craiga

Even though they were our arch rivals, (I was marching BAC in 1980) I have to say 27th's rifle line was stellar. Another which comes to mind was BAC's rifle line from 1977-1978. I will say that during this era, both of these Boston-based guards were very aggressive and viceral in their approach. Lots of sharp head moves (shakos and plumes in the case of BAC and tall busbies in the case of 27), and a real emphasis on equipment handling. IIRC, both lines used to tape pennies on their straps so you could hear the 16th note clicks on doubletime. While I love the artistry and integration of body in contemporary lines, the old-school precision of those past lines was an effect all their own. And I do agree with the poster who mentioned contemporary guards who don't move well....I would amend that to note that at an athletic step or full jazz run, they are great. However, if they have to move anywhere near an 8 to 5 stride, many current guards are clueless as to how to achieve that. Watch a modern drum corps in a parade sometime...brass and percussion are bad###.....guard not so much.

What does this refer to?

Hope to see BK and BAC in a battle for 5th.....

This says it all.

Actually, I can only think of three staff members in BAC that are from Florida....several from the Boston area, another chunk from Texas, a crew from Canada, and another bunch from SC up through PA. The days of the "Florida Staff" have morphed into a very diverse groupd of people. The major diving force behind the camps continues to be climate.

So, since they are spending their move-in in southern California this summer after holding winter camps in Massachusetts, Florida, Texas AND California, I guess I would ask, "What is your point?" Like BRASSO, I'm a bit surprised this topic has arisen...again. And to the OP, you knew full well you were setting the bait....

No, he was that Italian kid from the North End, wasn't he?

As noted on another thread, BAC spent learned 30 pages of their show last weekend in Florida. This would have been all but impossible had they been in their "home city" of Boston (in February). It is true that BAC has 5 weekends in Florida each year. Their move-ins (except for this coming summer's first ever California tour) has been in New Hampton, NH (3 weeks) and about a week or so in Quincy, MA. New Hampton is 90 min from downtown Boston, and Quincy is less than 10 min from the Hub. The corps has utilized the Florida winter camps and the NH move-in for the last 7 years, and one could arguably make the point that is has been beneficial to the organization. The corps office, btw, isn't a just a mail drop. The corps director works there full time, as well as two other full time admin staff and a couple of part time staff. Yes, there are EVEN pictures of the drum corps through the years on the wall. Really.

I honestly have no idea how BAC's show preparations compares with other corps. And, I don't want to give the impression that they are ready to take the field....however, they are vastly ahead of where THEY have been in many years. Not trying to hype anything.....but they are in a good place right now. That is all.

Hello BRASSO... Yes the hornline is playing the entire show, and I believe the percussion section is not far behind. And, they did learn 30 pages of drill. The corps would like to make a good impression at their debut in California.

Agreed...and even though I live in the Boston area and certainly miss them this time of year, one look at the video proves they have made the right decisions regarding WHERE to rehearse.

Especially the "30 pages of drill" part.... ...in February.

http://www.bostoncrusaders.com/news/230-feb-2012 A few interesting details on where they are at......

Just posted by BAC on their website: http://www.bostoncrusaders.com/news/230-feb-2012 Interesting....

Dear Lord.

Lucky? I can't think of any drum corps in any year who achieved their final performance levels based on "luck". Particularly last season, where there were more than a dozen extremely competitive corps. Was Madison lucky when they were hovering around 5th or 6th early on? No. They were better than their competition at that point. I was on tour with BAC in June last year, and Madison was outscoring Boston because they were outperforming BAC at that point. No luck was involved. Were Cadets lucky to win? No. They achieved. To cast any corps as being "lucky" is unfair and frankly untrue.

I must have misunderstood the intent of the thread. I thought we were discussing finals placement. To that end, no, Boston has not finished in 11th or below in 13 years, as stated. People associated with BAC (including members, staff, and supporters) generally try to avoid pre-season hype and/or predictions, so I will try to do the same. I will only observe that many DCPers regularly predict BAC in the 11th-14th zone (probably due in part to that lack of hype), and it hasn't happened yet.

You can't be serious. All 8 of the corps you mentioned have superior players, staff, design and PERFORMANCE LEVELS than the video which was posted....if you cannot recognize that, you need to learn more about each of the above. In addition, until high school bands go on 60 day tours, rehearse 12 hours a day, sleep on buses, and oh yeah, allow college music majors in their bands, it won't even be close.

hmm...this would be Boston's lowest placement in 13 years (1998)....this would also be a surprise....

I am absolutely opposed to DCI as an organization having the power to either move a corps up or down between WC and OC. Why should they have this kind of authority? A corps should have the ability to select which class it wants to compete in, and if they don't have the organization or resources to succeed, that is all on them. This is a matter of allowing "water to seek its own level", imo. If they sign up for WC, they accept responsibility for all that entails. I give you this to ponder: What should have DCI done with Boston Crusaders in 1979 when it has only 25 horns? Or again in 1983 and it had only 19 horns (and the whole drum corps travelled on ONE BUS)? The corps organization was marginal and it had no money--in fact, volunteer staff were chipping in for the bus bill out of their own pockets....Boston never dropped down a division. In their minds, they were a "top" drum corps, and that was that. Should they have been made to? The full-sized, vastly more organized and better funded drum corps around them were all much better "models", and today none of these heavy hitters survives....which makes one wonder, should DCI be in the business of deciding who goes where at all?

There is a point in the original post which it seems everyone has missed. The OP said he still has "like 5 years or so of eligibility left"...which places his age at 15 or 16. I wonder, are there alot of 15 and 16 year olds in either Crown or Cavies? It would seem to me that he would need to be REALLY good at his age to make the cut at either. Another point for him to consider: If he IS good enough, perhaps Spirit and Boston would both be good choices, since he wouldn't have to fly to get to either corps' camps. Although I can't speak for Spirit, I do know that BAC also has very few members his age as well. Just a thought....

BRASSO, you just don't realize the importance of the 7th major C7 mm 8th to the flat freakin minor chord is......jeez. I couldn't care less how many F double 7 major chords with a triple dip swirl Crown plays! Seriously...this is like aruguing how many steps they take in their show..... Now, back on topic....

Yes, I would posit that BAC's 1977, 1990, and 1994 shows all should have been finalists. It is interesting however, to wonder how the corps evolution might have been different if it HAD been a top 12 corps earlier.....speaking as someone who is absolutely thrilled with the corps current achievements, I sometimes wonder if it had been a finalist perhaps earlier, would it still be around? Or, would it have gone the way of 27th, Northstar, etc....hmmmm....perhaps things really do happen for a reason?