Keith Laubhan

Well, I suppose if you're worried about electronics (even as it's clear they're hear to stay), I suppose you can take solace in knowing that it's a different director that's alright with electronics, not necessarily another director. That being said, isn't the electronics 'issue' a little low on the totem pole when you consider that a corps with a load of tradition has just picked up and moved a couple thousand miles?

Good luck! I know this will be a big deal down there. I'm sure there will be loads of enthusiasm.

It will be interesting to see how this impacts other corps' recruiting from Texas. I know that Blue Knights, Phantom, Cavaliers, and Bluecoats often have huge recruiting classes from the state. It'll be interesting to see how that impacts them.

I think this will be good for the corps, but I can't help but think "East Coast" when I think "Crossmen." It's going to take some getting used to for me.

Haha... I no sooner post that, then I find out BK will be fielding a winter guard called Opus 10... It's basically the reincarnation of Oracle.

That's definitely an argument against them. It's funny, at local percussion shows, you could always tell who had marched tymp by the ape-like walk that they posessed... both my band director and perc. caption head in HS had marched kettles (for SCV and Kingsmen, respectively), and it was borderline sad to see what they had done to their backs.

Clearly, that's it. B)

Well, they can if they want to... they just don't choose to anymore. I don't blame them.

As far as I know, BK has never fielded a winter guard through their organization... definitely not in recent years. Oracle was made up of a lot of Blue Knights, and shared some staff, too, but it wasn't under the umbrella of BK. BK has been fielding winter percussion ensembles since '94, though.

Indeed! People here are going to freak out!

The only reason I think that there will be a new first time champion within the next 10 years is because every decade has had at least one... my whole argument is based on past history, so clearly it's all I have to go on.

I think Bluecoats, as it stands right now, are the only ones that currently have much of a shot in the near future... They're currently the only ones who've maintained a position in that top teir over the past few years. The things that they've got going for them are hype and location. Bluecoats improvement year to year that has generated a lot of interest in potential marching members, plus Ohio is a great local talent pool to get kids out of. I think it's on the level of California, Indiana, and Texas. It seems that you need to stay in the top 5/6 for years before you can make that push for the top. I think Bluecoats have done a decent job at stablizing themselves in that group, and as much as I'd like to see a new crew winning the whole thing, I think they need to spend a couple years protecting that postition. Too many corps have fallen competely out of that zone by trying to make a too big of a run too early... BAC and BK 2001 come to mind... ####, BK has just now recovered from that season. As for other corps reaching that top teir, Crown has hovered just outside it, Glassmen and Boston has fallen from it, and BK rose to be just outside it... without establishing yourself as a viable top 5/6 corps over the course of several years, I don't think you have a chance at the ring. As for Academy, I think there's some special things going on in the desert, and if/when they make the jump to Div I, I think they can be a perennial finalist... but let's be real, folks... having a great Div II season has resulted in how many Div I championships? I truly believe it would be phenominal for them to get into the top 5 after five years in Div I... winning a world champion within a decade's time would be unrealistic, if not impossible using history as a guide... Not saying it couldn't be done, but the past doesn't suggest that it could happen any time soon.

Well, they must be doing something right. Joni Viertel is a graduate, and I absolutely love the progress that BK's hornline has made over her tenure there. And it's true... if someone could start a well financed corps in the DFW area that made friends with the college and high school music scene there, it would be a force, for sure.

Matt, I know you liked BK this year, so I'd recommend the St. Louis Symphony's recording of Barber's piano concerto. The CD that I have has the violin and cello concertos as well. Definitely some great stuff... it's amazing how BK translated it to the field. Edit: Here's the iTunes link: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore...55&s=143441

The fact of the matter is (and it's been said before) is that the whole point of the broadcast is to attract new fans and convert the on the bubble fans... If you want full finals performances, zero "fluff" vignettes, etc., buy the DVDs. As for DCI justifying the activity being on ESPN2, I actually think that they do have to, at least for the first few seasons. Even though this very select group of people on this message board know how great and challenging this activity is, the mainstream viewer most likely has some preconceptions on our "marching band stuff," and the testimonials as to the athletic and mental challenges very well could resonate with sports fans in a way that could open their appreciation for what the performers are doing. Maybe once this thing gets some momentum and a repeat viewership, they can start phasing it out and start including more of the shows and less of the messaging... but I really think DCI has to warm up that crowd first. Is it an infomercial? You bet, but I think it's a pretty effective one in terms of converting a group of people who are passionate about entertainment and competition who don't know a thing about our activity yet. Why wouldn't DCI want to attract as much of that crowd as possible? I can't think of a better model for doing that. As for us hardcore fans, think of it as a nice way to tide ourselves over until November when we can get the DVDs. If you look at the big picture, I don't know understand how anyone can fault DCI for the path that they're taking on this.

Exactly... Blue Knights should be up fairly soon, though.

In some of cases, it's based on the organizations that founded the corps. Blue Devils were founded by a VFW post, and blue is the color of the VFW. The Bluecoats were founded by the Canton Police, creating a similar situation.

Cavies', and BK's were my favorite. I liked the demon costumes that Regiment rocked, too. Didn't care for SCV's (so much unrealized potential with the show concept) or any of the Cadets' costumes.

Rumors are funny. B)

Ack... the only thing that's made CU's troubles barable is Nebraska's coinciding downfall. Go Buffs, and down with the Corn! ;)

I don't mind the police hats... not my favorite hat of all time, but they're unique, if nothing else.

As far as I know, 99 and 2000 are the only years they've used the diamond cutter. They've definitely not used it every year since.

They should go back to doing that, IMO... gloves too. I'm sure it's a pain in the ###, but it's got to look great. It's visually jarring to have that warm, rich cream up against that crisp white. It almost makes the uniform look discolored.

I can understand the argument that BK's uniforms are unremarkable, but I'd be hard pressed to buy the "ugly" argument. As for Crown's, I originally hated them, but the new look has grown on me, especially since they moved the plume. I still find the white gloves and shoes to be a problem, though. I know they don't make cream colored marching shoes or gloves, but they don't work with the cream jackets and pants in the least. I don't know what the solution is for that, but if it were up to me, something would have to be done.

Please explain this theory of yours.