recketscience

Thank you for bringing up an important question quite professionally. For my entire life and in the four different cities I have lived, each fairy progressive, the words "wrong side of the tracks" has extremely elitist meanings. If said at my work, church, etc. eye brows would raise and people would assume you were racist. Professionally, I would expect to be reprimanded and possibly let go. I find it curious that I have such strong reactions to this and would have thought it was a fairly universally-shared reaction. Maybe not. Like you, I am sure Cavies meant no harm. Just not sure they did any homework.

They have gotten the same basic draw at their big home show in ATL. I think it could hurt them if the other groups in their block change and improve and they do not. There really seems to be a lot of talent on that baby blue field, but alas, the show suffers from so many similar issues as last year. JW seemed to blow off theirrmore showy productions and stated that they were going to be more introspective this go 'round. . Well, he delivered just that, with barley a crack in the door for us to be able to look in and participate in the experience along with the members. I do enjoy more moments in this year's show than last. I am just so confused by how the staff did not learn from last year at all. Pulling for the kids.

Bear poker.

I just pooped myself.

I went with Phantom because it is so darned elligant and perfect for their show. The ballad itteration is wonderful as well.

So are there plans for narration? changes to make the show accessible, beyond drill written to music? I seem to not be the only one struggling to get what they are trying to do with this show.

The weather was good for a show. Pretty good stadium. It was packed. Racine Scouts: I am glad they continue to field a corps. I admit however that I want to know why there isn't a change there to improve numbers or quality. Maybe that is not the priority, and maybe that is okay. A few talented members on the field tonight giving it their all for sure. Pioneer: Is is good to see the number of members is higher this year. The show seems a bit more sophisticated than the past few years. There were a couple of coordinated moments of arrival that got applause. Drums overpower a lot. Brass seem very young and inexperienced. Guard okay. SOA: They look really big compared to Pioneer. Same retro uniform as last year. Pretty blue on the jacket. Guard has gotten their costumes: largely black and dark brown with flame-like stuff on them in a very contemporary look. First note was loud and got some reaction, but then the intro didin't really go anywhere. I never really got into the show. It was a lot of big volume and there seemed to be a real lack of planned arrivals or full corps coorduinated moments. The guard integration is highly suspect compared to modern day drum corps. It would have been fine in 1990. Ballad soloists was quite good and the only time I felt there was any emotion displayed other that loud anger. Some forms and intervals were clean, more so than last year at this time. The drum writing is odd/interesting. Snares had a few good licks, and also a few big blow ups. Guard is extremely dirty and seem quite young.I tried hard to follow the show. The theme never came across to me. Overall, they have an agressive sound that makes the corps seem better than 2014 perhaps, but I do not think the show is any stronger. If anything, it came across to me as less tied together with less opportunity to grow than last year's production. Sorry. Just how I see it. Colts: I was expecting a lot more. I really liked last year's show and thought had they cut the narration in half, it would have been much stronger. This year they seem to have doubled the narration over last year. Arghhhh. The show reminds me of SOA's NOIR show, just way less interesting at this point. They seem pretty behind in regards to cleaning and getting the whole show on the field. The Johnny Staccato story is somewhat easy to follow, but the mix and balance of sounds sometimes obsecure the narration. The acting is currently not beleivable. It is so hard to really comment about how they drum, spin, and brass. All seem fine/good/potentially competitive. I just think they need to go away for a week and finish the show, have lots of sectionals, and do some detailed planning of each phrase of the show so that we understand and enjoy the production start to finish without having to work so hard to get it. The show does seem to have much more potential than SOA. If they get their act together, I could see they passing SOA up. Crossmen: This is the best they have been in a long while. A huge jump over Colts and SOA in all regards. I actually like the uniform a lot on the field. The guard costume is equally wonderful and both fit the theme. The overall "Above and Beyond" vibe of the show is already coming across. The cloud props and tarps work well. Not sure I am buying the paper airplane props just yet. They seem clunky and a bit silly. A good idea not realized effectively. The brass seem to have the depth they have been missing. The drums tasty, though we will see if their book holds up over time. Guard is effective. The space created in front of the pit (which is backed up onto the field and split) is effective, some of the time. Like the paper airplane props, a good idea not realized effectively. Going in and out of that space becomes forced, and I think used too much. Depending on the 11-19 groups I have not seen, I think they are pretty solidly in finals. It is a strong year overall all so there is of course no room for letting down. Not that they would. Eager to see this one again. Cavies: And yet another jump in overall presentation. They seemed on fire and the crowd really responded. The drill, music, brass, drums are all better than last year, though I cannot say I enjoyed the design better in regards to theme. That said, the music and drill are well coordinated in terms of staging, variety, and interest. The drumline had some real stellar moments as did the brass. The guard seems a bit behind the rest of the corps, though they are well staged and I thik the costume fits the theme. I like all the silks, though I do not think the last two are the show silks as of yet. Get the theme more evident, some pacing things worked out, mistakes gone, and this could be a real power house of a show. Depending on BK and Phantom, they could easily remain in sixth, possibly bumping over Crown at a show or two. That also depends on Crown's much needed additions and changes. Cadets: Wow, they are really good. In most years passed, at this time of year, this would be our clear DCI champion. However, it is 2015 and this top six are out for blood. The first two minutes are nearly unbelievable in trems of members meeting some of the highest demand I have ever seen, and, I think that their demand pays off in effect. As opposed to Devils that are way more reserved with how much and how often they place simultaneous demand on the members, this is often off the charts for a lot of the show. The arrangemenst are fantastic and the brass sound great. The drum book is crazy good and soooo musical. Could see them winning drums. Guard is better than last year. I love their costumes. Clean and bright. Strong. The ballad seems to be evolving quite well and must be fun for members and staff alike in that it is so differnent and at this point of the season, appropriately a work in progress. They had a few holes tonight. I hope they are filled soon and that they are not the result of permanent injury. Like the use of electronics, though I think they need to continue to experiment and tweak. I am sure they will. Great corps. Some really unbelievable moments.

Thanks for the review. Were there good moments, big GE parts of the show that will be good for them all season? Your review seems to hold back a bit in detail. I read into your comments that you think it better than 2014, but you don't think it finals material. Accurate? Again, thanks for the review.

I see what you did there. Too-shay!

Thanks. Website info is unclear to me.

I want to know why they cleaned house. But I don't think we will ever know. Maybe they wanted to move up faster and better and thought they knew how to or could find someone else to do that?

Ha. Good stuff. God Bless her heart.

Crazy! I had the exact same thought first time I saw their props in San Antonio.

I also see the top 12 as done, with Colts having an outside shot with lots of music improvement and cleaning. It is a top twelve show overall, and I think top 8 visually. Troopers have an outside shot but would have needed to add some changes that increase depth of design. Guard writing and performance would need marked improvement. I too agree that the corps most likely to move is Spirit. Unfortunately, down. Unless they have made major changes and cleaned up a lot. Fear there is just not enough time. Think the tie with Colts last night was their bone. We'lll see how they respond. All said, great corps in this 12-19 range.

Trooper's closer All of Bluecoats Parts of Blue Knights

Lots of agreement early on that this range would be an exciting one to watch as we go into finals. These placement seem to have become consistent since just before San Antonio. So, current placement a lock? percent chance of moving up? percent chance of moving down? Of course if someone moves up, someone has to move down or tie (God forbid). My thoughts: Crossmen: 12th place A LOCK show and performance places them there solidly Troopers: 13th place A LOCK not enough in the show construction to get them higher, too good to move down Colts: 14th place A LOCK this could have been 12th with more talent and cleaner music book sooner voice over not quite right, don't think they are willing to budge much there Spirit: 15th place 40% LOCK 60% Chance to move down show is poorly designed, but they have more talent than some below them and have the finalist experience The Academy: 16th place 50% LOCK 50% Chance to move up better show than SOA all around, some sections as talented, really need to clean OC: 17th place 50% LOCK 50% Chance to move up better show than Academy or SOA, lots to clean yet Pacific Crest: 50% LOCK 50% Chance to move up tidiest show in 15-18 range, gotta turn up the communication and lower individual mistakes

I am sure they will work extremely hard. So will everyone else. Just think the design staff didn't do their work in the winter.

Well, of those who have left, Chris Hestin, Mark Waymire, Jude Boughton, Jeremy Hunt, Todd Snead, Andy Putnam, and many others, they represent people who have long taught groups in the top twelve, all of them. Additionally, this list of people also represent teaching in the top five or six, for multiple years. This is the group that got Spirit into top twelve and kept them there. This group revised a drum corps that had a strong, but old identity and brought that into the new era. This group of people are are also involved heavily at the top of WGI, BOA, and other pageantry arts. These people are well known by DCI judges and interact with them extensively throughout the year in other venues. This group stayed together and left together, that is hard to replace regardless. Though there is talent on the new crew for sure, it just doesn't match up to all of the things I have mentioned here.

Well, I must say that Spirit announcement has me less than impressed, nothing personal. Some talent on that list, but not enough I am afraid. Door could be open for someone new to get into the Saturday night show. Would love them to prove otherwise.

I saw this post and it concerned me enough to do some additional checking of my own. Second hand sources say that all but the visual caption head has chosen not to return in 2014. That could make sense in that he marched SCV, maybe when JW was there. Could be interesting to see if this southern corps is taken over by lots of west coasters. Change is sometimes a good thing, and sometimes too much change is not. Fingers crossed.

I must admit I am getting more concerned as well. Having a guard can be a good thing but devided attention is a tricky thing. With getting into finals and STAYING in, you are right, no small feat. Once getting back in, most fall right back out. Recently, Madison, Crossmen, Troopers. Yes, Madison eventually got back in and have stayed. Its tough. Really tough. I however do not want to over react. Like with all the off season talk, more information later will help us know more of what is actually going on. Yep, Best of Luck Spirit.

Interesting. Best of luck Spirit.

He has been writing for DCI corps for quite some time now and is not a young tech. I am sure he knows better. Let's give the guy the benefit of the doubt.

While I have loved the fact that Spirit has made a major turn around and stayed true to their roots. I think they are ready for some new visual blood. The music writing and musical performances have been excellent. The corps has also proved they can deliver when it comes to overall performance and commanding an audience. The drill and guard are too dated to be competitive. I think both of those areas have grown a lot since a few years back, but haven't grown with the rest of the corps. Nothing against those people personally.

1. Crown 2. SCV 3. Blue Devils 4. Cadets 5. Bluecoats 6. Phantom Regiment 7. Madison Scouts 8. Spirit of Atlanta 9. Boston Crusaders 10. Blue Knights 11. Cavaliers 12. Troopers