brassEXPERT

And also, I think the Blue Devils are the most fit drum corps. They only gain between 5-20 pounds over the course of the season! With all the beer and food cravings (for obvious west coast reasons), they should at least gain 25 pounds.

Hate to break it to you bud, but the whole defending of the home team and getting irrational isn't new to DCP, and certainly doesn't make you original. I have seen the Madison Scouts many times over the past decade, but specifically back to back with corps in the upper echelon of DCI. The fact is, the Madison Scouts do not perform shows as hard as others in the top 12, and most certainly not as hard as those in the top 5 (although arguments could be made that some top 5 corps are relatively easy). There is absolutely no way that you could compare the difficulty of a crown, cadets, or cavie show to that of the scouts. The music of other corps is harder, the physical demand for the difficulty of the drill is harder, and the show design is significantly more deep. The Madison Scouts are one of my favorite corps of ALL TIME, but that doesn't mean that they have hard shows by any means (at least as of the past 5 years). What might have been hard for you as a member of the Scouts probably wouldn't be hard for someone of another corps, because remember, difficulty, especially for the performer, is based on perception. It honestly doesn't matter what your response is, because I AM the expert.

Difficulty level confirmed.

Was simply asking a question as I am much more a music person than a visual person. I was just under the impression that the modern, difficult shows have many more pages of drill, which is why i asked the question. I know that sets can change dramatically based on the amount of counts per move, but I didn't want to jump into the assumption that most of the moves were of a more substantial amount of counts. For the record, Mr. Matters, questioning the difficulty of a Carolina Crown production does not make me a troll, nor does it support your claim. Your obvious dedication to the home team is obvious. After all, lets remember that I am only the BRASS expert, and not the visual expert!

I am confused. How did Crown perform their first full run through tonight if they only had 120 pages of drill complete last night? I was under the impression that the top world class corps had drill sets numbering in the 200 region. Does anybody know what the difficulty level of this show must be like if they only have 120 sets of drill?

Definitely the best post you have ever made, arguably one of my favorite of DCP. So classic in its simplicity

Rachmaninoff They're going to perform like Rach Stars

Crown consistently performs at a high level, and I cannot wait to see their show, equally as much as I am anticipating any other corps. I may not agree with some of the choices that the Crown admin may make, or what some of the members do on tour, but what fan doesn't have SOME opinion about something that is out of their control! (especially on this forum...) Lets be real, crappy uniforms/costumes don't make for a crappy show. I thought the 2010 suits were like people with very hairy chests wearing fuzzy v-neck shirts, but all 150 hairy chested members performed the heck out of the show. When someone asks me if I enjoyed a show from whatever year, I respond with a simple yes or no, not taking into account what the individual corps members looked like that year.

Uniform change yes. Costume change, no. The Cadets aren't going with some jumpsuit idea for this season, it is still based on the traditional uniform from what I understand. And it is most certainly in my right to like something one corps does and not like something that another corps does. I really like the way crown performs, especially the brass. I really do not like the way that they have gotten rid of the traditional uniform style that the other corps have stuck to with few exceptions

Jumpsuit is what you mean. They stopped wearing uniforms in 2010 - and as for what I have heard about cool patterns and designs on this year's costume, they are going even further away from any uniform. Once a corps looks like a member of WGI, they are no longer wearing a uniform.

On the contrary. Hype is directly proportional to the amount/content of information released to the public, and the rate at which it is released. Whether its positive or negative hype, the attention on DCP is all about news reports, clips, music samples, or word that comes out of meetings and winter camps. It also has to do with the success of the corps in the previous season. 2009 was an incredible display of talent by Crown, where as 2010 has many more weaknesses and issues that prevented it from being the ultimate championship show it was supposed to be. 2009 is going to be hard to ever achieve again in my opinion. Costumes, and yes costumes not uniforms, are eventually going to get old. There is only so many things you can try with the corps appearance to get GE points. Crown is gonna have to win it the hard way - putting out a championship caliber show like that of 2009 (not saying that it should have won, as I think it deserved third, but it was certainly impressive). Crown is receiving as much hype as it should right now

I can't believe this day finally happened : / The Fox News of DCI is going completely digital! Now current members can continue to not have any idea what DCW is, and continue living their lives looking at other things on their phones on the bus. Sorry to say it, but I think the current generation will be spending a little more time on the facepage and mybook then reading DCW articles...

It has already been noted that this was not the idea of George Hopkins, but the word of the entire original G-7 team that came together to talk about what they thought was best for the future of drum corps. Any shot at Hopkins in the G-7 debate is irrelevant, because his only association as an individual with ANY of the proposals is that the group elected him to voice them at the meeting. Quite frankly, who else would have had the cojones to stand up and voice for the end of the open class, even if it wasn't there idea. Not saying I support the movement, but I certainly don't resent Hopkins for any of the proposals, because there is NO way of knowing if they originated from him or the other 6 members.

It has been said that alumni are upset that age-outs with the Cadets and rookies are not going to be able to share in the tradition of wearing the west point style uniform. This is very true, and does bring a legitimate argument to the table that should be looked over. However, how would you like your age-out year to be remembered as the one in which alumni embarrassed the corps and the members by bad mouthing their corps director and direction of the drum corps to the entire internet? Look, the fact is that the concern is legitimate and the information to back it up is WELL recognized by the members of the DCP community, but more importantly, larger drum corps community as a whole. It really sucks that some kid was excited about being a part of something that they thought was special, something they thought was going to push the envelope once again, as many Cadet corps have done previous, and now has to deal with this influx of harmful comments. I took a look at the Cadets facebook page and am quite alarmed at the lengths some alumni are going to in order to convey their opinions. I really think e-mail conversations with the administration and powers within the Cadets would be much more effective than littering online forums with this waste. I was going to stop posting on this thread because it is obvious that stubborn alumni will feel a certain way, which they are totally welcome to, but will continue to dismiss the possibility that they are harming the Cadets for the 2011 season. It is disheartening to see the continued sad statuses of current Cadets, to see them try and rally together AGAINST their own alumni, and try and make each other feel better through continued public support despite the negative alumni vibe. I have rarely seen Cadets post on public forums or sites in response to what others have to say, but the intensity and childish nature of some of the comments from the alumni have brought current members to speak out against them. I am astounded, simply dumbfounded. If for no other reason to stop posting publicly, do it for the age-out class of 2011. We don't know what is to come for the future of drum corps, or the Cadets, but what we are able to grasp is that the 2011 Cadets will field a corps set on pushing the envelope of innovation once again, making all alumni for the past 77 years proud. If you can find it in your heart to put the best interest of the members over that of your own (simply in terms of posting in public places!!!!!!!!!! MAKE YOUR CLAIM AND SEND YOUR COMPLAINTS TO THE PEOPLE THAT CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!), the members would be incredible appreciative. I chose not to sign this as the expert or as brassEXPERT, but instead as a friend of MANY current members that have all voiced their sheer sadness that the season is turning out completely different then they had ever hoped. They find it frustrating that they have been trained and taught not to post on this forum, but feel like they don't have a voice in this matter. Please, for the sake of the members, especially the age-outs, stop this pointless war. No matter how strongly you feel, the only thing being accomplished by this argument taking place is hurting the current members, and certainly NOT making a difference on what the Cadets will be wearing this year. -a friend of many current, discouraged Cadets

You want to march Cadets and bring a sax???? Are you kidding me, they would take you in a heartbeat! You will slowly move from mello, to mello in pit, to sax in pit. This will go along perfectly with the woodwinds in DCI plot George Hopkins has been trying to initiate. Honestly, I know for a fact that the Cadets have one of the most intensive rehearsal schedules in DCI, and even on shorter days, you will be too tired to practice your sax. I am sure there would be more time during spring training, but that would mean sacrificing the little bit of sleep and relaxation time you get for practice hours. This won't be an easy way to start getting accustomed to the incredible muscle transformations your legs are going to go through. The Cadets also have not been a part of the I & E performance in a long time, maybe ever(?). I hope this helps. -expert

My apologies. All of these quotes were copied from facebook both from people's statuses, and repetitions of statuses on other people's statuses (wait, what??). After a second look, that actually did come from Justin, the assistant corps director. I individually researched the validity of the other statuses and found that they were all from current marching members that are very concerned with the current situation. Sorry for any confusion!

I prefer Gaga. Hard to lighten up when there is a war taking place online that are affecting today's youth. DCP talks all the time about how terrible it is that corps are disappearing, but reading harmful posts that deter kids from wanting to be a part of organizations makes everyone look like the biggest hypocrites. NOTHING has been said to indicate the uniform is changed for forever.

As a drum corps fan and alumni, full of pride, that almost puts me to tears. And to hear alumni say that they really care about the members in the worst part. Take a look at what you say, and ask yourself if it is appropriate not for your won goals, but for the SAKE OF THE MEMBERS.

Really? REALLY? "well... bring on all the people who hate the uniform change" "I really wish that alumni would realize how hurtful their comments are to the current members of the Cadets. We love the alumni and the support that they have always shown because we have and always will be Cadets. " "I hope we can have SOME Cadet Alumni support us this year." "I hope these folks didn't forget what being a Cadet is about." "ya, I lost sleep last night over some posts I read from alumni... that really bothers me." "Yea, some of the posts really bothered me too. We are all Cadets in our hearts, no matter what we are wearing." "Rough night...up sick all night" "I am at a complete loss of words right now..." All different current Cadets directly from their current facebook statuses. The more overwhelming thing is the upwards of 20 comments posted on each from each other trying to make it seem okay, and trying to convince each other that the season isn't ruined, IN MARCH. Tell me again they are not dwelling or feeling the pain. Seriously

This is why I said selfish. There is no problem with alumni having issues with George Hopkin's choice to change the uniform for this year, or wanting to express that concern. What you don't realize, is when you (all of the current active alumni going crazy right now) talk about breaks in tradition and how this is the worst thing to happen in the history of the universe, that DOES reflect poorly on the members. Have you not seen the 300 emails saying they are still looking for a few talented horn players to fill the brass line completely? Do you think that maybe bringing Armageddon upon the Cadets is the best way to ensure the members have the same enjoyable experience you (all alumni) did? It is selfish because you fail to realize the repercussions of your actions on the current members of the Cadets, not because you want to express your opinion. Go ahead Cadets alum - Give me Negative Rep for the this one too!!!!! All you are doing is proving my point entirely, and continuing to make the current members of the Cadets feel worse about themselves, their organization, and their future with the corps. Ask yourselves: What is all of this negativity accomplishing? One thing - hurting members. Posting angry comments on forums and facebook will CERTAINLY not make George Hopkins change his mind. This is destructive, and you need to figure out another way to express your concern. Such an organization with some of the best alumni of any corps in the history of the activity are making many, including current members, think otherwise. That is a shame. On another note, BRASSO, I did not say YOU were the cause of people losing sleep, but instead the influx of comments like yours.

Okay, really BRASSO, give it a rest. Everything you have said on this forum is to fuel a fire and continue to insult the Cadets as if they are Sub-Drum Corps. Stop calling it a freaking costume, I know for a FACT that the Cadets are not going with a "costume" this year. If you are so freaking insistent on stirring up trouble, go to party city, buy yourself a little army "costume" and send the picture to everybody on DCP. It is bad enough that alumni are having public fights about their opinions on the uniform because it hurts the MEMBERS the most. NONE of it is their fault, so why don't you take your additional negativity, and shut it. I know MANY current Cadets that did not sleep well last night because of the terrible emotional roller coaster that alumni have stirred, and your additional comments that are meant to be only spiteful are simply damaging to the activity and to the members. I suggest you refrain from any more useless chatter in this serious forum. Trolls like you should go back to the cave from which you crawled out of. I hate to jump on the Cadets bandwagon after so many controversial years, but the fact remains that the MEMBERS are the only ones really affected by this negativity. I understand the viewpoint of the alumni 100%, but posting in on a public forum like a bunch of high schools girls telling rumors about their more successful friend is NOT the way to handle the situation. If you really care about the tradition and your drum corps, send your messages to George Hopkins himself, and make your case. Every negative message is destructive to DCI, the Cadets, the members of the Cadets, and future members. Selfish, selfish, selfish.

We got an innovator here in GARFIELD, NEW JERSEY. He be comin in your windows and snatchin your old uniforms up!

He would definitely have the hookup to all the hot guard girls of every other girls. EVERY other corps

I was actually going to bring this up. Someone before said that this would be the start of seasonal "costumes". First of all, these aren't freaking costumes by any corps except for Crown, which is a decision by their corps and that is perfectly okay. Just because corps don't use G bugles any more doesn't mean that Drum Corps no longer exists. Rant - off. Anyways, Crowns uniform has changed drastically from 06-07-08-09-10 and I will second this when I say their uniform will make peoples heads spin this year. If you thought little Geoffrey was a gimmick, strap in drum corps fans. Edit: (gosh I am doing this a lot now) - Corpsband, I TOTALLY just got your signature. That is too funny

I love every thread along these lines that appears on DCP. Not gonna lie - I started one two days ago. All of these threads carry the "Look how clever we think we can be and how many pages we can spend reminding ourselves that we are clever!" Oh DCP, oh DCP.