Marty Ackerman

Star 89 I thought was underrated. It had that wonderful British music. Devils 93 - I thought one of their top brass lines ever. Phantom 92 - I know it got dogged as one of their worst shows, but I always disagreed. It had such great melodic developement and the horses to pull it off. Drums were a little dirty, but no more than 5 of the 7 corps above them. BK 99 - Fantastic version of Trittico, better than 94 even. They could have been top 6 and maybe they should have been, but Scouts were pretty hot that night too. Scouts 2000 it was dirty as sin visually, but WOW what an exciting and ballsy show. one of my all time favs from them. Devils 2005 - The voices were a little distracting, but the show was stellar.

Even though it's taking a jab at Mr. Ceasario, I gotta admit this one is my favorite.

Sounds like the writings of a disgruntled former board member who quit when things didn't go his way. Way to support your corp by wishing them a low placement. You are a good alumnus, who's example many should follow!

Mine would easily be the 1995 Madison Scouts. That show had it all. The only thing I think that kept them from the title was that the marching was just a bit off that night with some interval problems.

97 Madison with honorable mention going to 92 Madison.

1st Blue Devs 2nd Cavs 3rd The Cadets 4th Vanguard 5th Phantom 6th Bluecoats 7th Madison 8th Crown 9th Crossmen 10th Boston 11th Glassmen 12th Blue Knights

You're saying he writes fiction?

My bad - it seemed like you were being sarcastic and you automatically put Crossmen and Madison in the 15th to 18th range.

Since Madison hasn't completed all of their drill and the full guard hasn't been there yet, because of WGI, I don't see how you can automatically say they are in trouble and will fall to 14th - with a gap between 13th and 14th. I heard from people that were at camps and they say it's a very strongly designed show and although the brass has some issues, they have the potential to be really good. And the drumline is very strong. As far as the rest here is my predictions Cadets 1st Cavaliers 2nd Phantom 3rd Blue Devils 4th Bluecoats 5th Vanguard 6th Crown 7th Crossmen 8th Madison 9th Boston 10th Bluestars 11th Glassmen 12th

1990 was a interesting year. Star came out of the gate with an astounding show, Cadets were shaky at the start but came on strong. I loved that they brought back Candide. I pretty much liked the whole top seven or eight corps and then really was dissapointed with Madisons' show. It was musically boring and the drill was hideous. Then 10th place, the Velvet Knights was awesome. Never thought I would like Alice Cooper on the drum corp field but they did it up nice. Spirit was nice in getting back to the southern flavor and Dutch boy's guard was on fire and super hot! - as usual.

Maybe we should rename it what Hopkins suggested. MMI - Marching Music International.

I didn't mean that the performances are mediocre. but turning a once unique idiom into marching band is. and the former director wasn't old fashioned. he just felt that drum corps wasn't broken, so it didn't need to be fixed.

This is all happening because back in the day Hopkins and Gibbs stated (to a former director who I have spoken with) they are bored with traditional Drum Corps and so are their kids. I say to Hopkins what that former director said to him. If you hate Drum Corps so much, why don't you get the bleep out?! You have taken something that is unique and are making it into something that is common and mediocre.

Bunch of band geeks! :P

That guy is great and he is from a great section. They showed a thing on PBS where they broke down the sections in Great Divide. The Baris were just wonderful. That moment has stuck with me all these years.