George Dixon

Oh i know. But still hysterical lol

Where do you get your "history"? Us Magazine?

we are really debating greatness vs. greatness I personally (as a Cadet fan) though Cadets show felt flat vs. the other top 4 - pains me to say that but I think some of the staging and decisions made and the guard just didn't gel as much as they were hoping the last 3 weeks. The other 3 rapidly improved in terms of GE and Cadets program just sat there. Still GREAT. But you can tell from the crowd it just wasn't selling as well as the others. JMO

ehh. It's apples and oranges. Cadets weren't playing "dirty" - they were pretty near perfection too That said - I think BD was a terrific battery. As was Coats. As was SCV. Frankly any of them could have taken it, BD just averaged slightly better over the three nights. Extremely slightly. Maybe less drill demand helped that consistency. Cadets won semi I believe and SCV prelims. It was really close.

I have no doubt it hasn't impacted decision making or scoring etc.. It just doesn't look good. IMO

oh god no. Personally I hate the big mosh pit look. I guess it's a generational thing. I love the respect shown by standing at attention/parade rest and leaving promptly I hate this hippie everyone mixes thing of late.

I would guess it was a mistake. The first two years we had DCP live the scores were also posted early. We had them about 10 minutes after the final corps, and the early corps were published during intermission Mistakes happen I guess. The more formats pulling from the db the more a risk. Better to err on the side of caution and not enter anything into the db until announced We also saw scores published at several shows this year before being announced at the stadium during drum major retreat. Again - an unnecessary distraction that takes away from those moments.

Hardly. These conflict of interest sponsorships represent a tiny sliver of revenue. Frankly they should have never been accepted as a sponsor.

just gotta know the right person :)

or... Symphony No. 4 by David Maslanka, love this piece https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2xcMoQ6ML4

I'm guessing they bring Marc Sylvester back into the fold, he assembles new movement, choreography and guard teams and works with Jeff on "staging" the non-traditional drill moments in next years show Someone else mentioned (in another thread I believe) Cadets going the Symphonic route next year as a good idea. Savanna River Holiday, Aspen Jubilee, Sonoran Desert Holiday, etc.. etc... mixed in with some other Nelson. Or an American West type show with some Dances with Wolves mixed with Copeland - a mash up.

I actually like your list a LOT I would personally add Crossmen. They are laying a terrific foundation and I expect them to step up in each caption for 2016.

how many 2015 age outs? Anyone know? I was a little surprised by how small the age out group appeared. It looked like a lot of guard but lighter among the instrumentalists

actually - forget it.

ehh - forget it.

agreed as well - especially the comment about the big moments

I believe that's what the OP is questioning. Should it be just "effect" -- is "demand" considered enough. Should it be? I'm frankly not sure.

1. I don't think the OP was debating whether BD should have won. I think they should have as well 2. The video is interesting - apparently BD & "System Blue" has immediate access to DCI's footage. Not sure I've seen that be the case with the other corps 3. Which brings up an interesting question - should DCI have "System Blue" as a sponsor? As DCI directs the judges - does it represent a "conflict of interest" to have one of those organizations being judged as a financial donor/sponsor? I believe US Bands (YEA!) is similarly listed as a sponsor. Probably not a good idea to accept funds from the organizations you are later judging I think what the OP is hinting at is: Is "demand" being fairly considered as a component of the score. Should it be? Or is effectiveness everything?

Has DCI announced the attendance as a "record" - it seems it was...

I'm hoping there isn't a ton of movement this year in the staffs. The only one I'd say needs an "overhaul" is Regiment. A lot of folks are naming Cavaliers - but personally I loved the show, and the week (ten days?) of illness impact played a big role in their finish this season Cadets have already announced both music staffs and drill writer and all arrangers will return. They need to bring some young talent into the guard staff - especially choreography. Crown is set IMO - give the percussion aspect another year. Rome wasn't built in a day, and I personally thought they were A LOT better this year BD is set obviously SCV had a great season and seems set BK had a great season and seems set Bluecoats had a great season and seems set Madison, Crossmen, Boston, Troopers etc all had great seasons and seem set. I'm personally hoping for a lot of stability - other than folks just moving on for personal reasons... Onto 2016!

Just rewatched Crown's final run. WOW _ the guard was amazing. I know they didn't "win" their caption but it was a fantastic guard. Absolutely a stunner I also think the "gap" between BD/Crown and the next group of guards should have been much larger. In several respects that were on another level entirely Congrats & compliments!

Crown puts out difficult shows. Especially from an ensemble standpoint in those years they have used massive field coverage - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 -- very tough to keep things lined up as spread out as they have been at times.

Hmmm. I must have missed all these regular Crown fan insults. Every thirty minutes? Was just joking around. I don't think Cadets program was the hardest ever, and I always find it amusing when folks name shows from the past couple years for any of these all-time type lists. A little historical context and time helps. Cadets had tough horn and drum books, very, with a serious drill demand. UT I think back to other years with more drill demand etc and it gets tough to compare.

<snip> "Phantom Regiment (from Rockford) was always my favorite, even when I was little," Hopp said. "Corps are like sports teams I guess, where fans are always loyal to one. With Phantom, when I was young, it was their 1812 Overture show that gave me the chills. I think of Phantom as being old school. They were known for playing traditional classical pieces." Hopp said, "Summer competitive band is not the same as drum corps, but we were all fans. Those were the bands we looked up to, the big leagues." Flash forward to now, and Drum Corps International (DCI) remains the big leagues, albeit of a niche market, another stitch, if you will, in the fabric of pop culture. Link to full article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-leisure-dci-st-0810-20150808-story.html#page=1

He reeks of someone who got cut. Lol