summernowplease

I just aged out from a top 5 corps after marching a non-finalist corps for 4 years before that. I was like you, wondering if I'd regret not aging out with my drum corps family and missing the chance to have all of the perks of being a super vet and an age out like everyone before me. I did miss those things, but I don't regret it. I had an amazing age out - the staff appreciated my experience, the members respected me and I felt like I fit in at my new corps rather than being the typical rook out. I think it was worth it to go to my dream corps and age out at such a high level. I won't lie - it's nice to perform to packed stadiums, when it's dark outside, and on that last Saturday night. I understand I did miss Corps A almost every day though. My friends and staff were supportive and encouraged me with my decision, but there were still days when I missed MY friends and MY staff and MY technique (to be dramatic about it ha). There were definitely times when I wanted to be there to help my corps improve and felt like I wasted my chance. Instead of taking an opportunity to be a leader at my old corps, I chose the performance aspect of drum corps. A few things really made up my mind after auditions and when I was really deciding to go to Corps B: -Two of my closest friends from Corps A marched there and I wanted to age out with them -I loooved the show concept and music -A lot of my staff at Corps A was taught by staff that now taught at Corps B, so I knew they'd be great (they were) -I've always looked up to and respected and been a huge fan of Corps B and lastly, to put it simply, -I got a contract. Now I try to persuade kids from Corps A to stay there and help it grow and appreciate the time they have, but I guess it's all talk since I ended up leaving. I made tons of pros and cons lists throughout the fall/winter, and now after having done it I'd add a couple of more to each side that I never thought about. I still love Corps A and when someone asks where I marched DCI, they'll always be the first one I mention. I thought about them everyday and will support them as a crazed alumni next year and every year after that. It's totally OK to love your two different experiences without having to feel bad about leaving the first one. Just some things to consider! I'm sure that didn't help at all, but that's my two cents

Phantom - all girl guard! The show sounds beautiful. Vanguard - Will be interesting with Rennick there. Looking for them to come out strong and then stay there this year. Glassmen - Cool show concept, really excited to see it on the field. Have really enjoyed them every year since 07. Crossmen - I always hold out some hype and some hope. Will this be the year Crossmen are finally back??

Yes! I forgot But I was blown away the first time I saw them in Atlanta. Awesome.

I thought of this. I would be really upset. but, it's the same thing as Scouts not putting out a cymbal line last year (and then having the guard frolic around with cymbals anyway)... At any rate, I'm sure the administration and the guard staff took all of that into account. If there was a very important member who was aging out this year, I don't think they would've done it. The caption heads have been around the past few years and probably know any of the boys. Who knows, maybe there were only a few planning on returning and they were younger and have a lot of years left if they choose to spend it with the Regiment. I do agree with you though, FWIW. For a kid to be loyal to the corps, the corps has to show their loyalty to the kid, too.... That being said, I can't wait to see the all Phantomette color guard this summer

I've been waiting Like someone else has said - limits through 20 male and 20 female performers has ultimately led to females (who may be more talented than the males) getting cut to make room for male performers. The years that they went half and half for sake of design (07, 09), I think that it ended up this way. Regardless, this is just a design choice much like the integration of males in 2005 and 2006 as featured performers - for the sake of the show. I have no knowledge of what the show is, but I'm sure that the design staff and administration would not take a decision like this lightly. I feel for the male vets who wanted to return this year, and I hope they find a good home for a year. That being said, can't wait to see an all PHANTOMETTE guard back on the field!!

Thank you.... was going to say something but wasn't positive and couldn't find anything online besides that he definitely didn't design before 2005. IMO 2008's guard placement was a gift. Regiment's guard hasn't been the best section of the corps for many years... a lower caption score in color guard is not new (the sky is not falling...) Many of the downfalls of the corps' program last year were addressed and this IS a huge step up, especially considering all of the changes right to the end of last summer. The corps this year does have a product- a cohesive visual product that works well on the field with the musical program. It may need to be taken up a few notches by the end of the season, but it's there and at the point where it is ready for the tech staff and performers to clean and really sell it to the audience. This is all just my opinion and I have no real connection to anyone on staff or performing at the Regiment. I realize that this is all very subjective and while I have enjoyed what Rick and the PRCG are putting on the field this year, I recognize why others may not... simply trying to provide more perspective and a more positive outlook on the situation

IMO, hanging back is a smart move. Academy existing is more important than doing 30+ shows and traveling everyday. I believe that there are adjustments made for this, but I'm not sure what they are. If anyone has any ideas then please chime in... but I know that it does not work the way that theguywiththehat stated.. maybe using smaller shows around the same date? Not positive. I also don't think that it's unfair at all. Both sides have pros and cons, obviously. While Academy saves money with a smart business move for their longevity, the performers miss the chance to be in front of audiences, get scores, performance fees, and I suppose be viewed as "truly world class" by some people.

They're not the cleanest and they may not toss as much as other great color guards (like Crown and SCV), but their book is intricate, demanding, and VERY musical. The way that the flag's choreography uses the silk in different ways is definitely noteworthy. All of their ensemble moments are beautiful and as a group they move very very well this year. I don't think we really need to get on here and air any dirty laundry about personalities, individual execution levels, and who ate what for lunch. I wouldn't call the Regiment's guard a disaster at all. Sure there is work to do, and I'm sure the staff and members know that. Just the fact that they all love the show and have faith in the staff will help them climb to where they need to be mentally and emotionally by the end of the season. At least we can say that there is far less tweaking needed than there was at this point last year. For now the name of the game is cleaning cleaning cleaning.

Found Jersey Surf, Teal Sound, Troop, Crossmen, Scouts, BK, Academy (under Arizona Academy)... etc etc... vote vote vote!

This.

The current marchers that took this survey received invitations before move-ins started and before the G7 stuff broke to the public. I think that the results to a few of these questions would be skewed if members from the top corps took it again with the knowledge and input of the G7 plan that their directors have given them. I thought the most interesting parts of the survey were how many kids have marched other corps (world and open) before going to the "big leagues." I know people knock on lower corps and especially open class corps, but this definitely shows that they are valuable to everyone else too ("no real service offered")

Don't mean to be a nudge but I feel like it got lost and I'm really curious about this....

A few half-thoughts/questions: I've been seeing a lot of arguments for using the Non-G7 as "feeder corps" and that it will impact the G7 negatively by not having those corps exist and flourishing below them. I tend to agree with this. I've marched at the top and bottom of both classes and in MY experience and from what I've witnessed, these corps who place lower take a kid who would never ever in a million years have a shot at a top corps, worked with them and made them presentable, and then the kid goes to win a championship with one of those G7 corps. Just in my short time involved with drum corps on both sides of this spectrum, I've seen it at least fifteen times. And that's just kids going to corps that go on to WIN, not even counting the ones who go on to other corps in the G7. In response to a similar comment or concern rather, a G7 corps director reported that there really aren't that many members of the corps that come from other corps. I think the figure he mentioned was around 10%. I find this really hard to believe. I mean... maybe they're ONLY from the corps that I marched, because I can list over 10 off the top of my head who went to march in this corps in the past few years, but maybe there are other factors I'm not considering. And that's just FROM one corps TO one other, not accounting for all of the other 'training' corps and where their former members end up. So, I just wanted to maybe get some other opinions or examples of this. I feel that limiting the experience of A and Open Class corps, this would in the end hurt the level of talent of the G7 audionee. But maybe that's just based on the corps that I've been involved with. I know that not EVERYONE who auditions for top corps has previous corps experience, but coming from a "training" corps myself, I know that there is a good amount. Again, at least from the corps I have in mind.

It would certainly help those two corps that you marched and provided you with the experience to make a top corps and get a ring. Comparatively, I think your donation would make more of a difference to these "lower-placing" corps, especially one like Jersey Surf who doesn't have the years and multitude of alumni of corps like Cadets and even the Crossmen.

Love love love Phantom as an all-female guard and would do anything to march in an all Phantomette guard... but I don't think anyone can deny the talent that they have received from their male members. If I were a guy and excited to start my second or third etc year with the Regiment, I would be upset if I were to hear that they were returning to the all-female. I think they've gotten a lot from all of the members of the guard, and I'm looking forward to seeing them this summer!