PeterGibbons

I marched a tympani back in the day. Heavy but the keyboard players had it worse, especially the poor soul who carried the vibraphone. I was for the move to the pit mainly for musical reasons. Sure with four timp players we could play some sweat runs that wouldn't be possible by one player. But the sound coming a marching tympani is crap compared to a concert tympani. Mainly because of marching timps were made of fiberglass whereas convert timps are made of copper. On the keyboard side of things, if you like a tingy bell sound than marching keyboards are for you. But I think no one can argue that a better percussion sound some from a concert keyboard. Watch Madison 1982. They simply put their marching keyboards on stands. Not the worst thing, but if you are not going to carry them, then get someone that has better sound.

I have a friend that was doing judging (GE) and a couple of years ago had some scores that went against recent trends for some corps. Strange that he judged only once that season and not at all this year ......

Going to be a LATE drive back to Virginia .....

Just got home from the show. Was really worried it would get rained out given the heavy downpour I drove through to get to Annapolis. My third year attending this show and each year the show logistics seem to get worse. They just don't have enough stadium staff to deal with the crowd. One gate, one (slow) concession stand. I heard one of the ladies at the game saying they were told about 2,500 people is all. Show started really late because, I assume, of the lines to get in the stadium. Then the lines to simply get through the tunnel to your seat took 15 minutes. Ok enough about that. Pioneer. Gosh those kids try but I cringed. Sounded like a bad high school bad. Surf. Was better than I expected the the plum trick as well as the rotation of the backgrounds help the show. Young group but you can see they really try hard. Hoping to are able to make Semis. Spirit. Honestly the show left no impression on me other than the delta on the uniforms. Scouts. Found myself a couple of times during the show looking around the stadium but I give the performers a lot of credit that they are putting EVERYTHING they have into their performance. Show design works a lot better in person. I don't love the show, mainly because there isn't any music in it that I want to hum. But I respect the show. Academy. Very fun. Seen it a few times on the interwebs. Too bad they won't make finals. I thought they marched well and played well. Guess the lower scores are in things I am not able to judge. Blue Devils. I'm a Vanguard guy at heart but #### if this show isn't incredible. For me the best BD show in recent memory. I think this is a lock to win (sorry). Just has the whole package. Noticed some small things live that I have not via youtube or flo. The reflective sides to the stairs really add a great element to the show. The are a bit flimsy and thus wave a bit. But I really like the effect. Cadets. I still would rather hear Barbara Maroney play Mass instead of having it sung by a choir. But this show is soooo much better in person. Some stages in changes (the choir has been moved to the left) and they brought back the bells from 2011. Have to say the robes during the first part didn't bother me seeing it live, and frankly the later two uniforms come across 'Cadets' to me. But he big deal here is the new closer. My oh my. How they hold the ending for as long as they do is beyond me. I didn't expect that ending and it brought a bigger response from the crowd than did BD. It is really something.

I was there as well. Although SCV is my favorite corps I was traveling with some Cadets staff that evening so I was kinda forced to be part of the Cadet party. When I found out the difference was a perfect percussion score, as a drummer I found this unbelievable. IIRC, the Cadets too were surprised they won.

What did they do in 1987? I don't recall. edit: nevermind. Aussies.

I'm a HUGE Vanguard guy ... but I have to admit that BDs show is just better this year.

Looking at the recaps, I suspect this is going to come down to the spreads in Guard and Percussion.

2013 SCV as well.

You mean Jerry Seawright saying 'Concord Blue Devils'?

I shall be there. Taking my son to his first ever show!

Vanguard is my favorite corps ... but #### if this show here isn't a winner. Love the music more and more every time I listen to it!

Go Green!

George Hopkins donated $340.00 you do great work IBE. Cash is king in drum corps and you have nothing to be ashamed of. Make it happen ... it looks like you already are :-) 8 minutes ago

How they are able to maintain that tone and loudness with all that movement is beyond me. Just sad they are not coming to Annapolis or Chester this year.

I yelled out 'Vanguard'. And I'm watching at home. I've never done that before.

Finally watched SCV using High Camera only ... Wow.

Looking it up, some other interesting drops in the DCI era of Corps making finals and falling out big the next year dropping at least 10 spots: 27th Lancers '73-'74 7th to 20th Argonne Rebels '73-'74 5th to 33rd Des Plain Vanguard '72-'73 7th to 20th The previously noted Kilties 5-year run '75-'79 7th to 28th to 10th to 12th to 32nd Seneca Optimists '77-'78 8th to 23rd

Bridgemen 84 to 85 was 14th to 26th. And the only reason they stopped at 26 is there were only 26 corps in Semis, which they 'qualified' for due to their finish the previous year (meaning they skipped prelims). It was a cringe-worthy performance, sad to say.

Same here

Considering that three guys from my high school were in the Cadets that year, you just made me feel really old!

I haven't seen a high school show in close to 30 years .... but this is what I imagine they look like these days.

I turned off my ad blocker and that made a difference,