BRASSO

Everybody is entitled to their opinion, and certainly everybody's tastes are different. No doubt they'll be lots of people who will like this BD show. But in my opinion, this is the singularly most boring and unappealing BD show both visually and musically in 35 years. The running to position, ( and stumbling into position by design ) and obtuse note playing of clattering disparate cords is sad to watch what this great Corps is now doing to itself, and by extension, this wondrous Drum Corps activity. But maybe the DCI judges will love it, and it will score very well. And lots of fans will love it. And the kids will enjoy performing it. And that's fine too.

Since the inception of the NBA League in the 1940's, fully 50% of the NBA League Titles have been one by just 2 teams. The Boston Celtics The Los Angeles ( or Minneapolis ) Lakers lots of consistency or "slotting " there.

Yes. And today, players like Paul Pierce, Kobe Bryant, etc get the same benefit with those same non traveling calls. The non stars simply don't get the same benefit as the " elite " players with the refs. It's been that way for years. NBA fans have gotten use to it as a matter of course. Talk to ACC basketball teams fans and ask them if their teams get the same ref calls as the Duke Blue Devils ( perennial powers ) in that league. Actually ..... don't ask (..... haha!)

For what it's worth, except for the 2 or 3 Corps at the very top that will compete for the Title, I look at all the rest of the Corps as to which ones entertained me.... which ones I enjoyed the most ....in terms my criteria for their seasonal " success ". For instance, If a Corps finishes ( say ) 5th, but a Corps in ( say ) 11th was enjoyed by me more, than for all intents and puposes, the 11th place Corps had a more " successful " year in my book than the 5th place Corps. And I know I'm not alone in this evaluation as to which corps was more " successful " for that year.

Have to disagree a bit on this.... the GE Visual caption is stiil scored on how well it is performed in UNISON. The corps, in effect as a whole, is judged as if it was " one ". When " oneness " is reached by the whole, it is considered superior in the performance compared to others whose performance lacked that uniformity visually. The visual GE does not take into account ( or shouldn't ) the sheer numbers of performers, total or in sections. Some Corps will have 16 tuba's ( for instance ) and some will have half that number ( 8-10). The GE Visual component does not state as a criteria in any capacity the number of performers. However, it does score on the ability of the performers to perform visually in UNISON to maximize the visual general effect score.... ie as " a unit " ( one ) Falling down, irrespective of the number (s) of performers detracts DRAMATICALLY from that UNISON criteia incorporated into that Visual General Effect scoring caption. Visually, when members fall down.... twice.... and fall into the staging area unplanned.... the General Effect... visually of that overall performance is significantly effected. Well, at least to this poster anyway. But then again, I'm not a judge. But I think I can understand a caption where uniformity of performance is an understood integral component of the judged criteria in that caption. And when performers fall into the staging area.... fall down..... that most definately effects the General Effect visually of that uniformity of the performance. " Oneness",ie performing in unison, as said above is impacted by unplanned and visually unappealing multiple falls in the performance by " the unit ". Now, whether that is appropriately scored that way or not by the judge (s) as an understood criterian in that caption is certainly open to debate and discussion.

Agree. Kudos to DCI for Fan Network. It's a GREAT idea. I love the clips, interviews, live shows, etc..... and to go back, watch and listen to the DCI Corps from the past is sheer heaven imho.

Exactly. From a pure logical standpoint, a Corps that has 2 members fall down in a show, " visually " can not have a better " Visual General Effect " score. Not when other Corps close in that caption do not have members fall down during the performance. ( happened in Toledo last night ) If an ice skater does very well for most of their performance but falls down twice in the show, invariably the ice skater that might have had an easier routine, but does not fall down twice scores higher. We understand this. It's hard to see how Corps that have members fall down, or fall into the staging, can score " visually " higher in a " General Effect caption " when reasonable people can conclude that the "visual general effect" of such falls was unnerving and uncomfortable to view to say the least, and it's " effect " took away substantially from the overall " General Effect " visually of the performance.

a good analogy to what you are saying might be the NBA. there are some fans ( a minority of them ) that think NBA Basketball is fixed, and there have been an instance or two over the years ( like DCI ) where a ref ( or a judge ) were disbarred for cheating on the scores. But in regards to alleged " slotting " the analogy gets probably a little more closer to the truth when it comes to the analogy. NBA " star " players historically get the benefit of the doubt on foul calls. If they are driving to the basket and are barely touched by an opponent, that opponent more often times than not has a foul called on them, and the " star " player gets to go to the free throw line and shoot a couple of free throws. But if it's NOT a " star " ( elite ) player driving with the ball to the basket, and is touched by an opponent.......' say it's a rookie with the ball, and the " star " guarding him..... the rookie is simply not going to get that foul call and get to the free throw line, ( unless he's almost knocked down ) as the " elite " player would Is this " fixed " ?..... well, technically, no. But does it make it harder for the " non star.... the non elite " to get the calls ? Yes. Do most NBA fans know that the handful of" elite " players get the close calls in the games, perhaps with a little bit favoritism ? Yes Do most long time DCI fans know the " elite Corps " get the " close calls" and a little bit of favoritism ? Yes. Do most DCI fans however think that DCI is " fixed " ? No Is there a little bit of " star power" pull built into the DCI scores and placements ? Especially early in the season ? Probably.

There is a ton to be optomistic about with this show. If they can stay on track, this should easily be a top 7ish, 8ish, or 9ish show. Go Scouts.....' here's hoping they DO stay on track and easily secure one of those 7th to 9th spots come Finals!

You're right HockeyDad, it's a pretty safe bet. Wish my prediction was way off though, and we had a shakup at the top from Semi's to Final's one of these years. Gawd knows, we're long overdue for a shocker on Final's Night for the top spot. .

Ok, I'll bite.... 6) Crown 7) Madison 8)Phantom 9)Blue Knights 10)Blue Stars 11)Glassmen 12) BAC 13) Colts 14)Crossmen 15) Academy What are your predictions for 6-15, Coast Guard ?

This is true. Best sources are DCI website, these Corps individual websites, Fan Network, Field Pass.' Can usually get your fix from these sources on info and then discuss it all on here. Once the season starts, the show review section on here can be an additional source too.

I think the Music from " The Hulk " would have been a good overall blend of Uni's, music, mystique, bravado, etc this year New Uni's don't look that much Latin. Maybe the Guard uni's may have that Latin flair look however ?

My prediction is that despite an entire change of judging panels from Semi's to Finals at DCI Championships ( and level of performances no doubt ), that A) whatever Corps finish in 2nd and 3rd in the DCI Semi's will not win the DCI Championship outright and B) whatever Corps that finishes in 1st in the Semi's will either share or win outright the DCI Championship on Finals Night.

'Sounds about right off recent years. Maybe Bloo surprises and wins. It's early. Who knows.' Glad the Corps season is just about upon us !

I listened to that Clip on Fan Network and it was cool. They had the former Drum Major of the Crusaders being inducted into the Boston Crusaders Hall of Fame. He apparently was Drum Major in 1958 or around that time. Wow.... what tradition...... amazing resilience in this Corps 'Got a kick out of listening to all those Boston accents too on that clip.... haha

Well, it seems to me that DCP provides a broader discussion format across the whole panorama of the Drum Corps movement, both Junior, Senior, Alumni, and historical Corps, etc. A website on a Corps is geared principally to that Corps and it would seem to me to be able to possibly answer a specific question regarding that Corps uniform changes, music being played, etc. perhaps better than a forum such as DCP. As a matter of fact, I went to DCI. org a few moments ago...clicked on Boston Crusaders, got their website, and without even registering, they mentioned Field Pass, and you could go there and actually listen to the Director talk about the music and the inspiration behind it, and even hear a small clip from a music piece they apparently will be playing this year . This would give a Drum Corps fan more than probably many DCP's would be expected to know re the music and the inspiration behind the music and so forth. Nothing against DCP, as I would not be on here if I did not see it's broad value. But if I wanted to know about a Corps music selection and the inspiration behind it, and maybe hear a clip of it, I'd go to that Corps website first to get that info. But maybe that's just me. Now if the question was... " what do you THINK of the music ?" or " what do you THINK of the uniforms" ?, then by all means it seems to me that this is where DCP has the opportunity to provide it's most benefit and value with Drum Corps fans.

Correct me If I'm wrong as I'm new on here, but couldn't you go to their website to get info, ie uniforms, music being played this year or whatnot ? It seems to me that if I had a question or two of a Corps that perhaps if I went to the Corps website, registered and then posed my question(s) there, that somebody in the know on there would be able to assist me with my question(s). Most Corps I'd imagine would be only too happy to provide you info if it was for public consumption. They'd probably enjoy hearing of your support and interest in their Corps. Just my 2 cents worth anyway.

Yes, Crossmen 2005. I really enjoyed the music in that show. One of my favorites, and I really didn't care where they finished. That show entertained me, so in my book it was an outstanding season for them.

I see no overt harm in instituting such a national list. So 'd be in favor of trying it out anyway.

Sounds good. Playing the Devils Advocate for just a moment, wouldn't such a system only entrench ( even more ) the top Corps getting the cream of the crop in such a national data base of available national talent. If a kid ( for instance ) gets a call from The Cadets and The Crossmen, where is he likely headed ?

Who pays the service fees for this " talent scout " ? I can't see Corps like The Cadets and Blue Devils just to name a few needing a service like this, when they literally have multiple talented kids they are turning away as it is with so few spots open each year. That leaves the mid level or lower level Corps. These Corps are strapped for revenue relative to the so called elite corps as it is. And also.... why would a Band Director want to pay a Talent Scout a service fee to march a particular Corps, when the Bands are usually strapped for cash as well. DCI probably won't pay for such a fee, it seems to me as it could be seen later as a conflict of interest and opens the door to influence peddling and favoritism, and Gawd knows they ALREADY have some folks out there trying to beat them over the head on that. Thus, I just don't see how it could work. But maybe I'm missing something here too.

Old School.... Hyde Park Crusaders ( West Point style ) Newer School..... Phantom Regiment all Black....

A few others: 2003 Phantom Regiment 1975 Hawthorne Muchachos 1994 27th Lancers Reunion Corps Exhibition 1989 Phantom Regiment 1995 Madison Scouts 1986 Blue Devils 2005 SCV 2006 Blue Devils ( Finals performance, my favorite of all time.... really kicked it up a notch on Final's Night, I thought )