brians

I guess into the night: BK CO GL BS

Acadamy did not appear to have the dark depth of sound or overall sophistication Blue Stars did

great job Blue Stars!!! What a show!! What a sound!!

Unless, of course, mileage is taken into account as part of a overall touring/preformance formula.

How about this idea: DCI sets a minimal amount of shows (or particular shows) a division 1 corps must participate in to make them elgiable for participation at nationals. If they can not make this commitment due to finances etc... get out there, find sponsors, raise money at bake sales etc.. until you can. This way each corps participates on a level touring playing field.

The advantage is in how much money and time you save by not traveling to shows, the riggor and emotional wear and tear of traveling night after night, the time that travel takes away from practice time.(especially if there is a breakdown) Many corps know what they have to do to make their shows better, they simply run our of time and emotional energy to do so due to the riggors of touring.

What is to prevent corps from not doing just this. Store up funds, buy the best staff, equipment etc...and then knock off corps who have committed financially and emotionally to a full tour. All is fair in the name of financilal responsibiliy and competition.

I think the Acadamy model is one all corps should go to. It only makes fiscal sense and is more aligned with the commitment level most kids are able to give. Do 10 or less shows within several 100 miles of your home in your geographical region, get in alot of quality practice time, perfect your show and then compete at nationals.

Yes, a new paradigm where corps preform 10-15 shows a year or less, within a couple hundred miles from there home base, do not have to deal with the financial and emotional riggors of a full tour sleeping night after night on the floor, traveling all night, eating drum corps food, have week after week of quality practice time, not requiring members to a full summer commitment, and then show up to championships.

the shoes are not painted, the were made half black half white

Don't forget, blue stars beat spirit in head to head a few nights ago. Should be interesting in the next few shows especially considering blue stars have added a new ending to their show the last 2 days!

great coverage for a great corps!!! Go BLUE STARS!!!!! FCO

This sounds really exciting!!! Good luck in the up coming season!! FCO

The Blue Stars home show is a wonderful place to see a drum corps show. Beautiful stadium looking out to the bluffs, great acoustics, good sight lines, economic food/tickets and large responsive crowd. Can't wait to see multiple division 1 corps preforming there once again!!!

Minneapolis is not as far as you might think from La Crosse. Look at a map, La Crosse is much closer to Minneapolis than it is to Madison or Milwaukee and more centrally located to many Wisconsin and Minnesota communities in which the corps draws a substantial number of its members from.

I am with dciguy01. Blue Stars returning to division 1 and taking 14th place ahead of Crossmen is a great stroy. Just 3 years ago they were a division 3 corps and seriously considering closing up shop. Today they are a very competitive div. 1 corps exceeding the expectations of many. There are not very many coprs in the history of drum corps (especially in the modern era of drum corps) who have been able to rise this successfully this quickly. Congratulations Blue Stars on a great season and many more to come!!!

Blue Stars back in the division 1 mix after 20+ years and doing very well!! It will be interesting to see where this corps goes in years to come. The future looks bright if this year is any indication.

Blue Stars have a long history of surging beyond expectations come the end of the year. So much so, It is built into their corps motto FCO!!!! Time will tell!

Not suggesting the Blue Stars may or may not be a contender in the near future, but a fast rise to the top has happened in the not so far past. The Garfield Cadets came out of nowhere at the very end of the season in 1980 to make finals and went on to win it all 3 years later in 1983!!

Oh what I would not give to be young again and be able to grab one of those sop spots!!!

All I can say from observing this camp in person is, I wish I was young enough to march again and be apart of this corps on the move and the excitement that comes with it.

sure is fun viewing the old shows and hearing stories of past. I am really looking forward to seeing the Blue Stars hit the field this summer to carry on the tradition!!

This is really exciting news!!! Good luck Blue Stars on a successful season!!!

This already occures!! at some of the DCM shows there are guest celebrity judges ie.. the local fest queen, mayor etc... And last year, even an applause meater was used to help determine who won a show

nicely done!!