BoyWonder1911

What the hell is INT??

Ok 1) I don't think they would put out any teaser news if the news was going to actually be that controversial or dividing - they would just come out with it and say it when they were all done. 2) I think maybe they should go to a scoreless system - they can compete for ratings, 1-5, where maybe the top 4 or 5 might all get a top rating. Then they won't be able to complain about having to compete with "lesser corps". 3) I think most fans will agree that when going to a show, they like watching ALL the corps - I did, when I went to my first show in Indy in 2002, I was enraptured by all Div 1 corps I watched, and I watched all of them, and I continued to love watching all of them when I came back the next 3 years. 4) I don't really see any "elite" corps doing anything that might jeopardize the "lesser" corps, because a) they get marchers from these corps who have experience and can contribute to a better product on the field - rather than having a bunch of the lesser corps die out, which leaves a much smaller pool of students who have marched before - the quality of the product would go down, and would lose a lot of fans at the same time. If anything, I would support less corps in "World Class" - maybe make the requirements a little more stringent to make sure that a corps really CAN survive, and HAS the money and support to be touring the whole country for the summer. Magic of Orlando, Capital Regiment, Southwind, Kiwanis Kavaliers, are all corps that I remember watching but are now defunct - while there are Open Class corps that have been around forever that are financially healthy. I think it would be fair to keep only 15 or 16 corps in World Class - Seminfinals will have top 12, and Finals would have the top 8 - and I bet you more people would go to Semifinals to be able to watch 9-12. Truth of the matter is, fans DO like to watch the top corps, and would rather watch them over the smaller corps, but that does not mean they don't want to watch them entirely - I would not support a move to have competitions in which only World Class corps compete - except the end of the year thing. All corps need exposure for DCI to survive. If you took the top 6 or 8 baseball teams and put them in a separate league, it would not survive after a couple of years. I don't think they are going to do anything that would jeopardize the whole thing.

Oh - and as long as we're talking about "identity", let's not forget Pioneer and their Celtic stuff every year, or Troopers and their patriotic, western-themed shows, which I've always enjoyed.

And I wasn't bashing Triple Crown either - I thought that show was genius! I would just like to see them try a show with a darker tone, instead of a light-hearted show for once. It would just be something I would enjoy, and I think it could catapult them to a title.

I don't think it made much sense. The first half of the show was good. The ending was ok, just a line. Plain, simple, but the last half of the show just didn't make a whole lot of sense, There needs to be a theme, sense of direction, not just having a bunch of drill. I think the classic example of this was Cavaliers 2001 (Four Corners), PR 2003, and SCV 1989. Im not saying its bad, but whatever they were doing out there they did it well, hence their highest score in corps history. Not trying to bash on them, I just expect a lot from any corps as far as visual programs are concerned. DCI to me is art. I like to have the visual program not only compliment the music, but I think one should be able to tell the theme of show by watching it without having been told what it was beforehand. Maybe I expect too much, but I am a perfectionist. But yeah, Crown is in my top 3 favs and I think it is so awesome to have another Giant in the field.

Look - I'm not ripping them by saying "the only reason" etc. I think that either Cadets or Crown could have gotten 2nd. When I watch a drum corps perform, I look for certain things in a visual program. Doing dancing and body movt is fine, but there is a point where it becomes a little annoying. Cadets learned that the last couple years, putting Oprah out in mid-field last year...I mean come on... Visually, my favorite corps have been Cavs and SCV. Don't get me wrong, I think Crown had some real good visuals, but I just didn't "feel" it...not they way I felt it when I watched Machine, or Spin Cycle, or that masterpiece Frameworks. Even Cadets 2000, 1998, SCV 1999, Star 1991, 93. I'm waiting for Crown to come out with a masterpiece musically and visually. Sorry forgot to mention PR 2003

Okay here is my take on "identity". SCV does a lot of triangles, they do that side-ways Y pull into a box. Blue Devils, they do a lot of jazz, they do a lot of snakes (which they do so well), they are flashy and do visuals so well, and they also have that buzzy brass tone. Cadets do a lot of emotion-filled shows (which I love, my favorite show of all time is 2000). They also almost have a copyright on West Side Story. They also love to do boxes and variations on boxes, ruffling boxes, boxes falling on itself back through the other side, etc. Cavaliers are known for their symmetry, their pretty much entirely original music, and machine-like methodical visual programs. Their shows, in contrast to Cadets, do not have a whole lot of emotional content. Phantom Regiment is known for having awesome musical shows but poor designs. THey also do classical music, which is why I love PR so much. Every year their show is based upon classical music. Even last year, Spartacus was written by Khatchuturian (sp?). And then Crown. Crown I think is beginning to be known for their unique brass sound, and their light-hearted musical programs. THeir visual shows are different than other corps...even last year and the year before. This year they did a lot of dancing and body movement. Maybe they will become known for this. I just don't think their show designs have been top notch. The only reason they won 2nd is because of their music. Besides forming a real good looking crown on the field, maybe they will find their identity visually in show design. But yes, Crown is still forming their own identity. Its coming along, but not quite there yet. Identities are formed over years from experience. Crown isn't there yet. I'd like to see them do a serious show for once. Not a light-hearted show about horses or grass. Do something that will remind me of PR 1996. Something in a minor key, powerful. BW BW

Sorry...as much as I like Crown, I still don't think they will win a championship yet. Give them 5 years. However, I think that they will consistently place in the top 5 for those 5 years. Crown as an organization has something special going on. I remember watching them in Indy in late July 2002 and remember telling myself that this group is going to make a lot of noise in the future. Boy was I right... But no, still don't see them winning a championship yet.... BW

1)Cadets 2)SCV & Crown tied 4)Blue Devils 5)Cavaliers 6)PR 7)BAC 8)Bluecoats 9)Blue Knights 10)Colts 11)Blue Stars 12)Troopers Just my guess anyways, but does this look realistic? I just see Crown coming out big again next year, and SCV is growing again and is hungry for a title. I see Cadets finally back on top. Cavaliers are in a rut, give them another year to figure out that shows with not much emotional content are on the downturn. However, I think Cadets have taken that advice way too far the past couple years before this year, and this year they went back to their roots and probably could have taken 2nd. Blue Devils have been tearing it up the past couple years and I think will probably lose a little next year. However, they are, in my opinion, the best drum corps organization in the world. And besides, I think its been only a matter of time before Crown is able to beat the one corps they haven't beaten before. Here would be my choice if I were to have it my way. 1)Crown 2)Cadets 3)SCV 4)PR 5)Bluecoats 6)Scouts 7)Blue Knights 8)BAC 9)Colts 10)Cavaliers 11)Blue Devils 12)Southwind (yeah, I miss those guys) BW ####...yeah I did forget about Blue Knights....how could I forget? They are a classy corps. Always enjoyed watching them when I used to come down to Indy every year. Haven't been able to for 3 years but always enjoyed Blue Knights. BTW I edited my rankings to include Blue Knights after I had previously omitted them. Sorry. Just too many corps.

Here are my thoughts. If a WC corps can't score 80 points by quarterfinals/semis/finals then they really don't belong in WC. I would make them go back down to OC until they can become more competitive. Groups like Oregon Crusaders, Jersey Surf, etc that can put on a decent show, they should be in WC and not Pioneer who can't even get to 75 points most seasons. I'm sorry but that may be rude, but come on. When I go to see DCI competitions, sure I support all the corps, and I cheer for the crappy groups, but do you really think they belong in WC? It's almost embarrassing to watch these talent-disadvantaged corps getting utterly crushed by the giants, when there are open class corps that would greatly benefit. 22 corps in WC. There really should not be more than 17 I think. I understand the WC corps has money and can tour all season, but maybe the SCV organization can stop naming their 2nd corps SCV Cadets, and likewise with the generic sounding Blue Devils "B". Nothing wrong with having a feeder corps, but does it have to be named that? But when it comes down to it, I really don't want to watch Pioneer do their celtic crap. If you can't compete with these other groups, then just step down and open up a spot for another corps to come up and try to prove what they can do. And they should let the top 2 OC corps compete at Finals, but they should include the top 12 WC corps as well, and just have 14 go. No reason why an OC should be able to knock out a WC corps. That aint fair to the 13-17 WC spots. Boy Wonder

Remember, they hired a new visual coordinator last year who helped them win an uncontested championship. That much is like...unprecedented.....unreal. If they don't do as well this year, oh well....they already made up for it last year. PR has not really ever been really strong in their visuals, according to history. Sure they had some awesome shows, 2003 was a nice one. Simple, but so beautiful and logical according to the music. When competition is that tough, and they see themselves falling more and more behind, you have to tweak your show in a way that could maximize your score, even if it may not be a popular move. These directors have been in the game for years and should know what they're doing. What's important is that the students have a good time and compete hard, and gain good memories. BW

All I see is that Crown scored 93pts last night with 2 weeks to go. As far as I'm concerned, that is awesome and I don't care how they place. You don't have to win to have a winning show. I think the more corps that can get to 93 points by the end of the year, the better. Maybe we CAN have 6 corps all score 95pts or better. Either way, this is really awesome for DCI. Tougher competition, increase in scores, more kids getting involved, its all good. Who cares how they place? They are still awesome and that is the bottom line. BW

Are you sure its copyright protected even though they are all non-profit corporations?

Your opinions are irrelevant. Your forum posts will collectively be added to our own. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

You had to post it, didn't you. Going to go out on a limb and say Scouts. :-)

I'd have to say that my favorite shows ever are: Cadets 2000 (The show makes my cry when I watch it) 1998 (stonehenge) Cavs 2006, 2002 PR 1996, 2008 SCV 1989, 1999 BD 2003 Star 91, 93

Just want to give my congrats to CAROLINA CROWN! 96.8, highest score ever for the corps, 4th at Finals, also another first. Blew their old record at finals by 2.65pts What an amazing year for Crown! Can't wait to see next years show! They have proven themselves worthy as a DCI top-tier corps. Not very many corps in history can claim a score of 96.8 at finals. I think it is safe to say that Crown can very possibly be in contention for a run at the top 3 next year. Glad to see 8 different corps score at least 90 points at finals! Competition is getting stronger at the top. When I became a fan of DCI back in 1999, I had always thought of Cadets, BD, Cavs and SCV as the only heavyweights. Well its time to add a couple more corps into that group, being Crown and Bluecoats, and of course PR now that they have a World Championship all to themselves without having to share it. Top 7 corps only 5.1 pts difference. Glad to see awesome competition at the top ranks, and I hope it stays that way. It used to be that you could count on either Cadets, BD or Cavs for winning the titles from year to year, with the occasional SCV in there as well. With increased competition and great improvement from other corps, it would be nice to think that 7 different corps can possibly win the title. Just my opinions. Congrats PR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats Crown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and also, congrats to BD for a great season and an amazing show. (Yes, I did love their show a lot, but I did want PR to win.)

I still liked SCV better in 1989. Don't know about points or cleanliness, but I liked SCV better than PR.

Well put. But I'd have to disagree with 1989. I think SCV owned that year, and I have watched both shows, and I think SCV got what they deserved - a championship ring. After taking 2nd place FOUR YEARS IN A ROW, it was almost appropriate that they should win with the show they did in 89. Awesome show. And I do love the Devs show this year, the concept and idea of the show was not lost on me, as it is with too many DCI fans. Was a neat show, neat concept, and only the BD could pull off a show like that and possibly win.

Ok, here it is, no BS. NO BIAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who do you think will win it? Ok, you can be biased now. Who do you WANT to win? I personally think Blue Devils will win, but I would like to see PR win.

Phantom Regiment was only .375 away from winning tonight. Blue Devils pretty much maxed out their visual scores, and still PR was right behind them. PR killed everyone in music, and took general effect. If PR's visual scores were even with Blue Devils, they'd be more than .5 in the lead. PR scored 5th in overall visual........they will have to do better than that to win at finals........they were a full point behind BD in visuals!!! At least they have oppurtunity to earn more points, whereas BD pretty much maxed out their visual scores. If PR can close that gap, they can win it all. But Visual scores are harder to catch up than music scores, and although PR took first in Music by almost .5, BD still have room there to close that gap. Basically, if PR is going to win, they have to pull off one HELL of a clean drill. Judging from PRs history in visual performances, I dont think its likely they will improve enough. Its going to be extremely exciting! I predict that BD are going to add another .35 to their scores, giving them 98.45 I also predict that PR going to add another .6 to their scores, giving them 98.275 BD are probably going to win by .2 or .3, although I'd love to see PR win it all! I was going to go to finals this year, but couldnt afford it. ####.......I wish I could have gone.

Does anyone happen to know if tonights live webcast will offer overhead, multi-cam, or both? I watched the S.A. webcast and it let me switch between the two. I hope it will be the same for this evenings Semi Finals I didn't like the multi-cam, it was a little choppy sometimes, and besides, I like watching the entire drill, and not someones face. I'm not going to pay $24.95 if I cant see the entire drill thx

I was reading the post about the top-tier corps vs the non-top tier corps....and it got me thinking....who ARE the top tier corps??? I went back 25 years, starting with 1983 and tallied up the average placement of these top 6 corps. There are only 5 corps who have made finals 25 years in a row. Scouts would be 6th, if not for placing 14th in 2002 and 15th in 2007. Since 1983 - The last 25 years 6th - Madison Scouts, avg placement of 7.04 and 1 world title 5th - Phantom Regiment, avg placement of 4.92 and 1 world title (tied in 1996) 4th - S.C. Vangaurd avg placement of 4.00 and 2 world titles 3rd - The Cavaliers avg placement of 3.24 and 7 world titles 2nd - Blue Devils avg placement of 2.56 and 7 world titles 1st - The Cadets avg placement of 2.48 and 9 world titles notice, the world titles = 27, 3 years were tied (1996, 1999, 2000) and 1 was won by Star of Indiana

what I WANT to happen........ PR Crown BD Cavs Cadets BC SCV Scouts somewhere in the top 12 What I THINK will happen BD PR Cavs Crown Cadets SCV BCoats Scouts in 12th

Notice though, how one judge gave them a 19.5, and the other an 18.6 ???? that is nearly a whole point! And since it is averaged, came out at 19.05. If the other judge scored them even 19.4, they would have been about tied with Cavaliers for overall points. One normal judge, one TOUGH judge. See the Visual scores? PR places consistently 4th or 5th every competition. They have to do a lot better than that if they want to win. I dont see it happening this year, although I'd love to see PR win it all.