drumcorpsfever

Bluecoats beat The Cadets in Akron! I think that's pretty significant!

My goodness, FINALLY! :> Although I would place Madison above BAC and Crossmen. That's more of a personal choice on my part. I really love Madison's show this year. However, I think your top 6 are spot on at this point in time. July 2nd at Foxboro will be interesting. Then on July 11th when everyone is all in. Way too early to be ordering the winner's trophy or molding the medals. This one is still very much open. I also don't really find the faults that you may see in the Bluecoats. They will certainly be in contention. I wouldn't bet the house on the placement of the top 5 at this point - probably wouldn't all the way through the last Saturday of the season - if I were a betting person. There is a long way to go.Edited for correction - July 2nd in Foxboro is going to be great!

double post. sorry - see below.

BD is to drum corps what the Yankees are to baseball. The Yankees huge payroll and BD's huge budget will always keep them in the running as long as there is gravy on the train. Go anybody else!

I think you really have to stretch imagination to believe in the "Power of Ten". I've never once thought the number 10 in that way other than our numeric system - and that's a stretch as well. It almost seems an attempt to create a show in the realm of Tilt - music first - and build the show around music that's really cool. The difference is Tilt was more adaptive to the creative design of the show. The Power of 10 is not.I enjoy much of the music, really dig the ability of the performers to execute the show, but don't find myself thinking that the number 10 is any way substantial to the fabric of the show.

Crown's show is the only show I've seen and heard this year that I can listen to over and over and over again. Play, repeat, repeat... the music is incredible. Crown is right in the mix. Percussion is sounding better than ever. Guard is awesome. Brass is, well, just another incredible Crown brass line - ho hum! Keep it going Crown!

How would you define what it is that you see and hear in BAC's show then? The signer is the central figure of the show. She sings a lot. Beautifully or otherwise. She signs solo, she sings while the brass is playing. All eyes and ears are on her at the pinnacle of the ballad. Yes, BAC has a heavy emphasis on singing.

One thing is very evident, signing is in vogue. Saw Crossmen for the first time. Nice show. Like Troopers and BAC, there's heavy emphasis on voice. I'm not sure any additional practice will bring the same polish that you'll hear from the brass and percussion by seaons's end. That's really too bad because Troopers and Crossmen brass sounds great. All of these corps great brass sounds kind of get diminished in the signing that is not completely effective. It reminds me of the 2007 Cadets. If you focus on the brass only, you're blown away on how great they sound.

3 words about sum this up: Minnesota! July 11 is going to be fun!

CA?

Crown continues to get cleaner and cleaner. Brass sounds out of this world and percussion has really come into age this year. Guard is consistently the best as well. Show changes will happen. More importantly for that for Crown will be the execution of music, guard and movement - and that is happening! This is a killer show!

Sometimes I find rehearsal as entertaining as the show. Especially for a corps like Crown. Each segment of the show is so awesome, it's great to be able to enjoy multiple reps of it.

I couldn't disagree more with the OP. This will turn out to be one of the most creative, competitive seasons ever in DCI. I don't long for the good old days of drum corps. It gets better every year.

Why so many "BC" refererences? We don't refer to them as BC! Signed, Blue Coats alum

Madison will be singing in the rain

At least we enjoyed some spirited discussion!

There isn't anything too magical about the July 1st date. Although a margin of 3 points is pretty significant either way. What will be very interesting is the July 11 regional in Minnesota. I get the sense that this year will be more open to position changes one through 12. I don't think anyone can predict with any certainty who will win the gold this year. Plus, if you consider BD (never out of the top 3, a stong Bluecoats show; Crown's brass, guard, and remarkably improving drums, a strong SCV; and The Cadets. There's should be much excitement and anticipation for the possibilities. Let's see what the standings look like at the end of the day on July 11th. From there, who knows? Remember 2011 when most everyone thought the Cavies were a lock for the gold out of the gate? The Cadets started in 4th that year and ended up on top in Indy. I get the sense that we're in for some rocky placement results througout this season.

Regardless of where Madison finishes on finals night, this show is killer! Love Madison this year - super enjoyable show.

Well, if they weren't aware, then hopefully they will be now. Perhaps a lesson learned.

Like it or not, it's tradition. Tradition should be respected by those that represent the activity - especially from its leaders. If someone doesn't like it, then resolve the matter off the field and do it the right way. I'm not big on the slow retreat either, but it's part of the time-honored tradition of the Troopers and drum corps. Change it if you will, but don't make a mockery of it in full view. That's just disrepectful - period!

Friendly competition yes. But don't forget tradition. Tonight, those of us in Pittsburgh witnessed the Boston Crusaders drum majors sprint out in front of the Troopers drum major while the majors where entering in retreat for scores. Remember to respect tradiion and that you represent the other 147 members of your drum corps.

In Ohio, it's The Ohio University. Honestly, when I hear the emphasis on the "THE" and the organization's insistence of THE, I feel they're kind of full of themselves. So, I get the pet peeve, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. There's far too many better things to gripe about.

It is The Cadets. It is also The Cavaliers. Don't you use your first and last name? I mean, geez, c'mon! -Cher

Great catch! Upside down inverted pyramid = hell! This is a great example of why you have to see these shows more than once! You catch new things each time.

After suffering through the first couple of weeks on the new "and, err, improved" website, does anyone like the changes? Two things I always used DCI.org for: 1) Schedule info. The previous format was much better. By the week, one click and all corps competing were listed. Easy link to show info. New schedule is a long list, one click on event details get you an annoying ad. Now when you select schedule by corps, you get the corps' schedule but no direct link to the show to let you know who they're competing against. 2) Fan Network. RIP! Though, when I was in Indy, a sales associate said at the DCI souvie stand that they are working on bringing some of the fan network archived shows back. Also, loading time - via non mobile or not - is not hitting the mark. DCI has lowered the content level and their achievement to the content leaves much to be desired!