BDAMom

Ok, wow. I teared up when I read this. This is probably one of the very best posts I've ever read on this forum. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and for being honest about your feelings. Really cool!!!

As usual, Boo handles this forum with grace and class. I, for one, think he is an invaluable asset to the drum corps community as a whole. Thanks Boo.

Right. But I never, ever said that anyone was calling for the corps to look and sound the same or that I was afraid of that. I expressed my opinion that I'm happy that they don't and that's all I said. Ever. Sorry Chuck for hijacking your thread.

*shrug* this is a message board. It is so very hard to interpret someone's intent when they post. I understand that.

I don't understand where there was any fear expressed here. Is it because I'm a BD parent that folks might think that I'm projecting something here? Because I'm not. All I said was that I'm happy that we see different stuff from diff corps at shows. That's all. I promise!!! I really am happy about that! Pinky swear!

This. They are really great. I love how the trumpet soloist plays all by himself. I see what they did there! :-D

Agree. I've seen the Firebird performed with motorcycles, true story. There are many interpretations and variations. Lovely source material IMO.

Thanks for this! too funny! I can't wait til Indy!!!!!!!!!

Hi Rocky, Are you familiar with the story of the Firebird? It's a little on the mythical side but basically, it involves freedom and transformation from tyranny, so I'm guessing that's what the corps is portraying here. At least, that's my impression. I could be totally wrong! My best advice would be to read the legend of the Firebird and decide for yourself what they are going for. That's the most fun way IMO! I really love this show. It's just great. I didn't like it at first this season but my goodness are these kids doing a great job!

Whoa there Nelly...if I said "I wish that DCP/people liked/appreciated more variety" I could TOTALLY SEE your comment and your thumbs down. But I didn't say that so please do not insert those words into my mouth. I was merely expressing *my* opinion, as I believe I am entitled to do, no? Please re-read my post or inquire regarding my intent in any of my comments before making assumptions and I'll do my best to extend you the same courtesy. Thanks! *edited to include post I was quoting.

Chuck- once again, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm thanking you not so much because you shared positive feedback for my kid's corps, but because you really do illustrate a point that is very important to remember here- and that it is that this is a subjective activity that, no matter hard we try, is simply impossible to objectify. I, for one, am SO GLAD that I don't see the same thing over and over again when I go to drum corps shows. I love how different everyone is- the different styles I see, and what they bring to the table. I would love it more if other people would see it that way, but then I guess that too would defeat the purpose of a subjective art. Dada was meant to expose conflict. BD? Mission Accomplished. Well done.

Hmmm. I'm thinking back over the literally thousands of hours of my life and how many of them have been spent waiting for the Troopers DM "slow walk" to be completed at a show. It's probably less than one hour out of those thousands, so I'm cool with it

THIS!!!!!!!!!!! You took the words right out of my mouth. Thank you for posting this. I could not agree with you more!! What an incredible season, and incredible instructors and students. I am so impressed with ALL our corps this year.

Thank you for taking the time to post this.

BK blew me away tonight. My opinion of that show has completely changed. Excellent showing by all the corps tonight!!! Thank you kIds, all of you!

This is such a wonderful idea. In addition to this, another great "care" package is just to walk up to a member, shake their hand in the lot and express your heartfelt appreciation for what they do- regardless of the corps and be it ever so brief an exchange. You just never know when a member may be struggling with illness, home sickness, or another of the many hardships that come with tour. The members really do appreciate ALL forms of support!

First off- THANK YOU for such an excellent and well-thought out review. It means so much to those who cannot make it to these shows. I LOL'ed when I read your "Angry Pit Girl" comments- actually- we've got TWO Angry Pit People here! At the beginning of the show, it's a boy beating that poor, defenseless device- he is the Angry Pit Boy Timpani Player. Later, we see Angry Pit Girl Vibe Player walk up to the plate. They both really let that thing have it. You would think it stole their cars or cheated on their significant others or something! We need to get one of these contraptions at home. In some of the photos BD has posted on their Facebook page, that rod is bent now, LOL.

Yeah! Sounds like this was a great show, hate we missed it! Sounds like everyone had a great show! A special shout out to the Blue Devils! Way to do it up, Devils!

Oh no! Hope they are okay!

My son is also a Spirit alum. I'm glad to see them surge too! It is a great organization.

Only you can answer this question, but I'll tell you what...marching in DCI requires a VERY thick skin, a tough mental attitude, and a desire to stop at absolutely nothing to put one amazing performance after the next on the field. Actually, this really goes for any performance artist. YES- the negativity on here DOES impact marching members who see it (and they do read). However, with your average DCI kid, rather than making them want to pack it in, many of them either ignore it, take the constructive criticisms to heed, or just keep on keeping on and do everything they can to make the activity the very best it can be. So can you do that? Can you dedicate and commit yourself to an activity you believe in so much that you are willing to take the good with the bad, and understand the difference between those who are passionate and those who are pessimistic? That is an important life lesson that many people never really learn. I would even say that my 18 year old son is better at than I am...because of his years in DCI.

Interesting. Thank you for posting this!

Ok- that's what I thought might have happened but wasn't sure. I couldn't remember if they had moved to Tx before or after their finals placement. So would this be the 2nd time then? No matter- it's still a REALLY big deal and I really want to see Bones gain momentum! :-)

Hi Crossmen, Very excited about your season! I am really, really pulling for you guys and I badly want to see you "Live from Indy, it's Saturday Night!". Should you get there, I'm thinking this MIGHT be the first time that a TX WC/Div 1 corps places in finals. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong?? If not the 1st, it has happened very few times. No matter what happens- good luck!

If I remember correctly, we heard about Boston's CA tour sometime in mid-fall last year- I believe it was prior to the first round of auditions.