DCI 2024

[Tubalord11]

Good evening everyone! We’re here live at the University of North Texas for an amazing night of DCI!! I will be taking comments throughout the night and post before heading home! Super excited for tonight! 

[JazzRun]

2 hours ago, Tubalord11 said:

Good evening everyone! We’re here live at the University of North Texas for an amazing night of DCI!! I will be taking comments throughout the night and post before heading home! Super excited for tonight! 

I’m here too! 

[Dave609]

Results for DCI Denton:

World Class-

1st: 90.50- The Bluecoats
2nd: 89.65- Boston Crusaders
3rd: 87.975- Carolina Crown
4th: 86.60- Phantom Regiment
5th: 84.30- Santa Clara Vanguard
6th: 78.05- Crossmen
7th: 77.45- Pacific Crest
8th: 74.95- Music City

Soundsport Class:

Zephyrus: Gold Rating

[Dave609]

The Bluecoats become the first Drum Corps this season to break into the 90's in scoring! I really enjoyed each performance tonight and can't wait to see how everything plays out on Saturday!

[Dave609]

Results for DCI Waco-

World Class-

1st Place: 82.60- The Cavaliers
2nd Place: 79.75- Madison Scouts
3rd Place: 79.00- Blue Knights
4th Place: 77.40- Spirit of Atlanta
5th Place: 74.50- The Academy
6th Place: 70.30- Genesis
7th Place: 67.50- Seattle Cascades
8th Place: 65.40- Jersey Surf

Soundsport Class-

Arsenal- Gold Rating

[TLMANI]

I am happy to see the Blue Coats and Boston doing well. What can Carolina Crown do to close the scoring gap? When I first saw their show on YouTube in late June, I thought WOW! They may have a chance to win or be in the top 3. Another thing, I don't get the Blue Devil's show The Romantics. Why do you think they are scoring so well?

Anyway please respond so I can hear what you think is going on. 

[Tubalord11]

Hello all! Sorry for the late response, here’s my thoughts/comments from tonight: 

SCV: For having a year off, they are just as amazing as before!! Perc is just incredible, guard and some really great moments, and they sound phenomenal! If anything, I was a bit surprised by their volume…pretty much every other group was louder. It’s not a bad thing, just noticeable. But overall loved the show, and they will be even stronger next season. 

Music City: First time seeing them this season and I was very impressed! They are really building off their major success from last season and if they continue to greet like this, could Maybe be a finalist in the future. But a great show all around, loved the jam section after the ballad. 

Pacific Crest: much like MC, they are really building over their momentum, and it shows! I feel like they’ve stepped it up in all forms, and could be in finals really soon. Just need a finals type show and they will break the top 12 soon! 

Crossmen: Had a good 2 minute delay with electronics and then brought it!!! I don’t really understand the show, it’s my first watch so that makes sense, but they sounded great! Will definitely be in contention for the last spot in finals! 

Phantom: HOLY CRAP!!! I mean they are so freaking loud!!! Unbelievable sound, guard and perc is sooo good, and don’t get me started on their horn line. They are really starting to push for that 4th place spot,’and if Crown doesn’t figure something out soon, it could happen! Just in full shock with how good they are, best PR show in a LONG time!! And that DM is a Bad A**! 

Boston: Un-freaking-believable!!! Guard is out of this world, I mean holy heck!! This show is so much fun, and they sound fantastic!! It’s grown on me so much is definitely going to be a very close contention for second! They are just getting better my the day, and they do such an amazing job present the theme throughout! Crowd is gonna love this show at SA! 

Bluecoats-Seeing this life was, well, life changing. The shows meaning is deeper than I could have realized without seeing it life. From the inside of the Corps itself to the show, there is change to be found, and it’s beyond impressive the amount of GE and raw emotion this show has. Had a couple tears by the end. I’ve never seen anything like this show, and they will go undefeated this year. Thank you Bloo, for forever changing my life. 

Crown- yeah, idk what happened, but this show ain’t it. They still have that top tier hornline, but it’s just not a Crown show. It’s not, but it feels like a show a HS like Hebron, Vandy, Avon, ECT could do if they dialed it down a little, it’s just not on the level musically of Crowns previous years. Did I enjoy it, yes. But did it feel like Crown, not really. It just feels, Easy…For Crown. And why have such a cool prop just to barely use it, I don’t understand. 

[Tubalord11]

It was an unforgettable night of DCI, and I’m super excited to watch SA soon!! Amazing performances all around! 

[JazzRun]

7 hours ago, Tubalord11 said:

It was an unforgettable night of DCI, and I’m super excited to watch SA soon!! Amazing performances all around! 

AND it wasn’t dreadfully hot like usual 🙌🏽. My favorites were Phantom & Bloo. Crusaders guard- I could watch them all day; just phenomenal. I was left wanting more design-wise from Crown, but they sounded great. Sooo good to see SCV back too!

[Tubalord11]

3 hours ago, JazzRun said:

AND it wasn’t dreadfully hot like usual 🙌🏽. My favorites were Phantom & Bloo. Crusaders guard- I could watch them all day; just phenomenal. I was left wanting more design-wise from Crown, but they sounded great. Sooo good to see SCV back too!

Yes the weather was phenomenal!! And yeah Bloo and PR were my favorite, and yeah BAC’s guard was insane, and yeah I agree about crown, maybe they are waiting to add more, the new uniform switch was cool though.

[packwick]

Bloooo finally gettin that 1+ point gap they deserve. also maybe the highest southwestern regional score ever. over a 93??? not sure that's ever happened before, not when it has been held at this point in the season anyway. when i saw their show at the premiere, i thought gold with prob around a 98.5. this score makes u think that they maaaybe will eke out a 99. gonna need to up their guard game for that tho. honestly i think it's just as simple as adding more of those big, full ensemble weapon trick tosses that read well from upstairs. seems to be what's driving the content scores, to my eyes anyway. Boston has like their entire 20+ weapon line rolling under 7s and mostly nailing it. by the way, prob the best guard ive ever seen in DCI. i do like the clarity of Bloo's technique, tho. they seem to linger after their tosses, showing off their pristine hand placements and body carriage. it's very clear.

Devs still clinging on to 2nd but i think Boston should overtake them soon. much more coherent show. finally the VA judge had some balls. thank you, Keith!

[Dave609]

Just now, packwick said:

Bloooo finally gettin that 1+ point gap they deserve. also maybe the highest southwestern regional score ever. over a 93??? not sure that's ever happened before, not when it has been held at this point in the season anyway. when i saw their show at the premiere, i thought gold with prob around a 98.5. this score makes u think that they maaaybe will eke out a 99. gonna need to up their guard game for that tho. honestly i think it's just as simple as adding more of those big, full ensemble weapon trick tosses that read well from upstairs. seems to be what's driving the content scores, to my eyes anyway. Boston has like their entire 20+ weapon line rolling under 7s and mostly nailing it. by the way, prob the best guard ive ever seen in DCI. i do like the clarity of Bloo's technique, tho. they seem to linger after their tosses, showing off their pristine hand placements and body carriage. it's very clear.

Devs still clinging on to 2nd but i think Boston should overtake them soon. much more coherent show. finally the VA judge had some balls. thank you, Keith!

I'm so Happy that The Bluecoats won San Antonio! Their show is legit amazing imo

[Tubalord11]

28 minutes ago, packwick said:

Bloooo finally gettin that 1+ point gap they deserve. also maybe the highest southwestern regional score ever. over a 93??? not sure that's ever happened before, not when it has been held at this point in the season anyway. when i saw their show at the premiere, i thought gold with prob around a 98.5. this score makes u think that they maaaybe will eke out a 99. gonna need to up their guard game for that tho. honestly i think it's just as simple as adding more of those big, full ensemble weapon trick tosses that read well from upstairs. seems to be what's driving the content scores, to my eyes anyway. Boston has like their entire 20+ weapon line rolling under 7s and mostly nailing it. by the way, prob the best guard ive ever seen in DCI. i do like the clarity of Bloo's technique, tho. they seem to linger after their tosses, showing off their pristine hand placements and body carriage. it's very clear.

Devs still clinging on to 2nd but i think Boston should overtake them soon. much more coherent show. finally the VA judge had some balls. thank you, Keith!

Yeah it’s a new SA record!!! Ik it’s not likely, but I REALLY hope they get the new high score for finals!!! I’d be beyond 😊 

[TLMANI]

Has anyone noticed the amount of props being moved around on the field by many of the corps, with varying degrees of success? I know a lot of high schools are influenced by the drum corps activity. Unless they have the manpower to move props, I would suggest they leave them stationary or keep things simple.

I am thrilled the Blue Coats won San Antonio. Their show is just exciting to watch. The one big stage that morphs throughout the show to smaller platforms, is handled well by the performers. The Blue Devils had a couple days off and it seems they used their time well to clean their marching and music. In years past, I would think the Blue Coats would need to be worried as the Blue Devils usually have one more major something to reveal that allows them to maintain their lead or overtake the Corp in front of them score wise. Only time will tell if the Blue Coats can hang on to their margin of victory or not. Of course, you only need to win by .0001 ahead of 2nd place. We can't forget the Boston Crusaders who scored just tenths of a point from the Blue Devils. 

[Liam Allen]

My yearly San Antonio review:

Everyone is better this year.  Everyone.

Some standouts to me in terms of crowd energy were Troop, Regiment, and Boston.

A special shoutout to the Blue Knights drum major for best conducting.  Absolutely not(wink wink) what you would see me doing up there.

Man, I really want to like Spirit.  They’ve got a great show, but they’re not performing it to the level it demands and deserves.  The closer is one of my favorites this year, but they’re not giving me any reason to clap for it yet.  If they clean it up and get it together, they’ve got a good shot at 12th.

Madison Scouts have somehow returned.  I like this show.  It’s pure entertainment to me.  The closer is great, and I wish they did a big fat sustain at the end but that’s just my tastes.

Troopers last few phrases hit like a truck and then kept going.  By the time they were done I couldn’t feel my face anymore.

Mandarins with one of the great opening moments this year.  Voodoo!  The ballad is great.  New closer brings it full circle.

Vanguard got a standing ovation as they walked on.  Great to see them back.  They need to get rid of VanDoren as the brass arranger(unpopular opinion I’m sure, especially considering his prolific use at the high school level).  I have the same musical problems with this year as I did in 22:  the whole show is variations on a theme of United in Grief like 22 was variations of a the of Smells Like Teen Spirit.  Love the drill as usual.  Really great curvilinear forms.

Boston got everyone to their feet at the Shaker Loops reprise and deservedly so.  What an astounding performance and only .025 back from BD due to a fascinating visual score.  If they want the silver, they have to go get it, but it’s easily possible.

Phantom.  The opener is incredible.  The visual pacing of the show to maintain interest through the extended percussion features is great.  Equilibrium is getting really tight.  Visually some spacing issues after the kick halt.  The ballad is actually growing on me as the brief respite from all the chaos of the mynd.  Fly or Die.  Tasty; just tasty.  Crowd ate it up and spit energy back at them.  The closer.  Holy…. I have NEVER been in a crowd like that.  Absolutely electric.  The mellophones ascended to another level of power, and when the entire corps rushes the sideline, the sound is an actual physical force.  I have never jumped to my feet faster.  I think you’re looking at fourth place.  If they want it, they can have it.  And trust me when I say that the Finals crowd is absolutely capable of willing Regiment into fourth.

Crown has problems.  Much tighter brass run last night.  Visual is just boring.  Everything after the opener is a great example of how not to design a winning show.  BUT the opener.  Holy smokes was that an opener last night.  Crowd loved it.  If only the rest of the show had that level of design, this wouldn’t even be close to fourth and Bloo would have competition.

BD also has problems.  They are playing the heck out of this show.  The show sucks.  Minus the Pokémon and the Diablo III, musically this is not even close to coherent.  And the visual is the worst I’ve ever seen out of Concord.  The capes make everything in an otherwise great first three minutes dirty.  The design of the show overall just boggles the mind.  The cabinets of curiosity make zero sense and look, to my eyes, shall we say less than stellar.  The merry go round props are transparently nothing more than cape receptacles, and add nothing else of visual note or meaning.   The crowd did NOT like them.  I said this in the show thread on Drum Corps Planet;  you could smell the silent judgement.  If they end up in second it will be because of the tremendous skill of the performers.

I understand Bluecoats’ show on an intellectual level and likely mostly on a design level.  I don’t like it.  It will win, and rightly so, but it’s just not my thing.  For me it’s the music.  I get the Dymaxion part(chaos, disorder), but the rest could go and I wouldn’t be offended.  Slap a better ending on and maybe you’ll get me.  Noteworthy here is their absolute demolition of the score record for San Antonio.

Best San Antonio trip yet.  It’s going to be a good three weeks coming up here.

[Rubisco]

I don't think we'll see much of a challenge for gold in August, but there are exciting fights playing out down the list. 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 12th all have 2+ corps duking it out right now. Exciting!

[Dave609]

5 hours ago, Rubisco said:

I don't think we'll see much of a challenge for gold in August, but there are exciting fights playing out down the list. 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 12th all have 2+ corps duking it out right now. Exciting!

12th is the one we really need to watch, because Madison Scouts, Spirit of Atlanta, Crossmen, Blue Knights, and Pacific Crest all have a great chance to make finals.

[clarinetistkai05]

IM SO EXCITED FOR TMRW! I am going to DCI McKinney and I get to see Blue Stars, Troopers, Mandies, and SCV!!!!  

I will definitely be a hundred dollars poorer but it’s okayyy 😭

[youraveragebandkid]

On 7/21/2024 at 1:16 PM, Liam Allen said:

My yearly San Antonio review:

Everyone is better this year.  Everyone.

Some standouts to me in terms of crowd energy were Troop, Regiment, and Boston.

A special shoutout to the Blue Knights drum major for best conducting.  Absolutely not(wink wink) what you would see me doing up there.

Man, I really want to like Spirit.  They’ve got a great show, but they’re not performing it to the level it demands and deserves.  The closer is one of my favorites this year, but they’re not giving me any reason to clap for it yet.  If they clean it up and get it together, they’ve got a good shot at 12th.

Madison Scouts have somehow returned.  I like this show.  It’s pure entertainment to me.  The closer is great, and I wish they did a big fat sustain at the end but that’s just my tastes.

Troopers last few phrases hit like a truck and then kept going.  By the time they were done I couldn’t feel my face anymore.

Mandarins with one of the great opening moments this year.  Voodoo!  The ballad is great.  New closer brings it full circle.

Vanguard got a standing ovation as they walked on.  Great to see them back.  They need to get rid of VanDoren as the brass arranger(unpopular opinion I’m sure, especially considering his prolific use at the high school level).  I have the same musical problems with this year as I did in 22:  the whole show is variations on a theme of United in Grief like 22 was variations of a the of Smells Like Teen Spirit.  Love the drill as usual.  Really great curvilinear forms.

Boston got everyone to their feet at the Shaker Loops reprise and deservedly so.  What an astounding performance and only .025 back from BD due to a fascinating visual score.  If they want the silver, they have to go get it, but it’s easily possible.

Phantom.  The opener is incredible.  The visual pacing of the show to maintain interest through the extended percussion features is great.  Equilibrium is getting really tight.  Visually some spacing issues after the kick halt.  The ballad is actually growing on me as the brief respite from all the chaos of the mynd.  Fly or Die.  Tasty; just tasty.  Crowd ate it up and spit energy back at them.  The closer.  Holy…. I have NEVER been in a crowd like that.  Absolutely electric.  The mellophones ascended to another level of power, and when the entire corps rushes the sideline, the sound is an actual physical force.  I have never jumped to my feet faster.  I think you’re looking at fourth place.  If they want it, they can have it.  And trust me when I say that the Finals crowd is absolutely capable of willing Regiment into fourth.

Crown has problems.  Much tighter brass run last night.  Visual is just boring.  Everything after the opener is a great example of how not to design a winning show.  BUT the opener.  Holy smokes was that an opener last night.  Crowd loved it.  If only the rest of the show had that level of design, this wouldn’t even be close to fourth and Bloo would have competition.

BD also has problems.  They are playing the heck out of this show.  The show sucks.  Minus the Pokémon and the Diablo III, musically this is not even close to coherent.  And the visual is the worst I’ve ever seen out of Concord.  The capes make everything in an otherwise great first three minutes dirty.  The design of the show overall just boggles the mind.  The cabinets of curiosity make zero sense and look, to my eyes, shall we say less than stellar.  The merry go round props are transparently nothing more than cape receptacles, and add nothing else of visual note or meaning.   The crowd did NOT like them.  I said this in the show thread on Drum Corps Planet;  you could smell the silent judgement.  If they end up in second it will be because of the tremendous skill of the performers.

I understand Bluecoats’ show on an intellectual level and likely mostly on a design level.  I don’t like it.  It will win, and rightly so, but it’s just not my thing.  For me it’s the music.  I get the Dymaxion part(chaos, disorder), but the rest could go and I wouldn’t be offended.  Slap a better ending on and maybe you’ll get me.  Noteworthy here is their absolute demolition of the score record for San Antonio.

Best San Antonio trip yet.  It’s going to be a good three weeks coming up here.

Tbh, I have never seen so much excitement and hype in an audience during a performance like Phantom’s performance on Saturday EVER- to be in the crowd like that and get so hyped from the very beginning when the head conductor pulled out her baton was insane 🤩

[Thanos]

4 hours ago, youraveragebandkid said:

Tbh, I have never seen so much excitement and hype in an audience during a performance like Phantom’s performance on Saturday EVER- to be in the crowd like that and get so hyped from the very beginning when the head conductor pulled out her baton was insane 🤩

I just can't wait to see what the finals crowd at Indy🔥

[clarinetistkai05]

On 7/22/2024 at 8:46 PM, clarinetistkai05 said:

IM SO EXCITED FOR TMRW! I am going to DCI McKinney and I get to see Blue Stars, Troopers, Mandies, and SCV!!!!  

I will definitely be a hundred dollars poorer but it’s okayyy 😭

I WAS RIGHT! I had so so much fun, and I got to enjoy the shows, along with see my friends who were performing! The Troopers & Mandies were definitely my favorites to see, but Blue Stars hold a special place in my heart. Overall, I enjoyed my experience, and I can’t wait to do it again sometime!

[LeanderMomma]

On 7/23/2024 at 7:19 PM, youraveragebandkid said:

Tbh, I have never seen so much excitement and hype in an audience during a performance like Phantom’s performance on Saturday EVER- to be in the crowd like that and get so hyped from the very beginning when the head conductor pulled out her baton was insane 🤩

This is FACTS. The crowd went NUTS for Phantom!  It was so exciting being there on Saturday. 

[J-Mike16]

Attention everyone

 

 

Phantom has now passed Carolina Crown.

And Blue Devils has gotten passed by Boston Crusaders!

[Tubalord11]

Boston and Phantom…wow 

Deserved and not surprised as well 

tomorrow night will be insane 

[Thanos]

5 hours ago, Tubalord11 said:

Boston and Phantom…wow 

Deserved and not surprised as well 

tomorrow night will be insane 

Went insane at work when I heard that Phantom score. I cannot wait to see more!