InspaDave

I find humor in the fact that people say things like "Jeff is the best judge ever". I guess being the best judge out there makes you infallible.

G Bugles are still in use by all the corps that are members of Drum Corps Japan (only seven corps, but still). At the DCJ Championships they have a division for any key brass as well as G Bugles. There is a difference in sound that even a tone deaf drummer such as myself can hear. Volume wise the two big G corps were the loudest units, but that has more to do with the experience of the performers. A high school bands (corps) had 68-72 brass, but they did not seem to have the same punch. Whereas people can go back and forth on what is louder I think it is safe to say that nothing in the brass world "cuts" like a G Mellophone. To wit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PgGR8c-UGA

The 2010 Phantom drumline stood as the best line DCI has ever seen . . . until 2013.

I think I am more upset about the percussion judge being moved upstairs than the electronics, etc.

Dutch Boy.

Spirit of Atlanta 1997-2000.

Truly some of the worst judging I have ever seen. There is no way Scouts were 5 points ahead of Inspires, and I just cannot see Soka's drumline in 4th.

Indeed. There is a champion every year, but a line as great as 2013 Cadets is rare. I would much rather have been a member of their drumline than Crown's.

The following two videos are of the Yokohama Inspires from the DCJ Preview Concert this past Saturday. There were four corps there. All performances were pretty darn good considering it was the first performance of the year, and considering how the Inspires had two holes in the bass line I would say this looks to be a good year. Of course no one was moving, but if you sound good standing still chances are you will be okay on the move. Someday we will make it back to DCA. Until then . . . enjoy!

Does this mean Phantom will only play a handful of flams? Good pick up for them. I agree with Honey Boo-Boo that Shane came into a very difficult position. He did the best with what he had. Look forward to his continued brilliance with Music City Mystique.

I hate these kinds of topics. There is simply no such thing as one all-inclusive single, better than the rest, all-mighty greatest year of drum corps. Each year is special. Each year means different things to all people. To me 2009 and 2010 are kind of forgetful, but to a kid that marched Blue Devils those years have got to be the best ever . . . for them. Remember, different strokes for different folks.

I don't know about that. It is great, but greatest? No. Any opener that has the drumline tacet for over two minutes has to be excluded from that list. I do agree that after the opener the rest of the show is kind of meh. I voted for Spartacus because it holds my interest throughout the entire show, musically and visually. Another big plus in favor of 2008: white uniforms.

More often than not you have something worthwhile to say in posts you start. This is not one of those. You do not make an argument of any kind. All you have done here is throw out a couple of comments whose connection to drum corps as an "art form" is tenuous at best.

I think it will play out well. No doubt a lot of brass kids are going there as well as guard. Hopefully the championship will bring in some quality drummers.