East9900

As long as GH has followers he will be voicing his opinions. Best way to quiet him is to stop following him. (Not saying you follow him or don't, but honestly I had no idea GH was still talking on FB)

That makes even more sense. Thanks.

I know we were hoping they would break 80 last night, but I'm not too concerned. There was a pretty significant gap between 1st and 2nd last night and I'm sure that may have played a factor in the result. Also if they are adding new changes they could look worse for a while before the benefits of the changes truly show. For anyone that saw the show last night.. were any changes implemented?

I think you misunderstood me. I did not mean they had time to go back to the rehearsal site and rehearse. I am referring to practicing in the lot. Usually corps don't leave immediately after their performance. I haven't been to as many shows as I used to, but I'm pretty sure the corps has to stay around until the end at least (due to drum major only 'retreats'). If they don't do that at all anymore and leave immediately than my point is void. When I marched, there were times after our performance that we would practice as a section in the lot. That is what I am referring to. As a member I hated those times so I'm sure they would as well. But what I'm saying is if those corps have to stick around until the end, that is plenty of time to squeeze a sectional in and get better. Or an individual can practice their music. I have no doubt that the decision in Madison was 100% for a purpose. What I'm saying is that was more of an impact than going on earlier was. There were corps below us that I'm sure had more practice time than us and were much closer. My point is that start times shouldn't be to blame. If a corps truly wants to get better, there are creative ways to get it done. It just feels like a cop out to me to blame results on having to get there earlier than another corps. I will agree that it absolutely has an effect with the judging panel but that's a completely different topic that I'd rather not dive into haha.

I think that is just part of the equation. In my honest opinion I think it's a cop out and easy to point out start times as a liability. How about the benefits? The majority of shows the difference between start times is usually about an hour... if that. I would argue that the earlier time would give them more time after their performance to practice in the lot if they truly wanted to get better. You could easily get in an hour+ of time since they don't have to wait for retreats in uniform. How many of those corps that want to move up do that? I would say very few. Let's not forget that fatigue could play a factor, both positively and negatively for those corps. Better corps have to perform later so could be more tired. I think there's another factor that is an even larger factor than performance times: housing locations. You could be the last performing corps of the night but have to leave earlier than anyone because of how far your practice location is from the stadium. In 1999, during finals week we were staying at a school about 1 1/2 hours away from Camp Randall Stadium. It certainly wasn't due to availability. It was due to GH wanting us away from distractions (according to him). Imagine the amount of extra time we could have spent on the show if we were only 30 mins away. I don't think our placement in the show had anywhere as much of a factor as the travel distance did.

That's definitely good news for them. That would be plenty of time to add some changes and also include some major cleaning. I think their next few shows should be a good indication of the direction they are headed. I say next few instead of the next one in case the changes are not incorporated into the show right away.

Watched their show last night which was only my second viewing of this show (first was premiere). Much improved! The drumline is incredible. I'm not a drum guy but I cannot help but watch them. Hornline- much better. Still some really dirty stuff but I think they will get there. Now for the show: Beginning is better. As for the story, I still don't get it. First- why is this even happening to the queen. She doesn't seem like a bad queen and just seems like her scepter is being taken away because the peasants are revolting. For what reason?? And she gets completely lost with in the middle and have no idea why she's doing what she's doing. I'm REALLY bummed they toned down the hit during Bridge Over Troubled Waters. I get the purpose of adding the dynamics, but I want to be hit in the face and it feels like they let off the gas and ruins the moment for me. "Do Better" section feels like old school GH. Stop it with the voice. We get it- "we must do better". Zero reason to bash us over the head with it. Let the drums and the pit do their thing. Closer still needs work (no shocker there), but if they can clear up the story and add a few real moments (so far nothing makes me want to stand up) I think they could make top 6. At this moment they are placing exactly where they should.

Drumline- wow! Hornline- (I might get blasted on this but I don't care) I know it's an encore piece and they were playing as warm up, but it's the attention to detail that has me concerned. There are tiny little things that if they could fix them they could be so much better. If they're happening in a standstill on a fairly easy piece, they are absolutely happening on the move in a show.

Accidents happen, even when there are regulations. That just doesn't apply to props. I'm sure the regulations make sure they are built properly and are safe to use. Take Cadet's props for instance. I'm sure they are safe and apply to all the regulations. However, a player was hurt by falling and being caught underneath one in a freak accident. Even without props, people get hurt. Someone could get hurt moving the conductor's scaffolding, but that doesn't mean it doesn't follow regulations or should be eliminated from the activity.

I think it's fair to say that The Cadets probably have a lot more to add than those at the top, so I'm hoping they can close the gap. The question is how much can they close the gap? I fear it may be too late at that point to catch up to the top 6, but I wouldn't rule them out just yet. I think it says a lot that this corps is fielding a show that is a major work in progress yet are beating some very good corps and are still a finals contender. That drumline, though..... whoa.

They don't compare at all. Generally west coast scores are inflated. Regardless of that, I wouldn't compares scores from different shows as reference between two corps. Until they meet head to head under the same judging panel on the same day it's really hard to say. Thankfully things are going to start becoming much clearer in the next few weeks. IMO these weeks are some of the most exciting of the season. By finals week, it's usually pretty clear. It seems like the last few years there hasn't been a ton of movement between the corps at the end of the season. I have a feeling that may change this year. There are just way too many talented corps this year to think someone may run away with it early.

I hope, but realistically I'm hoping it will happen next year. I'm not writing this year off by any means, but I am trying to be realistic. It's hard to believe that despite all of the catch up they are having to do (not to mention lack of clarity with the show theme), that this year will be the one to turn things around.

Haha no need to do that. I am most certainly guilty of some very bad ideas and have had to hide my shame. :) I understand the purpose of your suggestion and it had good intentions. Wasn't trying to rain on your parade, just throw out some things you may not have considered. And in the end I suppose I threw a monsoon at you. No hard feelings, hopefully.

This isn't professional sports. Sorry, but I can't fault a corps for having more money than another. Same goes the other way: shouldn't punish a corps that spends money because others can't or choose not to. Not to mention the money that members pay to be a member of these corps. I'm guessing this idea would be so corps would be better, but if anything I think many would be much worse. Under this system, corps wouldn't be able to keep staff due to successful staff going where the money was/wasn't. Staffs would be thrown together not due to what they added, but to what they cost. Artistic differences would be worse, not better. We would never witness staff stability (a huge problem for The Cadets right now). Corps identities would dissolve even more than now, because the identity would change based on the staff for that year. Some members will go to a place because they want to be taught by a certain person. Corps that cannot meet the parity threshold wouldn't be much different from those that cannot already. Those are just a few things that could happen. I'm sorry, but its not a good idea in the slightest.

If that's true, why did you say he was fired? I agree on your take on designer 1. Drill was my main concern coming into the season since I knew he was coming back. I don't think he did enough last year to warrant another year with The Cadets. To all of a sudden fire the guy doesn't make sense to me unless they just couldn't agree. In my opinion, they made their bed with who they chose and should have stuck with him.

I am definitely getting tired of The Cadets having to do this. It seems like this could have been avoidable too. I really hope we don't look back at this season as "... if only they didn't have to play catch up". It doesn't matter how talented a group is, but when they are learning over a minute of a show during tour while the rest of the corps are cleaning, the odds are not in their favor. Hopefully they can get the RIGHT fixes in enough time to compete. Silver lining: the fact that even with the show so incomplete they are competing where they were last year is impressive. It speaks not just to the staff but the level of performer that is still choosing The Cadets. There many corps that wouldn't be able to recover from what The Cadets have had to deal with.

In the first crazy drill sequence in the show, there's a single person that doesn't have to move at all. It made me wonder- do you think that this was intentional. Obviously Saktig meant to do this, but is there an additional reason behind this. Since the show is "Beneath the Surface" perhaps the person in the middle may do something, like choreography while all this madness is happening around him/her? For the person in the middle, my sympathies. :) Here's one of the greatest drill writers in DCI and you get to stand in one place the whole time people are running all around you.

It's already been confirmed by Darcie that there would be headgrear (I'm assuming shakos). They just haven't been added yet. Perhaps they are not finished, or perhaps they are intentionally not using them yet. Not sure about that yet. I think you may be right about adding them to close the show, because there is obviously a uniform change that they have yet to reveal (the gold under the jackets).

I'm trying to find a silver lining and it gets tougher and tougher. I totally bought into the hype train. I won't make that same mistake again. Good news is that with an incomplete show, they are still in Finals and ahead of some good corps. Good news is that there is a lot of time to fix it. Good news is that they have more talent so they still have the ability to surpass last year. Bad news is that they are having to play catch up yet again. I really hope they have someone capable of writing the ending of this show. One thing is certain: 2020's main priority should be to do whatever possible to bring in a great drill writer. I'm not ready to stick a fork in this season and I'm sure the corps isn't either.

A good design team admits mistakes by fixing them. I seriously doubt that the stuff that happens during "Just" will be left alone. They are too smart to not listen and change it. As for Jones, hopefully they can get someone in and fix the drill. It is clearly a weak point. I find it hard to believe they can't get a good drill writer to write for The Cadets. Hopefully next season, they realize they need to up the drill big time and do whatever it takes to get someone (Please come back Saktig!)

The theatre I was in definitely wasn't doing specific seats. It was a pretty good crowd in the one I went to. Although I wanted to punch the guy that decided to bring a plastic bag (ala Walmart) that he was rustling throughout the Boston and Crown shows. He definitely got some hateful looks from the people around me.

While I agree the judging did send a message, I thought they placed right where they should have. A few others in the theater thought the Blue Stars would pass them and that's just ridiculous. I was hoping they'd be a little closer to Boston, but totally understand why they weren't. Almost 3 points behind Boston- that is no easy feat to come back from. It's not impossible, but very improbable. I will admit I didn't pay much attention to the guard. I am concerned they didn't do much to change my focus to what they were doing.

Here's a few thoughts (and yes I'm aware it's the first show): -First the Queen. I don't think they do a good enough job of explaining why the second part of the show happens with her being literally stripped of her crown and power. It was uncomfortable, but I guess that's the point. It comes across a bit tone deaf and I think that's really the issue. I do think they can fix it and still keep the idea. I had a hard time finding her and how she actually comes to redeem herself. That part wasn't clear to me. - I was critical of the drill last year and this year is not much different. There were some cool moments, but IMO severely lacking for a Cadets show. Some of the staging I felt like made the corps look small. -Kind of in line with the second point.... Darcie said they wanted to keep fast and frenetic drill. There were many moments where they decided to go against Cadets standards and instead go the easy route. When there was difficult playing, they stopped moving. It seemed like it happened way too often. That's straight out of a BD playbook and one of my biggest criticisms of BD. - The show is definitely put together with intention and it shows. It obvious there are parts that are not there yet. - LOVE the uniforms. It was cool hearing about why they chose certain things on the uniform. The 5 stripes on the leg are supposed to represent the 50 years of women in The Cadets. Very cool. - The props are fantastic. The show would be incomplete without them. There were some very cool moments when they break apart. Later I really liked when they were spinning them around and the corps was doing drill around them. -This show definitely has a LOT of room to grow. Do I think they have any shot of being in consideration for a title: no way. They just aren't in the same league right now as Crown and Bluecoats. There's just too much to clean (visually and musically) as well as a show idea that isn't on par with the best right now. I truly hope they can shove this comment down my throat in the end, but I don't think so. That being said, I think they still can break into the top 5-6, but they are going to have to clean, clean, clean. There is no doubt there is a lot of room for this show to grow. I'm just hoping they get there in the end. -Lastly, and I'm surprised I haven't seen this mentioned yet: Did anyone notice something under the jacket. Something that looked like... a gold cummerbund? Is that a sign that there is a uniform reveal happening later this season??? Anyway. while I have been mostly critical, I did enjoy the show and am proud of them. I am excited to see what they do with this. LOTS of room to grow with this show and perhaps they'll shock everyone in the end.

I LOVE this show. It’s still early but this may not just be one of my fav Bluecoats show, but fav DCI show. I love The Beatles but have never seen anyone do a show and own it the way The Bluecoats do. WOW. i would love to see this corps win it all this year. Even if it doesn’t it will be up there as one that will stick with me. Fantastic job Bluecoats. Keep working your tail off. I for one appreciate what you guys are doing.

My sure to be wrong prediction: 1. SCV 2. Bluecoats 3. BD 4.Boston 5. Cadets 6. Crown 7. Cavaliers 8. Mandarins 9. Blue Stars 10. Blue Knights 11. PR 12. Spirit 13. Crossmen 14. Academy Edit: I feel like it's going to be incredibly close this year. I could see SCV breaking away early. I could also see this year having the most corps in the hunt for the championship than we've seen in a long time. I think it's going to come down to the wire this year (I hope!). I really want to see things too close to call where any of the top 4-5 corps could realistically win on any given night.