David Hill

THE ESSENTIALS No matter the overall strength of a competitive year, there are those shows that define our shared time just past. This year there were five offerings that set the pace for the activity and that laid the groundwork for contemplation, research, creativity, and instruction for the off-season. THE GRID My brow noticed the HIGHS AND LOWS, of the Oh-Yes'es and the Oh-No's of the Summer Season ... and now THE TOP 25 DRUM CORPS SHOWS OF THIS HALF-DECADE What have been the THE TOP 25 SHOWS OF THIS HALF DECADE? Which shows made the cut as "signature signature shows"? The Elite 8 represent performances and shows that display a "leading edge," and the Final Four, with a runner-up and winner, "set industry standards" in that particular year and for the future of the activity.

Channel One Suite, the Blue Devils. Unparalleled.

King of the closing numbers, IMHO, Santa Clara Vanguard historically and in recent years. Runner-Up only by a bit: Blue Devils, particularly in the 80s.

I want to take just a bit of a different tack on this one, since we are in a year that could produce the activity's first four-in-a-row champion. I'm thinking about a similar year, 1986, when the Cadets were vying for a fourth consecutive championship. Resisting the temptation to simply follow the winning formula, the corps staged an arguably ground-breaking show with -- early in the season -- NO color guard. It will always be my opinion that if the staff had stuck to its (at the time) revolutionary (no) guns: the show, while not winning the title, would have distinguished itself in history. Instead, the organization bowed to the current thinking and had a small guard (12 members, if memory serves) pop out of virtually nowhere for the final number. In this case, in my opinion, no color guard would have served this show and corps best!

Terrific review: I couldn't agree more on so many of your points, including ... My first time to see/hear drum corps in a dome. Hang onto your seats fellow fans in the stands: championships will be coming to an indoor arena in the foreseeable future. Too many plusses not to; and the minuses ... well, it is extremely easy to separate the "wheat from the chafe" indoors. Looking forward to Orlando, and hoping for some more surprises!

Best review of the season, so far, Mike. Your writing made me feel as if I was sitting with you, as well. Wonderful imagery, description, and analysis. Thank you, sir.

For consideration: Suncoast Sound's second version of "Florida Suite."

Value for me, JP. Thanks. It will be a while before I go to a show, so I'm reading the reviews like crazy. Yours, in my opinion, is in the early season running for review of the year! Descriptions were specific, opinions were offered with no caveats making them stronger. What other shows will I read about from you?