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Who said it has to end this way?!?!??? There's still five weeks left in the season!! posted from the DrumScorps app

Absolutely. Source: http://www.dci.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=33500&ATCLID=211439295&SPID=166025&SPSID=965782 It's so screwed up this year as to how/when everything is determined. Corps HAVE to be on point every single show because it's all so random as to what show matters for what and all. It is so ray and stupid!!! DCI screwed the pick on scheduling this year!!! Orlando and DATR should have been today and Then next Saturday be Minnie based upon this weekend and San An based on Minnie and then Powder Springs based on d SA and have everyone. Honestly, DCI should have questioned why the stadium wasn't ready in ATL...I bet I lot would have been posted from the DrumScorps app

The corps calls them cabbages posted from the DrumScorps app

There really is such a clear diffidence Between Crossmen and everyone else before them. posted from the DrumScorps app

I personally see Troop struggling to make the prelims broadcast. posted from the DrumScorps app

I'm sorry but I don't think Troop has a good shot at finals, personally. The tarps all over the field did nothing for Le and the music was just...meh. The music that I enjoyed most from the show was also arranged terribly in my opinion. But then again, I'm not a judge. Just a sit at home wish-drum-corps-remembered-t-focus-on-the-music type fan. Who's strong point was always the visual. posted from the DrumScorps app

I'm sorry, but if you need the show to be explained to you via staff or a show announcement, then you have failed as a design team. Any random Joe off he street should be able to at least make some sense of a show on first viewing for it to be considered even semi-effective. When I can't remember anything musically about the show immediately following watching it, run I'm sorry but you have failed on your design. I should at least remember one or two small melodies as the next corps is setting up. For this show with Madison, I sadly don't. And the uniforms...don't get me started. posted from the DrumScorps app

I'm sorry, but what is going on here with Madison?!?!???? posted from the DrumScorps app

Seeing as I'll see the corps 3-4 times live, I'll enjoy that when I'm in my seats somewhat high up. I'll enjoy the more detailed view of the multi cam while watching from home. That way I know more about what to look for in certain areas, or where to not look when wanting to see what else is going on. Same goes for other corps that I'll see over the summer. posted from the DrumScorps app

It really was. As much as I love this years show visually, something like that would be perfect in this years show if they incorporated the props. Just imagine how awesome that could be. Maybe that's what they'll do during these three rehearsal days is add something like that?

That's right, I completely forgot about that part. It was a late night last night and my brain is firing a little slow this morning. Thanks for correcting me on 2016.

While, yes, the maltese cross has appeared in many shows, I wouldn't necessarily expect it. It hasn't been in the show since, 2014, I believe? I also wouldn't get too upset if it wasn't in there, either. While, yes, it would be nice to see, if it doesn't fit in, I wouldn't want it to be forced in. Maybe if they're "enhancing" the show as to where it's distorted in the maze section, and then it's full and clear in the answer, then sure. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. Still a month left in the season, after all. A lot can happen.

Love that arrangement of Sound of Silence! posted from the DrumScorps app

I second that about the heroes not ok the pit. Wow euphs! Definitely early season. Pretty solid ok text design front so far, but execution definitely needs a lot of attention. posted from the DrumScorps app

Don't get me wrong, I love the show and the show concept...I just really see a lot of flaws that I hope get fixed. Now, I saw a million of those in 2014 and every single one I saw got fixed and they did jump back into finals...so I hope that that is the case this year in that the flaws I see in June get fixed by mid July so that the corps can move up a place or two or three...

So here are my thoughts.... Performance wise...YES... they are there. Guard, brass, visual, (I'm not a percussion guy by and means)....the are there. Yes, they have a LOT to clean. But it is only June, so that is very much to be expected... However...the movement before the ballad, and somewhat the closer, too...are very, how do I say it...dull. It's the same one or to ideas re-iterated over and over and over and over again and beaten to death. In terms of momentum, everything stalls. Multiple times. Which is NOT GOOD. I only hope that the design gets fixed ASAP, and that the performance level is maintained and elevated even more. They have a LOT to fix if they want to move up into the single digits. I'm honestly not quite sold on the Andrew Markworth doing all the music design idea...but...I would love it if they could prove me wrong. I want to see Bones back up fighting for the 7-6th place spots like they once used to...bu...I don't quite know that this is the vehicle to get them there. As much as I want them to...I only hope and pray that I'm proven wrong. But who will move down if that's the case, as well? It's so tough to move upwards nowadays, especially once you get into the top 12...

I wouldn't expect them to be done with the show yet! The brass only moved in a week ago! Has there ever been a corps that has learned the whole show in just a week? I just can't wait to see what they have cooking.

20 brass is still a lot of ageouts. That's 25%+ of the line. Also, when you consider comparable numbers at other corps. There have been corps in the range that Academy has been in to have had just over 20 ageouts total.

Likely an encore tune/corps song type deal. Something that's played every year at the audition/early camps before there's much show music yet.

A large number of housing sites aren't really solidified until April/May/early June as corps get and sign housing contracts.

Really, more corps should sell ornaments! They are cheap and easy to produce, yet can also easily be sold at a good price to make some money off of them. Plus, I'm sure they would sell like wildfire! I helped out with the Colts souvies at a couple points this summer, and it was the little flags and the instrument dog tags that sold the most. More so than any shirts or anything else. Its those kind of things that can easily be a huge money maker if you find the right price point and profit margin on them. Ornaments I'm sure would be a perfect item. Who wouldn't want to go around collecting ornaments from all the corps? Or shot/pint glasses for that matter...

Honestly, would any corps really turn away a volunteer? Provided they are at least reasonably capable of helping out with what is needed. Generally same age as marching, and you're good to go. Obviously younger ages would probably require an adult with them, but it doesn't matter if you're marching age. A helping hand is a helping hand. Volunteers are so badly needed at just about every corps. Have fun and enjoy the experience!

Oh, you'd be surprised how solid a number of show designs are already, doesn't really matter if the group has announced or not. Most, if not all corps, already have a solid idea of the direction they are going, not a "loose concept with music." They probably already have most if not all of the tunes picked out, and a solid visual idea, and are waiting to see how the music sounds in person to decide on re-writes in the off-season, and see what works and doesn't work. But most of what groups have at this point will stick and are more than a "loose concept with music." For one of the bands I work with, we always have a solid idea of the direction we are going for the next season in the middle of the season prior, and by the time the fall ends, we have a set list of tunes and a visual concept/story that we are going to sell. All that needs to be done at that point is figure out the pacing and get the whole package written. That's exactly what the winter/spring camps are about for corps. They use them to judge the pacing of what is being written and see "will this work? Is it moving too quickly? Does that impact develop naturally? Is it effective?" Just because corps aren't announcing, doesn't mean they don't already know what they are doing.

Add one more for New Balances. I wore them for at least 5 of the 6 seasons I marched, if not all. It's been so long I don't remember for sure anymore.

So...Crossmen history...and I know I'm repeating some of what has already been said, but shining some more light on the big picture story. So...the corps had for a long time struggled financially, and in the mid 1990's were taken in by YEA! under George Hopkins so that the corps could survive. Over time, it became more difficult financially for YEA! to adequately operate both Cadets and Crossmen. From friends of mine who marched those years in the northeast, yes, they felt like they were second class citizens to the Cadets. So after the 2006 season, the YEA! board of directors forced a decision. Fold the corps or move it elsewhere to separate it. So George Hopkins called the band director (not music staff) at Ronald Reagan down in San Antonio and offered to move the corps there. Fred Morrison was/still is really good friends with Mark Chambers (band director), and has been involved from the beginning since the corps moved down to SA between the 2006 and 2007 seasons. The change in leadership and the BoD that someone referenced earlier is a little inaccurate, as Fred has been around the entire time and has held major influence the entire time. Additionally, even just a brief perusal of the form 990's of the organization will show relatively stability in the BoD (though it is natural for a seat or two to change every so often in any nonprofit org). Also, over the course of the 2007 season, the official paperwork was signed separating Crossmen from the YEA! umbrella and to their own entity, the Crossmen Productions organization that it is now. The first few years in Texas were rough ones, and it wasn't until the breakthrough year of 2012 that brought northeast alumni back into the fold as truly feeling like it was "their corps" again, and that it wasn't stolen away from them with the move to Texas. This has helped in terms of increased funding from alumni donations, increased alumni involvement, and has overall helped to strengthen the corps to how it is now. I, for one, hope that the group continues to move up the ladder with awesome, entertaining, crowd favorite shows that they're known for.