Leaderboard

I'm going to stay away from the subject about adding all genders to the Cavaliers line-up. But if we are talking competitive status, as you mentioned in the first paragraph, my initial reaction is that the 2022 Cavaliers brass and percussion did not have a chance to fully shine due to the music book construction and the overall design of the show. Even before Covid hit them hard I felt the show was missing key elements and the music construction was thick at times and hard to read, and at other times to compartmentalized which made thematic development difficult. I can make an argument that they had top 6 talent in brass and drums. Now I have no idea what Cavaliers staff and design team will do or who will stay and who will go. I never, NEVER, get on these threads and advocate for people to be fired unless they commit a criminal act. I wish all the staff and design people well and hope they continue to work in the activity and help these kids learn and perform exciting shows. In general, most staff and design people usually do not get fired, they usually just leave and find another place to work if they feel they need a change of scenery. I don't know what's been decided in Cavaliers-land but I hope they stay. They can design a better show than that and they can construct a great music book. They have great teachers. The members are talented. No reason to fold now. And let's be clear, when you lose 2 full weeks (and likely more as they waited for others to get healthy since they all did not get healthy at the same time) of meaningful rehearsals and your only performance experience for those 2 weeks is stand still performances then you are in a tough spot. By the time the corps was getting healthy all they could really do is clean. Sure they tweaked a few minor things, but mostly you have to clean clean clean or else you will be dropping even further. Now I am of the mindset that competition is secondary. Taking care of your members is first, and then making sure the members have a safe place to rehearse, perform, make music and march/spin. I applaud the Cavaliers staff for making the right decisions from that point on. I applaud their management for making sure they were taken care of and still got to enjoy tour and performance. That is really what matters. But if we're going to knit-pick the competitive aspects, the flaws in the music book and visual design were what hurt them. The fact that they still took 9th with that show, even with the Covid disaster, is amazing in my book. And by the way, it is not easy to design a show for DCI-level competition. Sometimes ideas on paper do not work out. Even great design teams have some rough years. The coordination of ideas amongst so many people is never easy.

Can you guys like make a gender topic and keep it over there and leave this for staff?

No one likes things when they're actually brand new. Instead they complain that they're not getting what they expect. Crown's show was a completely fresh take on the activity. I enjoyed it. I said from day one it's more like a Vegas or Theme Park show than a faux intellectual "look how deep and sophisticated we are" approach. It completely captured the attention of the audience as designed; that's the textbook definition of GE. If the judging community can't see that then shame on them. Yes they struggled with getting clean. I chalk that up to a new-to-Crown visual staff. I haven't loved Rick's past designs for outdoor regardless of his success indoor. But this show "worked". It did not need narration. It did not need useless and expensive props created by someone other than the performers. Instead the fabric actually required the performers to create effect themselves. IMHO this is a far better formula than "who can build the highest monkeybars and ramps and then stand on them while playing". Keep entertaining the audience, Crown. That's a GOOD thing. It's something I wish other DCI design teams cared a little more about.

Recap so far: Cavaliers: Daniel Wiles- program/artistic director ❌ Tommy Allen- visual/ guard director❌ Richard Hinshaw-drill designer ❌ Blake Dutton-guard designer❌ Geoff Longo- choreographer ❌ Jennifer Hinshaw- movement ❌ Dave McGrath- design consultant ❌ Madison: Tim darbonne ❌ visual cap head BK: tracy carter ❌ guard caption head Crest: Glen Crosby❌Program coordinator Am I missing Anyone??

After the last standing ovation at Finals, I turned to The Wife and said "I don't really care how they score it, that show was FUN!"

Finally the actual topic

I was in the Bluecoats Alumni Corps Friday night. This was special for me, as the corps invited Glassmen Alumni to join them. I haven't had a corps to call him since 2013. then, both Glassmen and Empire Statesmen folded, leaving me a corps orphan. I remember writing that as Empire left the field in Annapolis, then having to all but run to the bathroom because I was overwhelmed by the emotion and couldn't think of where else I could go so I could cry by myself. When the invitation came from Bob Higgins, who taught me at Glassmen, and Jay Wise, an incredible human being who gave up his chance to perform so the corps could be as organized as possible for this undertaking, I was honored and accepted immediately. It was during the Bluecoats run through the Sunday before Finals, as the alumni corps sat in the stands and gave the kids the drum corps version of the Care Bear Stare, that one thought popped in my mind: I have a home again. I have a corps again. All of a sudden, I couldn't see the corps anymore. I could only sit there, sobbing as quietly as I could, but this time with the joy of that thought warming my heart. I actually had to stop typing this up for a moment as the feeling came back from the memory. Then we performed. If you've seen the video, you have an idea of the power and emotion we performed with that night. You heard and saw the crowd's reaction. You even caught glimpses of the 2022 corps, on the sideline, returning the love we gave them Sunday night. If you were in the stadium, the impact was even more powerful because you were THERE. You were in that moment. You knew we were pulling off something special. If you were a 2022 Bluecoats member, I hope you know how much the alumni love and support you. I think you do, based on how much emotion I saw from you when the video cut to you. You will always have your Bluecoats family. And, if you were on that field with me, you couldn't help but be proud of what we all accomplished. We only really spent 10 days together as a full corps, 3 in July and the week leading up to our performance in August. Even after COVID tried to get in our way, WE DID THE THING. I tried out for Bluecoats in 1991, ironically when they played Nutville as their opener. It took 31 years, but I finally performed Nutville at DCI with the Bluecoats. I can say forever more that I AM A BLUECOAT. Six words.

Thanks brother! My son just told me he is going to audition for BD in a few months. Let's see what happens. He has a couple of corps destinations, but he is going for BD.

he's banned - so it's not happening & stop talking about him, put him in the review mirror and don't look back

with the season now behind us, i find myself returning to Tempus Blue multiple times per day. i have to be honest, early season i HATED this show. i thought it was bland, incoherent, boring, "cookie cutter BD", and worst of all, "playing to the judges." and i retained this mindset even when i saw it performed live in front of my own eyes at Corps Encore (although this was where i started to "see the light," if you will). i didn't fully appreciate this show until Finals night, but through the entire finals performance i was captivated. everything from the hype opener, the earworm Carnival of Venice, the MAGNIFICENT ballad, TANK!, and the tearjerk closer, it all had me on the edge of my seat completely enthralled. don't even get me STARTED on the drill cleanliness. that pinwheel is unbelievable. there is so much creativity, so much power and emotion in the show that i would be foolish to say it was undeserving of the win. i admit i was worried early season with a young corps, and the preseason performance being dirty (clean by preseason standards!) but by finals, it was perfect. this show is my favorite BD show of the past decade, if not of all time. it is so powerful, and on finals night the closer had me nearly crying from how beautiful it was. it is a testament to what the performers and staff can achieve, and an amazing example of why BD wins so often. so, a huge congratulations to the Blue Devils on an amazing year. congrats to EVERY performer that worked so hard to learn and clean this show. congrats to the staff for building such a beautiful program. thank you BD for a memory i will carry with me forever.

Not sure about currant corps members. But kiwi corps members? I hear they're flocking to Concord in droves! Sorry...it was low hanging fruit. Oh...wait. :-)

Want to keep your best members from going to BD? Treat everyone in your corps better

Exactly...Hungarian sabre fencer Aron Szilagy (who could whomp my tush on my best day with him at his worst) has won three consecutive O-Games medals....and is considered a threepeat O-Games gold medalist. Sorry, George....but you're wrong.

The definition of a three peat is literally three consecutive championships/victories. That this is even a debate is funny. No different than an Olympic athlete that three-peats in their event, which are held every 4 years.

It doesn't matter what "craft" kids have learned at another corps, a high level band, or wherever. The BD way of constructing/teaching/learning shows is a very different experience, and I have seen so many members attest to that. They essentially create big chunks of the show on the field, in real time, rather than hand the members something charted out in advance. It's a big learning curve for new members, no matter where you came from. They had 143 new-to-the-corps members and only 21 vets who knew the system this year, which was why there was a big question hanging over them early on about whether they were going to be able to pull off something of their typical level of excellence. Huge props to all involved that they were able to. The staff has been frank about saying it was a bit rocky early on and they had to slow down and alter their teaching approach until they could get so many new people locked into the method. It's all a unique learning experience and there is nothing unfair about people wanting to better themselves by being exposed to it, especially those who plan to go into the education field.

Why would MMs give up raisins to march BD? currant as apposed current.

To the alumni on this page, from a recent age out. Without y'alls support this never would have been possible. The current members fed off of your energy, your pride, and kept in mind the history of the organization and your words of inspiration, praise, and confidence helped the membership grow into where they are today. I personally cannot thank y'all enough for the support. I spent long bus rides reading the comments on here and from other alumni on other sites and it was always humbling seeing how much y'all believed in us, even when we just got off a 12 hour rehearsal day in Texas or Alabama. Thank you

Board member: Im tired of all this, but there's probably no way to destroy an organization overnight. Chaos agent: well ... actually...

The list of what we’re supposed to tolerate to go to a drum corps show, is getting very long.

This. To use an example from a different competitive activity...I'm a sabre fencer. I also teach, and one thing I do on the strip -- and which i find very difficult to teach -- is the idea of "randomly" moving my blade around so my opponent doesn't quote know where I'm going to attack. it may look random, but I know exactly where my blade is and can attack wherever I see an opening, especially if my opponent chases my blade. Watch the first touch from this vid of a team sabre match (2017 worlds). Hartung (on left) had no idea where Anstett (right) was going to go or when....but Anstett knew exactly what the plan was. That takes thought and training, even though it looked entirely random. (note...France ended up winning this match 45-44...probably the greatest comeback I've ever seen...and it was only a round of 16 bout....not even quarter finals yet).

well that was the mindset at that time. all for one, one for one

I wish we had. I am glad you and others got in easily, and it is too bad anyone got blowback for going directly to entrance, but hopefully they understand the level of frustration of those in the line who thought they were doing the right thing. am curious how the line wrapped around the corner got started - were people directed to do this, or did they do it spontaneously because there was no room on the sidewalks? In addition, it was DCI’s 50th anniversary, with plenty of older attendees, and not everyone has the stamina to walk down to the entrance to check things out and possibly return back to the line, especially knowing we have to walk around half the stadium once we get inside. Thank goodness it wasn’t scorching temperatures and wasn ‘t raining. Bottom line: the onus should not be on the fans to figure out how to navigate a chaotic and potentially unsafe situation. It speaks volumes about how much DCI values their fan base.

Whadda maneuvah

DCI hires the stadium. DCI is the client. The Stadium (and their subcontractors) are at their service, no? I'd suggest if their contract doesn't specify how many security metal detectors will be open, they sure as hell better add that. Why was this not a problem in the past?

We had intended to audition all the lead sops for that original solo and distributed the music to them beforehand. When it was Frank's turn he played with such gorgeous tone and hopelessly romantic expression that we halted the audition at that point. It was game over. He owned that solo. Whenever I encounter Autumn Leaves, in whatever context it appears, in my mind's ear I always hear Frank Pasquerella.

Still, it must be discussed. Without tradition, judges would never know how to reward its exact opposite.

Jim pushed and pulled that cakeZilla monstrosity around in ‘17. He felt it was very unsafe. He voiced his concerns on the Cadets volunteers Facebook page for the safety of the members and he was told he wasn’t a supporter of the corps. After that, I made it official and stopped donating $100 a month.

That’s what we’re here for!

I marched with, or toured with, about at dozen. And knew a couple more personally that I didn't tour with. The entire crowd was quietly on their feet to honor that moment. Instant tears. By the time they got to the 50 my knees were so weak that I had to sit up on the back of my chair. I told my daughter next to me that I don't know how I'm going to do this. The poise my friends needed to perform after that ... I cannot say enough about them @bluecoats88 🍁💙 More than a few others lurking here. But when the show started it was just so ####### fun that the tears paused. My throat hurt the next morning from all of the screaming and cheering at LOS. As someone who has a 1991 penny, let me say that I am glad to call you a fellow member. Thank you Kevin. 6 words, indeed.💙🍁

I assume you are just referring to moving from another WC Corps to BD? As opposed to moving from an OC to BD, which I think is perfectly normal and expected. Somebody has to teach the younger and less experienced folks. Corps where you audition not to compete for a place in the Corps, but to establish your baseline experience so you can best be taught. I think it's great that I've seen dozens of veterans from our little OC Corps move into Top 12 WC Corps, including BD during their later years. Do we miss the fact that our most talented often move on...well sure. But I'd like to think that when we see the excellence of BD and other Top WC organizations that we actually had a hand in preparing them for that.

yes, we had some members have to pull out due to medical or other reasons after the final numbers had been set and the drill was written. there was an invitation sent to a few Glassmen as well as family members of alumni. We had a small number of non Bluecoats alumni step up and fill the unexpected holes and we appreciated each and every one of them. Our youngest member was the 14 yr old son of two former members who were both marching in the Alumni Corps as well, so they all got to march together.

How bad was your ulcer after seeing '17 Bloo?? That #### ramp scared me all season, especially after that snare slipped in the first show run. I was terrified until the last tuba safely made it down at finals...and since they weren't winning, that meant no encore run to take another chance on.

He did. He loved Gold, the staff, the members, everything. Now he is prepping to make the jump to WC next year.

And for the record, I spent my time today celebrating with my son, welcoming him home from a fantastic first DCI year with Gold. So proud of him.

You know what I think part of it was? The Sunday before Finals, the Bloo Alumni had a chance to watch the run through of the 2022 corps. From the moment those 400+ alumni sat down, they were showing those kids with love and hype, and the corps fed off of it. The Bluecoats have had a strong bond with their alumni for years, but THIS moment took it to a new level, and the kids used it like a springboard throughout the week. Right before the run through, Finley, one of the drum majors, yelled that there was 50 years of history behind them and, literally, in front of them that night. You could sense the corps swell with pride at that moment.

Can we create a new topic on prop safety??? this is for staff changes

Congrats to Carolina Crown 2022 on a fabulous season! The show was so much awesome.

.

We are currently in the season where a bunch of DCP posters will smugly post about how they know something but won’t actually say what it is. It’s all just self-fellatio and happens every single year at this time of the year

I’m the hoi polloi rabble. No badge. 😂

more likely it was Bigfoot.

They haven’t medaled in 5 years and the talent keeps coming so maybe, just maybe, it doesn’t matter to them as much as it does to you.

In the words of a poster I have come to respect, it’s all good brother. 🙂

MY hill is number 87-89....SCV/SCV/PR

atleast 18 of the 22 pages of this topic has nothing to do with staff changes. This thread is stupid

The show design could have been better, yes. But they get paid to do what they do at Crown and everyone on here is behind a screen telling them what to do, and not even a few days after they finished their first tour in 3 years. Relax. It got 4th place, hardly a failure. All season I was caught up in numbers because Crown was doing well and I wanted them to score a certain number each night. But once Finals rolled around, and I watched that performance, numbers and placement meant nothing. Winning meant nothing. The crowd participated and responded. One of two of the loudest reactions that night. The show was fun and the brass was fantastic. CrownGuard is back and the percussion is much better than 2012-2014 (some would say it was a train wreck this year because of numbers). Might I remind people that the Leon May and Townsend team only won one championship. As fantastic as that team is, they only won once (I would argue they should have won multiple times, but that is beside the point). That one championship was years in the making. We are on year 4 of this design team and they have stayed consistently around the top 3 each year, which many corps would kill for if they completely overhauled their design teams. All of this to say, don't hit the "eject" button just yet for crying out loud. The design staff are in these positions for a reason. Did Crown try something risky this year? Absolutely. Did it work out perfectly for them? No, but watching multi-cam on Saturday showed me that what they set out to do was accomplished, which was to perform a show that got the crowd participating and that the show was fun to watch as well as perform. The look on those kids' faces tells me all I need to know. If you think drum corps is just about holding up the Founder's Trophy at the end of the year and that certain members of the design staff should be fired or just leave so that the corps can get that trophy again, then you are in the wrong in my eyes. Of course I would love for Crown to win again, but I just love watching Crown shows and listening to their godly brass. I hope everyone stays healthy and well, and I look forward to what next year brings. But first, let's just appreciate the fact that competitive drum corps is back after 2 years. It truly is a blessing that we still have it.

Rumor has it that Jay Wise, one of the main driving forces of the Bloo Alumni Corps, will be leaving his middle school teaching job to coordinate the next alumni corps tasked with performing at DCI World Championships...but he won't come cheap!

Crossmen have announced an ambitious plan for 2024...performances at San Antonio, Allentown and Indy. and a certain drum guy #### well better be involved

FINALLY, the Ghostbusters show we all have been waiting for!