LabMaster

So BD is scheduled to be in Warwick RI Wednesday for a clinic and rehearsal. Figuring their equipment trucks and busses have a 3,000 mile drive they might arrive in the Boston area some time predawn Wednesday morning. That's IF they left Riverside right after the show Sunday night. Good luck to the BD transportation crew. Travel safely. See you all Thursday.

Thursday night we will all get a look at whats to come this season. Top spot contenders meet for the first time this year in Gillette Stadium in Foxboro Mass. Great venue for this. The Blue Devils are flying in from the left coast (Thank BAC for this by the way) and will be going up against Cadets and Crown. This will give us all a preliminary taste of how the season is shaping up at the top of the heap before we get to any regionals. An immediate question is how will BD do with their last show being Sunday night and the next one Thursday and not be rehearsing (maybe they are I don't know how the equipment travel/shipping works). This will be a very good show for several corps and the balance of the season. The line up is BAC, Blue Devils, Cadets, Crown, Crossmen, Troopers, Surf, 7th Regiment, Muchachoes, BAC Sr's. Big show, hope the weather holds. Eat em up Boston.

Craiga, Brasso, Liahona, Guardling, yes even Guardling; if any or all of you are in Gillette on July 2, let's meet for a refreshment. We can chat about our DCP opining. I think all of you marched or taught or did both with BAC, it would be fun to meet in person and really compare experiences. Any DCP'ers should connect that day if you go.

This comes up every so often and is kind of danced around. It means Bad A&& Crusaders. That is it plain and simple. Some people want to think it is Boston Area Crusaders....nope it is not for that. That version was for moms and dads and the faint of heart. It referred to a time way back when, when the corps was mostly street tough kids and rough rivalries between corps were prevalent. In later years it was more representative of a dedicated corps that should have given up but wouldn't. It now only represents a bygone day and has little relationship to the current organization than a bit of remembrance that may bring a slight smile in a thankful way that the corps is STILL here.

OK we are bearing down on an ambitious week for BAC. Hope they come through this weekend on an upward move. I am hearing there will be a pretty big crowd at Gillette. Between 4k and 6k. DCP'ers attending the gala, please check in here and let's meet for a brew. Turn em loose tonight. Eat em up Boston!

There comes a time when "traditions' need to be modified or updated. If only out of respect for tother organizations time. The agonizingly slow pace of the Troopers DM's is a bit much. I enjoy tradition as much as the next guy, but pick up the pace just a bit. It used ot be a tradition of BAC BITD to one at a time come up to the starting line, set yourself then crack to parade rest (buckle and grunt). To do that now, in keeping with "tradition", it could take a half hour to get the corps on the field. Many corps have traditions that have been adjusted through the years. I don't see any reason why Troopers can't make a bit of an adjustment and actually show a little swagger doing it. As far as not having full retreats, I'm OK no retreats. They were a huge time killer and nowdays with the amount of equipment needing to be loaded up after a show corps need to get on the road as quickly as possible as well as feeding MM's after a show. From a spectator's POV, retreats do little for me. Except I can never get enough of Cavies marching beat when exiting a retreat.

Reading that BAC has not been using the banners but rolling the bases around until they have the movement kinks worked out is understandable. But hearing about them seemingly holding back musically is confounding. Turn em loose for gods sakes. Eat em up BAC! Good luck tonight.

I agree that staff should be respectful of the paying fans they infiltrate to view their corps and of the MM's they are watching (or other corps MM's). If there are issues with them being rude or obnoxious and a bit overzealous in their enjoyment of their corps (and themselves for showing fans they are an instructor with the performing corps) don't be bashful about going to the souvie booth or on facebook and outing the offending staff members. So long as they are anonymous they will continue their bad behaviour. IMO, if their staff colleagues are aware of their behaviour, especially the caption heads, they may be asked to not go up there anymore. IMO most tech's don't need to be there anyway as they can get their feedback down lower to the field. Caption heads, programmers or designers might be best suited to view from above. Maybe there should there be a cap on how many staff members can go up in the stands? Maybe 4 -5? That way Sponsors don't lose much if any seat money. Just my $.02.

I apologize for my hideous spelling.

To some size matters. But I believe there are many many examples of people who ifnored the concetional belief and persevered enough to be successful. If you have the desire to do the work; size does not matter. There may be greater chaknges but if you are willing to find a way, you will be successful. Good luck to you.

I think this is a great thing this documentary but I would have to respectfully decline committing to it on the day we celebrate the 75th year of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. It is something that I believe requires my total focus and appreciation of everything this organization has endured or these many years and has persevered to be in the position the corps deserves to be in. Nothing against the Madison organization but I will have one corps on my mind that day. Kind of like when my son graduates high school. Lots of great kids also graduating but I don't care about them that day. Only one kid on my mind. But good luck though. I'm sure there will be many other drum corps fans interested in the film. Me, Imight see it another time. It does sound pretty cool. Thanks for doing it.

Thought that might be it. Thanks for the info.

For no particular reason 1. Blue Devils 2. Cadets 3. Crown 4. Bluecoats 5. Boston 6. Santa Clara 7. Blue Knights 8. Cavaliers 9. Phantom 10. Blue Stars 11. Madison 12. Crossmen 13. Troopers 14. Colts 15. Spirit 16. Oregon Crusaders 17. Blue Devils B Good luck to all and have faith that these are not predictions. They are guesses based on nothing more than the jabber seen on DCP.

Sorry for my ignorance but what are "slips"? If that is a reference to used drums, I believe Boston has all new drums this year (as well as all new brass).

Unless my work and work travel schedule changes, I am only going to Boston Pops Esplande 4th of July rehearsal on July 3 and BAC's show in Foxboro on July 2. I always check the DCI schedule to see if any of my travel coincides with a show. No luck this year.

I understood what you were getting at. I agree with your observations. I just wanted to let people know the corps is mature and their sound from the video could be a combo of factors. I guess you could say "on paper" they are looking good. And the same could be said for many corps at this time of the year. Maybe I am too anxious right now in the hope they retain their level of quality from last year as their jumping off point for this year. I look forward to your thoughts as the season progresses. Enjoy the season

Not being at this event, I can't comment on how they sounded live, but I suspect very different than what was recorded. Not quite sure how you arrived at how they sound in relation to the age of the top six corps. What I know and what I hear is they are an older group than they have previously been and they had great retention from last years corps. I expect they will sound great with Mellos and baritones/euphoniums being a strength. If anything, they should have a very good performance level increase over last season, particularly with drill. Their drill last year was a bear and the bear ate them all season. I wish them well this year.

Hi Craiga, I was there Sunday for a very short visit so I wasn't able to see all you saw. what I did see is an organization that has it act together more than ever. I met a few people and was very impressed with the attitude and dedication thay all have to these kids. I will agree with you on the overall look of the MM's. They definitely look to be a bit older and I was shocked (happily) to learn how long some have been there. I believe last years performance challenges are actually going to pay off this year. I am missing the Spring Fling this week but I am planing on being at Gillette on July 2, and the July 3rd rehearsal in Boston. See you then. At Gillette the BAC DCP'rs should all meet.

No jet lag traveling east my friend. I fly back and forth several times a year. East to west stinks because of the tme change and being 3 hours ahead of everyone out west when you get there. West to east stinks cause it takes the entire day hours wise, but you still have 3 extra hours. I'm heading to Cali tomorrow and I leave Boston at 6 am and get to SFO at 9:23 am but for me it's 12:23 pm. When I return Sat. I leave SFO at 6 am and get to Boston at 3:30 pm. And I'm lucky because I have direct non-stops. Not sure what BD's itinerary is, other than they are flying Jet Blue (of course)

A 2 day cross country drive would be quite a feat. Figure 3-4 days. Probably the day after the corps flies to Boston.

I can only guess it has not been made public or possibly all housing has not been confirmed with housing sites themselves as yet. There had been much discussion here in the off season about housing difficulties so maybe this is now becoming problematic for organizations. I would suggest if you go to Corps sites (web or facebook), there is usually contact info there and you can ask the corps tour directors directly. They would be the best source of accurate information. BAC puts more info on facebook than on their web site. Good Luck.

Not wanting to get in the middle of this discussion, as it certainly touches nerves, but I couldn't help but to think about your mentioning your preceptiveness about a noticeable pattern of someone's postings of G7 commentary... so what? Do you think we care the you noticed a pattern? Is there something you need from other DCP'rs in recognition of your perceptiveness? If so, yay..high five for your perceptiveness, consider your tires pumped. Can we now drop all the G7 rhetoric? It is old, boring and now an irrelevant topic that will never have any consensus of agreement.

Wow. I think he actually gave you information you requested, then you slap him with a snarky retort? How do you get to "I don't know would have sufficed" when he suggested you look at DCI's schedule for corps show appearances, then go to DCI threads for housing sites and/or to go to Corps' facebook sites that are usually updated daily where you might even be able to find out exactly what a corps rehearsal agenda looks like daily. Sheesh

Check your Giant Steps calendar.