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Old habits die hard from some old balls who can’t let go of the only thing cool they’ve ever done in life. This is their one shining moment and the hill they’ve repeatedly shown they’ll die on. They’re not cool enough in life to find other great successes so they hold onto this like it’s a lifeline. This was the only thing some of them had as an identity. Their “4-touchdown Al Bundy moment” it’s male fragility at its worst. Hindsight, it’s caused some younger alumni to come forth, sharpening their poking sticks in defense for new members and methods of operations. The corps now has one of the best retention rates due to the experience they provide and the inclusive policy has permeated into the rest of the org.

All of those plus the Cavaliers my Dad always enjoyed. He didn't get to see much of today's corps, but the few times we watched video of recent DCIs, he wasn't as overwhelmed by today's corps, their instruments, props etc as many are. He knew at heart, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I always remember Troopers and 27th being my fathers favorites (along with PR.) Granted he wasn't a musician by any means, but he loved the look of those two corps. I do though think he genuinely appreciated what all the corps put out on the field.

I tossed the old Premier HTS on the stand the other day and tried to practice for about 30 mins. I quickly remembered that it ain't like ridin' a bike. At the ripe old age of 50, the mind is strong but the hands are unwilling.....

Stop playing on the internet & go practice.

It's really a shame that there is so much division within the Madison Alumni. United they are massive and could delivery so much support and momentum for the corps. Times change, get over it. And they've doubled their possible recruiting pool. The analogy with Cadets was great above. Wouldn't you rather have a thriving Scouts corps with the Madison culture, regardless of what sex the members are? Or do you want to live in the past and be negative, toxic and unsupportive of a corps that you proclaim to love? The attitude and behavior of some of the Scouts alums reminds me of the #### show that is Auburn (and to a lesser degree Texas) where high roller alums feud and try to control rather than support their university. Note, I'm not making this a personal rant against any individual - just an observation from watching all the vitriol amongst Scout threads. Phantom almost imploded from somewhat similar negativity and clinging to the past - which hurt them financially and led to the loss of an all star design team in the late 2000s. Thank goodness people came to their senses after 2019 and realized things had to change, and change now. It seems to me that a healthy, competitive entertaining Scouts that retains a great membership culture would matter far MORE than all the tradition bull crap. They can still be the Madison Scouts, with a fiery brand of entertainment regardless of the minutia people are hung up on. One of my closest Drum Corps friend's son marched Madison this past summer and immensely enjoyed the experience. The activity NEEDS Madison to be relevant and entertaining and competitive again. And the org needs the alumni to set aside their differences and positively support the corps. Those who can't should just go away. I'm rooting for them. Go Scouts! Harvey

After digesting all the staff moves, I'll take a swag... 1. Bluecoats - all star staff just got better, and they have huge momentum & enthusiasm. 2. Blue Devils - hard to imagine them not in the top 2, but BAC will give them a run 3. Boston Crusaders - technically great - but I still fell like the shows after Wicked games have been generally too dry, lacking emotional connection except for a few GE highlights. As much as I want them to, they don't move me. 4. Crown - so much latent potential not being optimized. Still waiting for a great show design. There hasn't been one since the Western Show. I'm going to vomit if we get another "right here, right now" oriented show. 5. SCV - The formula is fading & they miss JD 6. Phantom Regiment - amongst the group of Cadets, Cavies and Phantom, Phantom has the least turmoil and their changes were strategic and needed. Will be a big battle with Blue Stars. In JD I trust!!! 7. Blue Stars - Will hold on to their highest modern placement from last year, and could easily be 6th. 8. Cadets - hard to imagine their upward trajectory continuing with the continued soap opera with staff & leadership, and financial challenges 9. Mandarins- Could easily be 8th. They just get better every year. 10. Cavies - a bit of a wild card. Immense turnover is a huge negative, but Saucedo should help. Not as much as some think though, I don't believe. 11-14. This get's really tricky. Do Troopers rise with performance levels and can earn a finals spot with what will inevitably be a step back from 2022's incredibly designed show? There's almost no way to top that show design, but plenty of room for performance growth and maturity. I fear they'll suffer with the follow up just as did Academy, but hoping they don't. Colts seem to have found a great formula to maximize performance levels. Can they fill out a full corps and sustain that, bringing more power to the field in 2023? BK seems to have a solid underlying foundation but unproven staff leadership. I think some of the design team changes could help. Crossmen have so much internal strife. Yet they sit in Texas with a ton of talent to draw from. Can they unite internally and deliver a far better show design to match their talent? My guess... BK - 11th, Crossmen - 12th, Troopers -13th, Colts - 14th Harvey

Thinking Las Vegas would be awesome.....now that they have a dome.

Yep, still have the ticket stub. That was kinda pricey in 1972. A week's worth of all the neighbor's lawn mowing for me.

Mine's a 1971 Rogers Dynasonic. Definitely need the stand. I ain't carrying around this gargantuan thing and marching around the basement. Talk about losing your chops over the years, geesh. The basics are still there and all the rudiments played, but anything faster than 128 BPM, fuggitabout it.

It's always possible with Bloo. I loved their show this past year even though it isn't my style of drum corps really. But you gotta appreciate what these cats are putting out there in the top 12 especially.

i would love to see a Bloo win in 23, though i may be biased, considering how much time i have spent practicing for my audition coming up 😉 in reality, i would not be shocked to see Bloo take it home, they have reinforced greatly their already existing staff this year, and the morale of the members seems to be at an all time high.

I thought The Cadets props were used well.

And I'm both rooting for them and supporting them.

I did once but I can’t remember when. Or if it was with drum corps or marching band.

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Enter all spurious rumors and conspiracy theories below: #1. The Hurricanes and Sunrisers are in merger talks. The proposed name for the new corps is "Weather Report". #2 Should the Bushwackers join the coalition, this will be adjusted to "Earth, Wind and Fire".

I'm not the type of person to complain about "this should have won!" "this deserved it!" but another Bluecoats win would be awesome. I'm honestly surprised their only win was 2016 with how popular their shows are.

According to reports, DCA has reached an agreement with the Social Security Administration to begin pension distributions to everyone who marched more than 40 shows. In addition, refunds will be mailed to all audience members who have attended Finals over the past 3 years. The hope is that these gestures will incentivize corps member loyalty and offset audience dissatisfaction with the recent rapid deterioration of the quality of the DCA experience. The Caballeros and Buccaneers will be providing the bulk of the necessary seed capital, as soon as the sale of that famous bridge is finalized. The entire operation will be overseen by the DCA's newly named "Welfare Czar", the Easter Bunny.

Renegades are returning. New slogan, "Drum Corps is Pleasant"

You say that as if you think I made this up. So I guess you don't believe that Sky will play a tribute to Snoop Dogg next year, arranged by Dweezil Zappa. The DCA corps know they need to re-invent themselves. According to the survey at Rochester, half the crowd in the stands recommended this, and said something must be done or he wasn't coming back.