amjn

I couldn't agree more.

What's your favorite show that didn't make the Top 3 in Div. I/World Class from the past? I'd have to go with the 2006 Colts. Their show flowed well for me and I just loved their guard that year.

Seriously last year = epic fail for Cavies. I was not entertained. The show was a flop. Boring and totally forgettable. When they got 3rd last year I about threw my computer out the window. Phantom should have been in that spot. As for 007 I enjoyed that show.

After seeing their show all I could think was that is was not memorable. Like '02 and '06 for Cavies were very memorable shows but this year was just kind of "on the field perform our amazing show, march off." Good show but no real impact.

I haven't been impressed with a BD show since Phenomenon of Cool. Crown, always been a fan. Phantom same as Crown. Cavaliers have done the same show since '01. Just with different music. This year, and last, were just snoozefest for me.

To be honest I think both Cadets and Coats narration is pointless. I finally saw both of their shows and IMO Cadets need better acting if they're going to do what they're doing. It's not as overwhelming as I thought. Nice and all but, nope. Not working. Coats, for me, just got frustrating. This is the first Coats show that I have not really enjoyed all that much in a while.

LOL that's almost like saying that Cadets will win with a 99.15 again.

I think they have a good chance at it. But do I think they'll do it? Not really.

I thought tonight's performances were amazing seeing as this was the first time I've seen any of the shows at all. I don't know about the scores. I thought Cadets would have been above Phantom but not by much and I would have scored Crown a bit higher. Blue Devils rocked the house. I really feel like all the performers really pushed their shows tonight. You can just feel the tension haha. Champs should be very interesting this year and, honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if these corps hold the spots they got tonight all the way there.

I think dot marching is faster/more effective because it gives you a basic idea of spatial locations and forms and then cleaning from there. But there are flaws (i.e. fields being marked wrong) but that's how I marched in HS.

Congrats to Crown again! I'm glad they're finally getting the recognition they deserve. I think Crown will break top 4, if not 3 at Finals. Can't wait till San An and Finals are less than a month!

For the most part I'm fine with it. But if you can't play the musical selection, don't play it at all. We have a high school that has done 3 Cavies shows (02, 04 and 05) and they got dead last because of music and their guard work was as clean as a trash dump. Don't even get me started on drill. But like I said, overall I'm fine with it.

First off I want to say bravo to Kevin/hostrauser. Your input has really been quite... epically amazing to say the least. And I totally agree 100% with you on just about every single thing you've said. Do I like the narration? Not necessarily but it take it for what it's worth. It's there and I can't change that. I have not been around Drum Corps long HOWEVER, I do enjoy most performances from any Drum Corps Era. Favorite shows are pre-90's Blue Devils, Cadets and Madison. I think narration should be used modestly. I have yet to see the Cadets show this year but I've seen/heard bits and pieces. And last season I know for a fact that they took out a lot of narration from the beginning of the season to finals. I just think it's all about editing and seeing what's working and what's not. Last year I doubt (pretty much all season) that anyone would have said that the Cadets would get second. Even I had my doubts. But look at the response they got then and the response they get now. I've seen more people really start to enjoy their 2007 show more and more. Why? I'm not sure. It much be one of those "grow on you" things. Change is change. Time changes. Seasons change. People change. The world is always changing. I deal with change easily. I've had to deal with it and get over it and realize that there's not a whole lot that I can do about it. So I just "roll with the punches" and move on. Drum Corps is going to change. Period. Like Kevin stated: Drum corps the way you liked it best is gone. And, honestly, there's not a whole lot we can do about it.

Honestly, thank you all for your replies. It's nice to see both sides of the picture. As for how I feel about the whole thing I probably should have edited my words at what I said. Yes, my favorite corps is The Cadets, however I'm not completely for them. I enjoy every corps performance. And I respect all you replying to me and giving your opinion on this. I'm not all for what Hop is trying to do and I definitely do not think he is "misunderstood." He has his views as to where he thinks DCI should go. Do I agree with half of the stuff he wants to change? No. Not at all. I'm just glad that I've had this discussion. Reading your replies has shown me that I need to go and research more history of the sport. And I will definitely do that. But, like I said, thank you for your replies.

I am not new to forums by any mean so I'm used to being flamed. I have, in no way, an "agenda" I just have seen people bash and boo corps (i.e. The Cadets). We have no right, whatsoever, to boo or make jokes towards these performances. Last year at finals when the Cadets were booed I was disgusted and ashamed to be part of this organization. However, everyone has a right to their opinion. This is mine.

I am a DCI fan. I love all corps because of the work they put into their shows. I congratulate the staff of each corps for the thought and hard work they put into making this organization what it is. I haven't been involved in Drum Corps for a long time (first time exposure in 2004) however I have heard and seen most of these supposed "controversies" that are talked about amongst members/fans/etc. My favorite corps is The Cadets. I love their innovations and their shows. They're just a great organization. So I want to say this, for the record. Can we stop the bashing of them? Seriously, all these corps put in countless hours of work and all these members are working just as hard. How is it our place to "bash" them? Let's honestly think about it this way: a lot of you have marched in some of these corps and a lot of you appreciate what they do. Grow. Up. Things change. Times change. I have a lot of respect for George Hopkins for doing what he does. I respect him for taking a lot of the beef that people give him. He truly supports and truly loves what he does. All the other directors work just as hard. All the other staff works just as hard. They win some and they lose some. That's the way it goes. And the DCI judges, yes sometimes probably incorporate "who they are" into their score, however they are doing their job. I've had the wonderful opportunity of spending the day with the Cadets about a year ago being a winner of their essay contest last year and got a taste of what they really do. Their 2007 show was, in my opinion, a new taste of Drum Corps. Something fresh. It really inspires me to try new things, work hard and pursue my dreams. When it all boils down: it's not about the scores. It's not about the performance. It's about the art, the meaning, the inspiration and the joy we all get from watching these corps perform. So let's take a new approach towards each corps. Remember where they've all been. What they do and how much effort and practice and hard work goes into it. Times change and, honestly, there's nothing we can do about it. But thank you for your time and let's try to act mature when we talk about these other corps, they all read this stuff too you know.