DCFAN

I still waiting to hear who the percussion arranger and Colorguard caption head are.

I agree it's not worth the risk. I see Pacific Crest and Colts making bigger strides with their brass programs. I am happy that they addressed the visual problems. But I think it's not a net gain because of my concers with the brass program. I am still waiting to hear who the percussion arranger is and color guard caption head is. If their are changes with the color guard staff I will say they have taken a step back. Not the big names I was hoping to see.

I hope the color guard caption head is back. The guard has been very strong the last couple of years. And also who is doing the percussion arranging since Lee Beddis is not returning.

Any idea on when we will hear who these big names are?

Mark Thurston would also be a good choice if they could talk him out of retirement!

Who is left on the design team? I would have hoped that for the 40th anniversary of the corps some program ideas would already be underway. As a fan I am concerned that they are now behind a lot of other corps just on the staffing side. Like I said before they needed to address the visual package and now it's brass and percussion designer. I don't like the way this is starting to sound!

Does anyone know if Chuck will still be writing for Crossmen? I saw that he is teaming up with Jason at Colts. I also hope that they announce a brass caption head soon. At this point it looks like Colts, Pacific Crest and Troopers are going all out to challenge for a top 12 spot. I am afraid that without the right changes in brass and visual they are going to struggle just to make the top 16.

I hope that the Crossmen move fast in announcing their brass staff for 2014. I am afraid that not making finals when the expectations were so high and now losing their brass caption head will have a big impact on retention. Also i will be really disappointed if they don't make some changes with the visual program.

The issue with percussion is consistency. They have had at least 4 caption heads since moving to Texas and that includes complete staff change over. They need to retain the staff, tweek the visual design team , and do an in your face show without trying make some statement. Ala Crossmen 2001, 2002, and 2003!

Maybe ticket sales are down and that is why finals are on the fan network! Last nights crowd also looked a little light. Maybe 10 years at the same location is not a good idea.

After watching the top 15 last it became very apparent that the corps has a very talented brass line along with a strong color guard. I think both are under scored because of the visual program. My wife who does not know much about the activity felt that the Crossmen did not move as much as the corps around them. She also noted that the show got a little to much with the signs as they moved through the program. Her words were ok I got it you don't need to keep remindinge with the signs. Since I am a vet of the corps I would have to agree. I also felt the Troopers out performed the corps and will probably pass them tonight. IMHO if the visual package was stronger they could of been pushing top 10 with the talent they had to work with. I am hoping that the right adjustments are made this winter since all of the corps are getting better. Its going to be a battle just to make the movie broadcast.

Bad panel for Crossmen. Could be in 14th at the end of the day. A couple of these judges have given Crossmen some of their lowest numbers. It's not good when you look at a panel and know the outcome. Its why the whole judgeing thing needs to be revamped. Judges play the number and not the performence.

Does anybody know who is judgeing?

Who cares! G7 bad for DCI. I am looking forward to see what there demands are this winter. Maybe they will want all non G7 corps to fork over a performance fee to them at all shows that they are in. They will claim everyone there to see them so they should get a % of the gate.

Blue Devels.

Last night was match and set. And based on the TOC event this years champion is all but decided. Let's face it Blue Devels always have another gear and seem to pul away when they need to. They will continue to dominate as long as they have that staff in place. So I really really hope XMEN bring in a new visual design team that can take the corps to the next level. And It's a shame because this years corps should of been battling for position in the top 10 not on the outside looking in. Also it was realy nice having shows when you compete later and under the lights. I just hope this years kids don't bolt to other corps because the expectations were so high and not making finals is a big disappointment.

I agree no good can come of it.

How will the seeding be done if tomorrow show is a wash? At time the weather does not look promising for tomorrow. Will the just use the average from San Antonio and Atlanta or use the current rankings?

Looks like another barn burner for finals. Another hold your breath semi finals slugfest with Blue Stars.

Since it is out on the Cadets web site and not trying to read between the lines I look at it as a G7 question. Are drum corps fans more interested in the battle at the top or across all of the tight races like between Blue Stars, Troopers, and XMEN for 12th. Depending on how you respond it could n used to make some decisions down the road.

Congrats for what being in 13th and possibly finishing 14th. You must be a homer last year you were all About Blue Stars and how you were going to audition there.

Start rioting! I would give BD a 75 % chance of winning Crown 15% and Cadets 10%. You have a judging community that are no more than a bunch of puppets.

Time is running out! Falling over 2 points back is not good with less than 2 weeks to go. So I am afraid that finals is at best a very long shot since Blue Stars now have momentum an confidence. The bottom line is that I hope that the corps addresses the visual issue for next year by getting a new drill writer. The brass staff and color guard staff along with the percussion staff have all done their job. It all comes down to the visual program. I have read some post that have noted that the corps should be battling for top 10 if it were not for the drill. It's is the one biggest issue that every one makes a point of. I know next year is the 40th anniversary of the corps, so lets get started by having Chuck write something special.

The TOC show wins. Getting more updates from the that show. I guess the the G7 are right.

We are talking a .55 gap after the San Antonio regional?