Quadzkid

The SCV organization is EXTREMELY close between the Cadet Corps and the A Corps. I would venture a guess that between 1/4 to 1/3 of the A corps members used to be Cadet Corps members...and this is across all sections. This year alone 2 quads, 4 basses (I believe), 3 cymbals, and at least 2 snare drummers are SCVC alumns. Even on the road we're tight. Last season we almost always spent time together when we were at the same shows, and during finals week we practiced performed for each on Semis night. The mutual support and respect is really incredible. Jeff Fiedler spent time with and addressed all of us throughout the season, both individually and together as a full SCV organization. SCV practices what they preach and are truly a family. Yes, there are surely some differences in approach, as that comes with different instructors, but the philosophy remains the same all the way through the organization. SCV truly wants their members to start with and stay with the corps from their beginnings until they age out. While I cannot speak for the Blue Devils organization, I feel like there is a little bit more of a disconnect in SOME aspects, but certainly they look out for and try to help each other succeed as well.

Preferences aside, I think it would be very difficult to claim that anyone moves "better" than the Cavaliers. Their style seems to be gaining favor as drill becomes more difficult and demanding because it is the easiest way to keep continuity and prevent level changes during direction changes and such. The starts and stops are what make groups look sloppy, and they way they move minimizes that. You could say they were at the head of the "drill revolution" in the early 2000's (Niagara Falls anyone?) and I feel like they were able to do what they did (and continue to do) at those tempos because of their technique. Anyone who says BK's technique is rough on the knees, I would have to disagree. Abe and Co. do a really good job of making sure the movement is not harming you. The high mark times are simply effects used during the show, not something that is a staple throughout rehearsal by any means.

As someone involved in SCV 08, I can say that the members are very excited to have Andre in this position. He was very well liked and ran most of the ensemble rehearsals from Stanford on, with only a few trips back home before returning to tour. He did a great job, and will continue to do a great job.

I highly suggest checking out SCV. Fiedler and co. have some special things on the horizon for that corps.

Those are NOT the new SCV unis...no need to worry

As an 'out-of-the-blue' auditionee, I made my corps of choice over a vet (just not a previous years' vet). It does happen. Staffs tend to take the best players, not always the most loyal ones....its a pretty brutal environment sometimes.

Hey all - I'm going into my 3rd and final summer of junior corps and have yet to have a truly successful sponsorship campaign. Last year I really went for local businesses that I've been connected to personally, or visited frequently (my bank, Wal-Mart, Target, former employers) but despite these efforts no one really came through with helping me cover dues payments. I've heard stories of kids who went to companies and had great success with them donating money for tuition, but no real explanations of how they went about it, what they included in their letter, how they followed up etc... Anyone with any insight on how you successfully funded your tour? Thanks

Hey all - What're your views on kids changing corps? How about when staff members pressure kids into coming back? I realize its their job to field the best line they can, but making a performers already complicated decision as to where to march even harder? There are so many factors that go into such decisions.... Annnnnd discuss

Hey all...I'm wondering if I can put a sponsorship post up if I'm a corps hopeful, but have not yet earned a spot, in order to help with a plane ticket to November auditions. I have 3 years of corps experience, two in D-1, and I'm an ageout. What's the verdict? Thanks a ton. Jake

Whoever said that the group was young, I don't exactly agree with that. At least in the percussion section it was older. Average age was like 20. Aged out 3 tenors 7 snares a couple basses and a TON of pit.

Glassmen without a doubt. Anyone see those Ayala drums? Very nice. BD's lightning boltish looking ones from a couple years back we're pretty cool. And who doesn't love the blonde maple with SCV's old uni's.

Johnathan Holmes, their DM for the past 5 (I think) seasons, had never marched before, and he turned out to be pretty good...

Energy, Endurance, Exhiliration.....sounds like a porn movie. All in fun, folks. GO ESPERANZA

I dont know how to post it, but i have a shot on my home computer of the entire field from 2004 finals retreat. Someone took 3 or 4 shots and photoshopped them together, so you get the whole field. I'll see if I can put it up here in a week when i go home. Just saw Maedhros' post, we're talking about the same one. I have that shot saved. I'll get it up when i can!

I highly doubt McNutt is going anywhere...but who knows.

What about the 99 (I think) Mandarins hornline that finished 13th OVERALL while they were a Div 3 corps with like 19 horns.

I know at Blue Stars Chad Armbruster or someone else in the 'front office' was actually at Phantom Regiment's camp and telling kids to make the trip over to Blue Stars if they had gotten cut from Phantom. At least thats what one kid at tryouts said brought him to Blue Stars. This seems like a great way to get kids your way. They see you, they see how enthused you are, and they right then and there know there are other options.

As a member of a line that Mr. King judged this year...I believe he is one of DCI's better judges and our staff agrees. He scored us very lowly on nights that we knew we deserved it! He calls what he sees and is an unbiased observer in my opinion. Would you rather have a judge who just looks at last night's score and bumps them a tenth or two up or down? We all know that happens all too often, and this bashing of Mr. King needs to stop. He is one of DCI's better judges (ask the players and staff members, they know) and he calls it as he sees it. Bluecoats probably had an off night, and Chuck was not going to let it slide just because they were scoring higher the nights leading up to semis. If we can't bash other poeple, why let this bashing of a very accomplished and well respected (and deserving) judge go by unnoticed.

I think it had less to do with execution (yes I know their performance scores were down this year) and more to do with show design. The performers did what they could with what they were given, it just was not a show that could win a championship, no matter the level it was performed at.

Uncalled for brassmeaway... Just to give everyone an idea of what the Cadets battery was playing during the ballad check this VicFirth video out. It's unreal that this is a ballad Definately my favorite part of DCI 2005 Anyone else find it funny how instead of simply decrecendoing, the battery just moved farther and farther away until they had crossed the entirety of the field...A nice touch vicually and musically!

Seroiusly friends....you think that changing GRIPS is going to affect (effect?) SCV's drum placement? It's not the grip, its the staff and the players. Murray is still there and some of the best drummers around are still there. They will be smoking, no doubt, and another drum trophy is possible if not probable.

I believe Blue Stars numbers are 8-4-5-5 but i'm not positive on the cymbal numbers. Also: Cadets are down to 10, I guess someone needed to drop due to knee sugery.....

Is anyone looking for 1 ticket to all three nights, if so please contact me please because I am trying to find a 4th person to buy in on a set. Thanks in advance. quadzkid@hotmail.com

I'm interested, but cannot send an e-mail for some reason. contact me at quadzkid@hotmail.com

Bump-- I'm getting semi-desparate....I'm mostly concerned about finals night (semifinals would be nice too though). Any leads or help will be much appreciated.