Top 5 Most Influencial Shows of All Time

[Newseditor44]

I was thinking about this tonight... what are the most influential shows in DCI history. What makes an influential show? According to Webster’s Dictionary influence is defined as "the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others: He used family influence to get the contract. " So when thinking about the most influential shows of all time, we are talking about shows that changed the activity, whether its the way we look at drill, music, concept, art, etc. Here are mine below:

1. Garfield Cadets 1985 - The show was much less about entertainment than it was about challenging the performers and the audience to reach deep down inside and question the direction of the activity. A stunning yet complex show from start to finish. It took the audience a bit to get it, but you had to marvel at the sheer talent of the corps.

2. Star of Indiana 1993 - Not really much to be said here other than what has been sad before. This could be the show that pushed the activity into the modern age. Movement has become paramount and its all due to Star in 1993. The fans questioned this show for years, but like a fine wine, its appeal has grown with the ages.

3. Bridgman 1980 - Yes, you can be looney and #### good at the same time. Bobby Hoffman lead a great group of instructors and kids that never once believed that they couldn't win a championship... and they almost pulled it off. One of the all time classic performances. If you haven't seen it, do everything you can to see it!

4. Cavaliers 2002 - Simply amazing. This could be called the pinnacle performance of the Cavaliers dynasty. This show was nearly flawlessly performed. But more so, the design was pure magic. Scores not counted, its probably DCI's greatest show ever.

5. Madison Scouts Alumni 2006 - This is the true definition of the word family. For 15 minutes, all of us were taken back in time. For those of us lucky enough to see the Scouts of the 70's, 80's and 90's, we were allowed to relive our youth. For those that had never witnessed the Scouts of old, it was a chance to see buffet of one of the greatest corps of all time. The Scouts were famous for getting the crowd to stand and scream their heads off (I think this is where the term "throw your first born on the field as a sacrifice" was born"). On this night the standing ovations were accompanied by tears of joy. There is no better way, IMO, to educate the youth of this activity on drum corps of yesterday.

[somedude]

got to add Vanguard 89 in there. probably one of the most emotional shows every performed on a drum corps field. it leaves me speechless every time.

[brassmeaway]

1. Star 1993

2. Cavies 2002

3. Cavies 2006

4. SCV 1989

5. Cadets 1983 or 1987

Honorable mention

-Scouts 95 & 96 for what crowd pleasing is all about

-Crossmen 2006 for what voice amplification should be and the "radio" section

-YEA 2003 to show that ballads are not necessary (though enjoyable) to have successful shows

-BD 2001 for ... that colorguard

Edited December 9, 2006 by brassmeaway

[FJTDC]

2003 Cavaliers - Spin Cycle (IMO the best show ever from concept to drill to music to performance level and difficulty)

1989 Santa Clara Vanguard - Phantom of the Opera (like previously stated very emotional)

2000 Blue Devils - Methods of Madness (weird crazy dark awesome)

[HylianHero]

Cadets 84

SCV 89

Star 93

Cadets 00

Cavaliers 02

[NR_Ohiobando]

Cadets 2005-2006: Negativity is indeed a response, and these two had alot of it, heh, perhaps more-so than Boston and Crown's 04 show(as well as Dev's 05 show)

Dutch Boy 2006: Proving that that music should have been used long before they got ahold of it, as well as that the repetoire of a show itself can have a great effect on opinions no matter who plays it.

Star 93/Cadets 93: Star took music no one ever thought should be on the field, and made everyone watch them. Cadets seemed to remain more true to "fan-friendly" drum corps. Both corps obviously took demand to a whole new level.

Bridgemen/VK/Madison Scouts: Bridgemen; A good corps, a really good corps, that screws around during their show for the sake of being fun? ###### I wish I had been born 20 years early. VK did the same, but eventually let the fun catch up to them as well. Madison Scouts made sure entertainment was a factor, but seemed to find the perfect balance between entertainment and competition and keep it that way for a very long time.

SCV/Cadets/Cavaliers[Drill-wise] - SCV introduced the new type of drill, Cadets made it famous in the 80's, and Cavaliers' "Geometric" type drill took off into all corps during the 90's/00's.

[raphael18]

Dutch Boy 2006: Proving that that music should have been used long before they got ahold of it, as well as that the repetoire of a show itself can have a great effect on opinions no matter who plays it.

Okay, we're talking about South Park, come on...

[IllianaLancerContra]

1965 Chicago Royal Aires

1970 SCV

1976 Blue Devils

1984 Garfield

1993 Star

[yabetterbelieveit]

I hate when people do this, but mine is longer than 5.

BD 76

Cadets 84

Cadets 87

SCV 89

VK 92

Cadets 2005

[ApocalypseTissue]

1983-1985 Garfield Cadets - Drill changed forever. Simple as that, an utter transformation on the spectrum in which a field performer must take on the field. He is responsible for odd, unpredicatable, kaleidoscopic movement in all 360 degrees with multiple responsibilites as the formations and drill became ever so complex. The drumline was no longer simply on the 50 yard line, the hornline's concentration of tempo switched from percussive aural to visual and percussive at different times.

1987 Garfield Cadets - In my opinion the Paradigmatic Drum Corps Show of all time, that epitomizes the connection between the audience's and performers end of "emotion". We see this brought to life between 1988-1993, with shows like New World Symphony and Phantom of the Opera.

1993 Star of Indiana - Ushered in a new "philosophical" approach to the activity on the field. Can be seen in the 1993-1998 shows, utilizing a lot of body movement, informal modern expression, or in other words "out there" material, deep and thoughtful material was put on the field

1999-2000 The Cadets and Santa Clara Vanguard, these shows added more of your 90s elements with the effect elements that Star 1993 brought, basically a mix between the 80s entertainment factor as well as the deep apprach that was contained in the mid 1990s. These shows state that design and entertainment should be one entity as art. These are the shows we are left with today.

2002 The Cavaliers, 2003 Blue Devils, 2005 The Cadets - Masters of general effect, while not all were enjoyed by 100% of the audience. These shows became the paragon of what we consider today to be some of the most overall clean shows. In terms of color guard performance, the demand certainly increased as dancers danced even more and spinners spun in methods never seen before.