barigirl78

Just for reference, here are semi-finals scores from last year (last time all three corps competed): Glassmen 88.125 Crossmen 85.950 Colts 85.175

I bet the Crossmen Cabernet Sauvignon goes well with Texas brisket. Now, where do I find good Texas brisket in Long Island?

Their next show isn't until Sunday. BTW-- Latest forecast from weather.com has moved the onset of Scatter Thunderstorms to the 7PM hour with a 60% chance. I'm still hoping it's like last year. Some storms came through, but whether you got hit by them depended where you were. This doesn't seem like the other night when the storm was huge and covered everywhere.

I tend to disagree. If I was them, I'd want to have the corps compete and get some feedback sooner rather than later. Even if there are some things that aren't ready, having a benchmark score at this point would be valuable. I'm sure the members feel the same way. There's only so much you can keep practicing and practicing before you really want to get some feedback from judges. Doing worse than your potential in the first show doesn't prevent the corps from improving later. Last year's corps ranked in the 16th to 17th range for June. They ended up in a battle for 12th.

Crossmen are at Delta HS in Delta, OH.

Dare I say it... Crossmen vs. Glassmen ? (I'll allow myself to be an optimistic fangirl once in a while. Sorry, Colts fans.)

I think I'm going to break out a bottle of Crossmen wine while I'm glued to my laptop toggling between this website and Twitter for updates. Hoping for photos.

The day when the Crossmen are scheduled to take the field of competition for the first time in 2009 has finally arrived. Weather update-- Yesterday: Brazil, IN 92 degrees Today: Toledo !!! High of 87 Scattered Strong Storms 60% chance of rain Highest probability is between 4P and 8P Projected at 8 PM--81 degrees with 50% chance of rain Sounds like last year when several strong storms came through NW Ohio, but the show was okay. Let's hope that's the case this year.

Yes. I took a friend to the Meadowlands show in 2007. He liked the Crown best (who didn't win) because he recognized most of their music. He didn't recognize the other corps music. So, it didn't connect.

I can assure you that the Crossmen will not make the list of corps NOT using synths. Last time I saw them, they had three.

Weather update as the Crossmen make their way to their first competition: Yesterday: Camdenton, MO 95 degrees (reportedly very humid) Today: Brazil, IN 93 degrees Tomorrow: Toledo, OH 82 degrees Scattered Thunderstorms with 50% chance of rain. Rain chance greatest between 10 am and 6 pm, but it looks clear for show (only 20% chance of rain) and between 78-79 degrees when Crossmen kick off. Crossmen are the first World Class corps in competition after one Open Class corps. So, if you are following on the internet, check in early. Show starts at 7:30 PM I'm hoping some people may be tweeting photos from the show. Please, please, please.

I wouldn't put much weight into Academy's ranking at this point. If you check this site... http://dciscores.com/world/?year=2008 you'll find that after their first competition, Academy were ranked 12th on the 6/28/08 ranking and the Scouts, who eventually came in 12th, were in 19th. To me, the most interesting part of the competition is the jostling of rankings below seventh and not what goes on at the top. Much more movement in the rankings. Can't wait until Crossmen and Surf are in the mix.

I guess Twitter hasn't been discovered in South Dakota yet. Iran, yes. South Dakota, no.

Looking forward to it, Kevin. Crossmen debut on Thursday. I couldn't be there this year.

Someone's gotta whip those clarinetists in shape. Seriously, I looked it up on line and they are having a convention... https://missouribandmasters.org/index.php Mark Chambers is on the agenda: That's long for an exhibition. I guess they are doing more than just perform the show.

BTW-- I got this Tweet from the corps: Crossmen: Crossmen have arrived in lovely Camdenton, Mo. Getting ready to perform for the Missouri bandmaster's association tonight. I don't know if that's open to the public.

Now, THAT's the Crossmen. At History Night, I showed some old Super 8 movies from 1976-78. At least three times, there was film footage of breakdowns. I even have a cool shot of about 10 guys pushing the bus to start it. That was how it always had to be started. Some things never change.

A Crossmen weather update. Yesterday: Tulsa, OK High: 98 degrees (actual) Today: Bradenton, MO High: 97 degrees Tomorrow: Brazil, IN High: 93 degrees Thursday: (Competition day) Toledo, OH High: 84 degrees Scattered Thunderstorms. 50% chance of precipitation I wonder when the last time the corps got to practice in weather that was less than 90 degrees.

I think you mean "style" and not "philosophy". The Crossmen have changed their music style many times in their history.

What I might argue with is the term "philosophy". I don't know if that's the best word to use for what you are trying to say. Philosophy can mean a "A system of values by which one lives" or "A set of ideas or beliefs." It usually relates to basic values or a belief set. There can be a philosophy toward teaching or a philosophy toward what it takes to succeed in the activity. I don't see any major difference in those things since the move. In fact, their brass caption head Aaron Goldberg is an alumnus of the corps. I'm not sure what type of philosophy you are talking about. Maybe "Philosophy" isn't the best word or perhaps you can be more specific about what type of philosophy has changed.

Hey, just a shout out to you. The Saints were fine competitors back in the day.

I've been to History Night all of the last four years and these are the Crossmen. Period. I heard a story that after this year's History Night, the corps had an option to have a "movie night" where they could watch any movie they wanted. They chose to watch old Crossmen videos instead. This is the Crossmen. (Program Note: The performance on Saturday did not include the last few minutes of the show.)

Let's remember that this is a corps that started out ranking 17th for most of the first part of the season last year and eventually knocked on the door of finals. However they look now, I really believe this is a stronger corps.

Me too.

Since reading your review, I watched a YouTube video of the performance. I also heard the individualism which you speak of, but I think that may go away as the hornline becomes more comfortable with the drill. The key thing I would disagree with is the observation that the show is "cheesy". I don't think we saw much of the storytelling or what they are going to do. There was more in the show than when I saw it the previous weekend, but less than I believe it will have eventually. Cheese can be in the eye of the bolder, just as opinions of synth work seem to be. The capes were cool and, I have to admit, I got a chill when they did their first hit. I really wish I could be in Toledo on Thursday. As it is, I'll be on the internet waiting for the first news.