[Carolina Crown 2015]

Corpsband, obviously you're more knowledgeable on the subject than me, that's why I was asking. I just don't understand how they have been historically bad when the only two shows the design staff haven't done well with, in my opinion, are the two most RECENT seasons. Obviously it's all opinion, I was just interested in your take.

[Carolina Crown 2015]

Drum Man TX, your comments point to a now historically issue with Crown, namely Design. This staff generally has difficulty putting together all the pieces necessary for a championship contending show. They still have time to get the design together, and can make some drastic changes, before they run out of time, but I'm not sure they can get the gold at this point and over take better show designs at this point. But, man, the members attack this show and play it intensely and enjoyably.

Could you explain to me how the staff has been historically bad with show design? I really loved the depth of 2013, and the classic power of 2012. These past two years have been lacking.

[Carolina Crown 2015]

I think regardless of what they do with the ending, the show has a structural underlying weakness, at least to me. The drum feature in the front half of the show really eats away at time they could have used in the back half of the show for a transitional moment. That's what the ending is missing, I understand the story, but right now it's still jarring and instant. They spend 10 minutes in hell, and suddenly are out of it. There isn't the journey out, there isn't that transitional moment from dark to light, it's instantly dark to light. The dark part of this show is FANTASTIC, but it's the ending of the story that's killing it, and unless they free up some time somehow for a transitional point in the show, I don't think an ending will help, to me it's the transition that kills all momentum.

We shall see though. I just wish that drum feature was in the back half of the show, or at least shorter so that they could use that time for the emergence from hell. I really like the drum feature, but IMO they spend too much time in hell. The intro in the forest is done really well, the entrance to hell is really good (though long), the time in hell is fantastic, but that moment where we emerge is totally missing. We're just instantly out. That's the ONLY problem I have, but it's killing it for me.

They're still too good to count out, but IMO they have some big changes to make to make the arc of the story flow well.

I agree. Maybe they could use the Time in between the triple tounging section right after the ballad and Ode to Joy. That'd give them just enough time, so instead of the quick and momentum crushing chord change, the corps can start soft and transition from dark to light while the guard runs with white flags through the corps as they crescendo. Then maybe some bells and percussion/pit real quick as the corps leads to the big Ode to Joy hit and the guard have their golden flags. It's possible for it to be a smooth transition in that 40 second time slot. TBH the drill and music after the Ode to Joy hit almost bothers me as much the quick transition. I'll be happy to see the crown formation at the end, but I'm not so sure the Crown Staff will change the transition, which bothers me. For whatever reason this kind of reminds me of Cadets 2011.

[Carolina Crown 2015]

I'm sure the ending will get tweaked again. It seems the latest ending mixes in the same drill that was used in the beginning of the 2013 year. What I hope doesn't happen is all of sudden they end the show with the same Crown shape that has been used now for how many years in a row? 2012,2013,2014.... I still love the show thou. There are just some really good shows this year.. and every corps seems to be upping their game.

I think the same can be said about their Brass. Crown really dominated in Brass a few years back but in return that just forced all the top corps to up their game and now you see this year some really impressive Brass performances out there.

Personally, I think the crown shape will help out. The drill will change in the closer, but it also needs to change musically if Crown wants a shot at 3rd place for finals.

[Wrangle in Warrensburg]

Something is telling me Crown is gonna take back the guard caption tonight and possibly brass if they have a good run. The closer needs to change visually AND musically if Crown wants a shot at 3rd place this season.