DCIat14

💙💚 I can't wait to see what BAC does this year! The fact I have to wait so long to see them is killing me!

Are Blue Knights typically this late in the season for releasing their show?

You just made my heart skip a beat @craiga

Let us not forget the Cadets won't be the only ones. PR's entire show is likely about a similar topic in their adaptation of 'I am Joan', Troopers 'Beyond Boundaries' might be (no new releases that I've seen), Academy's 'Bridge Between'? maybe. Drum Corps has an incredible way of telling impactful stories on the field with or without being over-the-top political in nature. I'm excited for the Cadets and their members! Regardless of corps, here is what I know - these members, who will be leaders soon enough, are passionate and demanding, vocal and activating, moving and dedicated, committed and creative, yet respectful of tradition and curious about history. It will be pretty awesome to watch what they do.

Once a giant, always a giant!

What plexiglass? Gotta know for future purchases 🙂

Ultimately, I think anyone who has respect for these corps keeps mum (for the most part) - members included. I'm surprised people can gather much from going to the some of the camps anyhow! My own MM won't even tell me the color of the uniforms. I get to find out with the rest of ya'll!! 😛

I like it! 🙂

My only concern here is the *supposed* reduction of vet retention. Sure, new players can come in, play well, and breathe new energy into a corps, but the vets and their leadership, experience, tradition - their solidity - is what helps tie it together. Typically corps with big movement have a year a of growth to get the ground back under their feet. It will be interesting to see what happens in Crown this season!

It's a great tool and really keeps the performers engaged. It can be hilarious as a parent listening to a MM who is aiming for a high score on an assignment and hearing "WHAT?!", "Oh, c'mon!", "Ugh!", followed be "WOOHOO!!" 😄 😄

Either A) The members themselves have no clue what the show is yet or B) They care enough about their contract to keep their yappers shut 😄

TRON SUITS, including the disc! The disc contains all the drum corps knowledge the marchers possess. Lose it and they will be subject to de-"corps"elation.

The suspense is killing me!!! ...but regardless, This Corps is Made of GIANTS!

I feel like there is a hint in this statement and my mind is going 100 miles per hour trying to figure it out 😄

Can you provide the link to the court docs via PM by chance? I didn't see those and am just interested in reading them (wanted to be a judge in my much younger days) :)

Okay, trying my hand at this as I've never done it before and this could be interesting 😛 @OhioBoy_99, I'm using your template - thanks! 1. Blue Devils- BD will do what BD does and I know a few too many kids at BD to be anything less than slightly bias 😛 2. Santa Clara Vanguard - They've unlocked the magic & figured out what it takes to get to the top. They'll stay close by, but with slight changes & still riding the high from 2018, they'll slip just a notch. I think it will be a close one between these two! 3. Boston - Let's just say they're about to go Super Saiyan! With talent returning & the ability to sift through & add additional talent to their lines, they're sound will be incredible. Add to that the determination of their staff and you've got "Kamehameha!!" 4. Bluecoats - With the change in rules regarding max prop height & harness/railing requirements, Bluecoats are going to have to dig deep. Their sound will be epic Bluecoats, but their larger than life shows will have to be re-imagined & could take a bit to solidify. 5. Carolina Crown - With very little vet retention, they will likely field a young corps this year. Add to that design issues & prop restrictions, they could fall a bit. This is just a blip in their history, they are Crown & will rise again. 6. The Cavaliers - They are on to something they just haven't quite unlocked yet. Will we see a tip of the hat to the old school Green Machine of the past? 7. The Cadets - They remain steady during their healing & rebuilding phase. Talent remains loyal to them & it will be interesting to see what their design staff is able to do as "free birds". Whatever it is, I hope they still get free Zebra Cakes during tour! 8. Blue Stars - They are hungry & ready to start their journey up! With an incredible talent pool (seriously though...) from some very successful audition camps & a unique sense of design, Blue Stars will continue to surprise & delight us. I hear something nutty is going on over there! 9. Blue Knights - Similar to Phantom, BK seems to be dangerously close to heading for a plateau. With a renewed sense of focus & design that stays true to their traditions, they could easily overcome it. If they focus on guard recruitment, they should be okay. 10-12. Arguably the hardest to pick! 10. Phantom Regiment - All I ask is PLEASE, no guard uniforms that blend them with the field. Oy! Phantom may have a hard time keeping up, but Brad & his team can pull some great sounds out of any brass line. 11. Crossmen - Improve a little from last season. Still good brass sound (I like it, so I won't change it) 12. Spirit of Atlanta - Baby Blue!!! They sounded incredible last year & likely have what it takes to make that leap in to finals. Spot #12 seems to be the magic spot to slip in at, so it's possible for them. Things are silent out of SOA so far as I've seen though, so no all-in quite yet. FInals Contenders: , The Academy, Madison Scouts, Mandarins

Whatever you do, don't give up. If you want to march, go march! I doubt you'll regret it and you may end up in a place you fall in love with!

I'm not disagreeing with either of you, but your posts lead to a point I've been looking for a way to make. ...and this is a somewhat gushy post, so grab your bootstraps! Here is what I've come to learn about the current group of marchers and others their age (generalizing, not specific individuals of course). Most tend to be very accepting of others, inclusive, and understanding. ...and yet, they are loud! Now mind you, this isn't always a negative reaction. Whether for or against something, they demand to be heard, they demand action, they demand equality, and they demand change - and they have technology to help them do it. It goes without saying they are not afraid at all to use it either! It's easy to understand why when you look at the events that have unfolded in their lives. Some have never known life prior to 9/11......just let that sit for a moment. Anyway, my point is, if you look at their actions, their reddit ranting, their support of their friends, their frustration with "the man", their change.orgs, their longing for justice, and their memes to paint a picture should words not be enough, you will see that underneath all that they are looking to change the world. They are looking for safety, for security, for inclusiveness, for belonging, and generally watching the backs of their fellow marchers whom they may have never met. Regardless of it all, if you sit back and weed through all of it, they are an INCREDIBLE and HARD-WORKING group of extremely talented, gifted, and passionate young adults...and it's amazing! Pretty soon, they'll have the reigns. I wonder what they'll do?!

Seriously, that is NOT how I read that. Though admittedly, I may just be too flabbergasted by the whole thing to think 100% clearly. I feel like Arsenal may have had their hand forced if they were continue in Soundsport and if they did want to continue with DCI at all, had to issue an apology. DCI then waited for that apology to come out to say "oh, thank you for that. We support them". Something just smells rotten about it. I tend to have a pretty good sniffer too 😛 You get egg on your face...and you get egg on your face...and you get egg of your face...

I don't supposed you'd be willing to break these apart at all would you?? We already have Finals tickets

Wasn't DCI's response to Tricia yesterday that they would have a response out later that day? Yet here we are, no additional response. Any good PR person knows that appearances matter and being IN FRONT of things is super important. Before too long, they're going to have people standing outside HQ waiting for answers. Oh the tangled webs we weave.

Pioneer has posted a news release that appears to be in response to both their suspension and (in the very last paragraph) seems to be pointed perhaps to Arsenal's ex-CEO. Can't be sure of course as no actual names are stated, but it does appear awfully pointed. https://pioneer-corps.org/news-from-the-top/842-news-from-the-top-january-17th,-2019.html?fbclid=IwAR3ZHMZxHPsIsDVz1t3Ou96MTQAVOUEioFfF-RjSzeErY6ZIaomX8D8895M

I believe Phantom Regiment's Rick Valenzuela as well

...because how dare he (and we as a community) admit our current state of member care in two corps not active (1 suspended, 1 in hiatus), as well as many others, is not up to par. How dare we admit that these adults are placed in a position of trust and it is their responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of every marching member on that field. DCI is well aware o the state of current member care and DCI has chosen to sit on their thumbs & spin instead of taking action. I can think of a particular corps specifically whose director was ON THE DCI BOD! Conflict of interest? Perhaps. Regardless, sweeping crumbs under a rug doesn't get rid of the crumbs...and burning the house down for a speck of dust is just crazy. "Actions speak louder than words, and sometimes inaction speaks louder than both of them"

...it was 666 when I looked at it 😅😅