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I’m a bit surprised at how relatively little love there is for Crown 2012. It’s one of the most ambitious shows I’ve ever seen, and in any other year where BD wasn’t quite as strong, it would have won. Also, it’s my favorite Crown brass book (and Crown hornline) ever. Anyway, For the Common Good gets my vote. Tilt is a close second for its lasting impact on show design today.

This all sounds exciting, but I am continually learning to save my excitement until August.

I hated Tilt.............cause Bloo didn't come out west to Cali and grace us with their presence. Yea i am still pouting LMAO.

Rumors are a certain west coast staff is moving en masse to Pio. They will be bringing Stravinsky with a twist of 80's pop culture nostalgia to the field for Pio's 2020 production "The Rite of Irish Spring". I'm hearing they are shooting to be clean as a whistle.

I wouldn’t want to begin to guess. This team is way more imaginative and creative than I ever hope to be. I will give the same advise to them as I did last year ... don’t listen to me ... just do you!

Please don’t try and make it seem like you never do this as well. Many people around here, myself included at times, are guilty of the same thing. That’s generally what happens when people are passionate about a certain topic. It sometimes goes off the rails and I believe we can all do better in trying to avoid that, again myself included. As for that other stuff about his experience level with drum corps, I’m not typically a fan of this “papers, please” mentality of requiring that someone prove their level of direct involvement with drum corps in order to offer an opinion or even criticism. (Must attend a certain number of shows every year, must contribute x amount of dollars, etc.) There was a time when I felt a bit stronger about it, but not so much anymore. I even challenged Cappybara about it a few years ago when he himself pointed out his lack of experience when talking about inside member/staff/judges stuff. I wrote: “Sorry to be so blunt, but this would be one of those times when I believe that your complete lack of experience in this regard should probably tell you that you'd be better off not saying anything at all. In this particular instance, if you've never experienced marching in drum corps at the world class level, you'll never truly get it. And yes, I realize that saying such a thing can come off as extremely condescening, but again, in this instance, I think it's true and I stand by it. Experience does occasionally matter when it comes to things we post here.” Cappy couldn’t have been more gracious in his reply if he tried, writing: “Hey I totally understand. I'm sure this is the type of thing where I have to experience to believe, which is why I never posted after someone told me I need to march to experience it. Unfortunately I'll never get the chance to march even though I'm still within the age to.” I then reiterated my stance to someone else who responded to me, after which this excellent reply came in from a veteran DCP poster: “I totally agree. But at the same time we can't ‘dismiss’ opinions of folks who haven't marched. A lot of great observations from that perspective also. Cappybara is one of our best DCP contributors - we don't always agree, but they are just as valued as anyone else. Everyone seems to get that too.” I then replied to Cappy, saying: “Thanks for taking my comments in stride, and for not ascribing any ill motives on my part where there were definitely none intended.” Definitely one of the more civil debates one would see around here, I would say. Cool heads all around. By the way, that excellent reply from a veteran DCP poster was written by George Dixon. And it truly was an excellent reply. 🙂

Design team is NOW meeting in New York for the long weekend...as they've done for the past few years. 🙂

Slow Ride in a Fast Train

1st or 2nd interchangeable. ONE judge determined the outcome for BD. However, I do not begrudge BD's win. Flip the results and you could have the same argument. The one that really gets me is SCV. Early in the season I firmly expected SCV to medal. Their show early on looked great compared to the competition - even beating BD. However, by the end of the season, it was GLARING how little they moved while playing anything remotely difficult. The running to spots, playing, little vignettes became repetitive - almost comical in design. The mic'd brass sounded so artificial. Watching them perform after Crown who burned soles into to the turf with rapid movement and glorious musicianship, I was convinced that, finally, the judges would reward Crown with the bronze - by a healthy margin. Disappointed it did not happen. Oh, well. We move on.

I agree. I liked the original closer as well. Classy ending. Frankly, the Bluecoats show right out of the gate from day 1 was basically a championship caliber show. I, too, felt that as BD got closer (and I knew they would) that Bloo would have to react and generate more GE. But who knows, maybe the judges would have liked the original ending better. Hard to say. I wanted Bloo to win, but I loved the BD show, too. I'm not upset at result. Both corps were deserving, but Blue Devils definitely put on a cleaning display. That along with their guard to prop up the visual number is what ultimately put them just slightly over Bloo. It's a good lesson for all the corps. If you want to win, you do have to clean clean clean. Bloo was so close and so good. I do think both Bloo and BD shows will age well. The two corps are so different, yet much alike, and I love the products they are pumping out.

Did you even watch BD's show? They have TONS of individualized movement where each member does their own thing. Even the removing of the jackets/shakos was choreographed with them each doing it differently as their own unique characters.

I'm surprised there's no "FAN PACK" that includes hotel, tickets, and a happy hour with the corps directors.

Is this a poem?

such a charmer!

That was not only a game-changer, but just a great show no matter what the circumstances. BD in '14.... I didn't see them until the Thursday prelims cinecast, and was wondering how they had been running basically two points ahead of great corps like Bluecoats, Cadets, and Crown. In DCI, that's a huge point spread at the top. Then I saw Blue Devils... and fully understood why. LOL. They truly were in their own league that year.

I hear that. We had dinner, late spring that year, with friends who have ties to the Bluecoats organization... about a week after they had gotten back from a 'Coats camp. Our friends said pretty much the same thing... "You're gonna see stuff you've never seen before on a drum corps field." Man, were they ever correct!

Fully expecting to get smoked for the homer pick, but Felliniesque is the greatest performance i have ever seen live. Not even close. Thanks for playing, God Bless goodnight.

Felliniesque. I saw that in Ft. Wayne the night Bloo got within a point of it. That’s as close as anyone got all season. By the time the ballad sucked the air out of your lungs with the silent bits between hits, you knew you were watching the World Champions

I strongly believe Coats should have won and Crown should have been third Am I alone?

Yes, but someone else’s house ... in a different city ... but I would be happy to pick up his tab!

I meant August 2023.

So they are disgruntled and posted that for what reason? I guess Cadets made the right choice.

I know the guard team, You give me the Brass and Visual and Ill give you the guard team...

Well I guess he bloo us off.

It must be psychologically difficult to maintain a fan friendly show , which I think most on here would agree was the situation Bluecoats found themselves..Difficult, because the plaudits were ongoing from day one of competition..They "KNEW" they were loved and may have had a letdown by finals because they (particularly after thurs) probably felt good about their prospects for FRI. and SAT..The Devils , on the other hand, did what they always do...Clean, Clean and Clean....By Saturday, even I could see the improvement the Devils made over the last two weeks.,,So, most memorable show=Bluecoats..Most complete show=Blue Devils..IMHO..peace

I'm going to work my tail off all year, but I'm not going to get a shot at the big prize. What's my motivation to stay with it all year? If I'm the #2 corps all year, I wouldn't want another Potter-moment and give the impression that the only reason I won was because #1 wasn't here.

InfernoTiltCommonGoodTheBluecoats TiltInfernoTheBluecoatsCommonGood . . you get the idea...wound up voting for Inferno, but geez that was hard...

This is probably the hardest decision out of these threads. There are many 2nd place shows that are dear to my heart extending back to SCV 87 and Phantom 89. I am sure there are many more from the 70s/80s/90s that I haven't seen film on. As for this group. This group is host to 3 of my all time top 10 shows and 5 of my top 20. All 10 of these shows were phenomenal in their own right. I think it's also noteworthy that I like the majority of these shows MORE than ALL of the championship winning shows of the last decade. 10. Ouroboros- incredibly clean from start to finish. SCV had their act together. They moved all over the field too! Somewhat sterile and it didn't have the charm and beauty of SCV 12-16 or the power and awe of 18/19. 9. As Dreams are Made On- I liked this show and found it much more accessible than many of the BD shows from 10-14. I just can't separate it from Ink and they have too many similarities in my mind. 8. Re:Rite of Spring- I found this show to be very powerful yet interesting that BD would dedicate an entire show to this particular piece of historical music literature. It never really did take off though- leaving the door open for Crowns first championship. 7. The Beat my Heart Skipped- the most entertaining BD show from 2010-2015. In my opinion. 6. Dreams and Nighthawks- were as 19 was a 1/2 battle for BD. I felt the top 3 overall shows and the top 4 were all very close musically in 2018. This is my favorite hornline of those I have heard live from BD and I just can't get over those chords. I don't think any other corps can do that. GAP (sorry BD. Those shows are great but don't make my all time favorite list. The shows below do) 5. The Bluecoats- Absolutely genius musical arrangements and the Bluecoats at their absolute best. Fan favorite for sure. I can't wait to see what they come up with next year. Amazing how such simple, popular music can be arranged into a masterpiece 4. Tilt- Another one of the most well written and accessible shows of the decade. Simple concept, beautiful music. I still get a tear in my eye listening to Hymn of Acxiom...even though it's the creepiest song ever. My mom's all time favorite show. Funny I asked her after finals this year and she still picked TILT over the Bluecoats. 3. For the Common Good- this show is one of the most beautiful, clean drum corps to take the field and the show that started my obsession with drum corps after my husband took me to 2012 finals. This gets my award for cleanest, crispest brass of all time. Man this show is just great. The coolest thing was given the theming of Cabaret Voltaire and this show it was a total good guy vs bad guy. Now 1st and 2nd here are 2 of my top 4 and some days top 3 drum corps shows of all time. They are a virtual tie but I had to pick only one show. (If anyone is curious Kinetic Noise and That One Second are my other all time favorites). 2. Inferno- This is probably the most impressed I have ever been with a live show and my husband would argue that it's the best DCI show of all time. Their use of minimal props, guard, and acting of the hornline was unbelievable. Then there is how fantastic the hornline is in general. The funny thing is I liked it better than Kinetic Noise live but it doesn't get as much replay for me. 1. Mad World- Definitely my favorite Cavaliers show. It has the total package of what I am looking for in a perfect DCI show and that can't be overlooked. It has great, well played, accessible music; a killer percussion feature, typical mind-blowing Cavaliers drill, and a GE/story telling/impression giving component from the MMs that is unmatchable. This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life

Speaking of feeling alone, I thought I was the only one to notice. That feature in Eleanor Rigby, where they form four clusters around the mics and repeat the out-of-tune figures over and over... I have heard that if a lie is repeated enough, people will start believing it. If you repeat a musical phrase enough times, do people start believing it must be in tune?

Are you really asking, or...

For me the choices were Bluecoats or Bluecoats...I love Tilt so much, but this year’s show topped it. Inferno is my 3rd favorite of all these. Man, that show was powerful.

Tilt and Inferno

To ALL performers, staff, fans and DCA administration....Love and Prayers to you ALL. Be safe through your travels and Championships! Wish you all the VERY BEST!!!!!

I have heard a lot of people (at least in my circle of band/drum corps nerds) mention that if GE wasn't 40%, and music should be 40%, then we would have a different champion...blah blah blah. So I did a little math, and made this past year's numbers so that GE = 30%, Visual = 30%, and Music = 40%, and here are the results from Finals night. Corps- GE - Visual - Music = Total (+/- from 2019 score) {placement by these numbers} Blue Devils - 29.475 - 29.775 - 39.0 = 98.25 (-0.075) {1st} Bluecoats - 29.5875 - 29.45 - 39.117 = 98.1545 (-0.0835) {2nd} SCV - 28.81875 - 29.1 - 38.767 = 96.68575 (+0.08575) {4th} Crown - 28.89375 - 28.7 - 39.117 = 96.71075 (+0.14775) {3rd} Cavies - 28.55625 - 28.55 - 38.367 = 95.4735 (+0.0735) {5th} Boston - 28.125 - 29.0 - 37.317 = 94.442 (-0.046) {6th} Blue Knights - 27.69375 - 27.425 - 36.933 = 92.05175 (+0.00175) {7th} Blue Stars - 27.16875 - 27.65 - 36.467 = 91.285 (+0.06) {8th} the Cadets- 26.55 - 26.75 - 36.917 = 90.217 (+0.379) {9th} Mandarins - 26.6625 - 27.5 - 35.0 = 89.1625 (-0.1375) {10th} Crossmen - 26.1375 - 26.575 - 34.833 = 87.5455 (-0.0045) {11th} Phantom - 25.95 - 26.1 - 35.384 = 87.434 (+0.196) {12th} The only change in placement came with Crown jumping SCV based primarily on the spread in music. The biggest jump was the Cadets based on their scores being much higher in music than in visual or GE. In the end, this was just a fun look at what would happen if we went to a music heavy weighting as opposed to GE.

Yea maybe saying any other year was out there lol. I dont think it beats Babylon in 2018. But I do think Tilt would have won in 2013. Now I will go enter the witness protection program to hide from Crown fans.

1. INK - people hype up Inferno as the magical show as it was definitely the crowd favorite that year. But to me, this was the magical show, the one that had a storybook finish and all came together at just the right time. The ballad to the end was drum corps perfection 2. Cabaret Voltaire - severly underappreciated by the common fan, I'm still amazed by this show every time I watch it 3. Felliniesque - I doubt we'll see a show as clean and seamless ever again. Wish the ballad was longer 4. Babylon - the hornline just had an "it" factor and Shaw just outdid himself. Probably the strongest corps to beat BD this decade. 5. Ghostlight - the ballad is worth the price of admission alone 6. Between Angels and Demons - visual candy, I found the last third of the show to be somewhat uninteresting musically though 7. Metamorph - if the pacing of this show wasn't so lethargic, it would be towards the top of this list. Ballad is to die for 8. Through a Glasa, Darkly - the hornline 9. E= MC^2 - when I first got into drum corps, this was my favorite show ever. Looking back at it, it was a great show but didn't have the "sizzle" 10. Down Side Up - this is still a show I really love but if I have to compare it to other 1st place shows, it falls short. Dirtiest champion in probably more than a decade (with PR 2008 being the last one) and the uniforms were just 😕 Musically great though and I'm glad Bloo got back to actively using the best tool in a drum corps toolbox: trumpet screamers

As maybe the biggest Crown honk here... Yes, I was disappointed with those two results. No, I don't think they were "ripped off". Judges have their opinions and preferences. Sometimes they align with mine, sometimes they don't. There is no such thing as objective scoring in drum corps. It's all just opinions.

True. Given his "wrong place at the wrong time" track record. LOL. In a strange way, though... he was at the same time the unluckiest and luckiest guy in the world. Almost literally unbelievable.

IMPORTANT DCA INFO CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND CHANGE!!!! Due to impending bad weather including heavy rain and potential thunder storms foretasted for Sunday, the Executive Board along with the Corps Directors have made the difficult decision to adjust the Championship weekend schedule. After meeting with the Willismsport fire & safety officials the safety of the performers as well as the fans is of utmost importance. Therefore the weekend schedule will be the following: Friday's I & E & Mini Corps show / NO CHANGE Saturday, August 31st Prelims will begin at 10am Saturday, August 31st Finals will begin at 6pm Sunday, September 1st / NO CHANGE to the 10am Alumni Spectacular. Thank you to the city of Williamsport, Lycoming County and the Corps for their cooperation and willingness to be flexible with this difficult decision. PRELIMS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019 10:00am Govenaires Class A 10:17am Southern Knights Open Class 10:34am Sunrisers Open Class 10:51am Cincinnati Tradition Open Class 11:08am Carolina Gold Class A 11:25am Skyliners Class A 11:42am Columbus Saints Class A INTERMISSION 12:44pm Hurricanes Open Class 1:01pm White Sabers Open Class 1:18pm Fusion Core Open Class 1:35pm Bushwackers Open Class 1:52pm Caballeros Open Class 2:09pm Atlanta CV Open Class 2:26pm Buccaneers Open Class DCA FINALS WILL BEGIN AT 6:00pm on SATURDAY EVENING, AUGUST 31st ALUMNI SPECTACULAR, IS STILL SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2019 / INDOORS 10:00am Tri-Valley Brass 10:25am Reilly Raiders 10:50am Brigadiers Alumni 11:15am Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni 11:40am Freelancers Alumni 12:05pm Skyliners Alumni 12:30pm Crusaders Senior 12:55pm Hamburg Kingsmen 1:20pm Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni 1:45pm Special Exhibition by the Free Players

They are the Blue Devils, and they do have a solid brand and market value. That doesn't mean we try to harm a well-run organization because they win too often. That defeats the purpose of DCI competition. This idea is not fair to any corps that wins. DCI was created by the corps...not the other way around. The corps want to compete. Why would we want to limit the number of corps that compete each season (by telling the champions of WC and OC to stay home)? This also limits the opportunities for kids. Do we honestly think the fans would like that BD had to sit out a season? The fans want to see BD. This goes for whoever wins the title. I fail to see how we can be a youth activity by taking away opportunities.

Love the Chicago dog, but I prefer the New York Coney Island dog with hot mustard, onion, and chili.

I'm told that the brass and visual caption heads are set. This is exciting. I'm not sure who the new guard team is, but I know changes are being made.

no offense, but you're doing more to fan the flames than anyone

I think that's what the guy who came up with New Coke said in 198whateveritwas.

Honestly I think we are seeing two sides of the same DCI coin in BD and Bluecoats. One emphasizes freedom of performance within the show concept, the other emphasizes technical execution. It’s not that one is technically great while the other isn’t, but Bluecoats for example tell the kids to flash peace signs in their own way in certain places; I doubt you would ever see BD do that. Still, in DCI, certain judges will value technical execution over GE. This reality plays to the inherent and entrenched advantages that BD has as an organization: super established design team, they can pick and choose the most technically capable members, they can clean their shows to maximum technical execution down the stretch. While I am sure Bluecoats would rather win gold than silver, the crazy lines at the merch tables validate their approach.

it's north central PA. and it's Thursday. it can change a zillion times between now and then, in all directions.

"commences"? When did it stop? Did I miss it?

I think this mostly applies to all the ones #####ing about rumors being posted. People have been perfectly calm as they speculate who may or may not be leaving, any "conflict" in this thread is from the white knights jumping in

OJ was acquitted. And he was definitely guilty.