LabMaster

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.

The Pops Esplanade concert USED to be shown worldwide. I don't think it is anymore. Other cities 4th celebrations have taken over.

I don't think you need to hope. I believe in the issue of Giant steps they show the event on the fourth (Hatch Shell). To participate in the 4th at the Hatch shell aka Esplanade you need to attend the even rehearsal on the 3rd.

Hey all, it seems to not have been noticed much, or realized, but BAC is playing at the Esplanade in Boston July 4th; with the Boston Pops. I believe they will be part of the production for the 1812 Overature. They have rehearsal there on the 3rd too. This should be fantastic to go along with their anniverary reunion show in Foxboro and the Tanglewood performance with Blue Devils and the Pops that week.

They are taking it all arounde the country!! LOL. Seriously, they are taking it to some really new and not so typical venues this year; and one venue that seems to have not really been noticed is, BAC will be on the Esplanade in Boston on July 4. To those that don't know or realize it, it means they are playing with the Boston Pops on the Pops annual July 4th extravaganza which is televised. It used to be national but I think it may be local or regional. Still this is a very big deal. BAC will have a rehearasal with the Pops on July 3 at the Esplanade which is open to the public. And each of these are free. Just deal with huge crowds if the weather is nice. I am hoping the weather holds sufficiently to see them in VT this coming weekend.

And where would they be going? I was hoping to stop in next weekend.

I feel for you Craiga. Some folks on DCP are just itching for a fight and to be contrarian no matter what. They seemingly have only the intent to show they are smarter, cooler or more "in-the-know" than everyone else. I have learned to ignore them as well; as oftentimes it is revisionist history or completely wrong thinking with a bit of urban myth mixed in. But please remeber through it all no matter what they say: "We don't Gava".

Where in VT is camp? Will they be relocating during camp like they did last year?

Not sure if there is any connection beyond PBR and DCI each dealing with a certain amount of BS.

Best small corps -small but mighty and the first step of many on the way back to the corps we see today: The 1983 Boston Crusaders..."Boston" at the time. They had 51 total members and came in 21st which I think was still DCI Associate then. No corps, that size had ever finished that high. Very entertaining and had quite an attitude. The horn and drum lines were caught in a street melee outside the Orange Bowl with local gang kids, just before they were to perform at prelims. Somewhat rattled (some bruised & bloodied) they still went out and did an amazing job. No one in the stands had any idea what had just occurred minutes before. Most DCI people had no idea. A judge one time asked a staff member why the corps always performed so well for such a small group. The reply was, "we don't consider ourselves small!"

DCI 1999, Madison; BAC FINALLY made it into Finals after so many years of struggle and survival. Seeing so many alumni at finals who made last minute arrangements and came from all over the U.S. to be there to witness it and experience it with the MM's. After putting in so many years and so much effort to get to that night it was tremendous.

Getting better was the purpose. BITD it was about trying for perfection. At least attempting it. Precision marching, execution. You needed basics. Look at winning organization in performance areas, auto racing, sports, dance, theater, etc., etc. They most often point to their success being due to mastering the basics. Jeez, a few people here being critical of this have me scratching my head. I doubt this is the same attitude for a brass player, drummer or guard member. Don't they all practice basics of their "craft". Why wouldn't the same be true of the ensemble for drill? Block does that. Elimination block exposes slackers and those who need help. Ye screw up you're out of the blck. keep screwing up and you might be out of the show.

I doubt anyone would be beaming with pride at being the best direction follower. It WAS to lay claim to being the best marcher. Being in the final five was pretty cool but winning it and winning it more than once was the goal. EVERYONE got better for it.

I must be out of touch with the cost of housing. BITD housing was a minimal cost or sometimes no cost as the H.S. housing a corps did so as a sponsorship. The trade off was there was a clinic for the H.S. band program, that was free. Possibly a contributing factor in rising costs is the corps "demand" or "need' for expanded facilities. Where a single field had been used, corps want more than one field. They want a high vantage point, use of a kitchen and so on. it is all part of the advance competitive requirments of the top corps. I know of a corps that at one location, the housing rehearsal facilites were "inadequate" and demanded they use the sponsoring corps rehearsal site. IMO a bit of elitism and self importance of their group, which can be part of housing difficulties. It shouldn't be. At the risk of seeming contradictory, an overnight housing situation is one thing and can be a minimalized site. I think a more extensive housing site is necessary when a corps on tour has a camp like break in their tour. IMO it is reasonable and required. A corps should not however not go overboard and incure higher costs to get a site more extensive than necessary. When a tour coordinator or manager starts the site search, they should look at each tour stop and work with the staff on the needs that take into account the rehearsal requirements at that point of a tour and the cost impact to a corps. Costs MUST be taken into account at all times before a corps hits the roads and while a corps is on the road. The staff and management need to hold hands on agreed tour criteria.

What exactly is Bio Life? 2 donations a week seems llike a lot. I used to be able to donate blood but once I was diagnosed as a Type II diabetic, no more donations were allowed. Are there any restrictions like that?