Britbones

Although not an encounter I did have a sighting of a Bluecoats jacket in Spain, I wasn't close enough to engage in a conversation. That must be the most random of spots and a rare sighting for drum corps apparel as I don't know of any drum corps in Spain.

Great article and I agree, the venue is amazing. I went back in 2010 for finals and went a little earlier to catch up with some old friends in Allentown. It had been 20 years since I last went and going back was probably the highlight of my trip. May it never change.

I must admit I thought Blue Knights had 12th that year..... Glad Dutch boy made it though, I met a lot of great people in that corps and still keep in touch with one of them to this day!

Appreciate your response Kevin, and that seems a likely theory. I'm no media expert but I would have thought there could be an option where data could be uploaded and accessed using cloud, downloaded onto blueray and be ready to go with a matter of hours. (taking into account the time zones) I think that could be an option. Again I could be talking absolute nonsense. But it would be fantastic if we could enjoy it here also. by the way I like the idea of a road show also.

A couple of years ago I tried to find out if it could be viewed live (or delayed) over here in the UK. In fact I offered my services to help organise/run the screening. I got no answer. I am confident we could get one or two full screenings here as we have a healthy following for DCI. We are largely ignored as fans this side of the atlantic which is a shame. I'm guessing its the same in Holland.

Started my marching band/ drum corps journey in 1978 with my local band in the UK. I had an amazing band master at the time that could see that this new found hobby of mine was the be all and end all for my very young life. He gave me a recording on tape of Blue Devils, Guardsmen, Madison Scouts, Bridgemen and Crossmen. I became obsessed with listening to this tape every day for months particularly Crossmen. Fast forward to 1986, My local corps merged with another local band and we became The Conquest Alliance. The management decided to invest in some quality writing and got Jon & Doreen Girardi from Skyliners and Eric Kitchermen from Crossmen. The team came over to the UK on many an occasion up until 1990. Eric had asked me a number of times if I was ever interested in coming across the pond to march Crossmen, of course I was but I was too young until 1990 (18). I went to my first choice corps and realise how lucky I was to be in a great corps with great traditions and a 7th place finish. I think back all the time to that young boy listening to my cassette player and realise I achieved one of my dreams to march not only in DCI (A big deal to us Brits) but with the Crossmen. I am thankful to all that help me achieve that dream and look forward to seeing Eric and Doreen in November for the reunion with My british corps the Conquest Alliance. sadly not Jon......... rest in peace my friend.

I've just heard so it must be true........ Judges can now study photo's and video and decide within 6 months who gets what score. They will get an initial score on the night but that could all change........... that's what I heard anyway........ probably

My worry is there are over 40 "other" performance opportunities so which section will miss out and how many ice road truckers are they looking for? 12 brass and the rest in a big rig, what will the stadium officials think of tons of 18 wheelers on the turf. I think its going to be catastrophic at the first show. Bonkers i tell ya.

Thank you Michael, you help me choose what year I should watch from my legacy collection by finding clips of historic drum corps as i believe thats what they are.... historic. Without these corps then we wouldn't still be here today and without you i probably wouldn't watch drum corps before 1988. Many Thanks.

Thank you Marco, i really enjoyed watching the webcast as I couldn't be there this year. Congratulations to the Company and Kidsgrove Scouts for 2 fantastic shows. Completely contrasting but equally as enjoyable.

http://www.youtube.com/michaelgainesyt#p/a/u/2/URIFWNs08T8 Just come across this video of Michael Gaines from 2003, he seems an out and out nice guy and he will be missed this summer, He is for me the best Visual arranger of all time.

I agree, very strong. I would bet that the 12th place corps wouldn't break an 87 though.......... Be great if they did ( but only if it was Crossmen)

Would I be right in thinking that would be the highest scores for the bottom 5 corps ever

I added some pics to my website from my trip over there last summer in Indy, feel free to have a look http://www.aycephotography.co.uk/gallery_400112.html#photos_id=7390630

Ah ok, Thanks for clearing that up for me.

I keep seeing the word cadevaliers...... What is that?

who cares I just want bones back!!!! I am only yanking your chain and it is looking interesting in and around the 12th position.

Don't read too much into it...... I'm clearly a Crossmen fan and the question was asked to find out if my beloved Crossmen had a chance of making finals or do the good people here on this forum (those that have seen the majority of corps this year) think that the spread will remain between the 12th spot and the chasing pack.

What's letting Crossmen down in your opinion?

i guess what I'm really asking is can Crossmen make the top 12?

Wow, i got a negative on my response...................... do i need to write sarcasm on and sarcasm off for it to be understood? To clarify, i was trying to say don't assume anything until you have seen/ heard what all corps are going to produce this year. It may be an amazing year. Can you give a negative response to your own posts................... I feel as though i should. Sarcasm? who knows.

I will buy your tickets and not even use them, that is how disgusted i am at the shows being put out this year. When i heard that Devils were playing.......... and Phantom were playing.... er..... especially when i head Crown have decided to ...... Anyway i just Know its not going to be worth it based on the lack of information i have.