JohnDF

My son is aging out this year. He will be a Senior in college; Math major and Music minor. He has been a brass instructor at a smaller high school and this year will be a marching instructor at one of the biggest high schools in our area. His goal is to teach math at a high school with a marching band so he can help them.

I bought a theater ticket just to be safe... Don't want to miss it.

True words... They have been all over the place, especially that C. Hestin. He would have one corps in 1st and another in 4th or 5th, and then the very next week he would flip flop those two. I'm not saying he shouldn't call 'em as he sees 'em, but that much change in a week? For two corps?

Ya, I raced home from work to catch them on Flo just to see shots of an empty field and a big rain storm... Oh well, Thursday won't get rained out!

1. Mandarins 2. Blue Devils 3. Boston 4. Vanguard 5. Troopers

I don't often check the Open Class forum, but I'm constantly checking the scores and rankings. My son started off in BDB, they were a fantastic organization, and they will always hold a special place in our house.

I wish I could watch this one, but I have to work tonight. The last head-to-head matchup between Phantom, Mandarins, and Cavaliers before Prelims... It's gonna be good.

88.9 is a good score for Mandarins... congrats. I think they would have broke 89 points if it wasn't for GE 2 . He's the same GE judge that had them all the way down in 10th at South East Champs. He is obviously not enjoying the Mandarin's show. Hope he's not in Indianapolis. 😡

Mandarins will keep cleaning and perfecting and overtake the Cavaliers again... It's my hope. 😮 In reality, I will just be so excited for them if they score 90 points or better this year. Scoring 90 or better will be a great achievement for them, no matter the placement.

I really wish this show was on Flo. Go Mandarins, let's break 89 points tonight!

I just want to talk about the Mandarins' ballad for a second... This is such a huge and impactful moment of the show. Wether you enjoy singing in drum corps or not, I feel that if you're going to integrate singing that this is really the way to do it. It does so much to build a moment and sell you on the theme of the show; Breaking down barriers, crossing over from dark to light, moving from oppression to freedom (whatever your personal take-away is). The way it starts with an acoustic piece and just the singer sets the stage, and then it really builds to a huge impactful moment. The way Charles sheds his outer layers and emerges "shiny" (for you firefly fans), the way one side of the wall is dark and regimented and the other side is free and spirited, and the guard member breaking through the brass section, and finally the brass doing a final turn to face the guard, it's all visually and musically pleasing, and it all really helps to drive home the theme. Nobody is left guessing, it's all in your face like a big blockbuster movie's climax. And then all the different layers and blending that the brass brings musically in their big moment gives me chills. The crowd eats it up too. It's my favorite moment from the whole season.

Fun and energetic run in Allentown. Not a big score jump but a solid placement. You guys are breaking 90 points, I can feel it.

Congrats to the Mandarins. Not a big score jump, but a good placement.

People still have curfews?

I went ahead and bought a theater ticket, don't want to take a chance on missing anything.

No worries... it's all good, and thanks.

Not sure what you meant by that, or why it was directed at my post about the Mandarins... but you-do-you, man.

Hope this goes on tonight... and also hope the Mandarins break 89 points tonight, or at least get darn close... Go Mandarins!

I'm not a fan of the mandarin's slot at this show. But I am hopeful that they will break 89 points in spite that... fingers crossed.

Depending on judges and what nights they compete or rest, the Mandarins and Cavaliers have been keeping pace with each other pretty well. I see the Cavaliers and Mandarins in a tight battle through Finals Night. It's going to be fun to watch. I think the Cavaliers have the edge, but I wouldn't count out the Mandarins... their show hasn't been super clean yet, but they keep getting better.

Great run in Ohio... and a super great score too.

Nice score for the Mandarins... Great job!!!

Cavaliers bringing the fun at the end of the show.

Great job Mandarins, your show is just so much fun to watch and listen to.

Alright It's time for what I've been waiting for... Let's Go Mandarins!!!