queenanne_1536

I noticed that too. I wonder if they decided to cut it for any reason. At any rate, there is just not one show as well designed as SCV this year. It is sheer perfection, every second is entertaining. A masterpiece.

SCV is just incredible. The design of that show is perfection. Every single second is just sheer perfection. This may end up being my favorite show of all time. Completely blown away.

I hope hope hope hope SCV's closer is in tonight.

I think last year's top 11 will all remain in finals. I just don't see Blue Stars or Crossmen falling out (their shows are too well designed), and I don't see the Mandarins not getting in. Being over 3 points behind Crossmen/Blue Stars does not bode well for Madison. DCI is not like it was in the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s where it was possible to make up over a bigger deficit than that. It is a rarity today, especially when the season is shorter, and it's even rarer for corps in the lower levels of the top 12/15-17 group. I see Crossmen and Blue Stars as better on every single level than Madison. I think right now there is no 10-17 group - it's rather a 13-16/17 group (Madison, Academy, Colts, Spirit and possibly Troopers). I see an 8-12 group with (BK, Regiment, Blue Stars, Crossmen, and Mandarins). Although Regiment and BK may be in the forefront of that group right now, I feel the entire group has the goods and Blue Stars show has the most potential of that group. After seeing the Mandarins live I am convinced they are going to make it in. Not only are they performing the show so well, it's the type of show the judges eat up.

Exactly. Not only is catching Blue Stars impossible, I believe making finals is impossible, after seeing Mandarins. Your account of what's going on is frightening.

It's really sad, but it doesn't look like Madison will be in finals this year. I had high hopes this season. I just don't see them beating Mandarins or anyone who was 1-11 last year. They might be looking at 16th-17th. Wow.

Yes, once, on a partial panel.

Yep. That's the last time Spirit of Atlanta beat them, too.

You could always ask me. I am a weath of information when it comes to historical data. The last time the Cavaliers beat Carolina Crown was 2011 DCI Finals. 3. 96.85 Cavaliers 4. 95.30 Carolina Crown I know off the top of my head 2011 Finals was the answer and they were 3rd and 4th, but of course I had to look up the scores.

Happy for you SoA. I've had a soft spot for you since I first saw you in '84. Would love to see you back in finals.

I'm so happy for Spirit, but I wonder how the partial panel impacted the scores. I think Spirit beat Cavies in 2013 on a partial panel. However, when I think about Spirit's 2012 show vs their 2018 show it is night and day. So, I'm perplexed on the partial panel. I'd love to see Spirit back in the top 12. They have a very well designed vehichle this year. I hate partial panels. It's ridiculous in a 6 week season that DCI can't do full panels at every show.

I don't know what the solution is for Madison, but I don't think it's as simple as getting alumni involved. I think the drill and music of this years show is very very good. Perhaps their best since 2013 (or 2015). I am not a fan of the uniforms, although they read ok from above. I think the prop is hideous and has to go. At least of right now, there isn't much they are doing with it anyway.

I marched in 1989 and no. Not even close. Madison was close to Cavies, Star, BD and Cadets in quarterfinals. In a highly competitive year with a great top 7, they got 7th. FAR cry from "hoping" to place 12th.

Exactly. The show is designed to perfection and they have the talent to back it up. They will be challenging for every single caption award at finals.

I frequented that site all the time. I loved the stats. It used to be under "News." For a couple weeks i could click on it but the page was blank. Now it's gone.

I'm just going to save us both the trouble and ignore you now. Bye!

Well, I think their uniforms last year were great, especially the guard. Seeing the show live, this year's uniform choice is brilliant, and I'm not sure all has been revealed yet. I am wondering if those tops come off with something underneath. Anyway, from the stands it all worked exceptionally well. The show as a whole seemed like it was from another era compared with everyone else at Stanford - an era in the future. The whole thing is just so well designed. They are my pick to win it all this year.

Thank you. It's easy for me to admit I'm wrong because it happens so often.

Agree on all accounts. I just loved it at STanford. Great music, great visuals and great drill. The props are so effective too.

1. You don't know me. 2. It was not back-peddling. I expressed my opinion. He thoughtfully responded in a courteous way, and gave an explanation that made sense. An explanation that contained something that I hadn't thought about. An explanation from someone who brought a corps from nothing to a world champion to a fan. A fan who has not nearly accomplished as much as James Mason. 3. I'm the biggest Star homer you would ever meet. Especially Star '89 to '93.

Yes. I watch it a million times. Hope there is a guard feature in the closer in Babylon.

Wow! Thank you for writing such a thoughtful response. I really appreciate it. I never really thought of it like that. It makes a lot of sense - yes, sometimes you do have to go backwards to move forwards. You certainly left us with several Madison shows we can love for a long time. I really hope you will see this comment because I've always wanted to meet you just to say, in all sincerity, thank you. Thank you for those great shows you gave Star ('89 through '93 are amongst my favorite shows ever). Admittedly, I did not like '93 during that season (I'm sure I'm not alone), but now I consider it the single greatest show ever and it is my absolute favorite. Back then I just liked - rip my face off loud and fast music. I didn't get what you were trying to do. Years after '93 I saw the show in a whole new light. I learned that drum corps could be brilliant, exciting, innovative, and very musical without having to rip my face off. I heard such an exposed brass line playing to near perfection. I saw a design that worked on every single level - from the uniform colors, to the flags, to the drill, to the music. Just perfection. THAT show, 10 years later when I finally woke up, taught me to look beyond what I know and think beyond what I like, if that makes sense. Not just in drum corps, but with music in general. <- That, as a music lover, was a huge gift. Thank you. I'm sure you are very proud of what Star accomplished. Taking a group from literally nothing to world champion in 7 years is certainly remarkable, but you left us with a show that is legendary. A show that will be talked about as long as drum corps exists. That is pretty amazing. I honestly listen to the 1990-1993 Star shows more than any other shows (except maybe '87 Vanguard). I sure do miss Star. All the time. Like many great artists, Star left us far too early, but it also left us with some true masterpieces. It must have be amazing to have been part of that. I always say if I ever met someone that marched '93 Star I would kiss their feet. I wish you the best in the rest of your life endeavors. Thank you, again, for chiming in.

I have seen a video of Spirit. From a design standpoint it is a vast improvement from last year. Execution - that remains to be scene but they have a much better vehicle to work with this year.

Yeah, I get what you're saying. It's weird. Do you teach WGI?

That drives me nuts. People talk about how it is necessary from a numbers management perspective. To that I say: Really? It's harder to manage the numbers for 12 corps than it is for 25 or 40?