Tim K

This year I don't think I'll count anyone out! Academy has tons supporters who argue their cause, Pacific Crest is impressing everyone, Mandarins are claiming their best year ever, Blue Stares and Crossmen are getting ready for another heated end of season, Troopers have promise, and Colts always have great moments in their shows. Indy could be very interesting this year.

It went great at Beanpot too, and since so many of the people in the audience marched with some of the corps known for rifle lines: BAC, North Star, and of course 27th. If a color guard, especially rifles, is approved in Boston, it has to be good. Hope storms keep away and people get to see in tonight.

What I appreciate about this year's Bluecoats show this year that it may be the same show each evening, but somehow feels different each time I see it. I first saw it at a movie theater but I saw it live at CYO Nationals in Quincy and got the somewhat dark feeling some have mentioned. I saw it again in Bristol just before July 4th and it had an innocent feeling to it. At Beanpot I kind of had a feeling of being reminded of optimism when so many tend to be somewhat pessimistic. I guess that's one of eth signs of a good show--keeping people guessing while having the same show have a different feel each time it is seen. However, with all the great musical moments in the show, the thing that sticks in my head is recorded voice of the drill sergeant who yells "Atten-hut" and the corps yells back "bloo." I swear I've been hearing that over and over.

I am currently involved with getting a band off the ground at a Catholic school and there have been some people who know I love drum corps who want me to make it a parish-wide activity and start a full fledged drum corps. There are two huge limitations. First, money. Second, there are no corps to compete against and I'm not sure parades and exhibitions would be enough to keep the interest of a child. I think there's also another challenge to the proposal as stated. I am a key of g guy at heart, love traditional guards, and grew up during the carry-on days. I respect it and see it all as an art form. However, I also know when I marched in a CYO band in a circuit that included drum corps and drill teams in the mid to late 70's, we all wanted to do what drum corps did, namely play like Madison, have a guard like 27th, all while imitating the Bridgemen. Last Wednesday night I was in Bristol and the stadium was field with high school kids. I can guarantee you they will all return to their schools excited to invigorate their music programs wanting to wear gray like BAC to create a mood, have the moves and sound of Bluecoats, blast everyone away with brass power and percussion attitude like Cadets with the elegance and strength of Phantom all while having the "let's have some fun here" like Surf. So I think we would have to have junior versions of what we see today. However, we probably all have ideas of how something like this could work and we are certain our ideas are best, and perhaps they are. There is also the possibility that this plan, as written, could work. However, the original poster's stats are what w should be paying attention to, namely that 80% of those involved in drum corps are over the age of 18. It's my guess that in the past, with perhaps the exception of the elite corps, that the numbers were the opposite, namely that 80% were under the age of 18. If you want to see some examples, look at the 1975 Legacy DVD and watch Finleyville Royal Crusaders, the 1976 Guardsmen, or the 77 or 80 Garfield Cadets. This is something that should be a concern and while we could say that bands are now better and school programs have improved, the same can also be said of drama and athletics, and many communities have drama programs for young people outside of school and most of your better athletes have opportunities in club teams, travelling teams, or AAU programs outside of school. It would be great of we had programs for younger kids and World and Open Class would be something to aspire toward, although as I say this, there are lots of young people in Spartans and 7th Regiment this year and while I've only seen Raiders once this year, they looked rather young, and interestingly, all three corps look better!

You're wrong about North Star. North Star always starts strong and peaks in early August unless you're from the Boston area and you know it's not that North Star peaked early, it's because the judges don't appreciate corps from Massachusetts which is why 27th never won a title (should have in 80), it took so long for Defenders to make the top 25 and so long for BAC to finally make the top 12 (that should have happened earlier too, like 77 or 78). So North Star at this point should be with Bridgemen and 27th.Just attend any CYO, Eastern Mass. or Mayflower circuit show and you'll know I'm speaking the truth.

I was surprised at how good all of the corps were last evening. With the combination of heat and most corps doing multiple July 4th parades, again in the heat, I figured at least one corps would crack just a bit and we'd see a bit of fatigue. I did not expect better performances than Bristol. I know we're talking drum corps and drum corps are tough, strong, etc. and the participants are young and can take a lot more than most of us who are twenty-one plus, but they are human. There's no question that last night was Cadet's show, at least in my opinion. Once again I expected a different 2nd and 3rd placement just as I did in Bristol. I thought Bluecoats were on fire and Phantom was excellent, but not quite as hot as Bluecoats. I felt the opposite way after Bristol. However, the differences were small. I'm not finding Surf to be as terrible as some pundits are saying. They may find next year they have to step their competitive game up a bit, and I think the marching members have that potential, but they excite the crowd, their show has improved, and it's fun. Spartans and 7th Regiment have some good talent and big hearts. Regarding BAC: Their progress this week has been phenomenal. They've made some significant changes and while in theory the origional show worked, it was hard to see, especially last week in Quincy where the lighting was less than favorable for intricate backfield work. While all eyes will be on July 11th when Cadets, Crown, and BD meet for the first time, I'm waiting for Minneapolis on Saturday when BAC will face Cavies, Madison, Spirit, and BK. There could be some very interesting results and since BAC will not have any shows between Sunday and Saturday, we could be in for a few surprises. craiga: you may not have a clearance with the BAC design team, but you're usually right on the money. I'd say always, but anytime you use the word always someone finds an exception.

Two spots this year will make up for 77 and 78 when BAC didn't make finals but should have!

1, Cadets--not my original choice but they have something to prove this year. 2. Carolina Crown--may be wrong and I won't be disappointed if they win. 3. Blue Devils 4. SCV 5/6 Bluecoats or Phantom 7. Since 7-10 is a place where there will be a lot of excitement, I'm going to give 7 to BAC. 8. Madison They are doing great this year so far, but they could peak around Allentown. 9. Cavies 10. Blue Knights though this prediction may change when Blue Knights return from the west. 11. Spirit-if they add to their show, this prediction could also be wrong. 12. Troopers, but if I had to place a life or death bet on whether Blue Stars, Troopers, or Crossmen would take the most likely open spot for finals, I'd probably end up dead. This will be another hard fought fight.

I remember going to a few shows on the Cape. They must have been sponsored by Boston Crusaders. It would be great to have a few shows on the Cape.The venues on the Cape would be small, but it would be a great atmosphere for a show. They probably could make a financial killing. The Cape has to be filled with alums from BAC, St. Kevin's Emerald Knights, Majestic Knights, Holy Family Defenders, etc. Alums of 27th, North Star, and Beverly Cardinals probably headed north, because everyone in Massachusetts know, crossing the Tobin Bridge or travelling through the airport tunnels except when you're going to Logan is a day's journey! So North rarely goes South and South rarely goes North. That being said, 27th used to refer to "out of staters" in their corps. Were they really from out of state or were they from Norwood, Quincy, Needham, and other suburbs south of Boston?

The Open Class show in Manchester, NH on July 20th (show some love to Open Class). East Coats Classic in Lawrence, MA (five minutes from home), Allentown, and it's looking more likely I will be going to Indy.

Just a word of warning: Don't tell a Cape Codder that the Cape begins in Plymouth. You have to cross the Cape Cod Canal bridges and you always call them Sagamore or Bourne. A frappe (said frap, not frappay) has milk, ice cream, and syrup so it's not quite an ice cream soda, and I think Brigham's are all but gone, though there may be some private shops using the name and you can still get the ice cream and hot fudge sauce. Their vanilla is perfect for anything a-la-mode. However, if you are headed to the Cape, and you want a great frappe, stop at the Seafood Shanty across from the Canal's visitor center. Since the drum corps will be in Pennsylvania on Sunday, that's where you might be able to find me.

First of all, "the Cape" is always Cape Cod and you only arrive at the Cape when you cross one of the two bridges: Sagamore or Bourne. Plymouth, Wareham, and Onset are not the Cape.Only tourists use "Cape Ann." Locals just use the town names: Gloucester (Glostah) , Manchester (Manchestah) by the Sea, Essex (Essix), or Rockport While I hit Cape traffic with a vengeance going to Bristol, if I hit Cape traffic going to Lynn, my sense of direction is way off. I live in Haverhill and once lived in Lynn, so I know all the back roads quite well. Cadets will maintain their high score but my hope is BAC will edge closer to Bluecoats and Phantom.

Surf is at the same place this year as last year, the difference with this year is that the concept is no longer new. The fact is that Surf is where it wants to be. They feel that providing a solid experience with drum corps and having a good time while doing it is what matters most, so they are achieving what they want to do and they really can't be faulted for it. They may find that this may not be enough and will have to be more competitive to recruit new members, but for now reinventing itself, reminding people how much fun a drum corps performance can be, and exciting a crowd are all worthy contributions to the activity and something Surf is doing well.

I went to the Norwood, MA parade today. Planned on hitting Bristol, but it took so long to get there yesterday and quite a while to get back home, so I stayed local. Saw 7th Regiment, Cadets, and Boston Crusaders along with Connecticut Hurricanes and Le Titans de Quebec. 7th Regiment generally has serious shows but they can let loose with the best of them at a parade. Le Titans have quite the maneuvers in parades, almost like a mini marching show along the route. Hurricanes played a little Bruno Mars as they passed. There was a back up where I was watching and it was in front of a hospital so the corps that were at stand still could not really perform. Cadets took the opportunity to get up close and personal with the crowd, a nice touch, and BAC entertained the crowd with a great drum solo.

I voted Bluecoats, though my heart would be with the person who suggested BAC who will surge this year, of that I have no doubt but I'm not sure it will be to first place, but I'm not sure SCV has to "surge" to win unless Cadets turn out to be the front runners, which could be possible. While my hunch is it could be Crown's year, at least at this point, I think we will see Crown, BD, Cadets, and SCV trade victories back and forth, so if SCV wins it wouldn't necessarily be a "surge." A surge for me would need to be a dark horse so I picked Bluecoats.

I just returned from Bristol. It took me four hours to get there, and I only have myself to blame. There was no way of avoiding Cape Cod traffic from where I live, and when I got to Warren, the neighboring town to Bristol, I should have remembered it is one long road into Bristol and not only would a person hit show traffic, you also join in with people heading to Newport. It is July 3rd, I once lived in a coastal to0wn, so I should have known better! Next time I will leave earlier and spend some time enjoying the harbor and Naragansett Bay. However, it was well worth the traffic. Now I was a little surprised that Bluecoats topped Phantom. Last week at CYO I thought Bluecoats was on fire and Phantom was good, but not as good as I thought they could have been. This week I found Bluecoats a bit off, not drastically, but I did notice a few "bleacher" issues but they were handled well but the brass did not give me goose bumps .like last week I didn't expect a huge difference in scores, since both were very good, especially for this time of the year, but it did surprise me. That being said, I love both shows. I also have to give a shout out to my friends at BAC. They've made some significant changes, namely making sure the action is more front and center than it was just last week, and this probably accounts for a better score. Surf was Surf, and you can't help but love them. Cadets could probably be heard ten mile away. Sheer musical power. Now while I did not think Bluecoats would outscore Phantom, Bluecoats did provide some of the greatest memories of the evening in the encores. They performed part of their show along with a great rendition of Simon and Garfunkel's "The Boxer" that included vocals and they went "Old School" with "Autumn Leaves." All in all a great way to9 begin celebrating the 4th.

They wore red for the Bunker Hill Day parade too. What I really enjoyed about the encore in Quincy was "Shipping off to Boston." I'd love to hear it again tonight in Bristol or Friday at Beanpot.

The '94 show was "Once more in 94."

I think until the corps most expect to be contenders meet for the first time, which will be Minneapolis, the judges scores will only be a guide. Right now I think it is safe to say based on results that BD and Crown will be two of the top 3, whether Cadets would be a front runner, perhaps the front runner or whether SCV will round out the top three is speculation. If Cadets are the third of the top three contenders, where SCV falls in relation to Phantom and Bluecoats is again, speculation. Early season judging cannot predict who will be the final corps in the Top 7. I think we'll have to wait until San Antonio to make solid predictions in that regard, perhaps even Allentown.

My comments in this thread belong in another, so I removed them.

I know he announces at the two BAC shows in Massachusetts (CYO and East Coast Classic), Beanpot, Mission drums (DCA) and Bristol. My guess is he also does Connecticut Drums. These shows are known as much for their reunion like atmosphere as their slate of corps and he adds to the atmosphere. Carolina Crown always has fun with him (though not this year--they're out West) and Surf does as well. High school kids in the crowd are the ones yelling "you" the loudest which may be more of a joke than anything else, but it's fun. The venues where he announces are often sold out or pretty close to full capacity. While I do not think that people buy tickets just to hear Paul Cain announce a show, there will soon be posts about empty stadiums and with great corps competing, we might wonder if the folksy announcer who helps create an atmosphere at a well attended show demonstrates what works or does the matter of fact announcer a less than filled stadium demonstrate what works? While this is anecdotal at best, parents of kids who see them in Boston love the Boston area shows: the announcer is a hoot, a priest saying a prayer at the beginning of CYO is touching, and the old time fans and alums who love to tell back in the day stories without ever insulting what happens on the fields today, all make it a great experience.

Is Wakefield having a parade at all? Last I heard they didn't have enough volunteers for any parade at all. That was in late May.

Haven't seen the Fan Network performance of CYO since I was there, but if it is anything less than exhilarating, it's a bad recording. Cadets, Phantom, BAC, and Bluecoats all had good performances that night.

I'm sure I will like seeing scores as they happen when I am at home and not at a show, but if I were at a show, I want full retreat, scores announced, encores, etc. Since I know I can't have it both ways, I'll opt of the second. Knowing drum corps results is not a life or death matter so we can wait.

Keep bringing the kids. Drum corps should be all aged entertainment and if you're sitting in the stands, an enthused crowd always makes it more enjoyable. I'm also a big fan of bringing kids to things like church, museums, concerts, and the like. Kids add life and often make us see things we'd otherwise miss.