garfield_cadets

Remember it was the age of the "mall hair" and the girls were from, well, New Jersey! :P

Dude, do you ever stop? JC! Do you ever think that people who post here are relating to THEIR OWN experience in drum corps not every corps that has ever performed in the history of the activity since Noah and his family marched off the arc? I have have seen many, if not all the open class finalist guards 1972-1987 and had not seen the pain silver poles before. And good for Dutch Boy, Freelancers and Troopers using the snake flags, but *I* had/have not seen them. Get a life, "G."

Jealousy is an ugly thing...you know most of them grabbed their hunting rifle, attempted to do what you did, and ended up in the emergency room! ROFL

While a beautiful, well written show, it just simply cannot be compared to 1983, 84, 85 or 87. It just wasn't one of "those" shows. That being said, I did love the show in it's own right, and lifted ALOT of the guardwork for use with some of my high school guards (the cartwheel rifles & the last 8 count ove & ending pose of the second movement (where the crowd really shows some love) where the guard ends with left hand above the head. Visually those snake flags were out of this world (haven't seen anything like it since), Garfield '88 was the first guard to use plain silver poles (before Phantom 96), the first flags they used (burgundy/orange/yellow/white) were/are classic Cadets and one of my all time fave silks, and the "magic marker colored" flags at the end were visually spectacular. The last year of the "G" formation. Sigh. Tear. Sniff. Musically it was one of those shows that carried you somwhere, and you gladly went along, basking in each phrase and note. The chord in the push during the company front near the end made you want to come out of your skin (and still does). Many many beautiful musical moments in that show. Speaking of that company front...oooooo DIRTY! I've seen train wrecks that were straighter than that! :P BAD angle on the video/DVD.

I throw in a second vote for Spirit of Atlanta. Had the cards been different....ah, well.

I'm looking for versions of Danny Boy that are your favorite out of all the hundreds of covers done, or that you feel most embody the spirit of the 27th Lancers. My two favorites are the one by Carly Simon, from her album "My Romance" and the one by Johnny Cash, from his album "American IV - The Man Comes Around" (which I feel really embodies the spirit of the corps). What's yours?

Well, essentially at the time "Sartacus" (Phantom 81 & 82) were brilliant shows, and still regarded today as ground breaking and revolutionary. As far as themes of Rome go, IMO, the music by Aram Khachaturian is second only to "Pines of Rome." There is alot of good music in that piece that was not utilized and would make an excellent show (yes I know others like Blue Stars also performed some of the music also). Here's an intersting concept: actually arrange a show with themes and music ACTUALLY from ancient Rome? (think outside the box here!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Roman_music

No, no....I wasn't trying to start anything either. Usually the point of my posts is to get people to think outside the box, and get the creative juices flowing. There are many, many ways to present a piece of music, even one that has been done before (even several times), to me as a designer the challenge come in making it unique in presentation. One thing that really impresses me with the designers at Pride is whoever they use to mix the music is genius. Just look at their "Stand Up" show...the music was "Rhapsody in Blue" which had been done 100 times before, but their use of it in that different context is what made it fresh and exciting.

Oh ye of little drum corps faith...sure Star 91 was one of those exceptional shows that only come around every so often, but Phantom could have, with it's own style, put a different spin on the whole concept. I actually prefered the straight forward, true to the original arrangement of the music, it just wasn't performed well. But to say it couldn't have been done to rival at least Star 91 is to underestemate the power of Phantom Regiment, and drum corps itself.

After the relative success of the years leading up to 1998, one would have thought that with the music and concept it would have rivaled at least Star 91. What happened in 98? I didn't get to see them live, but when I saw Finals I was sorely disapointed in the whole performance, from the corps right down to the guard. Even when you listen to the show now, you can hear just how flat, emotionless and uninspiring it was. No slight to members that year, I just want to know why it was such a flat year for Phantom, and it obviously affected the years afterwards.

Cadets 92 "To Tame the Perilous Skies" was a spectacular show, and when it comes to themes of flight I believe is the bench mark. The drill formation of an airplaine with the guard spinning propellers, the guard in aviator flight suits, the guard lifting it's members into the air in "flight," the flags echoing all aspects of the show, and just simply the choice and performance of the piece was total integration of a theme and concept of the highest level. I remeber they auctioned or sold off the bomber jackets the guard wore...was it for charity? I can't remember now.... One of the best Cadets shows ever.

Initially back then I prefered Phantom 90 over 91, but over the years listening comparitively to both versions of Bacchanale, the arrangement of 90 was better, but the performance and emotion of 91 were better...in 91 they basically splooged all over the crowd. I agree with others that overall 89 & 96 are better shows for me, but for that one moment in time, Phantom Regiment + Bacchanale = heart-stopping excitement. Out of my vids on YouTube it is #7 on the list for comments. (out of 30 videos) 1. 48 comments - Madison Scouts 1988 2. 46 comments - Santa Clara Vanguard 1988 3. 43 comments - Blue Devils 1988 4. 34 comments - Phantom Regiment 2003 5. 30 comments - Blue Devils 1986 6. 28 comments - 27th Lancers 1980 7. 22 comments - Phantom Regiment 1991 8. 20 comments - TIE - Star of Indiana 1990/Cadets of BC 1993

Come to think of it, that response definitely beat 96....

1986 Devils 1987 Vanguard 1988 Vanguard 1988 Scouts 1989 Regiment 1989 Vanguard 1990 Devils to name a few mid-era shows...the only show IMO to rival Scouts 95 (in terms of crowd response) is 88, and then maybe 96.

The reason the visual from Phantom 96 is given such a beating is everything was so understated and elegant, not in your face "Look at me!" corps and guard visuals. This was the first drum corps performance where I truly understood and appreciated the effect of a subtle and understated show. The guard was simply stunning, and I agree with those above that say the concept, style and costuming fit the show to a "T." The work on equipment was difficult, and not as simplistic as some of the following years. Alot of things have been copied in various formats from just the guard's performance alone, from some of the work to the use of plain blood red silks (guardie term for flag) to the "flashbulb" effect of the plain silver poles. Other "top" guards from that year, or any other year for that matter, can't say they have been copied over & over and have had such an impact on color guard in general over the years. From an emotional standpoint, you can clearly see it in the girls faces. Something I did not see again until 2003. A guard that is one of the very best in DCI history, IMO.

So would the same apply to the same song done by a different artist? What about a different version? A remix?

That's another conversation I've had with other instructors lately. Judging should be about your show, on that particular night. Holding you against a standard of the same music/performance from a unit years before just illustrates the need for better judges training.

Agreed. You mean they weren't penalized for ripping off Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps? LOL j/k

Yup. GAAAAhh-field. "For thy name shall always be Holy...." A cadet by any other name is not the same.

Yeah, I thought about putting that in the "what's effective" thread. We had a discussion on the old board about double equipment work, but triple work just takes it to a whole other level, especially when it's done extremely well. I thought Pride's "Stand Up" show was creatively written as far as the double/triple work they did, although I felt more could have been done. There were several examples this year of units performing double work, didn't see any triple though.

OK, now that's just going too far. Numerous units have had successful shows with music like Channel One Suite, First Circle, Rhapsody in Blue, and Gloria, just to name a few. To say nobody should design new shows in the future to any previously "done well" show music is to limit the very creativity this activity SUPPOSEDLY encorages.

OK, LOL, everybody is like, WTF is he talking about??? One of the points of this thread is that we become so ingrained in what we are a part of and what we see (or are led to see) that we forget sometimes what was, or is right in front of our faces...but in actuality that's a whole other thread (or show concept! <evil grin>) The two things that are "technically" wrong with the list is that prior to 1993, there was no "World Class". Champions crowned between 1980 & 1992 were officially Open Class Champions. The two units that could claim they were "the" WGI Champs were 1978 Quasar, and 1979 Phantom Regiment, because there were no other classes, they were the only champions of those years. Technically the list should read as such: Independent World 2006 Fantasia Riverside, CA 97.90 2005 Pride of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH 98.85 2004 Fantasia Riverside, CA 98.25 2003 San Jose Raiders San Jose, CA 98.10 2002 Fantasia Riverside, CA 98.90 2001 Pride of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH 97.80 2000 Fantasia Riverside, CA 98.55 1999 Emerald Marquis Wakefield, MA 98.40 1998 Blue Devils Concord, CA 98.00 1997 Blue Devils Concord, CA 98.75 1996 Blue Devils Concord, CA 99.55 1995 Blue Devils Concord, CA 98.80 1994 San Jose Raiders San Jose, CA 97.70 1993 San Jose Raiders San Jose, CA 97.30 Independent Open 2006 Croatan Newport, NC 96.50 2005 Interplay Grand Rapids, MI 96.15 2004 Sacred Heart Roslindale, MA 97.15 2003 Lealta San Diego, CA 95.70 2002 Oracle Denver, CO 95.80 2001 St. Ann's Neponset, MA 96.90 2000 St. Ann's Neponset, MA 93.80 1999 Nolan Independent Dallas, TX 96.10 1998 Patriots Rochester, NY 99.05 1997 Shadow Danse Morristown, NJ 96.65 1996 The Company Tampa Bay, FL 96.40 1995 Fantasia Riverside, CA 95.85 1994 Chimeras Murfreesboro, TN 83.20 1993 St. Patrick's Shamrocks Stoneham, MA 83.05 *(in 1993 Open Class units moved to the new World Class)* 1992 San Jose Raiders San Jose, CA 97.05 1991 San Jose Raiders San Jose, CA 97.30 1990* Blessed Sacrament Cambridge, MA 97.20 1990* San Jose Raiders San Jose, CA 97.20 1989 State Street Review Madison, WI 98.40 1988 State Street Review Madison, WI 97.60 1987 State Street Review Madison, WI 96.40 1986* Odyssey Arlington, TX 96.25 1986* State Street Review Madison, WI 96.25 1985 Erte Productions Wakefield, MA 95.05 1985 State Street Review Madison, WI 95.05 1984 Skylarks Fairfield, CT 98.40 1983 Cavaliers Rosemont, IL 98.38 1982 Cavaliers Rosemont, IL 95.76 1981 Cavaliers Rosemont, IL 97.33 1980 Phantom Regiment Rockford, IL 95.20 (before 1980 there was only one class at WGI, or specifically, no class) 1979 Phantom Regiment Rockford, IL 95.10 1978 Quasar Revere, MA 94.46 Now, I do understand why they have their lists like they do, but it can cause confusion for those who are not familiar with the actual history or class structure of the activity (which someone brought up to me, hence noticing the lists & the point of this thread).

Wow. Just WOW. Another sad day in winterguardland.

OK, I just HAD to do this. There are two things "technically" wrong with this list of World Class Champions. Can you figure out what it is? Here's a clue: Two of these units are the only ones who could claim they were "the" WGI Champions. (EDIT: it has nothing to do with the ties!) WGI World Champs List ^0^

"Can you guess that I'd really love to write for the field?" So why doesn't he write for a corps? Maybe a corps should play some of his stuff? You know alot of people talk about video game music for shows.