PR ROCKS

Oh, I've seen people praising the show, just like we see every year about the winning show. But I have actually seen on this forum and others more whining by fans of other corps. Not by alumni or staff or members, but fans.

I am certainly not going to pretend to be qualified to judge brass, but I have been involved in music enough to recognize good arranging. Both corps' arrangers did an outstanding job of creating charts to represent the programs well. I'm not going to say that I thought one corps deserved first in brass over the other. What I will say is that I have read posts on DCP that refer to Phantom as loud, crass and out of tune. After listening multiple times to the APDs from Quarterfinals, I feel Phantom had slight intonation issues at two points in the show (the mellos at the end of the number before the ballad) and the full corps during the part with the 4 to 5 jazz running at the end. I was also there live and I heard this but it was minor and did not capture my attention. Blue Devils, on the APD are severely out of tune at the end of their show while they are just walking to the sideline out of formation - and quite crass sounding at that point. That is the only time I felt like they had a brass quality lapse, but I don't know why they did because there was no drill taking place and it was much more noticeable live than Phantom's issues. I sure have not noticed rampant fanaticism around Phantom Regiment on DCP (even though there is alot of excitement) and for you to be so offended makes me believe that you did not like them in the first place. Again, just an observation - doesn't make me correct.

Last year they put up semi finals videos (from the webcast) and left them for several months. Are they going to do that this year?

St Angel got caught flipping everyone off in 1992, when they got 8th place, not in 1989, and that has absolutely nothing to do with this situation, nor the current "management" of Phantom Regiment.

Everyone today is saying how much he did for the guard the past four years. Two weeks ago the majority of the people were saying that the color guard was the weak link for the corps on the score sheets. That's the reason for my reference to their winning in my previous post. Personally, I thought the guards he put out were very good, so I think there is another reason.

My two cents... If the rumor mill had not been going, and the news wasn't already out, at least to those really deeply involved in drum corps, Phantom Regiment could have made an announcement of this change, much like they have in the past....like last year with Jamey Thompson. As Mr. Newell stated, he was confirming what was already reported. Perhaps he did not choose the wording, the rumor mill chose it for him. I also wonder if PR had not won this year, how much anyone would be attacking this announcement.

As much as I loved the 2003, 2006 and 2008 shows and believe that 2008 is the most well planned, ingenious and well performed show, my two favorite moments are mainly musical moments: 1) 1989 - the finale of the New World Symphony, when the sopranos played the melody up an octave right before the final push....the whole place already on their feet, and it made me go weak in the knees. 2) 1996 - the emotional build of the opener, and the power of the brass hit at the same moment the full color guard started spinning the red flags....overwhelmingly strong emotional musical moment for me.

From mid season on the Devils drumline was consistently beaten by Cavaliers, Bluecoats, Phantom Regiment and occasionally Carolina Crown. I'm not saying they weren't great, but they were .2 behind the Bluecoats with a 19.0 on Monday 8/4/08 and judged by Mike Davis I believe, so their score and placement should not be a shocker to anyone. I am a drummer, and I believe, biases aside, that Phantom Regiment's book was not only the cleanest but the most intricate musically of all the corps this year. Well deserved! And the two judges on Finals night are very well respected, obviously, and have given the percussion award to other corps much much more often than they have to the Regiment.

Scores received at different shows...you can't place higher than somebody else if you are not in the same show.

I was there last night also, and yes I head a few bad notes during "America" - that sounded like they were bad on purpose from a Blue Devil - but you absolutely cannot label an entire organization that runs as smooth as silk and is the most successful in DCI history as classless because of that. While unfortunate for the audience, this young person was probably either letting off steam after a year of hard work or letting out disappointment, but that doesn't even make that person classless, much less an entire organization. I think it was an unfortunate choice, but I didn't let it spoil the moment. I think the top 12 were excellent this year, and while I thought Phantom had the best show, I really felt that any of the top 4 could have won and nobody could have had a legitimate argument.

There all three nights, Section 7R, row 34, seat 107. GO PHANTOM REGIMENT!

No, they won GE visual at 2006 Finals.

Got me on that one. Forgot to say "in July."

I'm 20 miles away from the show site. It has stopped raining currently and is brighter outside. It is still not sunny, but it has improved. And the temperature is 70 degrees. I can't remember that last time it was 70 degrees in Middle Tennessee in the early afternoon.

Since the whole flow of the World Class Corps tour is to Atlanta this weekend, it is not like any of the corps were out of the area. The tour is arranged nicely to accomodate this show, and it is completely relevant because it gives the corps a goal to achieve by San Antonio - a top 8 placement - which I think keeps their progress moving along before the last push of the final two weeks.

The forecast from MSN.com for tonight: Night: Isolated thunder with light rain showers. Low 71F. Winds light. Rain chance 20%. I'll be there.

How is that based on the rankings as they are now.? Cadets have not beaten Phantom head to head. That may change this weekend, but these scores from different shows can't be compared.

I'll be there. My 10th time to attend the Championships

Cornhusker Summer Music Games Place Corps Score World Class 1 Blue Devils 88.400 2 Phantom Regiment 86.850 3 Troopers 72.600 4 Pioneer 63.850

PR went on last at 8:31. There should be scores by now.

I wouldn't call Phantom on the West Coast rare. They have been there every year since 2003 with the exception of 2006. This makes 5 out of the last 6 years. Of course, 2004 was only postseason - Tour of Champions.

I think when you say you remember the exact same scenario a couple of years ago...I think this is te same exact loan....not a separate one. It's not two different situations, its the settlement of that same one. Someone who knows for sure correct me if I am wrong. Also, I know I can only speak for myself, but I have never had any experience with anyone rude at the PR souvie booth in 20 some odd years and I can also say that I haven't seen evidence of it from the amount of people that line up at the booth. At the shows I've been to they always have the longest line. Obviously I can't speak to or discredit anybody elses experience, I can just state that it has not been my experience. I understand both sides...I see why some people would say the corps needs to cut back on tour, etc. - but I also see why they would not want to do that and I hate to see the current management team and members pay for the sins of a past administration. Just my thoughts.

No, mine is an HP. I looked on the internet for FAQ on Windows Media Player and read something about downlading a decoder Plug In. I may try that tonight.

Interested in where this goes. I can't play any of my 2006 or 2007 DVDs on my computer. The intro plays but when it goes to the menu and you choose play all or choose a specific corps it goes back to the intro. I never believed it was a problem with the DVDs because they function fine in my DVD player connected to my TV. I figured it has something to do with a setting on my computer. All previous years play fine.

yes...mine came UPS.