blooomom

I agree that it sometimes seems robotic when people stand when the national athem is played or when a flag passes, and I understand that it isn't the flag or the song, but it is the meaning of these symbols that I respect and feel that other Americans should respect. And I agree if that is as far as our patriotism goes then saluting a flag seems a little less than sincere. But I also know that with each passing generation our respect for the sacrifices of those who have fought for our freedoms becomes less and less and that is not only sad but frightning! When we start losing respect for those who have given their lives for this country and all it stands for, I know that we aren't very far away from possibly losing the freedoms we so enjoy! This is a great country and I personally still get tears in my eyes when I hear the National Anthem being played. I know I'm a big sap!!! Again, thank you to all of you on this thread who have served our country!

Thank you so much for your service to our country. While I understand and respect your views, I also believe that the lives that have been given and are given to defend our freedom of choice deserve our respect and I also believe that these are symbols (flag, songs, etc.) of those lives given. IMHO I believe if you are an American and you are enjoying these freedoms you have a responsiblity to show respect to our men and women in the military and the symbols of that freedom.

I am a very patriotic person and I have an enormous amount of respect for our military and I just assumed that most Americans feel the same way, until DCI Finals. When I saw the Marines march out on the field my instinct was to stand up out of respect, but apparently several people around me didn't feel the same. There were 6 or 7 people where I was sitting who never applauded, or stood up for these honorable men and women until the national athem was played. I was appalled! One couple sat reading books! Couldn't believe my eyes! To the Marines and to any other military who serve our country, a show of respect is always in order! That is the least, the very least we can do. Shame on anyone who thinks otherwise!

As a mom whose daughter marched corps for four years, (Open Class and Bluecoats), if he is a High School student, there is nothing wrong with marching an Open Class corps to get your feet wet. If he is dead set on World Class there are a lot of factors to the decision making process. Location of Corps, fees, the average age of a corps, (your going to have more High School students in an Open Class Corps), and very important talk to other parents and corps members and staff to see what their experiences have been. Don't let him base his decision on where a corps has placed in finals. It is about the experience! Good Luck!

I would usually agree with this comment if it weren't for a few facts. My daughter is a member of Bluecoats. My husband and I sat in the center of what were a good number of Blue Devils fans and what you described as poor behavior by SCV fans were tame compared to the Blue Devils fans I was sitting next to. They were rude, stood up for no one except BD, one was reading a book throuhout the other corps performances and when I tried to strike up a conversation with one by asking is they had a family member in BD they said "of course" and then I tried to keep the conversation going by saying I had a child in Bluecoats and this BD fan literally scrunched her face up and said "Oh!" which told me very clearly that she didn't think very highly of the Bluecoats. The BD fans that I encountered were rude and snobby. I have sat by other fans and family members of other corps at several shows over the years and usually I have found that everyone is pretty supportive of each other. I don't think that you were hearing boos towards the BD members I think the boos were for the judges. Most people were very dismayed by the ridiculous scoring given to the Blue Devils.

Why the 45 minute delay between Cadets score and the Cavies score?

I agree 100%! Go Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can't be the super-bowl champion unless you win the Super Bowl, it doesn't matter how many games you have won leading up to that game! Same should apply to drum corps. I think it makes it less than interesting when everything is so predictable. I would love to see a corps who has never won actually win, however that is very unlikely. That is the one thing I do not like about this activity, in sports there is a clear winner, in this it comes down to a few opinions or taste. That is why I try to incourage anyone who is a part of drum corps to not focus so much on winning and losing but on the experience itself and on feeling good about your performance. If you do well in scoring that is just icing on the cake. I like the underdog. When your always on top there is only one way to go!!!!!

That sounds great! I would like to see the Bluecoats at least push up into the top 5! Would love to see even higher! It is my daughter's age-out. Although she was in Memphis Sound in 2007 when they won their division at finals and she has a championship ring, I would love to see the the Bluecoats go as high as possible! Whatever happens I know she has had a great experience with the Bluecoats, one I'm sure she will never forget!

Age-out ceremony Friday and Finals Saturday! Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Go Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes. I believe they switch to fluglehorns (spelling?) during the show.

So appreciate the play-by-play! You do a great job! Go Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuue! Keep climbing!!!

So I'm guessing that everyone thinks that because it was the Bluecoats that won the audience vote there is no credibility in the VolcanoScores, but I'm sure if BD had won it would be totally legit?

Maybe they should let the fans vote!

For those that might be trying to dismiss the audience vote, I think it says an awful lot about the "likeablility" of the Bluecoats, Boston, and Madison's shows. IMO there have been too many corps easily dismissed in the discussions on DCP this year and I think that is a shame considering how hard all of these corps work to please not just the judges, but the people who pay to see them, the audience. Give credit where credit is due!

The "Volcano Scores" from the Buffalo show are pretty interesting. There is a thread started. Check it out!

My daughter just called me, she is a sop player in Bluecoats, and told me about this. She said they were first, Boston was second and Madison was third! She said the votes from the audience and the crowd reaction during their show means more to her than a judges score!

Thanks for the update! Keep pushing Bluecoats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much for the compliment! I know they are working hard! Go Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This thread astounds me! So what you are saying is that is already understood that BD has won. Their just competing finals to see how high they can get their score? Am I missing something? Are all of the other corps just their to compete for the number 2 spot? Why have finals if BD has already won?

Way to go Bluecoats!!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!!!!! Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

Great review! Those of us who can't be there certainly appreciate the pics and the review!

Great Job Bluecoats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can "Imagine" that score climbing higher and higher!

Not sure I know who this is, but I would like to personally take this opportunity the thank you for being a part of Ashley's drum corps experience and Will's! It is people like you who give of their time and talent to these kids and if only for a short period of time, make a huge impact on their lives. Lot's of applause to Caitlin. She is definitely one of those I was talking about in earlier post, those Drum Corps Kids, A Rare Breed!