Eaglebac

Let's hope there isn't too much rain this season, or the show will have many other things too! :-P

For anyone who is interested, Boston Crusaders is broadcasting the concert in the park live on their Facebook page.

They're definitely investing in a strong design team, but I was just referring to you see on the field.

Completely agree on this point. BAC is now run by excellent businessmen, and even my non-drum corps friends are noticing them. Concert in the park was held in the middle of the financial district, East Coast Classic was advertised at very visible public transportation stations (and held at the premier stadium in the city). Add to that participation in events like Boston Pride (last year), performances with the Boston Pops, 4 Independence Day Parades in the Boston area, and even the Street Beat 5k race, which are all increasing exposure. Corporate sponsors are flooding in, and the corps is run like a machine. All they need now is to improve the design element to become more competitive, but the foundation is there. DCI is lucky to have a corps like BAC, which is expanding the fan base at every possible opportunity.

Years in the past, I happily paid for a Fan Network subscription. This year, I didn't buy live streaming because I live in Asia. The result? I started watching clips on other platforms, and I barely miss Fan Network. I also haven't been following DCI as closely this summer. Even if they do bring back VOD next year, I don't think I will buy because I have learned to live without it. I'm not blaming DCI at all, but this issue is probably hurting their business in more ways than they have even considered.

In the book, the animals start to become more human as time passes. Putting clothes on is a subtle and brilliant idea by the design staff!

After several years of lurking, you chose this as your first post?!?

Slingerland: If you really want to be technical, your stats are misleading. At their first shows, The Cavaliers scored 66.7 (Lexington), whereas Boston scored 64.3 a night later in Akron (below The Cavaliers and Spirit). The first major regional (Minneapolis) also had Cavies above Boston (8th vs 10th). Both corps improved tremendously over the course of the season, but I stand behind Brasso in his initial statement. The record actually proves that Boston did jump more corps throughout the season, both in terms of score and placement.

Is it possible to be underwhelmed in a good way? Either way, it's an exciting competitive season and I think the close scores are inspiring all corps to work hard and rise together!

I filled a hole during my age-out year and it was a lot of fun! The first task was learning the drill, which mainly involved following the forms and having people next to me point in the direction I was supposed to move. I didn't put a drill book together - it was more muscle memory. Gradually, I learned the specifics about where my *exact* spot was in each set. Music was the second priority, which I learned on my down-time. I was able to do my first show about a week after joining up with the corps (but I didn't play most of that show since I was too focused on the drill). By the second week, I was much more comfortable and I felt like a full member. It's almost like building the frame of a house before the foundation. Your son may feel overwhelmed at times, but I'm sure he will be so glad that he took advantage of the opportunity by the time the season is over. Good luck to him!

Those 150 people deserve to be proud alums of a corps that still exists beyond just next season. How many kids at Teal Sound were having fun when their tour was cut short last summer and they were left scrambling for a new home?

I want the Glassmen to succeed just as much as anyone, but why would I donate when there is no long-term plan to thrive? It would be like investing in a company with no strategic vision... This corps (and many others) needs to find a revenue stream that is sustainable. Bingo is gone - now what can take its place? Drum corps fans are creative people. Instead of spending time soliciting $10 donations, we should be brainstorming ways to sustain the activity! Ready...go!

Last year, Phantom Regiment started the competitive season with only 7 tubas...They recruited hard just to get up to 12. Since you are starting at such a high weight, you should be able to drop weight pretty easily at first. Eat healthy, do some running, and also build some muscle. Carrying 40+ lbs of metal on your shoulder all summer will be so much easier if you have a solid base of muscle (especially in your legs) and if you're carrying around less body weight.

I would agree with the earlier feedback...Definitely try to drop weight and keep a positive attitude. Those two factors are equally as important (if not more) than your playing ability. Now, as for Tuba being a hard instrument to make in a corps, I would say that's not true. I marched with 2 different corps and good tuba players were never easy to find. Just keep working hard and go for it! You have plenty of time to get in drum corps form!

You're right - the subject has been beaten to death! My initial thought: Does it really matter if one of the "outsider" corps is scoring higher at the time of each G8 show? Even if Madison (for example) is scoring higher than one of the G8 corps next year, it doesn't mean that they are one of the "finest 8 corps". Like it or not, the G8 shows will be featuring the corps that are *currently* the finest in the world. As for your second question, they should get additional money because they will bring in additional money. Simple as that! No one is promising that the current top 8 will remain the top 8...and frankly, it doesn't really matter. In drum corps, "elite" doesn't actually change as frequently as you suggest. Over the past 5 years, there have only been a handful of occasions when one of the G8 has actually finished outside the top 8. These corps have worked hard and any group that has achieved consistent success deserves to feel like it is elite.