festive

I'm withholding comment until I see the final product, but yes, I agree with your core argument. Start from excellence and proceed from there.

The following are my own opinions and don't represent anything beyond that... As to this backlash....When I first went out on tour with this drum corps this summer, to be perfectly honest, I too was a little disappointed with how the show was failing to connect with the audience. I didn't see it as a performance problem. I saw it as a design concern, and I also saw that the design team was fully aware of it and working to resolve it. I know how much the experience of the corps members means to them, and about how much the show they give the members to perform is a part of building that positive experience. They were on task, and remain so, in meeting that demand. If the changes to the second movement are any indication, this is much ado about nothing. I went from concerned to blissful about the second movement in a couple days. is the show dirty? yes, they need to clean, of course. Is it awful? Did the design crew lay an egg? Are they coming in 10th? Get a grip, please. I take exception to this, and to any other vitriol from so-called phans that feel the best way to improve the corps is to batter it. Of course it isn't awful. to the contrary. This show has taken my initial confusion and molded it into something almost humbling. This is not the Spartacus Phantom Regiment. They are their own group. What this show is becoming is something quite beautiful--eloquent, reserved, almost anti-Spartacus. It's every bit Regiment, but like comparing the dark side of the moon to Spartacus's angry sun. And the corps itself is handling the program better every day. There are parts of the program that are lump-in-the-throat, welling with tears beautiful. I don't count our defending champs out of anything. Not ever. They're always champs with us. Where time and consideration is invested, the show rewards the listener/viewer. I found the show to be edge-of-the-seat engaging. Riveting. Not a "DIE!" scream fest, but something more akin to anxiousness. A low boil underneath the surface--you know they could tear your face off, but they are holding back somehow. And that just makes it more interesting to watch, for the moment, until they uncork a new ending or something. :-) My default has always been I couldn't care less where the corps places as long as they become the best Phantom Regiment possible. that would have been the case last year if they'd come in 2nd or 10th or wherever. And this year, they are on pace to meet that awesome responsibility of taking on their legacy and becoming part of our heritage. no matter where the judges place them. As for fans, where the show isn't connecting yet...give it time. This might be one of those shows you like better in a few years...who knows? But do give it a chance now, if you haven't. So, please be advised that this great group of kids will continue to tear it up and perform this show for you the rest of the season. Don't let DCP taint your viewing of it. Don't go in expecting Spartacus--just go with the corps and see where they take you. It's quite a journey.

That's how I've always heard it described...those exact words. Maybe they were handed a memo or something--talking points. Aside from that, I LOOOVE that opener. And he played the hell out of that solo all season. Was scary great. Hearing the finals performance live, I was like couldn't believe what i was hearing. Remember staring more at the drum major to see what he'd do. Someone, anyone, bring order to this...make it stop. Fix it. So when I want to hear BD 89 I listen to my old cassette tape, and it's like it never happened, for as long as the tape plays.

Yes. And you can also get beat all the way up until finals. It's the last show that people talk about.

Are you kidding? Are my prayers actually being answered? Freelancers?! OMG!

Think positive thoughts.

i appreciate your posts this evening...thanks for doing that.

Yep. My read on this is basically "meh...first scores out of these two corps...whatever."

Oh yeah RPH!!! I was waiting for that!

I thought they looked like some kinda tasty vegetable. Anyways, I thought Crown had an amazing show...dang I love that corps. I don't get the guard outfits. they're like jolly green giant peter pan tripped out things..and i don't get it...but i like the music and the horns/drums, and i'm fine with it for right now.

Heh. I just watched "Imago" today. You know what? I thought Imago was fantastic; I didn't think it was boring at all. Some of the best Glassmen corps ever were those "Gold" years and "Imago." There's a difference between sophisticated and boring. Now I think some of what we're getting is just chaotic--I can't even get a clear read on what the corps is trying to say/do anymore.

I can't tell a bit what's going on...it's all too distracting. blasty and crass.

this. as to others wearing their corps jackets whenever/wherever they want. really, does it bother you that much? why the need to control what other people wear? and geekiness? that's kind of an opinion. there's no shame in marching drum corps or wearing the jacket you earned. i don't need to be that cool, thanks, that i'd deny drum corps and the impact it's had on my life. if your proud, wear your jacket. wear t-shirts and answer dumb questions about what a phantom regiment is. do it, because it's an honor to even know what drum corps is...it's even more of an honor to be part of it. personally, it's so out there to have one of these jackets, in the grand scheme of things, it's pretty punk to wear it around. i saw a guy wearing a vk jacket in dc and i thought "cool"--he was nowhere near a drum corps show, fwiw. wear what you want.

89 Regiment. The more corps I see over the years the more I insist on the answer.

I like these a lot! I'm looking forward to seeing them on the field...

4th place (barely) to 5th place? Eye of the beholder I guess.

People talking about how on fire a corps is in June...lol. I love seeing corps max it out in June. Corps licking their competitive chops. Wow...very intimidating. I'm sure everyone's going to have a fun show this summer. Competition is whatever it is. Opinions of a panel on a given night, and the corps control what they can control. Last year, the margin of difference was razor sharp between 1 and 2--telling the difference between the two at that level, really, is just who you liked more. And that's fine. Obviously, I think PR had such an amazing show by that point that they couldn't help but win it all. And some don't agree but frankly that doesn't count for much, does it? The fact is, other corps can beat you all season, but the show and outcome that everyone talks about is the last one. that becomes your spot in history. So, completely different corps...different set of kids...different show. And a show that looks to me like it's still in infancy (not surprisingly, since the design team likes to work like that). So maybe lots in common with last year, where it didn't catch fire until later. Spartacus. Let it go. It was a great show. And they need to move on and break new ground. PR doesn't need to resign itself to playing the hits to be one of the most popular corps out there. They have a gift for storytelling and communicating with the audience that is quite something in all of the activity. As I am sure it will be with this show. I think they'll be fine! It's going to be vintage Regiment all the way, trust me. And it's a long way to August.

I love the corps unis...my favorite design since 2001 (go figure). Will have to get used to the DM unis but whatever.

Ahem...you weren't supposed to tell. Way to spill it.

Noooz! Life is SOOOO CRUELLLL!!!! [weeps] And to think it all started with them needing a couple brass players! LOL.

Wow...I remember New Day. I never saw their feeder corps though.

Whatever it is, I'm sufficiently intrigued. I've heard nothing beyond what I've read here...but I'm very hopeful it'll be excellent.

Like it! Significant improvement over 08. Looking forward to seeing it on the field.

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