BoyWonder1911

That's true......no way of knowing anything, really, until its all said and done. Should make for an exciting finalé!

I am corrected....it was 2003 they did Bell-issimo, they took 10th, getting back into the finals from a bad season in 2002. They haven't placed lower than 10th since then.

You must put a lot of faith in Phantom Regiment......am sensing a bit of bias there.......eh? I love PR, and they are my favorite corps, and I thought that their theme this year could be a killer. They scored more than 2 points LESS than the Cavs last night.....and even if the Cavs DO "peak" early....2 points is still a big spread to overcome....and im not doubting that PR can do it, it just will be difficult. I was excited when I read about PR hiring a new drill designer....I always thought that while their music is great, their visuals left me just a bit dry.....so I'm hoping that you're right....that PR can fulfill the entire potential of their show. Last year, 4-8th place we're literally within a point of each other. This year will probably be no different. last year, 4th-8th place, we're really talking about splitting hairs. I really considered it mostly a tie between all 4. I've loved Crown ever since I seen them do their "Bell-issimo" show, I think it was '02, I knew that they would make some noise in the next few years....it would be great to see them in the top 3!

Well, now that we've seen half of the top 8 compete head 2 head in the west (BD, Cavs, PR, SCV) and the other half head 2 head in the east (Crown, Cadets, Bloo, Boston)....... They will all compete together in San Antonio soon...... What can we expect in terms of scoring? Example....if the Cadets were competing in Denver last night instead of in Florida, would they have taken 3rd? I know I cant say the criteria would be judged differently, because obviously its not...but would they have gotten a score, say, 1 point higher or lower than what they got last night? How do y'all think everyone will stack up to each other when they all compete on the same field, on the same night, in front of the same audience, and most importantly, the same judging panel? Do you really think, that if Crown keeps doing what they're doing, that they could end up taking 3rd in S.Antonio? Also, a lot of people on this forum like to talk about the Cavs, and how they're show isn't good enough to beat BD, and that even though they can run a very clean show, that they could peak too early, and give way to other corps who have a lot more potential to clean up and eventually surge ahead of them in Bloomington........ In other words......... After last night's breakthrough performance......... Do you really think Crown could get 2nd at Finals? I am not even going to predict that maybe they can win it all, because I dont think Blue Devils are going to lose this year..... But realistically....... Do you think Crown can take 2nd at finals? They only scored 1 point below Cavs last night....and yes, was diff judging panel...... If all the corps competed together last night in front of the same judging panel, do you think the ranking placements would essentially be the same? So two questions to ponder there. 1) Will Cadets and Crown end up finishing below SCV and PR, because maybe their show was judged....in all the subjectivity judging has.....was the show judged easier? harder? and 2) Will this be the year Crown breaks into the top 2 or 3 at finals?

I say who cares about the scores??? DCI isn't all about winning. Its about entertainment. I know, we are engineered to want our favorite corps to win. But going to a competition, even finals, when your favorite corps dont win, do you really care that much? Do you leave the stadium crying? Upset? Disappointed? I never have. I always walked away with a smile on my face, feeling blessed that I even got to see such a wonderful thing as 20+ different corps perform their shows right before my bleeding ears. NOTHING beats going to a DCI event. I would gladly see even the QF event over the Superbowl. The reason they have scores, though, is to always keep setting a bar to achieve excellence. Corps can use their scores to build upon a performance...if there were not scoring, corps would not have that objective incentive to keep building. These corps and all their performers are dedicated to excellence. Their goal is to get their score as high as they possibly can....not necessarily to win, or to beat other groups, even though if they do, it is an achievement. They do it to see how good they can be....for themselves, and their fans. Just like playing a video game. We will play and play and play until we can beat the game, or to get a high a score as possible...its the same concept. Except thousands of people dont come into your house to watch you play a video game. Not much entertainment value in that.....unless you're also playing......ok im rambling With all that being said.......... GO CROWN!

I wouldn't count PR out of the top 3 at all.... I think the top 3 will end up being BD, Cavs and PR , not necessarily in that order. I think the Bluecoats will end up in 7th. Whats interesting is that with the re-emergence as PR as a potential tier-1 corps, and then Crown and Blooo starting to become giant killers. My favorite is Crown....and I think that they are going to win it all by 2010. They have a great thing going...what disappoints me is that their Gaurd scores have been down this year...they used to consistently have, if not the best gaurd, then close to it.... If Crown can get their gaurd up, those extra 2 pts could help them break into the top 3, and I wouldnt be surprised if it happened. But PR has a strong show this year. I wont make predictions as far as final rankings concern. I hope that Blue Devils dont win. Thats only because Im just not a big fan of them. They dont resonate with me or something like that. Great corps, their show last year was awesome, just like other corps better. Favorites are PR, Crown and Cadets. Too early really to say anything though....anything could happen! as far as the rest, well, never count out Spirit or the Knights. I think we'll see them on Finals.

I dont like narration/singing at all either.......when I go to see a show, I go to see a drum corps, not a play or a choir....... As far as the original topic of this thread.......... I think the point he/she was trying to make is that DCI may have gotten away from traditional themes....... For example, my favorite shows have all been shows with a strong central theme, and idée fixé......... Cadets 1998 was a perfect example. The show stuck to one piece of music, albeit probably drum-corp-ized, and they stuck with a strong central theme. The gaurd in that show was amazing. To me, that show was one of the best ideas ever. PR 1996 was another one. They stuck to Shostakovich's music. They didn't do a whole lot of running around to make fancy visuals.......in fact, the whole opener, they pretty much walked! And everyone says that 1996 was their best year. I also loved 2003. Getting to the part about where he/she says arcane music?? Well, Cavaliers have done a crap-load of innovation since 2000......It has been almost all original music. The music can be tedious at times......some minimalism, serialism, Machine was awesome......Cavaliers visuals are also awesome, because I like symmetry. LOL. Cavaliers are awesome because although their shows are magnificent, it leaves something to be desired......their shows never make you want to cry. Have you ever cried at the end of a magnificent show? Every time I watch Cadets 2000, I cry. Probably because I graduated in year 2000, so the show holds some sentimental value for me. Sure, the music isn't from all one piece, but there are no medleys. The show holds a strong theme - "We Are The Future". It was written for my generation, the last generation graduating in 2000 and before. Every time I watch the show...... Their last drill move......they tie the knot of friendship and love. It was a simple move, but so powerful, so much meaning! Anyways, I think that what the original poster is saying is that we need more shows with strong central themes, lots of emotion. Something the crowd can understand and follow, withOUT the need for narration. Thats my 2 cents. Boy Wonder