trudy

There was a winterguard in Maryland who did a unicorn show this winter: (Of course they stopped at Starbucks in uniform during the unicorn frappuccino craze..)

"Target high schoolers" and "Market to high schoolers" isn't really the best way to word it. They don't specifically reach out to those members, however they specifically cater to the high school schedules in the Northeast (New Jersey doesn't get out until mid June). Their education "philosophy" (for lack of a better word) is also specifically catered towards those who are newer to the activity. There's a very big difference in teaching styles if you're on the brass staff at a Crown or Blue Devils and have your pick of the best brass players versus being on the brass staff at a Surf or Mandarins and you have to work on building them up to a high level. I would argue that to some degree, instructional staff work "harder" (again, for lack of a better word) at the lower placing corps because they get members of all skill levels, versus instructional staff at a top 5 corps, who get their pick of the best. Being a former member of the administration at Surf, I can say for a fact that it is NOT a specific administrative decision to not place well. As I said before though, it is a specific administrative decision to provide the experience of marching a World Class corps to those who wouldn't otherwise be able to make the monetary or time commitment to a top level corps. This, along with the education aspect lead to attracting younger members, and those with less experience. Because of catering to northeast high school schedules, Surf doesn't move in until mid June, a month after most top corps. Younger, less experienced talent + Moving in a month later = Lower placement. Though as I said in my original post, right now for Jersey Surf, the aspects mentioned above are more of a priority than winning a DCI Championship. Not saying that will never change, but right now, that's the priority and they are happy with that decision. To the point of whether the above philosophy should apply to Worlds Class or Open Class, there are definite advantages to being a World Class corps, especially monetary. I personally see no disadvantage to being a World Class corps. If you claim corps like Surf bring down the image of DCI's World Class, that it should be limited to the top marching ensembles in the world, I will point out that the Jersey Surf is still one of the top 30 marching ensembles in the World. If you consider all of the marching units in the world, is still a pretty big feat.

So the definition of "World Class" is that you are striving to be in the top 12? You can only call yourself "World Class" if your priority is competitive? There are MANY other factors that separate Open Class from World Class, even down to sponsorship that are only offered to World Class corps.

This almost exactly hits the nail on the head. Surf specifically strives to provide the opportunity to allow members to march a "World Class" corps who wouldn't be able to otherwise march a top 12 corps, whether financially or time commitment wise. Having been connected with the organization for several years I can tell you there are some things they do wonderfully, and some things they struggle with, but the thing they do the best is educate. The staff there are by far some of the best educators in the activity and it is a wonderful place to start off in the drum corps activity. I would bet almost every one of the top 12 corps has former Surf member. So to answer "Why does Surf do so bad?" They don't. They do really well at what they set out to do. By judging them by placement, you're just judging them like judging a fish by how well it can climb a tree.

And Crown apparently?

1. Blue Devils 2. SCV 3. Bluecoats 4. Crown 5. Boston 6. Cavies 7. Phantom 8. Cadets 9. Blue Knights 10. Academy 11. Blue Stars 12. Crossmen