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I’m hoping this is not a double post ... phone is acting up. But I found him .... and he survived the Cavaliers show ... barely :) posted from the DrumScorps app

Cavies..... I was tearing up at the end. Everything about that show was perfectly designed. That was easily THE best hornline that I have EVER heard from this corps. I am not even sure where to start.... I was up on my feet during a freaking ballad! like, WHAT THE HECK! I need to see it again posted from the DrumScorps app

Friends, can we all agree that Blue Knights are just a joy to watch this season?

I think the Bloo designers create shows that they’d like to watch. First, third, fifth place, it doesn’t matter. They’re always wildly entertaining.

Alright folks.... review time. I am still in awe with what I witnessed. Wow. Ok, I will be reviewing in order of appearance, but The Cavaliers will be last 🙂 (surprise!!!!) Phantom Regiment- the first thing I noticed is how young this corps appeared to be. That is actually a great thing! If their staff can manage to keep a big chunk of the current members then you have a great shot at growing. The show was ok, I think they might need to tweak a few things but I can see them remaining in finals. Less synth bass and give me actual contra please 🙂 oh.... and that guard... Incredible work! The Cadets- I am still scratching my head about this one. First of all, you can feel the passion coming from those kids. I am just disappointed in the design.... I know they have a good chunk of former Cavies staff, but it felt, as a whole, like Cavies 2012 and I am actually not fond of that show. Does anyone know why they formed a big X and Y on the field? Overall, this staff needs to sit down together and ask themselves "what can we do better? How should we approach cleaning this show?" And I mean this out of peaceful concern. The Cadets have an incredible history and I just dont want them to throw that away..... keep your heads up and march on! Blue Stars- Easily my favorite show from this corps. The uniforms or costumes looked.... well they were wearing them. I really like the flow of this show and the members are eating it up. Very impressive hornline and a well thought out show theme. I am a forest, hiking mountain man, and this show reminded me of all my trips to Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park Colorado. Lots of great family memories there, so thank you for that! I was also impressed with their drumline!!! Wowza Carolina Crown- The hornline is still as solid as ever! Lots of energy being projected by them and I loved it. Still not sure what the show is about, but I liked it. I was extremely impressed with that opening statement as it grabbed my attention immediately. Not sure if they will crack top 3, but they should remain in the top 6. Bluecoats- Ok ok... I am extremely impressed with how well the show was executed and how clean it was across the board. By just watching them march I was reminded about how important it is to focus on fundamentals and how crucial it is. The corps would NOT be in the position that they are in if they didn't focus in that area. But as a show..... it isn't my glass of beer. Unfortunately I am just not a Beatles fan. Dont get me wrong though, I like certain songs from them, but I just dont care for them. Interesting arrangements too... I imagine the corps paid out the rear for copyright too.... right? Either way, I noticed the kids around me ate it up and I feel like they designed it for that specific reason. That is NOT a bad thing! Keep up the good work coats! SCV- That is one big tarp. Like, it is really big. They have another incredible hornline this year and how about that screamer? SUPER C!!!! I would like to view the show again while focusing more on the visual design. They were a little dirty, but if I were them, I would consider that as an opportunity to improve in as the season goes on. Not a fan of the sousaphone though.... needed some contra. As a whole it was my second favorite of the night and I was impressed with how clean and balanced it was. Melos might need some work with balancing and tuning in a couple of parts, but bah! Didn't ruin the experience for me! Blue Devils- Easily my third favorite of the night. Awesome show concept and I actually hoped that they would have pulled ahead of the Bluecoats tonight. I absolutely love the use of their props as a visual effect and it was executed extremely well! There were some timing flaws and what actually helped this corps was that the wind dimmed down as the show went on. BD fans, be VERY proud! They have something special this year. And the sousaphone needed more contra And lastly..... :))))) The Cavaliers- As soon as I started this tears began to form. This show is just so freaking good. I am sure that I was annoying the folks around me with my facial expressions and my ooo and awes. Firstly.... LOW FREAKING BRASS!!!! LOW FREAKING BRASS!!! Shoot, I stood up in the middle of the opener and yelled "TUBA!!!!!!". And that baritone section, the trombones.... THAT DRILL DESIGN! What?!?!? I loved every moment and every aspect about this show. 16 contras.... keep it like that folks! How about that upper brass soloist section(s)?!? I really really really really really want them to clean the heck out of this show... to the point where those judges HAVE to move them up in placement. Guys, was this how it was like to watch them in the early 2000s? If so, I am glad I experienced that. Lord I love this show. A side note for those that are still reading... thank you for all the kind words. I wish I could go back in time and experience that show live one more time. One of my favorites that is for sure... and it was awesome meeting fellow drum corps fans!!! I learned a lot from yall and it was a experience(s) worth remembering. Lol... by the way, I noticed a few folks turning around looking at me after my posts and when I was walking in the lot or booth area I also noticed a few double takes... LOL it is ok to say hello! HAHA! My friend, muffin_man, thought it was silly too. Come by and say hello! I am ALWAYS down to talking about drum corps, DCI, or music in general. Guys, I am a clarinetist that is in love with marching and brass... I promise, in terms of music and being a nerd, I am just as weird as you are. Either way, thank you for the memories everyone. I promise I won't forget it! Now, let's head over to the SA thread

Everyone: Tone down some of the body movement. It's gratuitous and can (and often does) distract from some really great musical moments. Sometimes less is more. If it must be done, then it's time to evolve to something other than the inward knee bends and leaning your torso one way or the other. Make it matter. Movement for the sake of movement is silly.

Alright everyone, I am headed out.... what a special year... I am holding back my tears right now. It was awesome meeting fellow fans and I want to thank you all for the kind words. The way I see it, I am a fan just like you and I love music, marching, and this activity. The Cavaliers have one heck of a bright future and so does everyone else! Thank you everyone! 🙂 Splooie

nope same old ending to tour....Indianapolis, again.

Blue Stars beat Cadets for the first time since July 12, 1980

Honestly... I think this is it. And for the love of all things maroon and gold... don't write any shows about social/ethical issues for about the next 5 years.

If there was ever going to be a show that FLO needed to be at this would have been it. HOW Flo and DCI didn't single this out as the most important show of the season so far and wouldnt think that viewership for this particular would be through the roof is beyond me. I would venture to say that Periscope links are going to be the prized possession of the night.. The Ordinals from these judges will look like a minesweeper board..

Wow, Crown was on their game tonight. The changes musically are making a HUGE difference. The marching issues are cleaning quite nicely, though still there. The horn line is really starting to get that classic Crown sound, and they got one of the biggest reactions from the audience tonight. They still have quite a bit to clean. After seeing this show in person, I still think there is a chance that they could win it all.

Hey Mods, just for tonight, for every like we give Hook'emCavies, can one equal ten likes? If anyone deserves this, he does!

The muffin_man and myself are pumped up! posted from the DrumScorps app

For starters! Maroon, Cream, and Gold colors regardless of costume design, some high velocity straight leg marching, and music with long phrases and a melody. Jay Bocook’s phone number would be on my speed dial.

So this was my first view of the Blue Devils ... and all I can say is "oh my god" ... its so good. If heaven is watching the Bluecoats and Blue Devils over and over again, I'm totally in for it.

My voice is gone

Ahh...the good ol' G4 idea.

public FB post (hope it is ok I'm sharing it here) from a 2019 Cadets brass member about one of his teachers in particular but also about the great tradition of alumni "lending" their corps jackets to current members to wear during their season. This post puts a LOT into perspective: https://www.facebook.com/nick.lynes.5?hc_location=ufi

Ok, who's spending up to $10K and what are your thoughts on adopting a 60+ year old boy?

I.... I mean..... I have to process what I just experienced. Give me a moment.

Everyone needs more contra

Proud of the entire organization especially the Corps management, Admin, staff and members. Great progress to date with further refinement to the product in the coming weeks. Hype is becoming reality.

Consensus is BK passes Cadets.

here we go!!! already on my feet posted from the DrumScorps app

Anyone who voted anything other than BD is in denial 🙂

got away with?? They are two of the top, most respected judges in the country

Ok, my kid is the dogsled driver, Side 1, in the back.

I'll keep it simple... Blue Stars.... Wow! My personal favorite show from them. Just a wonderful production posted from the DrumScorps app

You’ve moved on to me now? Women change their minds all the time. Maybe you don’t have much interaction with them. I didn’t know I needed your permission about where to move about on the site.

I’m sure there will be none of that. 🌝

Everyone needs no synth doubling

It’s encased in amber.

Santa Clara in the end zone watching bluecoats pick up their orange dots. Oh you’ve got tarps? Here hold my beer.

I’ve seen that Crown show at least 50 times this season and that was by far their best run. So proud of these kids!!!

I'm very pleased to say that I provide a scholarship to the PC center snare. This year that young man is one Mr. Lucas Bollenbecker. Go dude.

Blue Devils... wow. beautifully performed. That screamer!!!! and how about that show design! loved it very much. Way to go Devils! posted from the DrumScorps app

I did keep with my regular tradition and managed get this pin. It looks amazing! Not that this part matters, but as a straight man.... I love how The Cavaliers and DCI for that matter, accept people for who they are and I love the organization just for that reason. SO close to the start of the show! posted from the DrumScorps app

I have a request for any DCPer attending tonight. Please find HookemCavies and get a picture of him AFTER the Cavaliers' performance. I want to see his face!

The DCP Habitat is wild, weird, and wonderful. A brief field guide to the kinds of wildlife that can be found here is below. However, I am not so bold as to say that I have explored the whole of this environment; thus, the results of your research are also welcomed. SuperFans are easily distinguishable as they often have the corps logo as their avatar or corps name in their screen name. They are also known for repeated cheering on show threads as if they themselves were actually at the show. Often, SuperFans live in their own threads, but some venture into the wider world. Of these, many mix well with other SuperFans, but some types are easily upset by numbers or the Blue Devils. These can be dangerous when cornered. The Parent is very excited that son or daughter is in a drum corps and amazed and thrilled that they have found a place online for people just like them! They are known for asking well-meaning but somewhat screechy questions about scores, periscopes and pictures. Unfortunately, the Parent often cannot cope with the harsh environment of DCP and the lifespan is usually brief. Some, however, adapt, survive, and even thrive. The Unified Field Theory of Drum Corps, born in the fevered brain of the Messenger and scrawled upon the whiteboard of a glowing screen, is meant both to redeem past failures and restore drum corps to its former greatness. That is, if the arch-reactionary elements are soundly put in their place. The Messenger's incessant and repetitive chatter often drives away others, but woe betide the unsuspecting soul to whom the song becomes a siren song. The Dinosaur can be found in both herbivorous and carnivorous varieties. Herbivores are placid creatures, contenting themselves with saying 'back in the day' and patiently chewing on old recaps. Carnivores violently attack anything, with exception of brass instruments in the key of G. Both herbivores and carnivores are destined for extinction. The Mathematician seeks meaning in numbers, constantly putting them into series and sequences. DCP Mathematicians are divided between those who will compare numbers from different spatial/temporal universes, and those who hold that only numbers from the same spatial/temporal universe can truly be validly compared. The rival camps continually accuse each other of failing to understand the rules of numbers, with some mavericks going so far as to state that the rules themselves are based upon false premises.

He said the equivalent of haters gonna hate. Are we gonna act like you don't do the same in the crown thread like a guard dog?

Bluecoats are the truth. Can't wait for the upgrades Devils are better than I thought. I thought Vanguard would win the whole thing last night. I don't know if so few applaud points help them or hurt them. Crown and Boston are going to be in a dog fight til the end. Cavies had the misfortune of going on between Boston and Santa Clara Cadets have a top 3 percussion section and a bottom 3 (out of 12) brass section. Cadets need more impact points in their show, specifically after the drum break in Dance 1 (from the Estancia Orchestral Suite) Blue Stars- I didn't like them as much upon 2nd viewing. I'm not saying they aren't good (they are) The show didn't leave an impression on me beyond the theme. Phantom needs to take all that great energy they create at the beginning of their show and carry it through to the end. The middle of the show loses a little something but great improvement Phantom.

Me for Crown's opening brass statement last night

Aww it’s nice seeing everyone get along! 🙂 *scores come out*

A few observations from DATR -- both the Casper and Denver editions. Casper NCHS is a small but excellent venue to watch drum corps. Same could be said, from the fan perspective, about Casper. There is no question that it is in the middle of nowhere, but once you get there -- and it takes some effort -- the city offers quite a bit. The local restaurant scene is vibrant and a tasty variety of local brews can be found on taps. It's not New York City, but there is more street life than you might imagine. For the corps, Casper is not as accommodating. NCHS itself provides everything a world-class DCI corps could want, but there aren't enough schools of that size, or willing to house a corps, in a 60-mile radius to provide housing for more than a small handful of corps. There may have been a day, a generation or so ago, when the name Casper Troopers could unlock any door in the city, but those days are gone, sacrificed to the national-brand imperative of drum corps, to the rise of risk management, to the demise of arts in the schools, etc. These days, the Troopers have to market themselves to their home city as hard as any other local competitor for entertainment dollars. The venue itself, however, is heaven for a drum corps fan. The field is tucked close to the stands, the box is low, and you can see the sweat on every performer's face. From the leafy neighborhoods beyond the school, the rumble of batteries warming up and the sound of big brass chords can be heard. Plus, the Wyoming sky is always a great backdrop. Some distant lightning bolts to add to the mood on Friday. It was a tidy 4-corps lineup, and the MC announced a slate of 5 judges, all of them box-oriented, no perc or brass judges on the field. Genesis has a well-constructed show with some really nice ideas and some cool moments. The 'wall of brass' maneuver with the horn line (except tubas) on the wall is very effective. Brass has a good sound; percussion writing seemed a bit thin but the members sold it as hard as they could. I could have done with about 70% less of the lecture from 'Mother Nature' at the start of the show, but when she finally stepped aside, the music and movement took over nicely. After I don't know how many years, I have found a Crossmen show I enjoy. For so long, Bones has been competent, smooth, polished to a mass-produced corporate sheen . . . and difficult to remember. This year is different. You will remember Crossmen. Will they execute to the level they are known for? That's another quesiton, and on Friday, the answer was no. The front half of the show is lots of scowling, big hits and power-posturing, and not a whole lot of melody, but they definitely own the field and are selling hard. The dark, ragged skirt-like bottom half of the uniform makes the legs and feet all but insivible, which I'm sure was the objective. The electric guitar fits the mood, but at times covers up the brass. The show gels better in the second half, where there is some very nice brass ensemble work and that classic, glossy Crossmen sound comes through. Love the way Wagner's signature work gets an over-the top treatment; it's very effective and connects with the audience. Drums are dirtier than I usually hear from Crossmen, but it could have been my side-1, 25YL listening vantage point. The dozen disc prop/platforms have a cheap & cheesy look to them, but they don't distract. A passing storm cell dropped no rain but pushed some strong wind gusts across the field during Xmen's show (it's Wyoming), and carried airborne flags and rifles well away from their intended landing spots; the guard worked hard to keep equipment under control. And props to the baritone who, very busy with his own responsibilities, saw and scooped up a dangerously large bass-drum mallet that had been dropped on the field, did some body movement with it, then found an opportune moment to chuck it under one of the prop/platforms. Overall it's a relatable, if sometimes cartoonish, show with lots of audience appeal and, finally, some emotion and connection from the Crossmen. Over the years, Casper fans in their tiny HS grandstand in the middle of nowhwere have been treated to an intimate encounter with some astounding drum corps: E=mc2, Kinetic Noise, Propaganda. This year, it was Behold. Well, there is a lot to behold, all right. Cadets are all over the place. Look here, look there . . . what exactly is going on? Brass sound at times is just about perfect, but there are long stretches between full-ensemble playing. This show takes to an extreme the "small group on an island" ensemble approach. Little pockets of playing here, there, over here again. . . . and for what purpose, I'm not entirely clear. Visually, too, there are a lot of small groups, disconnected from each other, doing their own things, and not as much in the way of full-ensemble formations. For a show called "Behold," there is definitely a "ta-daa" feel to the show, a sort of continual introductory fanfare, but this production had the least continuity of the four on the field. Nor was there the attention to detail we expect from the 10-Time World Champion Drum and Bugle Corps. At times when the horn line was barging around the big staircases, fans were treated to the backside view of the props, and to all the guard and other equipment stored on them. Musically, the drums are nails as usual, and they move and attack constantly. The (long!) tenor feature on the elevated platform was a highlight of the evening for me, a former drummer. Cadets gave us that signature brass sound in spots, but left me feeling they had served a snack tray, not a full meal. More than a few visual individual-performance issues in more than a few spots, but I understand they've been inserting some changes recently, and Casper is a nice low-profile show to get them worked out. The guard had big problems with the wind; one rifle got carried downfield, and as the guard member tracked it, he wound up straddling the back of a brass performer -- who was, coincidentally, purposefully scrabbling along the ground at the moment -- and dragging him along as he lunged for his rifle. Flags were heroic in keeping their work under control. So, some challenging conditions, and I guess some new parts or movements or something, but man, the Cadets look like three busloads of tremendous talent in search of an idea. But then, Cadets have always been the kind of outfit that bulids the airplane during flight. By the time they land in Allentown, who knows? Troopers got lots of love from the home crowd, and their show is evolving nicely. They've worked out some 3rd-movement transition issues and put them on display Friday. There are some tricky section-to-section timing challenges among the brass, and when the execution is there, the effect is really cool. Troopers are the palette cleanser to the Cadets: they march, and they play, and they make formations, and they don't mess around with any props (they do have a tarp, but they didn't use it Friday because of the wind). There was no perc judge at the show to verify, but to my ears Troop drums sounded cleaner than Crossmen, and their book is full of some sweet Rennick writing. The brass is disciplined, well-coached, and young. They make a very good, balanced sound, deliver some strong impacts, and are still learning how to master the more challenging technical demands. Their trumpet soloist makes a gorgeous sound. The ensemble still needs horsepower, but that will come with age and experience. And that, of course, depends on retention. With that in mind, and with the change to a broader programming palette this season, the staff has got the members on a multi-year plan to grow their capabilities, while the admin is 100% focused on member experience. The most powerful influence on auditions tomorrow is the show design you put on the field today, combined with the quality of the summer you deliver to the members. "Beyond Boundaries" is an entertaining, satisfying show that is worth the price of a ticket, but even if it doesn't electrify the drum-corps world the way "Downside Up" did, it is meant to serve as a new foundation for the Troopers' new direction. If the members go home happy and wanting more, when they come back they'll get a show and book that will take them even further. Denver At 9 p.m., after the contest was cancelled, after the Troopers and Pacific Crest left because their drivers were on the clock, and as The Cadets brass entered the Mile High field to kick off a series of standstills . . . . it was a beautiful night for drum corps. No rain, no wind, and a diminished but still large and extremely responsive crowd. It was just a real shame that, during that one 90-minute window that mattered most, the weather ruined everything. It was a gorgeous day up until those 90 minutes, and it was a wonderful evening after those 90 minutes, perfect for drum corps. But life is all about timing, they say. Cadets gave us O Holy Name and a couple other chorales and called it a night. It was beautiful, it was stately, it was Cadets, and it was over. Crossmen saw the Cadets brass and raised them one battery. They ran through a couple abbreviated bits of their show, which was difficult without the FE. They gave us the Rocky theme that they use in parades, and that was a strange moment, hearing Rocky come from a corps looking like a Teuto-Norse-Ninja invasion party. Genesis then came out and earned it. They gave the crowd a big chunk of their show, with battery, and brought a passion that the Cadets had left on the bus. By the time the Cascades lined up, the stadium camera crew had figured out that close-ups of the members during their setup was generating some funny and charming Jumbotron moments of recognition by the players, and so that became part of the routine. It loosened up the awkwardness of standstills. Blue Devils, brass and battery, lined up and clinically ran through Toto's "Rosanna", space chords and a couple other examples of lot wizardry, then zipped off the field. Then the Columbians pushed their pit onto the field and brought out their guard and gave their final performance of their season, in standstill. BD may have impressed the crowd, but The Columbians, desperate to perform, owned it. They played their entire show, and the standing O the crowd gave them lifted the members 3 feet off the ground. It had to have been a bittersweet moment for them, and the crowd did its best to tip the scale toward the sweet. It was the final show for Battalion, too, and they got their own standing O. This corps is slowly, surely, gathering strength and sophistication. Their new uniforms look sharp, too. The Blue Knights were, undestandably, crushed by the rainout. Guys, listen, this show is electric, it is starting to pop off the field, and the members know it. The kids could barely keep their feet on the ground during their afternoon production runs, in anticipation of going against the Cadets at their home show. So when they got to the stadium and got the word that they would do a standstill, it was a huge letdown, especially for the age-outs (to say nothing about the fans). But. Someone BK talked to someone Mile High, and badda-bing badda-boom, BK was going to do their full show because weather conditions were perfect, they had rented the stadium, there were no judges, they were last on, they didn't need to travel overnight, it was their home show, there were still thousands in the stands, and who was going to stop them? So the brass emerged from the tunnel, then the guard and their equipment emerged from the tunnel, and the USS Front Ensemble emerged from the tunnel, and then the battery, and the crowd went nuts. The musicians performed in uniform, though the guard did not. No matter. The home crowd was here for it, and BK let it rip. You can call it weird. You can call it unique. You can call it typical BK. Whatever you call it, it is compelling. Someone else on these boards said it, no one puts a mood on a football field like BK, and that is the truth. The show is unified and seamless, a complete thought -- however esoteric that thought might be. There is an endless amount of content in this show, with tremendous dynamic variety. There is still some dirt in the brass in "Liquid," and the players know it, and they know that as they have started to master greater amounts of it, it is turning that segment of the show into its powerhouse. The battery's sound during "Hurt," all scratches and distant thunder and echoes, is only enhanced by the canyon walls in the big stadiums like Mile High. Enormously effective. The guard is performing at levels not seen since 2014. The closer features a killer trumpet solo that introduces a groove to the show that feels like a bright, positive awakening from a long, introspective thought. There is still much visual to clean in the closer's final moments, but the picture is coming into focus. When I talked to the members, they express a sense of where this show can go. They have an air of momentum about them. They sense the moment. And they are having a blast. Oh, and the field, subjected to a monsoon for those critical 90 minutes, wasn't a factor. No falls, no slips. I asked a couple members of the horn line after the show about the field, and they shrugged. It was fine. Didn't give it a thought.

Ahhh, I think. WGI show just threw up on my field.

Crown is sensational

Imma step in for a second.......that is the primary reason that the spread closed so much. If the spread was the same as it was on Tuesday in drums the total score spread would be almost exactly the same at .6. I don’t think that would be an excuse, it would be the statistical reason it happened. With Crown a few years ago it didn’t really change the outcome even if you swapped out their drum score for 1st place. Regardless, I’m a BD fan this year and think they’ve always deserved to win and they’re one of the two shows I want to see win this year so congrats and let the fun continue tomorrow. 😉 I wouldn’t even bother on other threads but I like the BD crowd on here so 🙂

For Crown supporters, just about everything we put out here that in any way offers a modicum of support or optimism for what remains of the ‘19 DCI season, is invariably met with push back, skepticism, and on occasion outright hostility. No walls on DCP, and I embrace posters’ rights to express their thoughts on whatever thread they wish. Dunno. Been a fan of the activity [DCI] since it’s inception, Crown fan for 10 yrs, and a seasonal denizen of DCP for the better part of that. Not once in that time, have I felt compelled to rag on another corps. Hell, I recall being on both the Tilt and DS Up bandwagons and totally blown away with Felliniesque. My loyalties are with Crown, but I’m mindful of why I was drawn to drum corps in the first place: the insanely talented folks that produce and execute a musical production on a football field that rises to the level of an art form, unique in its own right. I’m sure this Polly Anna(ish) diatribe will open me up to broadside or 10, so sound General Quarters and standby for incoming. And, as always, Go Crown!