Leaderboard

Claiming to be boxed in by being "forced" to use classical music has always been a cop out. It is some of the most powerful and effective music ever written, with a huge range of intensity, speed, emotion and nuance to choose from. There is no reason you can't present an entirely modern theme, set to a score from 1910. Lack of imagination and creativity is the problem, not an insufficient genre. Most artists will tell you that the best ideas come from working within parameters. It provokes you to come up with unusual solutions. So let's see more of those and less bellyaching about not enough tools in the toolkit.

Actually, if you are old enough, you had to make an adjustment going to a flat drum.

this. Even in more recent shows with success, Phantom had that rare trait....musical lines you could follow and not just snippets that fit the visual designers vision.

I completely agree with this take. However, is "Picture Studies" by Adam Schoenberg considered to be "great music"? Is "A Child's Garden of Dreams" great music when only a snippet is used (to feature trombones)? I just don't want to see "we're forced to play classical music" used to excuse ineffective arranging.

Oh, a costume designer! On the Home Shopping Network and the NYC runways, the commentator always mentions "the ensemble which is being worn was designed by so-and-so and features a dazzling and sleek look..."

What about a Guardsmen alumni corps? If you start eating the oatmeal now, you could have a full set of headgear by the time you step off in Indy!

Prune juice ?

Cavaliers are........ Heading to California in 2019. I believe it’s the first time since 2009

https://www.10tv.com/article/founder-drum-corps-columbus-youth-receives-life-saving-organ-donation

Not to sidetrack the discussion but a tilted snare is actually a more traditional way of playing a snare drum with traditional grip. Logically, a flat snare drum should be played with matched grip because the hand is not meant to turn that way naturally. The tilted snare on a carrier goes back to traditional sling days where the drum was positioned at an angle off your leg and traditional grip was invented as a way to hold the stick and play the drum in a more natural position. Making the drum flat no longer makes the left hand traditional grip feel natural and yet drum lines have continued to do it for almost 40 years.

Correct me if I am wrong, but can't woodwinds be reproduced with all the electronic stuff being done in the pit?

Colts hire Robert W. Smith as their 2019 season Brass Arranger.. on their website.

Come on Terri. All the other anniversary corps have had many dino's in their ranks.

I'm glad that Chad Pence will be back. I thought BK's brass was very underrated this past season.

Loveland, CO? That's a nice drive from Ivins, UT. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie_(Utah)

Lugo's Logo on this is pretty snazzy or whatever the current Cali hipster board talk is. "Cavies 2019 Explore Gnarly" seems a natural theme for them after their macho shows of late. Now will Rosemont be offering the Crossmen guardsters a group flight discount for auditions?

Battalion has one of the most iconic uniforms now...

Watching this and someone marking him as an accomplished jazz composer/arranger have me thinking Madison is going jazz again (yay!). Particularly after seeing Bloo and BD get rewarded on the modern sheets and throwing the assumption that "the risk involved in marching jazz doesn't get rewarded" right out the window. I would say Madison is getting someone who they can build this style with into the future, which seems like some good long term planning rather than 'omg we missed finals, fix it with a bandaid and squeak back in.' It could also be a product of many of the current crop of 'big name' arrangers who are available and within Madison's means aren't a good fit for this style as the trend for DCI shows has been away from this sort of hot swing jazz. If Madison can come out hot with something like this SoundSport group has done, I'm gonna be all over it and I can imagine a number of others will be too.

No, Depending upon the Corps section, Boston actually provides auditioneers several national sites for winter auditions now, including Calif, Texas, Indiana, Florida and Massachusetts. Boston will still have a Florida camp in December & January this winter ( and also another in April ). its advantageous to hear/ see prospective applicants out of doors in the audition evaluation process, as well as conduct rehearsals ensembles with staff/ marchers in favorable winter environments.

Based on a photo I found on their Instagram page, it may have only been four. The male singer last year was a member of the guard.

They had ONE female this year. 149 males...1 female in 2018. Not really a big stretch to go back to all-male in 2019.

My concern is “great music.” Since 2008 and “Spartacus,” the only show that was entirely classical was “Turandot,” which was the last time they placed in the top three. Venturing into film music has been nice, I’m not sure I would call it great. There are many “deep cuts” in the classical repertoire that have never been performed by a drum corps. I think focusing on design is critical but in doing so, use the guard more effectively. I had great hopes for the coed guard last summer, but it seemed like a lot of talent was wasted.

Awesome!!

I'm going to be optimistic, as usual on this one.

Thank you, Fran. This is our 4th season back and we're having a good time. Each year gets a bit better, a bit more sophisticated... but still fun. We're embracing contemporary/thematic show design, but without some of the trappings of contemporary drum corps. We're using unplugged G Bugles and it's glorious. The best of both worlds.

do you see this as a plus or negative? On one hand experience and exposure to many programs; OTOH perhaps new ideas, new approaches, different creativity

This is the most fascinating hire of this offseason. The variability in age of this staff is incredible.

Hopefully like all the previous anniversary corps.

Flat surface vs 15 degree angle. You have to make an adjustment on playing A tilted drum.

We have all been punked. Right? Obviously? Please say it is so.

So much for attracting talent. These people have done some good in the activity and that certainly has to be recognized, but in a way that no longer attracts the best talent in 2018.

noticed that a new poster called "willpitts" has been lurking through the DCP threads the recent evenings. Willcome.

Cannot march on tarps.

I’ll be there. They’ll be in Texas. 😕

Leave it up to the individual organizations. Doubt many would go for it. There are less heavy-handed solutions to the risk of lawsuits.

When falling out of the Top 12 also means breaking the third-longest Finals streak in DCI (and the longest by a corps not from California), I’d say that’s a bit of a problem. I have a feeling we’ll be welcoming a certain corps that likes the color baby blue back into Finals over Phantom in 2019.

Yeah, that's the thing. He is a total drum corps rookie. How much say will he have, and how much will he know when he's surrounded by many of the designers from 2017?

Certainly a step up, imoIMO

Derrick Shannon officially announced to lead percussion at Madison Scouts.

I'm pretty sure Savannah is not at all seen as a "token" within the Troopers organization.

Firstly - I had no idea you were related to Gunny! He was a quiet devotee of the Troopers for so long, and I was glad to have met him, if it was just for a few short hours one summer day in 2008. His joy in doing what he was able to do for the corps and some of our drum majors over the years was obvious. Secondly, I'm sad that you feel the tribute to Savannah's historic appointment is not appropriate. I'm not here to try to change your mind. I do hear your point, and I can agree to some extent. Yet, I have to recognize that the Troopers are sitting at an historic crossroads moment as an organization. I assume that Savannah, along with the Troopers family and friends, understands the significance of her appointment in the context of the history of Troopers drum majors. I can't help but be certain that Savannah's accomplishments definitely put her at the top of the list; however, I can see how one might not directly get that from the video. Lastly, we all know that some changes come slowly. For many years it seemed that there was a specific "image" that many people held dear about the Troopers drum major, and that attachment was often tied to the uniform they wore and the unmistakably masculine ethos it projected. I don't think there's any harm in acknowledging that this particular appointment signals a deep commitment by the Troopers organization to set a new course.

Division II / Open Class The Champions - Division II / Open Class Seven corps won it all in the 2000s: Spartans won three championships. Vanguard Cadets won two championships. The Academy (2006), Blue Devils B (2009), Esperanza (2003), Magic of Orlando (2002), and Mandarins (2001) won one each. The Medalists - Division II / Open Class Sixteen corps medaled in the 2000s: Spartans has the most medalist years with six. East Coast Jazz, Mandarins, and Vanguard Cadets have the second most medalist years with three. Blue Devils B, Jersey Surf, and Patriots have two medalist years. The Academy, Blue Stars, Capital Regiment, Citations, Esperanza, Fever, Magic of Orlando, Seattle Cascades and Teal Sound each had one medalist year. Corps Gold Silver Bronze Total Medals Weighted Total Spartans 3 0 3 6 12 Vanguard Cadets 2 1 0 3 8 East Coast Jazz 0 3 0 3 6 Mandarins 1 1 1 3 6 Blue Devils B 1 1 0 2 5 The Academy 1 0 0 1 3 Esperanza 1 0 0 1 3 Jersey Surf 0 1 1 2 3 Magic of Orlando 1 0 0 1 3 Patriots 0 1 1 2 3 Capital Regiment 0 1 0 1 2 Seattle Cascades 0 1 0 1 2 Blue Stars 0 0 1 1 1 Citations 0 0 1 1 1 Fever 0 0 1 1 1 Teal Sound 0 0 1 1 1 The Finalists - Division II / Open Class Twenty-nine corps performed in Division II / Open Class Finals in the 2000s: Jersey Surf appeared in the most Division II / Open Class Finals with eight. Spartans and Vanguard Cadets appeared in the second most Division II / Open Class Finals with seven. Seventeen corps appeared in DCI Division II / Open Class Finals every year in which they competed: The Academy, Blue Devils B, Blue Stars, Capital Regiment, Citations, Esperanza, Fever, Magic of Orlando, Mandarins, Oregon Crusaders, Patriots, Raiders, Revolution, Seattle Cascades, Spokane Thunder, Teal Sound, and Vanguard Cadets. Corps Championship Appearances Finals Appearances Average Finish (includes non-finals placements) The Academy 1 1 1.0 Magic of Orlando 1 1 1.0 Mandarins 3 3 2.0 Seattle Cascades 1 1 2.0 Vanguard Cadets 7 7 3.1 Esperanza 2 2 3.5 Fever 2 2 3.5 Capital Regiment 3 3 3.7 Blue Devils B 5 5 4.0 East Coast Jazz 6 5 4.0 Blue Stars 3 3 4.3 Patriots 4 4 4.3 Spartans 9 7 4.3 Citations 2 2 4.5 Teal Sound 5 5 5.2 Oregon Crusaders 4 4 5.75 Jersey Surf 9 8 5.78 Revolution 3 3 6.7 Raiders 3 3 7.0 Spokane Thunder 1 1 7.0 Taipei Yuehfu 2 0 7.5 Capital Sound 4 1 8.3 Memphis Sound 6 5 9.8 Impulse 6 3 9.8 Jubal 1 0 10.0 Allegiance Elite 3 0 11.0 Beatrix 3 1 11.0 Tampa Bay Thunder 1 0 11.0 Pride of Soka 1 0 11.0 Yamato 2 1 11.5 Velvet Knights 2 1 12.5 Legends 2 1 12.5 Dutch Boy 3 1 12.7 Music City 1 0 13.0 7th Regiment 2 1 14.0 Colt Cadets 3 0 14.7 Les Stentors 3 0 17.7 Racine Scouts 2 0 18.0 Blue Saints 1 0 19.0 Spirit of Newark/New Jersey 2 0 20.5 Strangnas 1 0 21.0 Placements from Division II/III Grand Finals were not utilized for years in which they existed for consistency from year to year. Note the number of Division II and Division III finalists varied from year-to-year as a result of different approaches to determining finalist corps. Division III The Champions - Division III Seven corps won it all in the 2000s: Spartans won three championships. Vanguard Cadets won two championships. The Academy (2006), Blue Devils B (2009), Esperanza (2003), Magic of Orlando (2002), and Mandarins (2001) won one each. The Medalists - Division III Fourteen corps medaled in the 2000s: Blue Stars and Yamato had the most medalist years with three each. Americanos, Raiders, Revolution, and Taipei Yuehfu had two medalist years each. Cincinnati Glory, Fever, Impulse, Marion Glory Cadets, Memphis Sound, Oregon Crusaders, Seattle Cascades, and Teal Sound each had one medalist year. Corps Gold Silver Bronze Total Medals Weighted Total Blue Stars 2 1 0 3 8 Raiders 1 1 0 2 5 Revolution 1 1 0 2 5 Yamato 0 2 1 3 5 Americanos 0 1 1 2 3 Impulse 1 0 0 1 3 Memphis Sound 1 0 0 1 3 Oregon Crusaders 1 0 0 1 3 Seattle Cascades 1 0 0 1 3 Taipei Yuehfu 0 1 1 2 3 Fever 0 1 0 1 2 Cincinnati Glory 0 0 1 1 1 Marion Glory Cadets 0 0 1 1 1 Teal Sound 0 0 1 1 1 The Finalists - Division III Twenty-seven corps performed in Division III Finals in the 2000s: Yamato appeared in the most Division III Finals with five. Revolution and Raiders appeared in the second most Division III Finals with four. Thirteen corps appeared in Division II Finals every year in which they competed: Blue Stars, Capital Regiment, Cincinnati Glory, East Coast Jazz, Fusion, General Butler Vagabonds, Impulse, Les Senateurs, Marion Glory Cadets, Memphis Sound, Oregon Crusaders, Seattle Cascades, and Taipei Yuehfu. Corps Championship Appearances Finals Appearances Average Finish (includes non-finals placements) Memphis Sound 1 1 1.0 Seattle Cascades 1 1 1.0 Blue Stars 3 3 1.3 Taipei Yuehfu 2 2 2.5 Oregon Crusaders 2 2 3.0 Cincinnati Glory 1 1 3.0 Yamato 6 5 3.3 Fever 2 1 3.5 Impulse 2 2 3.5 Revolution 5 4 4.0 General Butler Vagabonds 1 1 4.0 Glory Cadets 2 1 5.0 East Coast Jazz 1 1 5.0 Americanos 5 3 5.20 Glory Cadets / Marion Glory Cadets 4 3 5.25 Raiders 7 4 5.29 Capital Regiment 1 1 6.0 Les Senateurs 2 2 6.5 Allegiance Elite 2 1 7.0 Velvet Knights 1 0 7.0 Lehigh Valley Knights 4 2 7.0 Court of Honor 2 1 7.5 Teal Sound 5 2 7.6 Mystikal 3 1 8.0 Capital Sound 3 1 8.0 Spokane Thunder 2 0 8.5 Gold 1 0 9.0 Fusion 1 1 9.0 Dutch Boy 6 2 9.5 Knight Storm 1 0 10.0 Cadets of New York City 5 0 10.4 Lake Erie Regiment 4 1 10.5 Vision Elite 1 0 11.0 West Coast Sound 1 0 11.0 San Diego Alliance 2 0 12.0 Dimensions 1 0 12.0 Phoenix 4 0 13.5 Quebec Alliance 2 0 13.5 Tampa Bay Thunder 1 0 14.0 H.Y.P.E. 4 0 14.3 Blue Devils C 1 0 15.0 Les Stentors 5 0 15.0 Strangnas 2 0 15.0 Legend of Texas 1 0 15.0 Citations 6 0 15.3 Bandettes 5 0 15.8 7th Regiment 2 0 16.0 St. John’s 5 0 16.4 Scenic City 4 0 17.3 Racine Scouts 7 0 17.7 Edmonton Strutters 2 0 18.0 Spirit of Newark 8 0 19.0 Springfield Targets 5 0 19.2 Emerald Knights 2 0 21.0 Delta Brigade 1 0 21.0 Quest 3 0 21.3 Blue Saints 5 0 21.4 Les Sentinelles 2 0 21.5 Joliet Kingsmen 1 0 22.0 Spectrum 1 0 23.0 Kips Bay Crusaders 1 0 25.0 Silver Knights 2 0 26.0 Decorah Kilties 2 0 27.0 McCullough Royal Knights 1 0 32.0 Placements from Division II/III Grand Finals were not utilized for years in which they existed for consistency from year to year. Note the number of Division II and Division III finalists varied from year-to-year as a result of different approaches to determining finalist corps. International Class There was only one International Class champion crowned in the 2000s. The Champions - International Class One corps won it all in the 2000s: Yokohama Scouts (2007) The Medalists - International Class One corps medaled in the 2000s: Yokohama Scouts Corps Gold Silver Bronze Total Medals Weighted Total Average Finish Yokohama Scouts 1 0 0 1 3 1.0

One not mentioned yet is Crown 2013 - I was lukewarm when they first added the Also Sprach reprise, but it really grew on me and I loved it by the end of the season. Phantom '03 is the epitome of the reprise closer, though.

One good one recently was the Medea reprise in Crown's 2016 closer.

I agree. :)

Yes. Quite frankly it sucks. Yes DCI and BOA are big from the Akron/Canton area to Columbus, but I really didn't know much about it other than a little bit on ESPN growing up in the Pittsburgh area when I was age eligible to march. A Bluecoats alumni took me to my first DCI show when I was 20. The Bluecoats weren't there and I didn't know they held camps less then 2 hrs away at the time. And how long has there been DCI Pittsburgh? Oh Pittsburgh has 2 shows each featuring different corps at different times of the season. Culture isn't much different in the Youngstown/Warren/Sharon area. In fact there is some argument that less kids know about their opportunities around here. But I have 7 shows (5 WC 2 OC) within a 1.5 hour drive from me. And since I'm roughly halfway between Allentown and Indy I can choose from either of the 2 last outdoor WC shows and one of the last 2 OC outdoor shows. My area gets the royal treatment and we don't deserve it. No it's not fair at all. What about Texas and California? Both DCI hotbeds that pull a lot of talent. California is completely screwed and Texas does get everyone but it's a huge state and they get Midseason shows.