Newseditor44

Saw the video of the family day show, and I’m having trouble connecting with the show, but willing to give it some time. It feels like the same thing we’ve seen from the Devs for the past 10ish years, it this years initial viewing seemed more like they’re trying a bit too hard with the design. IMHO it’s not as accessible on the first viewing. Let’s see what they do with it, excited to see where it goes.

We could tell you, but then we’d have to kill you. 😎😂

BaboooookHopkinseeek

Went to GW tonight for the final time this season, and experienced something I’ve never experienced before in drum corps. Crown is adding a special “something” that will allow everyone in the stadium to participate in the show. I won’t spoil the surprise, but I assume you’ll get to hear about it this weekend. Hint, be sure to have your phone on you. I was blown away when I saw what they were going to do! People will be talking about the 4th movement of this show for a very long time. The build up to the end will have people on their feet. This show might not win, but it sure is going to be a lot of fun to watch! In the past there have been suggestions that Crown left a lot to be desired in terms of adding color to the field. That won’t be the case this season. By the time you get to the fourth movement, the field will explode in color. Color guard - I watched them specifically tonight and it’s by far Crown’s best guard in ages. 50 guard members on the field is absolutely amazing! And the talent level is greatly improved. They have the potential to be a top 3 unit! The corps is still only halfway through the last (5th) movement but I was told they’re learning the last few sets tomorrow and Wednesday. Still no Crown set this season, but honestly I don’t think they need one. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see it at the end of the show. The staff is taking their time teaching the show, which feels different than years past. There are far more layers to this show than in the past five or six seasons. And the hornlike is going to need to build up some stamina because the closer is one of those pieces that just keeps building, and building, and building some more. That’s it for ST for me. Next time I see them will be in a few weeks in Columbia. Thanks again for another great ST Crown! Enjoy the preview this weekend y’all! PS - don’t read into the fact that they are just now reaching the last few sets. They’re not behind by any stretch - this show is intricate and layered that this is most likely the best approach.

Shhhhhhhh…. You’re not supposed to talk about that here. You’re going to awaken Notabando and he who shall not be named.

All of the above except Cavies. 😎

If we’re talking true competitive vets on the field, every single corps is going to have that issue this season. I’ve seen it with Crown as well. That said, I think BD comes out of the gate as the favorite, and stays that way until someone knocks them off.

Y’all, the fact of the matter is this… none of us knows what’s going to happen this season, and it’s probably one of the biggest guessing games we’ve had in recent memory. We are 2 years removed from competition. The judges are going to be rusty, it’s going to take everyone a few weeks to get situated. My guess is we won’t have a clear picture until after San Antonio. To be perfectly honest, I really don’t care who wins, I just want to be entertained. If your corps can get my fat ### out of my seat and start cheering, you’re the winner. And there have been plenty of non champions to do that. I’m just glad to have a season back after everything we’ve been through these past several years. It’s all about perspective. And BTW, I’ve seen some video from Boston, They will be hanging out in the top tier this season.

Does anyone know if Crown was planning to have evening ensemble tonight (Father’s Day)?

Ok, fine. 1. Blue Stars. - the greatest drum corps of all time! Better? 😂😂😂

so Let’s try this again… 1 BD - it’s hard to believe they won’t come back hungry to defend their title. 2. Boston - I thought the corps took an extra step forward last season and would have been ultra competitive. If they’re going to make a move, I feel like this is the year to do it. 3. Bluecoats - just becuase. 4. SCV - I really struggle with these next two, because I think both will contend the entire year. JD Shaw leaving for Regiment is a huge hole to fill. Jones will be on fire as always. 5. Crown - y’all know I’m a Crown homer, and I’m really excited about this season’s show. That said, I see them struggling with visual and GE this season. I haven’t been impressed with their work ethic on the visual side. Some sloppy feet mixed in. Yeah, it’s early, but winning championships starts in May. Horns are powerful as always, an outstanding line, but it looks like a younger group and something feels off right now. Let’s hope they prove me wrong. 6. Phantom Regiment - JD Shaw writing your book alone is worth about 5 spots. 7. Cavaliers - if Phantom goes up, someone comes down. Sorry Cavies 8. Cadets - I really feel like this is their make it or break it year. This is probably a safe pick for me, but I do think they have the ability to surprise everyone and make a run at the top 5. 9. Blue Knights - got’em in this time, YES! 10. Mandarins - if there is one corps that could completely blow this prediction out of the water, it’s Mandarins. I believe they have the ability to be so much better than a 10th place corps, but this is where I have them for now. 11. Blue Stars - haven’t been the same since they changed music design team in 2018. 12. Crossmen

Ah crap, I forgot BK. Sorry Blue Knights. Ok, now I have to redo all of it again.

Taking a wild shot in the dark: 1. BD 2. Boston 3. Bluecoats 4. SCV 5. Crown 6. Phantom 7. Cavaliers 8. Mandarins 9. Cadets 10. Blue Stars 11. Crossmen 12. Madison Scouts

Just spent two hours doing some yard work, and it felt like Texas in July here in the Carolina's. I would hate to be those kids at G Webb. Has to be close to 100 degrees. Ahhhhh, drum corps weather!

The closer has balls y’all. Haven’t seen the drill yet, but with Jeff writing the charts it’s going to be insane. And there is no letting off the gas pedal for at least 2 minutes. It’s like the design team said “eff-it, let it burn!” 🔥 This is going to be an epic year for drum corps.

Im not a percussion guy, but feel like they're on par with or possibly slightly better than 2019. The one big area of improvement for me is The People's Front Ensemble. The book this year (in my opinion) is much improved and features the ensemble better than past years. There is kinda a Blue Devils vibe to some of the charts. They've also added a drum set and a bass guitar which adds some additional color. My guess though is that the design team is very confident in the percussion section, and I know that because of how they set up the start of the show (subtle tease). Sorry, that's all I'm sayin'!

That’s a fantastic video.

After seeing the runs the past two nights, I would say you’re correct. Still a little rough around the edges in a few places, but they’re in a very good place. I see the 2nd and 4th movements getting getting some rewrites, but feel like the open, ballad and closer are all solid.

Ok, so everything I said the other night… please disregard. I just heard the closer. Think 2019 on steroids. Holy crap y’all!!! They definitely have a book that can win. Babies will be thrown.

I don’t know that anyone is doom and gloom, and if they are it’s way too early for that. But based on what has happened design wise Recently it’s easy to understand why some would be guarded. I agree, this is one of the more talented groups in recent memory. And the other thing that has me excited is it seems they’re further along in teaching the show then they’ve been in recent years. It feels like the last week at GW is always at a frenzied pace to get the closer taught. I don’t see that happening this season. Weather has been good, too. Not a lot of rain.

I can confirm this. The visual aspect of the show has been taken up a notch. Minimal props, one being incredibly interesting and can guarantee have never been used before in this activity. And they’re better than what the corps has used in the past.

Nothing to be worried about at this point. As I mentioned, it’s early, they’re still teaching, and the corps is very very talented. Personally, I’m not sold on the show idea yet, but I do love the music. If you been following me for sometime, you know I’m a homer but have a tendency to be guarded. Will the audience love the show? Absolutely! Will the GE judges? Let’s wait and see.

4 Tickets to DCI Southwest in San Antonio. Having to sell due to a family commitment. Section 313, Row 3, all four seats together. $90 per ticket.

Was able to see the kids last night. As I suspected they are still deep in learning mode. I don’t know much about guard work so all I can really say is that they have a lot of guard members on the field. Brass and battery have talent, both remind me of the 2019 corps, though the hornlne seems a bit younger. It’s really difficult to get a good read on the show as they only ran through the third movement and a small part of movement 2. But they have at least three movements on the field with one to go. My guess is they will be done teaching the show in the next week and a half. There are a LOT of notes in this show. It follows along the same genre of shows we’ve seen from Carolina crown over the past five years. Avant-garde with a bit of accessibility. It’s tough for me to really gauge how the show is going to do competitively, but my guess is that general effect is still going to be a bit of a challenge. The show is good, and fun! But I think some audiences are probably going to struggle with it as they have the past several years. Again, this is an initial take at the beginning of June so I hope they give me the opportunity to eat my words. Does this corps have the talent to compete for a championship? Absolutely. Does the show design give them the vehicle to compete for a championship? I’m not sure. But I’m excited to see where they go with this. Should be a fun year.

It’s the first week of a June, let’s not quite press the panic button yet. I’m sure they’re still in teaching mode. Heading out there tonight to see what they’ve got.