Tyler C.

Never saw a recap. ;) I will admit I was bold in that comment, but I was only reflecting what I heard from some very smart people. :P

CorpsVets scored 68.85 in Atlanta. Every tenth we can get. ;) I agree with other posters, I think both CV and Alliance will see nice gains in Woodstock this weekend.

*CorpsVets 68.85 I wouldn't put much stock in the ATL all-age scores (other than the placement, that's relative). I highly doubt those DCI judges got very much (if any) training on the new DCA system.

I find it interesting that BD is leading both polls. They are truly a polarizing drum corps...

Cadets- I love everything I've seen and heard from this so far. Bluecoats- I'm interested to see their quadraphonic sound idea in action. Cavaliers- They've been teasing the heck out of us and I just want to see what they've got. I love the music selection for all three. I believe they are all legitimate contenders to knock off BD.

Bump. I joined at that camp this weekend, and I can't believe I have to wait two weeks until I can go back (Memorial Day weekend off). If you're not sure about the idea of drum corps, just trust me and come to that camp. The entire corps is very welcoming, and the incredible staff and music are a steal with such low tuition.

All of a sudden, the upset alumni seem a bit foolish for freaking out about THAT. Just another level of intrigue to a show that I already love. I'm more excited to see the dynamic of the two-corps-in-one idea play out in the show itself.

Chase Community Giving. The Cadets have basically already won. Jeez. What an announcement.

1. Cadets - 98-ish- I think this may be another year where the fan favorite and the champion are the same show. This is just going to be be too friggin good. 2. Cavaliers - As a favorite professor of mine would say, they've got the fire of God in them. I hope they return a lot of hungry vets looking to right last year's wrong. The title race is going to be fun. It could go either way. 3. Bluecoats - I guess this could go under that bold prediction thread; I think they're a legitimate contender to be a consistent Top 3 corps. 4. BD - I fear that what I've seen others write is true- they won't do well (by their standards) with a melodic program, so they'll never do one again. 5. Crown - This placement is caused by other corps' improvement, not necessarily by any fault of their own. I considered swapping 4 and 5, but I don't think BD's talent level could allow them to drop any lower. 6. SCV - Rennick and the people he brought with him are going to make the West Coast shows competitive again. 7. Phantom - I'd love to put them a spot or two higher, but I'm not convinced that the organizational issues won't affect their on-field product. Look at the last couple years. 8. Blue Stars - They'll make a run at the top 6 sooner or later, and I wouldn't be upset if they prove this pick wrong. 9. Madison - last corps above 90 - Higher would be great, but who would they beat? 10. BAC - Another summer at the office. No higher than 9th, no lower than 11th. 11. BK - Similar. BAC and BK would have to do something significantly above what we've come to expect from them in order to move up. 12. Academy - 87-ish - They're getting really close to getting over that hump. This will be at least a 3-way battle all summer. Just my completely unqualified perspective.

I don't mind seeing several corps tackle the same basic concept in their own way. I think it's a good way for audiences to get a feel for the "corps identities" that some feel have been lost. Personally, this reminds me of a few years ago when it seemed like every third show I saw at high school competitions somehow incorporated Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

BD 2009-2010 - I really don't want to reignite the argument, so I'll just say that these shows did absolutely nothing for me. Playing to the judges. Cavis 2000-2001 - Same. These shows actually had moments that I enjoyed, but that leaves a total of about twenty minutes of meh. Cavis 07 - Doesn't get much fanfare to begin with, so maybe not an overrated show, but I think this show placed too high. Moving on. Phantom 08 - I LOVE this show, and it's still an emotional experience anytime I watch it, but the messiah treatment is a bit much. Crown 09 - Lots and lots of meh. Loved 07 and 08. This one just doesn't register with me the same way. Bloo 10 - Not the biggest fan of this show medaling, but then again, I can't justify Crown beating them.

I am PUMPED for this summer. My Can't-Wait-To-See List: 1. Cadets- I'm slightly addicted to Hans Zimmer, but add Ticheli? Oh yes. ENERGY. They also win the best season trailer award. 2. Bloo- The passion shown in just the show announcement (not to mention the incredible rep), and the idea of quadrophonic sound has me intrigued. 3. Cavis- Great music. I love Footprints, and though the other stuff is new to me, it JAMS. They always bring it with the GE and Visual side of things, so when I love their rep, I prepare for a hot summer. 4. Phantom- This rep just screams Phantom. I'm looking for them to evoke some tears with Elsa's Procession. 5. Blue Stars - I LOVE the film scores for the Bourne trilogy. There are some interesting thematic possibilities, too. 6. Crown - Could be incredible or just incredibly cheesy, depending on the arrangement. However, I could listen to that brass section play tuning chords all day, so I'm sure I'll enjoy it no matter what. 7. Scouts- This feels like a continuation of last year's idea in a style sense, which can only be good. I'd like to see them challenge the top 6 or 7. 8. BD- They haven't been on this list in a while, but I'll be optimistic this year. The music is before my time, but I think I can dig it if they do the BD brand of jazz with it. 9. SCV- I never feel blown away by their total package (they certainly have moments), but they always provoke thought and are a nice palate cleanser before the top several corps perform. Sorry SCV fans; that's the role they serve for me until they find a way back to the top. Honorable Mention: Academy. I love Whitacre's Lux Aurumque. It has a personal attachment to me, so I'd love to see them do well with it. Yep, that's my 100% unqualified and unofficial watch list for the summer. :P My Finals prediction list would look much different.

I love Ballet Sacra, should make for one heck of a closer! Can't wait for the April percussion camp! (Psst, see signature..... )

Corps Name: Inferno Corps Division: World Corps Hometown and Region (all 3): Columbus, GA (South) www.drumcorpsfantasy.com username: animal Homeshow site and venue request: Columbus, GA, A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium Corps Name: Blaze Corps Division: Open Corps Name: Flame Corps Division: A

Wisconsin. I think doing Open at Lambeau and A at Whitewater would be epic. "Epic" as defined in a dictionary, not by a high-schooler.

Camp Randall and drum corps are just meant to be.

Inferno dropped over a point from Prelims.... That blows. Blaze lost several tenths but maintained 15th. Both are done. Flame showed about a .5 gain and held on to a Finals spot. We're happy for them here at SFMO, but the late season dropoff for our top two corps is definitely disappointing, considering that just a couple weeks ago, all three corps were solidly in Finals spots.

Final regular season update. Scores are from 2/7 unless noted.

So did I miss I&E or are we not having it?

So I've failed miserably at keeping up with this. I'll post an update before Prelims.

Inferno had a great showing in Newcastle. I'm really hoping to see them maintain that momentum heading into the home stretch. Blaze and Flame are in Everett, WA today, hoping to see gains of their own before flying out to Yokohama. All three corps have been flirting with their division's Top 12.

And I'm pretty sure mine isn't one of them. :P I'm also very sure that I'm going about this spreadsheet thing the wrong way. Oh well, there's always live season...

Yeah, Blaze and Flame are hoping to do well in Oklahoma City, TEXAS. (Check the DCP-I Show Lineups. )

1. Harmless. Pass it. Why restrict musical creativity? 2. Good ol' common sense. The best place for a soundman is in the audience. 3. I like what Mason is trying to do, and I agree with much of his proposal, but do we really want to give corps' honks even MORE of a reason to stand and scream the entire show? If the audience knows its reaction is going to end up on the score sheet, imagine how skewed scores could become at home shows. Imagine how much more obnoxious staffs could become in the stands. Also, how do you account for the steadily growing audience throughout events, specifically the large World Class events?

Amidst across-the-board score drops for nearly every corps, Inferno seized gold at our home show in Columbus last night! Blaze grabbed bronze in Open competition. Flame. . . a terrible virus swept through our youngest corps, and there were several holes in drill for an already small corps. That 5 point drop hurts, but we hope to see them back to fighting form if not at Clemson, then surely by the time we reach Oklahoma City.