekly in order to use that time to build a stronger organization. There is at least 1 meeting a week (except for the lobster month) and the corps is very active on many levels to prepare for 2019. Gabe Francoeur President Stentors

Okay, I'm new here, and this will be my first post -- but, just had to say, those are my son's hands!

2017: 9 trumpets, 8 mellos, 6 baritones, 5 tubas...28 Total 2018: 12 trumpets, 10 mellos, 12 baritones, 10 tubas...44 total (still looking for 2 trumpets and two baritones)

Props are seamlessly integrated, and the guard is incredibly superb.

I only got to hear a few minutes of ensemble yesterday but the sound quality of both hornline and drumline are the best I have ever heard. the drumline sounds like the 2014 line and the brass is amazing. Even though the props are just shells..I think this show so far is the most amazing thing I have ever seen on a field.

After returning to the RV after tonight's full ensemble, I guess I only have one comment. If you consider yourself to be a Boston fan of any degree, you need to move heaven and earth to get to the DCI Cinecast on June 21st. Last year apparently was only the beginning.

First post for me. Father of a new Spirit (and first-time DCI) member. Excited for him and the corps this year. Hopefully on an upward trajectory. Been following the activity for 5 years now. What these young men and women do on the field is beyond amazing to me. Wishing everyone in the activity this year - members, staff, the many volunteers, judges - a healthy and safe 2018 DCI season.

With baited breath we will await show announcements from Bloo and SCV and those photos of you schushing and jibbing with such gnar and sleez in your season theme appropriate balaclava.

No. Castleton, Vermont is a very welcoming community too. Its a small, quaint, quiet, college town ( Castleton U. ). A couple of small pub like nice bistros are right outside the campus gate, and they treat the Corps staff/ fans well, and enjoy having the Corps there at Move Ins. Rutland, Vt is where the hotel chains are and is maybe 15 miles way from Castleton campus. Nice area scenic wise up there. Ski Resorts half hour drive away. I'll be up to Castleton for a couple days this week.. then back there in June.

I don't think you would need anything like that to watch practice. Sometimes corps have closed sessions, but usually they advertise that fact. Don't hold me to this...but as far as schedule is concerned...During the day, its a combination of sectionals around campus, and on the field teaching of drill. After dinner, its almost always on the field with the entire corps/full ensemble and teaching the new drill. ( weather permitting ).

I will be furrious if those are the new uniforms.

Lol one of the guards at the base I work at had a dad and grandfather in one of my old corps and I knew them both. Going in one day he said he had to ask me something and i thought oh oh. Turns out he saw the corps sticker on my car. Then I saw his last name and..... small world. Yep same kind of guard just different location

And don't even get me started about the simplicity of the visual design.

I've seen a lot of complaints about rowdy kids....but what really is the big deal about that???...we are after all not going to watch the opera....haha You can always stand up and make a fool of yourself and yell at them to pipe down as well..haha

May 28, 2018 Music City moves into Lyles, TN. This is the corps' first world class spring training. Its 24th place finish in 2017 was the corps' highest placement ever. Welcome to world class! Pioneer moves to Cudahy, WI.

Now that’s what I want to hear!! Fan of the Arts

Driving to Newfoundland three years ago (well, to the Newfoundland ferry in Nova Scotia), we got some strange questions from the Canadian border guards crossing from Maine into New Brunswick. Among other things, they asked where in New York we'd acquired our car (with its Ohio plates). Then we realized what was up: there'd been a jail break in New York a few days earlier, and the two convicts, fairly close in age to ourselves, were rumored to be heading for Canada.

Well, despite the boldface, all-caps, and spelling errors ("preliums", DCA's new noble gas?), he's right about last year. The spread was 0.5 in Prelims and 1.27 in Finals. Compare to previous Class A differentials: 2016 -- Prelims 1.88; Finals 2.28 (Cincinnati Tradition over Erie Thunderbirds) 2015 -- Prelims 2.02; Finals 2.07 (Govenaires over Alliance) 2014 -- Prelims 3.08; Finals 4.62 (White Sabers over Govenaires) 2013 -- Prelims 0.82; Finals 1.16 (White Sabers over Govenaires) 2012 -- Prelims 0.87; Finals 1.67 (Carolina Gold over Govenaires) 2011 -- Prelims 0.08; Finals 1.00 (Govenaires over Fusion Core) 2010 -- Prelims 0.14; Finals 1.48 (Fusion Core over Carolina Gold and then Grenadiers) 2009 -- Prelims 1.24; Finals 1.98 (Govenaires over Grenadiers) 2008 -- Prelims 0.81; Finals 0.29 (Alliance over Fusion Core) 2007 -- Prelims 0.69; Finals 0.80 (Govenaires over Sunrisers and then vice versa) So 2017 was a tighter Prelims spread than in nine of ten years, and a tighter Finals spread than in six of ten years. Not a runaway by any means.

Oh I'll tell you, thats just a whole lot of poppycock right there. We get along just fine. George Dixon doesn't dress anywhere near as impressively as poppycock does, but I don't hold that against him either.

For those trying to gauge the show based on the chord progression hit list, just relax. These are the final notes for the end of the intro (at least some of it is...) not played at speed. When you hear the entire piece it will make sense... once your ears stop bleeding. It's memorial day weekend gang, four weeks to polish. All is well.

At this point, I don't really care too much where Cadets place. It's so great to see that they're in good hands with this new director/alum. So much negativity over the years, it's great to see something POSITIVE coming from Cadets. Can't wait for the summer.

yup thats it, tho a lot less snow.

Yes.. it was Craiga that was up there. I pm'ed you, if you have any questions on accommodations in the area, or such to try and assist you if I can.

Noahsig running or do you mean a jpeg?

As a Cadet alumnus, I would like to wish both corps, marching members, staff and volunteers, all the very best. Please know we are extremely proud of you all and wish you nothing but the very best! "For Holy Name Shall Always Be"

Got my tickets. Can’t believe I only had to spend 50¢ for two tickets. (Gift cards)

Hit the Memorial Day event today along with 500 or so paying guests. Got to hear the whole show. I think the Barber piece will be my favorite part of the show, and I think the closer has the potential to really hit you in the gut. What's going to make or break this show is the staging and the guard - yeah, like just about any other show out there. A few other take aways... Phenom, the Soundsport group that is now under the AAPA umbrella, is getting better each year. Looked like they were over 130 memebers.They are going to go to SoCal for a few shows in late June and it will be interesting to see what kind of reception they get. This has the potential to develop into an open class corps that would just stay on the West Coast to keep it affordable and accessible. There are 5 million people in the greater Phoenix area - enough to support a regional open class corps and probably a soundsport group as well to include the woodwinds. The winter and summer youth guard program continues to provide a place for the young ones to enter the marching arts. They got the biggest cheers of the night. I think the ages went from 6-12. I was also encouraged to see the expansion of the trainee program to include guard. It's another option open after winter guard for those old enough to march drum corps, but not ready to march drum corps. The Academy began the trainee program in 2009 (I think) with brass and battery and have graduated many into the corps over the years. They now offer a trainee program for brass, battery, front ensemble, and guard. In other words, all the sections of a drum corps. Trainee positions are offered to those local kids who aren't quite ready to march, but have the potential to do so later. Its a nice opportunity for those who are cut - or who are just too young - to have DCI level staff work with them to improve. It is not unheard of for a brass trainee to be offered a spot after Memorial Day, the official end of the trainee program for the season, when holes come open. No news on the official uniform reveal, though they will perform in public in uniform on June 9th for their send off show before the corps moves to Page for the final two weeks of pre-tour.

Compared to DCI, the management style of the Crossmen organization is... (how do I say this kindly)... much more streamlined. Fewer people are involved, so they can meet, agree, and act more swiftly. We have seen that with the HOF - but also with the Joel Moody situation. Careful what you wish for.

The Skyliners have declared that they will be competing in the Class A division of DCA for the 2018 season. “The choice is simply based on membership numbers,” said Jeff Crawford, Corps Director. “Our approach and philosophies are no different. For us, it is all about providing a great membership experience and entertaining our audience.” “We have a real committed and hard-working group,” said Shane Startzel, Brass Caption Head. “Our design team has given us a wonderful program that is going to challenge our members, and we are looking forward to a very competitive Class A division this summer”. The Skyliners are no strangers to success in “Class A”. They were the DCA “Class A” Champions in 1999 and 2002.

On the other hand ... I was a member of the Windsor Guardsmen back in 76-77. A van of us Yankees would cross from Detroit to Windsor and back several times a week for practice. We got to know some the guards and they got to know us. One time, we pulled up to guard we knew, and broke out in a four part version of “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy. “ He laughed and waved us through. Ah, simpler times ...

In what way has scheduling shows been thrown for a loop? Cadets have withdrawn from some west shows and been added to some east shows, but how has the schedule of shows changed?

Poppycock You've seen parts of the show ? I am trying to guess in my mind what the props might be based on the painting lol, I am very sure I will fail at this. BD have the best usage of props, always integrated and well used up. I am definitely looking forward to see the guard they are incredibly to watch every year.

What a helpful explanation. Thanks!

I just relocated, so I dont know what the usual theaters are like here. But the one theater back home was about half full every premier event, the same for Big Love and Loud. I will be going to a premier event in theaters here. Being in a bigger city, I expected more theaters to show it, but it's pretty limited. Either way, I'm excited!

My tickets came in the mail! WOOO!

Funny how you had to come to the Crown thread to start a fight. He has a point in saying what he said. How many times has Crown won it? More times than none recently. Next.

Short and sweet. No foolin' around.

Running any corps is like having a full time job,wish you and Les Stentors a long life .And best of luck in 2019 .

I have said for many years that corps have their show announcement & PR all wrong. They should announce early & promote the heck out of it. There should be a show announcement day where every corps announces their show theme.

I’ve been sayin ‘....

thanks Craig! :)

I wish you could be a little bit more excited than this, Craiga. ( lol! )

Oh snap, their chord progressions aren't complicated enough. Sad to see a corps like Crown fall out of the top 12

I think that says everything right there. In the past (especially the past several years) all any of us had positive to cling to was competitive success. Now we have a real sense of a fresh start and some positivity. In the long run things will be see much better. I just hope they have a fantastic (fun!) summer - walk off the field feeling proud of what they've achieved. Seems like the corps is heading in such a good direction! I honestly could care less whether they place 1st or 5th or 10th this summer. Just have a good one and lets build a good path forward after this (horrific) nightmare of a situation

ALL Corps should do more of these, and more often, and in the winter camps too. Theres no " licensing issues", no " theme/ music/ show reveals ", etc I mean,.. what the heck is the harm in doing these types of audio/ videos and having it released to the fans in the winters/ spring ? As near as I can tell...... NONE !

Not knowing what materials were used when constructing and finishing the arena, if what is exposed is primarily hard surfaces, such as metals mostly, improving acoustics would be difficult. Add spatial volume and everything would get muddled if sound was being was being projected from up high down into the seating areas. Sound from the bottom up would be problematic. Too bad, you would think an acoustics engineer would have input into stadium design since stadiums have to hold more that sporting events.

The Garfield Cadets once spent 4 hours at the border after midnight with all their possessions from buses, vans, food truck, and equipment vehicle (anything with a corps logo) opened and splayed out on the pavement. Although each bus had an adult aboard with the all the passports for each bus' occupants, the Customs agent came aboard and woke up a sleeping mm. The interview went like this: "Huh?" "Where were you born?" "In a hospital." "Everyone off the bus and open everything you own for official inspection." For a nice touch, the Border patrol repeated it all in French. Canada was evidently still furious the Islanders won the Stanley Cup those years of '81 & '82 (plus two others.)