Spartans87

I have been searching for a stat I saw recently, but could not find it. It said the average age of a few corps in DCA - Bucs, MBI and I think Empire or Hurricanes. Average was in the middle 20's actually. Not what most people expected I would imagine. That fact alone tells me these two circuits feed off each other, and need each other to some extent. There is room for both, and I think the new agreement between them, if managed properly, can be good for both.

Well, if you walked out half way through you must have not been watching the actual show - because I don't care if you are old school or not, that show was just flat out incredible! Too bad for you. I get the electronics issue, as I too don't care for it. But I have to say, even I was less offended by its use tonight than in past years, and I was and have been in general this season, pleased that most corps are putting at least a little emphasis on pleasing me the fan. Too bad you can't embrace a little of the effort put out by the kids on the field. But I guess its not worth your money......oh wait - you didn't actually pay for the ticket!!!

I LOVE these stories. And to the angel - That was GREAT!

I agree with this. The only thing I think that is difficult, is separating the competitive aspect from the "just perform and don't care about the scores" aspect. We can sit in the stands and do it, but the poor kids on the field that are working so hard to get an improvement, and feel like they should be ahead of X, Y or Z corps, that is where I have the "judging" problem. Not fair to anyone of them up and down the line. Kudos to the kids in EVERY corps for the hard work and great performances they are putting out this year!!!

Too much emphasis on the design of the show already. In my opinion, this is where DCI has suffered the most with regard to entertaining shows the fans love. I think it is a rule violation also - I mean, how do you judge someone who is older than the rules allow?

Glad you are giving it a chance Grandpa. I too dislike the electronics, but have found myself enjoying many shows recently, and glad I gave them a chance again. And forgive those with harsh attitudes here on DCP. It won't stop me from my opinion, and should not stop you from yours. Have a great trip to Allentown!

They are smaller, and did appear young when i saw then back in late June, but they could be a lot better by now so we will have to wait and see!

Wait - something landed on the moon? You folks on DCP are just outrageous now!!!

OK - I did NOT read through more than the opening post and a few replies (a beer for Hockey Dad because that reply was awesome ), but I want you all to see what the OP (GRJT) has done now, for the 2nd time in a few days: Throws out the bait, and goes quiet while everyone attacks each other. A troll on the loose my friends...... Just calling it like I see it.....and I hope you all see this as well and stop taking the bait!! Edited to add the first topic the OP started "Crown Thinks They have Passed the Cavaliers", that was obvious troll material, and is now appropriately locked....

DCA is "all-age". By that, you can have a person of any age march in a unit that competes in DCA. Your individual organization can make any rule they want, as long as it does not violate the DCA rules, which Cadets2 does not violate in this instance. I am not an advocate for many of GH's beliefs on the direction of DCI or Drum Corps in general. But Cadets2 is being put together, and will march DCA for very good reasons. Both financial as well as affording the members the most performance opportunities given the financial issues fielding a 2nd unit brings to the table. DCA is the right choice for Cadets2. I wish DCI Open class was a better choice only because I would like to see more support for it (no slight to DCA at ALL), but that won't happen for many reasons. And George's opinion of Open Class DCI is probably just one of them...even if he would not say it publicly. Cadets2 will be good for drum corps in general, and great for DCA. Good luck to them.

I love the gaps closing now. The staff knows exactly what to do from here to the end, and in my opinion, will hold a very big key to the end result in Indy. The reason is - this show is exciting and energetic right from the beginning. I felt it in the stands, and I am SURE the boys feel it on the field. Holding back the emotion a little so as to not peak to soon will be a challenge, but I bet the staff knows how to do it. I love this show, and can't wait for the tours to meet up and see how they fair against the rest of the competition. Regardless of where they end up, this show, and these kids rock the house! :thumbup:

No mics for Madison this year (soloists anyway), and I heard them just fine from the top by the box in Bridgeport. In fact, Madison used the amplified pit the best that night, of all the corps on the field. I say that because the pit was not to loud. Crossmen on the other hand had the pit overpowering the rest of the corps in several spots that it was just obnoxious. I can handle change for the better, even though I prefer the "old school" way of doing things. But mics on soloists just flat out suck. This I believe.....

Tech-no-crat!!!

How to Watch a Drum Corps Show: 1 - Buy a ticket 2 - Get in the door 3 - Get yourself a kettle corn and a lime-aide 4 - find your seat and sit in it 5 - sit back and enjoy! Now, wasn't that easy

OK - I was there and here is my short take on things: 7th Regiment - Nice sound from this corps. I say that because they look very young to me, but they play pretty well and percussion section is good. Lots of room to improve, which I am sure they will. Spartans - Ok, I am an alum, but I can be unbiased. Really like the show. I think they will be right in the thick of things when it comes down to it. This is the first Spartans horn line that I could actually HEAR in a long time! They always see to play so freakin soft, but this corps has more volume. Good percussion, but they need to tighten up a lot. I thought they were better than Jersey Surf without question. Jersey Surf - Another corps that seems very young. I have thought Surf put out a nice sound in the recent few years, but this year they just sounded like they were not ready to be on the field. Heard a lot of individuals during ensemble parts. I think they just need to buckle down on the practice field and they should come together by Indy. Spirit - the first WOW moment of the night! This horn line is balanced, and can put out some volume baby! I thought the percussion was the weak area musically, and the feet were little off, but it is early and I think they will get better. I certainly believe when those of you who have not seen them yet do get a look, you will like the show. I was interested and entertained from start to finish! They should fight for top 12 for SURE! Crossmen - I thought this show started off strong and faded over time. They do put out a great sound (and yes, there was improved volume this year) but at this point, Spirit was clearly ahead of them IMHO. Lots of room to improve though, and I am sure they will do just that. I see them changing many parts over time = more than than the other World Class corps here last night, but whatever it takes they will do. Good percussion section too! Did have some serious balance issues at times with the volume of the pit. Not good when the horns are playing and you can barely hear them... Madison - I felt really bad for Boston when the boys left the field. No way Boston could pull off the energy and electricity Madison did, so there was nowhere to go but down for me. Anyway, this show is entertaining, accessible to the audience, fast moving (wait till you see the drill around 6-7 minutes in!!!), in your face and just what Madison needed to do following last year, and what DCI needs IMO. Brass is great, drums are clearly better than recent past, and they had a nice balance with the amplified pit. I really like how they put the synths on the stands behind a black cover. I actually forgot they had them because they seemed to blend in very nicely, and didn't stick out like a sore thumb like others did. Certainly room to improve, but this show is terrific, and the kids play bring it! Boston - beautiful horn line, and kick-### percussion. One thing I have certainly enjoyed over the past 8-10 years from Boston, is the beautiful sound they produce. Guard was terrific as usual also. The show was a little flat to me, but that may just be the "following Madison" effect I mentioned earlier. It could also be that its June 27th and there is still a long way to go in the season!! Well - this is how I saw it, or should I say "Felt it" last night. And there is no hype on Madison. They are legit...

Stating the obvious....now THATS original!!

Agreed. Safety of others and their well being before worrying about being called a band.

Texted one vote then went through Facebook. And I will do it more if necessary!!! Go TROOP!!

I would contribute also. Just send me a PM and I will do what I can. Less my wife can spend on stupid things anyway

Click-Click-Boom! Donation complete!

Well, Florida Sun certainly has the right to voice his/her opinion, but me thinks he won't be around here long if it is with such a strong negaticity that the opinion is conveyed. Just my opinion....

Yea, me too....

WOW! Thanks to all for taking a nice original post and turning it into a mess. You people really need to get a life, and realize your life's worth is not going to be measured by the number of post you have on DCP. The OP does not tell us anything other than Torn8o had a nice Drum Corps moment with his daughter, like I have with my son, and that he wanted to share the story. It is REALLY that simple....

This is a great story. One of my sons, 16yrs old and plays trumpet, marched Hurricanes last year because of a time commitment and they are close to us. He had a great experience the entire year, but most specifically, on July 4th weekend, they marched in a few parades with Phantom, Cadets and several other WC corps. He had the unique opportunity to run through warmups watching Phantom, and then was asked to participate with Phantom in the horn arc. If he was not hooked before, he was then! The interesting thing to come out of his time with Phantom, was his critical eye toward all of the WC corps, as he started to evaluate for his future marching endeavors. He quickly decided that any of the corps that use guitars and over use synth's were the corps he would stay away from. Leaning more towards the corps that tell a story with their marching and music, than the ones that want to use the electronics and voice to tell that story. I like the fact that he was evaluating on his own. I never told him my opinion of electronics. But he nailed my thoughts exactly - tell me a story, as I do appreciate that part of the drum corps evolution. Just use the art form to tell me. Don't use your voice, and don't over use the electronics to tel me either. Thanks for this story. It was awesome!

Bingo!!! Or we can use the new term "Winning" Edit because I can't type :-)