KeepItReal

or I could hold my hand up to my face just so I cant see their legs....

Have uniform makers not realized what two tone pants do to a corps?! Sigh. I heart Spirit, but this year I'll just be listening.

One thing I believe many people here are forgetting is that of those 700 who show up 350 just wanted to say they auditioned. Another 200 just wanted to see where they would rank. Unfortunately the game has changed. The branding has changed. Many HS and College kids are ok these days with saying 'I auditioned for corps X, yeah I didnt make it but whatever' in place of actually having to work [and pay] hard all summer. These are the same kids who get refered to another corps and turn down the opportunity. Likewise there is another good size chunk who love the idea of drum corps but when faced with the realities or pushing yourself, being held accountable, be depended on by others, being without ac for most of the summer, holding a heavy horn, etc. bag out. Those who show up to camp and want to march usually find a way to march. I marched in a bari line that cycled through 35 ppl. 35 individuals who said 'Yes I'd love to!', who put down money and showed up, but for some reason or another did not decided they couldn't do do. Now I am speaking in generalities. There are those cases when family, or school, or work issues arise, dont get me wrong been there done that spent the summer pining for the smell of valve oil and sweat and sunscreen. The other matter I would like to remind dcp about is what the US Military is calling a threat to national security;childhood obesity obesity. Drum corps is tough, and not as many kids who are fit mentally and physically are coming up through the music programs. Some opt into band as a way to get out of taking PE courses, I've seen in OK the trend is moving towards having smaller marching bands that are optional so those who don't want to march can do fall symphonic or jazz band. Oh and of course I must admit the generation I grew up in was the instant gratification generation. I want it now. I get it now. When you tell me I have to work for nearly 9 months on one thing and I have to pay to do it, I better believe that one thing is a golden likeness of myself. The generations that came after me, well, they're already doomed. Though I am a child of the 90's I'll state 'Kids these days! with there interwebs! and there gamesquares! and there microwave dinners! and there mepods!' 150 members + total summer commitment + cost of dues + the cost of college + poor economy + flakes + injuries + poor moral fiber = holes.

Several corps have Texas satellite camps. Some, like Phantom, have Percussionists start everydays in Texas then travel up to join the brass and guard. Texas's two biggest exports, Talent and Ego. Or is it Ego and Talent... *This comment is that of an Oklahoman and should be taken into consideration as such.

INDEED! Saw the Xmen at Broke Arrow Memorial Stadium tonight. Yes, there are several holes in the brassline[contra, mello], and I saw two tenors and three plates, I've been told that the percussion holes and a mello hole are due to injuries. I was pleasantly surprised. Drill give the new members time to recover, what the term, smart design - no need to make the kids do 200bpm for 3 minutes and die, when they can do it for 40 second burst and sound good. Lots of potential for bodywork and layers. Theres a 27count hold with the brass in pairs, partner dance work? This show looks skeletal at the moment, and musically is pleasing. There are issues with timing, and some very obvious techning that needs to be done on the feet. They got tired coming into the closer! My understanding is a young corps with very passionate and talented staff. Company Front in yuour face to end thing. Nice. I'm not certain if its top 12 material, having not seen any other 'Sweet 16 Corps', but definitely a thorn in someone side an a corps to be watched.

I was thinking they might be at OK Mozart, as part of the X-Series, buts its a few days too late for that. I'm checking them out in BA, I've not heard of any performances prior to the Toledo show.

Too true!

Crown guard is even better than last year?

A dark Santa Clara, I like this new

Do they do any tosses while be'shako'ed or is the majority of work done after they remove jackets and shakos?

I agree, and for every corps thats playing lady gaga theres another playing 1812.

Is it a shorter aussie this season? The black band isnt anywhere as thick as the silver, but are the aussies seem shorter from pic.

I believe that the modern "VK" is legally 'VK' as opposed to the Velvet Knights, for tax purposes and the like. They cant compare to the old VK though, and I dont believe they are trying. IMHO Jersey Surf and Impulse kept up the legacy VK left. I also understand that there is work to bring back the Kingsmen. Chuck Norris became the greatest mix martial artist of our time, because he knew when to quit - keeping his undefeated record. Personnaly I believe new corps attempting to bank of of a long dead corps name are doing more to tarnish the name, and get quick buck/support out of alumni. We need new and relevant corps. So Cal is a prim example, nearly 3 new corps in as many years. Incognito, and Music City off the top of my head! </soapbox> One also has to take into account though, that regardless of name, any new corps will have to enter in Open class and survive in open class for at least two years before DCI will even consider evaluating them for World. Star 86 will never happen again.

When did Cadets get a cape?!

Are there S. African students with the corps this year as well?

A massive full corps company front to cresecendo reverberating for half a minute

Good to be getting credible information. To Clarify: Mike Loeffelhotz is moving to Alabama, not necessarily Southwind, or the Kentucky Bluegrass Youth Arts Organization.

Good to see a DCE corps again!

Sounding good forte, glad to hear the lines almost maxed out!

they also wear tightywhiteys.

did not knowing the competitions scores, or scores across the country make drum corps more or less competitive? I mean, I can imagine a groupe getting tunnel vision to gain a point, only to be side swiped by a corps from another area they've just recently come up against. coughcoughbscouts76

Brasslines soon to be replaced by eigenharp

Ifs feed the rumor mill or shut it down. If you have credible information there are people who would like know. If its sensitive information, I can respect that as well.

Haha, me too!That first hit is gonna wake ppl up for sure. I'm confident they can march and play, I'm more concerned about endurance with so many younger kids.