jc12

I don't know why or how scores can jump three or four points from one week to the next but i do believe the scoring system nowadays leave it open for a significant amount of personal opinion. I am an old guy and have been involved in this past-time since 1956 and those who read this will say "oh no, a tick guy, he doesn't know caca". You are probably right but I bet the scores from corp to corp were more accurate or more true in those days. I am a Caballero fan from Wisconsin-have been since the first time I saw them at the American Legion Championships, in Chicago Soldier Field 1958. They are my corp and will always be. The last time they won DCA was, I believe in 2001. In 2014 they were on the brink but got a penalty and ended up in 3rd place. They won prelims but lost in the finals. And to be honest, I can see why they are not winning. As my traveling buddy from Wisconsin told me, their shows lack the "peaks" that are needed to win, i.e. they have some high moments in the show but not enough to win. They need their "show design" guy to write those in to the show or get a new team. He is an ex-DCI and DCA M-n-M judge so he knows what he is talking about. Maybe I am getting tired of Drum Corp????

i have loved the Cabs since the first time I saw them as a member of the Racine Scouts. It was 1958, the American Legion contest at Soldier Field Chicago Illinois. I was mesmerized by them. The Skokie Indians were supposed to win the show that night, at least that was the rumor in the midwest. But when the Cabs stepped off the line I knew it was never gone to happen. I had never seen anything so magical. So when I see them struggle currently, I am left somewhat miffed as to what is happening. I say "struggle" because I am so accustomed to seeing them at the top, and 3rd and fourth place just does not do it for me. Right now they are where the Buccaneers used to be years ago-close to he top but not there. I have been going to DCA since 1970 when I marched with the "Boys of 76" and now I am there as a spectator. I go with a couple buddies who have been involved in the activity as long as I have. One of them is a DCA/DCI judge. He judged the DCA prelims in 2010 and put the Cabs 2 points down in M and M. He hasn't judged DCA since but I believe that is because he is from Wisconsin and DCA has enough judges nearby. He has been pretty much on the button on his assessment of the cabs show every year that he has come up with me. In fact he has called the winner these last four years. His assessment this year: 'the Cabs show does not flow throughout i.e. it is not connected in total. It has some great high points but not enough. My thought--Maybe it is time for a new program/show designer???????? I look at the Governairs and year after year they have a small corp but inevitably their overall show is great.

Once again the Cabs failed to reach the pinnacle when it was so close at hand I thought they were great, as always. But it wasn't meant to be. They have always been my corp since I first saw them at legion Nationals Chicago Soldier Field 1958. What a magnificent machine. And they will always be "my Corp". I have been coming to DCA for the last 25 years. So for them to lose while so close was difficult to accept-and to end up with a 1 point penalty and drop them even lower???????? But I kinew it was coming even before the scores were given out. Two of my buddies who have been coming with me all these years have been DCI and DCA judges for a while. One of them being an M-M judge. And while I agreed with the most recent review of the Cabs show. My buddy pointed out one major fault, a fault he has brought out before.----while they have a great hornline and play well, their drill did not do enough to enhance the overall show. It is a point he has brought out a number of times over the years. Sad but he has been right each time. Just a comment.

I have been involved in drum corps since 1957 and started with the seniors in 1963. I am still involved today. I grew up in the midwest and now live in the south. I guess you can say that I have been involved a long time. I have noticed through the years that the home corp, especially with the seniors, seemed to have the advantage to a certain degree. While perhaps the home corp might not have won, it always seemed that their scores were a little higher than one would expect. i.e. I think perhaps the Bucs will probably win their show.

Not that it matters because it is really just someone's opinion but I believe the Cabs overall show will win out in Scranton. Here are my predictions: Cabs Fusion Bucs Cadets 2 Bush White Sabers Hurcs Sky

Show design While I don't have a problem with show design per se I really have a problem with the type of music played by the majority of the corps today. I don't bother attending contests anymore as I don't enjoy the repertoire of music. I was in the activity for years and was an avid fan. I just cannot get into the music. Everyone is trying to outdo each other with the most innovative drill design and a repertoire of music choices that just leaves me extremely disappointed. The corps are not playing to the fans but to the judges. There were too many times attending a show when people around me would comment how great a corp performed their drill but "i don't know the music". I can understand why the activity is not really growing in spite of what drumcorp fanatics would have us believe. My idea to attract bigger audiences: DCI comes up with an idea that would earn the corps monetary prizes i.e. come up with a music theme focusing on the great american compers such as Gershwhin. Porter, Bernstien etc. It would not have to be a yearly contest but perhaps a one time event.

I was invited to a DCI contest this past Saturday, July 21, wherein the top 5 DCI corps were involved. I have been involved in the drum corp activity since 1957(Racine Scouts) and I still march with an alumni corp. And still enjoy it to the max. I decided to go to the show as it was an invitation from one of my customers and so I felt obligated-and I thought Madison was going to be there. I have not gone to a junior Show in 10 years, I used to be an avid follower of the corp scene until the corps started to get a little too symphonic-so to speak. I saw it coming late in the 80's. The majority of the corps were still playing music that was appealing to the audience but I remember Phantom Regiment beginning to go the "symphonic" way. I call it that as opposed to anything else. I could see music was beginning to change because Phantom was winning and other corps were beginning to follow suit. and the judges were going for it. The Saturday night show was an awakenig to me. I have never been so disappointed and so bored at a drum corp show. The woman who sat next to said she really enjoyed watching the kids do all the intricate stuff on the field but she did not recognize any of the music. The Blue Devils and Blue Coats have lost their identity. Years ago I could tell who the corp was just by the music they played. It is impossible now. They are all playing the same of music and it is all in the stratosphere. Why is it that they are going there-because the judges are, in essence, telling them to. I saw Madison on you-tube last year because everyone was telling me about their show. They were fantastic . They refuse to play the game. I just cannot believe these shows are drawing the same audience numbers they used to. At the end of the Blue Devil show nobody stood up to applaud as no one knew the show was over. SO SAD!