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I'm a self admitted homer for the Cavaliers. With that said, i can feel a little fire in their collective belly over last year's 9th place finish. And I can also rationalize that they did a pretty amazing job righting the ship after missing so many shows and having up to 40+ members roll out with Covid. I loved the old staff. And I'm already starting to love the new staff. Just from my anecdotal conversations, there is a "seriousness" I feel coming out this Spring that as a parent of a FMM I didn't exactly feel all those seasons he marched. And that 'seriousness" might come from finishing 9th with 4th-5th place talent. So...my prediction specifically for them? Back in the top 6. But might have a couple of aces up their collective green sleeves. Now...as a board member for Spirit of Atlanta, I can't be anything but thrilled about the "Spring Training- Let's GO!" energy going on at move ins at Jacksonville State this weekend. I think my "kids" in Baby Blue might surprise a few folks this year, too. But I'll finish the way I started. I'm a loyal-### homer when it comes to Drum Corps. So factor that in with anything else I say this season. 🙂

I'm not sure what the answer is...but as a parent of a FMM of Atlanta CV, something has to change with DCA. The vicious cycle of "There are no Southern corps" because "All the shows are in the Northeast" is a thing.

Re: Thom: Bravo! One of the best musicians our activity has seen, ever.

Oh I’m pumped. Let’s not forget who the Cavaliers were under the great Saucedos original works…

Exactly, and they know people in the know. Honestly, I can't believe people think Vanguard is going to be back. They are not. Even if they field a corps next year, they are not going to field a contender. Who in their right mind would march there after the way they handled 2023? I love Vanguard. They have been my favorite corps since I first saw them in '83 and this is the most devastating thing, to me, to happen in the history of this activity (again, I said to me), but I'm not kidding myself that they are miraculously going to be back.

I have no idea what to believe anymore considering SCV status. I know Send in the Clowns has been their song for decades, but I didn’t know it was also their management philosophy.

I'm in Mexico for a wedding, and met a prominent former band director and current band judge in So Cal. He said SCV is in debt over a million dollars and looking for a sponsor but no luck yet. Take if for what it's worth.

Very true. It will be interesting when the season premier, knowing no matter what BD does, there will always be those who is going to crap on BD Lol. I really want All corps to come out smoking hot, especially the top 6, Yeah but all corps, making BD summer an harder fight to even win. Regardless of being a BD homer, I want to see fierce competition from beginning till the end. With BD coming out on top of course Lol.

https://www.tapsacrossamerica.org https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTREwQj2F/ Would love to see DCI corps do this at 3pm their local time!

Wow. So much for the KISS principle. When I marched SCV (1984), the only conceptual dogma about being SCV was “Excellence is a Choice,” and it wasn’t written down. Literally everything else followed from that. It was LIFE. Granted, I do recall common sense vet discussions about behavior in uniform, but again, never written down. I just thought “duh” and moved on. Silliest to me was no running in uniform lol. Ok, ok, I’ll just quickly “low walk” (legit technique BITD).

right. everyone says it fills the busses. bus fees are the same no matter how many are on it. but a members tour fees at the top levels covers maybe 50% of their cost. so was it really saving money?

some of what ended up being presented and leaked publicly was agreed to by all. a lot of it was one person

It's more efficient and more poetic than other descriptions available when I marched... ‘The Way’ The tradition, philosophies, and inside protocol of being a Santa Clara Vanguard Presence No swearing in your uniform at all. This is out of respect for the people who wore the uniform before you and did the same thing. They are watching you all the time. No signs of affection in uniform. You may walk arm in arm, and that is all. You have plenty of time away from the corps to do what you need to do. Don’t swear in your corps jacket around [sic] other SCV people. When you wear your jacket, like your uniform, you are wearing everyone involved with the corps past and present. When you say thing it is often difficult to know who you are around. The walls have ears. Show respect for the star on the front of your jacket. There are people who have died and been buried waring that star. When you put your jacket down on the ground. Do not throw it down. Take the time and the pride to fold it neatly and lay it somewhere safe, where it won’t be stepped on or STOLEN. Fold your corps jacket with the SCV Star showing, it matters NOT what your name is, you’re a Santa Clara Vanguard. Do not Smoke, or Drink in your Jacket EVER! What you do on your own time is your business, take your SCV stuff off and leave me out of it. When you smoke at the hall, it is a basic rule of thumb to go off corps property. Never ever spit on the field of honor. (The Field of honor refers to any field you march on) You are spitting on me, you and all your friends. The field is your stage, it is good to you, lets you march on it, and do what you love. Never pick your Aussie up by the rim. It will bend, and it is disrespectful. Always hold is [sic] level in your left hand and be proud to carry it. Be courteous to people when with the corps. They will remember you long after you have forgotten them. NEVER ever litter! A true Santa Clara Vanguard knows how to take care of themselves, clean up after themselves, and leave things cleaner than how they found them. IF there is trash left from the corps on the field, it is your responsibility as a SCV to pick it up and throw it away. Swallow your pride a little bit, humble yourselves and do what’s right. You are the to thank the parents that feed you on tour and at camps. Thank every one of them as a matter of habit every time you receive food from them. The things you do in private with your friends are you business. When around other than SCV people conduct yourself in a matter with which upholds the name Santa Clara Vanguard. Responsibilities as a corps member RUN! SCV is known for being a very intense and hard working corps. Run to your sets because they mean something to you. Run because you want to make it better the next time around. Run because that’s ‘The Way’. Know when talking is appropriate on the field. If there is any question of that in your mind than [sic] keep your mouth shut. If you have a serious problem with an instructor, take it to your drum major. If harsh language is your problem, join the real world and GET OVER IT! You are not always going to be patted on the back and told how great you are in your lives to come. If there is one thing the corps will teach you, it is how to perform under pressure. Rise above; listen to the message, not the words. When you receive a correction, it is to be fixed forever by the next rehearsal. That means if you get a comment before lunch, you take part of your lunch break and fix it. You have a bigger responsibility to the corps than you will ever have to lunch. You owe it to yourself, you fellow members, and your predecessors. If you receive a comment more than once, YOU’RE WRONG. Practice what you preach or KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! “I can’t” is not even in your vocabulary. “I can’t” is the weakest thing a person could possibly say, and is unacceptable in the corps. Thousands of years ago the ancient Egyptians built the great pyramids. The mystique, awe, and utter greatness of that accomplishment is mammoth, and to this day baffles everyone that studies them. Though there is some question as to where the technology came from to build these works, it is certain that will power built the pyramids. Will power will enable you to accomplish things you didn’t ever know you were capable of. The power if human spirit goes well beyond what your experiences have led you to believe. I can = I will = I did. ‘The Way’ as an approach to rehearsal on a higher level. Never be afraid. Whether it be push-ups, one more run through, a new venue, cleaning, new drill, or new music, face every challenge with enthusiasm and zeal. When you conquer the challenge at hand, you will know true triumph and happiness in your heart and in your being. Take all criticism (positive and negative) to heart and as your own. This is your corps. When the staff gets after you, it’s not because they enjoy being jerks. It’s because they want you to be better than they were. You are the one of the field now and we all know that no one (especially you) enjoys a performance that sucks. Have the hearts and pride of a champion. The judges, the crowd and other corps, may not give you the recognition you deserve so put out to you maximum potential at all times and no matter what your score reads, you will be a champion. Feel it and know it your heart and mind. Approach all you perform with passion. If you can not be passionate about what you’re doing. You will never feel complete. Passion supports all emotion!! INTEGRITY: Doing what you feel in your heart is right, even if you think no one is watching. THE STANDARD: Similar to ‘The Way’ the SCV Standard is reaching far beyond what you feel possible. The Standard you set today is obsolete tomorrow. ‘The Standard’ goes hand in hand with ‘The Way.’ HUMBLE: On the field performing you can be as cocky, as brash, and as aggressive as your show requires. Off the field you are to be polite, and congenial while representing SCV. Being proud is encouraged, being rude and self serving is forbidden. PRIDE: Contrary to some conventional wisdom, having pride in one’s self is not a moral crime. Being proud of what you do and standing a little taller has no negative value in itself. Pride should be practice in harmony with humbleness. Hence the once said ‘humble pride.’ FOCUS: At times this activity will be chaotic. It is at these times when your rehearsed attention to detail and what you are doing will manifest itself positively or negatively. The more focus you rehearse with, the better your performing experience will be; and the better and faster you will recover from errors. Focus goes hand in hand with intensity. INTENSITY: Intensity is not an ugly face. It is the way you approach what you do. It is an approach with vigor. It is an aggressive approach that could be deemed intimidating. The eyes are the window to the mind and the soul. Your eyes speak volumes about what you are feeling in the present. Normally the more focus you have, the more intense you are. COMMITMENT: Commitment is a word largely thrown around by our sensationalist American media. When you are committed to something, your life should resemble that. When you join SCV, you are essentially married to the corps for the summer. You are married to the corps and have a commitment to learn you drill, master your music, polish you approach, and be at rehearsal. If you don’t learn your share, and drag your feet, your marriage will fail, and your summer will be lost. Marriage is not a part time job!! CHAMPION: A Champion is not necessarily a person who has the highest score in the end. Many people have gone through SCV and left their unforgettable mark on the hearts of the people whose lives they touched without ever winning a trophy. A true champion is a champion in the heart. A champion with no heart is not a champion at all. ‘The Way’ ‘The Way’ is much broader than what I have listed here. These are some SCV traditions that will lead you down the thoroughfare to ‘The Way.’ ‘The Way’ is an approach to life and what you do that you adopt [sic] while in the corps, and it will do nothing but help you when you apply it to life out of the corps. There is always more to learn about ‘The Way’ . This basic guide line only provides you with some traditions that SCV has acquired and passed down through the years. The Zen philosophy of ‘The Way’ is never in reality understood by every member of the corps. It is just understood by those members that open their hearts, minds, and bodies to it. Of those people, different people will take different amounts of time to gain understanding of it. Even then, they will learn something new everyday. Just as long as you’re making the effort to learn and giving 110% to the corps, you are on the right track. Never quit, take what you learn here, and apply it to your life. Once you have done that, you will be on your way to ‘The Way’.

165 is a number of mm’s you CAN go to, but you don’t have to. Some corps that had 165 last year, and could have 165 this year, may go back to 154 (ish) and save some money. Every little bit saved helps and does show some fiscal restraint/responsibility.

Always appreciate the admission of homerism while being optimistic 🫡

DCA should simply merge into DCI, with DCI creating an all age division. DCA is killing their membership by continuing on till Labour Day. University students and many high school students need to report for classes mid-August. And yes, have the all- age corps championship in Indy on Saturday,starting at 9am, finishing about 2pm, with the winning corps doing an exhibition at finals Saturday night. Fans would have the option of attending Sound Sport for free, or buying a ticket for the All Age/Senior competition. Win win for all.

And when it implodes, DCI (the Corps) will have no one to blame but themselves.

Always good to see the best uniform in the activity out in the wild. I’ll take what I can get at this point! https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs1V4YJLNhB/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Last I read the decision to go 165 was a unanimous decision among corps directors (including Open Class), which means every single corps large and small voted for it. While the result may benefit larger corps, and even if the vote was proposed by Crown, the vote hardly shows that it's about keeping the little guys (corps) down.

Well I said at the end of last season that DCI needed to absorb DCA so DCA can live. If I remember correctly people said DCA was struggling financially and most DCA groups already do DCI shows. While people only care about local think about all the other groups that don't compete because they aren't going to a non central location. Who drives farther than MBI and Govies? Now you have an option for every group to drive similar distances and possibly start groups in areas that are hot with marching bands. This would be the first time I'd even think of watching DCA now.

Great post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. For me, the 165 is less about finances than hurting the little guy. Let's be honest here - the corps at the top want to stay at the top. It's ALWAYS been that way. What's the best way to do that? Make sure no one comes up from the ranks and topples you. How do you do that? You push for policies that benefit you and hurt the little guy. It's the same across life. Those that win, win at the expense of those that lose. Most at the top (in all facets of life) care only for themselves and have little concern for those at the bottom. It's like the first world countries - they remain first world countries because they work to ensure the third world countries stay third world. Business is like that, too. DCI is no different. Look at it this way (and I know it's not happening exactly like this). We'll start with 2019 finishes and adding 15 members. BD takes 15 members from Bluecoats Bluecoats take 30 members from Vanguard Vanguard takes 45 members from Crown Crown takes 60 members from Cavies Cavies take 75 members from Boston You get the picture. Like I said, it's not going to work exactly like this, but this move definitely hurts the lower tier corps and makes it harder for them to get quality talent, because there's a lot more of that quality talent shifting upwards. The activity as a whole should have, and should, care for the activity as a whole, because when you don't there will come a point where there is nothing left, or very little left. It's in the interest of the top corps to care for the overall health, fair competition, and growth of DCI even if it's at their expense, even if they don't win. But, it's never been that way, and it will never be that way. Actually, it kind of was that way once - through Star of Indiana. Star did a lot to help other corps during their time at DCI, which is why the treatment they received by DCI, the judging community and the fans was so outrageous. At the time, I was ###### at Star for leaving and thought it was a mistake. Now, I applaud it and I think it was the smartest thing they did. DCI isn't fair, not in how it operates or how it's judged.

Colin McNutt doing the lords work and posting reels. Some intense drumming going on.

Yes, the activity isn't growing. And extending the membership just means more talented prospects flood to the top. That was not a wise move. It's just another example DCI supporting things that help keep the top corps in the top and make it harder for lower tier corps to move up. It just baffles me that lower tier corps vote against their own interests repeatedly. Granted I am assuming they have votes and power, I really don't know. So please correct/educate me here.

I've never said any of that was "the" cause of the Vanguard's demise. Vanguard's demise was due to simple finance - spending more than you earn. However, all of those things lead to a corps having to spend an insane amount of money to win. It's been this way for decades. It takes a lot to win, and one thing it takes a lot of is money and spending money.

That would be zero. Judges are, by my experience, some of the least knowledgeable people in the activity when it comes to how the sausage is actually made. They're mostly glorified fans with clipboards.

Like 2008!?!? Everyone I talked to in 2009 that had marched '08 kept telling me just how fun it was to march that show, and when that happens, everything just clicks... The proof is in the pudding with the momentum it gained in the final weeks of '08...

Not public, but if you'd like to watch the designers talk about the show, here's the Phan-a-thon replay. You'll have to skip around to find them in the 7 hour production.

The Brass sounded great this week. The battery also seemed a bit more aggressive so it looks like it will be a good year on the musical side. They also have a female snare drummer which is a nice add. The drummers seem pretty excited about the new percussion staff. The guard also likes the new staff there. The question mark for me is the Guard, they looked really young to me. However these are the first few days and with a new staff andit is difficult to get a good read, but there is a lot of enthusiasm there. They decided to let recent Alumni volunteer and that provided some great and very helpful assistance on the food truck and in the sewing. One change that was made from tradition was putting the silverware at the end of the chow line instead of at the beginning at the urging of members, who seemed to like that change.

The brass is reported to have taken a step up from last year. If you happened to enjoy Phantom’s closer last year, I definitely did, then fans should be excited about that. If the MM’s are that hyped about it, it’ll show in the performance🔥

They always are they will finish 1st or 2nd.... as usual lol

I personally expect BD to be on fire this year.

BD will be fine as normal

Cadets in the local Erie news

They were so Stoned they had an Awakening

I hope that comments on how dumb DCI is for what has been happening through the years is viewed with the understanding that there is a distinction for the assigning of the “dumb” characterization should placed on either DCI the org or DCI the corps. Both can certainly be guilty of “dumb” by not looking at the immediate and long term impact of decisions or chosen direction. DCI the corps are mostly responsible imo as they choose what benefits the few with little regard for those who are not in a position to join in the arms race, such as membership size, touring schedule and costs, instrumentation, electronics, so on and so forth. Some have lead the way and been successful and aren’t concerned about the have nots. Others have found a way, over a long time. Others just can’t seem to get it together. DCI corps still control it. DVI org does not. The corps chose to go to 165 members. And it doesn’t mean you must. Can you afford it? Corps chose giant FE’s, (4) 18 wheelers, huge massive props, expensive staff salaries. The key word is “chose”. Could DCI the org stopped them? Maybe, but likely not. It’s not their role and DCI the corps, wouldn’t allow it. My point is, when criticizing or blaming DCI for all the activities ills (and there are plenty), be sure which DCI is responsible for what is being pointed out. Now back to regular programming of the failings of SCV.

Wow glad to see you 🙂

I can't be the only one that sees an incredible amount of hypocrisy here. The MM's can't swear in uniform or in the corps jacket, but the instructors, many of whom I would guess ARE SCV ALUMNI are allowed to instruct using "harsh language"???

Very appropriate for SCV.