chaddyt

Even if the new ending ends up catapulting them into the top 3, my outlook on his involvement with the corps remains the same.

He is directly responsible for the environment and atmosphere at YEA! And while I don't doubt that his Hop-talks are a benefit to the members and leave a lasting impression, one would need to be on something to not realize his role in the staff exodus this past off-season. That is not providing the members with the best situation or instructors. I don't see him ever completely leaving YEA, and nor should he. But he does need to take a lesser role with the Cadets. All in my opinion, of course.

True. And the Eagles would have a Super Bowl ring if the Patriots sucked. No.... no, they probably wouldn't.

This would be their third straight year to not medal, assuming there's not some divine intervention. Longest non-medal streak since before they won their first DCI championship in '83.

Maybe not, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if it happens.

BK has to be smelling blood in the water now too.

Congrats to BAC. Hope this new ending for the Cadets is all that and a bag of Eucharist wafers. Otherwise, they're going to end up with a bunch of those "process" shirts left over for next season. posted from the DrumScorps app

Fair enough. Guess we'll see how it all pans out.

Really? I remember seeing Cadets entire 2011 show on the field at the theater kick off. I remember thinking that DNA helix move at the end is gonna be sick when it's clean. Were changes and tweaks made? You betcha'. But the show was done well before mid-July. I actually seem to recall this being a bit of an issue for DCI for precisely the reason mentioned... folks going to shows earlier in the season were routinely getting the shaft from a completed product standpoint. DCI wanted that to change and encouraged corps to get more on the field in time for the kick-off. Can anyone verify that, or am I making it up?

My "badgering" as you call it is out of concern for the corps. There is currently more of a spread between them and the 5th place Cavaliers (1.95) than the 8th place Blue Knights (1.6). I know spreads can change quickly, but clearly, what they have on the field needs work if they're going to have any hopes of simply maintaining their placement from last year.. But what they have on the field isn't even completed. So on top of refining and tweaking what they DO have, they're teaching and learning an ending to the show that may itself (if recent history is any indication) need refining and tweaking of its own. I don't see how that falls in the category of "no big deal".

It's apparently unfinished enough for the corps director to ask judges if it's that big of a deal that it's unfinished in mid-July.

BD tweaked their closer throughout the season, sure. Added visuals as the show progressed. We're talking about basic drill and music being on the field.

Best for the members? What changes from a membership standpoint from year to year that would warrant reworking how an organization puts a show on the field? The membership isn't the issue. It's the staff. And not having your entire show on the field at this point in the season IS a big deal. At least in a competitive standpoint when every other corps around them does have their show on the field. Will this closer work? Will judges react to it favorably? If not, what changes will need to be made? You're going into the first full regional of the season with a rough draft no one has even read. I'm glad people are enjoying their show. I'm not among them at this point and I personally know very few who do. Performing well in this activity is always subjective, so I'll leave you that one.

I'm glad they've seemed to have gotten buy-in from the members. That is obviously most important. I, however, remain skeptical. T-shirt slogan be ######.

The fact that we have to say "let them get the closer on the field" in mid-July is alarming though. Finals is less than a month away and the show isn't just being tweaked, it's never been performed in its entirety. And yes... I'm well aware that in drum corps days gone by, shows were often not completed until mid-season. Well... sorry, but that doesn't cut it anymore. Since DCI started broadcasting season openers, they've been tacitly expecting a relatively complete product out of the gate. Staff changes or not, it's poor planning, and it puts these kids at a disadvantage. As Septa Unella would say.... Shame.

Shows have also been rained out for... well as long as there's been weather.

I wouldn't necessarily say negative. Cadets have been one of the top corps in DCI for decades. To not pull out a win in any contest all season is an interesting stat to me. Not a happy one, but I'm used to it being a Philly sports fan.

Well that's a significant spread. Really wanting this hype around percussion to start taking off soon. 3rd behind Cavies and Crown, with SCV, Bloo, and BD yet to be added to the mix.

I won't comment on the park and bark, because I would tend to agree this year seems to have its fair share of it. But in terms of design, I think you're way off. It took me quite a few years to come around to it, but nothing that the Blue Devils design team does is divorced of their show concept. Every last detail is thought through. You may not like it or may not get it, but it's all there for a reason. If you want a great look into how this corps puts together their shows, check out their BD360 series on YouTube. It is extremely well done.

Glad they're not doing the Z-pull. I want them to find another classic ending that they'll need to retire in 20+ years.

Probably my top live drum corps moment. Lucky to have experienced it and get chills every time I listen to the recording. That corps and that crowd were one. Just awesome.

Cadets gotta clean up those beats. posted from the DrumScorps app

BD has made me a convert over the past few years, but from what I've seen of their show this year, it's the least engaging for me since 1930. I don't see them falling out of medal contention though. They're just not the team you bet against.

Bones also chipping away at Cadets. Holy cow. 2.8 between each of them.