2023 Season Predictions

[college-phan]

2 minutes ago, BlueStainGlass said:

It's funny because early season this year all it was was Stars taking a step back because of how fresh they are with rookies. I don't really know the stats or who is right. 

Yeah I have no clue tbh. It could be very possible that the member I talked to was mistaken, bc I was under the impression all season that BS was younger too

[PopcornEater1963]

43 minutes ago, BlueStainGlass said:

I was on an island of non music majors when I marched 10 years ago. They'd be saying #### in terms that everyone knew and I sat there just going uh huh yeahhhh

You lost me here...maybe...I'm reading this as you were not a music major thrust into a large group of music majors? Is that correct? 

[BlueStainGlass]

3 minutes ago, PopcornEater1963 said:

You lost me here...maybe...I'm reading this as you were not a music major thrust into a large group of music majors? Is that correct? 

Very. I know nothing about music theory while they would talk like everyone knew. Hell my high school only taught us like 3 scales so I just played what's on the page.

[PopcornEater1963]

32 minutes ago, BlueStainGlass said:

Very. I know nothing about music theory while they would talk like everyone knew. Hell my high school only taught us like 3 scales so I just played what's on the page.

Love it...and isn't that what you're supposed to do...play what's on the page? Who cares if it's a 4th partial to ....blah blah blah....( hope my kid doesn't read me saying this...) 

[LabMaster]

2 hours ago, IllianaLancerContra said:

Not a call-out aimed specifically at Cavaliers, but IMHO one big key to retention for any Corps is to find a way to significantly (like by 1/2) lower costs for the members.  One of the interviews last evening the age-out marcher said this was their 5th year.  At $5000/year (plus travel costs to camps) that is over $25,000.  Glad he was of the means to be able to do this.  But how many marchers can afford this for multiple years?  Especially when many of them are trying to afford college?

Yes it is expensive and a 5 year total is a lot.  But c’mon it is a 5 year total.  Compare the cost of DC against an equal quality level of sports camps and participation such as hockey, basketball, baseball, ballet participation.  Look at the comps as close to apples to apples as you can.  You’ll find participation cost at this level for the value is fairly equal.

[IllianaLancerContra]

Just now, LabMaster said:

Yes it is expensive and a 5 year total is a lot.  But c’mon it is a 5 year total.  Compare the cost of DC against an equal quality level of sports camps and participation such as hockey, basketball, baseball, ballet participation.  Look at the comps as close to apples to apples as you can.  You’ll find participation cost at this level for the value is fairly equal.

I understand your point.

At some point Drum Corps became a training ground for future music professionals; just like various sports or dance camps became same for individuals seeking a career in these areas.

I just wish there was a way that any individual without that level of financial backing could also participate in the activity -not necessarily at the DCI finals level, but like I did with a small Corps that still had 1-2+ shows & parades every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Many say that youth today spend far too much time online playing games, but have we offered an alternative (in this case, Drum Corps participation)?

This side of Drum Corps no longer exists.  And that is unfortunate.

[Vidal28Rdg]

12 hours ago, Vidal28Rdg said:

Hmmmm….

Keep in mind I’m very often ABBD in my predictions ‘cause I go heart over head a lot and I have favorites😝

My prediction that I believe to be a certainty though is that 2023 will be better than 2022, straight up. It might not end up being, but I think that’s my most confident prediction out of anything. 

Bloo- they have to be up near the top somewhere, they are crazy consistent

BD-hit and slap the fans in face even harder, keep building that brass sound, and the naysaying fans will come around(maybe change the formula a tad, but you do you lol)

Boston- I believe they can retain a medal spot maybe I’m selling them short, who knows, they’re still ascending! The staff, the talent that will flock to them this fall and spring, they’re set up nicely😎

SCV- the whole visual caption drama that happened is something I only have a very vague idea and knowledge about, my understanding is that Vanguard is in a bit of flux right now in the design team, I do hope they can figure things out in time for next season but they might be struggling to gain ground on the corps above them

Crown- they slide, but I think they’ll have a show that’s more universally appealing, and less gimmicky. A TOP TIER Crown hornline and not a high tier one would definitely be helpful in assisting, as well as perhaps a bit more of a “meaningful” show theme and design. Might be underselling them too

Cadets-it’s all about retention and talent acquisition for y’all, the design team has rounded into form at least for many, people are very pleased with what Cadets put out this year, I wonder what direction they’ll be going for their show theme next year. Maybe you guys are being undersold, or maybe there’s still a year or two left to truly contend for top 5, we’ll see!

Phantom- I believe in them, I truly do. I do wonder how the visual design team will grow in their approach to next year’s show. The veterans that stick around for 2023 handled a very demanding show of theirs this year, hopefully the staff realizes that, and continues to challenge them. Addressing refinement from the music staff to the performers, variety, and just well-executed recruitment will help them immensely.

Blue Stars- I have no idea where they could be, so very nearly taking 6th from Cadets on finals night bodes so well for them. Maybe they’ll go a bit more bombastic on the music and visual design next year, and they’re building an incredibly talented and capable membership, I hope they can keep it going next year! I predict they slide a tad but not much.

Cavaliers- y’all could slide back up to 4th or 5th and make me look foolish, and I’d be perfectly happy with that, I wasn’t in love with this year’s show at all, to be perfectly honest, but if they get the design and all the other pieces right, they slide up several spots from my predictions. Good luck to them!!

Mandarins- Y’all get better, you do, and that’s what we want from all corps this coming year, recruitment will be big for them. People rave a lot about their staff, I honestly don’t know too much about Mandarins as an org and their big players, but y’all have some great momentum, keep it going!

Blue Knights- maybe this was just a year with some slight misfortune for them. I certainly didn’t care for their show much at all this year, not to be harsh, but I think with corps so steadily improving being a “late bloomer” as many say will be too late for y’all to make it into finals. I want them to start off with a design and music program that POPS right off the bat, if they do and I see that, I feel much more confident in my prediction of their return to finals, if they have that “it” show maybe they climb higher than 11th!

Troopers- I want to see where they can grow from here, I want them to stay in top 12, we know their identity, the aggressive, All-American corps. I would go with my safe pick in Crossmen for 12th and it’s probably more likely that they get in ahead of Troop, but I don’t know what Crossmen’s identity is at the moment, I don’t know what they are and it hurts them imo. Maybe they recruit well and the design ALONG with talent can carry Crossmen to a more lofty finish than even 12th in 2023, but for now, my prediction is Troopers!

 

 

 

Anyone have some thoughts for my predictions feel free to tell/inform me more on off-season stuffs👀

[Den8uml]

1 hour ago, Vidal28Rdg said:

Anyone have some thoughts for my predictions feel free to tell/inform me more on off-season stuffs👀

For Boston to hold a medal spot they need to be strong across the board again. Looking at their age out group photo, they are losing only a handful of brass and guard BUT many in percussion. So they will need to hit a home run with recruitment for drums to stay up.  

[Vidal28Rdg]

2 hours ago, Den8uml said:

For Boston to hold a medal spot they need to be strong across the board again. Looking at their age out group photo, they are losing only a handful of brass and guard BUT many in percussion. So they will need to hit a home run with recruitment for drums to stay up.  

That’s very interesting to know!! They do have the brain trust in their percussion staff to make the best of the membership they attain, even if they are quite green next year, which of course will hurt, but I don’t think their percussion will make or break them, at least in my opinion.

[TenHut]

7 hours ago, IllianaLancerContra said:

Not a call-out aimed specifically at Cavaliers, but IMHO one big key to retention for any Corps is to find a way to significantly (like by 1/2) lower costs for the members.  One of the interviews last evening the age-out marcher said this was their 5th year.  At $5000/year (plus travel costs to camps) that is over $25,000.  Glad he was of the means to be able to do this.  But how many marchers can afford this for multiple years?  Especially when many of them are trying to afford college?

This activity is now an elitist activity for the middle-upper class. Back in the day, corps were comprised of local street kids. Socially, this activity used to help a lot more kids from tough and difficult situations than it does today 

Edited August 14, 2022 by TenHut