craiga

Actually, this summer BAC resurrected the CYO Nationals. The show was a huge success, with a great line-up of corps on the new turf field in Quincy, MA. The size of the very enthusiastic crowd surprised even the organizers of the show, and the full corps retreat was a very nice touch. They even had "old school" CYO Nationals t-shirts and recordings on sale! If you're a drum corps fan from New England, this made FOUR World Class shows in the area this year, and ALL were well-attended, happy to report!

I voted no. As an alum of BAC, I am more than happy to hear Conquest at the Spring Fling and various parades and encores throughout the season. With modern, thematic programs, you can't just stick it into the show, unless there is a program where it makes sense. If Madison were to try this with ESOM, they would find themselves owning 15th place, just like BAC did back in the 80's when they played Conquest every year. I was on staff then, so I know of what I speak. I would also add that I think the management, staff and members of Madison are more than capable of topping their 2011 show with material that is new and fresh for 2012. Go Madison!

Interesting...but incomplete. More than 80% of the Boston Crusaders were "East Coast Kids" in 2011. In fact, I would be willing to bet that more East Coast Kids march BAC than anyone else in the top 12.

BAC's drum majors in 04, 05, and 06, were former tenor players....and yeah, they had to be talked into it because they loved drumming.

This is a great opportunity for the drum corps kids. However, what is it with Hollywood's obsession with portraying high school bands in "old school" uniforms? I'll bet they even have their shakos (or maybe even big ol' furry busby hats) tilted back on their heads, with their chin straps around their throats... I am willing to reserve judgement until the episode airs, and I may be dead wrong. But, for once, can't we see a marching band on tv or in the movies whose "modern" uniforms fit properly and whose members are portrayed as serious performers? As for the "old school" look...why? Is there a football team in the episode? And will they being wearing leather helmets and "old school" jerseys? Just food for thought.....

I wish nothing but the best for Madison. This drum corps has amazing heart and soul. Having said that, I wish that some folks here on DCP wouldn't get so super-hyped about the staff du jour......some of the DCP hype over the last couple of pre-seasons has had the corps in 5th, top 3, even winning it all based on staff announcements alone. This is a disservice to the 150 young men who march. It's tough on these kids to match the hype when they have no control whatever over the programming and instruction of the corps. To that end, I recall one of my Madison Alum friends on here posting back in LATE JULY something about "The Dream Team is gonna fly in for the weekend" and everything is gonna change. Seriously? Call them what you like, but why is the "Premier" staff finally flying in in late July?? Where have they been? Aren't most caption heads on tour? Isn't that what they're paid for? It ALMOST doesn't matter if the new team is the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker....it seems to me that they need to be on tour with the kids, rewriting, enhancing, and helping them to get better with every show, like most other corps. The boys in Madison deserve that, imo. Good luck in 2012 guys.

There are three corps immediately ahead of BAC who have been playing musical chairs with their staffs over the last month. All three of these are vulnerable, imo. Please note: I am not suggesting that any of these will not be good...only that Boston is clearly surging. For those who cannot wrap their arms around this notion, just a reminder that BAC does have several 5th and sixth place finishes over the last 10 years, so a return to this neighborhood, while challenging, is within the realm of possiblilty. My only real predictiom, however, is specifically that Boston will have an older and more experienced hornline in 2012 than they had in 2011.

I think the real miracle is that we now have 5 drum corps who have survived 60+ years!!! And, another bunch who have been around 45+....that is truly amazing. Also, I wonder what the numbers look like to compare a general seating admission to Gillette Staidum for the New England Patriots in 2011 to general admission to a Boston Patriots game at the old Schaefer Stadium in 1970....I'll bet it is ALSO a factor of 10.... Anyone want to check this out?

Me too!

This. And, I take it a step further...how many times in the last 4 or five years has a "big name" gone to this corps or that with great fanfare, only to place 11th or 13th or 17th.....meh....I'm not impressed with most of these "big names"....especially when they usually end up outsourcing most of their work to former students.... One poster this summer said toward the end of the season something like, "the Dream Team is gonna fly in this weekend and spend THE WHOLE WEEKEND with the corps, and you'll see a big difference...." Seriously? Where the heck were these big names all summer? (And this applies to MANY corps). I don't know whether alot of people here in DCPdom consider BAC's caption heads "big names" or not, but I'll tell you one thing.....those folks were actually on the road with the corps almost the entire summer. In a couple cases, it was the whole summer less about a week off. The corps improved steadily from June through August, and I've never seen member loyalty as high as it is right now. Coincidence?

I respectfully disagree with your "chop-n-bop" characterization of Boston's 2011 program. Yes, "REVOLUTION" was comprised of Les Mis and the 1812, but I don't feel most folks would label the score "choppy". The structure of "Plummet Attack" as a matter of fact, was very similar to Cadets '89 (which they did as a percussion feature). And, when is the last time ANYONE in DCI dared to play a 2+ minute ballad featuring a (non-amped) solo? To me, choppy is the last word which comes to mind. I agree with BRASSO that the 2011 program was clearly designed with the contemporary sheets in mind.....why wouldn't they be? I should also note that while I revere the 1980 27th Lancers program, had the Blue Knights presented that show instead of the fresh, contemporary package they did, they would have wound up in 18th. I am a legacy fan, but I also acknowledge that times(and judging criteria)change. As for Jay Kennedy, he has a very long and successful relationship with BAC, and certainly is to be credited with playing an important role in the corps recent success....."The Core of Temptation", anyone? Berklee School of Music is fortunate to have him in their administration. As for Ryan George, I can't say that I know him, however, I was very surprised by how much I liked the Academy this year....and I think the future bodes well.

Ed Denon to a brass caption head of a now-defunct World Class corps: Caption head: "You don't know #### about brass pedagogy!" Ed (as GE BRASS judge): "Sir, I don't know about that, but I can #### more than you are!"

Mr. Ed Denon

This.

I think there are really two different topics here. Many corps have a "Signature" song, like Boston's Conquest, 27th Lancers' Danny Boy, Crossmen's Russian Christmas Music, etc. Most corps have a "signature". Along with those, there are also "Corps Songs", which in many cases are NEVER performed on the field, but have words and are sung by the corps as they are passed down from generation to generation. In most cases, I think the "corps song" sung by it members is more prevalent among the older corps. Thinking Cadets, Madison, Boston, Cavies, Troopers, etc. In Boston's case, "Giant" is sung by the drum corps before every show and with the alumni at special events. The melody was taken from the soundtrack of the movie "Giant" (James Dean, 1957) and the words were written by corps members somewhere around 1962. The corps song is a VERY serious matter, and I'm sure that's the case with some of the other corps mentioned. And it is VERY cool, at BAC's annual Spring Fling in June to see current corps members and former members in their 60's singing it together....

Wow.....and I can't believe that some drum corps actually teach this way in the 21st century. Seriously?

This is a great post...and I really hope you are correct, corpsband.

Camps aren't "worth it"?

I just don't understand the level of venom in some of these posts....on either side. My opinion is that at retreat, it would be nice if drum corps did have an "American Section" for the much the same reason as the National Anthem is sung at all major sporting events...it is tradition. That said, if a corps DOES have the flag out there, it should just be done tastefully and with respect. I have NO issues with that pic of Carolina Crown at retreat. The member holding the flag is at attention and holding the flag with respect. The "guard" with the sabre is doing the same. That's all I ask. One other thing....I do feel bad for the ONE poster here who seems to think that flag and country have no meaning anymore. That's a very myopic view, imo. He has the right to that view, and it took the sacrifices of men and women over 235 years to ensure that right. He mentioned that he has homes in several different countries. I wonder, how many of those countries are free democracies now due to the sacrifice of American people wearing the American Flag on their shoulder during the last century? Well, let's see....

You know, in a way, it's a throwback to 30 years ago when kids paid weekly or monthly "dues". Granted it's more money now, but what isn't? Cool idea!

This idea sounds AWESOME to me!!!!

I believe Boston Crusaders' fee for 2011 was $2150. And in terms of flying, I know the Massachusetts kids had no trouble getting cheap Jet Blue and Southwest flights from Logan (Boston) to Tampa. As a New Jersey person, you could choose your audition camp from either flying to FL or driving to the audition in Lynn, MA. There are camp fees but they are minimal. Good luck!

I predict ZERO conflict between Blue Stars and Boston Crusaders over this TOC issue. First, the management of both corps have a positive working relationship, but more imporatantly, it may be largely out of their control in any event. As someone noted above, the "G7" proponents haven't gone away, so this fall's meetings might well be a free for all--all over again. In any event, corps like BAC, BS, Madison and BK proved this year that there is more parity than ever. Look at the finals recaps again.....6th and 7th place corps BOTH lost in various captions to 8th and 9th corps. So, there is NO clear line of demarcation, imo. If you want to have the "supercorps" subset, where do YOU draw the line? Top 3 seems reasonable, but wait...Crown won the first show and top brass at Nats! Ok...then top 4? No, that won't work either, because that space was also ambiguous throughout the season. What about top 5? 6? 7? In terms of the grouping, what really works? I know. A series of all-inclusive regionals followed by a prelims open to the Open class followed by a top 25 semis and a top 12 finals. Wait...never mind.

I agree with this. I've had a big change of heart in the last two years about the oil can. Yes, I LOVE drum corps outdoors, and that's why I haven't missed an Allentown in 30 years. Having said that, the season needs to end on finals night in facility which is worthy of our activity(nobody can say Lucas isn't nice, after all), and more importantly, that facility needs to keep the 4000 particpants and 15-20,000 spectators SAFE FROM THE ELEMENTS. I think that about covers it.

My impression is that the TOC8 was basically a one year trial run, and that no concrete decisions have yet been made about future seasons. NO, I wasn't in the room, nor do I speak for the management at BAC, but I think this dimension of the season will be revisited this fall/winter and they'll decide what to do going forward. Interestingly, I don't believe that there are ANY TOC corps represented on the current DCI Board other than Howard Weinstein of Blue Stars, and it remains to be seen whether they continue to have this status or not. Naturally, I'll support whatever role Boston ends up playing, but I for one thought there was nothing wrong with BAC's tour schedule this summer just as it was. Anecdotally, it seems as though alot of fans liked some of the special TOC show features, but not alot of folks seem to be enamored with the "arbitrary eight". With Blue Stars sliding this season, and SCV and Bluecoats hardly blowing out Boston and BK, and with the audience appeal of Madison, I think these waters have been muddied. Perhaps the take home message from the season might be no "special" top eight shows per se, but perhaps more special features at regular season shows..... The interesting thing from this year, imo, was that many folks initially thought that on certain nights, all the drama would focus on those eight corps. In actual fact, there seemed to be equal excitment centering on the "other" shows....Madison/Boston/BK/Spirit, etc. I don't think we'll know much more until this winter.