KidB

Anyone speak with members and/or someone close to the Cadets? I know that Hop has requested exhibition performance in the past, so his definition of success certainly does not lie in the standings, but there must be some very disappointed members in the corps. Does getting slammed every night take its toll on a perenial top 3 corps? You can say scores don't matter until you're blue in the face, but being a member during a season of the corps lowest standing in 15 years must be very discouraging. I hope they realize that 'pushing the envelope' sometimes means taking your hits. I have not seen or heard the show, so I cannot judge, but I would imagine from all the comments it's pretty off the wall.

00-01 followed by 83-84 92-93 97-98

1. 2000 cadets 2. 1993 star 3. 1996 madison 4. 1987 cadets 5. 1998 blue devils 6. 1999 scv 7. 1996 phantom 8. 1993 cadets 9. 2000 cavaliers 10.1984 blue devils

great question. i was the only one from bergen county in 99 and im pretty sure i was the only one in 2000 as well. we had one other from west milford, just outside bergen county. as you said, there are very few top notch bands in the area, and those few have multiple camps over the summer that preclude a lot of cadet hopefuls from being able to tour. i think in general that north jersey is more geared towards concert music--being that so many talented players come from this area--notably tenafly, demarest, teaneck, and randolph, though thats closer to central jersey. you would think though that there would be cadets from bergen county that went off to college before they marched---but even that was not the case in the years that i marched there. i recall being very surprised that i was the only cadet 'of bergen county'--but certainly DCI in general has drawn a much larger member base since the traditional day. remember--drum corps evolved from small local VFAs which, obviously, and perhaps unfortunately, is no longer the case. members did not fly in from japan and england to audition for Holy Name. so to answer your question--i have no idea.

Blue Devils Fav- 98-- Something does it for me. Least- 05—embarrassing if you ask me Bluecoats Fav- 2005 should have beat BD Least- 1999 leave chick corea to BD Cavaliers Fav- 2000 brilliant; 98;95 Least- 1999 how did they come in 3rd? Crossmen Fav- 97—cooks, 98-dig metheny Least- 2003 SCV Fav- 1999---love the 5/4;2000;98 Least- La Mer - ennuie Cadets Fav- 2000, but im biased. 87;98 (canterbury alone);92 Least—2002—enough with America tributes. Madison Fav- 95;96;2005 Least- 1999 Phantom Fav- 1996;2005 Least- 2000 those unis?

5. 95 madison- loud. 4. 96 phantom--that high c! 3. 97 cadets -more black than white on those charts. 2. 91 star-the intonation on those shi**y bugles? 1. 99 cadets - ridiculous.

1. saw cadets from upper left nosebleeds then from just under the overhang for the victory run---and it was a world of difference. WOW. they absolutely blew me away. the ballad is quite the moment. lovely brass arranging while the drums pound away. what a thrill. 2. thought bluecoats should have been ahead of devils. their hornline was superb, their visual was demanding utilizing speed as well as large step size. 3. loved gillette. lets go there again soon. getting out was so easy! $25 is steep no doubt...but nevertheless, 4. still surprised at the spread between cadets and cavaliers. 1.5?? wow.

burgers....HAHAHAH thats the funniest thing ive read on here in ages. cbc back on top kids. have to give them credit, there's demand and they perform the tar out of it.

that's what i was looking for. having not seen either phantom or cavies, this will give me better context for watching each show. thanks!

i haven't seen cavies and cadets head to head. but i have heard numerous reviews from friends that have seen both and they all tell me the same thing---- the cavies get bigger ovations, louder applause, and overall much greater reception---this even at Giants Stadium. what's the deal? if the cavies are getting such incredible crowd approval, what are the cadets doing to win GE by considerable margins? even cadet alumns seem to think the cavaliers have the edge here...but clearly the creative side of garfield's show makes them truly special. what strengths and weaknesses are making these shows distinguishable? do the cavies have a legitimate shot at the title? or will the cadets take it no matter what adjustments the green team makes? please, some experienced people who have seen both shows, shed some light on this for me, so when i see Nats this week i have a little to think about while im preparing for each performance.

I thought I saw a post listing all of the rehearsal sites for a lot of corps...does anyone know where it is?

Normal, IL is certainly crazy, courtesy of all the bandos that usually show up. However, anyone who has marched in Canada can attest to the fact that they are CERTAINLY the craziest for one simple reason. By the time the best corps come on, they're hammered. wish they had beer at all DCI shows. Maybe that would improve showmanship.

you read an article once? good for Phantom. i hope those surprises are worth it. we'll soon find out.

lets not get carried away---Bluecoats are fantastic this year, but to say that they're drum book is harder is absurd. they simply make it look easy. and as far as the brass, considering the tempos they're going, Bocook arrangements are ridiculous, far more challenging in subtlety than Thrower. Don Hill will admit that much--he wrote for Cadets for a couple years. He knows he's no Bocook. I'm not taking anything away from your alumn, they are clearly extremely talented this year, but lets not overdo it.

and we're trying to make this activity more accessible? I'd be interested to see admin turn away Manchester HS music students eager to watch a Finals-bound corps' rehearsal technique. If the corps can't focus on rehearsals for Nats week, problems are bigger than folks coming to watch. I hate to write regressive things on this board, but lets be honest. Closed rehearsals? Disappoints me.