craiga

In terms of what REALLY matters in this activity, Boston will be victorious as soon as it steps onto the field for its 67th year. Eat'em Boston! :)

well said

The scores DON'T matter to the members of the Boston Crusaders, at least apparently not as much as the matter to some folks on DCP. The corps' motto "WE DON'T GAVA!" demonstrates this. When is the last time you heard someone from the BAC on DCP whining about a particular score or judge (unlike SOME other groups)? It's because the kids in Boston are really focused on....well, being "Boston"---which means being into their show and hopefully, the connection with their audience. The numbers will be whatever they are. The Crusaders have ALWAYS known the great truth of drum corps......get ready for it.....that you can't control the numbers-only your performance. And yes, I agree with DCPguy1111---2006 was arguably the best product-caption for caption-that Boston has ever fielded. And for the record, the greatest achievement of the 2000 corps was NOT the 5th place finish...it was the audience reaction to that show. It seems to me that the 06 show was much more subtle and less viceral than the 2000 show, but this year's brass sound, drum line, guard and drill were all at a higher level than the previous years. As far as 2007, I see Boston remaining a great drum corps, whether it ends up in first place or lower.

I also marched in the early 80s, and I can tell you that a 66 day tour was UNHEARD OF. We did lots of extended weekends and a a two week tour. A food truck wasn't necessary, but it certainly is now for all of the above reasons. Like many Div 1 corps, Boston actually prepares four meals a day for the kids, and it is all you can eat. Other corps do the same. And yes, what would you do if your housing was in Oshkosh with no restaurant within twenty miles? The moblie kitchens aree a requirement for touring, period. If you don't have one, you don't tour.

40

After seeing them multiple times, I have concluded that they are every bit as good as BAC 2000. The difference is that the corps around them are all very good this year as well. I don't recall ever seeing five or six "upper mid level" corps so strong ALL THE SAME YEAR. What a great season! :)

Actually, with their new drill designers this year, they've been getting some prettty good numbers in GE Visual and Ensemble Visual. I personally think the props work, because they are actually used as part of the design throughout most of the show. Many reviewers who identify themselves as "not usually a Boston fan" have said here on DCP that the corps is quite good this year. I would agree. The show is sophisticated and contemporary while still quite engaging to the "popcorn eaters". And no, there is no narration from BAC this year (or last). They are in a tight, fiercely competitive group of about 6 corps, and they are more than holding their own. Tonight should be interesting. BTW, the logo is not a dragon.....it is a "Rampant Lion", the standard of King Richard, the Lion-Hearted during the CRUSADES......now you know the rest of the story! :)

OK, everyone just take a breath. Madison beating Boston at this show does NOT mean they are heading for the top four.......neither does it mean that they have "put Boston behing them" for good. What it does mean is that at this show, Madison got a higher score......period. Take a chill guys. Let's see if this is a one night thing or if it is a trend. A little too soon to be doing DCI Ring fittings.

Every time we say "wicked" all the non-New Englanders out there probably just shake their heads! :)

My information from people in BAC's management is that it is a BRAND NEW stadium, with new seating, turf, and lighting. I think if you visit www.crusaders.com, there may be some photos of it somewhere. I know I've seen pics of the renovations somewhere (maybe it was in the Crusaders newsletter) and I'm pretty excited about the venue. That particular show will also include the Cavies, btw. Should be a great time.

Old Guard, in answer to your "rifles spinning wicked fast" question...... :) It happens during Boston's percussion feature, and it is pretty amazing.....BAC's guard goes to 20 flags and 20 rifles, with the rifles coming forward in a wedge-like shape up front on Side 2 (stage right, looking at the field). I watched them practice this for hours during their move-in in New Hampshire, and I'm still not quite sure what this is.....but, I think it is actually a one-handed flip in between each regular spin, kind of a 21st century version of the old "one-handed doubletime" from the late 70's. It is squeaky clean and very impressive, and the fact that a newcomer to the activity (your grandson) picked up on it is awesome. I agree with you that Boston is great fun to watch this year, and you can look for more effect moments in their show to appear as the season progresses. Glad to see they're getting some decent numbers, and the audiences so far seem to agree. The next time they're in New England is their home show in Lawrence, MA on August 2nd. Hope you can make it with your new drum corps fans!

GO BOSTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looks like Waldo is on a rampage.....closing in on Phantom, which isn't a surprise to me after seeing both corps in the Beverly show. Eat'em up BOSTON! ^0^

Bridaier80 is right----Cadets applause was a fraction of Crossmen, Phantom, and Boston. Also, it might have helped Cadets if someone had turned on the vocalist's mike.

Eat 'em up, Boston!

:)

I can remember rehearsing in East Boston with BAC on a Sunday morning, with 27 showing up around noon then North Star coming in around 5pm. Where else in the world could you find a drum corps community like that? And, you guys are right---out of state kids were almost unheard of...I was from Maine and it was a big deal to NOT be from eastern Mass somewhere. As for Jerry Noonan, he WAS a GREAT soloist. He arranged BAC's show in '83 when we had 19 horns......Mike Woodall used to tease him and (in his best announcer voice) say "Ladies and Gentlemen, on the field, Jerry Noonan and his corps!" :)

and the Berlin Wall began to come down with one cinder block....

And, to think that when I posted my prediction a couple days ago for the Powder Springs show and suggested that Boston could be over Cadets, some folks on that thread thought I was insane. Granted, it didn't happen in total score, but it DID happen in one of the most significant captions. :) Way to go, Boston!

Yes, Boston beat Phantom in GE in Powder Springs, as weel as Ensemble Visual.

GO BOSTON CRUSADERS!!!!! You're in the thick of it!

Boston Crusader01, are you here somewhere?

Congrats on being a drum corps mom... ....now we REALLY need to hear some reviews! :)

we're dying of suspense over here---any reviews?

Is your daughter in this show or the other Columbia show tonight?