PJS53

I watched the brodcast with my son. He marched Blue Stars in the 90's and I marched Cavaliers in the 70's. We both agreed that drum corps people would only be happy if the show went to the long gone format of showing all top 12 shows in their entirety. However, it was a well done broadcast and gave a very good flavor of what marching drum corps is all about. I can imagine that years from now they will be interviewing some age out that says he first saw drum corps on an ESPN 2 broadcast. I only got annoyed a few times when some cool drill move was happening and the camera focused on an individual. As for the commentary by Dennis and Steve, I thought it was well done and appropriate. Pointing out errors helps the audience understand a little bit about the subtle things that make the crucial difference in how corps finish.

First of all I'll freely admit to being a Cavalier homer so take this with as many grains of salt as you wish. I went to the Memorial Day camp in 02 and came home and told my wife "I'm not sure if the corps will win DCI this year but I don't think anyone is capable of coming close to that hornline." The brass at that early point had incredible balance between all the voices, intonation was excellent, and the overall sound had maturity that I had never heard from a corps and certainly not from any previous Cavalier hornlines. From that point on they just got better. There are some terrific hornlines on that list but I'll have to stand by my assesment that the 02 Cavaliers had the entire package in place. Waiting to see if Rich Gortowski has my back on this one. He was there.

In theory it could happen anytime. My own feeling is that they will probably need some consistency in the top 3 or 4 before a championship run happens. If they finish top 4 again next year that would be a huge step in the right direction. If they drop below 5th then they have the "appearance" of being a good mid-tier corps but not a serious threat to the current dominant group of corps. In my opinion the management and staff is the key to creating that consistency. If they can continue to keep all the key people who put together this season and supplement or fill vacancies with even better and more creative minds then it could come sooner rather than later.

Unless I'm badly mistaken the Colorguard as a judged caption is a fairly recent developement. Anyone know when that happened?

From my era I'd have to agree with early 70's Casper Troopers and Blue Stars. They were not only nice looking girls but reasonably friendly towards guys in green uniforms. Some of the others mentioned (Anaheim, SCV, etc.) could easily go on the list. Just listing a couple personal favorites.

As predicted Spin Cycle is leading the votes and a show that really could have been a winner. My vote however had to go with the 98 show. It hasn't been mentioned yet but that was the 50th anniversary year and the show did a nice job of integrating some great moves of the past while pointing the direction to where the corps was headed in the next several years. Beautiful music throughout especially the ballad that was absolutley haunting. I think Mr. Warren was especially proud of this show too. It was a great comeback effort after the rather disapointing results of the 97 Firebird.

I was discussing some changes in the activity over the years with a friend and was trying to remember when guards started using multiple flags in their shows. I just remember corps having one "show flag" back when I marched. At some point obviously more flags were added to the point we're at today when it almost seems like there's a different flag for every few phrases of music. This not intended as a criticism I just don't remember when the flag changes started and for that matter which corps pioneered that. Any of you guard folks out there know about this?

Scores are one thing but I'm just very pleased to hear the positive reaction that Blue Stars are getting at this point. Definitely a good start and coming back to Div 1 with a repectable performance. Well done.

Every now and then I see a post like this come up and feel compelled to reply. As an older person on the boards here I can certainly understand where you're coming from. Frankly I think you confuse the older vets frustration with some of the changes in the activity as a slam against the performers. Rarely if ever have I seen that happen. Most of us realize that the level of excellence among corps members is miles ahead of where we were in the olden days. The thing that frustrates many of us is not that there have been changes but so many radical changes that have made a huge difference in the identity of what a "drum and bugle corps" is. This may sound wild but you would have symphony patrons slamming their checkbooks shut if orchestras across the country made a small percentage of the changes that drum corps has. For a while I was in that group that just felt it wasn't drum corps anymore. Then I started returning to shows out of curiousity to see what was really going on. Let me say this, there have been a number of changes that I don't care for. However, I've come to grips with the reality that things have changed and it never will be like it was back in my days or any other era. That's OK. The experience for the kids is great and isn't that what this activity started out to be anyhow? It was an outlet for youth to put their energy into a creative and positive direction. Every year I get a phone call from some young man who is going to be initiiated in the Cavaliers. They ask me questions about my time in the corps and what I got out of it. I usually end up by thanking the young man for carrying on the traditions of the corps just as they were passed down to me. I've had an opportunity to meet several of these men and be around current marching members at various shows or if I visit a rehearsal. The really cool thing is that I can relate to what they are doing and after chatting for a few minutes it seems they can relate to me. We are both Cavaliers, I just don't march anymore. When you say that somebody comments negatively about a corps show that is just their own feelings about the program. Every year there are a couple that I don't like. Sometimes it's been from my own corps. But, the thing is I'm expressing a feeling about the program not the kids and that is a criticism of the staff and management not of the performers. I've never found it necessary to the best of my recollection to publicly rant about a show. If I don't like it I can be assured there is somebody on the other side of the fence who loves it. No problem. That isn't any different than when I marched and even earlier. You may not know but when Cavaliers did their show in 1971 which has come to be known as the "circus show" people bought T-shirts with a clown sitting on top of a tombstone that said "RIP Drum Corps 1971". Gee, I bet that made the guys feel good. Madison took heat for their "Alice In Wonderland" show the same year and Garfield did too with forming a peace sign on the field. The point is, there will always be criticism of the activity and you just need to realize that it's an opinion. As they say everybody's got one. Don't take it too seriously just get out there and do it. You'll love it and believe me you will either blow off the comments or it may fire you up. Seems like Cadets did pretty well last year with a lot of folks taking shots at their show.

Hulka's sucking down the suds and can still fit in his corps jacket? Jeez I hate those guys!

Re: Ludwig I noticed Blue Stars are using Luddies this year too.

Yeah there he is alright and check out the RED Paiste cymbals too! You sure don't see that stuff anymore.

No way dude! I had my trusty tuning fork on a leather strap around my neck. Drum judges don't fool with guys who have tuning forks. :)

Yeah probably rescued you after he wore out his pencil writing ticks :P

Yep, I'm the tympani on the far right as you look at the photo.

Regarding the SCV copper drums: I was so taken with the cool look of those drums I ordered a Slingerland snare for my drumset in 74 with that finish (TDR strainer of course for you drum freaks). I still have that drum and call it my Vanguard snare.

Could that unidentified corps from the Maumee show possibly be Ottawa Crusaders from Illinois? I seem to recall them having uniforms and flags along the lines of what the photo shows.

How about "the other" Scouts? Preston Scout House St. Paul Scouts

I just did a quick check on this one. Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights were all male between 1952-1971 and then were coed for the 1972 season.

Were the Kilties the last of the all male junior corps to go coed? I really don't remember anyone besides Scouts and Cavaliers after 1978.

Well I'm really feeling old and maybe some of the other dinosaurs will care to also add some thoughts. Anyhow, I used to listen to Cavaliers 1969 over and over. Had all the tunes memorized etc. As time went on other shows caught my attention like Vanguard 74, Blue Devils 76, a couple 27th Lancers shows, Madison, etc. I still enjoy listening to those from time to time and it takes me back to a very nostalgic period. However, even thought those are "emotional favorites" they can't compare to the type of drum corps since the early 90's. Now, with that admission I have to say that it is nearly impossible for me to think of "songs" that I associate with corps today. Most of what I hear on the field is technically very good and has emotional moments but I certainly can't walk down the street and hum a show in my head. Not good or bad just different and I do miss hearing "tunes".

MR. Garrett! You were MUCH too young in 1974 to be looking at any Trooper tushys! Now me on the other hand...it may have been one of the highlights of shall we say a rather tumultous year.

The progress of the Blue Stars will be very interesting to watch this year. They will be competing with other Div I corps throughout the season and that should tell a lot. My guess is that the corps should do pretty well and that the overall success (on a competitive level) will be directly tied to the program more than the talent of the performers. For years it has appeared to me that the Blue Stars tend to play and march shows that are much more complex than their experience level would indicate. Last years program would have been a challenge to most Div 1 corps in my estimation. This has been both good and bad. On the good side the corps is challenging the performers to reach to levels that many would not expect of them. It gives the performers something to strive for and I seriously doubt that any of them think they "maxed out" their show. On the other hand, from a strictly competitive standpoint I think they could have cleaned some clocks if they played and marched a more basic show or watered down parts. A couple years back I saw some video footage of the Blue Stars drumline rehearsing (no Uniform clues). I assumed it was one of the corps in the middle of the Div.I pack. When I found out it was Blue Stars I was shocked. Those kids could play! I suspect the corps will have plenty of talent in all areas of the corps. How far they go will depend on 1.program 2. staff effectiveness. 3 ability to overcome the "first year corps" stigma. I for one am very happy and proud to see one of the classiest corps in the activity make it back to Division 1 and anxious to see how well they do.

Inspections did serve at least one useful purpose. Equipment and uniforms were kept in tip top shape and everyone was very intent on keeping themselves and instruments at the highest appearance level. Paul Milano can attest that any Cavalier who got ticked during inspection would not be a happy guy later on. I assume this was true for most other corps. In contrast today I've seen corps go on the field with things not exactly "spic & span". I recall one inspection where one of those little cottonballs from a nearby cottonwood tree landed on the head of a drum being carried by the guy next to me. We both tried desperately to blow the thing off without making a movement before the inspector got to us. Try as we might the cottonball wouldn't budge until fortunately a little breeze blew up and off it sailed. Not sure that he would have gotten ticked for it but it certainly could have been. Some of those guys were pretty anal about "uniformity".

Heck, cymbals is not beneath me. My first ever appearance in the green was for a Columbus Day parade in 72. Played cymbals just winging it. Dan Mraz taught me the parts to Casey Jones and I think Carmen between the hall and downtown. Pretty sure the next parade I got bumped to bass drum. Learned Iowa on the fly and faked it on the parade tunes. Anyhow, let me know about the TDR and we'll see what happens. I will only play cymbals however if John Leo is section leader B) .