Stick Stack

That would certainly get a crowd reaction at the end of their show!!! B) Depends on how far you can toss them though...

Agreed. I see Crossmen jumping back into finals, but that's only about 4 places max. I see SCV jumping up, but only by a max of 5 placements to 3rd. However, I see in my crystal ball that Blue Stars shall jump up to somewhere between 15th and 17th. They have the most opportunity, even though I believe the most significant jump will be SCV(Due to higher placings and special DVD bonus points). B)

Actually, when I read about it not being in sync I thought "what a great idea!" It's like a special effect from a movie. It sounds like it's meant to have a disorienting feeling. It recaps just like most sequels do, it gives a new spin on the original, and sets the tone for the rest of the show... Functional, creative, retrospective, and foreshadowing- sounds good to me! Still needs a ninja though!

The only thing I'm aware of that has any money involved is the Spirit of Disney award... could be wrong.

I hope you're kidding!! :P It seems to me like backwards thinking to think that if you can't clean it with "the guard instructor" than you should re-evaluate the difficulty. Most drum corps guard staffs involve 4 to 5 instructors now. Adding techs makes sense since guard demands a wider variety of skills (Such as dance, dance with equipment, etc...). It is extremely difficult for one instructor to watch and correct 30+ members by themselves. Espcially with all of the split parts, individual parts, layered parts, people on different equipment on opposite sides of the field and everything. The whole thing is that the tic system was abolished so guards could attempt and achieve more without worrying that they aren't absolutely precise down to their pinky toes. They are doing great on the attempting more things side and great on the achieving side. Of course it's nothing like it was in the past. What they are doing is COMPLETELY different.

Which reminds me! Another big step that color guards need to do is get marching techs specifically for just the color guard to clean their feet and drill. This often gets out of control and is the most forgiveable part when it comes to cleanliness. HOWEVER! Guards look so much better when it is precise! The marching tech needs to also have a basic understanding or be willing to learn guard feet also. All of those hops, skips, and jumps change the way the form moves! Having someone focus solely on this really adds a new perspective to the cleaning process that is often and inciteful and refreshing.

If Cadets are out of the top 3, Phantom is out of the top 5, and Vanguard is out of the top 6, where do you see the rest of the corps stacking up in the top 6?

Hehe, top1, what a funny expression. Sorry to be pessimistic, but I doubt there will be few surprises yet again. People will slowly advance up or down the scale like they have been. I'm only basing this on the trends that already exist. (Nobody who was placed lower than the top 5 will win) And to play devil's advocate, plenty of returning vets does not always equal success. I can think of a few ways that could possibly hinder it. Veterans may know the style and be able to handle an entire season in many ways, but when it comes down to details I reckon they COULD be slower to change old habits. Returning vets are a good thing though, and I'm glad to hear it. I don't believe it has a very direct effect on placement. Unfortunately, the only example I can think of is not a good one. In 2001, the Cavaliers were full of new young members, yet the corps still got 1st. However, in 2002, they produced frameworks with all of those vets. See why it's a bad example? Perhaps someone could give a better example of where older members doesn't equal success. I feel that there is some truth to this. Edit- After I made the claim that nobody placed lower than the top 5 wil win, I looked back on all the years to see if someone lower than top 5 has ever won. It happened twice I believe out of 33? years. The two corps were Madison and Santa Clara.

Winter guards pull music from everywhere. I've heard guard do corps music from actual corps. I've heard winter guards do Video killed the radio star. I would say that there is a wide variety. Winter guards also mix and edit songs together specifically for their guard. Some add voice-overs to tell the story, sound effects to add to the show, or even go as far as to have shows about sound effects! In fact, every once in awhile there will be live performed music with singers and/or guard members playing instruments. Any music is fair game! As for Regiment winter guard, this is true. There were flyers for it at the WGI booths (Was there a booth? I can't remember). It will be based in Georgia. I am assuming this is because the staff is centered around the surrounding Georgia area.

Edit- Sorry, the emoting comment reminded me of something. I think staff will become even more detailed about the "look" that color guards want to give off when they are on the field. I believe we will see more variety instead of just "Hey I'm smiling with my jaw dropped all the time" kind of approach. Case in point Northern Lights- It is apparent that their staff has trained them to give a very realistic masculine look on the floor. When they walk on they are somber, and their walk is very natural. They are expressive, yet very subdued and carefree.

I see the future of color guard as being more integrated directly with the hornline and drumline. I have a feeling that instead of it being it's own entity running around the field or through the hornline, the hornline, drumline, and color guard will have more of an even emphasis on the movement and story of the show. Some people might say, "Hey, we have members from the hornline going out and partner dancing with the guard every once in awhile." This isn't to the same caliber as what I'm talking about. Often times, that's what I would call an attempt at integration between the three units. I'm talking about something similar to fight club... except more throughout an entire show. As far as where color guard is going.... I feel that there will be a push for more precision excellence to the level that there was during the "old school" era, only with the difficulty of today's integration of equipment and body. In other words, it's a combining of the two. The precision won't be the same... but it can be similar. I think every staff needs at least one person who understands technique in the ways that it used to be! Also, I think dance still has a long way to grow in terms of different styles and training. Dance has been around forever, and guard has only scratched the surface. I also predict that in 10 years there will still be flag features! :P

It's very true, my girlfriend is in guard too!

I think the fact that there is no show work ready for them until they have the drill is a big factor! There is, however, alot of technique that needs to be addressed during this time. I know of a few drum corps color guards who are finding ways to address learning the technique without requiring the members to spend the money necessary to attend the camps. This season, in preperation for Europe, Glassmen has it's members send in videos updating the staff on their progress with the technique. They have to demonstrate that they are steadily improving and making an effort to further themselves during the off season. This is an excellent idea.

There are some interesting ways to interpret this... ^OO^ Thanks everybody for making this an entertaining post...and yes it is obviously the same person as 27thLancer14. Have a nice day!

I know exactly what you're talking about. You really can say anything as long as you put a smily after it. Plus, you're a complete moron. ^0^ b**bs B) I like the idea of the show with the best design AND best performance winning, and I believe this is generally what ends up happening. Now, I do recall that in 2001, I thought the Cavaliers had a great show design that was not executed as well as the Blue Devils.... but they still won under the current system. However, I believe that in 2003 SPIN Cycle was a well designed show that also had execution issues and came in 2nd behind another wonderfully executed Blue Devils show. I guess it happens both ways. However, for the most part, I think the system works well, but has room for improvement. For instance, I think shows that are exciting like classic Madison Scouts drum Corps a la 1995 will not be rewarded as much today even if it is executed very well, because it is missing that level of intellectualism that seems necessary to be in the top ranks. I think this is because of the way General Effect is geared less towards impact and effect on audience and more towards the flow and complexity of the whole show.

I love 43nadfso9ghvqre! OF all the 15 part random sequences, this is by far the best! I predict Blue Stars will do well and make it into the 11th through 14th range. I also predict a few shows will get rained out and there will have to be a standstill. And, in the spirit of horoscopes, I predict that Crossmen may or may not come to a turning point in the season where serious choices may be made... I suggest taking a day to reevaluate life goals. b**bs I also predict that the Madison Scouts will soon encounter a new love interest some time this summer! :)

So in other words, back to Broadway musicals! :) Loved Phantom of the Opera... could someone ever pull off an entire show about Rent? Or better yet, Blast?

Very very funny...that's how I feel in my math class ALL the time!

Ok, wow, sorry I just read this. Um... yeah, even if you really do feel this way, this is not the place to bring that up. That's some pretty much flat out bashing, and I'd say most of the people would argue to the death that you are flat-out wrong here. I know many people who would agree with you and say that drum corps is not music... but...wow, I'm not sure what else to say other than you're picking a STRANGE argument to ask drum corps people.

This is true... and yes I do see what you were trying to do.

hmm... I don't even have a clue what the word axiomatic is, so no!

It seems to me like some people are trying to start a fight where one doesn't really exist... I hope I would never get this kind of greeting if I misspelled corps... Yes, 27thLancer14 has some strong criticism, but I think that's allowed to a point. Not sure if this person is going to cross the line, but I don't feel they have. And for some who believe 27thLancer14 is ignorant, which I have seen some respond, might I be the one to remind that ignorance is not a crime...

My question is, how are they going to carry it around all season between shows? Will it fit on the equipment truck? At least it sounds like the props will look professional since they are looking for professionals to do the job...

Sault "sounds" on paper to me like salt! If I heard it pronounced correctly, then maybe I would know better! I like Bandits, or maybe even Bandets, pronounced the same. Although that would still be hard for the guys to say they're marching in a corps with a name that still sounds like Bandettes. I don't like Bravehearts, it reminds me way too much of the movie. It would be hard to explain since the name is associated so strongly with it. And Bandoleros is really funny!! How bout Bandoliers?

Sometimes it has to do with the drill also. Certain forms and groups are easier to make with a different amount of members. Also, sometimes guard members get hurt and can only perform a small part of their show. Other times, members are cut from a part of the show for "excellence" reasons.... And sometimes, alternates do get to be in parts of a show! It's a strange concept but I know of instances where it's happened (And they were still considered alternates).