TerriTroop

Love the show, and I'm 47. Not sure if that qualifies for the "younger" bracket.

ha!!! By the way, at Denver they would not allow anything at all that was bigger than a small clutch purse. Not sure if that's going to be the case at Indy, but the security folks in Denver said it was an NFL stadium policy. People were walking all they way back to their cars to get rid of backpacks, larger purses, etc.

Not going to put them in order because I'm never good at settling on one. Troopers - and not just because I'm an alum. I'm so very proud of this show and what it has to offer. Go Troop! Blue Knights - context: I haven't liked many BK shows. This show got me, and got me good. Beautiful! Bluecoats - what can I say, it's an exciting, imaginative, and enjoyable show with a ton of excellence in all captions. I love that there isn't a story I'm supposed to get. This show just works. Madison - yeah, it's not one of their best shows of all time, but I really like the jazz feel, the guard morph, and even the trombone use. GASP! All in all, this show keeps my attention and I can just get into the style and groove and enjoy it. There will probably be more to add to my list after next week. Looking forward to three full days of drum corps bliss!

I'm thinking about walking that 5K - will bring my better shoes just in case. But 7:30am.... the day after the semi's after-party.... that's sounding like a stretch!

If your daughter is young enough to enjoy Conner Prairie (period specific farm/community attraction of high quality), I strongly recommend it as a side trip.

I'm traveling solo to Finals for the first time in a long, long time - arriving Thursday about noon and departing Monday at 6am. I gave myself Sunday as a recovery day - I'm going to need it! I'm bringing lots of Trooper gear of course, and last year's SCV Les Mis shirt. (loved that show) I'll be attending all three shows, though I may be a bit more of a lot rat on Thursday. I'll just have to wait and see what my mood is that day. I'm also attending the Troopers banquet on Sunday. (haven't done that since my marching days!) If there's a DCP gathering somewhere, that would be cool to attend. I will be easy to spot. Go Troop.

Um, ok. Thanks! I'll take that happily! (proud Liberal, and alum of Troopers )

Yes, it's been going on all night (i'm watching multi-cam because of iPad). I'm sooooo sad about the sound. But, Troop is doing great. Happy with that show.

HOOOOOOOO TROOOOOOOOP!!!!!!!

Yep. It's driving me NUTS.

My senior prom dress in 1985 was a royal blue satin with white lace over it. I am not joking. When I first saw Academy's guard unis I was horrified - not at them, though! They look SOOOOO much better than I ever did. LOL! I do enjoy this show. The pit feature is fun, and I LOVE the Beethoven. I just wish they would slow it down a hair to give it more gravity.

I'm using Airplay to my appleTV and vizio sound system, and I'm hating the sound feed. Sound/mic crew seems to keep playing with the levels? I don't know, this isn't my thing. But I hate having to adjust my sound every time the levels change.

I can only speak about what I've heard from folks with Troopers: visual basics are part of all pre-season camps (marching and movement technique, etc.), and I believe they started putting drill on the field at their April camp this year. (edited to add: I think they have visual assignment videos to submit along the way as well)

Well, I'm obviously one who will say that there's no "lock" on anything until all is said and done next week. I get the whole "it's a done deal" mentality, but there's no point in "accepting fate" if you're in the hunt to upset the apple cart.

I think there is always the risk that one, two or a few in any corps can feel "resigned" to some kind of fate. If you join a corps, or return to a corps, hoping to achieve a certain placement goal and that goal feels like it's almost impossible, I imagine that's difficult to overcome. I bet most of us seasoned folks who have marched at least a couple of years have known that one member, or that small handful of members, who would always make sure to spread negativity. But I don't expect there to be a sense of resignation that permeates a majority (or more) of a corps. If that's happening, then I would say there is a systemic problem with that organization.

Just keep pushin', Troop!

I'm sorry, your picture doesn't show a panda bear. You'll have to fix that.

Because this is a bunch of not-for-profits traveling around in a very limited timeframe without the ability to return at a date a few weeks later, this policy makes sense. You can't compare it to other types of live music performances for profit. I think of it as a donation. If I get to see a show, fantastic. If I don't, at least I contributed to getting all of the corps who were supposed to perform down the road a little bit.

Yes? What if you were asked to play a murderous thug in a play? You would have to find a way to take on several behavioral traits that may be completely different than your usual manner: intimidating physical mannerisms, lack of empathy, violence without remorse, etc. But when you take that costume off, you don't live those things out in your daily life.

Mom of a 10-year old daughter here. Would I want her to wear that outfit for shows all summer long? Well, if I had to be completely honest with myself I'd say no, I probably wouldn't. But, as an 18-year old, my daughter would have her own emerging adult identity and I would hope she had become a strong enough young lady to be able to separate her show character and her true character.

Troopers who age out: cross sabers Not sure if this is still happening: scarf rings (a la classic Trooper uniforms) for each year marched Troopers drumline (newer tradition): buttons from the vintage Troopers uniforms on necklace - I think this may have started when the corps re-emerged after their year off in 2006. No matter when it started, when I first saw those buttons around their necks I cried with pride. Not ashamed to say it. I know there are others, but I don't know enough about them to give details.

This could become a thing.

Cheyenne, WY - July 11 (rain out) Denver, CO - July 12 Round Rock, TX - July 17 (partial rain out) San Antonio, TX - July 19 Will be attending August 7-9 in Indy (in 2015 I have to scale back and will do only the TX shows, most likely.)

Crown, Troop, Bluecoats, BK so far, but there will likely be others. I'll know by the time I get my full saturation of drum corps for three days and nights in Indy!

Thank you for the compliment to my home corps. As a side note, I really enjoy Madison's show. But that's why drum corps is so great - people can like different things and it's all good!