Melissa Sampson

Yes, they were very good this year. They were also very good last year, as a DII corps. But along with them, almost every else was good as well. There were 12 corps who did full tours that were ahead of them at finals, so I don't think it really gave them that much of an advantage. And while I would have LOVED to have seen them more in the midwest, unfortunately it didn't happen. But as long as I get to see them in during finals week every year, that is the most important thing. Better to take limited tour, than to fold. But unfortunately as gas gets more expensive, so does touring, and alot of corps don't quite have the extra funds to support that. I personally would love to see every corps do 40-50 shows, but also realize that is not going to happen. I also wonder how many of these shows listed won't happen, I think there were several listed pre-season last year(as well as other years) that didn't take place. and hopefully there will be a few more added as well.

I think the same would be said for any corps in the top 5 announcing this. I think people would laugh if it was the Cadets, and I could imagine all the anti-amp jokes that would go on. I also think many poeple would think it was funny if it happened to Blue Devils or Cavies, since they are a little too successful. I also seem to recall many negative stories after corps like Capital Reg, Magic, and others have folded over the last few years. It's a very sad situation, and people are upset that things have come to that. I'd almost say just bring back the DCM tour, and stick with that and maybe closer regional shows, and use the extra time to improve the show, and kick some butt at finals. I think 3 trips to California in the last 5 years, may have been a little more than they should have taken on. I remember going to their home show in 02, and they were leaving the next morning for California, then there was 04, when they did TOC, and finals in 07. I don't know if missing finals would be such a great idea, and with TOC they were already close being in Denver for finals. It really makes you wonder how the California corps all stay afloat when they have to travel so much more each year. I hope they can raise the funds, but it might be a little difficult after so many have already donated alot of our extra funds to the wonderful families of the Colts members. If they don't raise the funds, couldn't they get another loan from somewhere to cover the rest, since they have shown they could pay the majority of the debt? And then do a few more fundraisers in the next few months to get them situated for the upcoming tour? I don't see how they are going to even compete this summer, if every single cent they make this year goes towards that debt, where are they going to come up with the funds to tour? I think a limited tour may be the answer, it has worked so far for corps like Mandarins, Pacific Crest, and Academy. If you do that for one season, and let all the fans know you are having problems, I bet you could easily raise the money during that season for the next couple of years.

I was devastated when I read this thread. I feel so bad for these wonderful young women, and for their family and friends as well. My prayers are going out for them as we speak. I know I will be sending in a donation, and hope many others will do the same. I didn't see any details of the accident, and just assumed it was a weather related accident. I did a search on it, and was even more saddened to find out it was a preventable accident. Here is the article I found on a news station. I am posting it here in hopes that maybe it will prevent someone else from making a mistake like this. If anyone feels it shouldn't be posted here, feel free to have it removed. I am just so saddened by this tragedy, and remember that these are 2 very young women whose lives and families lives were destroyed all in the course of a couple of minutes. I also saw that Bianca was the Iowa solo guard winner in 2006(if I read that correctly). I was also wondering if someone has pics of them that they could post on here. I have the feeling many of us would remember them if we saw the pics. Friday Accident In Grundy County Injures Two Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:11:51 CST The Iowa State patrol reports that two Dubuque women were injured in a one-vehicle rollover accident in Grundy County late Friday. 17-year old Bianca Vocke and 20-year old Erin Reichle were taken to Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo for treatment of their injuries. Vocke was transported by helicopter, while Reichle went by Dike Ambulance. The Patrol reports that the vehicle, being driven by Vocke, was easbound on Highway 20 near mile marker 214, when the driver and passenger attempted to switch places while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle then entered the grass median and rolled, coming to rest on its side in the north ditch of westbound Highway 20. Charges are pending in the case. The Iowa State patrol was also assisted by the Grundy County Sheriff's Office along with the Wellsburg and Dike fire departments.

I thought Crown was absolutely awesome this year as well. I didn't think their show was quite to the demand of the top 3, and thye did have a few technical issues. If you look at the 4-7 spots though, you will notice less than a point separating them. So obviously, Crown could easily be considered a top 4 level corps. A few improvements next year, and who knows. The last 2 years have shown me a new side of Crown that I absolutely love. If you look at another thing about this year, they beat Bluecoats in finals. Earlier in the season, Bluecoats had knocked off Blue Devils, Cadets, and Cavies, the top 3 corps at finals. Then Crown knocked off Bluecoats during finals week. Who knows, during the right week, the right show, and the right performance level, who knows if Crown could possibly defeat some of the top 3 next year themselves. What a great performance from Crown, and regardless of placement or score, the corps members, staff and volunteers should be very proud of themselves.

I am 100% for it. It is nice to hear the cadence(or song like Pioneer performs), and see the corps up close and personal. Gives the corps a chance to really soak in the applause/enthuisasm of the crowd too. Also gives us something to enjoy while next corps is setting up. I would be interested in the people who voted no, what their reason would be.

I know everyone probably thinks their corps is the nicest. My question goes out, as a marching member, volunteer, or staff member, which other corps did you find to be the nicest? This can be about another corps helping out with food trucks, helping get your members to a show after a bus breakdown, applauding you after a performance, financial aid during the season, or any nice things someone from another corps has done for your corps. Or just a nice attitude from another corps in general. Please keep it 100% positive....

I know that Colts and Blue Stars used to have a great working relationship. I know that alot of Colt Cadets former members have been sent there after not making Colts, but the kids were advanced past the Colt Cadet level. Just wondering, now that Blue Stars and Colts are close to the same level, and in the same region, and both probably attracting the same potential members, are things really good between the corps, or is there any heated rivalry there now? I am a big fan of both corps, and hope that the friendships/respect between the 2 corps remains, but realize sometimes that the competition can sometimes drive a wedge between corps. I love the Colts, being from Iowa, and have always loved the Blue Stars, even when they were a 40 member DIII corps. Although I never saw Blue Stars back when they were a top 3 DI corps, I am very excited for them being back in DI, and fighting for a spot in finals. Best of luck to both corps in the upcoming season, and congratulations on an amazing season from both of them this last year.

I just felt like the shows in the 80's and 90's were so well put together. I just don't feel like their show designs today are as good as those back then. And their drill lacks the spark of the older shows. Also I don't ever remember hearing the "Splatty Brass" problems you hear these days from them when they try to hit the powerful note. Just seemed like they had better brass instructors, and better drill writers than they do these days. It's just like this year, when they ended with Firebird Suite, it just wasn't as good as the Cavies version in 97, or even when PR did it before. That's why I wish they would do music that they haven't done before.

The late 70's and early 80's were also great. The only reason I don't know if they should redo those musical years, is because I just don't think their staff is quite to the level it was then, and if they redo them, it might be somewhat of a letdown. I agree that alot of corps redo shows, but it just seems like if they have done a fantastic job of it earlier in their history, it can just never be quite as good again. I am not afraid to admit I have been wrong on this before. There have been a few times corps have done it better the second time, just not the majority of the time.

While I personally like some of their older shows better(I think 89-94 were the best years of Phantom Regiment), I just don't think they are quite as amazing as they used to be. So I think it would be a mistake to bring back those shows. I don't know if the performance level would be quite as good with the current staff. I think they should stick with their corps concept of classical music, but pick new selections that they haven't used before. I think they are also better when they pick music other top 12 corps haven't used either.

Just wondering if anyone else wonders what ever happened to(insert name here). Some of the ones I wonder Guy from VK who played the fat lady....? Colts DM from 99 who used to work at DCI office(is she still there, I can't remember her name?) Kristi Spears? Guy who used to yell "GLASSMEN" in a commercial style way every time they took the field(reminded me of a margarine commercial?) Feel free to add on to who you wonder where they are at or what they are doing these days.

Not necessarily in order but ten of my favorite moments VK Shark SCV Disappearing Phantom SCV Changing of pants in tunnel 85 SCV Changing of colorguard in 94 Red Poppy Show at end when the 2 lines cross Blue Devils pit accelerando of 2000 Cavaliers Diamond Cutter Les Etoiles Spinning Drums 98 Patriots 30+ yard guard toss across field with hammer(not sure exactly what you call that thing) in 99. Madison Scouts 97 guard fight on turning drumsets, and pic at end by DM Watching video of 99 Colts DM, and she is directing through the tears of emotion. Chokes me up every time. And possibly the most emotional moment of drum corps I have experienced, in 2002, when the SCV alumni corps performed. Several times they hinted at the bottle dance, and the crowd would go nuts, and when they finally did the bottle dance....WOW. Maybe the most emotional I have ever seen a crowd. More people crying at a show than I have ever seen before. This may possibly be the best drum corps moment I have ever witnessed.

Cool, and thanx for the info. I agree, and I really enjoyed what I was hearing. I don't remember all this being in the early season, did they add the quotes from previous years as the season went along?

I am excited to hear they may be moving up. Both corps have been favorites of mine for many years. I personally think Surf may have had the best ever 21st placing show in 2000, with re-incarmination. i have personally wathced/listened to this show hundreds of times. And Spartans have always had awesome music. Can't wait to see what these corps could do in DI.

Been watching the Mid-Season DVD like 25 times the last week. took it to work, makes my day go so much faster. Each time I listen to the BD show, I keep thinking I am hearing bits and pieces of Chick Corea music from the 94-95 shows. It isn't credited on it, but I was wondering, are there bits of this music used in this years show, or do the pieces they played have some of the same melodies? On a side note, I remember hearing this music early season, and thinking I was going to be bored, it just didn't seem to thrill me. I have to say, by mid season, this was musically an amazing show. I can't believe how much I absolutely love this music now. Great job Blue Devils, you sold me on this one!!

It is getting towards the end of the season. Something in the show just isn't being cleaned very well. It is an amazing part of the show, but the section just can't quite get it clean. Do you think it is better to water it down slightly, so that it becomes clean, but not as exciting visually/musically as it was? Or is it better to leave it in and just take the errors as they may come?

I think you misunderstood my post. I don't have a problem with SCV making the Phantom and corps disappear, or when PR does the wedge kick, or when SCV does the bottle dance, or Troopers and sunburst. The problem I had was that Cadets supposedly did the fireman salute as a tribute to 911 and the firefighters, but didn't use it so much as a tribute as a last minute gimmick to boost GE. I thought it was wrong to use a recent tragedy to pull for points at finals. I wouldn't have had a problem if they had used it all season(or even during the earlier part of finals week).

I think if you had a 98/99 PR quality show today, it would fall around the 10th-11th place. SCV 93 would probably place around 8th. I think Cadets 06 would probably be in the top 4, where I thought it should have placed in 06.

Point taken, how about before the show, instead of the Marine Drum Corps?

After hearing the constant complaints the last 2 years regarding Cadets controversial shows, I had an idea and was wondering if it could work. I love the Cadets shows, although I agree there was a little too much talking during this years show. It seems that Hopkins has a lot of ideas(some good, some not so good-my opinion). It also seems like he has had trouble getting some of them passed with the rest of DCI. So my idea-what if For 2 years, instead of being in competition, Cadets went on to be an exhibition corps only. That way, Hopkins could try some of the things he really wanted to do, and he wouldn't have to worry about how the judges/fans would react. They could go on after the last competing corps, that way the people who really didn't want to see them, could leave prior to their performance, not ruining it for the people who really would love to see them. Members of the Cadets would know going into the season, they wouldn't be able to win a championship ring, so the members who would be there would really be wanting to perform that type of show(whatever type Hop comes up with). I am sure they wouldn't receive the normal fees for performances that World Class corps would recieve, but if there were enough supporters they would make it up in souvie sales. Then whenever they wanted to go back into the real competing world of DCI, they would be eligible to go back to World Class status. During the week of finals they could also perform in exhibition after the quarters, semis, and finals, and possibly even after Open Class finals. Thoughts?

I love the shout outs before the show. I just wish every kid in each corps could get one. The only time I don't like the shout outs is when it ruins a nice moment in the show(Go Kriiiissssssssstttttttttaaaaaaaaa Vanguard 2000)

I agree that is was close to hometown, but still thought Coats were on the same level for much of the season as BD, Cavies, Cadets, SCV and Phantom. I can see where it may have gone back and forth a few times. I thought all of the top shows were excellent this year. I also think with 4th and 7th places, you could have traded them and still had very accurate results. I'd like to think that this season, you could almost have said the best given corp, on any given night. Not the case in some years past.

Just wondering, for anyone who has marched with a drum corps, wondering how many have chosen a career in a music related field. This can be a musical performer, musician, vocalist, instructor, working in a music recording studio, writing/designing drill, or any music related field. I have seen several members on here talking about their drill writing, and wondered how many others have actually gone on to work in the music field. I have the feeling there are a lot of people here who have some sort of music career going, as you have to be very passionate about music to do drum corps(especially those who have marched year after year)

I could be wrong, but isn't this the first time in a long time that the DCI champion has been beaten by more than 3 corps during the regular season? If I am not mistaken, Blue Devils were beaten during the regular season by SCV, Cavaliers, Bluecoats, and Cadets. It seems to me the last few years, that whoever won(Cavies, Cadets and Blue Devils) have only been beaten by each other(except when SCV has beaten BD early season) during the regular season. Another interesting thing, is that the 7th place corps(Bluecoats) beat BD during regular season. Granted, the 4th-7th place corps were all so close, that those places could have gone any way, but it is still interesting. Can anyone else remember the last time the winning corps has been beaten by that many corps(I'm thinking maybe mid to late 90's?) Do you also get the feeling we are getting closer to the any given corps (or almost anyone in the top 7) could beat any other corps at any time during the season? I really like what I see, and think it is really good for the activity.

Just wondering if anyone who has marched corps has ever been in college athletics(basketball, football, soccer, track, swimming, etc). I know that football/baseball would probably be difficult to impossible as the summer practices would conflict, but wondered if any of you have participated in both. Also wondered which you found more difficult for practices. It seems to me that athletics is shorter practices with more physical activity in a condensed period of time, whereas Corps rehearse sometimes 12-14 hour days, with a little less heavier physical training.