wvu80

First, don't believe everything you see in the papers. Cadets have a fantastic show and Crown is not going to run away with anything. What Crown has is an unbelievable horn show. Cadets: Wow, what a great show. They have some incredible moves from shows of recent years. They can't yet put together the perfect blend of march and play, but they will. I thought the guard wearing Cadets uniforms created way too much clutter on field. They ditch the unis later, but until then it's too busy. Cadets will notice and work this out. Phantom: Great horns, weak drums. I didn't like their music and I didn't like their show. They did the encore and I guarantee you the horns are good enough. My goodness, LOUD, and what a sound. Crown: They spread from goal line to goal line, and they play LOUD to the 20's, which means this is a big-time drill design for winning championships. Crown was the loudest of the night, and they play with great confidence spread 80 yards apart. Incredible demand on the horns and they pull it off. I thought like in past years the ballad goes on too long and frankly drags (like Clare de Lune). The guard wears brown outfits and they disappear on the field. Crown does NOT have an ending, they just kind of make a Crown symbol then quit playing, then march off. Bluecoats: I saved them for last, because WOW, what a drum line!!! One of the most incredible drum lines I have ever seen. They DON'T stop moving, the stick tricks are non-stop, the marching is drums only, then integrate into the horns, then re-form. They are a show unto themselves, you could remove the horns and guard and the battery would keep you interested the whole time. You are really going to have to see them to believe them. I saw PR and Coats back-to-back and PR should have scored 5 points behind Coats drum line, there was that much of a difference. I hope some of this made some sense. Bottom line, is whoever is Out West and has a decent drum corps ought not to fear the East or the Midwest. Watch out for Bluecoats though, they have an incredible show and they have horns, a good drill and they never stop moving. They lack nothing except accessibility since they are playing Metropolis, which is obscure music to the rest of us. This is BY FAR the best June show I've seen in the 30 years I've been going to these shows. +++ Things nobody cares about: Crowd: very knowledgeable, large, the stands were filled from the 20 to the 20. Maybe 4,000 in the seats Weather: Perfect, 75 at game time Venue: Steep seating for good viewing and loud listening, but I-64 can be seen from the seats and is very noisy Concessions: About as bad as it gets, lots of candy, no real food Show organization: Terrific. Show ran on time, no wasted time. The national anthem was sung by some local "Idol" winner babe and she ruined the song by singing it slowly. It took at least 4 minutes, she changed the notes, the melody. It was awful and unpatriotic. Encore: Phantom, the best encore in the business. Melt-your-ears loud and all the best tunes from yesteryear. Loudest horn line: Crown Best drums: Bluecoats by a mile, both playing and marching Best guard unis: Phantom was elegant Worst guard unis: The guys in the Glassmen guard lost all hope last night of retaining their man dignity as they wore teal leggings with little skirts and did all girly guard moves. Most un-manly. Worst staff: Spirit. The staff guy who thinks he should climb to the pressbox at the 50 and be a cheerleader for the corps at the top of his lungs needs to act like he's been there before. Very unprofessional and it reflects on the corps. Best Staff behavior: Tie, Cadets. They probably had 10 guys at the pressbox on the 50. They were respectful of the audience and walked down the steps when their corps was done, instead of running like 4th graders at recess (see Spirit staff guy, above). Tie, Bluecoats staff who took open seats alongside the crowd, and were equally as professional. Both acted like winners who had done this before. +++ More later on Spirit, Teal Sound, and Glassmen.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Teal Sound. I love seeing newer corps early, then watching them grow. Win or lose, Phantom will do the encore. They are always worth the price of admission.

I've never been a cheerleader for Madison, but I love everything about the music that I've heard so far. It reminds me of the way I felt about that fantastic Santa Clara Appalachia Spring show from last year. Great corps play great music. Move the Scouts to the top 12, and maybe the top 10 this year.

Actually, you are both right. I was personally wanting to find out where the "big four" were practicing. I send people to watch them to understand how a world class drum corps practices. My favorites have been Cadets and Blue Devils, for the professionalism of the staff and the incredible work ethic of the kids. You can't believe it until you see it. I also wanted to expand the topic in a more general way, so all the corps can be included in the discussion, and I can brag on what a fantastic place West Virginia is. I'm proud of my home state, and I'm thrilled that Phantom Regiment has adopted this show as their own. I feel like Phantom is MY hometown corps, even though I love them all. Monday will be a great day for West Virginia.

So acknowledged. Thank you, big pappa. :) +++ The corps will be performing literally beside the state capitol in Charleston. The corps warm up a couple blocks from the venue and you can see the huge gold dome of the legislature. The dome was designed by the same guy who did the dome at Washington, DC, and it is identical to the one in Madison, if anyone has been there sight seeing while at various DCI nats. This show is festival seating, so the earlier you arrive the closer to the 50 you can sit. You might also want to know that this show is traditionally under-publicized, so there are plenty of good seats. Skip work on Monday (and Tuesday since it will run late) so you can see this show. It will be by far the best early season lineup I've ever seen.

That bear was flying! And running UP the hill across the street from where Cadets were practicing at Sissonville HS. I've lived in West Virginia all my life and had never seen a black bear in the wild. Then I went to watch Cadets practice (2009 WSS), I heard a "BANG!" and that bear ran UP a really steep hill maybe a half-mile long. That's why sometimes practices are more fun than the shows. At least here in West Virginia.

Update: For my show review go to post #570. http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/inde...t&p=2812953 +++++++ Official thread for that show on Monday June 21, which btw is a "home" show sponsored by Phantom Regiment. Make predictions, comments here if you want. It's going to be a great show. +++ Can anybody tell us where any of Cadets, Crown, PR or Bluecoats will be staying or practicing while in WV? It looks like Phantom will be pulling into Ravenswood, WV (a half hour from me), but after sleeping in on Monday they will be going to practice directly in Charleston, I'm guessing at the show site. That's all I could find.

How this works: DCI used to put out a 3 volume set where 1st place got Vol 1, 2nd place was on Vol 2, 3rd place was on Vol 3, and so forth to capture the entire top 12. My 1983 collection has Vol 4 & 5 for the additional 13-21 corps. I’m missing a couple of Vol. 2 albums, but I think I’ll find them and add them to the list, I just wanted to get started with this. Condition: All albums are in good condition, all album covers are in good condition. I can take pics and email if anyone wants one. Truthfully these are in better condition than “good”, but I don’t want to overstate the condition, so expect “good” and I think you’ll be more than happy with what you get. If you need a turntable, let me know, I’m selling that locally. Prices: $15 per Year, set of 3 $10 per year, set of 2 $25 for 1983, for the entire set of 5. I won’t break up the set unless Vol 4&5 sell first. You pay actual shipping costs to the nearest dollar, I’m not making a dime off anything. These are shipping from 26101. Bonus: If you buy a set, I’ll throw in a free album if I have it. For instance if you like BD, I’ll throw in Stan Kenton’s Chicago III suite. Cavies, I have the Firebird by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. That sort of thing. DCI 1981 Vol 1 – Santa Clara Vanguard, Bridemen, Garfield Cadets, Cavaliers Vol 2 – BD, PR, Crossmen, Freelancers Vol 3 – Madison, 27th Lancers, Spirit, Troopers DCI 1982 Vol 1 – BD, 27th Lancers, Crossmen, Spirit of Atlanta Vol 2 – Santa Clara, Scouts, Bridgemen, Cavaliers Vol 3 – Garfield Cadets, PR, Freelancers, Skyriders DCI 1983 Vol 1 – Garfield, Suncoast Sound, Cavliers, Bridgemen Vol 2 – Blue Devils, Scouts, Freelancers, 27th Lancers Vol 3 – Vanguard, PR, Spirit, Skyriders Vol 4 – Crossmen, Alliance, Avant Garde, Les Eclipse Vol 5 – Troopers, Geneso Knights, VK, Valley Fever DCI 1984 Vol 1 – Garfield Cadets, Spirit of Atlanta, Freelancers, VK Vol 2 – BD, Scouts, Cavaliers, 27th Lancers Vol 3 – Santa Clara, PR, Suncoast Sound, Crossmen DCI 1985 Vol 1 – Garfield Cadets, Suncoast Sound, Troopers, Freelancers Vol 2 – Vanguard, Cavaliers, PR, Velvet Knights Vol 3 – BD, Madison, Spirit, Star DCI 1986 Vol 1 – Blue Devils, Spirit, Scouts, VK Vol 2 – Vol 3 – Cavaliers, Garfield Cadets, Sky Ryders, Phantom Regiment DCI 1987 Vol 1 – Garfield Cadets, Scouts, Star of Indiana, Spirit Vol 2 – Vol 3 – Cavaliers, Blue Devils, Suncoast Sound, Sky Ryders DRUM CORPS ASSOCIATES (DCA) DCA 1984 Vol 1 – Caballeros, Empire Statesmen, Matadors, Crusaders Vol 2 – Buccaneers, Sunrisers, Steel City Ambassadors, Cascadeurs De Beauport Vol 3 – Skyliners, Bushwackers, Hurricans, Archer-Epler Musketeers

Sorry you didn't get to hear live "Sanctus", Phantom's opener in 2003. It was good, and it was LOUD. Definitely in the running for "loudest ever."

I remember that as well. What we should all remember is that our PERCEPTION of "loudest" ever is dictated by many factors, such as where we were sitting, was a particular corps tired that day and didn't bring it, was it a small or large stadium, etc. I heard 1983 Phantom several times that year including finals (one of two finals I have been to in 30 years) and the opener was always loud, no question. But the finals performance opening horn flurry was UN-believable and I quite agree, a legitimate candidate for "loudest" ever. But was it the loudest that entire season in all 25 appearances, or just that one show at finals? Was it the loudest moment, and not the loudest show? That is why these discussions will have have many answers, and frankly, there are many "right" answers, even if they are all different. +++ How about a new thread for "loudest ever when the entire horn line played in tune?"

Blue Devils "When a man loves a woman." Someone will have to help me with the year. And the encore was LOUDLOUDLOUD too, maybe the loudest thing I've ever heard. And I heard Spirit of Atlanta in 1980. I'll surprise you by saying that the BRIDGEMEN from 1980 were louder, and I heard them back-to-back in Huntington, WV. I was sitting about 10 rows up (very low) on a 100 row stadium. When Bridgemen turned in the beginning of their closer "I wish I were in Dixie", WOW!!!!! They took my ears off. Yes, I know they were sop heavy, and yes they were overblowing like crazy, but I'm telling you, it was the loudest thing I ever heard. The OP asked for the loudest show of all time so maybe I missed the mark, but that was the loudest MOMENT I ever heard.

You should know, Boxing Fred, that I was at that Huntingon show, and I remember everything about it. What a great show that was (all the corps in one evening is a "show" to me). It was called "Drums Across the Tri-State." In fact, I think I have the audio tape of it, converted to an MP3. I remember Garfield absolutely ripping across the field with Rocky Point Holiday that night, and the incredible sense of disbelief I had that Garfield, a corps was good but never a contender, had actually BEAT the defending DCI champions. Those are great, great, memories. Thank you for bringing that show to me 28 years ago, and reminding me of it again, tonight.

Winner. For all the reasons (respectfully snipped for brevity) Mr. 84 BD Sop listed.

Blue Devils 1988. Happy Days are Here Again, Since I Fell for you. I want to hear them in a stadium that seats about 1500 and has no track around the field, like when I saw them the first time. World Champions.

Did you get my PM? I have a few Degs in excellent condition, 2 sops, a mello and an alto. The alto is brand new old stock, never been played.

Agree.

My fast take on this: 1. If there is a regular show on Sat and a G7 show on Sunday, I'll go to both. 2. I have no objections to corps upgrading their financial situations. I don't see where the G7 show takes anything away from Open Class corps. 3. I admit I'm a little taken back with the speed this thing happened. Mr. Hopkins was apparently already prepared with a detailed 60 page paper and Powerpoint presentation. I have no problems with his efforts or ideas, and I am a huge fan of his. It's just I would have felt a little more comfortable if the proposal were put "out there" then assigned to a DCI committee for study, then voted on after the current season. I love this activity and I fear for its future. This is a major paradigm shift, if I'm understanding it correctly. I fully admit I might not get all the ramifications just yet.

Fran, can you help me understand your thinking? Did you mean the model was unsustainable from the corps point of view, or the paying audience, or something else? I think you mean economics from the corps' point of view ie miles traveled to each event, but I don't have any idea about who gets paid what for local or regional shows. If you have some insight, I'd like to hear it.

I was wondering what happened to my poll, but I now see what the mods did with my poll topic. Thank you, your solution was appropriate to avoid duplicate posts.

Feel free to defend your choice or opinion.

Agree with Mr. Cadet 2000.

I agree. And when you say it's about the $$$, my translation is that "it's about survival." Not just the financial survival of individual corps, but survival of the activity itself.

I have news for you...not everyone opposes the ideas that GH proposes. Including myself.

As long as it weren't your bassoon, Michael...

We're here for you, Mike, just say the word when to start!