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Excited (more than anyone can imagine) that I will get to see my son perform live in competition for the first time this evening. Should be quite a big crowd, hoping it will be a very lively one as well. Aside from the fact I'm not qualified to comment on how good (or not) any corps' performances are, I suspect I will only to get to see a few corps perform before Spirit as some face time is on the agenda. The very best of luck to all of the corps this evening - stay hydrated and have great performances one and all!

After all these years of face peeling comments here on DCP, and when the Corps oblige, now you want soft???

Some of this will come across as extremely opinionated and perhaps offensive to some fans (who are easily offended, needlessly)... But hey, that's kind of what the question is asking for. These are broad comments about concept and design in general. It seems to me that there are a few types of contending designs, each places a focus on a different area of engagement. The first type prioritizes adjudication (a monochromatic theory of GE). The second type prioritizes the audience (a contrary monochromatic theory of GE). And the third type prioritizes the show itself (a high-risk theory of GE). I'll just deal with the top 4, but one could easily import this analysis to the others. I'm not suggesting that one type is inherently better, because any concept can win if the show is technically solid, well performed and favored by the judges. Crown - this show favors the judges. It depends on an esoteric drama rooted in a theme... like so many shows in the past, across related idioms of competitive field band and indoor troupes. It's a proven way to contend, but it's success depends more on what others are doing. I personally find this type of show to be tired and cliche, but plenty of fans will carry on endless high-brow conversations about artistic meaning, concerning this type (and find great enjoyment in it). Bluecoats - this show favors the audience. The section rankings (especially the percussion) demonstrates less of an interest in 'features' and more of an interest in corps entertainment. This puts most of the eggs in its own theory of GE. Even if/when the group is very technically proficient, the focus of content may frequently fall short of other groups that put adjudication as a higher priority in design. In my opinion, this is where Madison should have tracked to by now. Crown came closest to this type in 2011. It's important to note that Bluecoats and Crown have both won championships by performing these types respectively. Blue Devils - they kind of balance the two, but probably favor adjudication over the interests of the audience. Personally, I think they are totally "phoning this one in". But it's a proven formula that has won them a ton of championships. In spite of their proficiency and mad, mad skillful ability to engage both the audience and the judges... They are a cliche of themselves. It's like Elvis being his own best impersonation of himself... if that makes sense. Vanguard - this is the third type... and ironically this is the type that Vanguard has contended and won with in the more recent past. It's only after falling victim to what seems to me to be an obsession with the late 80's and 90's thematic versions of itself that Vanguard has found the way back to the present. This type of show is extremely selfish and vain, for all the RIGHT reasons. A show like this cuts all the proverbial fat and gets down to business, at the high risk of disenfranchising the audience and the judges alike. The result starts to look minimalist, and technical... with any emotion only being derived from the performance and phenomenology itself. HOWEVER... when the risk pays off, it has the capacity to have both the audience and the judges in the pocket. So in the end we have BD, juggling everything (as always) competing evenly with SCV (who is juggling nothing). But Bluecoats giving the strongest challenge to GE as a scoring block with Crown giving the strongest challege to the sectional scoring blocks. It can really pay off as an expansion of content and engagement to have the least "accessories" going on in the show. This is doubled by the unanimous approval and investment by the marching members in the masterful design that's there. So in the end, some groups will give the audience more to hoot, holler and smile at, others will give people more to think and talk about... but Vanguard is having its cake and eating it too.

The use of electronics is not only growing, but threatens the entire complexion of the activity. We have fields full of the best young musicians of the world and here we are pushing their natural and personal achievements in the direction of the artificial.

Michael has kept this corps together when many would have decided to sit home and cry. He is a GIANT in my opinion the very example all alumni want to be.

Best use of singing this year

The difference between being drenched in sweat 5 seconds after you go outside or 6 seconds after you go outside,

I got to see the show live twice this past week, including once in Belton with no uniforms. Overall, it's a tale of two halves. The back half of the show is definitely Madison. The front half of the show takes an incredibly long time to get up and running without really going much of anywhere. I think this one might be more design missteps than issues with performers. Gotta say, though - Megan is absolutely killing it when she's out there, and wish I didn't have to wait half the show to see her. She's also a massive Drum Corps Rock Star - there are a *ton* of female MM's right now that look up to her and see her as an inspiration. I know, because I've spoken to a bunch of them. Mike

There have been lots of good comments here. There probably isn’t just one reason, but a bunch of reasons interacting. I’m a “dinosaur” and many of you are young. But, I wish you would have experienced a crowd “back in the day”. When people ask me what was my singular drum corps memory, it was in 1976. DCI got a bunch of corps to tour the South that had never seen drum corps before. I was in the Crossmen. We had been disqualified from DCI in Tennessee early in the tour. It was devastating. But, a few days later, we did an exhibition in Gadsden, AL. Something went through us and we just laid it down. I never felt another surge like it. By the end of the exhibition, we had gotten four standing O’s. If a recording of that performance existed today, few of you would be impressed. We played crowd-familiar songs from the band Chicago. The last show I attended personally was Minneapolis. To me attending drum corps now is more like attending an Opera than a Broadway show. Another thing that may impact is the heavy use of electronic enhancement. How do you give a Standing ovation to recorded vocals? One thing was guaranteed a good ovation “back in the day” was volume. It was thrilling that 50-60 hornplayers could make the stands vibrate. But, when I see a corps perform now with ensemble microphones set all along the sidelines, I don’t know if the volume is real anymore. Is it the corps or the sound guy? I am not going to give a standing ovation to a sound guy, Or a recording. It’s unfair to the marching members, but I think true standing ovations are something visceral. They happen because the audience feels what the corps is doing and it effects them. The audience may not be consciously aware they are hearing something that is enhanced by electronics, but they viscerally are aware of it. i know there is a world where there are EDM superstars who do nothing but manipulate sounds on a computer, but a live drum corps performance shouldn’t be like a Zedd concert

So I’ll admit thatit wasn’t that long ago when I thought that so many changes in drum corps were not good for the activity..... Move to Bbs, electronics, new instrument allowances, amplification. To me- these took DCI from the pure form to something else.... And now? I don’t think DCI and the individual drum corps and products have been better. This season totally shows us how much parity there is in this activity. It also shows us how much the equipment used, staffs, writers and members mean to each group. I watched from the 50 yard line on Sat in SA in 3rd deck so many magnificent performances and designs and was glued to my seat the entire time. There truly wasn’t a corps that I didn’t care for. When hearing the Troopers I was amazed at the quality of their hornline, and they’re 17th—WOW 17th??? But it’s legit as the Colts, Madison we’re all equally or more impressive. When Spirit came out, wow- how is that not a finalist, and the Academy performed— OMG, how is that not a finalist, then Crossmen and Mandarins and you say- man those are undeniable! So many shows and corps are performing at levels I don’t ever remember seeing and it’s refreshing. You could make the argument that Boston just 5 years ago would medal with their current show, Crown same thing.... BK, BStars, Cadets all Top 6 level performers but can’t and won’t move up because of the quality above. If you would’ve told me 10 years ago that almost every drum corps was going to shed their uniform identity for costumes I’d say- I hate it? Now? No way, it enhances in so many cases. SCV has such a tough look though I do miss the Red and Green and the hats, but then again- they have such a great look, sound, design and the costume picked eximifies and allows for the creation to come to life. I will say this- I’m a purist at heart, but I have to admit, the state of drum corps is fantastic and membership seems to be thriving. I find at this point experience, correct staffing and designers are really the difference when it comes to being a finalist or not, but either way- The drum corps not in contention for finals are not to be missed, you will regret not seeing some incredible corps for sure!!! My 20 cents- Thoughts? Wesley P

Brass lines these days have 3 volumes -- f, ff, and mic'd soloist (half the time with the amp volume too loud). I miss when we actually got an ensemble playing with dynamic contrast, blend, dynamics, clarity, etc. Going to live shows is very monotonous now, you feel like you're being blasted and clubbed into submission. I partially blame Cesario's Zhdanov decree of a few years ago that shows must be more accessible, which has in practice meant loud and dumbed down. Cadets' "Liquid" in 2005, especially the beginning, is my all-time fave for this reason: technical playing and subtle phrasing at piano while marching fast drill. There are even musical phrases that build and set up impact moments. That dino in my sig is getting too big for its eggshell...

update! it still hot

He, Jim, and Chris all set a standard that inspires (pun intended) and many want to follow! Thanks Michael, and stay cool/hydrated. BAC! ••|•|••• ♥ Ro-ah ~

Or as they say in Texas....average.

Only if you can duck and yell “incoming!”

Well while the BAC guard is relishing in their 1st place guard win this past Saturday...I'd thought I'd share this video and enjoy some of the excitement...

Performances in the previous century were programmed for crowd reactions. When Michael Cesario was program director with the Cadets in the mid-80's, he'd actually write on the show script and music book: "And the crowd goes Wild!!!" (Saw it myself several times.) This century, shows have become "art" and we don't interrupt the artist until the program is completed. Might miss those subtle electronic voice-overs thrown at us, the suicide that occurs on the back forty, the hanging on the lower front, or the stark silence the "artistic director" wants us to "experience" in isolation and solitary bleakness in his black clad doom-and-gloom dark shows that have become too common. Case of major depression at work if you ask me.

Congratulations, Cadets!

Let’s go SPIRIT!!

I have the same perspective as @DrumManTx - I watch a show looking for what I will like as opposed to what I will not like. I have now been able to see 21 of the 24 WC corps on FloMarching this year, save for SCV, BD and Crown (and would have seen them Saturday had we not lost power), and I am just amazed by the depth and breadth of talent and diversity of offerings in these programs. Honestly, I've gone to Denton and Lake Highlands several times over the past few years and have always thought this is so much more worth my money for a ticket than a ticket to an NFL game (and I love football, too) and it is not even close.

I must admit that as far as singing goes, this is, by far, the best performance I’ve heard to date ever. Having quality voices really makes a difference. BTW, this show is miles ahead of 16 and 17. It’s very enjoyable, and for the first time since 15, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next year. I would suggest an emphasis to improve guard and visual next season. It looks as though brass and percussion are heading in the right direction. I like the drill though the uni hurts the impact points. I hope everyone is as pleased as I.

We have just received official word that the Blue Devils visit to Woodgrove High School in Purcellville, VA is "ON" for July 30-31, 2018. Rehearsals are free and open to the public. However, the best time to watch full ensemble rehearsals will be Monday evening starting approximately 6:30 PM and concluding approximately 9:00 PM at the stadium. I would like to thank all who helped make this a reality. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate your efforts and communications during this time and look forward to seeing all of you on Monday evening as we experience what it takes to be one of the best of the best in the marching arts activity. Thanks again, Paul Westray

Speaking of care packages, as it so happens my son gets one today - first one we've sent in his 5 years of DCI. Hope he enjoys the horn polish.

Actually, I go to drum corps shows to see and hear talented musicians. Playing loud all the time is not musical.

Vanguard trying to go undefeated despite losing twice already this season (Clovis and Sacramento).

Many of these productions don't translate or communicate well to the audience. It is unfortunate that the activity has become monkey see monkey do. Very few come up with a creative, original idea. My heart goes out to marching members - they're only a reflection of what was put in front of and/or on them. Truth be told, if I never see some of these productions again this season, I won't feel like I missed anything. For me it's about the music and marching and the quality of performance. I miss the high velocity intricate marching drills which are now replaced with jumping, hopping, skipping, running, posing, twirling, laying down, ballet, dancing, and now gymnastic tumbling, not to mention the pushing, pulling, dragging, lifting, climbing, standing and riding of props. Only a few corps have the prop thingie down - most props are horribly made and grossly underutilzed. My polite applause at the end of a performance is not always for the production but instead for the marching members trying to do the best with what they were given, and a reason to stretch my legs.

Spirit is dangerously close to Academy!

Congratulations Blue Stars guard! Your work is incredibly demanding, so proud of all of you!

Good job, Blue Stars, winning total visual.

Congrats Cadets on the win! The first in a too long time!

And I hollered over to Ethel. I said, "Don't look, Ethel!" But it was too late. She'd already been incensed.

Proud to say I marched with them both (Jim and Chris) and under the tutelage of Michael. It was a great time and life experiences never to be forgotten.

it hot

BAC has been staying cool in Texas..or at least trying to stay cool...Special thanks to board member Michael W!!! :-)

1980 was my rookie year with The Cavaliers and performing at Legion Field in Birmingham was mind blowing. The stands were flat, not curved, so for the player the natural reverb was minimal and the audience had a good experience as well. Standing ovations and raucous applause during the show was normal and expected but in Birmingham I never experienced what a wall of sound coming back at me from the audience was like. At the end of our opener the fans jumped up and yelled and clapped. I was on the front sideline and I felt it. You may believe such an audience to be unsophisticated but I posit the opposite is true. We poured our hearts out that night and we felt the love right back.

A couple thoughts: Blaming lack of audience response on the audience is par for the course for DCI. DCI has been biting the hand that feeds them for decades. It's also wrong. The person who purchases a ticket and makes the effort to attend the show has earned the right to respond however they like, within the normally accepted bounds of decorum. This includes sitting on their hands. If, in general, an entire crowd is not moved to wild reaction, the cause is not the crowd. Look elsewhere. Such as, the product on the field. That is the real cause. However ...If the crowd is really that lame at the Alamodome, then the only reasonable solution is to move the contest to Camp Randall Stadium. Outdoor drum corps, as God intended.

as i said in another thread, this is me when scv hits those big chords in the ballad

What a terrific post. I rolled my eyes when I saw the topic name and thought to myself, godd*mnit, another dino clogging up the message boards with a thread opining the current state of drum corps when there is SO MUCH to love this season, and most corps from 1 - 24 are firing on all cylinders with terrific shows. It's just a flat out excellent drum corps season with boatloads to enjoy. Hats off to you, wesleyrp, for a positive thread that could not be more accurate. There is indeed much to appreciate this season.

yup it's solid - tonight Cadets should win their first contest since 2016 it will be good to remind the corps what winning feels like again... IMO; it's an important lesson hope they tear it up!

The horn snap after the wailing baritone duet hits me right in the Vanguard every time. So good.

Maybe for next season -- DCI 2019: The Acoustic Set.

EATEM UP BOSTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a FANTASTIC SHOW!

DCI, BOA, and WGI have blended into a seamless garment of boring sameness. There’s nothing unique about drum corps anymore, nothing, and that’s what made it special. Audiences in the summer still come to shows expecting something unique and spectacular but they leave feeling empty because they’ve already heard it in the fall and seen it in the winter.

Yup. Like even a broken clock is right twice a day

Conversely, they pull out a show like Into the Light. I get goosebumps just thinking of it.

I know I should do that ... but I feel if I refresh, I may get them a fraction of a second sooner. I know, its a sickness ... I really should seek professional help.

It’s so nice to see how show designs even impact the designer at an emotional level.

I thought my high school had a nice stadium until drum corps. Then I went to Texas and laughed at my school.

If you are going from SA to anyplace North of Austin (or visa versa), might I suggest the Toll 130 as a bypass. It costs $, and is a bit farther distance, but there are long stretches where the limit is 85, which is kinda fun.

Hey Bloo, One of the advantages of going on last tonight is the temp will be down to 92 degrees. Feel free to BRING THE HEAT!!!!