corps8294

The Blue Stars sure could use Tom Aungst, again.

Back in the '80s there was an article in DCW titled "The Disappearing Drum Corps Blues." It might be time to revise that and call it "The Disappearing Drum Corps, Housing Sites, and Available Stadiums Blues."

What about those individuals who choose to march in an open class corps because of what that organization has to offer works best for them? I'd think that there are actually some people out there who actually enjoy the open class experience and have a loyalty to those corps all the way through their age out year. The issue isn't and shouldn't be age related. 16 year olds on up should know right from wrong and if any problems occur; action should take place. The sins of the past can't be erased; but they can be corrected and atoned for via more strict policies. This applies to one and all in the activity...members, staff, support staff, etc. If more corps need to put on disciplinary hiatus or fold because of violations; so be it. I've said it before, the activity is fading and it's time to start letting corps go without trying to save them when they run into legal, situational, or financial trouble.

The day after finals is he going to sing, "Sunday Mornin' Coming Down?"

I wouldn't be surprised if the Mandarins end up finishing in 5th place, this year. The Blue Devils, Bluecoats, Carolina Crown, and the Boston Crusaders will have 1-4; but the Mandarins definitely have the momentum and resources to claim the 5th spot in the top tier.

It was the Blue Star Cadets that led the way for the corps that's on the field, today. Back in '82, the Blue Stars reorganized the Cadet corps and they were in operation during the final year of the original Blue Stars season. The Blue Star Cadets were a parade and CCI corps from '82-'84. In '85, they competed and rejoined DCM and in '86 would compete at DCI in class A-60; just missing out on finals. During the offseason in the '86, the original corps debt was paid off and the Blue Star Cadets were able to become the Blue Stars. '87 was a special year for the corps as they made finals at DCM and DCI in class A-60 and proved to be a new powerhouse in that division. In '89, the Blue Stars would win their first DCI championship in class A-60/Div III. During the next decade, they would bounce back and forth between Div II and III. During two very successful years with huge corps in '04 and '05, the Blue Stars finally returned to Div I in '06 and made a statement that they meant business and a return to the Top 12 was around the corner. In '08, the dream of the Blue Stars becoming a part of the Top 12, again, materialized and they have been there ever since; with the exception of '12.

Shout out to the '72 Blue Stars.

After all these years it's finally coming out that a some of the top corps in the activity were more of a hot mess than we've all been led to believe. The two things that seemed well known with the Cadets but never discussed were GH being a tyrant and an activity wide "my way is the only way" bully and the money issues. I'm still not convinced about SCV having righted their ship, either.

The Blue Stars performed an anime show back in '04. They followed it up, in '05, with a Final Fantasy show.

Hopefully they can rebound from that 11th place finish. However, it's going to be tough. If they get their s**t together, I could see them beating the Troopers and Colts and that would put them back up to 9th. Aside from that, I can't imagine them climbing much higher. I don't think they will fall out of the Top 12, either. It would take quite a bit for the corps beneath them to knock them out. I'm going to guess 9th place, tops, or 11th place at the very least.

The Cadets are done and SCV is a wait and see. There are are a bunch of corps from the past I really miss, as well; but they are gone and aren't going to come back. If a corps folds, let it go and move on. Stop trying to salvage the unsalvageable.

Sounds like a Peyronie's commercial.

...and if somebody is thinking about dredging up Appalachian Spring from the depths of the overplayed and overdone; please just leave it in the abyss.

The season starts at the end of June. There should be no reason for any corps to be fielding an incomplete show at that point.

The reality is that it's been and will continue to be race for second place. It doesn't matter how much BD fatigue there is. They probably already have a plan in place for if or when the activity puts on a dirt blanket.

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I thought the Hip Pickles played that show?

...in the pale moonlight.

Madison has a lot of work to do just to make finals before being considered to take over the Cadets' vacant spot.

Again, and help me figure this out...there is a staff in place, I'm assuming a show being put together, auditions are occurring, and there is a still a financial s**tshow in play? This corps expects everything to be resolved and rosey-cozy by the time tour season arrives?

...that, too.

So, SCV has their staff in place for the upcoming year, they are planning on fielding a corps, and they are planning on touring; yet, there is still a lot of financial matters that haven't been resolved? WTH and WTF? I agree with Jeff. If it gets far enough along and it looks like things aren't going to happen; every member that auditions and pays dues should have every penny refunded and the corps should seriously give strong consideration to putting on the dirt blanket.

I can't help but think there was more going on with the Cadets financial situation than just a lawsuit against them. It seems like as soon as the corps was facing legal action from somebody; that was the final nail in the coffin and everything had to go.

The design teams and instructional staffs at Jersey Surf never had the strict creative limitations that Pioneer had. A lot of people who worked with Pioneer hated it because of "Roman's Rules" regarding show design.

With the resources the Blue Devils have; they probably have a plan in place, already, for when the time comes for DCI to put on the dirt blanket.