Tim K

Academy just had the performance of the summer. They had volume, control, they were clean, and of course a lot of fun. If they were where they are today a week ago, this year would have been their second year in finals.

I feel back for Academy having to go after SCVC.

Troopers had a great final run. Had people on their feet two or three times, especially after "Nessun Dorma."

Great show by Spirit, without question their best of the season. I hope this is not just a good year for them but the beginning of a comeback.

I thought Oregon Crusaders seemed a bit tired at the beginning, but their energy came on stronger as the show progressed. Enya's "Only Time like always was great.

It will be pretty close. I'm thinking it may go Legends way, but I won't bet the farm on it.

Some great moments for Pacific Crest but some very serious timing issues for brass too. The guard did a good job.

Legends just finished after what has been their most successful season. It a trying one as well. Really strong performance.

I think Genesis wanted to make sure they placed ahead of Legends at least today. Their performance was very spirited through most of the performance though there was a little struggle at the beginning of "Both Sides Now." Overall, good first year in WC.

Music City was stronger today, making me wonder if in the next year or two they'll be hoping to be in WC. The ending with the orange flags against their black uniforms worked really well.

Spartans just finished. They seemed happy just to be here. From what I understand they were surprised at yesterday's results. I thought the show was more enjoyable and they had fun with it but had less of the competitive edge of yesterday.

"The Star Spangled Banner" was just played by the Army. Now we're off!

First off, I like Crown's show this year, but in thinking about its theme, let me offer this: i give a lot of presentations and from time to time use slide shows, years ago the old fashioned Kodak slides set to music, today they are digital. It is usually to vary the presentation. There are times I pick perfect images that fit the presentation, other times I know I need to fill the presentation with something different. The photos are always nice, the music appropriate, but I will admit sometimes it is an excuse to show photos I like and it's a stretch to fit the presentation. In both cases people enjoy them. sometimes when a theme of a show is too philosophical, I wonder if the designers did not want to do things, put these things together, and then decide a theme. This could describe a lot of shows that have worked well, and from the sounds of it, that's Crown's show this year.

When asked whether 13-25 will be available on DVD for this coming year, I was told by a woman who works for DCI it looks better than the last few years with a December release date. Whether that was customer service talk or wishful thinking, I'm not certain.

There has been a bit of chatter regarding Spartans making finals over Cascades, and among people sitting in my section, we thought it was a toss up between Music City, Sapartans, and Cascades as to which was better. I was happy for the two who did make semi's, but it could have been any one of them to be 26th. Personally I thought Surf, if not in the top 25, should have been closer. I also thought Pioneer was better than their score though I would not have had them in the top 25. I don't expect to see too much movement today. I would love to see Spirit give its performance of the year. We've been hearing Spirit is on the rebound since 2015, but to me it feels that way this year and the kids have worked hard. We could see another 2013 where BDB beats SCVC in semi's even though SCVC took the Open Class title. I don't expect Academy to finish in 15th tonight. Barring a disaster by one of last night's top 12, I don't see Mandarins making the top 12 this year. Excellent effort, but Madison is hungry. Crissmen and Blue Stars could trade places, no shock there, and the same thing could happen tomorrow. They are pretty evenly matched. If SCV could not top BD last night, it probably will not happen. I thought both were a little over scored last night, but there were nerves you don't normally associate with BD last night which you didn't see with SCV. I'm not saying they did not deserve to win, but it was not a perfect show.

After 14-plus hours of drum corps in Lucas Oil Stadium, if you're overly negative, I'm not sure what you watched. Every corps in WC was stronger tonight than in Allentown, and while I was not in Michigan City, I was told by someone who was that every corps was as good or better. My only criticism is that it was hard to hear vocals and spoken word over some of the corps but since I'm not a huge fan of either, I did not see it as a major problem.

Madison's top priority needs to be returning to finals, otherwise recruiting will be very difficult. I more than agree they need to be more Madison like next year while also being contemporary, but it might not happen if they do not return to finals.

Just realized the missiles in Mandarins show are actually the tips of old fashioned ink pens. Light dawns on Marblehead.

Academy added a few novelties to their show, including Porky Pig saying "That's all folks." I love the show, but don't expect a sudden surge.

Young Gabe is often as much of a show as the Troopers show itself and has tons of lady fans from potential girlfriends who see him as a heart throb, and women who would love to be a second mom or honorary grandmother.

I have been able to post anything since Blue Devils B. My phone did not cooperate. Overall, I have yet to see a corps not on target. One will take the field with an amazing show, I assume we'll see a shake up and without fail, the next show is better. A few thoughts on corps since BDB SCVC: it's really not all that elaborate as far as props, etc., the talent of the marching members does it all. Pioneer: made some tweaks since Allentown. It most likely will be their last performance of the year but it went well. The only drawback is the soloists microphone had issues. Surf: it may be your last show too, but your work should be recognized. You had a show that was a bit more sophisticated but still a lot of fun. Cascades: your colors seemed bolder today, though that could be the venue. The last time I saw you was in Allentown and the sun was still shining. Good run. Oregon Crusaders: "Only Time" is one of my favorites arrangements this summer. Spirit and Genesis: be proud of your progress this year and build on it. Pacific Crest: love "California Dreaming" and how it opens and c,less the show. Troopers: you nailed it this afternoon. Lots of folks are disappointed you won't be seem inthe theaters tonight. if you're in Indy and you missed anyone, it's too bad, you missed hard working performers who give it their all. If you're at ho e, I hope FloMarching worked.

After seeing all the OC corps this today, and attending Allentown, unless all the WC corps rewrote their drill, my verdict is no.

I feel like a broken record saying how great each corps has been, but BDB just blew the house down. The guard was amazing with a demanding show. It will be interesting to see how high they place.

If Legends placed 3rd in Michigan City, I can imagine BDB and SCVC will be amazing.

Last year Music City gave us regal splendor, this year we had a tribe. What a show! They can certainly reinvent themselves.