Rob Mattera

'93 Cadets vs. '93 Star??? Oh, you were talking about tonights' shows . . . Definitely emotion over achievement, but not by much.

Same. Writing drill as well.

I still can't watch 2000 Cavaliers, but that is probably because we married them . . .

I don't think that Hoppy is going anywhere. I especially hope that he doesn't because he will not repeat a show like this next year. When the Cadets field a non-narration show, I am looking forward to blasting all of the people that "were fans when Cadets were innovative" and "don't respect them for going back to the old way". People that like a corps will like them or dislike them no matter what they do unless they have a show like 1999 SCV, 2000 Cadets, 2006 Cavaliers, 2007 Crown, etc. Those shows make fans. 2006 Cavaliers was the first Cavalier show that I would sit through since 2000. I wouldn't say that I am a fan, but I am now definitely looking forward to seeing them every year. As far as the cancer thing. We should all pray / think positive thoughts for Mr. Welch. He is a beacon of hope in an otherwise hopeless place for many. The Cadets have missed the boat this year in terms of the potential of the storyline this year. I hate to say it, but it is simple truth. It is not offensive and equally not compelling in any way. It doesn't add or subtract from the show, it just sits there. It's like having a member stand in one place on the field and do nothing. They won't be a focal point most of the time, but they don't really serve a purpose. The Cadets are not on a downward trend that will allow "your corps" to place higher than them from now on. Sorry. It is almost a tradition for the Cadets to have off years (ranking wise) and bounce back the next year to where they usually are. Examples: '86-'87, '89-'90, '91-'92, '99-'00, '04-'05, '06-'07. Even before this season is over, Cadets are going to get a lot better. I don't know if they are going to be top 4 because the current top 4 is really great this year! I think that they *could* jump Cavaliers or Crown because they aren't as substantial in terms of vocabulary as BD or PR. By the end of this season, Cadets will have a fine product. It will not affect attrition or any other aspect of their program besides a slightly lower than usual ranking for this year. Who knows, maybe they will even surprise us! They certainly have the tools.

I am very happy for the BD win and I am not particularly a Phan . . . but I felt like they clearly had the better show tonight in most respects. Phantom needs to bring their colorguard up to the level of the rest of the corps. First, you can't see them because their uniforms (sweet though they may be) blend into the field. Second, they are dramatically superior to every other guard in DCI, but they do not achieve on a level high enough for a ring at this point. After what I saw tonight, I think that is too bad. They are otherwise so awesome this year!

A lot of flat shows tonight it seems . . . my predictions: Phantom BD Cavaliers Crown Cadets SCV Bluecoats Boston BK Blue Stars Crossmen Glassmen

Between tonight and tomorrow I have a feeling we will know who has peaked!!! The only thing that I can say FOR SURE is that the Cadets have not. Don't know what is going on with the others. I will also predict that the placements tonight will not be the same as tomorrow. Something unexpected will happen one of these days. It should be fun to see!

I agree. Just fun to consider all perspectives! I love the show.

Is this the official Murfreesboro thread? If so: Listed in reverse order of performance Blue Devils - Concord, CA The Cavaliers - Rosemont, IL Carolina Crown - Ft. Mill, SC Phantom Regiment - Rockford, IL The Cadets - Allentown, PA Bluecoats - Canton, OH Santa Clara Vanguard - Santa Clara, CA Blue Knights - Denver, CO Start time: (6:00 WST) (7:00 MST) *8:00 PM CST* (9:00 EST Late Night . . .) http://www.goblueraiders.com/weather.cfm

Sometimes, don't you have to wonder what the staffs really think? Wouldn't it be frustrating to be battling to hold on to 8th and have to miss a rehearsal day to perform in this show? The worst thing is that you have to go on early, so you don't even really get a shot at having a substantial show-day rehearsal. The only obvious competitive perk is another performance experience and the slight *possible* score bump.

While I wholeheartedly appreciate the support of English in America, on DCP could we please keep the grammar lessons to private messages? Seems to just clutter up the forum - this message included. No disrespect intended to anyone . . .

YES CROSSMEN!!! Keep the momentum going! SCV is really creeping up there too! Nobody should count them out . . .

Place Corps Score World Class 1 Santa Clara Vanguard 89.150 2 Boston Crusaders 86.000 3 Crossmen 82.650 4 Colts 80.900 5 Troopers 78.550 6 The Academy 77.800 Open Class 1 Colt Cadets 64.600

Isn't there some phone number that you can call to get scores direct from DCI? Am I making that up?

Should DCI add a new judging caption for conceptual design/achievement or should they just redefine the parameters of the GE captions? This seems like it would satisfy a lot of people. I wouldn't mind. Anything that drives drum corps to turn out a better product is OK with me.