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The two biggest "buzz" items to me are how high can Mandarins go and the battle between Cavies and BAC.

On this, the quietest day of the DCI Season, I, Reliable Reamdo, will give you a prediction on who will win the 2018 DCI World Championships. First, you add the 2 GE1 scores together and average. Then you add the two GE2 scores together and average. Then you add both of those averages together for the total GE score. Then, you take the visual proficiency, visual analysis and color guard scores, add them together and divide by 2. That's your visual number. Then you take the 2 music analysis judges scores and them together and average them. Then you add that average to the brass and percussion scores and divide by 2. Thats your music number. Then you take the total GE score, the visual score and the music score and add them up. if need be subtract any penalties, usually because idiots don't follow the warm up rules. Then the highest final score after all of those are added up and if any penalties are subtracted is who will be the 2018 DCI World Champion. As always, you're welcome in advance, and i guarantee the corps with the highest score after all of that will win

It's amazing how much has happened in a year. Read the first few pages and see how far The Cadets have come. If you had told me they may place the same as last year I would have called that a disappointing season. If you had asked me two months before the season the same question I would have a completely different answer. This year has done way more for The Cadets than any placement could. As an alum I am incredibly proud of this corps and the show they have put on the field. It's also nice to hear people say nice things about your corps for a change. The future is incredibly bright and am excited to see how this corps closes their season out. It's far from over.

Many people know that the Crossmen were formed in 1975 as a merger corps between two long-time southeast Pennsylvania rivals, the Keystone Regiment and the 507th Hornets. They may also know that the name "Crossmen" was derived from the 507th American Legion Post in Norwood, PA, which was named after a World War I veteran named John Wesley Cross. What they might not know was that it was the members themselves of this new "supercorps" who actually chose the Crossmen name in a "Name The Corps" contest. Below is the actual sheet of paper with the many suggested names for the corps and a check mark next to the eventual winner. I've always loved this bit of history because the members were so inventive with their suggestions. And some of these names make me wonder "what if" in a very delightful way (#12, #26, #39 and especially #43!). Enjoy!

I think Cadets have perfected the use of voice, strongly amplified, blending with the hornline - there are points in the Cadets show where the combined vocal ensemble blends with the hornline - and it is angelic and very emotionally powerful -- They were on the right track last season - this season they have really taken the vocal ensemble effect a long way -- Hint to next corps who does Carmina Burana -- it doesn't take very many voices if the mic'ing and the sound system is setup right --

Just thought you should know, the director is sharing your message to the current members.

Man. Couldn’t disagree more. Arrangements and singers are outstanding. The electronic element is now very well done, early season it was a work in progress. Balance is excellent as far as “couldn’t understand” - well, they sing in three languages. Ballad is all in Icelandic (except for 3 words in English), sensamaya is in Spanish (based on the poem about the snake) and in the closer a few English phrases from the score song they are outstanding and add greatly to the production Bluecoats singer is also integrated wonderfully, very talented and really adds to the program

I’m at Logan Airport right now, waiting to board a plane to Indy. Lots of drum corps folks waiting to board, more than a fair share wearing Boston Crusaders attire. The corps is the talk of everyone and the excitement is palpable. I’m at Southwest. My understanding is Delta is a huge drum corps reunion.

JMO I think the entire 2018 Cadets should be inducted into the Cadets Hall of fame for what they have done on and off the field this year. They stood by their corps when many would or could have bailed. They fought and focused when many doubted They didn't listen to all the noise caused by many They proved many decades of Cadet DNA is alive and well and maybe even have gotten stronger. They embodied EVERYTHING that the Cadets way back to the Holy Name days are and who also fought for their existence when many thought it was over. They, against all odds and staff changes, proved they can still overcome, succeed, thrive, gain even more respect. AND let's not forget with all the drama and a great focus produced an outstanding program. THIS 2018 Cadets IMO have earned a special place in the Cadet history as did the Cadets who fought to exist during the Holy Name change, the 1969 entry of females into the corps, the 1st championship win ( pre DCI ) the re-entry of a champion in the 80s and NOW the corps who saved the Cadet history and hopefully set the example as past Cadets did for the future. IMO....... the 2018 Cadets already won. Best of Luck

you would be correct. there's a split of those who see the corps being cared for and transported better than they ever have been and seen the numbers of the budgets and said... "while the placement isn't what we hope for, the corps itself is doing well, and they'll figure out something different for next season, so take my money and put it to continuing to operate and care for the guys" and the others who say "this isn't what we want, we won't support the corps until it becomes a winner again". While i'm not an arts organizational genius, I do know that starving a group isn't the way to help it succeed. keep in mind, the board is for generating revenue. competitive success is dependent on show design and coordination. two very different parts of the organization. and different people responsible for each.

I have to say, when Bluecoats did Tilt I was genuinely worried that they would fall back into the middle of the pack. I didn't see how they could follow that up with something better, which is what it takes to maintain momentum in this activity. Well, they followed that up with something entirely different and ground breaking. And I wondered if they were wandering into gimmicks they couldn't sustain. Then they followed THAT up with a gold medal show that literally rewrote the book on show design for drum corps. And then did something similar but equally daring and interesting the following year. This year, when I first saw Session 44, I was surprised, and not so much in a good way. I was so excited for a jazz show, and thrilled it was coming from Bluecoats. Session 44, though, was a slow burn. It wasn't Tilt, or Kinetic Noise, much less DSU or Jagged Line. I was disappointed to have to accept that this might be a down year for Bluecoats. But the more I watched the show, the more I got it, the more I realized the magic of the design. After the conundrum of Crown's vocalist-focused show last year, Bluecoats took the ball and totally ran with it in a way that most feel was the best use of a singer in DCI history. It's the best example of jazz in "band" put on the field since BD did it too long ago. So we approach finals again, and again I am worried what will come next season. How can they follow THIS up with something even better? I can tell you that if I were a show designer, this is the team I'd want to work with. Because they are so capable of flushing last season and starting over with a blank page...and building again. The activity is different today because of Bluecoats. SCV is different, Crown is different, and I suggest even BD is different. Boston is definitely different. Cavaliers got their mojo back to some degree by seeing what Bluecoats accomplished by simply throwing away the past and starting from scratch. I predict that next year will be the single most competitive, most creative season in DCI history. Cadets will finally be back, and Crown will come back with a killer program that will put them back into the medal discussions. Boston will be in the top six from the start of the season. SCV will likely be the reigning DCI champ. And of course, BD will reload and be BD. And the Coats will be cooking up something new that will again change the way we see this activity. My hope is that Flo gets it together in the offseason, because 2019 is going to be the single most unforgettable year of design in DCI history.

If any corpse make finals it will be macabre.

Long time Scouts fan (since the late 70s). I hope they have their best run on Thursday and then start work on improving for 2019. A Finals with Scouts is better than a finals without Scouts IMHO. A few things come to mind when reading this thread... I dont understand the anger. I can see being disappointed that the corps you marched in or one of your favorite corps isn't doing well, but the anger, I don't understand. Let's be honest, most corps uniforms and props are over the top and look kind of silly. Some people mock SCVs baggy pants, but nobody cares because the design and performance is so good. A corps can wear whatever they want as long as they rip my face off, make me throw babies, and bring a tear to my eye. The demands that everyone be fired: be careful what you ask for. At my college Alma mater, decent (not good, not bad) head coaches have been fired only for the althetic director to learn that they couldn't find a more competent coach that wanted the job. Our school, once a coaching destination, was no longer a destination. The result: we hired less competent football and basketball coaches that delivered worse results. All I'm saying is: don't assume more qualified people will jump into these positions. Not saying they shouldn't look for improving the staff, just a word of caution. Good luck to the Scouts going forward.

SCV's getting lots of buzz with their great show. Mandarin - for being 1st time finalists. How high can they fly? Spirit - for progress. This will be one time, (but only one) that the 13th place corps might be glad to be in 13th. Madison - for anti progress. BAC for great show. Bc, CC, Cavies for being in the mix - it's like a cage match. BD for not winning every show. $1 to ABBD crowd Cadets for persevering with unity. Amazing... GH was not indispensable after all. Just an all-around "buzz - ful" type of year.

Bluecoats Encore Massillon:

Bluecoats. What you have done this year is so special. For almost 15 minutes last night, you took me somewhere I had never been. You took me to New York in the early 40s, to the scene, into the life of Lady Day. You took me into the recording session, the jam session. I will not forget participating in the sepulchral silence at the beginning of Pretty Saro. Nor will I forget lending my voice to the shouts of your hometown crowd, nor bobbing my head and tapping my feet to the jazz rhythms, seemingly effortlessly performed, nor feasting my eyes on every visual detail of your show. Thank you.

Exactly. I don't need a translator, I don't care if I can understand what they're saying (I'm not big on lyrics in music I listen to anyways, they tend to get ignored). The emotional impact and timbre they add to the ensemble is what makes them excellent

Just arrived in Indy. Excited for tomorrow.

I am here because I have heard so many negative thing about this place and I had to come read for myself. To all you people who think they know more than the kids and management should find something else to do and not come here simply to post negative things about the Scouts. These kids bust their butts to make the best of what they are given and you arrogant no nothings who couldn't design a show if your life depended on it should take a hike. Support them, love them, appreciate what they have gone through and help them. I'm sure all you negative ***holes don't have kids or family marching this season and if you did you are bigger fools than we expected. You should be ashamed pointing fingers at one another. Maybe if you supported the Scouts like the Cadets were supported things would be better. But your anger and arrogance is more important to you. You should be ashamed of treating this organization this way.

Absolutely. Taking nothing away from SCV, or BD in 2014, or any other great corps.... but it's basically all relative to where everyone else is scoring.

another detail i notice just now... the diner lights up at the end just before the solo piece .. lol. didn't see that before

If you look closely, you can see the Lady in Red (hard to tell with practice clothes) pauses within the entrance of the diner. Nearing the end of the unison part, she directs her attention to the two soloists on the "sidewalk" in front of the streetscape. As it ends, and the trumpet solo begins she acknowledges them for another second and then proceeds to her seat at the counter. I think it is a way to create more of a moment of the final assembling of the artwork and makes it seem that the characters in the painting are aware of the corps, while the corps turns to become aware of the painting and reflect on it. Pretty interesting and I think it will make more sense when we can see it clearly.

Good - SCV, Boston, Stars, Mandarins Ok - Cavies, Coats, Crown, BD, Cadets, Spirit, A Not so good - Regiment, Knights, Madison Not really any buzz - Xmen, Academy, and the rest.

I can never understand any of the lyrics the hornline plays, and I'm fine with that.

English is not the only language in which music is written. Personally, I am not a fan of singing. However, I believe the singers add a lot in Cadets ballad, especially in the beginning of it.

So the offense wasn't severe enough for you? I'm sure the comment didn't affect you at all so therefore it's not severe. Your statement is foolish.

It all starts from the TOP! David Glasgow was the first paid employee of Bluecoats in 2004 (I think?) and he has created a foundational design team, many who are also now paid employees, that have pushed this activity each and every year. It is precisely why you see Bloo setting the trends. You get what you pay for, or something like that :) You don't need to worry about Bloo right now. They are a well-oiled machine that is just getting started.

The ballad is in Icelandic, so... Sensemaya is in Spanish.

George Dixon, I think you've got it here. First of all, I happen to enjoy the present Madison Scouts show despite several things I prefer would be different. Mainly, the uniform choice and dominant color red/pink. Plus, the flavor of the overall design is too "ballad" for me. What's missing this year is a BIG opening statement, I think. As I consider what drives the popularity of Santa Clara, I note a highly charged first number that grabs the audience by the throat and demands audience attention from that point forward. Vanguard's tightly-packed, explosive sound. The screaming mellos, etc. Reminds me of the "old" Madison. SCV fills the stage upfront with excitement that lasts. A major league frenzy beginning to end. Of course, Vanguard's exceptional talent helps! No Finals for Madison in 2018, but I have faith they will find their way back in a year, or two.

Phantom Regiment. Everyone else is competing for second place, IMO. Though I also like 27th Lancers for obvious reasons

... they ain’t going away. Might even challenge for 4th. Amazing what 2 days of rehearsal can clean. And of course acknowledging everyone else got the same 2 days. Gonna be a fun weekend.

Wow, the level of negativity and arrogance of some of the Madison alumni is just ridiculous... I hope all the members and staff of Madison have an incredible final week and that this negativity stays away from them.

The biggest buzz-worthy story for me personally is how the Mandarins have skyrocketed in the past two years. To break out like that takes effort and resources on so many levels it makes my head spin but they've found a way! I am SO very happy for the organization and additionally, I find it very inspiring. It's nice to see a new and different name in the mix! I'd also like to say that I was a Mandies fan even before they started playing in the big kid sandbox.

Have a great Final's Week, Mandarins! Great season.

I'll be at your theater, in the middle of the front row, sitting on a tall cushion and wearing a huge hat, talking loudly into a brightly lit phone about how each corps sucks compared to my favorite corps.

I had the pleasure of flying out with the Free Players Drum Corps who will give an exhibition on Thursday at prelims. Their enthusiasm and innocence was priceless. American Airlines pilots and staff gave the group a special shout out as VIPs when we were aloft. The kids responded in kind with some cheers and "bus chants" especially when we landed safely. Certainly a fine way to start the week in Indy.

On a BD360 video they released this morning, it showed the back of one of the window props for a second, and I ended up pausing it on that part to examine it because I spotted what looked like lights. Love it!

No, I was kidding. I was going to own up to it, but then it was funny watching people try to type in a response and I forgot.

Not that any of them should be wasting their precious time on social media, mind you!

I don't know about buzz, but it seems like good general enthusiasm over several lower placing corps - Troopers, Spirit, Academy, Colts. Mandarins may best qualify for the buzz outside of the top 3. Blue Stars seem to have gotten more ink, too, than in the last couple of years or so. Music City has people talking during their freshman year in WC. On the down side, there's plenty of buzz about Madison and Phantom. Madison's buzz is sometimes incomprehensible, but I think it still qualifies as buzz.

How is that a troll comment? I don't know what the answers are, but the Scouts are not a draw for top talent anymore. Why on earth would anyone talented enough to march in a top 5 or top 8 corps want to march Madison? Of course, there will be a few, possibly. You're already losing out on 1/2 the male talent to Cavies, Regiment, Blue Stars, and no Colts. This seaosn is a complete and total disaster, and an epic failure, and it's definitely going to impact their recruiting. I am embarassed for them with having to march a show with that awful, cheap looking prop and those ridiculous uniforms. The first step, IMO, is get rid of every single person on the Board of Directors and Chris and Dan. Then evaluate the staff to see whom to keep and whom to let go. If you can't do your job effectively, you should be fired. (Say what I've written is a troll comment. I don't care. But someone saying to go coed isn't making a troll comment. I love the Scouts. I am BEYOND ###### off. Everyone who loves the Scouts should be ###### off at what this know-nothing, do-nothing BOD and design staff has done).

I hear the Final's Week practices are going exceedingly well. Work it well on Lion's Island. AIm high kids, staff,and vollies. Giants, all! ••|•|••• ♥ Ro-ah ~ Lion's Island, New South Wales .

I have been using Big, Loud and Live as a way to bring new fans to drum corps. Last year, I was able to get one of my coworkers to go and had never heard of drum corps. She was absolutely amazed, and that was for 15th place! By the end of the night, she was sold. This year, she is coming along with her husband, daughter, grandson (just got into marching band in high school- he's a sax player), best friend and best friend's daughter. In addition, I've been able to get two more coworkers and one of their sisters to also come to the show. That's 8 more people than last year. We will be watching from Christiansburg, VA. The preview show was packed and I hope tomorrow will be no different. As excited as I am to be going, I'm almost more excited to be sharing this activity with them and getting to watch their reactions to these incredible shows! I'll try to post and update and let you know how it went. I challenge you to find at least one person to come to the show tomorrow. It's a great way to bring new fans into the fold. I know that the true experience is a live show, but for some people that know nothing about it can be a challenge. Telling them they only have to go to the theater has made it that much easier to get them involved.

Florence, KY on Thursday On the 50 in 640 on Friday On the 50 row 4 of 140 on Saturday It's like 3 entirely different shows over 3 days. Z

Boston doesn’t look like Boston and yet no one is complaining. Why? Because the design of the show is good and placing well. Winning fixes all problems

I thought I was the person who noticed how strong their Euphs are, especially in Sensamaya. GOOD AFTERNOON CADETS!!! 1 MORE DAY UNTIL THE START OF YOUR JOURNEY TO HISTORY!!

Nice post MikeRapp... Bloo's design team is simply THE BEST! That is a totally biased, ultra homer opinion, but each of us are allowed to express our opinions are we not? Simply The Best. (cue Tina)

And to think that the name originally under consideration was the Rockford Rangers, a tribute to the proliferation of dutch elm trees throughout the city. Certain members, including Jim Wren, did not like that name. They had listened to a recording of the Syracuse Brigadiers playing a Leroy Anderson song "The Phantom Regiment" and convinced our corps director, Mr. Alex Haddad, to consider it as their corps name; he did and the Phantom Regiment and the Phantomettes were so christened.

Nothing against the performers but Crown doesn't belong in this conversation. Nothing about Crown 2018 is innovative. The visual design is dated. The brass and percussion is great but nothing about the arraignments are innovative. They have a big rocking thing they barely use and they growl a lot. The performers are great but I don't think they are in the top 10 Crown ensembles of all time. The whole show is a big meh....