Bob984

great review....thanks for sharing! Bob

IMO, the Vanguard's show is right there with the very best.....it's performance keeping them down a bit......I think they came out well-prepared, but getting to the next level has been tough for them.....I have heard that the corps is young, and that bodes well for them if these kids stick around.......I think they will have the emotion.....I am not certain that the performance level will get as high as it needs to.....they came on late last year, and I believe they will again this year, with a better product, but this is a tough top 7 this year................ GB

I don't think reducing GE points is the answer....in fact, you mentioned about the problem of "boring music"...that is a construction/arrangement problem...which we have all over the place........corps should "pay for that" in the music effect caption, and they don't....the problem is how effect is judged. "Communication/audience response" should be on the effect sheet....period...that would be good......increasing performance points would not really improve anything......changing how effect, especially music effect, is judged, would................ GB

I think they have a real shot....some of the corps sitting immediately in front of them are "sitting still" and also haven't made changes/fixes to problems (and that is going to mean too late for re-writes very soon......).....The big factor is where Academy fits into the mix, and Saturday will show where they currently are.......I think if Madison performs/places well this weekend that will boost their chances significantly....... GB

IMO, ironically, there are clues in the written "DCI judging primer" that suggest the problems that exist there. You will find the word "DESIGN" throughout the document. I don't have a problem using that word when describing the visual aspects. I have a HUGE problem with it, though, when discussing the musical product. MUSIC, the last time I checked, is COMPOSED and/or ARRANGED, not DESIGNED. (Although I think some are trying to "design" it, and that is why their MUSICAL show doesn't work....) The words composition or arrangement are nowhere to be found in the document. My fav comment is "there are established pronciples of design and performance practices which can determine what is effective"....the statement might as well say...."there are certain types of performances which we as judges can determine are effective"......EFFECTIVE TO WHOM ????? I would LOVE to sit down with the musical judges and have them tell me why Crown's show this year isn't musically effective and what is missing in the musical effectiveness of their program (lol) (as that is how they are being scored compared to others....)....with the word "performance practices" in their effect definition....whereas I agree that excellence in performance can create/improve effect....the greatest execution in the world will not save a bad arrangement.....yet come next month, 19's will be shelled out to some programs that have serious lulls, lack of continuity, lack of impact, lack of musical emotion/expression/phrasing, and some serious arrangement problems....yes, they will be executed well, but is THAT ALL THERE IS????? Another fav comment of mine is when they give the general statement regarding the background of the judges. I asked DCI a few years ago to give a brief bio on individual judges at Regionals and the Championship......they cited that they felt it was a "privacy issue" and wouldn't do so, even though I've been to tons of music festivals where the backgrounds of the judges are read in detail and it's commonplace.........I know for a fact that the real reason is that some of the music judges do not have a real strong musical background/bio....in fact, I know that one music judge (who has done finals) did not even have a Bachelor's in Music yet, and had a very thin background....by the way, that judge is still doing major shows....I can also tell you that even though judges do "trials" where they judge shows, and then their tapes/sheets are reviewed....there is absolutely not a single "musical skills/perception" written/aural test given to a single judge. I was told that "they are above that" coming in.....bull.....anyone who has achieved a musical degree knows that "aurals" is a subject that with few exceptions seperates average musicians from strong ones....there are people out there who are a "C" at best, and all of the training in the world isn't going to fix that.....some are very good, and also have strong backgrounds...... There has been way too much "bleed over" of visual into music captions. Yes, movement demand (ie moving while playing, listening demands, etc.) should be considered....yes, good coordination should be considered....but if there are MUSICAL ARRANGEMENT problems, communication problems, lack of dynamic contrast/lack of musical impact....There is NOTHING that visual DESIGN is going to do to fix that....to me, that is where the "system" has BROKEN...........IMO, the Music Effect caption is so broken that they might as well call it a different name............. GB

Crown's show is fabulous this year.....................put the pedal to the metal on this one, because selling the package (to the fans, anyway) is not going to be a problem.............this show is an absolute clinic on how to put out a show with great music/arrangements/interpretation, great coordination, great variety, and make it work, both MUSICALLY and visually from beginning to end.........hopefully they will max out and maybe actually get some credit, because there are some great things they are doing that others, including many in front of them, frankly are not.................. GB

I believe that all of those who "wrote off" all but BD, Cadets, and Cavs are very premature in their determinations. I think performance will be a key item. Also, frankly, some of the highest ranked shows are not working throughout, and unless they come up with major changes, I could see some major drops happen...I can also see some of the corps with potential to climb big time.....imo, SCV and Crown have the biggest possibility of major climbs, although I will have to admit I need to see Bluecoats again....I was too low at East to properly evaluate their show.....another big factor will be the judging....it will be interesting to see if effects judges will put the breaks on with shows that may be well performed but aren't fully effective, and if they will put the pedal to the metal on shows that are fully effective.....this is a very strong top 7, and I am sure that right now their staffs are deciding finishing touches for their shows (some have way more to do than others, though....)...However, all of these corps have the ability to do what is given them, so it is way premature, in my opinion, to count any of them out........... GB

GREAT POST.......and to those supposedly highly knowledgeable fans (including any judges) who say that Crown does not hang with EVERYONE in brass, ensemble, and music effect needs to go purchase batteries for their HEARING AID!!!! Some of the shirts wouldn't know an effective show if it bit them in the ***.............. GB

There is some merit as to what is being pointed out in this post, IMO........Cavaliers show is and have been driven by visual, not music, and the amount of playing, especially full ensemble, is limited.....I actually think it is a bit improved in the 1st half of their show this year, as I believe they are at least playing some demanding stuff, and actually explored a full dynamic range....then it is back to their old ways....nothing above forte, everything visual and gimmicks, and a very lackluster ending....how this is nearly at the top is beyond me, yet we have had judges place this first in music captions, including effect, but they have also been placing 5th...amazingly, they have nearly won the biggest shows with 5th place in music but 1st if visual, which indicates just how broken the system is......we have actually had people on this post indicate "demand" doesn't matter....although the actual word is not on the sheets, of course it is to be considered, and every judge in performance captions is taught to evaluate "WHAT is being asked of the performer", and "HOW well is it being performed". While I think Cavies have been very good at the "HOW", the "WHAT", especially musically, is not up to snuff compared to the other top players, yet they have gotten away with it, but I finally see the tide turning a bit on the "formula"..........In terms of musical demand on the performers, I would have to rate Cavs 7th currently......Phantom was right there with them musically in terms of playing cleanly last year, and with a much stronger and a far more effective book, that was not recognized by the judging community.....when multiple Hall of Famers comment after the scores are announced that "they don't get it"........there is a PROBLEM..................I think if the music judges start calling a spade a spade and stick with their caption, which is starting to happen this year, corps with stronger musical programs are going to start to prevail........... GB

Good review....thanks!! GB

Will the visual caption determine the winner at DCI? Should it? As a music person, I happened to notice something alarming in the scores.....this actually happened last year as well, but is much more obvious this year. For whatever reason, visual judges tend to call larger spreads, even among the very top corps. As a result, a corps with high visual marks many times now ends up defeating a corps who outscores them in music but loses to them in visual, as the music spreads the other way are not as wide. And my point is???? My point is a question mark.......I am a bit alarmed that Cavaliers were only 5th place in the musical captions at Murfreesboro, and yet due to their winning visual marks only were out of first by less than two tenths and thus nearly won the show. Visual now has 50 percent of the score (it used to be 65 percent music to 35 percent visual). However, if visual scores are always going to have high spreads and the other caption margins are lower, that means that visual will most likely determine the winner. Frankly, as a sport that promotes music and music education, I do not think that it would reflect well on the activity if the 5th place musical product is crowned champion. Last year, there was a sudden spike in Cavs visual numbers at finals to extreme levels, which guaranteed their narrow victory. I will not pretend to be an expert regarding the visual captions. However, it does seem to me that some of the margins may be a bit wide........to me, the "what" (what you are doing...and how well it fits the music...the coordination aspect) is very important, as is the "how" (how well it is being performed). I think that if some of the judges considered the "what" part a bit more, the visual margins would be slimmer. If the trend continues, perhaps the music judging community needs to consider being a bit more "harsh" on some of the musical products that have issues, and opening up spreads, even among the top corps, and especially opening up margins in musical effect, where a corps can be rewarded for having a musical product that is totally effective throughout and with substantial margins over products that are only partially successful from a musical effect standpoint.....I think the ME caption is perhaps the one where there are the most problems (although, kudos to several judges this year who have stepped up to the plate and called some spreads there, and also realize that ME and VE are not the same thing). There are still judges who will give a corps a high music effect number simply if the music is executed very well, yet the musical book has not communicated with the audience and there are arrangement problems, or places in the show that simply are not very effective.....in short, have just made it another performance caption. An example of a problem is this year......Carolina Crown has a musical program which is more effective than several corps who are not only finishing higher, but mysteriously beating them in musical effect as well. I do not have a problem if you have 2 (or even 3) corps who are very close in all captions and the visual winner takes the show. However, I do have a problem if a corps who is 4th or lower musically manages to win on extremely high visual scores, as now the "balance of power" is shifted too far toward the visual end. Hopefully, visual margins will narrow, and the corps with the strongest "balance of power" between music, visual, and effect will win the championship. However, at this point, there is a strong possibility that visual scores may catapult a corps into the winner's circle with music numbers that are not among the top 3, and that is a big concern........... GB

Yes....you are right....I enjoyed the Bridgemen alumni....always good to hear Kerchner's great charts again, and the crowd also loved them......I especially enjoyed the addition of the walkers for "Bottle Dance" (lol), and the ref/penalty judge....the uniform still has a look like none other, and the corps rekindled some good memories....the little tribute to 27 was a classy touch, too, especially with the fact the George B was actually there...... GB

IMO, the show needs more than just a new ending this year....first half is fine...exciting, good impacts, etc....second half needs major work...they perform well, but alot of people are good this year....if they can't get the 2nd half to the level of the first, they will fall out of the top 3.............GB

Here is my review of Allentown night one....I was high up on the 40 yard line.... Jersey Surf.....they have a young corps that performs well at the Div. 2 level...solid in all captions....interesting treatment of "Shaft"....I have some continuity problems with arrangements, but overall I believe they will be a very solid div. II competitor by season's end.... Troopers.....great to see them back and full-size.....solid low brass sound....corps is young but doing well considering that.. percussion is solid, and visual package is adequate....once they can open up impacts they will be far more effective musically....I did feel score was a bit low..... Southwind.....I couldn't grab onto the musical arrangements, although the first few impacts were strong, but they could not sustain that energy level.........many early season performance problems, but I also don't see the content being up to snuff, and I don't see this product challenging for a semis spot unless they really do some homework....that said, I remember last year when they made major improvements the last few weeks.... I had them below Troopers tonight...... Madison......after reading all of the reports/recaps, I feared the worst.....the good news is there is hope for this show, this year....it starts interesting enough, and I felt they were pretty good the 1st half, with some strong impacts.... yes, there was dirt, but the content was fine.....the 2nd half took a nose-dive.....the young corps couldn't sustain the energy level and the brass "ran out of gas", although the ending was cool......very noticeable at a regional was unfinished silk work in 2nd half....however, weapons line is decent, and some decent silk work in the 2nd half could add much to the visual product. They have a long haul ahead of them, but there is time, and I have seen corps make finals from far further back....percussion book is adequate...just dirty at this point.......don't count them out.... Pacific Crest......although the "Viva Las Vegas" theme is fun, I did not feel the arrangement was very strong.....the corps doesn't play or march badly, but I believe they will hit a brick wall when corps with stronger content get their products under their belt.....I don't see the product in semis, and felt was a bit overscored at this point..... again, the show is fun, but............... Spirit...........the corps has a full sound and is competent in all sections....however, the arrangements do not generate a whole lot of excitement....seems to be lacking sizzle and fire......I can see them getting solid performance numbers by season's end, but unless effect is substantially beefed, I don't see the product in finals this year... Boston......solid show....I like the Spanish theme, and the arrangements are good....I think opening up impacts can take it up a notch....performing in good early season form........strong in all segments.......it will be interesting to see what they do with the product........... Crown......arrangements and brass sound are absolutely stellar.....percussion is musical and demanding as well: early season dirt there is keeping them back a bit, but I feel they are underscored in brass, ensemble, and especially music effect.....their pitch and tone quality is second to none.....if they open up impacts, IMO, they are the most "dangerous" corps in the top 7 and a contender....solid guard and visual program as well....William Tell is a gas, and people need to pay attention to all that is demanded of this brass line, in all sections of the show..............don't miss this corps....I had them over Phantom and SCV and closer to Cadets....at least among those 3 it was very close.... SCV.........I thought the arrangements were strong, there is good impact and emotion in the show, and it is a demanding one....they are strong in all captions....the show is a vehicle to carry them far, and it is a tough one to nail all of the performance captions...the show sold well....they are right in the hunt, and dangerous considering the fact they have a very well-written show.... Phantom....they have improved nicely in a week, and I believe they sold the arrangements better tonight....that said, I still have issues about the arrangement of "Firebird" which I would give a "B" to, and I also heard some of the same ensemble problems as a week ago....Percussion was solid......IMO, the whole key is what they do with Firebird.. brass has a big sound which I am sure will be very well executed by season's end..... Cadets.....as I stated before, if you can't get past the narration, then you will not like them. If you get past it, the arrangements are very solid, the hornline has huge impact and major demand, the percussion section will be deadly executors by season end, and they are marching up a storm out there...the long sustained quick tempo of the closer, combined with intricate brass parts and insane drill, put their trademark stamp on the show..... come Pasadena, they will be tough to beat....the show works, they sell it, and it is tough.............good variety, too Cadets played a good post-show, although I was disappointed that they chose not to play their actual show......good crowd..... GB

oops...I forgot to write up Glassmen in my review for Allentown 2.... the guard carries the gypsy theme well throughout....music a bit disjunct, but interesting overall and the hornline has a solid sound...percussion, guard, and visual are solid, and the product comes across as solid at this point in the season....we will see how this program grows...... GB

Here is my review of Allentown Part 2.... General: I was on the 50 but very low, so I can't really comment well on visual Pioneer.........there are some fun treatments of Irish themes here arrangement-wise....the brass line is young and still struggling with their sound production/technique at this point....adequate percussion........due to the corps' youth, inexperience, and the fact that they haven't been competitive at the open level for several years leads me to believe that they may be better suited for div. II competition.... Cascades.....I found show to be a bit dissonant and also disjunct. Brass book is demanding, and I think they will perform well by season's end....perc. had performance problems tonight...guard and visual product is adequate.... I felt they were a bit underscored and had them edging Crossmen...the show isn't strong enough to contend for a finals spot this year........ Crossmen.....another corps with a disjunct musical book that just isn't working from an effect standpoint....they play little snippets from the past....Russian Xmas draws a good response, but then they drop it and that's that..... transitions don't work, and brass line...both impact and technique...is a big concern...mellophones especially struggle....percussion section is decent and guard is as well...they have some typical early season dirt there, but I believe both sections will get there, but I can't say the same with the brass at this point, unless they really turn it around.....visual design is ok....this product also is not strong enough musically to challenge, and I was stunned at how close they were to Blue Stars..... Blue Stars.......very musical corps....arrangements are interesting, and they have good brass technique and blend.... they do need to open up impacts, and soon, to have a shot at finals....I believe they do have a shot, but this is a tough year and they have to push very hard. Percussion will determine it....the book is ok, but performance level was dirty tonight.....they seem to be competent enough in visual/guard....If they open up the brass impacts and the drumline gets clean (they have a great pit), they could be a sleeper to make finals Colts............I was very surprised....the arrangements are solid, and the brass line had a very rich, full sound which they managed to maintain throughout the program.....effective, and visual coordination looked good......percussion is adequate and musical...they beat G-men tonight, and are looking very much like a finalist at this point.... Blue Knights......some may find the corps a bit abstract musically, but I believe arrangements are solid, demanding, and they are playing pretty well out of the gate....they also have a solid visual package to go along with it.... good percussion....the product is solid, they do their own thing, and I see them very solid by season's end... I thought they may break 80 and they were close.... Bluecoats........the "criminal" theme is carried well throughout the program, and I find it entertaining and imaginative.... percussion was quite strong, as were brass impacts and performance level was very good....I feel they are asking more of their performers than Cavies are, especially musically, and the show at this point is far more effective...I actually thought they may squeak by BD for the win, and did not think Cavies beat them..... looking at the recap, visual was the only caption that hurt them, as Cavs were third in the music captions... Cavaliers.....very strange, in the fact I thought they were hot the 1st half of the show, and then they were done...very little musical impact in the 2nd half, and the ending was especially dry from an effect/impact standpoint....they CAN do it, as there were some strong impacts and very strong playing in the 1st half....perc. battery had a dirty performance...pit was stellar.....they perform well, but the musical book/impact needs to be seriously beefed up for the 2nd half if they are to contend, and I feel they are overscored at this point.... visual/guard are strong (although too much rolling on the ground by brass...once was fine, but they did it multiple times.....redundant....it will be interesting to see if they can bring 2nd half up to first half excitement levels.... Blue Devils.....they were strong in all captions tonight.....brass line has much impact and a strong lead line....I like the arrangement of Pegasus....I find the middle of the show to lull from a musical interest standpoint, albeit played well....ending saved it somewhat, but I believe they can do more with it......percussion line plays well.. I have a problem with musical continuity at times, and thus I don't believe they have a total "hit" here from a musical effect standpoint, which could be there nemesis in Pasadena...... General.... good crowd.....one peeve: it used to be that the winner of the show played the encore, not a pre-determined corps....I felt BD should have performed, and I heard others saying the same...... GB

Greetings... Here is my review of the Hershey show.... General....great crowd, and though heat was brutal during the day, the stadium was shaded by showtime and it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been.... Surf....solid performance for a Div II corps, and they were more confident tonight then when I first saw them....interesting treatment of Shaft......some of the arranging a bit disjunct for me.....this corps works hard, is competent in all sections, and has created a good space for themselves among div. II competitors.... Troopers....I enjoyed the show, and they are working hard....perc. is probably best section of the corps thusfar....decent low brass sound....need more soprano sound and more impact overall....for being off for a year, they have a decent product which I feel is a tad underscored..... Crossmen........arrangements come across as very disjunct to me....they had the crowd into it when they finally hit the push in Russian Xmas Music, then they just go into something else, abruptly......hornline has many problems, especially mellophones, and lack of air support....percussion, guard, and visual product are all adequate, but I feel brass problems are significant, and scoring seems a tad high for the product at this point..... Blue Knights......book a bit obscure, but it is well arranged, demanding, and they have a solid brass line...percussion a bit dirty, but it's early, and they will be fine.....visual design/guard both good. I think this book is better than what they have had the past few years, and they perform well......good show. Crown......awesome show. Arrangements are superb, and played very musically, with great intonation, blend, and technique, and they communicate the product to the audience. percussion section still has some early season dirt, but they have a solid section which is arranged very well and fits the brass book well. I am confused by the music numbers given this corps, especially effect and brass, where I believe they are stellar. They have the finest brass blend of any line I heard this year (and I've heard them all). Guard and visual program are not too shabby either. (They have been winning guard). I believe impacts are still being held back just a bit....once they open up, look out.....I feel this show has been underscored all season, as this is a very effective show that also, when looked at it, has a ton of demand as well........ Blue Devils.....they play and perform very well. They have a solid lead soprano line which really adds to the impacts with high range players who can hit it. Opener works well, (interesting treatment of Pegasus) and I liked the black wings of the guard. I also did appreciate when they all go to rifle, but it could be so much more effective if they would pay more attention to detail, as there is a lack of uniformity, but it didn't show up in the visual scores.....I felt the middle of the show lacked expression and emotion, and the overall musical programming of the book came across a bit choppy. Percussion is solid, although I think the move where the drumline is wailing while hornlines play in chordal style moving backfield is growing old on me (due to several corps doing this in the last 3 years and this year....) and just really isn't very musical. Being strong in the performance numbers did not surprise me, but the music effect number did....the ending was not bad but I still expected more from them at that point...... Cadets....as I said before, if you can't get past the narration on this show, you probably will never like it. However, the corps is really playing a whale of a book, and very well at this point...the brass line plays with more impact and emotion than they have in quite some time, and they manage to do it throughout the show and are reaching the crowd. There is plenty of variety, the arrangements/orchestrations are very interesting and well-written, and the drill and guard book fit well, the movement/tempo/playing demand in the closer especially is insane. I thought they clearly beat Devs in effect, but that didn't happen....performance may have been a toss up......this is a very solid show which is also entertaining, and I feel once this program is razor clean, which I believe it will be, they will be tough to beat.... Looking forward to Pasadena! GB

I am fairly sure that at a very early show in 1977 ([perhaps Memorial Day Weekend), the Bridgemen (4th at DCI and a title contender) were beaten by Boston (17th at DCI) and I know they beat us, too (the Crossmen...11th at DCI). Spirit of Atlanta, who was 23rd in 1977, beat Madison in an early show in 78 and finished 6th at DCI. The Bluecoats win was very similar to the Cadets in 1982, who went to DCI midwest prelims and beat Phantom and Madison, and then beat SCV later on and finished 3rd at DCI behind BD and SCV, with BD being the only corps they didn't beat during the season. The wildest thing I ever saw was the drumline of the Oakland Crusaders from Canada. In 1977, at the first DCI tour show, they finished dead last in 9th, with a score in the 40's, but won high percussion at that show, beating all of the rest...Blue Devils, Madison, 27th, Crossmen, Anaheim Kingsmen, Spirit, Argonauts, and the Ventures. They did improve in brass by year end, but not enough.....the corps WON HIGH PERCUSSION at DCI prelims, but came in 14th overall, and thus did not make finals. Some of us chanted "Oakland" when the announcer was getting ready to announce high percussion at finals, as Devils won, but were handily beaten by Oakland in prelims. GB

Here is my first review of the year....Giants stadium.................. General: good crowd, good weather, great stadium......... Jersey Surf: Surf made a very respectable showing here....interesting arrangement of Shaft....once the brass has a bit more confidence and they open up the impacts a bit, I think they will jump in effect....some typical early season dirt, but they have a successful division II product. Crossmen: major dissapointment. Arrangements lacked continuity of musical thought, throughout. Also, horn sound was thin, and impacts very weak at this point. The line lacked energy and emotion. Unless there is serious change here, this product may have trouble making semis. The drumline was aggressive, and showed good uniformity and some exposed parts, with early season dirt holding them back a bit, but I do believe they will be good by season's end, and a better percussion product than the past few years. Guard was dirty tonight, but I think they will be ok, and the visual product is ok, but brass is so far behind at this point..... Boston: a pleasant surprise....they don't have any glaring weakness, and the arrangements and visual package show potential......if they add some "sizzle" and more impact and emotion in this Spanish flavored show, they could take it up a few notches...... Blue Knights...stronger product overall than last year, with a more mature brass sound....I find the arrangements and visual book interesting.....again, adding more emotion and impact could take it up a notch.......... Carolina Crown.......I have to say that I disagree with many who have said "knocking on door to top 6" and best of the rest, etc......I think they are selling them short, because I think they have already arrived. The horn sound is fabulous, and they are not (and haven't been) getting full credit for the quality of brass sound that they produce, or the quality of arrangements. The percussion is much improved, and I think will be quite strong once they clean......Visual product is very well coordinated with a great guard. Frankly, I felt that they beat Phantom tonight........and if they nail everything, who knows where they can take this....Not only is William Tell fun and effective, but their arrangment is very tough and they performed it great tonight..........don't miss these guys..... Phantom: before anyone gets upset about what I right, let me say that they are still a very strong drum corps, but I believe there are problems with the show not showing up in the score.....The musical arrangements just didn't have the same emotion as the last few years, and to me, only the ballad was well-written. Firebird was especially suspect, as the arranger either missed or chose to not include several key harmonic elements of the original, and it came up short....it also did not have the visual impact of the past few years.......Percussion was solid, although I felt Cadets were stronger there tonight, and several brass ensemble problems did not show up in the score........I do not feel the show is a contention show at this point, and without some arrangement overhauls and many auditions, they could fall several notches in the ladder.... Cadets.....yes, I am not a big narration fan either....however, I think if they thinned out a few parts, it wouldn't bother me much at all....get past it, and there is a wonderful corps out there.....the brass line and percussion line are very strong right now already, and will be fabulous in August.....this is the widest dynamic contrast that I have heard from them in quite a while, and the brass line can pack quite a punch impact-wise while maintaining good quality....the arrangements have much variety, are interesting, and strong emotionally....the visual and guard package is very strong as well........If they hit deadly execution levels in August, which I think they will, they are going to be tough to beat...... I will see many more at East next weekend, and I look forward to it!! GB

I have no problem with people making predictions for a show or the season (although I have never made mine until I see everyone....and even then I've been wrong before, too...) and reviews are great, even when someone has a totally different opinion about a corps' show....what I do have a problem is when people absolutely bash a corps after their first week of performances and indicate they have no chance; many doing this haven't even been to a show yet (this was the intent of my post..."this season isn't over yet")......now everything has been said....GB

I beg to differ.......just 2 years ago, Cadets lost to Cavaliers by over 7 points early on, and also lost to others.....in the last few weeks, they left everyone in the dust, winning every caption and subcaption at finals.... Last year, Phantom was a distant 4th with 3 weeks remaining, and lost the title by .3.....and many felt should have won.... Youl also mentioned the corps have been in 12 hour rehearsal blocks right before the season started....true....but LEARNING the drill/show, not perfecting it. Now that the shows are out there, they will start cleaning and refining....also, who will have the guts to change things that aren't working or make significant changes to make something better....some corps may not need many changes, just cleaning.....others may be in trouble without change....so, there are many factors....when you have 40 - 60 hours or more a week to rehearse, there are possibilities...I think the battle to win this year will be hotly contested, and the battle to get in finals may be one of the best in years.....GB

Greetings, I see alot of posts writing off some corps on the basis of scores at the first show or 2....not good.....I remember one year seeing the Sky Ryders in June....they copped a 54, and out of it score-wise. I remember saying to myself..."the hornline has talent and can play, the book is very good, the drumline will be adequate, and the drill design is good.....yes, execution is a mess, but it was their 2nd show.....that corps solidly made finals. These corps now have 8-14 hours a day to get their act together....give them some time and a chance....to me, one of the greatest things about corps is that the season is like a horse race......you can jump to the lead early, or you can be back 20 lengths.......all that matters is how you finish........best of luck to all of the corps! GB

Back in my 2nd year marching (1978) Phantom and SCV tied for first at DCI Championship prelims in Denver. We were actually given instructions that if they tied in finals, that we would be exiting the field quickly, as the two corps would play it off, as was in the rules at that time!! Ironically, in prelims when they tied, Vanguard had a .1 penalty and Phantom went penalty free. In finals, before penalties they were tied, but Phantom has a .1 penalty (rifle drop) and lost by .1. That was kind of sad, as I understand that the person who dropped felt responsible for the loss...........it would have been a wild scene if they had to play it off, and "historical'..........GB