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I was at Bluecoats rehearsal last night . Bluecoats show is exciting, complex and emotional. All sections seem to be firing on all cylinders. It is June so, the show is not what it's going to be in August but, when you have this much to work with, it looks like a really good season ahead. The prop choreography is very good for June and the guards visual interpretation of the music is on point. The Bluecoats have a audience friendly show that will get you out of your seat combined with the substance in all captions to compete at the highest levels.

So...I'm sure everyone that's ever read any of my posts knows I'm a Cavalier parent, and a total homer at that. So you always have to read anything I write through that prism. I'm having fun watching the "prediction" threads because of the wild variability I see people predicting for the Cavaliers in 2018. Seen as high as 2nd, and as low as 7th. Which brought a question to my mind. In 2016, the Cavaliers entered Finals Week pretty much a consensus 6th place, and ran down and passed the Cadets to finish 5th. In 2017, the Cavaliers entered Finals Week pretty much a consensus 5th place, and ran down and passed the Bluecoats to finish 4th on the last night of the season. Again...knowing my "prism", do you think the Cavaliers have a certain "reputation" for maxing out their score/placement at this point, or were those two seasons generally considered anomalies? I think no matter what position the Cavaliers are in come early August, if I was sitting a half point ahead of them, I'd probably be aware of their " closing ability". Can you tell I'm just ready to watch the show on Thursday? :-) This is a "stretch" to even be a topic. But I'm not getting any work done anyway.

Spirit of Atlanta

Here's what I'm thinking: 1. SCV 2. Crown 3. Devs 4. Boston 5. Bluecoats 6. Cavaliers 7. Blue Knights 8. Regiment 9. Cadets 10. Blue Stars 11. Spirit of Atlanta 12. Madison Scouts 13. Mandarins 14. Troopers 15. Academy

This closer is classic Cadets run and gun. 200+ BPM and some insane drill. Without giving anything away, let me just say that the ending will have you in tears

We do not.

It's fun to think about it like this @PopcornEater1963. And both recent years, I appreciate The Cavaliers giving us some drama on Saturday night. At this point, I don't take predictions as anything but wishful thinking, a sort of fantasy DCI that's entertaining. Seems to me there are too many important variables that make up the whole show package to make predictions anything else. But then also: Since there are a lot of predictions, someone or few will be reasonably accurate, and that makes the exercise look legit. Back to the fun: Yes, I'm willing to believe The Cavaliers have some magic on finals night and know how to use it to their advantage. If so, I'm hoping they go into it in 2nd.

I'll go out on a limb and predict Academy returns to Finals this season, ...so long as I don't have to name a Corps that they'll replace.

when drum corps died the first time. per some, it's been dying annually since

Lawd, will Thursday hurry up and come!!! I am so ready for competition to commence and eat popcorn while reading DCP rivalry reviews!!!! LOL

Yes. It ain't about the chromosomes, it's about the talent (staff, MMs) and management. A co-ed Madison Scouts, with the same talent and same management, would likely finish competitively the same. The theory that the mere act of adding women makes the talent level improve is an untested and likely untrue one.

Would be pretty cool if Spirit got back in.

Shamefully (perhaps shamelessly) ignorant 5th year Guard Dad posting first time. There I did it. Never played an instrument but I’ve been listening closely for years and have a very good sense of story and connecting dots. I can’t wait for Thursday. SOS is a universal theme so a winner; percusion, brass, and guard books are obviously much more demanding. Yes, I’m buying into the general meme that other cores are upping their game. Super - we all get better drum corps. That said, BAC will put out a layered thing of beauty this year is my guess. I could be wrong but that is only a statement of fact and not a remote likelihood. We will push the top three this year but have a big crowd pleaser again. Again, I could be wrong........nahhhhhhhhhh

Careful what you wish for. In a few years when they enter finals a consensus for 1st place, it might loop them around and put them in 12th.

You could both get one and walk side by side and look like the whole beast. If they made a mirror image one it would give you the option of making it look either angry or sad, depending on who is on which side.

Too bad there wasn’t an eyeball on the back so you could see who’s following you.

When design works on multiple levels = AMAZING.

I saw them twice in Castleton and both times brought me to tears as well. For those wondering about visual matching the music - absolutely yes!

June 23rd at 8:30pm might be a good time to check The Cadets social media

From what I’ve heard regarding the Bloo uniform, every person on this website is gonna lose their #### on thursday

Not to detract from the SOA article, but today I learned one of the Daughter's best friends is a medical intern with the Cavies. Small world. All the best to ALL these med teams! May your Tour of Duty be boring and uneventful!

Just fyi....The Cadets first played Amazing Grace in 1972 as part of the "No More War" show.

This is the best I’ve ever heard them at this time of the season. They’re going to be amazing. And they’re a full corps early. I don’t think that’s happened before either.

Sorry, I like what I hear. Alot.It's a fuller sound this year without the amplification compared to last year with it. Glad to be here.

saw that - some very colorful and cool images

Welcome to DCP...the only place that folks argue for the sake of just arguing...lol...seriously I"m wishing the BAC family the best for the summer that is upon us. I can"t wait to be entertained!

I honestly think The Cavaliers have created a team that will contend for a medal every season. Passionote and smart individuals that know it is more about rings or medals, but at the same time, that is how you win championships. Get the team to buy in to your plan and you are going to knock it out of the park every time. Of course I am a homer, but this staff is extremely special and I am looking forward to when they make there way to Texas.... please hurry up and get here!!!! I NEED TO SEE IT!

In honor of VOReason's affection for weather reports, here's a capsule forecast for the corps at the Wildwood show, based on their performances there: Buccaneers: Sunny, with clear skies ahead. But there remains a possibility of another corps raining on their parade. Caballeros: Mostly sunny, with a good chance for even better weather. Fusion Core: Partly to mostly sunny, with clouds clearing as the season goes on. Bushwackers: A mix of clouds and sun, with a chance for clearer conditions (drum line and color guard mostly sunny, horn line has some clouds overhead right now... filling out the line will help). I hope this helps.

They had a run of 6th place finishes recently, but they seem to be back on their game again as we near the end of the pre-season. I think they still have a solid chance of pre-medaling.

Excuse me, my eye is down here.

I was also fortunate to see the show twice in Castleton. Fans will be moved by this production and without a doubt SOS will be one of the memorable shows of 2018.

I know it's early - but it sure seems like a waste to let that "rocking beast" just sit there through most of the entire show...

Yes. DrumManTx will always be welcomed here on DCP . He's a good guy... trustworthy too.

Probably missing the Tour Premiere show this year, but we definitely plan to be at the Thursday theater show in August. That is always a great night out. Speaking of Fathom Events...LOL... a plug here for my friend Joey Pero, who was one of the featured cast members with the Broadway show "Bandstand"... which will be shown on the big screen in theaters on June 25 and June 28. For those of you who don't know Joey... he's a great guy and an even better trumpet player. So glad he's getting these opportunities on Broadway!!!

He recovered quite well during the off season and with his nemesis out of the picture currently, is ready for a great season.

For C2 that’s a lot further along than in past seasons. C2 has closed strong in DCA but this winter worked hard to have a stronger start.

And a mini break from Cadets - a C2 little video, they are quite good this year & good much earlier than recent seasons where they late bloomed

DCI visited Cadets ST and brought back some photos. More on DCI web page. But here are the headgear in color.

This off season has me really thirsty for drum corps... 3 days away! What are you most looking forward to? I am personally looking forward to seeing what Bloo comes out of the gate with - the music really has me intrigued...

I could definitely see this happening with the exception of Crossmen being left out. (I'm sure you caught that by now) However, I do agree with a lot of this. There are a lot of really good shows with good music and very talented MMs and staff about to take the field this summer in what could be a real dog fight for any spot. 1st, 5th, 12th, 15th. The competition is going to be incredible.

Not BD. They'd have to be painted white. ;)

I should get that shirt for Jim.

That’s an amazing bit of information. It certainly adds to the depth of emotion.

I think it MAY be the lost then found type idea...I have not seen show...but thinking that would make sense...

Good point. Its a good reminder for all Drum Corps fans that'll be in attendance that what they see and hear in first week of shows from these Corps will be the bones of these Corps shows alone.

Would love to meet this young man some day and shake his hand! Very positive person who is open to all sides of our activity.

Same!

Agree. There is a lot to work with and more coming. Can't wait to see it with the last movement and also to see how the "bones" are incorporated into the show. I would be surprised if they just sit to the back and the side all season.

This week is dragging by for me.

I find it interesting that two different mfg. houses have combined on this uni. Which did which? I wonder which house gets the nod in the battle of the lobbyists?