kosovobill

How do you figure that? Bush and Brigs have exchanged places at least once, Corpsvets have moved up and down, Empire has moved up, Hurcs have been up and down a few times, as have Cabs, the Kilts have come up as of yesterday, and may I mention MBI's second place finish last year....but oh yes, a certain corps has gone nowhere but down this year....hmm... it must be slotting... Slotting has been alleged since I've been a little kid, but for the most part I have found a corps generally gets what it deserves... to quote someone else's comment ( Im sorry cant remember who it was) " It takes a lot of sour grapes to make that whine!" Bill

For those people who think that separate show scores cannot be compared, I ate some crow (courtesy of Jeff Ream) a few years ago on one of my predictions, concerning Brigs and Bush; not only did Bush beat Brigs at finals as the separate shows predicted, but by about the SAME margin- if you look at the shows this year, for the most part, the scores are matching up well when any 2 corps finally meet at different times of the season. These Judges are doing an excellent job, and I think we are headed towards what could be the most hotly contested finals ever! Bill

Jump back into it! I got back into it when I was 43, and did very well... Bill

I think it should be noted that if it was not for the Gasparilla organization ticking off the entire all-age drum corps community in Florida, there might not have been a SunDevils Corps-- so in a twisted sort of way, we need to thank them Bill

It sound like to me the only set of anything you have is a bunch of axes to grind against the Brigs, or perhaps the motivation to ruin this corps, so that your real favorite can get more members--why else would you do this? Oh yes, and ditto the comments Contrachick said. You are the lowest form of troll that could be on this forum, admit it or not. As for not signing your true name, that shows everyone you are a pathetic coward on top of everything else. Go back to your seat and shut up. Bill

I find it very hard to believe you are a former member of our corps-- what a poor, pathetic, and bitter old man you must be. Even if what you say is true, does it really matter? The truth will come out in the first show of the year-- what have you to gain by doing this? Your reputation? Get a life.

I think the choices we are given in this poll are rather limited and unrealistic; regardless of how good MCL, Alliance, Fusion, and Kilts are I doubt they would make the top 5 this year, so the question is rather moot. (I would think they would be thrilled just to make finals!) I do find it interesting that the folks doing the most talking are from a corps that made 10th place last year by only .65 of a point. (I guess that makes them experts at making the top 5) As for Bush, Brigs, or Renegades its like "Duh?"--- you think? Need some better topics here, folks...

GO Brigs GO!!!!!! The real magic always happens in the winter!! Bill

I think the Brigs are going to be competitive, regardless of what they play. Pete Blake is extremely competent, and on several occasions "repaired" problems the corps had with Wayne Downey's arrangements. The corps has been slowly breaking away from jazz for several years now, and from my own experience, I know it has nothing to do with what the Buccaneers or anyone else is playing. While I doubt that they will be contenders this year, the corps will continue to grow and prosper; let us also remember, they are younger and less experienced than in the championship years, and this accounts much for their placement. Please try to remember that a corps doesn't have to be a contender for the title to be worth watching; some of my favorite performances are from corps that didn't win! Bill

I too agree the field could be closer without interfering with judges, recording equipment, etc. As for the person who mentioned that perhaps the space that existed in Scranton was too little, need he be reminded that there was room enough for a corps to troop the stands? (this is about the space , not the corps, ok?) In short, the closer, the better, as I like loud, too! Bill

great job on your 2nd place finish MBI!!!!--- for all the flamers out there, this is proof that if you earn it, you get it! Bill

Things are really tightening up! looks like it will take an 87-88 or better to make finals at this rate---it would be really cool if Kilts make finals! Bill

..and you're the only one cussing about it...how much class can that take?

With the exception of DCA prelims and finals, My former corps (brigs) ALWAYS trooped the stands at every show...why am I getting the impression this thread is just another opportunity for the old pharts to once again glorify the past while insulting the present? Folks that are still marching...let us hear from you! Bill

well that will certainly raise someones bar, period!!!!! Bill

I think there has to be an amount of brashness, arrogance, what ever you might want to call it to be a lead player of any kind. To lead is to be very outgoing and make things happen, and can happen in any section, though I suppose it is most obvious in soprano sections. To lead in music is to say I welcome the exposure in favor of the satisfaction of entertaining many people, risk is the game and we are all ready to take that risk. That is the heart of a performer. Bill

This thread needs to "Magically" go to the DCI forums. Bill

If the director made this decision based upon 27 emails from DCA potential members, he made an even bigger mistake based upon responses from lots of junior-corps aged kids....Florida has an extremely competitive and widespread marching band circuit, which would be in direct conflict with any DCI program. He obviously doesnt fully appreciate how much support the all-age community has down here, and frankly doesnt care, as it was NEVER his intention to field an all age corps---Fran, you were right..this thing was way too good to be true! Bill

I think I understand.....much of their staff is from Magic, the only reason they thought they might HAVE to start an all-age corps was because of concerns about support; now that they have big cash coming from Tampa (Gasparilla), they dropped all their pretenses about what they really wanted to do...to revive Magic. They have a new source of support, which they LOST in Orlando (wonder how that happened?) I am willing to bet even if they did get an all-age corps up and running they would have dropped it in a year or two in favor of a DCI corps. I hope the Gasparilla committee knows what they got themselves into...a cash cow that won't do well at DCI. Just my opinion, but it sort of rings with truth, doesnt it? flame away...... Bill

Agreed. If your corps is good enough to be there, then you make it---notice that the criticism is from folks whose corps have been on the edge or totally out of it top10-wise. I checked the You Tube link out---while it is a nice performance, the Inspires are hardly "A DCI championship corps". This is nothing but sour grapes, and definitely time for the Waaahhhhmbulance!! There is a cure though, its called GET BETTER on the field, and you wont have this problem! Bill

I think Shawn is onto something here...Ive noticed there are a number of "internet only" TV dramas that are actually starting to make money. Certainly the idea of getting rid of an expensive "middle man" aka the networks is something worth looking into for our activity. Bill

Well, I understand what you are trying to do and I wish you guys the best of luck with all these gigs! Bill

While I think this is a wonderful opportunity for drum corps to perform and make money, let us remember that such ensembles are considered as novelties by the general public, and will always be so. Other than those in rock, R&B, Hip-Hop, and other forms of pop music, musicians are not considered "cool" by the general public...and thats just life. Drum corps, Brass Bands, whatever you want to call it, is a niche activity pursued by a very passionate minority of people, and will never be "in the mainstream". When the day comes that musicians, dancers, actors, and other types of artists are not ridiculed on TV, in schools and locker rooms all over this country is the day when something like drum corps can be something "in the mainstream". That will be the day ESPN will pay us to play...and where snowballs can exist in a lower plane of existence. Bill

I think the ES approach is the best way to do the "smoke" effect; The CO2 gas they use is heavier than air while still visible, and dissipates quickly without any harm to anyone's breathing. I would think dry chemical extinguishers would create a major hazard in this regard, and deface the field to some degree--I'm surprised they are allowed. Bill

Yo Keith! you are making way too much sense! Bill