These 'premier' events featuring only the TOP 8 corps (at elevated prices) were started last year. They got mixed reviews.

The first for 2012 was held in Rockford last weekend. Did any Imperials alums attend? If so, what are your reactions?
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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

Rockford was my first show in a few years.

The Blue Devils were first. Technically great. After that I can't find ANYTHING I liked about their show. The constant babble through the speakers reminded me of how ****** off I would get when you would get 2 radio stations at once or the Ham Radio operator would but in. I missed the point of it. Visually, the show seemed to be similar to somebody flipping the pages of a magazine. They bring their clothes racks out on to the field for a uniform change. SO WHAT! I never could follow any of it. I should say that I really loved the Cavies Machine show of a few or is it more than a few years ago - so for me, BD's show just didn't cut it. I was in such a bad mood after their show, I was dreading the remaining corps.

Blue Coats made me feel better than BD. Nice, but not exciting

Loved Santa Clara's Planets. The guard is more off to the side and I thought made for a more captivating show.

Carolina Crown's Fanfare was interesting/involving. Better technically than SCV, but SCV held my interest more. Nice effect with mini-pits at the 4 corners. I would like to have heard that seated on the 50. Slight sonic lag at my 30 yarders.

Cadets' Christmas in July is very well done. I would have put them at the top. Very clean sounding and visually appealing. The guard wrapped as presents is a great touch.

Boston. Love the uniforms when they are standing still. Too much visual clutter when they move. Show was just OK.

Cavies. Had a bunch of ex-Cavies behind me. THEIR comments "An embarassment to the organization." "I hate it!" "It is awful!" "Worst show in at least the last 10 years." I didn't like it either. 15 Minutes of Infamy more like it. Picked them for last.

Phantom. Their show is based on an opera. I am sure it is famous. I never heard heard it before (I try to avoid operas becuase of the singing) but I loved it. They hooked me from the start and this was the ONLY corps I was the first to stand and applaud during the show. Not technically as good as Cadets but what an intricate, well done show. I don't know if it had anything to do with the opera, but all of the girls in guard have long hair - and it absolutely adds to the visual near the end of the show. My favorite drumline.

What did you do in the Corps? Tenor, Snare, Ass't Drum Instructor

What years were you a Corps member? 60-69

John,

Thanks for the review! Yes, Cavalier alumni are VERY upset with what is happening with the corps right now. I would imagine it's how the 60's alumni felt during the 70's (and most of the 80's). Tough to fall, especially that far. Their current placement (Saturday night) would be their lowest since 1984.

You probably liked Cadets because their drum line is so good, like I did in Orlando! You said you liked Phantom's line better, but I think Cadets are winning drums at the moment.

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79

1. while the Cavalier alumni are probably not really happy with the corps low rankings, it sounds like they are even MORE upset with the corps program design.

2. actually, the drum lines for the top 5 or 6 corps are all close.

3. so, what is so special about a 'premier event' this year? Besides featuring a number of the 'top' corps, what makes these shows so great?
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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

Bob, I actually Phantom's line best because it seemed like the parts were written just for their show. Maybe they seemed a tiny bit more "old fashioned". It seems like drum scores are soooo similar you can't really find anything different - arm motions (visuals), one-handed sticking patterns, accent patterns. No unique sound.

Dave, the Cadets did seem really clean - but I don't care enough to check the recap.

What did you do in the Corps? Tenor, Snare, Ass't Drum Instructor

What years were you a Corps member? 60-69

John, that is what irks me about the drum lines now. They are all the SAME. Nothing unique .. and NO real rudimental drumming. Just fancy sticking and visuals.
And the drum sound is terrible.. no tonal response, just like playing on table tops. BAH!

Bring back real drum lines.. Blessed Sacrament, Boston (1960s), Black Knights, Norwood
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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

I didn't see Phantom (they weren't in Orlando), and it's still so hard for me to like anything about them, but I'll take John's word for it!

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79

The DCI website said this about the 'premier events '.. now called the 'Tour of Champions':

The Tour of Champions features the top eight corps from the previous season, and includes opportunities for fan-member interaction with corps members, pre-show and intermission entertainment and an en-masse finale after the traditional corps performances.

Corps participating in 2012 include: Blue Devils, Bluecoats, Boston Crusaders, The Cadets, Carolina Crown, The Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment and Santa Clara Vanguard.

Sounds wonderful.

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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

The intermission entertainment needs a little work or maybe a little more thought. At Rockford, they had a solo drummer in front of the stands. Some planning genius placed a group (couldn't see how many) behind the stands and as best as I could guess they were both on the same yard line. Needless to say, it all sounded like mush. Couldn't appreciate either one. Maybe the people right in front of the performer(s) could hear only one or the other but the rest of us just marveled at the talent of the soloist not moving his hands and still playing. Then again he might have been a ventriloquist - nah, couldn't be.

What did you do in the Corps? Tenor, Snare, Ass't Drum Instructor

What years were you a Corps member? 60-69

this is the 'new entertainment level'?

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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

See, we were WAY ahead of our time in Norwood's Cadets! In 1970 and 1971, our "concert" piece was me playing The Downfall of Paris with a rifler spinning on either side (Colleen Gill and Kim Groh in 1970, with Barbie Gill replacing her sister in 1971).

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79