UTLonghorn15

Completely agree with the suggestion of video game music. I thought Madison had success with their arrangements this past season. I'd really like to see music from some of the franchises of video games though--it'd be cool to hear them in DCI (they'd have to be really arranged well though for it to work). Also, I would LOVE to see Ocean by John Butler be worked into a show...I enjoy seeing how arrangements turn out from guitar/piano solos. And that piece is just so awesome.

I'll key in on some of the corps of which shows I have actually seen in person. Crown: I'd like to see the same thing I saw this season: face-melting brass. Of course, percussion needs improvement, and when that is done, they'll be absolutely undeniable. Spirit of Atlanta: I absolutely love the musical choices and such, but a different theme would also be nice to see. Blue Devils: With all of the hate towards Blue Devils' design these recent years, I find it funny that I've actually quite enjoyed them more-so than their earlier years. I absolutely loved the 2011-2012 shows. I don't know if anyone else agrees with me here though. Blue Knights: It was a nice change of pace this year with the design and musical choices. I'm a HUMUNGOUS fan of mellow, rhythmic music--so needless to say, this show was one of my favorites this year. The theme was a little abstract for me (unless all I was supposed to get out of it was circles and balls), but it didn't really matter much to me considering I enjoyed the music. Blue Stars: Just a heads up, I'm a Blue Stars honk, so I'm pretty much going to talk a lot about them. How I became such a fan?--Well, it was their 2008 show that made me a fan of DCI in general, leading to my (rather unhealthy) obsession with the activity. When I think of DCI, I immediately remember and hum the first hit of the Le Tour show that got them back into finals. That being said, I really miss the "happy melodic" music that was played in 2008-2009 years. It really makes shows memorable and quite enjoyable for others that don't care too much for the Blue Stars. I feel that the Blue Stars are trying to find their "identity"--like the ones Spirit, PR, Bluecoats, and BD have. The identity that I think they are trying to form is somewhat of a "dark" identity. The recent years (2010-2013) have a rather serious nature about them, including 2012. Don't get me wrong, I loved 2010 and its theme (I'm a sucker for Glass and minimalist music), but I feel like they're trying to mimic the success they had with that rather dark theme too much, and should try to head in a different direction. I enjoyed 2013 more than last year, and since next year is the 50th anniversary, I really think they should make a show about the history of the corps. Oh, and bring back the red plumes (not necessarily the helmet, but just the plumes), even if its just for the anniversary year. I think it would help bring back their "identity" that they're struggling to find. I think this was said about BS for 2011-2013--they have the talent, they just need the show. Troopers: Okay, I love these guys. The emotion from this show is just unbelievable. I'd really love to see more difficulty in the book though (but I think this was a rebuilding year from the previous year). Although, they were smart to fit the difficulty of the program to the members and decided to beef-up their book as the season progressed, rather than the watering-down that some corps have to do. It's funny, actually: I was SO excited that Blue Stars made it back into finals, but was SO disappointed that Troopers missed out on finals by only .15 points (and I don't even consider myself a Troopers fan). There is something magical about this corps this year that makes everyone embrace them. Hold onto that.

Thanks Cleveland for the frequent updates! Didn't even expect coverage of the drumline battles.

In other news, Oregon Crusaders beat Academy tonight.

Can Blue Stars, Crossmen, and Troopers just three-way tie in Semifinals? That'd be nice.

Really? If anything, I would think that their guard is helping them visually, judging by their recent colorguard scores. But I guess I really don't know how they affect GE Visual either, I guess.

Recaps are up: http://www.dci.org/scores/recap/recap_window.cfm?event=c2c79673-b4fe-47c3-81ed-20b32650d718

Below Madison Scouts, the recap looks crazy. That Blue Stars colorguard score.

http://www.dci.org/scores/index.cfm?event=4c52d833-53e0-414f-8c9a-8fe545021d0b Scores/Recaps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDQqsL34M8M It's the show from tonight. Heard the corps were overall disappointed with their performance and are hoping to do better tomorrow. I thought it was good though, haha! But I can see where it needs work.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=685498574800923 A snippet of the Blue Stars' music.

Looks like they have new white shakos in the dress rehearsal picture. Also: http://lacrossetribu...mment_form=true 16 Contras, and "arrangements of Etta James' classic, 'At Last,' Nina Simone's version of 'I Put a Spell on You' and music from the movie, "Chronicles of Riddick."

Well, since this is from the same profile as the above videos: https://www.facebook...682165941800853 Enjoy! I sure did.