Nizerifin

I know it's broad, but how do you feel, in numeric terms, this season is going as far as show quality, competition, music selection, etc? I'm going with an 8.

Well these business people (ESPN) are thinking about the money more than "getting better coverage for finals." Like that exists. DCI's just another nonprofit to ESPN, who's looking to make some money. Respect? lol

Now I think it was someone whistling or something... I can't see how an argument rose out of this though. I think DCP people are just darn argumentitive! I don't see anything wrong with that, I guess.

Maybe there should be two judges for every caption during finals weeks. But really, I think the placements are correct most of the time.

That's why, when I'm out of college, I'm moving to Chicago. B)

Well, it is jazz... and they have atleast 8 performance to make it finals worthy. I guess I'm one of the few that gets jostled any time a drum corps plays "that really, really high note." Maybe it's because I play brass, dunno.

If all corps were doing it, it would no longer be original, and therefore, no one would do it (accept for the corps that just don't stop.) I don't see how she can distract you from a performance if she only walks around BEFORE the corps go on. Hoppy talked about it in one of his latest posts (the 22nd) addressing how it's just an attempt for continuity in the theme. How this ever turned into "I looked at her before the show, and totally missed all the other shows -- because of her!" Sheesh.

Yeah, I know the note was pretty nasty, and I'm sure come finals, there won't be any outbursts like it. I was just amused at how high that guy went, even if it was unmusical!

Have you people heard that trumpet scream about 3/4 of the way through the Cavies show tonight? Right after a impact chord in the jazzy piece he rips up extremely high very much sounding like a real scream. Just wondered if anyone else heard this thing! Actually it's approximately 9:30 into the show.

19 Days Left Till Quarterfinals... Music Placements: Brass: 1. Cavaliers 18.2 2. Cadets 18.1 3. Phantom 17.9 4. Madison 17.7 5. Bluecoats 17.6 6. Blue Devils 17.5 Percussion (Average): 1. Cavaliers 18.35 2. Cadets 18.20 3. Phantom 17.9 Bluecoats 17.9 5. Blue Devils 17.55 6. Madison 17.50 Glad to see the race so close.

Well that's nice of them. Most sports in America get total seasonal coverage in the A/V format. I don't see why DCI can't get (and this season may be just the start) live coverage to most of the shows. Get some staff to travel around the country all summer so that the whole process of keeping up with the season is continuous. Make it two crews. If DCI stepped it up (and maybe even spent more producing the coverage) the consumer rate would go up and income would too. I think as the years go by, show coverage will increase, and keep doing it.

Wasn't last year's season a bit shorter than this one? I think there's an extra week this time around.

DRUMS ACROSS THE BLUEGRASS I'm not going to fluff this review up... so don't expect any politeness. There was a pretty big crowd, filled up most of the high school stadium bleachers. I know the guy who runs this show, or atleast is the chairperson for it, and overall the show was really well organized. They even gave away a trumpet at the end (after going through a few people to find a winner). Anyways, on to the reviews. THE MAGIC - A NEW BEGINNING Well, I didn't like the show. I don't know what happened to this corps. They really lack proffesionalism to a level that makes me think marching band whenever I watch them. Posture was widely variated, everyone was marching a lil' bit different, and this girl had her shako hanging by the chain on her forehead. I just watched as she missed every form and clearly showed that she wasn't playing because she was so distracted by the shako. The horn wasn't even on her face. Well, whenever a corps has such a diverse array of marching issues, you can't really focus on the show. The drill was sloppy and poorly executed. Well, they got a: SCORE - 70.5 SPIRIT - THE SPIRIT OF BROADWAY Big jump up from Magic. Their show actually has an understandable design with the giant theater production posters. You could hear musical refrences to these shows which overall helped tie the theme through out the show. The show didn't put me to sleep, but it did really wow me in any way either. The drill really isn't very difficult or anything, nor was the music. I never really understand why a corps tries to push such a challenge-lacking product to the judges and audience and expect them and us to jump out of our seats and give high scores. That's why they got a: SCORE - 77.2 MADISON SCOUTS - THE CARMEN PROJECT Now here is how a corps gets into the top five. I really believe that SHOW DESIGN is one of the biggest factors in a corps' success or failure. Everything should fall in place if the design was so well-thought out that the show gains purpose. Madison has it. The guard is divided into two different colors to show division. It makes sense. The audience can understand. I took a camera to the show, but during Madison, I just sat back and watched and enjoyed the whole thing. I was really, really impressed by the colorguard. The proffesionalism is great. I love the random yells and stuff. The drill is clean, difficult, and the Scouts can really march to save their lives. The brass is alive and the screamers are cocky and can hit those supers. The drums are right up there with the best, very exposed and flashy. Hey, that's why they got an: SCORE - 86.4 BOSTON CRUSADERS - THE PROMISE OF LIVING Yeah, really accessible music. The show plays on familiarity to keep the audience involved. The brass' tone sounds great. I don't think, however, that they really sell the show very well. I'm referring back to the initial design... why is it that I can't remember their show very well? Nothing too exciting or outlandish to grab us. They play well, yes. They march well, yes... but they don't apply push their abilities. Easy drill, com'n. 8-to-5ing just isn't the way to break into the top of the pack kids. I'm sorry. So, that's why they got an: SCORE - 82.0 CAROLINA CROWN - ANGELUS! Yes, angels do get their wings... Crown has a good show. Their ballad is extremely accessible. Usually I don't like pop music converted to drum corps, but they make it balladish enough to pull it off. The drill is too easy, and the music is very ensemblesque. I think that's what's keeping them from breaking out of the middle top 12 pack and pushing up to the tip of the iceburg. So, good execution of an easy product allows them to get solid top 12 scores, but keeps them from going further. Oh, also, their guard dropped a ton of times. The grass was wet, so I understand some of the issues with the flags, but still pretty dirty. Overall the show is a solid contender, and the membership is very talented, landing them an: SCORE - 82.95 BLUECOATS - CARAVAN The other night on the boards I questioned the 'Coats progress during this middle part of the summer. Now my worries are gone. I've never been so impressed with this corps. Great design, great execution, talented brass, difficult drill, creative and exposed drumline - this show really rocks. Colorguard staging in some parts of the show really gets a "WOW" from the crowd. The drum chant thing is not distracting at all compared to the Cadets or BD. It's woven well into the design and backed up by the corps' voices. The staff working there really know their stuff. If they pass Madison, I won't feel bad, sad, but glad. Their show hasn't peaked by any means. They can still push and turn this show into a drum corps classic, oh, and by the way, that's why they got an: SCORE - 85.75 SOUTHWIND (Homeshow) - A DISTORTED IMAGINATION On the shako creations: they aren't distracting and do help push the theme. Hope they weren't expensive. Now, I'm sure you're bracing for a negative review at this point but you ain't gettin' one. This year is the first year that this corps made me think Div. 1 and not Div. 2. It's not half bad. I think the people there are really pushing this corps (on the ten year plan of course) to new heights. The design is so much more thought out, the product is actually entertaining. Yes they have issues. They march hunched over and they play the same brass riff throughout the entire show. But now they actually have audible soloists, viewable drill, etc. If they make semis, I'll be happy that they were rewarded for being entertaining and working hard. Their drumline is nothing special, but I do have to say their tenor feature with the bass drums sharing sticks is really cool. I'm sure it's been done before, but it got a loud applause. A toast for advancement and growth, and that's why they got a: SCORE - 72.5 ENCORE - SOUTHWIND Southwind replayed their show for the encore. This being their homeshow, they had a lot of fan support. They arched up and played. They had some really bad trumpet balance issues. The one girl just blares and blares. Every corps has their hero, but once you step outside the round ensemble sound, the scores drop. Also, they really needed to open up and relax their chest... it was bothering me. ON AUDIENCE REACTIONS - Why is it that some great corps recieve mere golf claps while other lower-scoring corps get a wild applause? I see it like this. You've got the tip top corps that are willing to dash around and lose 50 pounds a summer into their show and the corps that do odd, but pleasing things during their show to trigger sincere applause (like Southwind's drum feature.) The others don't evoke emotion musically or visually and well, don't have people jumping out of their seats. I blame it on show design, definitely not the young adults on the field. Cue a new level of inventivness in 2006...now.

What's the highest the Cadets have EVER scored?? I'm just wondering.... I know they've reached 98.4 on a couple occasions in the past decade. It seems with the past 4 years the winning score on Finals night has been up there in the 98's. Let's see: 2004 - 98.7; 2003 - 98.8; 2002 - 99.15; 2001 - 98.35... 2000 - 97.6 (Cadets tie for first). It seems the activity is pushing towards perfection (or the scores are being inflated). So if it the "98 or above" hypothesis is correct, the Cadets have to have a groundbreaking year. I don't see it happening with this show, but a top 2 shakeup would be nice all the same. 1. BD 2. Cavies 3. Cadets 4. Madison 5. Bluecoats 6. SCV 7. Phantom 8. Boston 9. Spirit 10. Crown 11. Glassmen 12. Crossmen 13. Blue Knights 14. "The" Magic 15. Colts 16. Southwind 17. Cascades So... I bet a buck the winning score is above 98 (higher scores are good for the activity) :)

Yep, but they have the high cam so you can see everything. l