And in first place~

As a lurker, I agree 100%. CT nailed it by suggesting "in your faces hornlines, percussion, brilliantly designed drills....". I doubt that ever happens, though. Seems to me they are more interested in educating marching members and imitating marching bands. Used to be the other way around. Any wonder why some marching band members were bored with all the corps except CC at the Louisville show? Wake me up when we get back to "in your face " shows and I will be more interested then. And now back to see what the Hop haters are posting.....

But...drum corps and marching band should not be almost the same thing. That is precisely one of the many reasons that things are messed up.

How I wish they would let drum corps be drum corps and bands be bands. And they wonder why there has been a decline in interest. Seems to me there are a lot of reasons for it. That might be a good thread for someone to start but maybe there already were a zillion threads on "What would you do to re-kindle the fire?". Besides putting a few corps on the field who would get people up from their seats and giving them a loud ovation, of course. Something tells me we don't need to worry about woodwinds, though.

Maybe had they used both halves it might have worked better.

Safe to say that I should not spend $65 on it?

Well said. Funny how so many times I think of all the changes DCI has made and GH has wanted, that I think to myself "What's next, violins?". And they wonder why fan support is not what it used to be.

I still have "really old drum corps" records. The old 33 1/3 kind. Even they were better back then as you could hear them announce the corps at both the beginning and end of the show. You could sometimes hear fans yell as well. Such as "Go get 'em Ralph". Yes, I know the quality of recordings is much better now.

It's similar to people watching a sports event at a bar and cheer, yell and scream. Human nature, I think.

I just now saw this thread and I found it ironic how I was just thinking this morning how much I miss corps trooping the stands and full retreats. DCI tossed them both aside years ago.

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Very nice thread, TF. We sure do wish everyone the best of luck, lots of fun, safe and healthy travels

No worries Tekk, the corps didn't change much.

The Cadets spent three days at a school near here I live. On the second night they did a show for the community, which was really a final run through in uniform. As an encore they played "Hark the Herald Angels". There were two Cadets food volunteers sitting near me and one of them told me as they were playing "Hark" that they would be playing "Hark" in parades. I also heard "We Need a Little Christmas" which was incredible. . Good to know they will be playing it in parades. Thanks so much for letting us know.

I understand that they will be playing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" in parades. I can visualize the eyebrows raising and puzzled looks on faces from the unknowing public at say a Fourth of July parade. Ethel says to Fred, " oh dear, I thought this was the Fourth of July and that 'band' is playing Christmas carols".

Think of all the bah humbug types as well.

George has contacts at the North Pole.

Yes,"Do You Hear What I Hear" is the ballad.

Thank you so much. "Different" Christmas music for the holidays for sure. Something to march around the Christmas tree to

We were fortunate enough to have the Cadets at a local high school, Mount Pleasant PA, from Monday through last night. Thanks to the band director and cooperation of the Mount Pleasant school board. During those three days, I pretty much gave up the daily routines and spent hours there. I just have to mention how great it was to have them here. I met some outstanding volunteers, staff people and corps members. It was interesting to see how they do things and how hard everyone works. It's always nice to find congenial people who don't mind sharing some tidbits about the corps. I did not want to bother very many so i just pretty much looked, listened and lurked. As for their show, 12.25, it is simply fantastic. "Do You Hear What I Hear", is one for the ages. It is just beautiful. One of those "you can hear a pin drop" moments. I could go on and on about it but I don't want to be reprimanded by some of the arrogant types in here, which is why I don't visit much. But I just had to toss this out there to let people know about the Cadets three days here. It was fantastic. They made my summer and summer isn't even officially hear yet. Fa la la la la.....

The opener is intense for sure and so is "Carol of the Bells". As for the closer, I say it will be another Cadets classic. The guard is off to the far left. The hornline is backfield from the far right. Horns are maybe three or four yards apart facing to the left towards the guard. The hornline stands still for a little while during"Do You Hear What I Hear" and it is one of those moments where I think you will be able to hear a pin drop in stadiums. It is just beautiful.

Thank you for all the information. I pretty much decided to go for it and get the $65 Field Pass. There's only one way to find out how good it is.

Maybe Hop added it to his Christmas list. Feliz Navidad