Leaderboard

So, I made it to Castleton this afternoon. I recently retired from my job, and it is an amazing feeling of freedom that I can relax and enjoy the corps without having to even think about when I need to go home. That said, everything here is exactly as you would expect. The corps IS full, with no holes and morale is sky high. There seems to be 72 brass, 9/5/5 battery, a large front ensemble, and a massive, extremely experienced guard. Cool day today...barely 60 with a wind, but mostly sunny. This is year 6 for this senior staff, so it was awesome arriving here today and being greeted by the usual cast of characters. This, seriously, is comfort food, and as I get older, I'm not taking any of this for granted.

I’d much rather be in the stands watching the finished product of the smaller corps than watching the “big boys” practice. Plus, it’s a lot of people preening around in their corps jacket trying to look important.

I can remember shows where the Cavaliers or Belleville were warming up a ways from the field while our little corps and all of 19 horns were performing. After our number concluded, the crowd roared. We were thrilled. It wasn't until after the show that we found out the noise was for the warm up corps drowning us out.

Positively brilliant. Have you noticed how many people now experience live performances (like concerts, guard shows and sports events) at which they are physically present by literally watching them on their cell phone screens? I think there should be an official diagnosis for this behavior. As for someone holding a cell phone conversation near me at a drum corps show during a performance...let's just say I may go full New York on the individual. (I'm certain that's diagnosable, too.)

This season is probably the closest the show design has been to 2012 than at any time since that show (music wise). I don’t get the vibe that it’s dark at all.

I’ve been around this activity for 30 years and seen a lot of things. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard a brass book like the one I heard at Camp a few weeks back. Crown has spent the past decade and change playing a lot of notes… but this season’s book blows any of those shows out of the water. It’s absolutely insane what they are trying to accomplish.

Tickets are ordered.... c'mon Cavies! Time to announce your show!

But far more than the 1860's............

It’s staggering, and yet the tuition is only affordable to the upper mid-class, and tuition is insufficient to cover the costs. If you are in an economically underserved class, how can you reasonably join a corps? How is this a sustainable model?

PR reached their fundraising goal, so as promised, here is the Design Team discussing the 2022 show.

It’s very different though. Yes highly aggressive and a technical tour de force. But I think it’s still not gonna be what you may expect from a Crown show. The musicians (both brass and percussion) sure can play.

Me too. Loved the way they presented it, and loved even more what they chose. This has me excited, coupled with their momentum from last year and what from all accounts was a big step up in audition numbers and talent. In JD Shaw I trust!

I live in Virginia on the West coast of the Atlantic. California is on the East coast of the Pacific. My California relatives do not agree with this analysis 🙂

It’s almost 7 on the east coast. What’s taking so long? 🫠

Things tend to build up if you haven’t “performed” in two years

Had to laugh a little when I saw that in 1929 the class B winner of the national band competition was the Michigan Reform School...I don't know if it meant then what I came to understand as "Reform" School but half of my corps would probably have qualified to march with them..lol

after the last few years, i rule nothing out. well except stupidity, thats always guaranteed

I volunteer for a school district and a community food bank and had to go through two separate background checks…it’s pretty standard these days. As for younger folks to step up, it’s a major time commitment to go on tour and fewer people can make that commitment. I think volunteer hours should be included in any fund raising event a corps puts on and parents of marching members or recent age outs is a good place to start. After aging out elevendy million years ago, I came on board as a touring volunteer. Spent years of vacation time from my job “giving back”. Wouldn’t trade that experience for anything!

I see what you did there, but didn't know until i looked up the peom. If i am right on thinking on the direction this is going, i have to say I love when BD goes this direction. It pisses some people off lol, but I LOVE IT on how well they interpret these kind of shows.

I listened to the same podcast this morning. Another thing that stood out to me was that the current model is actually a reaction to student needs/desires. I am the parent of a current marching member and if it were to be another limited tour this summer he wasn't interested in marching again. He started in an OC group and is now in his third season with a finalist group. And I quote my kid "...if Drum Corps went to a shorter tour and shorter spring training, therefore easier shows, It is just more high school band and I did that...I'm out." We did the competitive sports thing too and it was just as much if not more expensive than Drum Corps and no where near as beneficial nor inclusive. If it were only about costs, the cheaper corps would be full and they are not. In fact, they are the ones with the most openings. Shorter tours...not the answer either as OC groups are on the look out to fill membership. I'm not saying that we should do nothing to help but when was the last time we volunteered or donated? Purchased a T from the souvie stand? A great way to give is to sponsor a meal so look on your fav's socials and make it happen. Donate to scholarship funds or start one up. Lend a hand when they stop near you; kitchens always need hands. Just do something...anything to make it better.

For our OC corps, the armchair math came out to about $90/day in 2019, though we didn't really count it like that. But including move ins, it was about 56 days total, so a much shorter tour. I do agree - I'm just not sure how this is sustainable in the long run, especially asking kids to foot a higher and higher bill. While I do get the argument that $5,500 is a relative bargain, it only matters if you have the $5,500 to begin with. 😞 Mike

It was the best of times....

honestly right now, i think stupidity is the largest issue in the world right now, and there's no cure.

Boston Crusaders 2022; PARADISE LOST List of source material was just posted on their Facebook page.

No idea what happened. But still going to comment that it is really tough to get all of this right. It may be that Vanguard is jumping the gun and poorly communicating. It may also be that Vanguard is jumping out in front of a situation and acting fast, as so many here and elsewhere have argued needs to be done in many cases. No idea. Just tough. Certainly impossible to please everyone + act quickly, especially if someone's safety or health is an issue + be mindful of due process + be attentive to liability issues.

Hypothetically, The Blue Devils could tour only one week prior to Indy and they would probably still win finals.

It was an otherworldly brass performance at semis. I thought I was going to cry.

i am so over standing in the lot watching lines play all this crazy stuff then later seeing them blow a tap roll on the field

Your comment reminded me of this scene for some reason... 😁 (Not a commentary on Crown's book; I'm ready for some clean notes.)

Just saw this for the first time, and I will say I’m more hopeful today than I was 5 months ago. If they stick to what they say they’re going to do, I full expect this corps to be back on the field next season. Good job SOA.

Scene: On a rainy evening outside the Newark Armory in 1970, three instructors in a parked car wait for the doors to open so Garfield's drill rehearsal can begin. Pete (Emmons): "We need a cool set for White Rabbit, something nobody else would do." Bobby (Hoffman): "Yeah, well how about this?" (Draws a Peace Sign with his finger in the condensation on the inside of the car's windshield.) Pete: "Wow! That's REALLY cool, but who's gonna figure out how to get them into that from the previous set?" Bobby: "You are, Mr. Trooper Circle." Me: (Speechless, thinking "Nobody's ever gonna believe this".)

I was walking to my job today and the smell of fresh-cut grass entered my nose. It brought back some great memories of drum corps. Today was a GOOD day.

It’s always this time of year that I miss living in South Carolina the most. Those easy drives up to G Webb to see evening ensemble were the best! Fortunately, Crown is doing two shows in the Dallas area this year.

I have heard them play thru the show music and all I can say is, ITS LIT!

Boston did receive a penalty at Quarterfinals in 2013 for the use of baby powder at their Quarterfinals performance. They abandoned it for Semi's and Finals performance as a result. In 2014 at Championships, performing their show " Animal Farm " they ended their show with a guard member displaying this in her right hand...

Frankly, BK has produced a bunch of great shows in the last 10 years. Funny, I remember watching them on espn in 07 and I told a buddy of mine that they are going to be something special. I still believe that.

Tim Hintons newest podcast talks to the directors of Colts, Surf and Madison, and a staggering thought came up, which i know has been debated in many threads here. the average cost to house, feed, transport and of course things like insurance is $9800 per kid...and dues run in the $5k range. they specifically stated the costs that led to that number, of which equipment, props, uniforms/costumes etc weren't part of it. so for 60-70 days of housing, fuel/bus and food is $9800 a kid. so say $165 a day. think about what you spend a day on food, travel and housing.

I loved the 2014 show, “That One Second.”

I personally loved BK 2019 show and would highly recommend that you give it another watch, as its musically one of the best shows of 2019 imo. So much thickness their sound wise, and I think if they had better visual package they would have been more competitive with BAC. This is not a knock to BAC as their show was great, but rather how strong BK brass book was. Their version of liquid and hurt was just impeccable.

I think Culver’s burgers are just as good.

Here you go!

You should set up a website and have t-shirts to sell that say "Pageantry Leeches." Then have a booth where you sell these t-shirts.

Guilty, until proven innocent, is the directive of many in society.

Yeah for sure, i agree. I'm always intrigued and curious because, i just never know what they'll do. it's always not about worrying if the show is going to be good, it's the opposite, like on how good are they going to be, what treats have they in store for us. I'm so excited for BD! Daaaam i'm excited for all the corps.

I said the same, but we should know we're going to be so wrong Lol

Have to agree. While having been a fan of DCI since its inception, I was a bit late to the Crown party [‘05ish]; my first NightBEAT was 2013. To that end, I’ve watched 2012’s production more than I can count at this point. Silver medal notwithstanding, “FTCG” was one for the ages. The chord resolution during the closer—as Dr. Joe would observe the next season—a revelation of pure sonic accuracy and purity.

The greatest old-time, hotter than blazes afternoon regular run-through rehearsals I ever saw were all in a single day in Birmingham in 1979. We did a "tour" of BD, 27th, SOA and SCV rehearsals. That was one very memorable day.

This lineup ... whew! This is classic Phantom style and I LOVE it!