Photographer Jim

It's very hard for me to offer any unbiased opinions here, being a Cal guy and all. But, for what it's worth I will pass along this tip about how to easily spot a Stanford marching band member. It's simple really, just look for Stanford on their class ring when they're picking their nose. Bada Bing, Bada Boom

This is surely a brief moment, and probably one that few would consider either momentous or highly innovative, but it is a moment that fully caught my attention and remains for me as one of those neat little gems that make me smile. 2013 Bluecoats opening minute. Military commands, corps in parade block, guard "in the stands", and the parade begins. Quick transition into Paul Simon's "America". First big hit. Then the simple gem: transition into a snippet of Sousa's "Washington Post" played in such a way as to sound like a marching band moving away and heard from a distance. Nothing earth-shattering, but a nicely thought out and designed opener (especially the Sousa snippet) that just worked for me

i don't believe BD did a studio recording this year. Usually, they make it right around Family Day. This year they did a recording of the Family Day field show and then recorded a stand still of the show at the end. Those were posted back in June. I think those recordings are this year's sole offerings.

Phantom Regiment's "Into the Light" did it for me. There were so many beautiful moments in the show that consistently brought a lump to my throat. As much as I love powerful, in-your-face shows, Phantom gave me a subtle and sensitive alternative that just worked for me emotionally.

Having had a number of students in my classes during the 80s and 90s who marched BD' I can emphatically say that your depiction of these kids is not only dead wrong, but is also insulting in a way that they most definitely don't deserve.

Although there is still a lack of support for the inclusion of woodwinds, inside sources indicate that DCI is leaning toward a rule change that would allow the use of kazoos and zithers.

Every show this season offered something to enjoy, but the five I enjoyed the most were: 1. Mandarins Being a NorCal guy I see this corps early every year. Last year, but especially this year, their show was an experience that was a kin to when you suddenly notice the little kid down the block is growing up and has become noticeably more mature and sophisticated ... and it just makes you smile! 2. Blue Knights I very much enjoy the sense of style they have been developing. Their props (now you see us, now you don't) were wonderfully inventive. 3. SCV Their opening grabbed my attention better than any corps this year, and then they just kept me engaged for the rest of the show. Possibly my favorite SCV show ever! 4. Bluecoats Both musically and visually, I found the Coats to be incredibly intriguing. I thoroughly enjoy the direction they are taking, and the corps "persona" they seem to be developing. I found myself eagerly awaiting each performance. Loved their ballad. 5. BD Yes, I'm a bit of a BD honk, but this year's show pretty much typifies why. So much going on; every performance gave me some new delightful little detail to savor. It just kept getting better and better.

I was doing an art festival in Bend, Oregon this past weekend and caught Thursday prelims in the theater there. By chance, we sat next to a family whose daughter was wearing a BDC jacket. At the finish of the broadcast my wife asked the young lady if she knew the girl in the BD show and she said, "Yes, her name is Clara" and she marched with her in BDC this year. If I heard her correctly, she also said that Clara had been the BDC 's color guard Captain.

i don't think they "represent" anything in this case. I think they are primarily functional, allowing for the visual/interest effects of having the snare line elevated in the show's beginning, and later the guard doing the up and down trades of the spinning rifles. Unless, of course, they are meant to symbolize the ascendance of mankind as the result of the development of written language! Or not.

hmmmm, actually everybody's score was down tonight!

they sound pretty good here, but then again my amplifier goes up to 11.

yes, until the commercial spots come on!

As the old saying goes, "Time flies when you're having fun", and it would be hard to argue that this season has been anything other than great fun! It would take a pretty diehard curmudgeon to not enjoy such a sterling collection of shows and some of the most exciting competition seen in years. no wonder so many wish this season could continue for many more weeks!

staying here until I have seen BK, then will switch over.

Interesting night here in this household. My wife was in one room streaming the international barbarshop chorus finals while I was out here in my studio streaming one of the best drum corps programs i have seen in years! Sometimes there is just too much good to fit into a single evening!!!!

i think they only do that at finals.

agreed, the music is a great piece to work with. I just don't think they are getting everything out of either it or the drill in the end. Hopefully they have something up their sleeve!

i like the K-pop section. But not that much! :-PAdmitted BD wonk that I am, I really hope that a new and much better closer gets put in. For me, this has been the weakest part of the show thus far. My reaction each time I have seen the show has been that the show builds and flows along nicely until the end of the ballad, but then just never quite jumps up to that emotional peak I am expecting. If anything, after the beauty of Children Will Listen, the remainder of the show is a bit of a let down.

you are correct in that they were not without equipment. Their trucks left for the East Coast directly from the SoCal shows on Sunday. BD used BDB's equipment to practice until flying out on Tuesday. I'm not certain as to when they all met up (Wed. Night or Thurs. AM).

Luckily, I was able to do the same. I saw BK when they were out here in California, and although I enjoyed what they put on the field, the show was still far from complete. The props were just mock ups and the entire closer was missing. Seeing the show tonight was eye opening! I very much like this show, and truly believe that BK can keep their current standing and be a top six corps at summer's end.

No, they flew to Boston after the SoCal shows to be part of the big BAC 75th Anniversary celebration, including the BAC hosted show and a concert with them at Tanglewood. Their equipment trucks, etc. drove back east during the week.

Dang! Buffering problems so bad I haven't heard more than a five second uninterrupted segment of Cadets show yet!

Exactly my situation.

Yes, spent a week there one afternoon! (Bada-bing Bada-boom)

I can cook waffles in my toaster oven.