BDCorno

"...but SCV’s got their boot firmly placed on BD’s neck" While we're at jumping the gun...BD has won 2 of 3 from SCV. They're both fantastic, but frankly I think the corps that ultimately prevails is more up to BD than SCV. Oh, and popular opinion/sentiment. That's a powerful thing. Like '16.

True! Especially Gymnopedies back in '12!

They employ a very different process than we would have used in the past. Back when I marched, they'd come out with the drill sheets and teach you the drill. You'd learn it, then clean it. Jay and crew "block" ideas onto the field, similar to the way a choreographer would build something onstage. Once the ideas are located "in the vicinity", then they start detailing the hows, whats and connecting ideas. They will add layers of movement and content on top as they work sections of the show. The actual placement of bodies eventually gets formalized (some time in mid-July for everything), and then they can get down to cleaning. By that time, most things are focused pretty well so there isn't much to be done. Staff will continually tweak and update small chunks of show, and if there is a "final" ending, they'll plug that in as late as Buffalo. When will their show be "done"? Could be as late as the day before semis, as it was in '15. The process does keep things fresh, and it does require that the kids absorb, learn, clean and perform changes on a rapid basis.

Anxious to see it! SCV and Bluecoats have done a good job keeping things under wraps. You know, in years past I'd want to see, and look for early videos from spring training. Now, I just don't care. I'd rather see it after all the sausage making (probably not a good example these days in drum corps lol) is done. Let's get on with it!

Drill writer will be different. Of course, it's not like Gaines is some kind of step down, mind you. Completely disagree with the "very few people" comment...from what I'm seeing, they seem to be the odds-on pick, at least among the non-homer crowd out there. They are certainly positioned well, with the second place last year. Musical program appears to be a monster. Love Metropolis 1927, great tune.

Enthralled by the Mellos, and you didn't see it coming? They've had a rippin' mello line with some pretty sweet parts for about five years now. Always a treat. I'd hold the phone on the title prediction though...seems to be a strong year brewing in the top six. Gonna be interesting.

Nononononononono....all they do is stand around. SMH.

Just saw a Family Night video. Baaaaad news for the competition. I'm normally loath to watch preseason videos, and I've hated virtually every one of them that I've seen over the past 5-7 years. EVERY time, I'm nothing but impressed by the time they get to SoCal, so I won't push the panic button. Trust the staff. Nothing at all to panic about at this point, from my standpoint. It's the best they've looked and sounded at this juncture since 2014...thus the bad news for the competitors. I'll withhold any criticism and just keep it to myself. The program is in its infancy, and it's just skeletal right now. I think it could be a real powerhouse by the time they hit the Midwest. Looking good!

That's awesome! Thanks for the details!

LOL! What drives me nuts are blanket (untrue) statements designed to cut down another group. I don't ever mind having a discussion (as opposed to a trollish pissing contest) with anyone about any corps, their show, things that are good and not so much, etc.. I just can't take my judging hat off...guess it's just my personality but there ya go. It's not unreasonable be able to give a bit of critique without being mean, and also to not set people off, but I guess that's the nature of social media. Sigh. The top corps are all very good, and the differences are many times NOT clear cut. You're down to judging things like intrinsic performance level/quality, third and fourth level design concepts and splitting hairs in the "box 5" realm. To say that corps A was better than corps B in these conditions isn't condemnation of any of them, it's just an acknowledgement that one is the better of some really good choices. It's hard for some fans to swallow, but in my 45 years around drum corps, it's far more common that my favorite shows aren't title winners. 75 BD, 74 Kingsmen, 74 Muchachos, 73 Argonne, 74 Purple Lancers, 73 Blue Stars, 73 Commodores, 75 Blue Stars, 75 Kilties, 75 Oakland Crusaders, 73 Troopers...these were all favorites in my formative years and not a #### one was a winner. It didn't affect my enjoyment of any, and they all played a big part in building my love for the activity. Tearing down the winner only cheapens ALL groups. At the end of the day (hate that phrase lol), the winner will still be the winner, and if you think they "sucked", it just meant your favorite group wasn't as good as "suck". Makes no sense to me.

I marched five years with BD, worked in the organization for another two...and though I bleed blue, I was first a drum corps fan and still am. During my marching days, I'd typically drive to the local shows instead of taking the bus. I would get there a couple hours early, and would "do the lot", checking out other groups warming up. SCV's excellent drum lines were always there a good 3+ hours ahead, so I'd spend a great deal of time enjoying their warm-ups and runthroughs. If I could catch some horn lines, I'd do that too. I'm obviously proud of my home group, but it doesn't dampen my appreciation for ALL corps. Heck, my #1 played drum corps show in my car is '15 Bluecoats. I play plenty of BD and others, but I'm hardly an stubborn homer that only watches BD. Sadly, despite the reputation, I think most BD alumni are of the same ilk. The number of "fans" that discount/ignore/denigrate BD saddens me, because there is so much to enjoy there, just as with all the groups. They're constant champions because of their excellence, and those who choose to shun them do so to their own detriment, IMHO. Off the soapbox now.

Academy

There were actually three in '73 (SCV, AK and VK). Carry on, though...

Typical Mars in May. It's the west coast version of "don't like the weather? Just wait a couple of hours".

Ah, sort of forgot that. Thanks for responding. That's a bummer though. Was a good run for us. 1975 was more than a good run, and at least that made it on the album that year. I guess the prohibition was a forerunner to the licensing BS we deal with now.

Someone sure that is World Open 1976? We (BD) won that show, and we're nowhere to be found...nor are Cavaliers or 2-7.

Well, that happened.

How could anyone not like those old velvet paintings in the cheap hotels of the 60's and 70's?

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Oh, on the funding side of things, found out many years later that Jerry, Giff and some other parents kicked in money to keep the corps fed at times, even as late as the years we marched. People get the impression that BD is so rich and such, and they do okay currently, but we were hand to mouth at times during those first couple of title runs.

I believe 1979 was when we really got our act together with the food. I think we had better equipment starting in 1977, but not a rolling kitchen. What they have now is truly amazing.

Miss Amana existed starting in the mid 70's...

Entertainment is a relative term.

Nay nay! Hated the snail french horns. Loved the long piston rotor horns, and then the silver King horns we played in 79-80.