Everyfan

Feel free to go to blue devils.org and look at their rehearsal schedule this year. It will be very educating.

Just watched this again. There is so much to love. The nod to the origins with the "off the line." The fact the the historical horn quotes from yesteryear are played not sampled. The guard ensemble work with the rifles in the opener and the flags in the ballad. The screamers. The high brass feature when all the middle horns pick up trumpets to play. The drum solo (ignore the Rhianna audio and listen to what the drumline is doing). This show is incredible and the historical quotes bring tears to the eyes. To those who say they don't March....huh? Did you see that. Maybe it is time to bring back the 86/87 spats. Wow. Whoever has the "hype overload" gif, please post it now...I am DEFINITELY in hype overload mode. I can't wait to see what they do with this by finals.

For more info, I just checked the Blue Devils' calendar. They had nineteen days of rehearsal prior to Memorial Day. Four of those were the Friday of camps, so those were shortened music rehearsals (3-4 hours). Three days were musician all days prior to Memorial Day, which would typically be less than a full corps due to school schedules. This is FAR less than the 80's and 90's.

For reference, I joined a top corps in the 80's at 15 years old (turned 16 on tour). I was a good trumpet player and had a big two years of marching in a mediocre high school band. I filled a hole in the late Spring by playing two scales and being told to "go in there and act like you know what you are doing." I learned a TON and won a championship that year. How often does that happen today? Talent levels going in are huge today at the top compared to "my day." They DO make a huge difference.

Not sure when your day was, but in mine, we had music rehearsal for three hours every Wednesday, all day every Sunday and a camp every 3-4 weeks starting in January. I spoke with a Blue Devils long time instructor on Memorial Day this year. He said they had only been playing as an ensemble for about 14-15 total days. Most top corps only do 3-4 camps before move ins in May. No weekly rehearsals.

How many is far less. Where are you getting your numbers?

If I understand your post correctly: 1) BD "trains" judges during the off season. 2) Talent doesn't matter. Anyone can be trained to be at the top level of DCI. Wow. Also, I don't think you understand how little corps practice together before move in happens in May.

Much as with your "facts" about attendance levels, you may want to look up who the director/CEO of the Blue Devils is. Hint: It is no longer Dave Gibbs.

Not meant that way at all. Just saying that I would choose to be challenged by the best out there (best I could qualify for at least). As noted in my original comment, it isn't really about the medal. Some might prefer to be top dog in a lower placing corps. I would rather be challenged and learn from the best. If "the best" took fourth that year, I would have still learned a ton.

Medal. Not actually FOR the medal, but to be challenged by working for and with the best talent out there. I would take that experience over winning a popularity contest any day.

You'll find a lot of BD alumni on these other corps brass staffs. Also, the alto horn in the late 80's was a custom made horn designed by Jack Meehan and Zig Kanstul.

They need to be better. Duh...

Maybe just "not yet"

Speaking of uniforms, "off the line" and Metamorph, how many people would lose their minds if BD came out in classic uniforms (guard in boots and skirts) for the opening set?

The long drum intro makes sense when you see the visual.

Saw the Blue Devils on Memorial Day...wow...just wow...

The new grass is beautiful. Timing is simply the fact that they haven't rehearsed as a group that much until this weekend. It will be remarkable in a week or two of rehearsal.

Saw the first four minutes of the show today on the field...holy hell...This corps is already incredible and Bumblebee is insane. Timing is still a little off, but that will get better quickly. If the rest of the show is half as good, it will be tough to beat. I hope to see the full show in a few more weeks.

At least 16th...

I like they way they did most regionals the last few years. They randomize groups of three throughout the current "order." This keep the corps close together based on previous placement but does not "slot" them for performance order.

Huh? You're not being serious here, right? Sarcasm doesn't come across well in forums.

Wishful thinking by some.

BD is hauling a$$ this year.

Did Mandarins buy the Blue Devils poles from Re-Write of Spring?

It is times like these that I am glad the Blue Devils wait until May to announce. Why? Because drum corps season is only a month away. Can you imagine seeing this announcement in February and having to wait FOREVER to actually see/hear it?