walshinsurance

I think Randy is a good fit....and you, Mr. Scerpella, aka past Grafton Band Instructor....would be a good fit as well. You need to be on the board as well....guys with spirit, passion, and the ability to speak up when it's needed. As you know, I have been a huge fan of the Scouts....since before you guys marched...and even though I didn't march for the Scouts, I still follow them with zeal...and my guess is that there are a lot of people like me out there...that share the same feelings as you...just from a different vantage point...and we should be in the minds of the board as well...because we are a potential donor group as well. Now, we just need to make sure that Randy (et al) finds a way to make the DVD of that semi-finals show of yours available to the public....and we will pay!!!

Good Point Mr. Scerpella!! Great to watch you guys blow Camp Randall back a few feet!! And...I think it shows that the crowds want that "Scout" sound back. As you stated previously, I liked this year's music as well....it just lacked the punch in the face that you typically get from the Scouts...and this could be detected by the crowd's gracious...yet luke warm...approval this year. Hope you are well.... From the snare drummer from Grafton! Brian Walsh

Very Ironic, indeed! And, I must add, the Scouts are not very "primal" this year....much like they were not "madisonic".

Hey...how did the Blue Knights do? I fell asleep during their show...and I just now got up. Nice sound...but geez....bored the crap out of me.

It is good to know that people can sound off on this website...and not get excommunicated for doing so...The Scouts' webpage, outside of being really lame, doesn't seem to enjoy people sounding off...which is a mistake. I will add a few comments to compliment the prior ones... First...this year's uniforms blow....and this is, what....4 uniform changes in 4 years? At least 3 anyway. And (second) yes, I don't know what to make of this year's guard...outside of they are really average...and very sloppy. I posted on the Scouts site a few days ago...and mainly made reference to how I think the staff is/are responsible for how they are doing this year. They are not adding any punch to the show...at all...and, like usual...at least in the past few years...they are stagnating...while all of the other corps are gaining in points....(Note...see Bluecoats Quarters/Semis/and finals point totals...up, up, and up...Scouts stayed the same) This, to me, means the teaching needs to get better...sans the percussion and brass...which have held up to standards...except for the missing high octave hitters on soprano.... Finally, I really liked Scott Stewart...and I always thought he knew how to amp up the show...to at least keep the crowd pumped up....except for 2002...even though the music was alright. So, I don't know where the problem lies....I think the brass and percussion staff are powerful....the rest I have questions with. Man, I wish they would just keep the 80's/90's uniform style...and stop with all of the guard costuming. Nothing will ever top the rifle lines of the early 80's...and really the rest of the 80's. They have been close to that level for some time...and they have tons more staff than those earlier shows...so...Staff...get your crap together! Maybe you can watch the Alumni Corps this year to get a feel for how the Scouts should look and sound....and they will probably get bigger ovations than all of the top 12 corps combined...and they are doing it "old school"....loud, louder, and loudest!!! God, I hope the scouts can just let it rip at finals this year....knowing that, at best, they will get 9th....they just need to do it for the crowd. :mmm:

And....the boat/fog horn you hear right at the end of the closer....is from me...way back in 1981! Whitewater was a great place to watch drum corps....and getting there early to watch prelims...like 5 am...just to get on the 50 yard line....lots of energy. And...in being a huge Scouts fan....then and now...I saw the show a few times that year....and, while in Whitewater, I went to a local store and saw this boat horn...and I just couldn't resist...and I knew just when it would sound its best....right at the end of Ice Castles....you can't miss it!!! I don't think there has been a better Scouts hornline....1982 was pretty impressive as well.

Whoa...maybe not 380....but still much faster...and much more overall movement. I think Boston is ok....Scouts still better...on a good day...which may be hard to come by. This one is a blast to watch....but leaves watchers dry....I think the white tops are a huge flop...shows way too many errors...and obviously does nothing to fire up the crowd. Those 80's uniforms are still the best...and they always made you think you were going to be blown away....this white top stuff doesn't do it.

Just a couple of things.... What's the difference between visual performance and visual ensemble? Specifically, I am relating to the Scouts....who I still think are better than the Crusaders and BK...but that is just my opinion. They may be a bit dirty....but they are moving twice as fast as the previously mentioned corps...so, shouldn't they be getting some cred for difficulty? But....back to the visual....The Scouts beat BK in performance...but not ensemble....so I am a bit confused. Any help explaining this would be great. Finally....can someone please rearrange the Scout's last push before the company front...specifically the sop...just before the front...? Geez....that has just really sounded awful all year! What ever happened to the power sops the Scouts have had in the past? They could certainly use one right now. Otherwise....I really like their music....a bit different for them....and with some cleaning....they could be 6th....but it is a stretch. :mmm:

Kilties...and the original Blue Stars

b**bs b**bs And coming from a Scouts fan...since 1975 mind you, I have gone through my share of pain....like the past 3 years....but, even with that, I am always there to support...really all corps...even if one is lackluster in a given year. I actually thought the Cadets kicked some butt last year...especially the percussion!! So...I don't know where Lieut. GE is coming from...and hey, there are many other corps to enjoy if you think your favorite is sucking. My guess is that they don't suck...it's just that you....individually... don't like the show...and 35,000 others don't feel that way. So, there you go. Nice to see the Scouts putting the wood on the ball this year...it's been a while.

:blah: Someone needs a timeout! A lot of corps seem to be moving in a strange direction, it costs money to go to a show...a lot in fact, and seeing groups like the Scouts, BD, Cavies, and yes, even the Cadets keep the fans coming a paying the $$. Many of the corps have become rather boring and way to orchestral...nothing against that type of music, but this is drum and bugle corps! It's supposed to be loud, fast, hard, exciting....otherwise I will go see the symphony. Out

Nice to see/read an honest review...especially about the annoyances in the audience...been to many a show and have been irked about the same issue. Scouts will pump up the first chart by finals...or at least they'd better!