charlesdrum

I think Coats have been doing things right for the last 7 years. Since falling out of the top 12 in 99, they have steadily improved each year in placement. The next step is not an easy one at all. When you have 4 corps like Cavies, BD, Cadets and SCV, it is going to be very difficult to beat all of these corps in the same year at finals. And while they managed to knock 2 of those off this year to become the first new corps to make it into the top 4 in many years, it will be interesting to see if they can continue to climb in the rankings. As long as they are continuing to put out the quality of shows they are putting out now, it will be nice just to see them in the top 6 with corps like Cavies, BD, Cadets, SCV and hopefully Scouts back in there soon.

Maybe they voted that way bacause "Never going to happen" wasn't an option?

I know at the shows I have been at where it has started raining after corps have performed, they have announced the scores of the corps that already performed.

madison had a very entertaining show. I predict come finals they will be between 7th and 10th. Spirit Colts and Glassmen all have very nice shows, just not quite up to that level of Scouts. I think the 13th and 14th place scores should have been a little higher personally. But everyone in the daytime show had a nice performance in my opinion. Very nice shows well done.

Having been at both shows last night I have a few comments to add. I thought Spirit had a much better show than Glassmen. Especially in the afternoon, when Glassmen had some intonation issues. Most of the people around me were kind of surprised that Spirit and Colts didn't beat Glassmen. All good shows I might add. Blue Knights and Scouts match up was very interesting. Blue Knights had just a little more spark to their show. If Scouts clean a little more visually, and do something with the ending(something lacking there, can't put my finger on it), it should be a close race end season. Crown had the first show of theirs I absolutely love, musically and visually. I think end of season with some cleaning, they could be fighting SCV and Phantom for that 5th place spot. Boston had a nice show, some rough spots here and there, but overall nice. I think they will be fighting BK for 8th at the end of season. Phantom, I don't see how they beat Cadets or Bluecoats. Major problems in the pit last night. Sometimes half a count off the rest of the corps, and they weren't even together among themselves several times during the show. In pit percussion, I would have had them in 10th place, so when they won drums, I was kind of surprised. Blue Devils and Cadets were more impressive. Overall though, one of my favorite Phantom shows musically, visual very dirty last night. Lines were not straight, and the guard was off in many places. Cadets had some issues during the night, but overall a very nicely performed program. Can't wait to see the progression between now and finals. Probalby looking at 3rd place, fighting with Bluecoats. Bluecoats had an amazing performance. One of the cleanest guards of the night. Very nice visual package, definitely a step up from last year. Look for 3rd or 4th place finish at finals, depending on Cadets. Cavies and Blue Devils---WOW I hadn't seen Cavies in a couple of weeks, and that show is absolutely AWESOME. Possibly their best drill ever. I was predicting they would win SA and then fall back down to BD during finals week earlier in the season, but after last night, I think it may be difficult for BD to catch them. It will be a contest of Visual versus Musical performance come finals week. Absolutely love the BD show, but it seems they have more standing than I recall a few weeks ago in Dubuque. Maybe some changes are being worked out that haven't been performed for an audience yet? That was the only negative to their show, it just didn't feel finished in parts(I know, there are 3 weeks still to go in the season) Daytime scores, the only thing I didn't agree with the judges on were I thought Colts should have been closer to Spirit and Glassmen, and Spirit should have beat Glassmen by about 1 point. Just my opinion.

After last nights viewing, I thought Cadets should have been 4th, behind Bluecoats, above Phantom. Although a lot of people may not like some of the things being done on the field, they are being done well.....VERY well. I don't see how Phantom won drums over BD and Cadets. Still a mystery to me. It is sometimes hard to focus in on what all is going on with Cadets show. I like it. To some it may seem cluttered. Same could also probably be said for Cavies show. There is also so much going on visually. Cavaliers have managed to keep more focal points though, so they have a better visual program overall.

There is some amazing stuff on the field out there this year. If I were you, I would be sure to get there early for quarterfinals. The 18-23rd placing corps this year are better than ever. I can't find a show in that group that I didn't enjoy. Watch every corps this year at quarters, you'll be glad you did. Great job from all the corps in attendance yesterday. Weird evening though with a rain delay, who woulda thoughtit?

Saw the show live last night and absolutely loved it. The music is awesome, and drill is very clean. I think if they added just a little touch more difficulty, they could improve placement wise. Uniforms have a very nice visual presentation on the field. I am sorry you guys missed some of these shows, as they were fantastic. Even the 18-22 placing corps have some really nice shows this year. You might want to get to quarterfinals this year before the first corps takes the field, or you're going to be missing something special out there!!!!!!

Just got back from SA. Awesome show from everyone, sorry you all missed it due to some broadcasting errors. I agree with the points a couple of people have made. My son, who just turned 16, wants to march corps next year. He noticed some really bad attitudes with Phantom souvie stand last year, enough to decide he didn't want to march with them in the future. The 2 girls made some negative comments towards the Scouts after getting beat. My son has the belief that you do the best you can in life, without belittling others along the way. He has also met and talked with members of different corps, and he noticed the attitude with the Phantom members as well. Enough to know that is not where he would like to march.

I would have to say that more returning talent does probably give them an advantage towards taking the next step. As posted above, staff is also very important. When it comes to drill design though, does the membership affect the drill design? Does a corps like Colts, Pioneer, Troopers, etc talk to the design staff and say, 85% of our 135 kids are rookies, so make the drill a little easier? I have seen it posted on these boards that membership retention in corps like SCV, CAdets, Cavies, and BD is usually between 75-80% So when you start early season rehearsals, you have close to 90 members with experience to help along the newbies. So not only do you have great staff, but that many members to really help out on the field. That is 2 members with experience in that corps, to 1 that does not. When you take the other side, where Colts and Pioneer come in, and you only have 40-50% retention, that is one on one with vets and rookies. So if you want to look at it in another light, it is almost like the top 4 corps have more staff. They not only have a great paid staff, but they also have 2 experience people on the field to help out every new member. Nice odds if you ask me. So if you kept membership retention in the lower placing corps, and had the staff and drill design team adjust to this, I think a top 5-6 place could be possible for corps like Colts, and Pioneer could be in the mix for top 17/top 12 over the years. I saw Colts last week, and was very impressed. I mentioned this at their booth, and the lady said they had alot of returning members this year, and I had heard they had a very young membership last year. And when you look at the quality of Colt Cadets this year, if membership retention stays high, and alot of the Cadets move up to the Colts, and drill design is increased, I think a top 6 finish is not far from being a reality.

My son is thinking about auditioning for Cavies next year. When I mentioned on these boards a while back that maybe he just wasn't quite talented enough to make it(his thoughts, not mine), someone else suggested that he audition for Phantom as it may be easier to get on there first and then try out for Cavies the next year. He has told me on numerous occasions that he would not consider marching Phantom, due to their rudeness off the field. He was also very put off last year, when after they lost to another corps, the souvie girls badmouthed the corps that beat them that night(Scouts-who actually did have a better show). After mentioning that here, several people pointed out there have been a few different threads about this on these boards. Thanks Melissa for the insight. It is nice to see that someone who has been involved in the organization is willing to mention things like this. And while the Phantom/Cavies hissyfest may be over(at least from Cavies end of things) it doesn't look like the Phantom attitude ever will. And while it is his dream to march SCV or Cavies(2 of the classiest organizations with music and drill he loves) at least one year, if it doesn't work out, he would love to march any other organization in the area, whether it be Scouts, Colts, Glassmen, Bluecoats, Capital Regiment, Pioneer, Blue Stars, or DII/III

I was chatting with a Phantom mom at one of the recent shows. She was telling me her son had tried out for Cavies and was cut at one of the early camps. She told me that he was told he ought to try out for either Phantom, Scouts, or Colts to gain some experience. He auditioned for Phantom and was able to make it. she was telling me there are 15 other kids that tried out for Cavies, were cut and now march Phantom. I had always thought there was a negative vybe between Cavies and Phantom, judging from a lot of comments made on these boards, but if Cavies are sending kids to Phantom after getting cut, it sounds like things must be okay between these corps now. So just wondering, were there big conflicts at one time between these corps, or was it just a few small conflicts between a couple of members that got blown out of proportion? And is everything cool between them now? Also was excited to talk to Blue Devils souvie person in Dubuque. It was nice to hear all the positive things she had to say about SCV and their show(haven't seen it live yet). It is so nice to see/hear about the comraderie between these corps.

Very nice show. Can't wait to see it next week in Bloomington. I will about have it memorized by then I bet, on my 6th listen now while on my computer.

I like their music as well. Music is familiar, with bits and pieces put nicely together. A little rough in spots, but as it was recorded on June 17, I think that is to be expected. Nice job of arranging, like last year. While there are probably parts of 12-15 songs woven together, you would expect it to be a little choppy, but it really flows well. Definitely a well spent $1.99. I also can't wait to see how this show develops over the next couple of months.

Bluecoats 74.05 Scouts 70.2 Colts 66.25 Blue Stars 64.6 I think it will be an amazing show. I can't wait to see all the corps in action tomorrow!!!! And first set of APDs available tomorrow as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!