superOOk

When I marched back in 93 and 94, we stayed right there at the school. I'm sure going back there will bring back some great memories.

Phantom Regiment's Housing on 8/9: Loudonville High School 2567 St Rt 60 Loudonville, OH 44842 10:30am Visual 12pm Lunch 1pm Sections 2pm Ensemble

Just wait another week. The amount of progress and cleaning they did in the last week was unbelievable. Even though the judges (with their "rolling averages" way of scoring) didn't have the Coats in front of PR in Atlanta, they were definitely the #5 corps, and much more closer to the top 4 than they were scored. The problem with shows like the 2010 and 2011 ones, is that they are not crowd pleasers (ala PR, Crown). So nobody respects them until they are just cleaner and tighter than everyone else. Which is how Blue Devils keep winning. These types of shows, which are extremely demanding musically, are not to that level until the last few weeks of the tour. If the guard can get their stuff past a certain technical threshold, there will be a HUGE jump in the Bluecoats' score (I'm talking a potential #4 spot). Like another poster already mentioned, there is a bit more competition this year (due to the early theater show in Saginaw, which should happen every year since it made everyone better). The Bluecoats definitely have not "dropped" in their level of excellence.

Bluecoats will take 5th. They are passing PR now because of their execution and new closer. I still think Crown should be in the hunt, as well as Cavies. No way SCV touches PR or Coats.

I never attended a show there, just played in them :) Remind me, is 16th Street the only entrance?

Well, as most of you know already, the Bluecoats rolled out their new closer in Atlanta. They have decided to put most of their effort this summer into polishing the middle to back half of the show, which were the obvious weak spots. No new "Creep" or infusion of that theme into the rest of the show. Love it or hate it, the staff has stuck by its original design and have worked on tweaking what was already there. While I still think my suggestions in the first post would have made the Coats contend for the top 4 this year, their technical prowess will definitely get them to #5, past Phantom Regiment, who has a MUCH more entertaining and powerful show design. A Blue Devils approach, if you will.... That being said, here are the changes that they HAVE made, and I like all of them (unlike some corps changes....ahem PR). These are in order of best changes to good changes :) 1. The "Terminator" drum break -- this was added going into the last 1/3 of the show and it really rocks. They bring it back as a transition into the closing drill as well, which works very well. 2. The closer -- seems much more like a finale now, and the company front has a nice twist to it, with a few horns staying back from the front and then running up individually. Great effect I think. 3. The Creep "power wedge" -- some subtle changes here, noticed only if you have been closely following them throughout the summer. No more "gaps" and the breathing is timed out very well so a wall of sound continues throughout the entire opener. Easily the loudest section of any corps this year. 4. The closing of "Deus Ex Machina" -- this was really a sore spot at the beginning of the season, and has been cleaned up and now "flows" as good as it could. 5. The "bow" at the end of the opener. The whole entire corps was taking a bow which looked really weird. Now, just the mellos do it and it seems to work. I'm sure I missed some, but I would love to hear everyone's take on the show so far, especially the performance from Atlanta.

I personally have been calling PR ahead of the Bluecoats since DATR @ Denver. Even up until a week before Atlanta. Then, in Atlanta, it was if the Bluecoats just dropped a new gear in place and out-executed most of the corps. I was complaining in Atlanta that the Coats were not easily #5, and could have even been placed within 2 points of the top 4. So this is no surprise, even though I wasn't there tonight to see it. It is as if the judges have a "rolling average" where if you perform statistically outside of the norm (either better or worse than normal), the scores aren't immediately adjusted that night. Rather, they trend up or down after the following shows. Either way, I love PR's show, and now the Bluecoats' show, by sheer performance (i.e. Blue Devils) are impressing the hell out of me.

News quote from 2050: "Today's show is cancelled due to contract negotiations between the players and the drum corps. Players are holding out for a portion of the syndicated revenues and a 5% salary increase, which would bring the 2051 tour minimum salary wage to $775,000..." Yeah right!!

Holy crap I never saw that. Watching now...lol

Bluecoats practice schedule on 8/9 Green High School 1474 Boettler Road Uniontown, OH 44685-9584 10:00 visual 12:30 lunch 1:30 sectionals 2:45 ensemble 4:15 dinner

Can someone post the host schools and practice locations? I assume Bluecoats will be at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium? I want to go down and film some corps' run-throughs...

I would show her SCV 88 instead :) that was clearly the better version. Add the entire top 4 in 1991, which was an EPIC year.

You can't go off of judges scoring...Crown had an amazing night, including their guard. They are definitely in the "surging" category... All of the corps who have a really demanding show this year are starting to pass everyone. It comes down to the level of individual talent at this point in the season.

Actually, I would put PR in the "slumping" category since Denver. Since DATR, their show has gone flat for me. This has been one of the more frustrating parts of the season for me...I noticed they sort of rolled back their ballad changes last night, and I really wish they would do the same for their closer. I really miss the haunting baritone sounds going into elsas. And now there is too much elsas. That being said, they still are one of my favorites, I always love PR, and as you pointed out, the judges still haven't noticed that the Coats leapfrogged them this past week.

After seeing Atlanta, I'd say the Bluecoats are surging most of any corps. Just last week we were talking about how messed up their pit/synth volumes were, and how the show just hasn't gelled. Tonight's performance was incredible. Top 4 brass and drums. Guard was top 6.

Same here. Started as my favorite (most entertaining) show this year at the theaters, but their individual talent did exactly the opposite of BD's individual talent. Would have really loved to see this show in the hands of one of the top corps (still would) !!!!!

Here is how I see the top 7. Notice, unlike the judges tonight, I didn't carry any scores over from the previous shows: 01 - 94.600 - Carolina Crown 02 - 94.450 - Cavaliers 03 - 94.100 - The Cadets 04 - 94.000 - Blue Devils 05 - 92.650 - Bluecoats 06 - 90.500 - Phantom Regiment 07 - 88.250 - Santa Clara Vanguard Note to judges if they read this: Crown, Cavaliers and Bluecoats had an amazing night, if you missed it. Also, you aren't rewarding the entertaining shows (i.e. Crown) -- what gives? Its a "forest from the trees" thing I think... While BD is unmatched in music, their drill is like #5 I think at least. No way they beat a complete show like the 3 in front have (no matter how many slightly dirty spots). Bluecoats were clearly better than Phantom tonight (yes, I am a homer, but read my previous reviews in the past 5 weeks), and you clearly scored as if you had them already slotted from last week. Why am I not surprised :) Overall this year is super tight. Love the idea of having a very visible show at the beginning of the year -- this really started a chain-reaction that caused a major jump in quality this year. Tonight was "finals quality" no doubt (even from the fan network production -- brilliant job guys...but where were you all season?) Also, to the judge who took a spill, don't worry, you blended right in -- I thought it was the cavies' guard doing that somersault!!! Get well. :)

Watching the Blue Devils is like watching the All Star Game. Yeah the show is not inspiring, but #### are they good. Oh yeah, these guys/gals can out play anyone, anytime. period. Great job tonight, oh....except for one small minor glitch. The end of "say a prayer" -- the mic'd duet wasn't loud enough (which is very weird to write or say!). I remember all of the criticism back in Denver, and ever since the mics have been WAY TOO LOW on that part. Don't know why. Amazing show tonight, for Burt B music :)

Looked like the Cadets were a bit sloppier than the Cavies tonight, but the show is really coming together. The hi-res production is really bringing out the show design factor tonight. Just a incredibly hard show, probably the hardest of the year (besides cavies). But I think I have to give it to Cavies tonight. By a hair.

Cavies are RIDICULOUS! You guys are on another level tonight. Love the judge getting wiped out by the "twist" drill, had to laugh, sorry. Don't care for the show, but you made me a believer tonight, for the first time in 2 months. Who can NOT like this precision? Love the new drill at the end (the jumping/hurdling), much cleaner than last week. great job...

Carolina Sweet Carolina!!!!! Oh my.... I don't care what score you get guys, you have the #1 most entertaining show this year. So fun. Awesome hornline, drums are so good (certainly not #6), and judges are you seeing what this guard is doing during the show????? holy cow. Unbelievable year by CC, already polished and title ready.

Ok, just saw Phantom Regiment...guys, lots of "individuals" sticking out tonight. The new ending just isn't working. Its too drawn out. This is one show that went downhill from DATR, when it used to be my #1 show this year. Since the changes, ahem, downgrades .... man this is frustrating to see. Definitely getting cleaner, just the show isn't maturing like it should (like the Bluecoats show, for instance)

Late to the party...just watched my Bluecoats -- HOLY @@!! What the....where did you guys come from? :) Just kidding, love the new "volume" of the pit/synth ... hahaha LOVE THE NEW ENDING!! This hornline is TIIIIIIIIIIGHT. The fan network hi-res feed really is showing who is clean tonight. And might I say, I can EASILY see Bluecoats in 5th tonight. Wow. Nice jump in one week! ok, homer out.... haha

That is good news, for my corps. However it sucked as a fan network viewer. It was awful beyond recognition.

The poor quality last year comes from the dome, which should never be used to record a corps. There is no excuse for this sport not to mix and incorporate the additional instruments correctly.