Newseditor44

1. Phantom Regiment - Though I loved Regiments show last year (who didn't), there was still much room for improvement. Repeating is always tough, but this corps will get a nice bump in talent because of their championship. The staff has pretty much stayed in check, and they have arguably the best drum program in the country. This will be a competitive top tier with no clear cut favorite going into Nationals. In the end, Regiment nips the Cavaliers. 2. Cavaliers - Despite the staff changes they've reloaded with some proven winners. The talent level will still be there, and this corps was arguably the cleanest corps on the field in Bloomington. Like the Dev's, they have a chip on their shoulder, and anyone with an attitude gets my vote. Point spread less then .2 3. Carolina Crown - I've heard rumors about their 2009 production, and if its true, it will be an amazing show. Great book, great staff, and high brass in 2009 will get them above a score of 97. In the end, just not enough gas in the tank to get to Regiment or the Green Machine. Less then .7 out of first place. Their first "crown" is not too far off. 4. Santa Clara Vanguard - After several years on shaky ground, one of the activities premiere groups will begin its rise back into the upper tier in 2008. But in order to succeed both the kids and the new staff have to sell it. Horn line will be the big question mark. Drums and guard will be very competitive and keep them in the hunt. Having Key Poulan back always helps too. 5. Blue Devils - Another corps with a chip on their shoulder, however, show design will kill them this year. They need to become more fan friendly and improve their visual program to reclaim the top spot. Look for them to challenge for high drums and guard. 6. Holy Name Cadets - Will Lenny help them return to glory? Not this year. A major shake up in the drum staff, coupled with 40 age-outs from 2009 will make this a tough season for Hop and crew. They will be competitive through the end of July. Then the others will begin to make their move, slowly picking them off one at a time. They might be sixth, but they'll be a #### good sixth place corps. 7. Blue Stars - Here's another corps on the rise, and I predict a fantastic season, with more than a few instances where they beat the Cadets in head-to head match-ups. An up year could mean the difference between future success or hanging out in the bottom half of the top 12 for a few years. 8. Madison Scouts - Back in the top 12, this corps is poised to make a run. Returning staff and a good portion of their horn line gives them a nudge into a tight 7th through 10th place battle. 9. Boston Crusaders - This corps will struggle to get out of the gate this season, but the seasoned staff will have them turned around before they get to Indy. Much to be done to improve a weak visual program. 10. Bluecoats - A transition year to be sure, the drum line will carry this corps through the season. No real danger of falling out of the top 12, but this season will leave them with more questions than answers. The spread between 7th and 10th will be less then 1.5. 11. Blue Knights - Like the Bluecoats, more questions than answers for this group, which will squeak into finals at the last second. 12. Troopers - America's Corps returns to final for the first time in over 20 years.

One other question... when they are rehearsing, the members of the hornline will sometimes take a step forward and back. What's the reason for this?

This actually sounds like a fun show. Don't we like fun? And the issues I have with most of the responses is this: Most of you that are trashing the idea have never heard a Kansas tune in your life. I have most of the albums and will be breaking them out tonight. This should be cool.

I completely disagree. The past five or so years, Crown has built a steady foundation and have created their own little niche in the activity. They have a LOT of talent on both sides of the ball (staff and performers). They've had great shows, and have consistently raised the level performance each year. Show design and execution are the key, and they have succeeded the last two years. IMO, they have all the tools to break the top three. So now the big question is, what will they do with them? They've earned a huge amount of respect from the fans and the judging community. A bad year in 2009 could set them back a bit, but a great year will put them in the elite class. I honestly believe that building that trust with the judges is key. Hypothetically speaking, if they were to put the 2007 show (Triple Crown) back on the field this year and execute at the same level, the score would jump two to three points simply because the judges now see them as a top tier corps with a tremendous amount of Box 5 ability. 2009 for Crown is all about show design and improving the weaknesses from the past two seasons. I can't emphasis enough that in order to break the top 3 the design staff needs to step up and create their best show ever. "Finis" was good, but it wasn't a show that had the potential to win. The concept was never fully realized. No one's fault, sometimes you have a hit and sometimes you don't. They have a huge recruiting base that will secure the talent, that's not an issue. The kids want to play for them just like they do for the Dev's and Cadets. Also in their favor is that most, if not all of the entire staff is back from the previous two seasons. And Michael Klesch writing the book is always a good thing. The area's of concern are drums, and on a smaller scale visual execution, and guard. If you can't play clean beats, you can't win, period. Ask the Dev's what happens when your drum line gets smoked at finals. And MY GOD CROWN, don't touch that hornline. Those kids can blow! Just wow... Also, with regards to rookies and vets, I don't buy into that theory one bit. If rookies and vets were really a factor, the Devs, Regiment, Cavaliers, and others wouldn't be in the upper tier every year. It's all about the talent and the teaching ability of the staff. You give me 150 talented rookies that have a fire in their belly and a real desire to be bad ###, and a staff that can teach, and you can mold them into a Championship caliber corps.

RIP Debbie, you will be missed...

Can a brother get an Amen?!?

God dang those kids could move! I don't care what you thought about the rest of the show, but just watch the last two minutes. I'm winded just thinking about it. I got a little tear watching Crown. Such a moving show, and so well done. I was in the crowd that night an we were standing fomr the company front on. I'm not too ashamed to admit that I cried that not as well. Truly awesome!

New nickname: "30 Weight"

Clearly, one of th things that helped them was the nearly three weeks they had off before finals. I think they had a total of three shows the final two and half weeks. They had the chance to rest the kids, work on cleaning, take a free day in Washington DC, and add all of the drama into the show. Had this not of happened, I think the results would have been much different.

Loosen up, this is nothing official, were just having fun. The point of this thread is too learn what some of the differences are.

Production Run-through - A block of rehearsal time, usually with the entire corps, used to review sections of the program breifly before a full run through. This is usually the last rehearsal block of the day. Bus Surfing - A bus activity in which members stand on the arm rests of the bus seats and try to stay upright while the bus is in motion. Down Time/Floor Time - Additional sleep given to corps members on a gym floor after traveling over night and sleeping on a bus. Malaguena - One fo the most popular and over-used charts in drum corps. Made popular by the Madison Scouts. PB&J - A drum corps staple, the most popular menu item in drum corps. Usually left out all day on a table in front of the food truck. Ditty - A popular and often duplicated on field warm-up created and played by the Blue Devils. Saturday Night - Referring to the Saturday night finals competiton at the Drum Corps International World Championships Champs - The DCI World Championships. See Also Nats, Nationals. Underwear Run-through - A rehearsal runtrough where the corps performs the show in their underwear. Breeze Break - During a rehearsal in scorching heat, a moment when a small breeze is felt, and one or more members turn toward the direction of the breeze, raise their arms, and yell "Breeze Break!" Water Jug/ Canteen - An essential item for all marching members during rehearsals. Mail Drop - A designated city on tour where mail for members has been forwarded. Care Package - Something sent from a family member (usually mom) to a corps member. usually includes, cookies, toiletries, pictures, a letter, and cash.

Thank so much! I just wish we hadn't stunk on Finals night. We ripped the house down at Semi's... a huge difference in performance. Finals, we had the deer-in-the-headlights look about us. I remember when you guys got back from Europe, it was a show somewhere in Iowa or Michigan, we stood around before retreat and started chatting with a few members of the Scouts hornline. I recall the members being so outgoing and friendly, and we chatted about Europe and the experience. For some reason that night stuck out to me as being one of the best on tour. Freelancers used to catch a lot of attitude from the Devs, while Vanguard was a bit nicer. But never as friendly as that night with the Scouts. OK, I've hijacked my own thread. Jesus...

Anything with Tuna....

Sorry for posting a million times... I do have to say something about 1988. If there was any corps that deserved to win, it was Madison. That was one of the greatest in your face drum corps shows I've ever seen, and will argue that it connected with the crowd more than Regiments show a few weeks back. We (Freelancers) had the honor of touring with them late in the season, and everyone of the members was first class. They took the time to talk to us and praise our show, and never gave us any attitude. Winners exhibit class both on and off the field, and I see this same quality from the kids and the staff at Crown. As for Madison 1988, I have NEVER witnessed a crowd response like that in my life. And if there is one show that proves my point about talent, it is this one. Quite possibly one of the most talented group of young men to ever march on a football field, ever.

Couldn't agree more. Crown was #### good and placed where they should have. The judges got it right this year in all respects.

The reason for the statistics being the way they are is because these corps consistently have their pick of the litter when it comes to talent. Not because they are judged differently. From an organizational standpoint, they set themselves up to win, and because of their reputations, they draw the talent. If the Cavaliers came out with a crappy book, and the kids stunk up the field, there is no doubt in my mind they would be scored as such. You are rewarded for what you do on the field. Period. Crown's growth has allowed them to join the upper tier. As an organization, it is up to them to put the pieces together and do something wth that talent. From what I have seen over the past several years, they have proven they are ready for success.

I'm calling BS. Before this year, if I told you that a corps would jump from 15th to 8th with a score of 90.425, what would you have said? None of you has yet to make a legitimate argument that Crown can't win a Championship next year. The idea that they must place in the top 3 before winning is cr#p. If we've learned anything this year, its that the judges are starting to recognize shows that are designed to entertain, and are awarding based on talent, no reputation. The Blue Devils aren't judged on reputation, rather, because their reputation lands them a talented corps year in and year out. Its that talent that earns them their score.

Both are equally fun to watch. No need to chose when you can have your cake and eat it too!

I love how everyone is so high on the Cadets for next year. One minute all of you can't stand Hoppy and think the corps is ###### because its moving to electronics, or their old and tired, or they're no longer innovative, or because its just not their time anymore. The next minute they are the a "lock" to win the 2009 title. Would you people please make up your minds already...

It would be an issue if that was a huge number, but I wouldn't be too worried. Sounds about average to me. They are a top tier corps, one of the hottest things since sliced bread. Recruiting top notch talent wont be too difficult.

Or a car door... or a tire.... or hub caps, or maybe a bicycle tire? The possibilities!

I think the Cavies are going to go through some interesting times in the next few years. I don't think they will fall far, but I don't see them winning a championship in the next two years. Just MHO

I don't remember how the slotting is done... is it like playing quarters? Last corps director standing? Maybe we should try Yahtzee!?!

Playing the Game - the act of passing trash from the front of the bus to the back of the bus, or vice versa, and the amount of people you have to wake up and #### off in order to do so. Extra points for involving the driver while he/she is shifting gears. Must be announced by tapping the person in front/behind you while saying "Play the Game!"

Can I get a copy too Mike?