Backstrom

I think two of my favorite closers this season were from SCV and Scouts, because both of them had ovation-inducing half-time company fronts right before the closer, which brought the crowd to their feet. SCV famously did this in 1989 before their soft closer. There are plenty of other examples which I can't think of right now. What about this makes it so appealing to the audience? I'm trying to think of this from a more emotive perspective-- is it the musical aspect of marching and playing half-time? Or something visually endearing about the company front?

The only thing that really holds back 1996 for me is the visual program, both the drill and execution.

So how exactly do you define an "art form?" Many symphonies, ballets, and jazz bands are largely unchanged from the early 20th century. Does drum corps necessarily fit that mold?

I'm curious to know how popular or well-known drum corps is outside the drum corps world. If you were to ask your classmates/co-workers, would they know about it? I'd imagine this varies regionally, but every time I see video of a corps doing a parade somewhere, I wonder how many in the audience know they're not actually watching a marching band.

Boo, bring it to Seattle!

I don't know about Oregon but I think a huge factor in Washington is the lack of competitive high school marching bands. Out of all the large 3A or 4A schools in the Seattle area alone, how many competitive corps-style programs are there? Just a handful, if my assessment is correct. With that, very few will even get the opportunity to hear about drum corps.

Hate to rain on this BD-Crown pissing match, but I have a question (which has already been discussed at length and beaten to death on DCP, but I'm admittedly way to lazy to scour all the threads for a decent answer). I've only seen Crown's show once in theaters, and I know that percussion was a major concern this year. I'm not a drum guy but what EXACTLY was the issue? Was the book poorly written? Was the battery simply not as technically proficient as the other higher-scoring corps? Or a combination of factors?

One word: SUNBURST

This is just my observation, but is there any reason why Cadets are scoring so low in visual? From theaters, they looked cleaner than anyone except for maybe BD.

I haven't been following DCI much in recent years, but what on earth is up with the Cascades? They scored a 49.500 at Renton. That's the lowest WC/D1 score I can remember in recent years. They only had 8 guard and a very small hornline, but do any insiders have the scoop on what's the deal with the organization? I know they had a reorg a few years ago but this looks like a case of failed management?

The Vanguard Yell is right before the impact point in the I Dreamed a Dream ballad mvmt. 5:25 mark in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4hYLQ7RyH4

Cavs, probably, but much more so in the first half of the decade. I can't even think of a good memorable show they've had after 2003.

WHAT THE HELL? Phantom got 11th in GE Vis? OUCH.

+1 THIS

They can't just keep opening and closing the top every other year.

Oh, and did they run out of things to talk about at the end? It felt like one big propaganda clip from the City of Indy.

I was at Pacific Place in Seattle, and there were 20 folks max in the theater. Now, what really bugged me was the screen quality. I saw it another theater last year, and it was actually worse this time around . Which is interesting, now that I just learned from you guys it was supposed to be shot in HD. There was little color/saturation in it and it looked almost black and white. That giant drape looked cool at first, but then I realized how dark it made the cinecast. Quick review: Cavies - sorry, but I don't even remember their show except for one visual move. The theme wasn't holding for me. Still demanding and great, though. BD - My favorite part must be the Happy Days opener. Brings back wonderful memories for many people. HNC - Hoho! It's great to have a bit of the old Garfield back. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and how demanding the drill was. SCV - Precise, dead on, and innovative. Very SCV. However, a lot in my theater booed when Cadets beat them, but I beg to differ. It was close, but I think Cadets took that one by a slim margin. PR - The downside to having a landmark year is that its so hard to match it in subsequent seasons. I loved the show, it was very PR, but I felt like there was something missing. Crown - Crown keeps getting better and better. You CAN actually notice a level of difference in their brass than other top corps. I enjoyed it, but I didn't entirely get the grass is greener theme. Boston - Boston, I love you, but I just didn't get your show. Blue Stars - WOW, I love it! The narrative recordings were perfect, and the war theme was remarkable. One of the more memorable themes of the night. Some sore visual spots, but great overall. Sorry, I can't remember anyone else, but I want to make a point about Troopers and Colts. I am SO glad to see the Troopers coming back stronger and stronger every year, but I think Colts ousted them QF night. I think the Troopers definitely beat the Colts in music, but there were definitely yucky moments in the drill which makes me disagree with the visual caption. Anyway, there were also lots of 'chuckle' moments other than the BC squatting part. I can't recall now, but a lot of cheeky smiles from guard members and such that garnered a ripple of laughter in our theater.

I don't agree that we should take no action but I think the point he was trying to make is that corps have to start considering their options of diversifying funding. Bingo will not be able to support corps forever, so it's now and never that we start looking for alternatives.

Found it:

THIS:

Silly... he said he was auditioning for pit.

That's not saying much for those in the States.

You're right about Cascades. They will return in World Class, now that they are a little better financially. Word on Capital is that they might start back in Open. Wait...or was that Sound? Argh! Too many Capitals! Southwind has made wishes to return to World. And I think Teal Sound and Surf are considering to move up? You know what? I don't know. Don't ask me.

I actually don't remember anything remarkable this year. At least, not as remarkable as when that "taco" comment was made about the Bones in '06. But as usual, Delucia ragged on pretty much every corps afterward (okay....that is a bit of a strong word).

My memory escapes me, but what year was that blackout right in the middle of the show?