ThePlanets

Based on the OP I will say this too. By husband is a early 00 top 10 corps alum and.... Finals night 2012 we were somewhat underwhelmed other than Crown...and he was concerned about the overall state of the activity. Massillon 2015 he reported that Inferno was probably the best program of all time but didn't find much else to be excited about. Massillon 2017 he basically said "holy $#/!" I don't think our show would have been in the top 20 this year". We were sitting so close amplification was irrelevant.

Sure...but they had top tier talent until 2014 regardless of placement. They have the biggest yo-yo from 1-9 of anyone. Look at 2008 vs 2009. I do live in Ohio but the fans adored their show in Massillon and Indy this year and I think they are going in the right direction... it's just unfortunate for them that Boston made a huge jump because now things in the top 9 just got a lot more complicated. Recently you don't see any corps placed below Phantom surging though. The Cavaliers fell and they are back, the Cadets are falling and I don't think they will quite get their feet next year...and as I have said before BK is very good and a formidable opponent for any corps.

I have only been a member since June but I have been lurking the site since 2012. I know you didn't specifically mention BD but the reason why they are relevant is that just about every thread on this site that is started that involves judging conspiracies revolves around BD so @Stu and others bringing BD up is completely relevant. I love the last point in your original post BTW. I have never judged this activity competitevly but I have scored to a rubric and it sucks, especially if you are underpaid and everyone is questioning your judgement.

For 2018: There was a time, not so long ago when Phantom didn't care where they placed...they just wanted to put on a beautiful, musically tasteful program. My college friends that are now music educators are all Phantom fans and that speaks much more to me than winning. I also now 2 early 00s Bluecoats that didn't age out that wish they would have with Phantom. My two favorite Phantom shows are their championship years because the shows were so magical in different ways. I prefer 1996 because I like dark, melodic music. My husband watches 2011 Phantom at least once a week. I want Phantom to stick to their guns and keep with beautiful classic masterpieces. I do think they are hurting and losing top tier brass to Crown over the past 5 years but the top tier of musicians are always going to gravitate towards the most musical programs and maybe...just maybe this year has tipped the scales in their favor (Boston really had a great musical program this year though). Phantom Regiment is beautiful artistic musical balance. They do not have an identity problem and stand alone with SCV as the classiest corps in DCI. They have been shifting up and down in the ranks just like SCV too and if they stay consistent the scale will shift back their way.

For me: BD: 17 by far SCV: 17 (although 15 was my favorite) Crown: Actually didn't like either show. Thought the percussion improved miles this year. Bring back 2007-2015 show styles please. Bluecoats: 17 but they have been hitting a lot of home runs the past few years Cavaliers: 16 best show since 2010 for them Boston: 17...for the record 2015 was one of my least favorite DCI shows ever. Cadets: 16 and I thought it was their most enjoyable show since 2012 BK- 2016 but both shows were great XMen- their 2016 program was my 3rd favorite of the year. 2017 was good too but their were a lot of great programs this year. Madison: 2017 by far... The Academy: 2016 was magical for them but this year was great too. Phantom: 2017 Mandarins: 2017 The majority of the corps I selected 2017 for I thought improved by miles while most corps I selected 2016 for also had a good 2017 program...which is why I like 2017 better. 2015, on the other hand, contained 3 of my all time favorite shows but also contained some of the most cringe-worthy shows of all time for me...very polarizing year. So 2015: both awesome and terrible. The best and the worst 2016: meh with some highlights 2017: Overall a really good year. No shows I hate

Fantastic and well thought out topic! On your points: 1. While I agree with the examples you gave and I would like to add the Mandarins to that list with "Ink"... I disagree with your comment on themes as a generalization is wrong. While this year had some amazing show designs and fantastic diversity...there were also immature themes. 2. In general yes. However there were at least 3 shows in the top 12 that has choppy music flow and only used it to support a theme. 3. I totally agree with this observation. As a trumpet player who has a love for full brass balance...this year was wonderful from top to bottom on Semis. When I went to finals in 2012 the only show I could attach myself to was Carolina Crown because it was the only show that the hornline WOWed me. This year there were a lot of hornline that had a WOW factor...and I sat 3rd row on the 50 in Massillon and even though it was used not one hornline needed amplification. Crown, Bluecoats, Boston, SCV, even the Cadets had great raw brass moments. 4. Yes. In general the pacing is much better... especially when comparing the early 00s until now. I think there were a lot of great shows in 2008,2010,2014, and 2015 as well though. 5. I was at such positions outdoors and indoors that I can't comment on this. It would make sense to cater to indoors since that is where finals are but it's unfortunate for fans since the majority of shows are outdoors. I think this was one of the most diverse years for the top 12 this year. It was also the first time that there was not one show that I found absolutely cringe-worthy.

I had the privilege of attending semifinals for the first time this year. I have my ranks based on my enjoyability separated between finalists and non finalists. Can't say that there were any cringe worthy shows this year and they all had moments that I enjoyed. These are in order of my personal enjoyment...it does not reflect where I think each group should have finished. Non-finalists: 13. Spartans- what a corps with a rich history that has been around forever. Very cool to get to see them perform for the first time. That being said their performance was not on the same level as the rest of the field. Would have loved to see what the Cascades or Jersey Surf had to offer. 12. The Colts- they got 15th place and their execution was awesome. Being someone that works with people with neurological disorders I loved the concept of integrating both sides of the brain. The props worked well too. But this show was horrifically boring. 11. Pacific Crest- this was my first time seeing PC too. I was sitting among a lot of PC people as well and they love their corps. This show was performed well and had some beautiful moments...but it was an every drum corps show to me. 10. Legends- I loved the concept of the signal and they executed the design and concept well. They had an unbelievable season this year after almost having to call it quits. I am hoping they can continue next year and that they come back with another open class medal. 9. The Troopers- Fencing yes! Duals and Duets! Yes! A fantastic drum major! Yes! I can't wait for the troopers. Tarps all over the field... okay probably a fencing stage. Oh they don't utilize the tarps much different than the rest of the field? The corps had an excellent performance but I was hoping for a lot more excitement. 8. Genesis- welcome to world class! This was a well performed powerful show that I feel was underscored. It's fun that they took on Master of puppets. 7. BDB- I was very pleasantly surprised by my enjoyment of this show. Read the strange concept and saw the props and thought "here we go". This show was performed so musically and tastefully with beautiful brass moments. Don't know how I feel about the trend of braking out the little girl for GE. 6. Spirit of Atlanta- I have loved SOA/ JSU since I started watching DCI on ESPN. Great show with a lot of improvement from the last few years. I love how they are out in the open about crossroads. I like my SOA with a dirty south feel but this was a great stride for them. 5. Oregon Crusaders- what a rich, beautiful, and balanced show. Absolutely loved the brass. I am really hoping they keep the balance in the hornline and have another great year next year. 4. Vanguard Cadets- A really nice, constantly engaging easy show to get into. Their percussion and percussion feature was by far the best in the first half of semis. This makes me think the percussion title will safely stay in Santa Clara for awhile. 3. The Academy- By a hare was an extremely fun and engaging show. Easily a audience favorite. Didn't quite have the magic and beauty of last year but I don't think the Academy is going away and they might be a finalist contender again next year. 2. Music City- this is my list and I can put the 24th place corps wherever I want. One of the newest corps on the block and already 4th place in OC! Wow! I have been following them since they had Mars in their show a few years ago...and I couldn't believe then that a corps ranked so low could put out that much sound and energy. I hadn't seen them live and when I found out they made semifinals I couldn't wait to see them. They didn't disappoint and exceeded my expectations. The tribe was an extremely engaging show with fantastic highlights from brass, guard and percussion as well as good integration of the 3. I said to my mom "I wouldn't be surprised if they move up to world class soon". Then I found out they were being evaluated. 1. The Mandarins- if it wasn't for Boston they would be the story of the year. The ink blot test was a genius design. I kept trying to interpret "what do you see" haha. Beautiful brass moments with the sound of silence too. Finalists: 12. The Blue Stars- Absolutely beautiful and great balance in the brass line. I really can't say anything bad about it but much like the Colts...it just didn't hold my attention. 11. The Cadets- so much controversy and they performed the heck out of this show. The cadets are still excellent musicians and world class in field movement. As people have been saying all season the issue is the show design. They sounded and looked great when they were playing their insturments but too much acting and singing in this show for me. 10. The Cavaliers- great percussion and guard, good visuals. The Cavaliers are back and that's awesome. This show design was fun but dumb at the same time. I liked that it pretty much made fun of men the whole time but it wasn't always tasteful. I didn't like the Mars/My Way mash up. I would rather watch a VK show any day. 9. Phantom Regiment- they moved and played a lot and sounded great. This was the most confusing of the 25 of the night to follow for me and the weird voice-overs didn't help. 8. The Crossmen- I have been liking their show design more and more over the past few years. I love the original writing and concept. 7. Carolina Crown- this was running as my least favorite show all season...then I saw them live and everything changed. THAT BRASS OMG. It doesn't matter what they do I am going to love it. This is still the lowest I have ever ranked crown and I am still bitter that they would choose to overshadow the brass for 2/3 of the show. 6. BK- I love the blue knights and they are one of my favorite DCI corps. I love the concept of i, loved the brass, loved the percussion, loved the uniforms, loved the individuality. It had a few stale moments but this show is still the BK I love and I don't want them to change a bit. 5. The Blue Devils- probably my favorite BD show of all time. I love the step off from the goal line, the ballad, and the attempt at flight of the bumble bee. 4. The Madison Scouts- I hadn't watched this show online due to the controversy and there is nothing I love more than an old school Madison show. I love this show and it's a huge step up from recycling Jesus Crist Superstar again. I thought their costumes were risky but extremely masculine. What a great, refreshing, risky program. Listening to the brass...they still have that big masculine feel that I have always loved about them. 3. SCV- near perfect guard and percussion, fantastic brass, exceptional visual Proficiency. I think this show was a gold medal performance. But it gets third for me because it didn't hold my attention the entire time. 2. The Boston Crusaders- WOW what a program. Really wasn't into the show concept before I saw it...but this turned out to be the best programmatic theme of the year and the only show this year to bring a tear to my eye. Absolutely beautiful brass and the only show with vocals that worked. 1. The Bluecoats- fan favorite of the year. Amazingly athletic demand, down and dirty old school feel with fresh new music. Now this is a drum corps show. I thought I would never get to see a show like this live. Disappointing to go from 1 to 5 but I got a lot more sheer enjoyment from the jagged line than from downside up. Overall a fantastic year for DCI. Not one show that was a total miss for me and everyone did great!

I love the wind band version of cloudburst... really thought it would be a good fit for SCV last year. Thought I would read it in their show announcement.

Have we heard Godzilla eats Las Vegas yet? I know there was a ghost train a few years ago... ghost train is my favorite.

Let's go with 2010 or later...and make it programmatic. Act 1: ...to look for America (excerpts from) Act 2: Mad World ( Mad World and THIS IS MY RIFLE) Act 3: ...that one second (featuring Kaleidoscope of mathematics... because we never hear that one) Act 4: Inferno/Angels and demons/ the devils staircase mash up By the Boston Crusaders

This was actually the first thing that came to mind for me. I wouldn't mind MacArthur Park either. Would love to see Madison do that again but I think the best corps to pull it off based on 2017 programs is the Bluecoats.

I am gonna do it. Competition has been heating up a lot over the past few years with what are now the top 6. I know this is ridiculous and off the wall but I would love a DCI where the top 6 or even 9 finish in an unpredictable order. 1. SCV 2. Bluecoats 3. Cavaliers 4. Blue Devils 5. Boston 6. Crown 7. BK 8. Phantom 9. Cadets 10. Madison 11. Academy 12. Blue Stars 13. Mandarins 14. Crossmen 15. Troopers 16. Colts 17. Oregon Crusaders 18. SOA 19. Music City (if they go world class) 20. Genesis 21. Jersey Surf 22. Pacific Crest 23. Cascades 24. Pioneer I will add explanations later... although I think it's a crapshoot at this point...and... really the Blue Devils are probably going to win again.

I don't work in the field but I would think that announcing your own departure is probably discouraged and may jeopardize your relationship with the new corps. Retirement on the other hand is another story.

It's hard to break down a <.05 difference. The largest gap of the scores that were Cavaliers over Bluecoats was the percussion. Not to take away from the Cavaliers...their percussion was very good this year. I was just trying to give insight as to why the Bluecoats weren't one of the top dogs in percussion this year. The front ensemble staging would be a season long issue. I am saying that if Bloo scored .05 higher in percussion (or any caption)they would have had 4th

Looking at the recap it appears that in the end what really brought the Cavaliers ahead of the Bluecoats was percussion score. The Bluecoats have done excellent in percussion for a number of years and I tend to agree with and trust the percussion caption judges more than any other caption. When I was in Massillon I noticed some phasing in the front ensemble. Looking at their staging it's no wonder why. It was a cool visual effect for the jagged line but there is a reason why the front ensemble is always upfront and together. They were too spread out and it caused phasing issues.

I saw music City Friday and said "that show is awesome I wouldn't be surprised if they moved up to world class next year" Glad to see they are trying to make that happen! What a great group!

This thread already reminds me of the Cadets thread geesh. Also hoping to stay positive for 2018!

May 2018 bring back a lot of talented members and a lot of new talent. May 2018 be another fan favorite and fantastic, fun show. May 2018 hopefully add to the Bluecoats medal count. A little less amp affect wouldn't hurt but I have honestly liked the direction this corps has been going since 2001. Here's to the only corps that has had one of my top 3 favorite shows since 2012.

Bloo is the favorite of the year for myself, my mom, and my husband and we never agree on favorite shows. This was a fantastic show that had everyone grooving in their seat at the same time. I honestly don't know how it took 5th. Come back stronger than ever next year Bloo.

Haha the figure 8 up front with 2 straight lines leading to the center volcano.

Yes to both?

Hey did I catch a blatent phallus in the cavaliers drill or is my mind in the gutter?

Watching the Cavaliers of course

Pretty sure that show was considered a classic as of a Sunday in Mid August 2008

They did it last night too...I didn't know if he was late for the show or if it was last minute GE