silvertrombone

People get uptight over G v. Bb??? Geez, I thought about that for three seconds and concluded, "wow, what a marketing/advertising opportunity for DCI/DC's/instrument manufacturers!" That's the kind of stuff that DCI NEEDS to attract--advertising opportunities and MONEY! Seen Google lately? All about advertising money. Good idea. Bb? The corps sounded pretty good this year. I'd have a tough time listening and telling you which play which. Now Cadets I can understand! (SOOOO just kidding! Don't hit me--I don't really mean that--here's a smiley! :) )

Sorry guys, let me clarify. I didn't mean this post to berate non-top 6 corps, members, alumni, staff. Thank you for sticking up for me, Raphael. Jedi, I'm probably more on the same page with you than you think. No offense taken. This thread was meant to make people think. It doesn't really phase anybody at the top any more, from what I see, to have 2-3 corps per year fold. So what if PR was one of them next year??? That might turn some heads, huh? And oh yeah, I second Ducky's remarks--I honestly had more fun, made more friends, and have more positive memories from my non-Finalist year with Sky than in 3rd place with PR. RIP SkyRyders

Aack! Cowtown hits the nail on the head. Click on his link to amazon and check out the sample of the song. Sounds like DCI in 2007, amp'ed voice and all. Again, he says...Aack!

Ha-ha! :) But I maintain that the Cadets will be in Bexar County (San Antonio, TX) in the not too distant future. I'm not basing this on anything but Hoppy's ego--won't like seeing Crossmen to their left in retreat. :P OK, but that's my Texas bias--sorry. OK, guys--let's lose the "that won't ever happen" line. Just for example, and taking an extreme example, the '72 champion is gone, although I may be in their alumni thing for semifinals--fun! In addition, anybody remember how many corps in the '72 top 12 are still around? SCV. Ironically, they're probably the closest thing to "that won't ever happen" there is. PR has almost folded something like 4 times? Most recent '99, though I know no details and it doesn't matter. Scouts, if memory serves, have had issues on the business side once since '92. Yes? No? JJ--Star didn't fold. They left the activity because they wanted to, they could, and they did something else. The corps owns businesses and is cash flow positive if Blast never does anything again. This was the idea from the beginning, as I understand it, and they are the model for the activity. If people hadn't been so hung up on TRADITION and more open to Star's model, gee, maybe Uncle Jim would have been compelled to launch businesses outside of drum corps to feed cash into the activity. Think of the business opportunities the late 90's presented. Cell phone towers? Just an idea. Amazing thing is that nobody has done the business side thing they did despite being 12 years+ post-Star. THAT'S the pathetic thing. Me thinks there are a bunch of corps people who are more music than business and think the same way some have posted here: "That won't ever happen." Really? PR had a brush with fate since Finals JUST THIS YEAR when Rockford College had some issues with rain flooding the building where PR had offices and stored its souvies leftovers from last year. What if it had burned? Are the instruments stored there? Uni's? OK, the brass and percussion manufacturers will supply new instruments, Freuhauf new uni's, and DCI cash I'm assuming. But what if we heard the words "Blue Devils," "Bingo," "IRS," and "fraud" all in the nightly news??? Just a wild, improvised example in an organization that has a stellar reputation on the biz side. But there are some forces in this world, like gas prices and the IRS, larger than even good 'ol DCI. We're not talking about billion-dollar Multi-National Corporations, here. We're talking about non-profits with annual budgets of about $1.5 million, if that in most cases. Most have little or no assets, and a whole lot of liabilities. If you don't understand basic accounting terminology, that means that you better hope nobody runs off with the cash, the money keeps coming in, and insurance covers the catastrophe that strikes unexpectedly. And we're not talking about people, or an organization in DCI, who are the most forward-thinking in the world. Remember: TRADITION! Same thing being said today was said when I started in '92, and all you marching today will say the same in 10 years. Truth be told, Bill Cook and George Hopkins are probably the most future-oriented people the activity has seen. Chew on that for a while and consider the reception the 'opposition' greets them with. News flash--I'm not a Disciple of George, but I do speak the truth. Ever listen to the whole BCS/Bowl Game/NCAA football playoff thing? Note: Bowls are out-dated and celebrate about things from about FOUR ECONOMIES AGO!! (Cotton, Citrus, Orange, Sugar--all agronomy) We've been to the moon, for crying out loud, and we're still playing games that celebrate farming. C'mon. The NCAA basketball tourney is only huge--rivals some pro sports. And we are a football country--don't think the top 16 football teams in a knock-down, drag out wouldn't bring in more cash? Why talk football? Oh, I don't know--maybe because DCI is stuck in the same time frame?? Shows in high school stadiums when you draw 10,000 at NFL stadiums?? Have you SEEN the ESPN2 numbers? This activity has grown WAY beyond simple parade status, yet the way the tour is handled is much closer to that era than what it is capable of. This wasn't a pessimist being negative. It is a VERY valid question, I assure you. If this issue isn't front and center and discussed--and I'll guarantee it is discussed, in Board meetings at the corps level if not between corps or at DCI meetings--the next time PR, or your favorite top corps, faces financial ruin, which seems to be about every decade, it may be the one that sends another former champion off into oblivion. Raphael, great comments--thanks. Stay tuned...

Leave it to another DCP rookie (I'm one) to list this show! Don't know who was louder, '03 (wasn't there, didn't see it live) or '93, but '93 was pretty danged loud. Cool show--basically repeated it in '94 for all of you familiar with the two years. And yeah, Estancia included several movements, but the opener, in my book, ends with the split hornline in the arc. How many times do you have to move the upper brass to the front to be heard??? Go Buicks! (and Contra brothers!) Reason I fell in love with drum corps and Phantom Regiment...'91, "Phantom Voices." Not the best, not the loudest, but God...the pageantry! Best guard uni's ever. Good enough hornline. Great (IMHO) book. And the opener was equal parts beauty and the blast!

Krista, I noticed your banana does everything except the Macarena...what gives?

OMG, that sounds sooooo sexy!

Thanks, mallets! More importantly...if they were, would anybody know it???

Just a thought. Say your favorite top-6 had some unforseen financial crisis and folded as a result. What would you do to try and help out? How would it impact you? Lots of other D1/2/3 corps have gone away. Some are/have made a comeback. Some may never. Valid question??

Agree with Star and ties--but the boo's I mentioned were directed at the Judges, me thinks. I'm sure you know that--not lecturing! And while Star got their share of boo's, PR has almost as many 2nd place years as Star had years. The PR comment was supposed to be funny--sorry the written language doesn't show off my wit better!

A little (pun?) biology for those unaware--use the potty! Full bladder contributes to the *cough, cough* condition in question. We didn't have gays in '92. Must have been the 80's! :P b**bs (oh, I'm gonna get in trouble for that one!)

Funny story most of you may know. Phantom had one of those shows that was just poorly conceived in '92. VERY talented corps! Just of those shows. Didn't perform well in the scores all year, so it wasn't exactly a shock that they were around 6th place through semis. Two big deals happened Finals night in placement: 1.) Star bumped from 1st 1/4's to 2nd semis and 3rd finals; 2.) PR dropped from 6th--not to 7th!--but eighth!! Now, not to diss '92 Crossmen--literally one of my all-time fav's! But it was amazing to hear the reaction upon PR's placement being announced. Remember the reaction in '96? Equal and opposite! You could literally hear the response from the crowd as one: "BULL SNOT!!" Except Ralphie didn't say "Fudge," and the crowd didn't say "SNOT!" You get the idea. Boo's commenced immediately. Very appropriate usage of the boo's! In that regard, Phantom may be the "most boo'd" corps in the activity!! I think you can hear it on the recordings, too!

Sarcasm! Lot's of it. Thick and sticky. Meaning, if someone were to start boo-ing during a performance, I'd probably say (and I've got a really great BIG talking voice!) in between corps to everybody near me (standing up and facing the boo-bird) something like: "Ladies and gentlemen--let's hear it for the Freedom of Speech and the Right to Make a Butt-hole of one's self!" (applauding, of course) :sshh: :sshh: :sshh: It's amazing how silent one can become when they are emasculated publicly before thousands--especially if all the rest of you seated nearby leap to your feet and applaud vehemently with me. Smile, laugh, and give 'em a good "attaboy!" Last show they'll ever attend! But that's just me.

Don't count on it! Friend in Iraq came home for Dec/Jan. Flew in to visit friends in TX and his baggage got shot off to the moon, or Mars, or back to Iraq--who knows where. He arrived Friday. Luggage arrived Saturday, but there wasn't anybody at the counter to get it delivered all weekend. Remember, you're arriving on Friday. Other people will be starting their weekend and won't be back at the airport until Monday. And trust me, the airlines are not the most efficient companies in the world! Best to bring as little as possible. Yes, Aaron--I know that sounds dumb after my earlier post. I said "Pre-tour bonus." Make sure to have toiletries and a change of clothes in your carry-on just in case. Backpack and horn is ideal--no luggage to deal with (it's only a weekend--unless another blizzard strikes!!). And have fun! If its your first time being away from the fam it'll be a blast! Tour and camps.

Great thread! Stay tuned...

Sorry, don't know how the "quote myself" feature works...earlier post: "Pre-tour bonus for you since you're gonna ask in 3-4 months" Aaron, make sure to tell him all that stuff when he asks in May, huh?

He's not gonna know what that is if this is his first camp!! :) Pre-tour bonus for you since you're gonna ask in 3-4 months: 1.) Gold Bond keeps your jewels dry 2.) DCT is good. Carmex is evil. Get two. One for you. One for everyone who asks to borrow yours. Let them deal with lip rot (aka cold sores), not you. 3.) Silver polish. Purple-lavender looking goop. Smells like...smells. Do not ingest. Off-day clothes, but only 1-2 pair (OK, maybe more for girls?). You're going to march, not to be seen. Besides, your tan will look so weird that anybody who sees you on the street will stare. Pack only what you need, then get rid of half the weight. And whoever said get sandals/flippers/etc is right on!! No socks with those--deal with the tan lines. Foot powder--same concept as Gold Bond, different anatomy. And no cotton shorts--ugh! Someone came up with the brilliant idea to coordinate sections by shorts colors--good call! So buy 3-4 pair and wash them in the shower. That's all you need for rehearsal--for shorts, at least. Don't do like me and pack 14 pairs of everything--too heavy! You've got to wash it and you've got to lug it all over the country. I had a foam mat that was OK but bulky. I'd probably recommend air mattress w/ blow dryer or whatever comes with it. Anybody have experience with those? You can take two (in case the first busts) and reduce one entire bag. Flashlight. For midnight bathroom trips, wall film opportunities, and exposing certain activities...ha-ha! b**bs Oh, and if you've got white pants for shows you might want to dye your whities flesh color--whities look really funny showing through white pants. Of course, free-ballin' takes care of that concern. Been a while--is this stuff still accurate? Potato guns, while entertaining, are bulky and not recommended.

Hulka, couldn't help it! If it makes you feel any better I looked down at my rather white thighs and felt guilty for saying anything. Hey, I noticed you were in '94 Cavies, and not to bring up a sore subject, but I've always had a question for you guys. I marched PR that year and you may remember that we didn't catch you guys until Semis and Finals. When they announced scores at Semis and we had passed you into third you were on the picture stand getting the corps shot taken. How did that turn out?? Nice lake shot, BTW. Oh--I like girls!

Personally, I like the guy up Boston way with the pins of all the drum corps on some old drum corps jacket. Don't remember which one, not even sure that he marched there decades ago, but he has pins from everybody, everywhere. That is the fan of the year EVERY year! And if you know your area well, you should know the weather.

Ain't it nice to have friends?!

I miss Star!

I'll play! 80's (from tapes) Horns - '89 PR Drums - '89 SCV Guard - '87 Cadets Show - Toss up - '87 Cadets, Appalachian Spring; '89 PR '90's Horns - '94 BD - Wow!! Drums - just about anything Cavies Guard - '92-'93 Cadets Show - '93 Regiment, although Samson and Delilah might be interesting... 2000's Horns - '06 PR Drums - geez, don't make me pick--they're all so good, and I'm just a simple trombonist!! Guard - Cavies, several years Show - Still to be written, I'm sure!! Sorry, I was still into Lego's in the 70's!!

Well, it sure looks cool from the field crabbin' across and everybody goes to their feet! Missed finals in '92 by about, oh, three spots, though, and '94 preview of champions sure felt nice. Probably not what this thread was meant to be about... The stadium has changed alot, huh?

Ah, the sage of DCI posts a truly great thread! Someone else said they expect a truly great year--I concur! '06 was my first year back in several--boy, did I pick a good one to jump in on! Cavies have cancelled their European thing, so all the previous concern for their falling from the top two go away. Cadets definitely want back into the top couple. Phantom has no intention of going backwards (8-8-7-6-5-4-5-3-2). BD is always smokin! And add the "new guys" to the bunch at the top (Bloooo). Wow! That's a lot of quality jockeying for the top three!! SCV and Scouts are still fan fave's and have put out quality stuff the last couple years. Its easier to return to the top than it is to break into it, so I never count these guys out! To round out the top 12, its great to see about 8 corps competing pretty consistently for four spots--wow! Gives everybody incentive to put out a great, ENTERTAINING show every year--same at the top. I look forward to seeing the Crossmen the next couple years! Go Texas, and all! Good to have a D1 in-state again. Don't be shocked if they're in Finals this year and if within 5 if there's another corps in YEA looking up to them! Who knows... Semis, Quarters, D2 and D3--wow! This is the section of the activity that has really amazed me the last couple of years. I started my path back into DCI with the cinema broadcasts and spring top 12 things. I was amazed right from the start at 17 through 13 compared to my 15th place year--not EVEN comparable, and we were pretty talented! Then seeing D2/3 corps last year was amazing--the quality has taken GIANT leaps forward. No longer is it "top 6 or bust." If I were 20, I'd have a blast in any number of semifinalists, D2, and D3 groups. Now forgive me, this is not negative, it is my ignorance--I didn't used to pay attention to much outside the top 12. But I really look forward to familiarizing myself with some of the smaller and lesser-known groups in coming years--broadening my perspectives, if you will. Good luck, best wishes, and most importantly, HAVE A BLAST!!

OK, first things first--I kind of liked the '06 show right from the first time I saw it at Show of Shows in Rockford. Kind of like someone's signature line--the 6 year old and I both saw the white rabbit immediately (not sure what that says about me). The references to the '05 show were brilliant, and brilliantly done (umbrella, helmet, etc). OK, someone who just came into the activity, and someone who likes the presentation of the colors and can't understand where the gun shot went might not like it, but I thought it was well done. Now, I've heard some discuss the QUALITY of the performance, but I know from experience the more changes you make, the less quality the result, and Cadets made some MAJOR changes between SOS and San Antonio, and San Antonio and Madison. Too bad, I kind of liked the original intent. Now here's the kicker--I was the guy at SOS who yelled out "we love you Cadets--good show!" Cut me and I bleed Phantom Regiment. And I don't always like what GH likes. But I can't understand the whole anti-Cadet thing. There are a few out there who don't share my sentiments for PR, and I can kind of understand. But man, I've only seen Cadets out of the top 5 once, and that was my first year seeing them ('91). The rest of the time they've been right nigh unto spectacular, including when they stood to our left at retreat in '94 (ie, ahead of us). After taking '93 off (mistake), if I hadn't ended up in Rockford, Cadets was my number two. Let them write their show, let the members learn it, then go to the shows and get your faces blasted off and cheer like mad men (and women) like you always do. I look forward to seeing what they do, and I reserve judgment until then. But it seems kind of weird that they would be allowed to pull off '05 so well and be so accepted and that we in the stands (and the chat rooms) would be so appalled at their use of "Alice in Wonderland" in '06. I kind of liked the second better and got it better, too. Maybe cuz I saw it live twice? I didn't read most of the ensuing 11 pages of what you all wrote, and I'm sorry to be so wordy. Toodles.