Photographer Jim

How will it be possible to get information about when the project will be finished and how/where we might see the completed documentary? This is something that I would greatly like to see in its final form.

We had generally good sound and picture. Sound was clear, with good volume, but it did sound like the pits were miced up a little too much (not sure if that was the fault of the broadcast or the corps). Only problem I noticed with the picture was some exposure problems with blownout whites, especially with PR. Decidedly better than two years ago though.

I have the same question - will DCI include the performance as part of the webcast?

I have just one word for you, son ................................. pyrotechnics. Nevermind.

Well, if that's the case ........................ she is single.

A story concerning reactions to BD: My mother came over to dinner last Friday and I asked her if she would like me to run a few DC shows for her, as she had not seen any yet this year. Understand, she is 82 and has been a drum corps fan for many years (she and my father took me to shows when I was just a youngin back in the 50s. We lived in northern NJ and she was a big Cadets fan). I hooked my laptop up to my big screen, pumped the sound through the stereo system, and ran the VODs from Atlanta for her. I ran BD first, as we have lived in the Bay Area since the early 60s and she has often attended local BD and SCV shows. I was interested in seeing what her reaction might be (fully expecting her to be not so keen on the show, thinking it to be "too out there" for drum corps. She watched it intently. When it was over she commented that REALLY liked it; and that it was one of the most unique shows she could remember seeing. But it was her next comment that caught me aback. She said that she imagined that this show probably went over pretty well with "older" drum corps fans whose "formative years" would have included the modern jazz era of the 50s, but that younger fans would probably "not get it"! LOL - somehow this was not the reaction that I had expected! I played a number of the other VODs. She seemed to like a number of them, but after we were finished she commented that she was struck by the fact that having seen the BD show first, she found herself thinking that "I've seen this before" while watching most of the other shows. I certainly wouldn't try to draw any conclusions about BDs show based on my mom's reactions, but her comments did make me stop and remind myself that one shouldn't assume that a person's reactions can be automatically predicted by their demographics, and that individual tastes and preferences in the arts are exactly that - the personal reactions of the individual.

If these are the 12 best corps and the 12 most deserving of being in the finals, of course.

Bluecoats beating the Cavies tonight just added some additional interest to what this show might bring.

I think this hits pretty close to the heart of the matter, and reasonably explains how it can be that a show that may not be garnering a lot of fan kudos can still be eating it up with the judges (........ and without ever mentioning a judging conspiracy!) Bravo

Not here on the West Coast. But hey, at least its 5:00 somewhere.

I'm going with Shock Top. I dunno ... it just visually works for me.

The year Jim Ott passed I attended their Precision West show. In his memory, the entire horn lines from BD A & B, SCV, Commodores, and one or two other corps (Freelancers, maybe) took the field and played that arrangement. Yes, it did make me cry, and yes, I still get a lump in my throat when I hear it. The most beautiful musical moment in my memory.

Hmmmmm.......... true, no wild ovation, but this description is a bit of an exaggeration.

Just a few random thoughts: PR: Loved their show tonight. I'm often lukewarm with them, despite their obvious talent, but I really liked them tonight. Cadets: Typically good horns and marching, but I find a lot of the show just too ......... cutesy for me. Cavies: One of the two best (visually) shows of the evening. But, I just find "Smile" to be .....out of place .. it just doesn't fit right with the rest of the show for me. BD: Visually the most interesting thing I have seen on the field in ages. I'm OK with the music, but would be thrilled if when they go into the big arch near the end they would suddenly pound me for 30 secsonds with a melody line that suddenly brings order out of the musical "chaos", before the closing. Very very interesting season.

While watching the Houston show last night, my wife and I had a discussion which spawned a "what if" type of question that I would be very interested in hearing discussed. Assume for a minute that you have not seen any of the shows this year, and have no knowledge as to what the different corps intend to present. Also assume that each corps performs in identical uniforms, and you are NOT told by the announcer which corps is coming on the field. Would it be possible to identify which corps is which, and how? Are there components in marching or music, style, etc. that define a unique identity for each (or maybe just some) corps?, And if so, what are those components? (Note: I'm not thinking in terms of relative quality or personal preference factors here.) Although I am a long time fan, and have a few fuzzy notions about how I might answer, I'm very interested in hearing the responses of the many fans here on DCP. Hopefully, they will illuminate things that I haven't really noticed or considered, and will add to my viewing entertainment. So, whatcha think?

Is it just me, or is this yet another example of a thread that's about to be high-jacked into a "BD Sucks"; "No they don't"; "Do too"; "Do Not"; "DO TOO"; "DO NOT" type thread?

Oh, just to clear any doubts, I am NOT an Academy Honk. (Really .... honest) I mean, yes, I have spent a little time in Mesa when my father lived there years ago, but I'm actually............. a die-hard BD fan! Lived in Pleasant Hill, a (cough, cough) suburb of Concord! (BD used to practice less than a mile from my house.) Its really just a matter of my being a loooooong time drumcorps fan (the first corps I can remember seeing was HNC in ...... 1957(?) at a VFW or AL meet in Atlantic City) who wants to see the activity continue to be successful, and who loves to see a young corps fight the good fight and move successfully to maturity. [i feel pretty good now. "long time listener, first time caller" - Rookie actually got a "get real" response to a post. I figured I might be ignored for at least another dozen or so! Heck, I must be on a roll!] OK, off to bed.

True. We had BD, SCV, BK, and Troop. ALL Rockies and west. Not a mid-west or eastern corps amongst them. This is actually to the point I was making (with some sarcasm intended). Corps need to make financial decisions as to what is best for them (and to DCI as a whole), so that they can continue to function successfully. Its not ideal for those of us here in NorCal, but we live with it with the knowledge that that it is what is necessary in the absence of more WC corps on the West Coast which might make it more reasonable (and financially profitable) for east/midwest corps to travel out here for competitions sake. But we can't get more western corps up to that level if they are ground under prematurely by demands that THEY expand THEIR tours even when they are not yet to the point of being financially capable of it. I don't believe that the Academy gets any advantage from not being able to afford to tour more and play more shows (and get the valuable feedback that more competition would bring). In the meantime, they are doing the best they can to maximize the resources they have such that in a few years they will not only be able to perform in a full slate of shows, but will be able to do so as a stable and valuable WC member. For now, the rest of the country may have to be patient to see this up and coming corps.

The more I listen to this, the more frustrated I get. Maybe (well, just maybe) it would bother me less if even ONE World Class Corps from east of the Rockies would find it in their "national tour" budget to come out here to California and play just ONE show! [Then again, maybe if they can't afford to, they should consider dropping down to Open Class until they can afford to truly tour nationally.] (ok - I feel better now. End of rant) (Thank you Blue Knights, Troopers, Cascades, and (of course) The Academy for putting CA shows in your 2010 tour) {edited for typo}

For what its worth from "just a fan" - I'm not going to fault The Academy for the way they are handling their tour. In the 50+ years that I have been a fan, I have seen too many quality corps disappear because they could not find a way to keep afloat financially, and that has been a great loss and a true shame. As a young and talented corps, the Academy's practical and responsible approach is paying off in the development of a corps of undeniable potential and quality. I have no doubt that over the next few years (if they stay the course) they will not only be able to expand to a "full" national tour, but they will also be a corps that is a consistent WC finalist as well. No one really suffers because the youngster can't quite maneuver through a full-on tour today, but I believe all of us fans will suffer for sure if that youngster is not give the chance and encouragement to get up to speed with its older siblings in the activity.

Since we're just sitting here ............. Results from Bridgewater, MA 1. Spartans 75.800 2. 7th Regiment 74.300 3. Les Stentors 66.000 4. Platinum 56.100 5. Blue Saints 52.400

Just curious - how was performance order determined? Organizer's decision? Drawn straws? Previous record at the venue? Anybody know? Anybody? .............. Anybody?

Help me out here - not sure I understand this comment. The So-Cal show is in mid-July and primarily consists of Open Class corps. So seeding for Open Class Qs in Juy? A pattern in previous years? What am I missing here?

I have to weigh in as agreeing with taters on this one. Its frustrating enough that those of us here on the West Coast seldom get a chance to see live shows which include top ranking Midwest or Eastern corps, but it is especially frustrating when the schedule wrecks havoc with one of the better shows we do get to see. The Stockton Moonlight Classic has always been an excellent show, and more importantly, its scholarship program is exceptional. In the absence of corps from other parts of the country it is distressing that DCI would see fit to dilute this show further by splitting the top western corps via their scheduling. Sad, just plan sad.

You know ..... Eddie Izzard is most likely a DBC fan. After all, the corps all have flags!