Bneat

Nothing beats the organized chaos brought by Bloo in the post-ballad insanity. love.

Either they were sick, or they played sick for a couple weeks in the season. They are rather not-sick now. Not at all. And that makes them, well, sick. In a different way.

Hoping for a cleaner, more impactful, inspiring, crazy ending. Pwease !!!

They have - I think there are some issues on the design realm, especially at key impact moments visually, but that corps maxed this show out, tonight and this season in general! Doesn’t matter if lateral placement to last season - crown got her groove back.

Is it abnormal that I hear that mello lick from e=mc2 in my head all the time?

^^^this. Yes. Agreed.

I’ll keep this alive- although many come to mind… Crown = refined…embracing…butter

I mean, we always have wanted an hour of first place shows - so, here we go.

Ok - great run. But either the end is gonna be clean or it’s gonna be chaotic - pick one!!

Phantoms sound = full Mandarins sound = bright no judgments there - just the words that come to mind

That phantom tarp does a good job of framing the drill. I wish it was used more with more intentionality, especially in the ballad - but still like it. it possibly restricted the drill writer at times…the field didn’t allow enough room for development at times. great run - great show - great season. Clean up the blips in ensemble and some butter-fingers at the weirdest times, and I don’t think another show in the tier compares.

...tasteful...subtle...yet effective. 🙂

...I rechecked - and, that's NOT how the story is supposed to end at BAC. I kinda feel bad for the whale now. hmpf. Vis Performance/Analysis is a place for growth. I truly wish the best for all members and have every belief in confidence that the staff are doing the right things re: member health/safety...but, I swear, those blanks in the drill are somethin. Good news...I think...or, i've rationalized...good news is that the three blanks I spotted on Sat night were also present in the Crown. So...I have to believe that there is an expectation that those holes will be filled. They wouldn't have wrote a set with expected blanks in it, right? 🙂 Yea...so, seeing the holes in the end actually lifted my spirits. And again, this is a tough cookie to crumble, but, I saw the members trying to close them down at times, and other times not - which is never a good look. If the holes themselves didn't depress scores ever so slightly (which they shouldn't), then there is an argument for some of the slinky spacing that was going on as a result. Overall - vis concept and design is a place where, I think the Crowns need to reevaluate. I think this package is, and will be deserved wherever the chips fall (1-4). But, when I look at the drill and staging, I do find a lack of crisp-ness to it...and I think it's more design that technique. A lot of the sets seem spaghetti strand-y (very official term btw), and there are times where I wonder why some of the development develops in the way it develops. Not that it's bad...just wonder why. And I would say/will say this whether there's a medal, a ring, or neither. And, who cares what I have to say, anyway!?!?!?! 🙂 With .337 between the top four, there is no telling what will or won't make the difference between one judge in one sub-caption giving that edge....or not. Maybe 12 minutes of good spacing makes it all lock in. .337 can come down to an attack....a release....a roll....technique on a catch... The insignificance of what can make that difference is wildly significant! Ir feels like the wind ia behind the crown, and that's a great place to be. It's so weird to say, but, a week is a long-time - however, one week from right now, we'll have all the answers. Long Live the Crown.

I’ll make a loose argument for the end of Inferno - ya know, if ya wanna get all Jesus-y with it. or, e=mc2 because im pretty sure you can make Einstein on the Beach into whatever you want it to be, so, royal it is. 🙂 no, there is no show, no moment, no opportunity greater than now to crown it up. At this point, it’s like BD doing Tempus Blue in yellow and pink - or it’s 1989 and SCV decides not to have the phantom disappear…or, or……. i kinda chuckled at some other thoughts of drum corps not doing what they did or was expected, like Star 91 does the cross, all the drill, and the ends in a scatter. Womp womp. anyway…yes. Crown. With a crown. In the crown show. Go Crown.

Thanks @kdaddy for that history - that’s certainly interesting and upsetting! You just don’t assume that there’s that much instability with a corps like phantom. But then again, it was an “ascendant” decade, to try and shine some of those efforts! It’s just crazy to think about the disconnect between the corps and the activity. I mean there are tons of able and willing drill writers out there - myself included! - who would’ve jumped at the chance to write, to help, to be involved. But, for as inclusive as the activity is, it’s also very insular. And you can make the argument that one’s drill writing prowess should find itself into the activity, but I would take a “good” drill writer with potential and stability over the hope for “a name”. I’ve always enjoyed working with and found greater long term success working with people who wanted to learn and grow. Well, hopefully phantom has emerged from that but I wonder how many other corps this afflicts. With that being said, please feel free to contact me haha for the above mentioned stability and effort! But alas , not phantom - ya’all got a good thing going right now - invest in it. Great job PR….

Ah crud - I’m usually live for southeast, but alas, not this trip around the sun (insert Troopers quip here). alas, the mystery continues. bWell, friends 🙂

Agreed...absolutely. And, maybe it's in the fix. And, if the same darn thing didn't persist last season and not really be resolved, I'd stay mum. But, I found last seasons situation to be crazy - they knew that was gonna be there. Just take the time to smooth out some of those real obvious points. And, re: scores - I honestly don't know. I don't know how the sheets react to that. Lilke I said, the members are doing a harder job, but from an analysis standpoint...I dunno. The visual person in me can't unsee it, and so, even from an effect standpoint...should that be what I'm thinking through the show? Doubt it. Then again, thankfully, everyone isn't me, so....they may not care! HEHE I know judges have to work with what they have and with what's possible. Like, a judge can't say - wow, this would be great if you had 900 horns on the field. So, judges have to ride the line between talking about that which is fixable, manageable, possible...etc. I just wonder if judges ignore it, assuming it's an aberration, until you show up on Saturday night and....there it is. And yes, the season is, well, not young. It's mid-aged. But, we all know, it's tricky. Yes, two regionals left, but boy that happens fast...as compared to the road towards San Antonio. And, more importantly - I don't want time to be taken away from MAKING THE #### CROWN IN THE SEASON ABOUT THE CROWN! Just sayin. 🙂 Cheers. bn

Yah - stupid feet...and boots. These pics were from Mesquite on 7/24. Fully admit that some of these may just be performance issues...but, some are definitely a hole. Yet, at the end of the opener....I can't really find it. So, maybe...work in progress? bn

OK - serious question here that I feel like I can ask in this forum (they're so touchy in BD forums!). And, since I am incapable of brevity...just note that I been involved in the activity in visual writing/instructing roles for a while. I'm not old-school, but i'm not fully new-school...however, I love most everything that new-school brings to the table. So, hopefully that wipes that mode of discussion away! And perhaps I didn't search hard enough for this existing discussion to connect to, and if so, apologies - but we only have so much time during the fay to wax poetic on forums about drums on a field. So...and I say this with oodles of respect and understanding - but, what is up with drill blanks? Now, before we go into attack mode, lemme offer the following: I know this is the hottest summer on record and the performers are in the hottest part of the country and thus, it is very possible that one or two out of almost 200 individuals may be sick. I am very aware of this. If the above is true - I also know that it is NOT in the visual programs best interest to fill those holes - it's a waste of time and potentially screws up a host of other externalities for something that will solve itself. I also don't know if I'm talking about the same drill hole or whether it has changed....I haven't done a forensic analysis of my question to that level yet. HOWEVER - I do know that dating back to the beginning of last season - there is not ONE performance of Crown's where I can't find a drill hole. Does this really matter? Well, not really - especially if it's a sick member that just keeps moving around. As a matter of fact, the corps may get credit for keeping the hole - which is in some sense, harder than with a member in it. Is this what I think will hold Crown back from a medal? No...especially since I can say the same for many of the top 8 corps. So, big potatoes? No...I guess. But, I know it's just the drill person in me...but, I see the hole, and I can't unsee it. EVERY impact...there it is. There it is again. Who is this person? And again, maybe it's just sick member trading spots and everything will solve itself once they get out of the armpit. But I said that least season, and by golly gee...they went into finals with a hole. And in that case, I understand why it was there, but I can't understand not making the aesthetic fixes at key moments - to me, if the problem is NOT going to fix itself, then it IS worth the time and effort. I dunno - I really am asking for the real-real, because I don't know. I truly hope and believe that it is an ill member, or someone that had to sit the night out - well, that doesn't sound right. I don't hope any members are ill, for the record. But if what I'm seeing is just the one fractional individual taking a breather - I wish them the best, and hope that everyone returns to the field. IF NOT, what gives? There is no way that Crown, or any other top corps can't fill the hole. Last season, the persistence of that hole kinda encapsulated the whole season (lots of wholes/holes in that sentence) - kinda this untouchable vibe whose lack of touch-up and updating made the show...well, touchable. But, that's not this season, at all. So, I'm curious as to where this possibly insigniifcant issue lies...especially as these corps roll through the final stages of tour where Crown is CLEARLY deviating from their path last season and throwing everything (including the farm) into the final push.

I’ve thought about that, as a hedge to the subjectivity of it all, but also realize that the beauty of that system in ice skating or gymnastics is in the relative simplicity of measuring one athlete with a written set of expectations. While marching arts are actually more regimented (an athlete can choose to under or over rotate, whereas theoretically a performer can’t choose not to achieve set 52 or whatever), imagine the complexity of that show synopsis from each section. The screen would be filled with what coming up next, “left handed roll in snares”, “traveling five-tuplets in the bass line”, “sixteenth run in upper brass”, “cold attack on turn around in lower brass”, “rifle 7 with backhanded catch in Demi”, etc. etc. - and that’s would be for one 3 second moment, and would continue on and on for 11 minutes. would be amazingly hysterical to attempt! 🙂 or, we just need to re-standardize on what General Effect actually means. And no, I’m not sure that’s easier, but - we need those sheets to modernize as fast as the activity is.

Oh fiddlesticks - I hope this is received in the intended spirit, but I feel like this is an observation worth sharing and hearing perspective, etc. from the world. Like many of us, I am thoroughly entertained by the competitiveness at the top of the standings, but am really equally entertained by the 6-12 (and beyond) bunch. For sure, there is a gap in performance maturity somewhere in between the two blocks, and it's ODD to think of previous champs as being in some of those higher placements (numerically - not competitively), and in some cases potentially not even making finals. But, such is the dance as formerly finals contenders steadily rise through the ranks over the years, and perennial championship contenders continue to contend. But, it's there that the thought bubble appeared - in evaluating that "gap", and thus referencing the title of this post - speaking to the future of the activity (ala Kirk's melodramatic invocation of the classic directions to Neverland). Maybe it's the de-shako-ing of the corps', or just the reality that there aren't layers of armor separating the personality of the performers from the experience of the audience - but, in watching many of the corps in that 6-12 rat race, I'm moved by the amount of youth that is just so obviously prevalent in those corps. This is a broad brushstroke - but, to me, it's real apparent. And this isn't some knock against "all them darn kids in this there activity" or shock-and-awe over the youth present in the activity - it is a youth educational activity at it's core. Very aware that the young'ens have always been there, but, this year - it feels rather localized, and omnipresent. And, I, for one - think that's great. I think it's a great statement for the activity to see the performers out there, having a great time, learning, building what I would see as the base of the future of drum corps. This is always the case - insert standard, the children are the future comment - but, in seeing the shows and corps that have embodied that demographic, I am enthused about what it means for the future in regards to performance ability, competitiveness, programming, etc. To that end, I'll leave the following observational addendums: 1) hats off to the admin, instructional staff, etc. that are working these corps, shows, and performers - building in them not just experiences that they'll want to move on from, but holistic, enjoyable, educational experiences that will hopefully retain membership and build on itself in the years to come - in aggregate. 2) Maybe this DOES explain some of the lack of performance maturity in some of these corps. But, that's not a knock - just an overly broad explanation for some of the observations made when viewing the corps - like, it's there, but little things here and there don't feel complete, or arriving where they should. 3) Ultimately - to the yout in these corps, thank you! You're great. Keep on keepin on. Learn, grow, and don't let numbers, forums, or naysayers tell you any different. For all of the legitimate fear of the "gap year" and the impact that could have had, I find solace and motivation in seeing how the activity can germinate and reinvent itself in the midst of uncertainty. There are so many things that are going to "kill" the activity (Bb horns, streaming, amplification, fire ants, etc.) - it's good to see another version of survival. It lives on to fight the next threat - woodwind playing robots.

Agreed - Blue Stars get the Perseverance Award - now, it's time to revive the Glassmen and Velvet Knights (talk about two different programmatic approaches!).

Ah - I never really even caught "the walk" - I get real distracted by the curved straight line (I feel like I'm cleaning drill and yammering on about lining up the arc!). I dunno what the solution is here, but I would opt for a more "figurative" walk and not allow the props to become the distraction that they are, in the form, and in the exit. The closing drill is like pre-fabbed for the wedge - and to me, there's an analysis issue with building tension and spreading the corps apart over the final chords. It works in the beginning because the contrary motion mimics the building tension, but then as that dissipates, it's just a dash from side 1 to 2 and 2 to 1 in an expanded form, followed by what feels like a 64 count hold in that expanded form. Not that there is some magic formula to follow - but, when I hear that type of building tension, ala final moments of Harmonic Journey, I want the corps tighten up, bring the sound in, make me fear for the amount of motion circulating about, and then use part of the resolve to add some body detail, and voila - all done. Even if there isn't a wedge - i'd advocate for bringing it together in the final moments - having the corps in the boundaries of the props and the brass together in...something...would also help solidify the ultimate message in the theme, as well - I think.

'Twas true. I couldn't tell you "where" we were - I think you really only know where you are on tour like 50% of the time...but, it was the West Coast year with champs in Pasadena. In these folks' defense (not that there is one) they were not prepared, historically, for 30-40 drum corps rolling through the amber waves of grain. So, he did what any logical, fair-minded, red-blooded American would do and sat on his motorcycle up the street, made some noise complaints to the local constable, and noticeably brandished his arsenal, ostensibly to shoot the sound as it invaded his territory. After quashing plans by the contra section to "take him out" we were able to win the locals over with the assistance of aforementioned local constable through our displays of audio-visual sorcery and extreme education. I lost track of the "situation" thereafter, but in my head he turned his gun around and defended us for the rest of the block, and we won over a new Drum Corps fan that day. I sincerely doubt that's how it actually ended, but it ties the experience up in my head. So, yea...'murica.

I should've watched the whole video before commenting - but, good! That's a good decision right there. Unfortunately, I fear you to be in the minority regarding the final wedge set - and, I'm somewhat against the ball and chain of "tradition" when it holds a corps back. But, I don't care when it comes to the wedge. HAHA...illogical, but real. 🙂