queenanne_1536

I sad BD was complete. not SCV. I'm sure BD's closer will change, but the full show as it is now was on the field last night.

I just watched Madison and was expecting the worst. I'm pleasantly surprised. The color scheme of that prop is heinous, but from a music, drill and color guard standpoint this show is definitely better than last year. The uniforms, while I think hideous in close up photos, read quite well from the stands. The music is definitely Madison music, so in my opinion this show is more Madison than last year's was.

Who is doing pop that people are talking about?

I agree with and understand all you've said. These are things I know quite well. I'm not sure what your objective was in listing that all out to me. I'm not being a jerk here or anything, but it seems like you're trying to school me :) I believe when SCV and BD add more it will only improve their shows, because those are the trends we have scene in the past. SCV really elevated the use of props last year, and much of what they did with them was added as the season progressed. Both corps have staff that know how to design great shows, have proven track records, and work well together. Of course, mistakes and misfires happen, but I wouldn't put my money on that with SCV and BD.

Can you please explain your first point? I don't understand. When a judge is judging a performance, all they have to go on, in addition to that performance, is what they have seen previously that night. So, with Colts they only had Pioneer to compare them to. With Madison it was Boston. So when you are watching Colts and comparing them to Pioneer, anyones assessment would be Colts are vastly better than Pioneer. When watching Madison and comparing them to BAC, anyones assessment would be that BAC is much better. How much lower Madison scored because of that comparison to Boston I don't know, but I absolutely think performance order hurt them last night.

There is no such thing as west coast inflation. You can't compare scores from different shows, so we don't know who is where. I'd venture to say SCV and BD are 1-2, based on the simple fact that BD is always 1 or 2 (at least since 2006) and SCV beat them.

I do think Madison is at risk of falling out of finals, but I think the performance order hurt Madison last night. Colts were compared to Pioneer (before them) and Madison was compared to Boston (before them). Obviously, anyone would rather be compared to Pioneer than Boston. It's not necessary the order which you perform, it's who you are being compared to - who's on before you basically. Madison would have been better off, IMO, declining the option to go on last and instead going on after Colts. I would put Mandarins with Crossmen and Blue Stars; and Madison, Colts and Academy together. I just don't see Academy beating the Mandarins, and without beating the Mandarins there is absolutely no way into finals for them. The theme is a huge misfire IMO, and I felt their show was a step down from 2017, which was a step down from 2016. Too bad, really, because Corps Bride was one of my favorite shows in 2016.

I am in 100% agreement with this.

I heard the closer is going in at Pacific Procession on Tuesday :(

Oh yes, I have seen that too. I'm not worried about that with SCV because they have a team of geniuses :) Are you going to get to see it live? Really remarkable.

This seems correct to me. BD definitely had the whole thing. SCV was missing a minute I would say. They played the final minute during the encore and WOW!

I didn't say they would look "silly" someone else did. I did say they wouldn't be as nearly as effective. The last time I thought a show was an absolute masterpiece for a design standpoint was Star '93. I feel the same way about this show.

Far from over, of course. I just think in looking at the designs of the top corps that SCV's is really in another league this year. Even over BD. It's remarkable. And, they have the goods (finally) to back that design up. I believe, without a doubt, they will be challenging for ever single caption award at finals. But, you know those pesky Blue Devils have come in and ruined things before (2015), so who knows.

Well let's not get ahead of ourselves. I was at Stanford last night. BD has their work cut out for them with Vanguard. In my opinion, Vanguard's show design has a big edge over BD right now. I honestly cannot image how SCV is going to enhance what they already have on the field, but they will (as will everyone). Personally, my money is on Vanguard winning finals. I think BD will place 2nd. Like last year, I think when west meets east, SCV and BD will be out in front, and the rest of the lot will be fighting for 3rd.

Ok, I never meant to allude that your opinion does not matter to me. That couldn't be further from the truth. If that is what you thought I was saying than I truly apologize. In fact, when I see your name down the left when I'm scrolling, I read your posts. Always. Your opinion matters to me. What I was getting at is it is a competitive activity and in my opinion traditional uniforms will only have a negative impact from a judging perspective. The 2016 Bluecoats changed the way the activity thinks about uniforms for the drums and brass. Now, nearly every corps is going down that road and I don't think we will be going back. I'll admit when I was watching Vanguard on periscope Friday my first thought seeing the uniforms was WTF? Live I couldn't imagine any other uniforms. It just all works so well together.

LOL. As someone else said, eat a Snickers.

Being at the show, the uniforms looked spectacular from the stands. They were my favorites of the night. I believe their 2018 show is a step up from 2017 in every way. It was just a very very cool show. In my section, only Mandarins and SCV got standing ovations. Now, I did like BD better than Mandarins, but SCV, BD and Mandarins were my three favorite shows by far last night. Academy was my least favorite. I agree with what you said there. I do not see them making finals.

They marched the whole show last night, but like everyone there this more to be added.

Perhaps you are right that it's subject to opinion. But, the only opinion that really matters is that of the judges. I am in complete agreement that these uniforms greatly enhanced the body movements. They are taking that to a new level and I just don't believe it would have worked with traditional uniforms.

Were you AT Stanford? I think the uniforms were an absolutely brilliant choice for their theme. Seeing them live really makes a difference, I think. I absolutely think old style uniforms would have greatly diminished this show. It is very modern, unique, and unlike anything they've done before or anyone else has done. This design team is full of geniuses. They looked so sharp from the stands, and every second of the show was compelling - musically and visually. I would have absolutely felt less thrilled by it were they in their 2016 uniforms. This is the new DCI. In my opinion - traditional uniforms are just not conducive to the body movements and visuals that corps are doing today. I always felt body movements in traditional uniforms looked ridiculous. Vanguard's would have in the old-style uniforms. In these uniforms, they are freaking cool and interesting.

I loved Ouroboros so I was afraid this year wasn't going to live up to it. Well I had nothing to fear, I actually think I may like Babylon better. Were you AT Stanford last night? There was absolutely nothing harsh about their hornline. Powerful, full and crystal clear is what I would use to describe their hornline at Stanford last night. This is a championship caliber hornline. Best I've ever heard their hornline in June. I think video, even on Flo, is so different than being there, and you just don't get the full impact on video. In fact, I heard a harsh passage in BD, and was surprised. There was not one harsh passage to be found in Vanguard last night. Babylon is so different from Ouroboros and anything before, and I think that in itself is huge. To be able to do a complete 180 and come out better than you were last year would seem like an impossible thing to do. Babylon is outstanding. You may need to see it a few times. I wasn't impressed based on the Periscope I saw from Clovis. Last night I was completely awe-struck by their show. Floored really. Spectacular. It is going to be really tough for anyone, even BD, to beat this show at finals. But, alas, it's June and way too early to proclaim them champion. Finals morning may even be too early to proclaim a champion. But, they will be challenging for ALL caption awards at finals. There is absolutely no doubt about that.

After being at Stanford and seeing the Detroit show, I will honestly be surprised if SCV doesn't run away with this thing. Of course, it would be foolish to proclaim it is a certainty, but that's not what I'm doing. Every single second of their show last night was just spectacular. I've seen them almost every year in June since 2004 (only missed 2005 and 2008). This was by far the best I have ever heard this hornline at this stage, and those mellos - WOW! I always love a sick mello section. Incredible. In fact, this was the best I've ever seen them as a whole in June. They will without a doubt be challenging for every single caption award at finals, as I'm sure BD will too. There is just something so special about this Vanguard show. I'm just not sure it is beatable, especially considering every section is running on all cylinders. I expected BD to win last night, but ONLY because they had a complete show on the field, where as Vanguard didn't. This is one of those legendary shows that everyone is going to be talking about for years. It was a complete 180 from last years show from the look to the music to the visuals. Last year's Vanguard was my favorite since 1999. I think this year's show might be favorite ever. Not just favorite Vanguard show, favorite show period. It's crazy to me to think that what was on the field wasn't 100% complete, because I can't imagine what they are going to do to enhance this. BD is just BD (and that's a compliment). They are so #### good. Dazzling. I think them, along with Santa Clara, are just simply out-designing everyone else. If one of these two don't make the top two, I would say right now, BD will be the one out. But, they haven't missed the top 2 since 2006. That will happen someday - I'm just not sure this is the year it is going to happen. The show was very entertaining and their guard book is wonderful. Sadly, I do not think Academy has a realistic shot at finals. Why? Because I do not think they will beat Mandarins, and if they do not beat Mandarins there is no other way in. The Mandarins were spectacular. Their uniforms were dazzling from the stands - my favorite of the night along with Vanguard. Great hornline! JW is superman and with him at the helm I am not at all surprised about their upward movement. They are much better than last year. With everything I've seen, I am super happy. What a great year for drum corps.

You are in for a massive treat. This show made me remember just how much I love drum corps.

Still buzzing over last night. I think everyone will like BD's show. I don't know, it seemed more accessible then other shows, and they have some nice drill and are playing on the move a lot this year. It seemed, anyway. Guard book is great.

You cared enough to respond.