MikeM

I'm not adding any more! :P (although I could, I don't have the time or patience)

I wasn't happy with your connotation, so I went through and did an analysis. If you listed more than 3 years, you got included. 23 people submitted lists. I did not include my own, as I just agreed with G, and didn't include others like that. Also, Honorable Mentions don't get added. Year Totals % 1971 1 4.35% 1977 2 8.70% 1982 3 13.04% 1983 9 39.13% 1984 14 60.87% 1985 6 26.09% 1986 1 4.35% 1987 15 65.22% 1988 2 8.70% 1989 13 56.52% 1990 7 30.43% 1991 7 30.43% 1992 16 69.57% 1993 18 78.26% 1994 6 26.09% 1995 9 39.13% 1996 4 17.39% 1997 9 39.13% 1998 8 34.78% 1999 5 21.74% 2000 17 73.91% 2001 11 47.83% 2002 6 26.09% 2003 3 13.04% 2004 1 4.35% 2005 10 43.48% 2006 1 4.35% So, I'll retract my original statement. However, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, and, to a lesser extent 2005, don't get the love as much as the other Cadet years when they were doing quite well. Last list: From least mentioned to most. Year Totals % 1971 1 4.35% 1986 1 4.35% 2004 1 4.35% 2006 1 4.35% 1977 2 8.70% 1988 2 8.70% 1982 3 13.04% 2003 3 13.04% 1996 4 17.39% 1999 5 21.74% 1985 6 26.09% 1994 6 26.09% 2002 6 26.09% 1990 7 30.43% 1991 7 30.43% 1998 8 34.78% 1983 9 39.13% 1995 9 39.13% 1997 9 39.13% 2005 10 43.48% 2001 11 47.83% 1989 13 56.52% 1984 14 60.87% 1987 15 65.22% 1992 16 69.57% 2000 17 73.91% 1993 18 78.26% Ok, I lied. One more list. Placements for years mentioned: Year Finish 1971 7 1977 12 1982 3 1983 1 1984 1 1985 1 1986 4 1987 1 1988 4 1989 5 1990 1 1991 6 1992 2 1993 1 1994 2 1995 2 1996 3 1997 2 1998 1 1999 4 2000 1 2001 2 2002 3 2003 3 2004 4 2005 1 2006 Draw your own conclusions. I'm just putting the numbers in. :) *EDIT* FINALLY! Sheesh, what a pain. :)

I never ever really got into the 1998 show. I've heard/seen it plenty of times. Maybe I just don't get it. However, I can't argue with the rest of ~G's~ list. I'd replace 1998 with 1983, and give 1987 the honorable mention. And the other thing I've noticed...I don't see too much mention of anything after 2000. Think it's a coinicidence? I think not.

Oh get it right... My dog has fleas! *drum break* My dog has fleas! *drum break* AND I CAN'T FIND MY CAT!!!

For a high school band, they didn't do poorly. However, it certainly lacks the punch that Phantom gave it in 1996. I was left wanting, for sure.

Ah yes, Hoppy strikes again. Bringing more attention to himself. He may be entitled to free speech, but he's still subject to DCI's rules and regulations. If *I* ran DCI, I'd be on the phone to him wanting to know why he posted what he did, and would consider sanctions against him. That being said, I understand he's frustrated. However, rants like what he posted should stay in the critique room. *IF* he had said "I'm frustrated that the judging community doesn't understand the concept of our show, and I'm not sure what we're not doing to convey it to them." or something along those lines in his blog, we wouldn't have this thread.

Labor Day is traditionally the beginning of the Football Season, I think. I doubt they'd give up an NFL gate for a DCA show...but who knows. IMO, Rutgers would be a great place to have DCA's.

or.. KRRRRRYYYYYYSSSSSSTAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!! 'nuff said <--- Member, 2000 SCV Appreciation Society

That's your opinion, and you're entitled to it. You won't see me losing sleep over it However, I'm allowed to post anywhere I want on DCP, and you have no right to tell me to leave. Thanks.

But George, I have seen the show. I saw an online video of the show. While sure, it's not as good as seeing it live, I, considering I did march, am able to tell what sounds/looks bad because of amateur video and what's bad design. THIS show is horrible design. AND, if you saw what I said further, I said that they have an incredible hornline. However, as SOON as an amplified note is sung on the field, especially in the format Hoppy is currently fielding, its a bad show, IMO.

I see...I'm not allowed to dislike a show that the Cadets put out. I'm not allowed to have a negative opinion about the concept. Got it.

I've seen clips of it, and that's all I need to see. They're covering up an incredible hornline with a horrible concept.

Cadets don't deserve to win. Not while they have that horrible show out on the field. Sure, the girl singing might be very talented, but what Hoppy is having her do isn't second rate, it's more like 9th rate. Here's hoping the Cadets fall to 6th or 7th and Hoppy is forced to rethink his positions.

NSAIDS are available OTC. Aleve. :) Take 2 instead of 1 every 12 hours.

Taking the easy way out again Fran? :P

The only thing I can say to CorpsVets performance is that I heard about the last 2 minutes of it, and it sounded OK, but I was at the far end of the field waiting to take my seat, so it wouldn't be fair to make any comments about it. I'm sorry if you don't like that I didn't see CV. These things happen.

You have no idea how happy this event makes me!

Pulled into Dover around 5:30, hunted for parking, talked to the Doty family briefly, then headed in. Ran into some old Cabs friends, got some skinny about their show, wandered around, saw lots of friends, had some nice conversations. Stands were short. Maxwell field short. So, it was nearly impossible to read any forms. I wonder how the judges were able to, as the press box was lower than mid tier at say Bridgeport. My position is Side A, 45 yard line, as high up as I can find. Thanks to Tom Schiffer for allowing me to sit by him! DISCLAIMERS: These are my opinions, and mine only. I don't sugar coat, but call it as I see it. I will refrain from Percussion comments or Guard unless it's something major, because I have no real knowledge other than basic stuff. Also, please forgive me if I don't know your shows all that well...so many tunes and movements it's hard to keep up. To Sunrisers and CorpsVets, sorry, I missed your performances. I wanted to hear Cabs warm up. WOW. Nice wall of sound at the end of warmups guys. First corps up: Hawthorne Caballeros (58B, 22G, 8Sn, 6Ba, 4Q, 12Pit, 3DM, 110 Total): After watching the warmup, I expected some nice sound. Instead, slightly flat. Doesn't mean that they weren't on, but it seemed a little tentative. However, this doesn't take away from the show. Opening hit was a nice blend and balance, and woke up the crowd. Drums seem to be in mid-season form. Feet are, well, in July 1 form. However, this is true of all the corps. Hornline did have a nice, rich sound, and kept the intensity going through out. Malaga and Spain are nicely done. However, I'm not sure I like the dance sequences the hornline is doing during Malaga. Either do it, or not. Seems some people in the line aren't buying it, but, in order for it to work for effect, need to. However, this doesn't take away from the sound, or the hornlines control when needed. Props to Adam Berger for the double high C that seems to last for 45 minutes at the end. Closer is where the corps seemed to run out of gas. However, low brass makes its presence known, in a big way. Easily the best low brass section of the night. And what's this? A pinwheel! I love the return of the old moves. It was performed well, but, hard to read because of my seat. Throw in a bull call, charge the end, hit me with the closing chord. This show has great potential, and, IMO, best of the evening. One last thing I noticed. While the new uniforms are nice, it would appear to me that the shirts just aren't as crisp white as the old ones. They didn't seem to stand out in the lights like the old ones. Just something I noticed. Carolina Gold (35B, 21G, 7Sn, 5Ba, 4Q, 2Cym, 5Pit, 3DM, 77 total): I feel for any corps that has to follow Hawthorne. Gold, tho, considering the parade, the 5am arrival, and long hot rehearsal, did well to follow the Cabs. Tower of Power is their theme for 2006 and those of you who are fans will love it. I'm not a big TOP fan, but was still very entertained by the show. The horn line sold the show and entertained well. I did notice some attack and release issues throughout, but that will come, and was certainly passable for their first performance. Drill isn't done, and the corps ran out of gas in a big way about 1/2 way through the show. I do understand people have been sick and the "3 block" parade (Lou Marshello must have told them the distance) drained you, so its understandable. I can't wait to hear this show when the whole hornline has its oats and the endurance is at September levels. Pit soloists were definately on fire, and played well. Handled all the stuff thrown their way with ease. But go march guys. (ducks) :P Connecticut Hurricanes (29B, 25G, 5Sn, 5B, 2Q, 6Pit, 1DM, 11HG, 72 Total): Jesus Christ Superstar is their theme. Opening hit well done, and, white flags during this had very pleasant look and effect. Side note...this corps has the luxury of having 3 (I think) world class WGI Scholastic World guards to pull members from, and it shows. This guard, IMO, was best of the evening. 29 member definately did have some good moments, however, they do need to work on intonation thorugh out the show. There were some mellos that stuck out that I was able to pick up. Drill has some nice moves and moments, however, its obvious people are missing spots or not knowing where starts and stops are. Yes, I know, it's July 1. This will come. Entry after drum feature seemed tentative, and I thought I heard some tempo issues. Corps also ran out of gas in the closer. Honor guard was biggest of the evening. I feel for this drumline. In 2002 this line was one that to be feared. I know now they're rebuilding, and its coming, but I feel for that line, knowing what it was a few years ago. Bushwackers (43B, 32G, 6Sn, 5Ba, 3Q, 3Cym, 7Pit, 2DM, 2HG, 96 Total): Pretty typical show for Bush. Their hornline is no slouch, they play technically very well. They have a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect them to. Opener was technically nice, but the opening hit left me underwhelmed. Disappointed that whenever a section was doing anything technical, they stopped to do it. Please, show me some movement while playing. Its easy to move and play quarters and eighths, but do some of that stuff moving. It was done well, no doubt. Ballad had very nice blend and balance. However, this is your corps song, I thought it would be stronger than it was. Very nice drill dissolve move at the end of the ballad. Rocky Point Holiday next. Having a hard time hearing the melody through everything else. Corps got tired through here. Drill also seemed a bit messy thorugh here, from my vantage point. Maybe it's a better read from higher up. One thing that stuck out to me: After the percussion feature, contra entrance was mud, and not together. Hornline also lost some of the balance that they had earlier in the show. Probably tired, and I know that will be gone by the end of July. Skyliners (21B, 14G, 6Sn, 5B, 2Q, 2Cym, 5Pit, 2DM, 55 Total): Sky's small this year. However, Dave Negri has done a nice job getting what he can out of this hornline. Show is not typically "Sky." Not sure how I feel about that. That said, they do a good job with it. Drill designer keeps it simple for them, and they do peform their show nicely. However, it seems visually they take a hit for it, as well as in effect, and that's a shame. Holly and Ralph Marino have a very nice duet in their ballad that helps tie everything together. Bohemian Rhapsody is so not a Sky tune, but they play it well. Drill needs some work and needs to be finished, but all and all a solid performance from the hosts. One thing: Put shako's on the drumline, please. It looks sloppy to see the corps in shakos and the drumline without, and, to me, was a distraction. After Sky Alumni played for what seemed like 45 minutes (It wasn't, and they were quite entertaining) we get the scores. 76.35 Bush 75.388 Cabs 67.725 CorpsVets 66.813 Hurcs 66.013 Gold 60.763 Sky 58.075 Sun Best DM: Bush Best Percussion: Cabs Best Brass: Bush Best Color Guard: Bush Best Honor Guard: Hurcs Most Entertaining: CorpsVets I didn't agree with the placement of the top 2 or the spread. I had Cabs ahead of Bush by about .2. I read the recaps, and, I'll just leave it at the Judges obviously saw things differently than I did. Also, scores seemed to be about 2 points lower than Wildwood across the board. That's unusual. Gonna be a great season tho. I fully expect Bucs, Empire, Cabs, Bush, and MBI to fight for the top spot. Good luck to all! *flame suit on* *EDIT* One more thing: I'm not taking away from the great show that Sky and Dover put on, but this show should have been in Bridgeport, CT. This is the 2nd year that it's been "Alumni only" up in B'port. I don't know what happened, but the Barnum Committee and DCA need to end whatever pissing contest is going on and get this DCA show back up to the Barnum Festival where it belongs.

IMO Cabs should have won the show. Review to follow. My notes are in the car, and I'm too lazy to go get them. Special Awards: Drum Major: Bush Brass: Bush Percussion: Cabs Guard: Bush Honor Guard: Hurcs "Most Entertaining": CorpsVets I had a happy evening.

Him....

Gee Steve.. There's an OT forum available to all right now.

Here, have a tissue.

I'm with George. The first thing the user should find are the Junior and Senior Discussions. If you want to put the volunteer stuff next, go for it. I for one, if I were new here, would want to be able to find the discussions of drum corps first, then wander through the other stuff later.

Well, you can't have a sense of humor. You also can't have an opinion. You also have to be able to stomach not being able to moderate the chosen few who are allowed to violate the guidelines with impunity. Other than that, go for it!