Guardguy89

did I miss something or did the announcer not announce Crown right before their first hit???

I just kinda thought the ballad and poem was about the "Human Equation" Later, Mike

That made me laugh out loud!!!!! Later, Mike

Just watched DATR - Vanguard has an excellent guard this year. Probably their strongest in years. They were very droppy last night though - but at this point they are cleaner than they were at finals last year - and they are beautiful to watch! The ballad when only the guard is left on the field is really cool. Later, Mike

I know right!!!! Later, Mike

So how about Crown winning guard yesterday, with BD in 3rd! Looks like we have a race!!! Congrats Vanguard on coming in 2nd. I'll have to go watch the webcast - I have to admit -I'm surprised seeing BD in 3rd Later, Mike

Absolutely! I'm just gonna keep hoping Crown gets best guard this year and go from there Later, Mike

I think it has more to do with the judges starting the scores too high at finals - so usually with 3 corps to go, they're already handing out 19.8's - so they almost box themselves into having to give BD a 20 to keep the spread. Later, Mike

All, a perfect "20" doesn't mean that the performance was perfect. It simply means that relative to the competition they maxed out the sheets. BD has some of the most intricate complex equipment / body work out there, but I do feel that their legacy affords them some leeway and latitudes from the judging community that other programs don't necessarily get. Later, Mike

Totally agree. Overgeneralized of course - but very valid point. BD is immersed in dance, performance and theatrics and has downplayed the use of traditional equipment (just like Onyx). Crown celebrates equipment and all of its intricacies and builds its effects accordingly (just like Pride and Carmel) Later, Mike

I voted for Crown - although it will be close with Blue Devils I feel that Crown has the edge though. As good as Blue Devils are, I don't feel that the demand placed on individuals is as high as Crown. I feel that they don't spin as much, have less variety in tosses (and never have any body under those tosses) and have a less integrated flag book. That said, the Blue Devils excel in dance, showmanship and technical proficiency, so I think the the judges sometimes overlook things that other guard programs get killed on. Crown's guard is attempting work throughout the show that test the limits of the performer. The individual demand on the performers and the work that they are being asked to do is beyond phenomenal. The variety of release points alone is astounding! Later, Mike

I totally agree with your comment about the poles in Cadet's ballad. Thought maybe they added more when seen live than what I saw on the webcasts, but I'm guessing they aren't. It's such a powerful moment and I'm not sure that it's being reflected visually at that point. Crown is also doing pole only this year - but they somehow add on silks to the poles as they get to the ballad which help alot. Boston's show is really growing on e - there is something very sophisticated about it that I really like. I still think that at some point the grey jackets will come off and the red ones will be underneath Bluecoats is a very different take on an "American" show - thank God!!! It's fresh in it's approach. I was waiting for a part thought when the stands on field would face the stands in the audience with the drum corps playing backfield (towards the stands on the field). Could be a cool effect of watching from behind Later, Mike

I think you hit the nail on the head. BD's flag book - to me - is always their weakest section. I always watch them when the sabre and rifle lines are split up - and they always seem like an afterthought relegated to the back of the field (especially the Bacarach show). Crown's flag book is much more integrated in that sense. And I am in no way surprised that they are beating the Blue Devils, colorguard - I feel they are finally getting the recognition they should have been getting since their "Horses" show! And as I know how important it is to validate our opinions here on DCP I have been in guard (DCI, WGI) for over 30 years Later, Mike

Hi all, I think that Spirit's achilles heal this year will be the guard. As muchh as I love the idea of the show, I feel that their guard has taken a step back in terms of design. They never really capture the spirit (no pun intended) of the speakeasy, and the work and choreography is just not layered or sohisticated enough to push them forward. Later, Mike

Ok - here's my issue with your post. I completely agree that as a parent, you were not happy with people booing the corps that your kid marches in - I get that - but by then denigrating wht Crown is doing - you come off as extremely immature. Once again people - you don't have to call out others to make your point!!!!! I'd say even more so if you have a kid marching in one of the corps. Just for the record I love both BD and Crown this year - they both have extremely difficult shows that are a mile ahead of everyone else - and one of them will win DCI this year. Later, Mike

It's nice to see how they've been able to incorporate 2 Spirit classics in this show with Concerto in F and Georgia Brown!!!! Very excited to see this show!!!!! Later, Mike

Actually - Star got rid of the pink after the '88 season and then experimented with different uniforms through their last season. I see Crown as adopting that model - make the uniform fit the show theme. Later, Mike

I really like it and have a feeling it will look great on the field (with the purple contrasting the green very well). What I find funny is how everyone keeps complaining how everyone looks the same now, has the same uniform, cookie cutter, blah,blah,blah,,,,,and when a corps finally tries something different.....everyone complains that it looks too different!!!! Reminds me of Bridgement back in the day when they showcased their new long yellow coats and the uproar that caused....or the '81 Blue Devils who had the nerve to have their color guard wear body hugging sequined spandex!!!! My how things change.....not Later, Mike

'92 wasn't controversial. It was more about the Sonnor / Phoenix rivalry in Quebec. People just preferred Phoenix (who had a great show too) - so we just got constantly booed in Quebec as we always beat them - it wasn't a fun season for the members in the Quebec circuit - so we very much appreciated the American crowds that year! Mike

Wow - tough question - there have been so many. I mean '88 was special because it was our first time making finals at WGi and the show was insane when it came to GE (We literally had 5 costume changes). People really seemed to love us that year - we were that "cute little group from Quebec". '91 (Kate Bush show) is just a very special show for all kinds of reasons, including being able to have George Zingali work with the guard. '92 (Sinead O'Connor) was the year we almost medaled, That year was special because we were not well liked in our circuit that year (got booed alot) and were afraid that we'd get booed at WGI. Imagine our surprise when we got a standing "O" 2000 - I think the average age that year was maybe 13 or 14 years old - yet they managed to pull off a finals appearance in World class at WGI! But my favorite has to be 2008. We almost folded that year, but managed to field 8 girls in Open class. We had 1 staff person, 1 Director and 1 volunteer - and it was probably the best year we ever had (and a great show that should have been in finals). Overall, I'm just glad that Sonnor somehow manages to always field a group. This year saw a totally new group 0f 6 girls who had never spun before make it all the way to WGI ! Thanks for asking! Later Mike

No - you just seem so defensive. I really thought you made great points that I had never really considered - lifting the age out rule helped save color guard in Quebec - so we have a different perspective on it. You just don't need to attack to make a point. It's kinda why people stop posting in these forums. Guess I'll go get a clue now! later, Mike

You make a lot of very valid points that I hadn't really considered - but don't understand why you had to be so nasty to other posters....it really diminishes your post. You don't have to tear down to make a point. Later, Mike

What's the backstory for Mechanicsburg? Their show was wonderful! Other favorites: Emanon - Just Wow Blessed Sac - I didn't know where this was headed when I saw it at the beginning of the season - but holy crap was it good!!!! Cyprus Ind. - Always sooo different and sooooo good Identity - incredible show! Carmel - the thought that went into this show is astounding Fenix - I was not expecting that - really cool! Lawrence Central - beyond cool West Broward - loved the dramatics!!! Later, Mike

You know, this is the first year in a long time where anyone of 4 groups could take the Gold medal in World. Pride, Onyx, Vanguard and Blessed Sac all have shows that could do it....should be an exciting weekend!!!!! Later, Mike

Sorry - but my friend only shared it on the condition that I wouldn't leak it out - but you won't be disappointed. They'll be strong as usual and have some really neat tricks On another note - can anyone explain Alter Ego's show to me. It's really well done - but I don't get why they had to go to all girl??? Later, Mike