Tony L.
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Posts posted by Tony L.
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Double Post. Sorry.
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1987: Garfield
1988: Suncoast Sound
1989: Cavaliers
1990: Cadets of Bergen Co.
1991: Star of Indiana
1992: Crossmen
1993: Star of Indiana
1994: Cadets of Bergen Co.
1995: The Cavaliers
1996: Cadets of Bergen Co.
1997: Santa Clara Vanguard
1998: Cadets of Bergen Co.
1999: Santa Clara Vanguard
2000: Cavaliers
2001: Bluecoats
2002: Crossmen
2003: Phantom Regiment
2004: Santa Clara Vanguard
2005: The Cadets
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Thank you.
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Does anyone know what the DCI headquarters hotel will be in Madison next year?
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Well, as far as the scheduling goes, next year would be the perfect chance to bring the D2/D3 kids back into the mix at quarters. According to the schedule posted at DCI.org, all events will be at Camp Randall, therefore, there will not be the same conflict in schedule that has existed the past few years.
If DCI is at all serious about growing the activity, then the D2/D3 corps must be given more exposure in order to get the fans and more importantly, the potential members, to see all of the good things that are going on with these corps.
I know that until I went to D2/D3 Finals in 2002 in Madison (BTW, one of the best contests I'd ever attended), I had never been to a D2/D3 contest. My only exosure to most of these corps was at Quarterfinals. DCI really should give them a chance. Otherwise, I really just don't see too many corps moving up to D1.
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The Cadets showed us a new way of conceiving a ballad and did so while masterfully performing a very haunting piece of music. For me, it's The Cadets without question.
In addition, I really liked Capital Regiment's and Troopers' ballads too.
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While I agree with you that the Divisions in cheerleading are based on school size and not talent levels, the fact is that those divisions are below the Div 1 schools (but of course, the talent level of the top of these divisions do compare favorably with the lower ranked schools in Div 1). Much the same, I don't think that anyone is going to disagree that the overall talent level of Div. 2/3 in drum corps matches that of Div. 1, but, the top of Div. 2/3 does compare favorably to the lower part of Div 1. I think EVENTUALLY it would be cool to give those corps a little exposure. Let's face it, you could easily find enough solid material from Div. 2/3 to fill a one hour broadcast (which is all that I think would be needed to give these corps the exposure they deserve).
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I think it is interesting to think of the DCI broadcast in comparison to the College Cheerleading shows that are always shown. In cheerleading, they always show the non-division one cheerleading contests in their own broadcast. Perhaps, in the future, DCI could package a shorter (like 1 hr) show for DII/III. Given the time constraints, this would be more about the actual performances, and less behind the scenes.
Now, as for the broadcast of the DI corps, I have often thought that the broadcast should focus more on the organizations themselves rather than individual members. I think the drama of FInals week comes from a corps like Bluecoats fighting to achieve their highest placement and score ever. Or the proud and mighty Vanguard struggling during the season, only to turn it on on Finals night and raise a position. That's the drama, that's what I think viewers would latch onto. Also, a casual viewer might say "Oh, their from Ohio, I hope they do well." And then they have someone to root for. This allows the viewer to pick a favorite and develop a rooting interest. When the broadcast focuses on individuals, what do we do, root for so and so to have a clean show? Since the activity is comprised of corps, not individuals, I think a new viewer could develop a connection to the corps itself.
Finally, I agree that what hooked me (and I believe the majority of us from the '80s) was watching the actual shows on the PBS broadcast. I've never cared about an individual member of the corps. After watching the '87 broadcast, I became a Cadets fan and have had that rooting interest ever since. Ultimately, I think it's easier (and much more involving) to be a fan of a corps rather than a fan of the activity. The broadcast should get the viewers to develop this sort of interest instead of showing how hard all of the kids work duringthe summer.
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Troopers T-Shirt
Troopers kid t-shirt
Cadets Orange Zone T
Cavaliers Green '70s retro T
In addition, I had already bought a Garfield G T and the Crossmen red ringed T
I really wanted to get a Phantom T, but I didn't really care for any of their shirts.
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Just to clarify, I was looking for actual responses. If what I wrote could be construed as "flame bait", I sincerely apologize. I would never waste my time or your's with flame bait.
As for another idea, I think Cavies' baseball and closer would be ideal for the general audience (I'm afraid of what outsiders would think of the little red fire helmets and also, that portion is a little too conceptual for what I think this first general audience should see).
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So I was just wondering what you would do if you were producing the broadcast? Which segments of a corps show would you select?
Bluedevils: I think if they showed the last portion of the show, when the eneregy is at its best and when the hornline actually plays a little, it woyuld actually come across as a great opener. The general public needn't know about the other problems with their show. If they want to show more, I'd also add in a their ballad (when the narrator seems to talk the least and when the hornline seems to play the most).
Any other ideas?
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Cincinnati is the perfect choice. Right where the South and the Midwest meet. Paul Brown Stadium for D1 and Nippert Stadium for D2-3. Plenty of housing available in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. A stadium right on the river with easy access to after-contest bars/restaurants. Plenty of parking and easy access roads directly to the venue (unlike the road to Gillette -- what does that thing look liek on Sundays?). Anyway, I think it's time to spread the wealth and tap into some new areas for Finals. So I support Cincy as a great site for Finals.
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We were seated in the Club Level around the 45, three rows up and on Finals night, that bell was audible during anything below mf. It was completely unacceptable.
As for the "ushers", we asked the lady who was standing at the top of our stairs to confront this group of people who snuck around 10 people into empty seats during Semis by giving them CLub ticket stubs (which btw really got to me since we had paid a pretty good amount of money for those seats and knowing that people who did not pay for the seats were there was really annoying), but she said that she was not an usher and that DCI had not requested ushers! Apparently, the workers were supposed to be basic guides for the patrons, informing them of where things are located. But as for any duties relating to the seating of patrons or the like, they had no duties. If that's true, then DCI deserves some blame for not insuring that a properly trained (or at least somewhat informed) group of workers worked the stairs. That was my biggest complaint (along with the bell) the whole weekend.
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The Cadets' total reconception of what a "ballad" can be.
Phantom Regiment!!!
SCV going on after the intermission afterall.
The overall quality of the Div. 1 corps. From top to bottom, one of the best years ever IMHO.
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Well, since I am finally back from Boston (stranded due to weather), I will chime in on this one. Boston clearly had their best night on Thursday. There was absolutely no question about that. SCV had their best night, without a doubt, on Saturday. When two corps are as close as these two, one at its best should beat the other when not at its best. And that's all that happened. I thought that that was what we all wanted, right? Judge that night's performance? And as for slotting, I thought the theory behind slotting was that the corps were ranked in July and stayed in their spot for the remainder of the season. Finals night seems an odd time to finally "slot" someone.
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I'm really disappointed in how DCI is selling the Super 3 Tix for Madison. I can't believe that they are not going to be taking orders at the stadium, and I can't believe that they are scheduling the ticket sale at the Westin in Providence until 3:00 Eastern time. I guess they don't care that that conflicts with the first 4 or 5 corps during quarters. Why don't they do this on Friday, when more people arrive?
Now, despite the fact that I will be at quarters and in the area for the whole week, I have to try my luck by ordering tickets over the phone. Which will make me have to miss a corps more than likely.
I'm very disappointed.
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I voted "other" because I would really like to see the Bluedevils fall to 6th. I think it would be great for the activity to show that regardless of talent, if the show doesn't work, you will not be rewarded. It will also indicate that the overall talent level of the corps is rising. Not too long ago, the Bluedevils (even with an inferior show) wouldn't fall below 3rd simply because of the talent. I think the times have changed. Thankfully.
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Well, as the person who started this thread, I would like to correct everyone. I DO plan to get staggeringly drunk! And I assume everyone else is there to get drunk too, right? I consider the money I spent for CLub Level seats to be an investment in creating a great setting to tie one on. So if you see someone being carried out of the stdium over someone's shoulder, it will be me. :P
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I haven't even heard their show but when I saw their choice of repertoire way back in November(?), I asked myself, "Is there ANY way they can make it work?" and my answer was "No."
Let's face it, if you don't have a good product that sells to the audience and judges, it's an uphill battle. And if it isn't well executed, it's even MORE of an uphill battle. Case in point, 2002 Madison Scouts (14th place).
Well, I would wait to talk about the Crossmen's poor repetoire until you actually see and/or hear them. A lot of shows don't look good on paper, but are fantastically realized (see Phantom 2005 -- never did I think Gershwin would work for them). And as for selling to the audience, I can absolutely assure you that they had no problem doing that last night. Much more so than any of the three other times I had seen them this year.
Now, you can get your snack whenever you want, but I really think doing it during the Crossmen would be your loss.
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Yeah, its something we're quite proud of here in New York.
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Great information from all (you had to know DCI fans would have the low down on beer sales). Happy to hear about the full bar on CLub Level because that is where my seats are. And since I live in NYC, I've pretty much become immune to stadium sticker shock. I guess that's one perk of living in NYC.
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So I've been to three big stadiums this year (Louisville, Indy, and Meadowlands) and I have not seen any beer sales. Has DCI decided that it is a "family" activity which means no beer sales? Will there be any in Foxboro? Quarterfinals requires a cocktail, since it is the second longest day in drum corps. Anyone know anything on this one?
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If the Crossmen perform anywhere near where they did last night, they will definitely challenge for a spot. In Indy, I wouldn't have even mentioned that as a possibility, but they proved me wrong last night. I don't know where they found it, but they found an extra gear and if they keep it up, Spirit should really watch out. Having seen Spirit four times this year, I think they have a very nice show. But on the right night, I can see Crossmen doing them in.
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Sorry to say, I missed the Marines. I had to try to resolve the transportation issue with New Jersey transit. I'll see you in Foxboro though.
Semis streams vs SA streams
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
BAC had the loudest pit EVER! I was being pummelled by the sound even during their big hit in "Promise of Living". I really do think that the pits are a little out of control now. BAC was the loudest, but the pits were consistently over-amped. But, you really do need to wait for the BAC Finals performance, that was something remarkable.