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From what I have seen of clips of Corps so far, I think the fans are the winners tonight. Up and down world class corps are really working hard to get their shows ready.

To the 2019 Edition of the Boston Crusaders. The Alumni are proud of you, Before a single note, or step, or spin is judged. We are proud of you. You stand on all of our shoulders and reach new heights as a corps that all of us could only dream of. Live the dream and be undeniable tonight and for every other night going forward. Be Relentless, You are our heroes. You are True Blue Crusaders. For the Corps we Love. Glenn BAC CBS '00 '02 '04 '05

Brief thoughts: Phantom: Not sure this will make finals. Doesn't seem a very mature design. If Spirit and Academy really bring it, they could be in trouble. Blue Stars: I loved the carpenter show. It was totally charming and a joy to watch. This one is not that. It's hard to get a sense of a winter landscape on a green turf field and the outfits were pretty tragic. The much maligned Bob the Builder suits were quite visually effective, but this riot or patterns, fur and dull colors was not very coherent. Cadets: Yikes. Seem to play pretty well, but the design was all over the place. We were totally baffled by the queen's reappearance in a fish net. Needs major work on clarity. Boston: Obviously very strong. Possibly over designed. Expected to like it more than I did, but it doesn't really breathe. Very dense and driving throughout, and even the ballad is not really a moment of rest. Cutting out the vocal recordings would help a lot. Goliath on stilts laid an egg in our theater, with considerable chuckling when he mock falls onto the pegboard. High quality in all sections, but last year's package seemed to communicate better. Crown: I loved this. Very clear and coherent thought and design. The look of the uniforms works extremely well and everything made sense. Reminded me of 2013 and is designed to be a contender. This may be the first ever use of nude shoes on a guard that actually works, because they smartly did a fade of the same color up the legs. The show was fun, moving, engaging and nicely paced. Bluecoats: As with last year, next-level design. You almost can't compare them to the rest. Costuming is fantastic. Show is wonderfully paced and incredibly fun. Focal points direct you to the right place at the right time. Props are beautifully simple and effective. The found a way to get some of the best moments from the Beatles woven together without it feeling like a stitched Frankenstein. Tons of potential here.

dot vs form arguments on dcp year 15

So Cadets having a snare drummer and man beat up a woman on the stairs probably not a smart design choice given the corps recent history. Maybe it's just me, and I'm not easily offended, but that was cringe worthy and about as bad of optics as you could get.

Blue Stars ... Sponsored by Coors. posted from the DrumScorps app

Doug Thrower told me arranging this was like a drive through the countryside of Iraq. So many places where things could just blow up. In my opinion, he's perfectly crafted a very serious and emotional piece that has perfect flow from beginning to end. That feeling you get when you watch a Bloo ballad, that is what I felt during the whole show. FYI, he first joined the Bluecoats in 1992, the year Bluecoats first attempted the Beatles. This is not that show 🤣💙🍁💪

No! Only MY CORPS improves, cleans, layers, adds, drops, and rewrites!

That is what I said to my wife when Bluecoats were done tonight! I thought 2016 when I watched them. Honestly, Bluecoats were the only corps I was entertained by tonight. They were the only corps that was fresh and exciting. Absolutely love the 2019 Bluecoats! I was a bit surprised how close Crown and Boston were to Bluecoats. I thought Bluecoats were on a different level tonight.

At the show in a Beatles white album tour shirt. posted from the DrumScorps app

Just caught this: Reveal at 5:00pm EST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQBVW-DxNHA As per official DCI live stream, a Dan Potter interview with Bloo program coordinator Dean Westman. Looks like it will be an open stream so you don't have to be present at the show or at the theater to get it all from the 'horse's mouth'.

Bluecoats gave me my first live drum corps experience in 2009 so they have always been special to me, so seeing them ascend and take it all in 2016 was pretty awesome. That show is just explosive, it took lots of things that had been experimented with and just said f-it, we are going to do it all in one show. That show is just non stop excitement. If you just listen to it it’s pretty old school exciting high octane in your face drum corps. That show though looked like nothing else I had ever seen in DCI. The uniforms, the way they played with vertical space, the prop usage, etc. was just all done incredibly well. I’m not saying everything they did was new, but no one had done it that way all together before. So that’s my pick. Also shout out to Carolina Crown in 2013. I caught them on their way to Cali preseason and I had a pretty special feeling after that rehearsal. It was fun seeing how that show progressed since I had seen it before the season started. Some pretty special moments in that show. Was cool having some first time champions this decade.

I’m honestly wary of how easily folks discount the difficulty of what BD guard has been doing these recent years... This show definitely has more of the “ooh “ and “aah” tricks than usual, but as always what makes their programs so difficult IMO is the style and the exposure, not the eye-popping tricks. I wish people posted better footage of the guards, the way they do of drumlines, so that people can take a closer look at what BD’s hands and bodies are doing. Their stuff is SO uniquely hard to clean and make look consistent from up top. I still can’t get over the fact that, in 2017, they did a crazy intricate, minute-long flag feature while parked on the 50 in a *basics block* at a one-yard spread — a lunatic thing to do! You’re practically begging for people to spot the flaws. People called it easy, but man. I’m super glad they’re also showing us they can toss as well as the other big boys and hope it gets them back on the podium. But their recent run has been as difficult and great as they always were. I’ve got nothing but respect.

1984 Garfield Cadets: this was a masterpiece in it’s day and stands up to this day. 1989 SCV: 88 was probably a cleaner version, but 89 for me had more impact. 1991 Star of Indiana: amazing drill, all of what Zingali started with 27th, then continued with Cadets, came together with this show. 2013 Crown and 2016 Bluecoats: I was there, and nothing beats seeing a first time champion crowned, no pun intended for the folks from Fort Mill, SC.

Hype or excitement? Isn't this the Boston Crusader 2019 thread? I for one appreciate the support from our supporters. As I enter my 41st consecutive year with the corps I am very excited and confident. I look forward to watching the kids, going crazy and supporting as best I can. 2019 should be the best edition of the Boston Crusaders to date. Eat Em up!

Alright, I jumped on my computer as soon as I got home and typed this up really fast. Haven't read anyone else's impressions, so these are my thoughts without a lot of other input. I sped wrote this, so sorry if there are typos or sentences that don't make sense! I'll edit after I post. Missed doing this last summer. Phantom Regiment - I am Joan Things I Liked: I do think the brass arrangements are better this year than last, some nice moments in there. Percussion had a lot of time in the spotlight and did a nice job overall. I definitely got the overall arc of the show and what I think they were trying to portray. And the uniforms at the beginning of the show were nice. Things I’ll Watch Develop: Definitely lots of cleaning to do, maybe a little more than years past. A big question mark for me was the whole color scheme, the first guard costumes looked ok against the all black, but then the male guard members had those on too and bled in. And then the corps proper changed into something that looked exactly the same as the colorguard. It was hard to follow where they guard was, which was a theme tonight for a few shows. The ballad especially, I felt like the guard could have been being used a lot more effectively. I’m not sure about this one yet, there is a lot of potential in places but lots of places that they’re going to have to clean and develop. We’ll see. Placement seemed fair. Blue Stars - Call of the Wild Things I Liked: Their brass has developed such an awesome sound, some really fantastic moments. Very early into their show I knew we had taken a step up. Percussion is really great too, I love the way the approach writing and playing. Uniforms are cool, the show aesthetic as a whole is really nice. People wanting some run and gun drill need to check this show out, some really cool stuff again this year from Kevin Ford (I think it’s still him?). Colorguard has a ton of great exposed moments that will really shine by seasons end. This show does a great job of portraying their trek through a wintery landscape. The props look really nice. Things I’ll Watch Develop: They just need to clean clean clean the drill. Those box rotations and meshes are really exposed and will be really cool if they end up being able to pull them off. I wonder if they’re going to flesh out the theme more, there is room to really go for it more in spots. But overall, very nice opening from them! The Cadets: Things I Liked: I love the opener, really cool fanfare mixed in with some old school run and gun type stuff. Props are used pretty well from the get go and throughout the show, some really striking moments on those. They interact with and stage them in a ton of ways. Some of the better prop usage I’ve seen this year out the gate. Estancia is VERY intense, I love the usage of different voices in the brass to highlight the intertwined drum features. Clever stuff. All sections seem pretty strong and/or have the potential to be pretty strong. Lots of really cool moments for each section to really shine on. Seems pretty well written for their talent level. Things I’ll Watch Develop: Only things I was not a fan of was the synth stuff towards the end of the ballad, eh. This show has a lot of tone changes that work really well, but not sure if that is one of them. Vocals in the drum feature after that (the do better stuff) hmm. Not sure how I feel about those, but the playing is awesome. This show is going to be one that grows all season, I can tell there are moments to be fleshed out, cleaned, filled in with choreo and the like, etc, but I think it has really strong bones. I can follow the thematic material that they put out in the show announcement pretty well, so I think just keep doing what they’re doing, continue to develop it, and it’ll be really intriguing. They are a little far back in terms of having the show on the field and cleaning but I think there is huge potential there for this show to really grow into something special. I really like it in spots, just still in its early stages a little more than the corps above them. I could see this becoming one of my favorites by the end of the season for sure. Boston Crusaders - Goliath Thing I Liked: All captions for them keep getting stronger, it’s incredible how fast they’ve gelled as a team. Brass especially took another big step this year. This show is a blast, tons of very emotionally captivating moments throughout, and lots of variety in those emotions presented. The David and Goliath arc is definitely there, we haven’t had a ton of story or story-esque shows as of late, but Boston Crusaders have really pulled that off well the last few years, and this year is no different. I think my favorite part is definitely the Rocky/My Shot mashup. So fun, high energy, and has some seriously cool stuff in there. The trombone/herald trumpet feature is easily the highlight of the show for me right now. Colorguard is fantastic, that goes without saying. Lots of great staging throughout, and I think they use their props very well as both a way to shape the performance space and interacting with them. Overall this is a great package for them. Things I’ll Watch Develop: The back part of the show, starting with the Tears for Fears part does feel a little less developed, but I know that’s just going to evolve and get fleshed out as the season progresses. Other than that I think just committing to the character of the show and continuing to emphasize the story and strengthen that and they’re set. Nothing stuck out to me as bad or needing a lot of work. I think they just need to clean and evolve and they’re set. Carolina Crown - Beneath the Surface Things I Liked: I will say from the get go I do like this show more than Beast. Brass is obviously a strong point again and I really like the overall aesthetics of the show. I think the real star is the drumline, they’ve found a swagger and level of excellence this year and last that is a joy to watch. I think the back half of the show really shines, the way Gabriel’s Oboe is shaped is just phenomenal and the closer is very energetic and fun. I think it’s also when the props find their best usage, some cool interactions with the colorguard. Overall this is a very strong showing out the gate for them. I think this show is a little easier to get into than Beast was. Things I’ll Watch Develop: I think the front half could develop a lot more, especially in terms of the props. They remain in the same zone for around five minutes before there is a lot of interaction with them. Stage and front ensemble staging doesn’t feel super necessary to me? It does allow the drumline to be center stage on the front sideline right on the fifty, but I feel like that’s at the expense of the drill the rest of the time. I need to see it live, but the ballad especially being behind all that reminds me a little of Cadets in 2014 with their stage and just making the corps feel really far away. Guard bleeds a little into the corps proper a little much for me as well. But overall no glaring huge issues, nothing I think they can’t fix. I’ve read up on the theme and while there are moments that I think it comes across, I’m interested in how they continue to flesh out the show in that regard. I think they’re very strong out the gate, but have some questions in terms of GE longevity. Bluecoats - The Bluecoats (lol) Things I Liked: WOW. This show, like every show of theirs since 2016, has such a distinct feel to it. From the overall aesthetic, to the arraning style, to the overall flow of the show…...they’re to me the most sure of who they are and how they do things. Glad to see this team together for their seventh season, it shows. I love the way the uniforms, props, guard costuming, and silks all play off of each other. There’s no bleeding into each other, but they all still compliment as a whole. All sections seem strong once again this year, percussion especially seems to have taken a leap forward. Musically this is definitely Beatles but in such a Bluecoats way. Thrower and Rarick have been my favorite duo for awhile now and this year is no different. Elanor Rigby in particular is just woah, reminds me a ton of the Shaker Loops/Electronic Counterpoint stuff leading into the ballad in 2015s Kinetic Noise. Which is awesome because that’s two of my favorite minutes of drum corps ever. Blackbird is also another highlight, another great Bluecoats ballad this year. Staging is very solid throughout, they know how to direct your eye. I think the most fun thing about watching them though is how much they obviously enjoy performing their show, I can’t think of another corps that gives off the kind of performance energy they do. I think this is another very strong vehicle for them, awesome job tonight! I was FLOORED when they finished. Things I’ll Watch Develop: I will say going into this show I am probably not as familiar with The Beatles as I should be, I can tell there are some distinct characters in each section that I feel like relate to each song in that section. I need to go sit down and really immerse myself in each song and read the lyrics to see if that helps out some. It’s one of those things were something is most definitely going on, I’m just not entirely sure what. Probably a me problem. But that’s really it. I don’t see any weaknesses. This reminds me of watching 2016 for the first time. I need to see what BD and SCV are doing, but I feel good about this one. And even if it ends up 23rd, I'll still love it.

turns out the Bluecoats could learn a few things from SIR Paul McCartney. He knew how to maximize the use of a bass instrument, not just push a button for goo.

Agree 100%. I was actually a little bored by everyone else. BTW - if Boston’s show is about the underdog as they say, shouldn’t it be titled David? And not Goliath.

I have to be honest as a woman and a survivor; It was disturbing to me seeing her being thrown around and her dress being ripped off.

They repeated that one line way too many times.

The CONSTANT narration really kills the enjoyment of the show for me, it's very juvenile.

Yes they can. It's going to come down to growth and comparison with BD and SCV in the mix. Crown has a very good show.

Anyone else’s theater clap during Crown’s company front?

Crown has gold on the mind. Wow. Biggest reaction from our theater by far

From a purely marketing standpoint, those t-shirts are going to fly off the shelves.

Before the season officially starts this evening, I would just like to thank the Boston Crusaders as an organization, for giving me as an alum a corps to be proud of for all these many years. NO matter what happens this season competitively, you will remain #1 in my book!...although I feel high placement will not be a problem and actually be quite good this season in particular based on what I've already seen and heard... A championship is inevitable in your very near future...I can see that quite clear now...you have been on an unbelievable trajectory since 2017 with an ALL-STAR staff and honestly I can only see that to continue in the near and distant future as well... I would like to give a special thanks to ALL the the staff over the years, the volunteers, the corporate donors, the sponsors, and also very supportive alumni base and fans of the Boston Crusaders. Without your help and support it would not have been possible for the organization to exist today...and last but not least the concerted effort of blood, sweat and tears from the many members over the decades themselves... Thank YOU! A special shout out to the 2013 rendition of the Boston Crusaders...I can't say enough for this emotional performance which brought this alum to tears...you WILL rise GIANTS!!!

I honestly thought this was going to be... Bluecoats VERSUS Blue Coats debate ...lol

Anything that I won't get questioned on by the Ayatollah on the way out the door. Her: Is that what you're wearing? Me: What's wrong with a 35 year old Garfield Cadets t-shirt?

It is rainy and in the 60s here in Detroit. I’m glad the show is indoors tonight!

No doubt, but it wasn't ONLY money, as some would have everyone believe. With a salary increase, a 5 year deal, unfettered creativity, staff selection, top level traveling accommodations, MM development, daily rehearsal management, etc., etc. I would say all of that is the incentive to move. And it wasn't like BAC was devoid of talent. A new direction was needed for Boston. A staff capable of providing direction and expertise to help RETURN Boston to the top level was needed and obtained. What may have been the seed for the move for these folks, was the environments they were in, were no longer acceptable to them. That seems to be a hard concept for the supporters of their former org's. to understand. Maybe the staff had grown tired of what they were doing in the manner they had to do it in. Maybe they tired of interference in what they were doing. Maybe they were being paid peanuts, if they were getting paid at all. I don't know what all the reasons were but I am certain it was not only about money. If you believe that, you are kidding yourself. The BAC org. and BAC alums are thrilled this staff is here and fully support what they are doing. For a corps as truly old school as Boston is (and there are alums to prove that out) to accept the changes seen over the previous two years is testament to the drive and desire to be a top level corps. And Boston sports teams are examples how management, staying out of the way of the personnel who create the success, can become successful organizations. But that's not a unique formula for any successful, sustainable organization or business. Hire the smartest most talented people you can, give them all the tools they need, commit to supporting them, then get out of their way and let them do their work.

We’re having the gang over for snacks and drinks. Stephan, Ramon, Lucas, and your host. No agenda. Stephan is calling it The Motor City Battle For The Bronze. Stephan has to put some silly title on everything, but that’s Stephan. All enjoy! See you at the movies.

The word dentist doesn't get me riled up. 😂

Even if they were 5 points back from Bluecoats tonight I would 100% believe they would have a better chance of beating Bluecoats than I would have last year if they were 0.1 behind Bluecoats at the opening show. This years show is exceptionally better.

As I get older, I’m starting to care less about placement and much more about being entertained. After seeing clips of BD and SCV (two very good and entertaining shows)... this looks to be one of those years where I will leave smiling prior to the scores being announced. I’m excited!!

They sure do. Design is SOOOO much better than the past 3 years, IMO.

They were all left speechless, that's for sure!

I appreciate the live commentary folks seeing as I'm stuck at work! Thank you! Good luck to everyone tonight! Go Crown!

Pulled out my Crown socks tonight. posted from the DrumScorps app

I am gonna turn off my phone when I get to the theater and just enjoy the shows and then talk about them when I get home. I didn’t have a chance to do any show reviews last year, so I’m really excited to do those again this summer. Hope everyone has a fun night, can’t wait to see these shows and kick off the season.

What do you mean “almost”? 😂

I would just like to say, the rest of the internet is terrible. I’m 32 years old and have given up on all forms of social media. My husband still posts pictures on his various pages of us and our son when we do fun things, but I don’t want anything to do with that. This site has gotten bloody ugly in the last 4 years and it’s incredibly disheartening. There has always been disagreement, but jeez, everyone needs to calm the fudge nugget down. @barigirl78 Thank you for sharing your friend’s reaction. I hope their first read was just a rough one and this show ends up being phenomenal, but regardless, thank you. I’m very jealous they have seen it and I haven’t. I’m still going to be excited!

Tonight the world will find out that the 5th Beatle was not Pete Best. It's a cool cat named Thrower Rarick!!! Eleanor Rigby may be their masterpiece.

do you mean necklace? Neckless would be quite the funny look.

I will be at Ford Field. Cannot wait. I'm intentionally avoiding knowing too much about any of the shows, and looking forward to seeing some crazy talented kids entertaining all of us tonight.

I can’t. There are too many.

New footage looks pretty good. The very beginning will cohere soon, I’m sure. Been awhile since the guard looked THIS ready to kick butt before the real tour started. I’m excited!

Oooh this one is soooooo hard. It might be Cavies 1992, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2019. But Cavies have won each DCI season since 1972. Hahaha. 🙂 HM: Phantom Regiment 2008

I'm sold on everything through the ballad. Everything after the ballad seems like a total mess right now, both musically and visually