MikeD

If the percussion had not already played a marvelous feature (shades of 2000 tenors!) you may have a point...but they had just completed a section that "only the very few truly gifted individuals on the field can accomplish" so the drumspeak is, IMO, not a problem, and adds to their show in a positive way...assuming they get the balance right (it was not balanced well when I saw them). Mike

I think George Hopkins stole it. :) ..at least from you...he knows your opinion on their show this year! :P Mike

Not sure what the point is comparing a large vocal ensemble singing near the front sideline as opposed to solo voice (Cadets, Bluecoats) or small group (Crown 2004) using mics to maintain balance. And yes, Bush's singing is excellent...their entire show is. Mike

They may also be thinking..."gee it makes us sound better". Mike

Well, I voted Cadets go last! Crown...next-to-last Mike

It doesn't matter what causes a balance problem; if one exists the ensemble music and effect music judges should include that in the scores they give. Doesn't matter if is amp-related or not...and I don't think you need any special amp training to be able to tell a balance problem..judges have been doing that forever. I know I've judged many a band show where a keyboard or bass guitar has adversely afect a band's balance. I don't need special amp training...I just have to be able to recognize a balance issue if it happens. Mike

For me it's a no brainer...2004 Crown. ^0^ No, actually I'd pick 2000 Cadets. I don't think I'd go back much past the mid 90's if I were introducing someone new to drum corps pretty much as it is today. Mike

I think it's just a 'scene-setting" kind of thing...she did it at Giant's Stadium too...a few rows in front of me. Just to get the crowd talking/wondering about it, is my guess. Just all part of the "show biz" aspect. Mike

I guess you missed the :P in my post....heck, I played it two of three years in the Cadets, 70 and 71. Mike

I'm just WAITING to hear a drum corps do "Battle Hymn"...wouldn't that be awesome??? :P And how about "Children of Sanchez"... b**bs Mike

:P Great turn of phrase! Just strikes me as VERY funny. Mike

I changed the title....and description... Mike, Grand Poobah of this particular forum

Jeff already stopped attending DCI shows. Mike

OK...for my part I'm voting Cadets on last and Crown next-to-last. ^0^ Mike

Gee, I understand the black pants, but what do those two rubber legs sticking out of her stomach represent? :P Mike

My top three...no particular order 27th Blessed Sacrament Blue Rock Next... Star Bayonne Argonne Mike

And when he gets to Texas, he can call you and say.... "Gee, dad, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore". Mike

My guess...so that every corps would be judged with exactly the same conditions on execution...and that was the minimum overall time as well, btw. Mike

You remember the Blue Stars guard in those sexy shorts! b**bs Mike

Oh, I agree on that...I just don't see how an ISP has any right to stop a person from being stupid, unless what they are doing is illegal. Hhmmmmm....he thought, wandering over to the pettion..juuuust looking around... :P Mike

See me at 51 thinking Jeff and you are 100% wrong, perspective-wise. Belonging to the Dinosaur-hood is not based on calendar age...it's an attitude. :) Mike

Yes, she does look wonderful, esp for being 99 years old. (And her birthday is the same as my daughter's) :) Mike

Are those things you can report to an ISP about? I know it's dumb, but it doesn't seem to be the type of thing an ISP would be monitoring or penalizing someone for, as sophomoric as it is. Mike

Not sure, but I think Bayonne was the first to use these...maybe even invented by Dennis DeLucia...I too hate the things....and always have...gee, let's create a drum that has heads but NO shells for resonance. All you hear is 'slap slap slap' of the sticks hitting the heads. Note that they became few and far between not too long after they were introduced. Mike

IMO that is an unfair statement...I don't think the goofball who yelled at the Cadets "harms" your side...there are idiots in all walks of life. IMO...The bogus sigs are just a few people acting like idiots too...some are pretty funny, though. Heck of a player....I saw the Cabs alumni Saturday night. Mike