MetalTones2012

It could work both ways at the same time. Quite a few Surf alumni age out in other corps, but at least half of this year's class were rook-outs. Two of those rook-outs came to Surf after almost a combined decade of marching in Open Class and DCA.

The funny part is that everything else is spot-on. The staff names, the score, the history, even the names of the caption awards are all there.

Phantom 2009 - Jazz? In a Phantom show? Based on The Red Violin? After Spartacus? REALLY!?!?! Surf 2010 - Something about arranging America the Beautiful for the field seems off (and disrespectful) to me... Bluecoats 2011 - This show literally put me to sleep when I saw it live... Ironically I listen to it every now and then on my iPod now so it's not a total bust Academy 2008 - After 2007, it just wasn't right Boston 2012 - Sorry, I know a lot of people loved this show but I can't stand Pines of Rome in drum corps. At least not the way they did it. And the fact that they centered the whole thing around their guard guys was kind of dumb. Cadets 2008 - The obvious one, needs to be on my list too.

Surf definitely got it right this year, both on and off the field. Any kid who marched in that yellow vest this year (especially the ones who also marched in 2011 and before) will tell you they had the most fun they could possibly have in drum corps. The constant standing ovations and support made it even more special for them than it already was, and that is mostly because they made your season special with their show. That being said, other corps should not do what Surf's doing. More fun and relatable shows for sure, but not comedic ones. That's Surf's thing now and doing that would just be considered emulating them. Surf would have been thought of the same way if they were around and doing this in the 1980's when the Bridgemen were in their prime.

Bump. Let's not let this thread die, at least not for a little while. I want to get more votes for more accurate results.

Self-explanatory. I included every corps that performed at least one show this year, including the ones that didn't go to Indianapolis or halted operations mid-season.

Self-explanatory. I included Teal Sound too because they got a few performances in this season, even if they didn't go to finals.

The best way to find out about a corps' financial situation is to talk to the parents of members that have already marched there. I wouldn't talk to the director first, since if the situation is bad he might lie or stretch the truth (that's from my own experiences). Typically a well-established corps will, first amd foremost, be very strict about members paying their dues. In a lot of the top corps, if a member hasn't paid in full by spring training he/she doesn't get to march, plain and simple. Some less established corps will work out payment plans for kids who are in financial trouble, but that's still a good thing. If a corps let's one or more members march without a payment plan or their dues completely paid off, that's an early sign of trouble for the corps later down the road.

I think Surf has the potential, but I wouldn't have said that a year ago or even in 2009. They're fielding a full corps with a great show that's getting standing ovations everywhere they go, which translates into enough excitement for the members to have plenty of vet retention and more experienced rookies going into 2013. The administrative side of things has always been there, it's the talent that needed improvement and they're well on their way to achieving that goal.

Surf members also get a necklace like most other corps. It's a black & blue bead necklace put together by vets for each member that has an additional bead for every year involved with the organization. The standard member gets a white bead, section captains & other leadership get clear, staff members get light blue, and age-outs get gold.

From what I have heard, the drill was written for 12 contras and they only have 9 at the moment. They'll either rewrite the drill or fill those spots eventually. I don't know where to start breaking this down, so I'm just going to call you extremely bitter/biased and leave it at that. Seriously, you had such low expectations of them that you weren't surprised by them coming in early?

They've been having their first public performances lately and let me tell you, the hype around this corps is no joke! The corps is MASSIVE and putting out a great vibe. You shouldn't miss them this summer.

From my experience and getting older I've started to notice that there are a lot of younger kids (like high school underclassmen and even 8th graders) in drum corps. It's very common in Open Class, but apparently there's a lot of them in World Class too. So that being said, does anybody know of some extremely young World Class members? I'm especially interested in hearing about the ones marching this year, but past stories are welcome too. Are there any corps with quite a few of them?

Whatever, cheesy is what gets a lot of people these days. And Shaun was a contestant on American Idol (from what I've been told), so a lot of younger people probably know who he is and that's what important. The future of drum corps is in the hands of the youth and if they need a pop singer to show them that it's cool to learn an instrument and march DCI then so be it. Any support is great. I know this might #### some of you off, but drum corps can't survive as just a niche activity. It needs support from the outside world and people like Shaun Canon are the ones who are going to help us gather that support. He will be more than welcome at DCI Finals by me.

I'm pretty sure Surf's getting more than a new pin, they have to wear something different than their serious military uniforms if they're gonna do a show about the Bridgemen. But are there any other corps that might have something new this year?

Done!

1. The Blue Devils don't win by confusing the judges, they win by being good. Go ahead and tell us that their drill and music isn't spotless. 2. Not really much of a stretch, Crown is a class act. They could win the gold and it wouldn't be too surprising. 3. ...Okay I'll give you that one. But I like Devil's Staircase personally. 4. College marching band forms? You mean like a script "Phantom" sprawling across the field while the entire corps high-steps? Yeah they don't do that. 5. Could be, but probably not. Even with all the good parts covered up by narration they still got 2nd. 6. Have you listened to the Cavies recently? Their music is on par with their visual and fits their show themes perfectly. I doubt many people will get sick of it. 7. So essentially you're saying that massive changes will... change nothing? 8. Uh, no. Boston has some of the greatest design of any corps, even some of the ones that place above them. I'm really looking forward to this year's show. 9. Well at least you have them above 10th. Fine, you can have that one too. 10. I think Spirit's just fine in the effort department. Ask anyone that's seen a rehearsal. 11. The show hasn't even been announced yet! At this point the only fair assumptions for the Blue Knights are that they'll either stay in 9th or ride on the success of last year. 12. But what? 13. Alright, you're 3 and 10 now. 14. 4 and 10. 15. Even if those problems are really happening, I don't think that will be enough to put them in 15th. 16. They're good but not 16th good. 17. SCVC above the Troopers? Not gonna happen. Even a few years ago when the Troopers were at their worst SCVC didn't compare. 18. The Troopers have plenty of talent, and you really think a steampunk show isn't going to be interesting? 19. 5 and... 14? 20. Colts in 20th is about as likely as SCVC beating the Troopers, or the Colts for that matter. 21. Yeah they will be better. I don't know if I should give you a point for that one. 22. They've been getting a lot better lately. I don't think I see them in 22nd. 23. Rebuilding? I think they're way past that phase. Get on YouTube and see for yourself. 24. Yeah they've been having a rough time, but I don't think that will slow them down. 25. For being positive enough about Pioneer to put them in semis I'll give you another point, even though Oregon is mysteriously missing from this list. Your final grade is 6 and 19.

Color patterns? Maybe. But the Cadets will never change their military-style uniforms to the point where they're completely new. Even last year and this year they still look 100% like the Cadets. The reaction from alumni last year was bad enough with those changes so anything more extreme than that would not go over well even if they won another medal from it.

Surf's title is definitely raising both excitement and questions, but my vote went to SCV. Can't wait to hear that show!

Well that mostly depends on whether Dark Shadows will be a hit at the box office. So I'm betting that no corps will perform music from it.

It's strange, but not surprising. When I marched Open Class there were absolutely no members from the town the corps was based out of, and both of the high schools in that town had competitive marching programs. There weren't even many members from that part of the state. I'm marching World Class now and there are only a minority of members that even come from within a 50 mile radius. The activity isn't neighborhood-based anymore unfortunately.

You're right, it is! My bad. I mistook it for a different award.

FALSE. Jersey Surf is competing in DCI Championships in Indianapolis therefore they have at least a 0.0001% chance of placing high enough to competitively beat all but 15 other competing corps. However, you do not play collegiate football so your chances of receiving the Heisman Trophy are 0%. Therefore, Jersey Surf has a higher probability of placing 16th at DCI Championships than you do of winning the Heisman trophy. lol. Seriously though, Surf probably won't make finals but you might want to watch what you say.

I'm going to update mine as well. 1. Carolina Crown 2. Cavaliers 3. Santa Clara Vanguard 4. Blue Devils 5. Bluecoats 6. Phantom Regiment 7. Boston Crusaders 8. Cadets 9. Blue Knights 10. Madison Scouts 11. Glassmen 12. Troopers 13. Blue Stars 14. Crossmen 15. Spirit of Atlanta 16. Academy 17. Colts 18. Jersey Surf 19. Pacific Crest 20. Cascades 21. Mandarins 22. Teal Sound 23. Pioneer

I'm just curious to see which corps are marching the full 16, the average 12, less, more, etc. Anyone have numbers? EDIT: Per request, here are the tuba stats on each World Class corps: Academy - 16 Blue Devils - 12 Blue Knights - 14 Blue Stars - Bluecoats - 16 Boston Crusaders - 16 Cadets - 14 or 16, TBD Carolina Crown - 16 Cascades - 10 Cavaliers - 16 Colts - Crossmen - 12 Glassmen - Jersey Surf - 12 Madison Scouts - 16 Mandarins - Pacific Crest - Phantom Regiment - 16 Pioneer - Santa Clara Vanguard - 16 Spirit of Atlanta - Teal Sound - 10 Troopers - 14