SFgui

Having a relatively extensive connection to all things DCI since the late 1980's, I am coming to terms with the inevitable demise of drum and bugle corps. I recall the craze around wanting those special t-shirts and actually struggling which to buy because there were so many memorable programs. Over the last few seasons, I keep returning with the thought that things surely must be better. Conclusion, it is complete torture trying to find joy in watching/listening to 3 corps. I actually used to sit and watch Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals with only intermission as a break. Today, teams are running around in crap for uniforms, no shakos, and let me not forget all of the singing/voiceovers etc... Ok, trombones, harmonicas etc = BOA. The hand full of directors that are out there are all that is left between fielding maybe 8 corps in the near future. I hate being so dark and negative but you would have to be crazy to think folks are walking back to their cars humming the vast majority of what is being given to performers to perform. I close with another observation, COLOR GUARD writers, for the love of God, try to write a phrase or two without crap flying in the air. Tossing non-stop is NOT effective and there are clearly phrasing being written WITHOUT ever looking at a musical score. Sorry, one more thing, why are the judges the SAME people that were judging when I marched in the 1990's? Why are they rewarding the same old same old formulas being put out there each year. Enough is enough!! If you are reading this post and it is 2030's and you want to know what happened to DCI, you might just have read but a small list of reason for the activity to be a thing of the past.

It’s official, DCI has morphed into BOA and I am over it. Why do I say this? ( 1.) All of the singing in the shows, (2) corps are doing entirely to much bad band body (movement), (3) the corps are no longer recognizable (teams are running around in shorts, no socks, and no head covering, (4) seriously, trombones not to forget, all of the amps and electronics….. Did I forget, the narrations and (5) color guard writers constantly writing twirls that lack musicality and 1,000 to many tosses. Perhaps I missed the minimum number of performers increasing.

All in the name of change, DCI is no longer enjoyable to watch or even listen to (not even for free on YouTube). I pray someone figures it out real quickly before the entire activity goes down the tube. If I wanted BOA, I can just wait until band season. Enough will all of the crap talking, singing, 3 value horns, strings, trombones and various other electronics/ musical instruments that was reserved for marching bands. The judging community could use a major facelift too.

Very easy answer..... I hate it!!!!

DCI should RETURN to the days of NO electronics, no vocals, (sorry) NO trombones/F-Horns. A MAJOR CHANGE needed in order to promote QUALITY and fairness during finals week is ALL scores earned during Prelims, Semi and Finals should be used and the WINNER determined based on the teams with the highest average scores. I for one am NOT willing to support an activity in which ONE panel of judges is allowed to make the call. The GRAND Champion should be based on the most consistent team during FINALS WEEK!