NSHtrpt

Anyone know the particular artist/singer that sings the version BK uses? Could I find it on iTunes?

My apologies if this has been covered somewhere else, but does anyone know the song BK uses in their preshow? I can't seem to find an answer. Thanks in advance!

As a teacher, what do you say to your kids when they get 23rd at your State Marching Band competition? "You guys sucked. There were 22 bands that were better than you. Clearly you can't compete with the best in this state." I. DON'T. THINK. SO. The sad thing is, I've heard band directors say similar things to their kids. I've also heard directors say "You need to go out and be better than ____________________ High School. You saw their show and you know you're better than they are. This type of indoctrination to any group of kids is ATROCIOUS. Competition is a great motivator, and it can be used as a motivator, but it can also take a kid and completely shatter all of the efforts that he or she put into something. I marched in a drum and bugle corps that, in one particular year, was in the Top 12 for the ENTIRE season until Semi-Finals. Then, 8 people in Green shirts decided to take away our last performance. Let me tell ya - THAT was a tough pill to swallow. I felt like a failure - and I'm still bitter about it. Success should NEVER be measured by the number or rating that a judge puts on a sheet, or by if so-and-so makes this Honor Band and that Honor Band. That's not what music education should be about. Believe me, I am just as competitive as the next guy is, but you should NEVER advertise "competition" to your kids- I HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE that word. It makes a lot of kids uneasy, and it doesn't promote good sportsmanship. When the word "competition" is used, kids start to believe that if they aren't happy with the number or the place they get, they are failures. When a kid is so proud of all that he or she has done while being in a marching band or drum corps, and judges decide that that band is the 13th best when 12 bands make Finals, or when the kid's band gets last place, how do you think that kid feels? I will say this - I think competition is fine in the drum corps arena - we've been used to it for so long, and it has to happen (from auditions, to getting a spot vs. being an alternate, to competitions themselves). Competition is a difficult thing to talk about with kids, but I do believe that it can be done. Every effort should be made to ensure that you and your kids will be competitive. However, as a music teacher, if the ultimate goal for you is for your kids to do well competitively, or if you and/or your kids think they are unsuccessful because they don't do well competitively, something has gone wrong.

There have been a lot of great suggestions thus far. I'd like to add one more: Ron Nelson's Passacaglia. It also deals with the BACH motif, but it's INTENSE. It reminds me a lot of the Shostakovich Ballet Suite that opened the 1996 show. It's a bummer to hear that Ron Nelson wasn't receptive to corps' playing his music. I'd also be interested to see how Phantom could do with Bernstein's First or Second Symphonies - they're dark, which fits Regiment's identity well.

Wasn't there is 2007 - judged on the Semis webcast and the Quarterfinals theater broadcast, I would guess Blue Devils, Phantom, Vanguard, and Crown (and something tells me a certain corps from Allentown, PA was pretty intense on Finals night too) Phantom 2006 - A show with such a wide emotional range - BEAUTIFUL. Vanguard 2005 - The finals night rain delay was clearly a blessing in disguise for them. Blue Devils 2004 - This show GROOVED, and the crowd dug it, especially the new Finals night ending. Vanguard 2004 - WOW - Adam Sage, Jim Casella, and Gino Cipriani - three Drum Corps powers combine to design/teach a killer show. Blue Knights 2004 - Finals night at home, and their first Finals in 4 years - this experience had to have been special. Phantom 2003 - The Finals week tag ending to the show took it to an entirely new level - you couldn't hear it in the crowd on Finals night. Cavaliers 2002 - I don't know if intense is the word to describe this - cool, maybe? Regardless, the crowd went NUTS. Crossmen 2002 - This show grooved quite a bit as well. They were too dirty to place any higher. Magic 2002 - 7 show days in a row - these kids were exhausted, I'm sure, but they wanted to prove that Division II corps could compete with Division I. Vanguard 2001 - New Era, enough said. Phantom 2001 - Tommy Feagin's age-out summer, and they ended with Festive Overture! This was JD Shaw's first year with the hornline (I think?). Cadets 2000 - The last three minutes are something that'll be remembered for a LONG time. Boston 2000 - 1998 - No finals; 1999 - 9th place; 2000 - 5th place. Competitive rises like that just don't happen these days. It was pretty special to see. Vanguard 1999 - 1997 - 3rd place; 1998 - 2nd place; 1999 - They wanted to do EVERYTHING they could to get to the top, and they did on Finals night. Madison 1999 - Jesus Christ Superstar - a killer show for the home crowd. Colts 1999 - LOTS of age-outs in the corps that summer from what I understand. Vanguard 1998 - Who'da thought Copland wrote such intense music - it's not all Appalachian Spring and Rodeo, apparently. Cavaliers 1998 - 50th Anniversary, and a quick rebound from that 7th place finish in 1997. Glassmen 1998 - The Darlings of DCI that year. Madison 1997 - Madison Scouts + Pirates = AWESOME. Crossmen 1997 - Niner-Two and Birdland. What's not to like? Plus, their color guard was AMAZING that year. Phantom 1996 - 4th to 1st in three nights - THAT'S intensity if I've ever seen it. Madison 1995 - Madison Scouts + Bull Fighting = AWESOME. Cadets 1993 - They knew how close that year was, and they weren't gonna lie down and die. GREAT show. Star 1993 - Possibly the angriest DCI show ever fielded (BK 2002 rivals ^0^ ). They were out to prove something that year, and did. Phantom 1993 - Ever hear that phrase "Any other year?" Yeah, that applies here. Cavaliers 1992 - They were hungry for their first championship, and they got it. Cadets 1992 - One of their greatest late season surges. Crossmen 1992 - Just a neat show. Vanguard 1992 - Fiddler on the Roof one more time for Gail Royer. That was a special night for the Vanguard. That's all I'm listing for now. Some of the more experienced fans, I'm sure, have more to contribute.

BD - Opener and closer Cadets - Closer for sure, Blue Shades would be nice too Cavies - Pressure to the end? Phantom - the Duet and Firebird SCV - Ballad to end - I wanna hear the finals night "Vanguard!" Crown - the whole show? Haha, second ballad to end would be good Bluecoats - "Drop your weapons" and maybe the end of the show too BK - Closer - I wanna see the guard fugue again! For the 30 second clips: Boston - La Fiesta Glassmen - Trumpet duet near the end of the show Colts - Closer Spirit - Closer

Anyone know who got the Jim Jones awards this year? Just curious...

Here's my review of the show tonight. I apologize to Pacific Crest, the Madison Scouts, the Crossmen, the Blue Stars, the Academy, and Spirit - I didn't get to the theater until the Glassmen because of band camp. I have no doubt that each of these corps' has earned its spot in tomorrow's Semifinals. That said, here are some thoughts from the show: First off, I was really surprised to see Spirit's number. I think the corps has really started to connect with their show. Good for them! Glassmen - I've liked this show all season. I'm glad to see them doing so well with it. I am a little questionable on them beating the Colts - they had more visual dirt tonight than I was expecting. However, the hornline is MUCH improved over last year, and their guard does a GREAT job selling the show. I'm glad that they're not "boring" anymore. Colts - I agree with Dennis DeLucia's comments about how great this show is. It's so nice to see the Colts doing so well. Their hornline has an incredible sound and the guard has a great presence as well. I see them passing the Glassmen in the end. Boston Crusaders - This show is alright. I don't like it at the Rose Bowl, as the color scheme of the easels and the color guard uniform makes it hard to see with the color of the grass. They seemed to have a decent show tonight, but, from where I was in the theater, it seemed a little flat. They need to turn the emotion up a bit if they want to pass the Blue Knights. I don't see it happening. Their hornline, while technically proficient, didn't play with as much power as the hornlines before them or after. When performing a latin show, a powerful hornline is a must. I was surprised to see their guard number so low tonight. That will change tomorrow, I think. Their guard does add a great deal of effect to the show. I'm anxious to see what they can do for the rest of the week. Expect good things from them in the future. Blue Knights - I'm a fan of this show in general. I appreciate the identity they have created for themselves and I am excited to see where they take it in the future. Tonight was certainly not their best run - they seemed the most tentative of all of the corps' I saw in the theater. Guard mistakes, soloist issues, members falling, etc. I'm sure they'll turn it up as the week goes - they did last year. This is their best hornline, maybe ever. Just a GREAT quality of sound, and they play so musically. It's exciting to see their numbers so high. The percussion has improved IMMENSELY since June, and the guard is a highlight as always. I'm excited to see how the rest of the week goes for them. Santa Clara Vanguard - I saw them in San Antonio and I wasn't too impressed. The show seemed really busy, and, frankly, I was bored. I don't know what happened, because it seemed to me that they haven't changed that much of the show, but I LOVED it tonight. I'm not a huge fan of the musical show being built around the visual concept, and that was my perception of this show in San Antonio. They certainly chnged my mind tonight - my favorite ballad of the night! The show has taken on a new character and I really like it. I can see them moving up as the week goes on/emotions rise, being a "home" corps and all. My question is, what corps do they beat? I would not argue if they moved up. GREAT SHOW, SCV!!! Carolina Crown - There's not much else that needs to be said about this show. It's hands down the best show of the year. The theme is accessible, the show is well integrated, the crowd is DIGGING it. Even the pro-SCV crowd was cheering for this show, and performing after SCV was no enviable task tonight. I'm still wondering how their GE numbers are so low. I don't get it. They play with an incredible horn sound and their guard is absolutely terrific. The surprise for me is the percussion section - what a difference a year makes!! This section's dedication and hard work is to be commended. This will be an emotional week for them. My question now is can they upend the Bluecoats? I think they've got the show to do it. We'll see, I suppose. Phantom Regiment - They came to play tonight - certainly a more complete show and emotional performance than San Antonio. The hornline is running out of gas at the end of the show, however, and this is hurting their GE numbers. I still am hoping for a new ending on Saturday but I don't know if that's likely or not - the wedge kick, believe it or not, actually seems a little anti-climactic to me. I also think it'd be appropriate for the entire guard to end with wings - I'm sensing a Finals night addition? However, I'm looking at the recaps and am a little baffled by their music effect numbers - I think the book is A LOT better than they're getting credit for. From a GE standpoint, this was certainly the toughest panel they will see this week, and if they keep turning it up, I can see them passing Cavies. I'm quite impressed with the progress the Color Guard has made this year, the Hornline is playing VERY well considering the drill they have, and the drumline is one of a kind. BD might be cleaner right now, but NO ONE is playing stuff as meaty and innovative as these guys. I really hope they can move up another spot by Saturday. Bluecoats - Maybe it was me, but they seemed REALLY flat to me tonight. I actually enjoyed the show more in San Antonio. They do have, arguably, the best minute of drum corps this year (the "Drop your weapons" sequence), but the rest of the show just doesn't compare. I think that might be hurting them. I'm REALLY excited to see them win Brass, and I think it's wholly deserved. I think their GE numbers are completely correct - the drill just isn't that effective throughout the ENTIRE show and there are a few moments in this show where the design of the show lets my attention start to wander. Their performance levels are so good that I don't know if they'll drop any lower than 5th place, but I think they've got reason to be concerned about the two corps' below them (the crowd favorite and the "home" team). No matter where they place, this was a TERRIFIC season for them. The Cavaliers - I liked this show better in San Antonio as well. It really is a fun show, but they're not doing the innovative things they've done in the past. The opener, visually, is still too repetitive, but I couldn't do any better (I couldn't even come close) from a design standpoint so I can't complain too much. I'm not sure I agree with their GE numbers and I personally would have had Phantom A LOT closer in score tonight. No one can deny the quality of the execution in their visual program (especially the guard), but I find it bothersome that they were 5th in music tonight and still placed 3rd. I really would like to see DCI make a shift in the judging emphasis to a 60-40 distribution (with the 60 going to music). When we all watch the broadcast and read the program, there are music advocacy ads abound - and without the music, the marching wouldn't exist. But alas, I can't slam the Cavaliers for this - it's not necessarily their fault. I applaud the effort that's gone into designing and performing this show. They'll likely end up 3rd on Saturday. The Cadets - Without a doubt, this is the most challenging show on the field this summer - the Jenkins stuff is awe-inspiring. In relation to the narration, I don't mind it too much, to be completely honest. I think much of this show is REALLY well coordinated. I'm most bothered by the narration when it occurs over music. (ie. the narration during the silences of Blue Shades doesn't bother me, but the narration during the closer does). That said, this show should be winning music effect - it has the most variety and is the most effective from top to bottom. I'm curious if the delay tonight affected the corps' mindset - no doubt it, at least, temporarily killed the vibe they had. I am anxious to see what a fresh start tomorrow night will do for them. I personally would like to see this show win only because I like the music and the drill the best of the Top 3 (and most likely to win), but the events that occurred tonight might just affect the corps' mindset for the rest of the week. The crowd was obnoxious tonight - I certainly hope that this stops between now and Saturday. These kids shouldn't be punished for the hard work they've put into this show. After all, it's not their fault that their Director likes to push everyone's buttons. They'll be no lower than 2nd. Blue Devils - They REALLY came to play tonight. WOW. I'm still not a huge fan of the show, but they do it so well I don't know if anyone will be able to knock them off. I certainly didn't argue with their placement tonight. Their showmanship was through the roof. The opener, as it's been said all year, is high octane stuff - some of the most intense drum corps I've ever seen. But the second half really doesn't live up to the first half. I am quite happy to see them do so well for the "home" crowd, but I wonder if they'll be able to top tonight's performance. They set the bar so high I would love to see what it's like if they can surpass it. Can they do it? It'll certainly be a sight to see if they do. I think they'll be the champs on Saturday night. What a great year for the BD organization. Happy 50th! Thoughts? I'd love to hear them! What a GREAT year it's been.

I'll bite... 1. Cadets - Their combination of talent and the judges buying into the show will take them over the top - They've got the competitive edge right now 2. Blue Devils - The second half of the show just can't compare to their first half, still. Their design hurts them yet again. However, Finals close to home could really help. Don't count them out. 3. Cavaliers - Their visual scores will keep them from being any lower, especially if Marie Czapinski is judging. 4. Phantom - This corps is experienced and talented enough to cool the heat from the corps' below them. If Marie Czapinski judges this week, they could drop as low as 6th though. They're surging (note them closing the gap on Cavies in Tempe) and I don't expect it to stop this week. I'm sure they've added even more effect to the show, and you know they'll make their signature emotional push. 5. Bluecoats - They will make another Finals Week surge, but it sounds like their visual execution still isn't competitive enough for them to place any higher. This was a GREAT year for them. Their fans will look at their placement on paper and be disappointed, but they've really set themselves up for success in the coming years. 6. Crown - Their percussion, while MUCH improved, will not be able to compete with the five corps' above, and that will hurt them. They could be as high as fourth, but I think their inexperience at this level of competition (IE the "Top 7") will hurt just a bit this week. But, being the Fan Favorite could really work to their advantage. 7. SCV - They don't have any single caption that is challenging for a top spot. The six corps' ahead of them do, and that will be the difference. I wouldn't count them out of a higher place, being that Finals is close to home, but I think the likelihood of them moving any higher is low. 8. BK - They've got some serious momentum and confidence going right now. They haven't broken 90 before Finals Week since 2000, when they placed 6th. I'd be surprised to see them lose to Boston. 9. BAC - Close, but no cigar for the Florida/Boston crew. The show's alright, but the corps is still young in comparison to the corps' ahead of them. Look for them to retain members and place higher in the next few years. 10. Colts - They shouldn't be worried about making Finals. I think they're a lock, and it's REALLY EXCITING for them. Congrats, Ladies and Gentlemen! 11. Glassmen - The members that have experienced the heat of the Finals week battle in previous years will ensure that they get in again. A lot of people have said that they don't like this show - I don't see what's wrong with it. They're in. 12. WOW - tough decision between Academy, Spirit, and Blue Stars. I'm going with Blue Stars. I think they're playing with the most heart, they have the most difficulty, and they're going to peak at just the right time. 13. Spirit - If they don't make it, I think it will be because of GE - this show was a hard sell, and they just started a little too slow to make up for it. However, Spirit's made it into Finals 3 of the last 4 years when they're on the verge of not making it. They've got the experience, and that could really help. 14. Academy - I could just as easily see them making Finals, but I think their lack of time on the road this year has hurt them in the recent weeks. They seem to have stagnated a bit - I hope they prove me wrong! 15. Crossmen - Their show, top to bottom, is stronger/cleaner than the Scouts and that will help them surge ahead. 16. Madison - This show could've made Finals a few years ago. Their focus and resilience throughout this season is to be much applauded. 17. Pacific Crest - They get a nice advantage being on the theater broadcast, and they're the closest to home of the remaining corps'. 18. Troopers - I have a feeling they're going to get an emotional push from the audience - they've been surging lately and I think they have the tools to knock on the Semis door. I REALLY hope they make it, but I have a hard time seeing it happening right now. 19. Cascades - This show was a serious step in the right direction for them. I would love to see them in Semis as well but I think they might have a few too many weaknesses in such a competitive year. 20. Southwind - This show just isn't a GE-packed show like they've had the past two years, and in a year as strong as this, it's hurting them competitively. 21. Mandarins - They're close to home and they'll get a nice emotional push as well. 22. Pioneer - This is the most impressed I've ever been to see Pioneer. They've improved SO much and it makes me sad to see them still in the same place. I hope these kids don't buy too much stock in the numbers tomorrow - they're significantly better than they've been in a LONG time. I'm sure I'll be wrong somewhere - this week, I'm sure, will come with LOTS of surprises! I wish I could be there!

Here's what I got: Blue Devils (winning by the slightest of margins - they're the most consistent from caption to caption right now. Their draw tonight could hurt them, however) Cadets (close behind - still getting hurt by color guard. Their draw tonight could really help them, however.) Cavaliers (close behind - GE and Music captions have been their weakness - will that continue? I don't see their draw tonight as good or bad, unless the Blue Devils are on fire) Phantom Regiment (the corps with most likely shot of making that "move" everyone speaks of is the Regiment. A lot of people have started to discount them - this is the first week since everydays that they've actually had more than a rehearsal day or two. Everyone who's seen their show agrees that it's really difficult, and they're starting to clean up. They're on the move - look at how they closed the gap on the Cavaliers from Tuesday to Wednesday. A large majority of the membership in that corps comes from the Southeast (Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, and Florida are all well represented). Being that Finals is so far away from this area of the country this year, fans will come out in droves and cheer on all of DCI. Phantom had a ton of support there last year and I see no reason why that would change here. I think they'll probably still end up in fourth for tonight, but I can see them using their recent momentum to set themselves up to make a move tomorrow night. Their percussion continues to carry the corps, and the horns will soon too - as soon as they can master their crazy drill. Their draw tonight helps them.) Bluecoats (Ever so close behind Phantom - it seems to me that they're pretty consistent from caption to caption, that they don't have any real weaknesses - but how many of their captions can compete at the top? They have to stay competitive in all captions if they want to finish Top 3. They also don't have the most favorable draw tonight - that could hurt them as well.) Santa Clara Vanguard (The physical demands of their show keep them here - they're not as clean as the five above them - just a hunch. Their draw tonight is more favorable than it could be. Their strong visual and color guard could help them claw a few points, and maybe placements, higher.) Carolina Crown (I can't imagine they have the difficulty in their show musically to hang with the Top 6 for much longer - the 6 shows ahead of them, I would guess, are more complex and difficult, and will start to pull away in the second half of the summer. Tonight, Crown will stay close, but still no cigar. Their color guard will continue to carry them, and I'm sure the crowd will be on their side [5 Hot Chops awards is a cool accomplishment] ) BK (They're really glad to be there - I think they could close the gap on Crown tonight, but I would be really surprised to see them in any place but 8th tonight. Their hornline and color guard continue to be strengths.) I have a feeling the judges are going to play it safe tonight since a lot of things are still up in the air. I think that we'll have a much better grasp on where these 8 corps' stand competitively after tomorrow night. Best of luck to all of these corps' - I really envy everyone who gets to attend tonight. Nick H SUTA