1956OPR

"96, "06, "11 and "11

Triple 7, All too many comments on DCP suggest this conclusion in one form or another, usually, as is the case here, without even one fact to support their contention, leaving all to simply speculate as to their rationale. I am going to speculate that you are a Crossmen fanatic and that you are disappointed with their recent results in Minneapolis and Rochester, in which they finished behind the Regiment and the Blue Stars (twice). At these 2 contests, there were a total of 11 individual judges. 5 of these have, within the last 6 years, judged World Class prelims, semifinals or finals; they are Ausdemore, Dunn, B.Jones, Kemp and Ochran. I am speculating that none of these are considered clueless by you. So, who among Armbruster, Bowers, M.Davis, G. Miller, O'Neill and/or Whaley are clueless....and why? I am also speculating that, because you are the hornman, your particular contention is with the Brass judges Armbruster and/or Whaley. Please teach us. Thank you.

GREENBLUE in Scottsdale: I will join the others who have addressed this question. Box 1 means the corps RARELY achieves the standards set for the judged category; its score will fall within a range of 0.1-2.9. Box 2 means it INFREQUENTLY does so; its score will fall within a range of 3.0-4.9. Box 3 means it SOMETIMES achieves the standards set; its score will fall within a range of 5.0-6.9. Box 4 means it USUALLY achieves the standards set; its score will fall within a range of 7.0-8.9. Box 5 means it ALWAYS achieves the standards set; its score will fall within a range of 9.0-10.0. The following site has a guide to what these standards are for each judged category for both World and Open class corps: " http://issuu.com/drumcorpsinternational/docs/2012_judging_sheets_full_set/2?e=1376842/2992110 " Perhaps someone knows whether these 2012 standards have been modified; maybe DCI has a an updated site reference. 1956OPR (Michael) in Glendale, AZ (Phantom Regiment 1956-1960 Soprano). GREENBLUE, if you will be attending the San Antonio show, let me know.

In a 2016 interview, Dan Richardson responded to a question about his favorite Regiment show by saying "My favorite was New World Symphony in 1989 since it brought out the best in every section..." I am delighted that Phantom Regiment's 2018 program in the year of his death will incorporate Dvorak's classic and pay tribute to my friend and fellow MM from 1957 -1960.

We have lost a good friend, a gentle soul, a faithful and inclusive leader and an untiring supporter of the Regiment. Others knew Dr. Dan better and my heart goes out to all who benefited from his love and friendship. I remember our days at St. Patrick's grade school and St. Thomas Aquinas HS in Rockford, our HS drum & bugle corps, the St. Thomas Crusaders, and our efforts, beginning in, as I recall, November, 1956, to develop a competitive midwestern corps, the Phantom Regiment. Humility was one of our first great lessons. Dan, may you rest eternally in peace. SUTA. Michael

The Colts' 25 2017 age-outs included 6 Brass (2 T, M 0, B/E 2, C 2), 10 Perc (3 S, 0 T, 1 B, 4 FE), 8 CG and 1 DM. 5 were MM for 4 yrs, 4 for 3, 4 for 2 and 12 for 1 yr. All of the 25 MM of The Red Team should be proud of their results this year and for helping establish a base for next year's effort to make finals.

Brian, et al., Actually, the script for the snare drum featured in the ad called it "Phatboy". Sounds like cultural appropriation to me.

ftwdrummer, Thank you! There are enough clues in your advice that even I should be able to hear it.

As someone who is only familiar with BAC's field product over the past few years, I apologize in advance to all MPB, HP and Boston Crusaders fans for trying to ascertain what BAC's best season has been. But if I substitute "productive" for best, it appears to me that 1967 might qualify. Your corps placed first in 11 regional and national contests, including the CYO and World Open events and in the other 2 competitions BAC was second (to the Cavaliers by .433 in the American Legion finals and to Blessed Sacrament in the National Dream contest). It appears as though things have been tough since 1973 and a bit rough since 1999 but all indications are that BAC IS BACK and I sincerely hope you achieve your first DCI championship soon {but selfishly hope it is not at the expense of my beloved Regiment).

ouooga, I have one ? and one comment and one answer. If we were to choose a different word to replace "best" in that article, what would it be? I believe the answer is entirely subjective. If I had to choose from among 4 results for the Regiment ( 1st place in 2008 @ 98.125. 1st place in 1996 @ 97.400, 2nd place in 2006 @ 96.850 or 6th place in 2010 @ 93.150) my brain would certainly say 2008 but my heart would say 2006 and my soul would say 2010.

Jason, Thank you for the tip. I will have to listen more closely the next time I replay The Devil's 2017 show. For the hard of hearing, could you please place where it occurs?

I would love to hear the Concord Blue Devils reprise their 1992 classic "When a Man loves a Woman". I had hoped it would be part of their 2017 anniversary musical package but what they did this year is a classic in and of itself. Congratulations on # 18!

CDUB , I like your list and would urge only a correction to your comment on Mahler's Symphony No. 2 (Resurrection) : it has been done as recently as 2010 by Carolina Crown and by Phantom Regiment as the closer to their 2006 production of Faust. The latter and 2010's Into the Light are my 2 favorite Regiment shows.

2017 Phantom Regiment age-outs appear to number 44 : 21 Brass (9 T, 2 M, 6 E, 4 C); 11 Percussion (3 S, 2 T, 3 B, 3 FE); Color Guard (9); DM (3).

It appears the Regiment's 2017 mellophone line took a bit of a hit with these 2 departures and 1 other who joined SCV. All were experienced vets with PR and their musical abilities, likeability and leadership were no doubt missed. In fact, at the Age-Out ceremony, the PR age-outs carried one of those supersized head pictures of one of the two BD mellos in tribute to him.

Of the judges on the panel this evening, 4 have judged both BD and SCV in late July and August. 3 have judged each in the caption they are judging tonight. M. Gray, the GE 1 (Visual) arbiter in San Antonio on 07-22 scored in favor of BD 18.30 to 18.10. In the 07-30 contest in NC, as a Visual Analyst, Michael gave BD the edge 18.90 to SCV's 18..70. M. Stone, who is 1 of 2 judging GE 2 tonight, judged GE 1 (Music) on 07-22 in San Antonio and decided in favor of SCV 17.90 to 17.70 for BD. C. Raichle, the CG judge in Allentown on 08-05 scored BD higher than SCV in CG, 18.65 to 18.25. J. Prosperie judged Field Percussion for both in Allentown (though on different nights) and found in favor of SCV 19.30 to BD's 19.10. If, as I hope, SCV pulls off the win tonight, it seems to me that their Percussion ensemble and Color Guard will have to widen their semifinal gaps with BD significantly and increase their semifinal gap in Visual Proficiency beyond 0.2. If not, they can be proud of their anniversary result and I will extend a sincere salute to Los Diablos for # 18.

Hrothgar15, I must confess that I do not know who Scott Stewart is. Would you please identify him and expand on your suggestion about listening to his vision. Have we had a thread on DCP that includes a discussion of this vision?

CajunMamma, Thanks for chipping in with this post. Along with my reply to CDUB on page 47, maybe we can help respond to those who suggest they just do not "get it". IMHO, the theme is autobiographical about the corps itself and represents an ongoing introspection begun last year with "Voice of Promise". I think Will Pitts may be among those leading this journey "Into the Light" and I believe that the future is bright for the Regiment. By the way, are your son's initials JI, is he from Lafayette and is he a Buick?

CDUB, The following is a combination of info from PR's website and the contributions of a couple of DCP posters responding to the same inquiry by others on this site. PR website: Set amidst a musical landscape of sweeping symphonic scores and dark new musical textures, Phantasm explores the stark contrasts between reality and imagination, the real and the unreal. A twisted musical and visual challenger emerges as an intruder from within the classical tradition of the Phantom Regiment. This seductive, powerful character begins life solely as an invasion of the mind, but quickly becomes something more, blurring the lines between beauty, madness and desire. Forced to confront the enemy within, newfound strength leads to an awakening, and phantasy gives way to reality. Bama Belle on 08-04 on the DCP Allentown forum (page 76) says: It's about being infatuated with something that isn't real. That's why the MM are reaching out and crawling toward the girl in the beginning. When they change to white hats, it represents the willingness to face reality and live in the present and be free from isolating things that will destroy you. Bama Belle then references Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2 ( familiar to many as "All By Myself) as the corps' musical expression of this decision. PRomoter on the Phantom Regiment forum on DCP (page 121) responded to inquiries by FancySnack on 07-31 and drumcorpsfever on 08-01 by suggesting the following: Act 1 : Dark forces are in control of the corps, changing their normal white to black. This act contains some of the most frenetic field movement and guard work. It is meant to make us feel unbalanced and confused, as is the corps in their struggle against the dark forces. Act 2 : The corps fights to regain who they are. You will notice a lot of struggle for control over the dark forces, resulting in the appearance of the light force as the Rachmaninoff begins. You will notice the music moves from dark, atonal at times (quite unlike what we associate with Regiment), to a beautiful ballad in a major key. Act 3 : The corps begins to win control as the battle wages, with corps finally breaking the "spell", reflected in the white helmets, white guard units and the bright flag design. Even the music reflects the beautiful romantic/classical genre PR is known for. Hope this helps. SUTA Michael, Soprano, Phantom Regiment, 1956-1960

I agree with those who believe that judges are simply not interested in or persuaded in any way by the title of a corps' program. I also believe that within the discussions which judges have with corps reps after a contest that the corps tries its best to explain what it is doing and why that fits within their design, all or any of which might persuade the judge to see things differently (more favorably). I agree with those who believe that it is the corps' responsibility to choose a program title, music and design that communicates the message of their program to all in the audience in a way that does not result in a " I do not get it" response weeks into the season. I also believe that those who follow drum corps who say they do not get "it" should have some responsibility to do some research on their own to understand what a corps says "it" is. Visit their website, find the announcement of their program, see the field presentation again, hear what others have to say about it and try to develop a new appreciation of the product within that context. Use "Phantasm" as an example and tell me what message it is trying to convey. Then, if you know and still are not able to understand it via the program's music and design communication, transfer your curiosity to why that is so.

Mike, I do not understand this comment. No GE judge had Cadets score higher than Bloo during the DCI Eastern Classic. Bloo appeared in Allentown on 08-04 and Cadets on 08-05. The GE panels each night consisted of the same 4 judges, Chumley, Kelly, Hestin and Davis. Chumley split his responsibilities between GE 1 and GE 2; Kelly had GE Visual responsibilities each night; Hestin had GE Music responsibilities on 08-04 and GE Visual on 08-05; Davis had GE 2 responsibilities each night Both Kelly and Davis scored Bloo above Cadets. Both Chumley and Hestin scored Bloo above Cadets. To which judge were you referring?

Mike, to me the implication of your remark was that Bloo's percussion scores had been slipping recently. However, it appears that in fact they have continued to generally increase over the last 2 weeks. 0n 07-22 in San Antonio, both Dunn and Griffin had Bloo @ 17.50 (89-86 and 89-86 respectively); On 07-30 in W-Salem, Furnari had them @ 18.50 and Ausdemore scored Bloo @ 17.90 (94-91 and 91-88); On 07-31 in Dublin, Davila scored 18.10 (92-89); On 08-03 in Chester, Prosperie scored 18.35 (92.5-91); On 08-04 in Allentown, Howarth had them @ 18.50 and Prosperie scored them 18.70 (93-92 and 93-94). Mike, if I missed the specific intent of your comment, please clarify it for me. Thanks.

JohnD, Thank you so much for this combined recap. We do appreciate your efforts on our behalf. Michael

Relying on corps rep, by my count, the only year of the last four that they did not play "what other corps have done" was 2014 (0 of 6). In "13 (1 of 3), "15 (3 of 7) and "16 (4 of 8) BD's repertoire includes 18 songs, of which 8 had been played previously by other corps. And, of course, "14 was their wonderfully unique and record setting presentation of Felliniesque so I would encourage Los Diablos to continue that approach but beg them to stay away from Korean pop and Ravi Shankar.

kdaddy, Good point! In listening to this Jean-Michel Jarre piece, I can envision a Front Ensemble interlude, perhaps after one of the ballads and/or perhaps as a build-up to a second ballad. Your suggestion led me back to last Sunday's post by year1buick about the delivery of new PreSonos equipment from Pageantry Innovations; a short video on the latter's site featured the Regiment's FE. Maybe the new equipment will enhance PR's capability to faithfully represent the Oxygene, Pt 17 composition. By the way, isn't Jean-Michel the son of Maurice?