ajlemm

I love the baseball "homerun" visual. Good stuff.

I would tend to agree about the 1996 PR horns, but 2003 is still my favorite show. I have both APDs and love them both!

Good discussion was the point. That and possibly what people should look for in buying the Legends DVDs!

Hey everyone. I was wondering what each of you thought was the best Championship show ever. I don't mean date and location but the corps and the year they performed. It doesn't matter if they finished in the top 12 or went out after quarters. What I am looking for is your favorite show ever and reasons why. Mine is: 2003 Phantom Regiment - Harmonic Journeys Reason: This show has it all...drill, crowd pleasing drama and crescendo, and intensity. There is not a time that I watch this show that my eyes don't fill up with tears at 1:10 and the push from 9 minutes until the end is all adrenaline. What a show. I know it didn't win, but my favorite show ever! I am requesting to have it played at my funeral (hopefully not for another 60 years!)

1. Cavaliers - Unbelievable vis. package, reason why they one. They pushed the envelope and it is understandable why they went over the top. I saw them in Indy earlier in the year and knew no one would beat them. However, PR wasn't at that show... 2. Regiment - Blew everyone away at finals and the only question was...were they going to beat the Blue Devils? Cavies was a foregone conclusion and the battle was for 2-5. Faust really rocked the house and I personally wept, although sad that they didn't break out the wedge at the end. Love overcomes all. 3. Blue Devils - Big show with clout. Some people had them coming in as champs. Not so fast. Sweet show with the Godfather imagery but couldn't overcome cleaner than crap PR and groundbreaking Cavies. 4. Bluecoats - This show was markedly improved over San Antonio. They were clean and really showed why they belonged in the top 5. This is one show I listen to over and over. It was so deep and...connected. The bands they broke out to show the visual of connnectivity were sweet, but unnecessary. They were awesome, and meaningful. 5. Cadets - Man, this corps is clean! Sometimes questionable vocals and unnecessary extras, but clean as heck and it's always hard to vote against them. They are innovators and fun to watch. Especially the pink table drum stick throw!

Madison 1988 - Maleguena And always...2003 Phantom Regiment - Harmonic Journey

by the way...this was really hard! 1. 2003 Phantom Regiment (Harmonic Journeys) 2. 2006 Phantom Regiment (Faust) 3. 2006 Cavaliers (Machine) 4. 2006 Bluecoats (Connexus) 5. 2007 Carolina Crown (Triple Crown) 5. 2002 Cavaliers (Frameworks) 6. 2007 Santa Clara Vanguard (!) 7. 2005 Cadets (The Zone) 8. 2000 Cadets (Millenium Celebration) 9. 2006 Carolina Crown (In.Trance.It) Honorable Mention: 2006 Glassmen (Beethoven: Mystery and Madness) 2007 Madison Scouts (Unbound)

This one for me is easy. There were three moves I saw that just completely pumped me up. Two were hommage moves: 1) Phantom Regiment: two words: LEG WEDGE! 2) Santa Clara Vanguard: Bottle Dance move 3) Blue Devils: When the Corps moved together on the drum break. Awesome stuff.

I am not sure I understand your arguments. You were saying that Jr. Corps musical entertainment is diminishing, yet you say DCA is where it's at. I was at the DCA championships last year (when we got totally rained out during prelims) and most of the top corps there had very similar vibes to the top 12 DCI corps. I must be missing something from your argument.

Wow. I would say the thousands of younger people getting into DCI these days would flip flop your sentiments. I grew up watching DCI in the late 80's to present, and overall I like the direction it is going. It is just a matter of taste. Your tastes are obviously suited to old school style. That's cool, but again, it's a matter of taste. When you say the quality of musical entertainment has diminished greatly, you are voicing your OPINION. I believe the musical entertainment has risen greatly. That is my OPINION. The word "entertainment" by itself is all about what you think it is. If DCI wasn't giving the fans what they want, they wouldn't have thousands of people attending stadiums and theaters to watch them.

Boy, that could be any of the following: Crown - most connected with the audience, wonderment PR - most fantasy like, imagination SCV - fun and curious Blue Devils - most energy

12. Spirit - will hold on by slimmest of margins over the upstart Academy 11. Colts - can't quite make up surge from Glassmen 10. Glassmen - carry momentum to finals 9. Boston Crusaders - Increase points, go neck and neck with BK 8. Blue Knights - barely hold off BC 7. Bluecoats - hate to even say this, but SCV and Crown have a LOT of momentum 6. Santa Clara - great show, can't quite overcome Crown's crowd connection 5. Carolina Crown - crowd loves 'em, who wouldn't? 4. Cadets - the freefall began at quarters; Hopkins marches corps off field halfway through semi show in protest of booing fans 3. Phantom Regiment - As in past couple years, PR brings it at the end 2. Cavaliers - Awesome drill is not enough to overcome BD 1. Blue Devils - This show is best, they have the energy and the hometown advantage (kind of). They win with a 98.7.

I said this in my review of the quarters, but I haven't been the biggest Devils fan the last few years. I was pulling for PR to beat them last year and I got my wish. This year, it is no contest to me. The Blue Devils were hands down the best corps on the field. I loved the show from top to bottom. They had so much ******* energy, we could easily feel it in the theater! The drumbreak was unbelievably sweet (I'm a drummer). They were great. Congrats, and I am very sure they will win their 12th this year. What a nice 50th anniversary present!

I totally agree that booing is horrible. I heard people doing that in the theater and was extremely disappointed. I am not really a Cadets fan, but I am constantly amazed at the talent that these kids have. This is one of the most talented corps, and they get booed. Pretty sad. Now, Bloooooing on the other hand....

Wow. I just got back from the theater. Tonight's Quarterfinal lineup was unbelievable. You couldn't ask for any more drama, tension, beautiful music and power. I am going to attempt to review all 17 corps that I saw. I won't write tons, just capture each as much as I could. I am showing them here in order of performance. 17. Pacific Crest I saw these guys in Mankato, MN early in the season. I really like the energy they bring to their opener, "Viva, Las Vegas." They were crisp, the tunes were catchy, and this was a fun show. 16. Madison Scouts I saw the Scouts in Mankato as well, and holy mackerel have they improved! I liked the show then, and I like it even more now. I know they have gotten a lot of guff for being dirty, young, whatever, but I expect great things out of this corps the next few years. There is only two tunes stuck in my head after the show, Regiment's "Firebird" and the Scouts' "Kashmir." The announcers talked about Madison being the most improved corps from this season's beginning to now, and I have to agree. They showed flashes of power. If they can retain membership, they are going to move way up. 15. Crossmen This show was big, loud, and seemed to harken back to the old days of the Crossmen. I couldn't help but think that after the telecast showed a flashback of the 1978(?) Crossmen. There seemed to be many similarities in drill and sound. I confess I don't know much about their show this year. They were good, but Madison really had the energy tonight. Loved the capes by the way. Maybe Bones will be there for semis. 14. Blue Stars This is practically the local corps, with so many Minnesota kids in the LaCrosse group. I am very happy they have had such a strong showing the last two years. I saw them very early in the season in Coon Rapids, MN and they have improved stratospherically. The warm sound of the brass was goosebump inducing. I couldn't particularly connect with all of the music, but I did enjoy the show. Their look is so dramatic this year with the uniform change. I only see good things for the Blue Stars in the near future. 13. The Academy Talk about blowing my socks off! I have only heard about these guys, and how great their brass was in winning the DII championship last year; and now they are contending for top 12? I was skeptical until I saw them. There were some unbelievably difficult sounding passages in the show, and to think that the corps director wrote the whole thing!!! These guys are for real. I am glad to see the quality of organizations that the DII and III programs are churning out! 12. Spirit of JSU I really like this show a lot. I saw them in Mankato and really enjoyed it then. It was way better tonight. I may download this APD. I don't know what it is, but this show really connected with me. The part where the whole corps retreats to the corner gets me choked up for some reason. The big brass sound, typical Spirit, was great as usual. The guard was great with those shiny blue flags they brought out near the end. One of my favorite shows. 11. Glassmen From the beginning, the Glassmen sold this show. With the guard looking like gypsies and carousing before the show started, I knew we were in for a treat. It felt like they brought something extra and it obviously showed as they moved up a slot for semis. I didn't find any one part of the music particularly memorable, but the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. I have always been a Glassmen fan. This is the first I have had a chance to see them. From their slot on, the corps really all stepped it up a notch. 10. Colts I have always been a big fan of the Colts. I know some people who have played with them, and I was in camp with them back in the early 90's (never joined for some lame reason). They seem to be ready to make a move. The judges seemed particularly harsh to them tonight, but everyone in the theater loved them. I saw them in Coon Rapids, and they sounded huge then. This is probably one of the more melodic corps in the top 12. 9. Boston Crusaders Wow. I really enjoyed this show. The ending totally threw off Steve R., the announcer, because they must have just added it. I loved it! They were very warm sounding, and I liked the representation of the different periods in Picasso's life. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the show. The last couple years I haven't enjoyed their shows as much, but they really connected with me this year. 8. Blue Knights The Blue Knights have always been very challenging for me. I don't profess to be a music expert, as you can read from my comments, but I can tell they are playing some extremely difficult, dark, beautiful music. The problem for me is I have a hard time connecting with it. This corps is extremely talented, and makes some dramatic choices. The thing I like the most however, is they bring music to us that we might not normally hear (those of us who aren't music majors anyway). Am I the only one who hadn't heard of Shoshtakovic before this season? 7. Santa Clara Vanguard Am I the only person who felt the whole level move up a notch when Vanguard took the field? I saw them earlier this year so I thought I knew what I was in for. Wow. They were way better than the last time I saw them, and that is saying something. They easily won the show in Mankato that I saw, but the music and drill they put up tonight was both frenetic and powerful. I loved the pauses where everyone yelled "Eureka" and the corps created an exclamation. There was the amazing moment when they gave the homage to the old SCV with the Russian Sailor knee walk, which was awesome. The drill at the very end of the show was the topper though. What a finish! 6. Carolina Crown This corps' brass is unbelievable. I thought that last year, but man can these guys wail! This show connected with the crowd on many levels. The guard was near perfect. The best part of this show for me was the whole corps going into a slow motion move near the end. It was very enjoyable to see this corps move, move, move! My hats off to Crown. It was a real crowd pleaser. 5. Phantom Regiment Ok, so I ALWAYS pull for Regiment. I can't help it. Ever since they did the New World Symphony (89?), I have been completely hooked. The power this corps has is unsurpassed. And their selection is always classic, sound is so...so Phantom Regiment. Anyway, last year at Finals in Madison, I openly wept as they finished the show. This year, I didn't weep, but when they pulled out the old leg wedge, I yelled out at the top of my lungs, which was a little embarrassing. I had goosebumps running up and down my arms. I saw PR earlier this year, and they were good, but the show just didn't totally do it for me. Tonight's did. I was blown away by the power of the Firebird. These guys seem to just "bring it" the last few years during Finals week. I am very excited to see what happens Friday and Saturday as the Cadets got that 2 point penalty, vaulting PR into 3rd. Just from a seeding perspective I wonder if that bodes well or ill for PR. We'll see. 4. Bluecoats Everyone on the boards have said Blooo has been stagnating recently. As I write this, I am wearing my Bluecoats baseball tee that I bought in Indy last year. I love these guys, and I really enjoyed the show. They lost a slot tonight, and although I agree with that, this guys can really bring it. They have come such a long way in the last few years. This year has been a definite departure from last year's "Connexus". That was one of my favorite shows of the last few years, especially the music. I found the music enjoyable and very clever. The best part of the show for me was the "You have the right to remain silent" drill. Excellent stuff. When all is said and done, I see SCV, Crown and Blooo very, very close at finals. My predictions below. 3. Cavaliers It was going to be tough for the Cavis to top what they did last year in my mind. This year's program was extremely well executed, the music was nice, and as usual, their visual design was fabulous, probably best of the night. However, I know I am being critical here, but I just don't see this show taking it all. It is possible, but they have a lot of ground to make up against BD, and they are playing the show at an already extremely high level. I hadn't seen them yet this year, so I was very excited. They didn't let me down, as they have been so excellent in recent years, but like I said, I just can't see this show putting them over the top. 2. Cadets What can be said? Here's the thing: if George Hopkins was a more likable chap, people may respond better to his innovation. This is an extremely talented corps. Even though it was sometimes difficult to discern the music from the vocals, the corps was tight, dynamic and had phenomenal drill. Add those two penalty points back on and you have a second place corps. The horns of the Cadets were hot! 1. Blue Devils I am going to start by saying I haven't been the biggest BD fan the last few years. I don't know exactly why, they just didn't connect with me. Boy did that change tonight (last night I guess; it's late). I remember watching the Cavaliers take the field in Indy last year and just knowing they were going to take it all in '06. When I watched the beginning few minutes of the BD show tonight, there is no question. They are hand down the champ. Their sound was huge, their drumline threw down (it will be interesting to see what happens between BD and PR for drumline champs), and I completely loved this show from beginning to end. The drumbreak was one of those moments, kind of like the Cavaliers awesome break in 2002, that just blows your socks off and has you wanting to listen to it over and over. It was strange, but the large horn sound reminded me of PR for some reason. Maybe it's because it was so un-BD like in its tone or something. Awesome, awesome, awesome. They will win this thing (in my humble opinion). So here's my top 12 prediction at finals now that we have all seen the quarters: 12. Spirit - will hold on by slimmest of margins over the upstart Academy 11. Colts - can't quite make up surge from Glassmen 10. Glassmen - carry momentum to finals 9. Boston Crusaders - Increase points, go neck and neck with BK 8. Blue Knights - barely hold off BC 7. Bluecoats - hate to even say this, but SCV and Crown have a LOT of momentum 6. Santa Clara - great show, can't quite overcome Crown's crowd connection 5. Carolina Crown - crowd loves 'em, who wouldn't? 4. Cadets - the freefall began at quarters; Hopkins marches corps off field halfway through semi show in protest of booing fans 3. Phantom Regiment - As in past couple years, PR brings it at the end 2. Cavaliers - Awesome drill is not enough to overcome BD 1. Blue Devils - This show is best, they have the energy and the hometown advantage (kind of). They win with a 98.7. Thanks. Sorry it was so long. I was just so excited! Now I am spent...

I was about 1/4 mile north of this when it happened. Seeing all the helicoptors and ambulances fly by was surreal. There were so many people trying to contact each other, making sure people were safe, that no one could; all the cell lines were busy for well over a couple hours.

So everyone on here have said the San Antonio APD's are the best. I haven't downloaded any of the newer ones yet, but are any since San Antonio better?

Man, is anyone else just pumped for this competition? Just seeing everyone's passion for these corps and where they will finish is getting me excited for tonight, tomorrow and Saturday!!! I'll be sitting in the theatre with my little scoresheet (yes, I am a geek).

I have been at the last two Quarters in theaters, and they have seemed to go really well. Do you think the issues the website has had recently will have the same effect on the movie satellite feed? I am asking because I don't know. Is it the same feed? I can't help myself. I'll be going anyway. I have had very good experiences.

Ryan, WELL SAID! I certainly wish I could be in Pasadena, but alas I am stuck here in Minny. Next year I will be at all the competitions in Indy! You said something got into the water. I do have to say that there are two things that have made D2 & D3 more interesting for me personally. 1) Seeing the Academy leap into D1 so successfully. Who would have thought they would be competing for a Finals slot!!!??? 2) Two letters: VK!!! I am definitely going to be there next year!

I have held off speaking about this topic ever since everyone came out in 2005 and blasted the Cadets. I don't personally have a problem with vocals as long as they ADD to the show. That statement in itself is opinion only of course. I am surprised that this stuff has caused so much controversy over the last couple years. Drum corps is a constantly evolving medium/sport/whatever you want to call it. Looking at it that way, 90% of the corps are NOT using vocals. If the Cadets feel it makes them stand out, and it is within the rules, go for it! If the judges believe it takes away from the performance, it will show up in the scores. Obviously that is not the case. I have never been a huge Cadets fan, but they have always been innovators. You have to give them that.

I am so pumped! I'm going to see the Quarters in Brooklyn Center, MN since I can't be in Cali. Next year though, I AM THERE!

So here are the tallies thus far for favorite APD this year, and all in San Antonio: Carolina Crown 6 Bluecoats 4 Phantom Regiment 4 Cavaliers 4 Madison Scouts 4 Colts 3 Blue Devils 2 Cadets 2 Boston Crusaders 2 Santa Clara 2 Crossmen 1

1. Blue Devils 2. Cadets 3. Phantom Regiment 4. Cavaliers 5. Crown 6. Bluecoats 7. SCV 8. Blue Knights 9. Boston Crusaders 10. Colts 11. Glassmen 12. Blue Stars

Sounds like San Antonio is unanimous. The corps choices are all over the board however. Keep 'em coming! Looking for your Top 5 that you would listen to over and over again! (Last year my favorite's were Bluecoats, Regiment and Cavaliers in that order).