queenanne_1536

Could be. I think it's a better corps. A better show? I'm not sold yet.

Remember last year when Bloo was outscoring BD/SCV on the same night, sometimes by over 2 points, and when those two headed west Bloo was immediately dropped to 3rd. I have SCV/BD as 1/2 until proven otherwise.

Yes, which I think will make it hard for them. I remember someone saying before the season started that their guard was so clean. LOL. Wrong. They aren't clean now.

Yes, I am assuming that, and will continue to assume that until Mandarins beat Blue Stars and/or Crossmen in head-to-head competition. I do not see it as 10-17. I see it as 13-16/17. Both Blue Stars and Crossmen are well ahead of Academy, Madison, Colts, Troopers and Spirit). They both topped Madison by nearly 4 points last night - that does not put them in the same grouping - not by a long shot. That is a gargantuan gap to overcome. Making assumptions based on anything other than head-to-head is useless to me. As is comparing scores from different shows and making assumptions. Last year Bluecoats (out east) were consistently overscoring BD and SCV (out west), on the same nights, and sometimes by over 2 points. I saw countless people asserting Bluecoats were out front. No, you're not out in front until you beat BD head-to-head in any given year. What happened when SCV and BD ventured east? Bluecoats were instantly pushed down to 3rd before finishing 5th. I've seen Mandarins live and I believe the are a near 100% lock for finals. After seeing Crossmen and Blue Stars on numerous video recordings, I am convinced their designs are better than anyone outside of 12th place last year (save Mandarins). While I do believe Mandarins could beat both of them, I do not believe either will miss finals. Design plays such a heavy had these days, and I believe Blue Stars, Crossmen and Mandarins have designs that not only appeal to the judges, but are a step above those who are beneath them. I would LOVE more than anything to be proved wrong by SoA and would love for them to make finals. That would make me a happy, happy guy.

I'm not sure I'd put Blue Stars and Crossmen with the rest of that group, or even Mandarins. Spirit is off to a great start, and I'm so happy because I have loved them since '84, but I think them making finals in a long shot. Mandarins are well ahead of Academy, and seeing them both live I'd be shell shocked if Academy caught Mandarins. It's been a fun season, we can agree on that.

Madison out, Mandarins in. I don't see any of last year's 1-11 not getting in again.

I've heard Crown a few times. This show reminds me of 2015. I think it will get better and more deadly as the season progresses.

Yes, drums are a worry. It will be interesting to see what happens when east meets west, but considering BD is nearly always the best, I have SCV and BD 1-2 right now, until proven otherwise by Bloo or Crown.

I agree with the bolded part of your statement, but I do not agree with the Scouts being a destination corps. Back when I marched, in the late 80s, so few members were there to make a career out of music, guard, visual, whatever. Nowadays, we have a lot more serious musicans and dancers amongst the ranks for these corps. In those days, someone without experience in drum corps could audition and earn a spot. No more. You're not going to get into BD, SCV or any number of top corps anymore without World Class experience under your belt. People go to lower tier corps, like Madison, to get that experience and then they move on up. It's a different day, and Madison is certainly not drawing the top talent of the activity anymore.

This. Exactly. One goes from being elated if they placed top 5, to elated if they placedtop 8, to elated if they make top 10, to elated if they make finals. When does it end. The program is not a successful one from a competitive standpoint, and it is a competitive activity. Also, no matter what anyone says, they do care about scores. It is true for the Scouts, at least in the 80s and 90s, that the experience for the members was #1 and that wasn't sacrificed for placement (i.e. they didn't practice until they dropped and not everything hinged on placement). But, scores and placements were still important to Scouts. I remember DeKalb '88 and anyone who says the Scouts never cared about scores is dead wrong. I also remember finals '88 and anyone who says the Scouts weren't over the moon that they had won (i.e. scores and placement) they are wrong. It may not be the most important thing, but it is important nonetheless. The Scouts are a feeder corps now. Members go there and then move on to higher placing corps. That is sad, and I don't see anything this administration has done to turn things around.

Yes, but at that level everyone has a tough book, and no one is clean - yet.

I don't have an issue with the music, drill or guard book. That prop though looks like an elementary school art project. I, like others, have lost faith in this administration.

Yes, after re-watching last night's show and comparing it to the standstill I have from Stanford, there is a chunk of the ending missing. Either they've taken that part out or it isn't in yet. I would be a shame if they took that chunk out permanently because is rapid playing with a everlasting mellophone laser beam shot up at the audience and it is AMAZING.

I wonder when we are going to see the rest of the closer - because that amazing mello part wasn't in last night. It looked like a chunk i heard at Stanford (standstill) is either being taken out or isn't in yet.

I agree. Were I marching today, I'd want to march SCV, but Blue Stars would be attractive because of the insanity. It sure would be fun to do something so demanding.

Not at all, because Mike Shapiro (their designer) is absolutely insane and writes crazy hard books for their guard, hence the huge difference between substance and achievement. Not surprising to me at all.

You do you.

I feel you. It had been since Seattle in 2004 that I witnessed it live. Needless to say I was jumping up and down like my team just won the Super Bowl at Stanford.

I didn't know that, but I saw your comment and googled him. That is really such a shame. That makes me really sad (for the victim).

Can't compare scores from different shows. That being said, yes, I believe Madison has almost no chance of making finals. Not because of any scores, but because I don't believe 1-11 from last year will fall out, and I don't believe Madison will beat the Mandarins, so that leaves them out.

It will be interesting to see if SCV beats BD from here on out by less than a point, all season, like BD did to SCV last year.

Unfortunately, Morgan didn't make it to '88. I believe he aged out in '86. Too bad he wasn't there for their win. Such an amazingly nice guy and a great talent. Funny as ####, too.

SCV beat them in GE at Stanford. GE is subjective. You have no idea how GE is going to play out until the very end. SCV will be challenging for every single caption award at finals. I imagine BD will, too.

I don't know if any have. Star '93 I have always viewed as THE perfect design. 2018 SCV may be even better. It's just unbelievable. I thought topping last year was going to be a tough task, and I'm sure it was, and they have sure as hell done just that.

He just took off his jacket and that mask thing. That's it. It was cool though. They just have that cool vibe this year. Uniforms are everything!