When does the hype start?

[wolfgang]

When do we get the annual "XYZ corps is great and going to shake things up this summer" threads?

The same people will then complain about how bad the design is when the same corps finishes lower than last year.

[cixelsyd]

Those threads are here.  Check the threads with titles that include "2026" and the name of any corps.

Hype typically starts around Labor Day, when staff moves go public.  Then audition camps generate the next wave in November/December.  It settles to a simmer in the winter as show reveals occur one by one, warming back to full boil in the spring.

[KVG_DC]

Yeah. They’re still in callback camps right now. Winter and spring camps are when we’ll get the “they’re miles ahead of where they were at this point last year and poised to move way up” from….everyone. 

[perc2100]

1 hour ago, wolfgang said:

When do we get the annual "XYZ corps is great and going to shake things up this summer" threads?

The same people will then complain about how bad the design is when the same corps finishes lower than last year.

Probably at least another couple months when corps are starting to play more of their show music at camps and "insiders" start hearing the goods

[LabMaster]

First indications are coming soon. Jannuals are underway this weekend.  Corps are having final auditions and callbacks at January camps, with some being production camps as well.  Meaning the first elements of their 2026 production begins. 
Only 24 or so weeks until the first show. 

[OldSnareDrummer]

I always thought it was the first millisecond after the words "And in 1st Place winning the gold medal"... 

[Jeff Ream]

On 1/9/2026 at 3:28 PM, wolfgang said:

When do we get the annual "XYZ corps is great and going to shake things up this summer" threads?

The same people will then complain about how bad the design is when the same corps finishes lower than last year.

every corps is doing great with record numbers and an incredible show to be announved before they take the field the first time.

[TenHut]

On 1/9/2026 at 2:28 PM, wolfgang said:

When do we get the annual "XYZ corps is great and going to shake things up this summer" threads?

The same people will then complain about how bad the design is when the same corps finishes lower than last year.

That is said every year about the Madison Scouts...and every year it's the same old same old disappointment. 

[year1buick]

For me it started when we learned what music we’d be playing in Regiment’s Alumni Corps. I’m beyond hyped at the chance to play that stuff in front of an Indy crowd. It’s going to be so much fun.

[BG984]

Back in the day, there were a handful of Spring Concerts, which were fun for the spectators and gave them a taste of what was coming.  At least in the East, many corps participated in at least one, and some did two or more.  They (concerts)  are not completely extinct......there are some all-age and alum concerts, as well as a few isolated concerts by junior corps (I believe Phantom still does a "band shell" concert).  I will say that many now do a preview show for fans/supporters and some of them are streamed......however, usually not until maybe a week before the first contest.   I actually think that perhaps the corps are missing an opportunity with this.  I know as an arranger, it was good to see how well things went over in those concerts.....what was effective, and what could perhaps be elevated....keep in mind this was strictly the effect of the music on the audience.  Frankly, it was also fun to "spy" on your competitors, too.   Written/verbal hype, IMO, is fairly worthless, as it has always been.  What corps is ever going to publicize "we had a weak recruiting season and are still looking for alot of people to fill blanks".  Back in the day, corps who were 30th the year before would post stories that basically proclaimed they were going to shock everyone......I can probably count on one hand (out of over 50 seasons) the number of those proclamations that were correct.  I get that everyone wants to be positive..........also, with the shorter seasons and late starts, fans now have to wait longer.  I will say that last year I felt that the World Class corps were very well prepared, and many of the open class corps have also improved their preparation.