Rocketman

Okay Regiment alum, sound off! I let it be known that I was not pleased with their chosen theme when it was announced, feeling that it lacked creativity / originality. Spartacus 2.0 (essentially) wasn't going to cut it. There isn't enough time or design to get this show into top 12 contention, which is a shame. This is all on the staff and BOD (for either signing off on this or not saying anything when this was brought up). 79 - 2nd 89 - 2nd 09 - 9th 19 - 15th? (if lucky)

Actually, I have to respectfully disagree. Yes last year was a train wreck, no question. But this at least had potential for something decent. Now we wait and see what happens.

It is with great sadness that I announce that Riggie Laus joined the great drum corps in the sky this morning. Riggie was the featured soloist for the Pittsburgh Rockets for 25 years and a ten time soprano bugle solo champion. I had the privilege of being taught by and marching with Riggie in 1973. He was instrumental in getting myself and several others to join a junior corps (as it was known back then) which eventually lead me to joining the Phantom Regiment in 1976. Riggie was a great horn player and an awesome person. The earthly drum corps community suffers a loss while the heavenly community rejoices their newest member. RIP Riggie!

It is highly disappointing that the talk about the Regiment isn't about them challenging for a top spot but rather, feeling they will be watching finals. I too have made a similar assertion. I just hope I am wrong. They need way more clarity of thought as to why they are doing what they are doing. The uniform changes need to be better thought out and perhaps have a purpose (I couldn't figure it out). They have their work cut out for them, and I am not sure the design staff is up to the challenge.

Are they raising the bar of the activity? Are they doing something new for the activity? Are they doing something unique? Answer - NO! At least not yet. Can this show do those things? I'd like to say yes but in all honesty the better designed shows are already ahead of them and will stay there no matter what Regiment does. Cleaning is not going to keep them in the top12. MAJOR development must accompany the cleaning. But when you have continual (major) show development, you are in a constant state of cleaning. If the staff made the conscience decision to put out a basic show design and continually add elements as the season went on, IMO, that was a mistake. If you don't WOW people (judges) early on (8 points behind coats), you will not catch up.

Current design. Hopefully a LOT of layering occurs. Otherwise it is a missed opportunity.

No what? I was not talking about execution (HA!) I was referring to design. IMO, the design is better than the previous three years. And unlike those years, (IMO) there is room for character development. As I indicated , the design as it stands now, is bottom 3rd of the top 12. If they don't develop the show further and only go for cleaning, they will be watching finals. Not a member issue.

No problem! I remember seeing the corps practice at the U.S. Open that year and was just blown away!

Ok, was it better than last year, or 2017, or 2016? Yes. Was it raising the bar for the corps? Yes. Was it raising the bar for the activity? No! Unlike last year, I feel there is a lot of room for character development, and that is the only hope they have to stay in the top 12. However, this is a bottom third (or lower) design right now.

76 BD 84 Cadets 91 Star 04 Cavaliers 12 Cadets

I don't think it's quite that bad, yet.

Was not a factor! Chalk that one up to the 'Shirley' affect!

Sorry, going full 'homer' on this one: 77 Regiment 78 Regiment 79 Regiment 89 Regiment 06 Regiment

As I stated earlier, the 'thought' was good, the design was god awful!

And considering that I have almost nothing nice to say about BD, EVER, this was a no brainer.

88 BD, should have won!

That may have been a result of the thoughts of last years show.

That may be, but if there is also a cost. I imagine this is more of a way to stay connected to the community. But then I ask, why? Has the community of Rockford supported the corps financially in any significant way? What ROI is there in these programs? I still think the answer to survival may be moving the corps.

1974 Seneca Princemen.

Well, I was going to go 'homer' with 76 Regiment, but Rachstar was AWESOME, just barely beating out 2003 Regiment.

I'm good with that! I'd rather they stay in Illinois if at all possible!

Naperville? I've heard of it. How would it be better than Rockford?

I thought of this, but the reality was, Star had Cook, there's no reason to believe that same support would be available to the Regiment. But look at the Bluecoats, Canton has 1/2 the population of Rockford, but apparently there is either sufficient alumni support, community support, or they have an aggressive fund raising arm. What are they doing that the Regiment isn't? Perhaps the real issue is the management of the corps is hindering fund raising efforts.

While I have yet to see this thought posted, it may be time to pull a 'Crossmen' (i.e. move the corps to a market that is more conducive to financial support). Rockford is apparently not that market. While I would not like to see this happen, it is better than the corps disbanding. So, what are those markets?

AGREED! However, it will take someone from the outside to monitor/ensure that those funds go where they are supposed to.