SuncoastCrown

I agree.

Nice well constructed and illuminating argument. I feel like I understand much of the bickering on DCP now a little better. The really big question is whether or not there is a solution that would fix those issues and make DCI stronger. I for one, am interested in hearing possible solutions, but I also wonder how many agree that these are issues that need to be fixed. Any ideas?

Wow, That's out of this world!

I love how they hit those high notes :)

Same here.

I liked SCV better than BD. I sure wish the judges had seen it my way.

SCV really lit it up. Awesome. Easily the best so far.

i went to the show two years ago and sat in an aisle seat on the bottom row on the 40. The seat was fairly comfortable with a back on it. I don't remember whether or not there was arm rests. The thing I remember the most though was how very tight the rows are. Granted, I am 6' and about 280, but my knees rested on the rail in front of me. I am so glad I didn't sit in the middle of the section--it would have been real uncomfortable. I am going again this year and taking an aisle seat again.

I'm guessing from the sky in pics there is no chance of a rain out.

I think it's coming along nicely. Thanks for posting.

I believe Crown made the trip out west in 2013, and their butting heads with BD all season probably helped them in the run for the gold. I could see why they don't make that run every year, though, as the increased cost is probably quite a bit. If I were them, why would I do that every year if I didn't have to? I sympathize with the point of the original post though. If I lived on the west coast I wouldn't be happy with this current arrangement either.

Interesting explanation. If I understand you correctly, I believe that the judges' scoring is more subjective analysis based on the opinions and preferences of the judge than it is concrete objective direction driven by policy makers at DCI. Obviously, there is some of both, but I wonder how much of each is at play in judging. Using your BD example, I wonder if BD might not have scored lower because there was a type of evaluation from the judges being exercised that was not reflected in the written objective guidelines. It sounds to me like there is some guesswork involved by the drum corps in understanding what the judges want. As successful an organization as BD is, I would think that they would have been quicker at adapting if the changes were actually stated policies of evaluation.

Who then, decides the direction in which judging changes and what is acceptable change and what is not?

Of course I voted for Crown, but like many others, I love Academy's show and I am rooting for them to break the top 12 this year. If Crown doesn't take gold this year, i hope Bloo takes it.

Nice pics. Thanks for sharing.