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Maybe we are trying to be appreciative of a corps who doesn't have to give us anything to enjoy until the summer. Since you're so critical maybe you should start appreciating every corps instead of finding immature ways to surpass the text filters. Thanks.

Mr. Hopkins just posted a new video of the Cadets hornline playing something (from their show I'm guessing) on his facebook page. All I can say is holy mother of god this is going to be a great season for the Cadets if they keep that up!

I think you need to chill out and enjoy drum corps, from the field to the cramped room where they are playing, drum corps is drum corps, and that IS an amazing video. If you honestly dont like it either A - You dont like drum corps, or B - You are too arrogant and pigheaded to admit you do.

I think there can be a balance. I don't think groups should do shows just for the sake of appealing to the music nerds in the crowd, but I don't think groups should abandon that part of the fan base either. I think the fact that there are shows like SCV's and Madison's in 2010 at the same time is fantastic. DCI isn't in any position to abandon any part of its fan base at the moment. I think a group that seems to have found a good way to walk the line is Phantom. I keep going back to Spartacus, but its a great example of entertaining the heck out of the crowd, and still having a lot of deep content to appeal to the nerds in the crowd (like myself). I still believe the music should come first, but obviously if you're not entertaining the crowd, you're not selling tickets. There is room for both, and I think to forsake one for the other (regardless of which one) would be a huge mistake.

I wasn't one who went to the bathroom either; however watch the crowd reaction on the videos of the two shows I referenced then you will understand my sarcasm. This is about entertainment and ticket sales at a "commercial event", not music appreciation 101 or theory classes at a university. That is where the rock scene has it together and DCI does not. The bigger the crowd reaction means the more they are being entertained; the more they are being entertained means the more people will buy tickets to the next event; and that, ladies and gentlemen, is what the primary focus should be for a commercial venue like DCI; not this high academic musical education values system where musical appreciation is being taught to the uneducated.

The Cadets would be destroyed if they had to use restrictor plates.

Very nice prediction, I hope your close.

Haha, great minds think alike. I JUST posted about this. I can't wait to see their show this summer.

Strawman. Drum corps music doesn't stand still either. Or soccer, the world's most popular spectator sport. Maybe. They outdraw DCI finals. Yes, we can. ($1 to Obama) Ironic that you point to fife and drum corps (which still exist), as supposed proof that we "can't go back". What military "remnants" did drum corps shed? Rifles - still there. Sabres - still there. Flags - still there. Shakos - still there. Cadet-style uniform - still there. Flag presentation - there's one. Not a convincing case for the eradication of military devices from drum corps. Not that there hasn't been an effort....it was just this past decade that the "comma" was going to make the "rifle" obsolete in DCI auxiliary. Actually, no, it doesn't. Drum corps is a sport. Like most sports, contestants strive to score points while operating within the confines of the rules of the sport. Inevitably, those rules prohibit some portion of the tools that "wider society" provides, so that there is a particular challenge, or "sport", in the pursuit of achievement with limited tools. Just as soccer has no innate drive toward incorporating unlimited use of hands, drum corps has no innate drive toward incorporating new elements of society. If it did, show music would be performed in the studio, professionally mixed for playback at showtime, and contests would be judged by celebrities, audience text-messaging, or number of Facebook friends (or some combination of the three). Yes, society changes. But our sports and hobbies are not compelled to mirror every one of those changes.

Fixed. Strawman. I agree there....it isn't easy. In practice, it is not nearly as simple as the cliches suggest.

When you're headed in the wrong direction, a step back is a step in the right direction. (Now don't make us bring up New Coke, the DCI Associate Championship, or other such examples.)

OK, it's settled. Now go tell Hopkins that all those band kids he says "grow up plugged in" are wrong.

I 'd hate to see INT fall like this from it's customary middle of the pack slotting.

predictions you can bank on: whoever scores highest wins. if someone doesnt like a corps show, they are a hater. if someone doesnt get a corps show, they'll be told to research and stop being stuck in the 70's. if someone doesnt like BD's show, Plan will tell them it's because BD wins and they want someone new. if anyone criticizes a rule, MikeD will say we need no rules. the passion of the season will probably see someone get banned, and several people get suspensions. people in the DCI Forum will call DCA people old and out of touch. people in the DCA forum will call DCI people young punks with no respect for history. People will ##### if a show isn't done by late June. finals night the place will crash as scores are announced. at Allentown, you will hear someone warm up during a ballad. I will make sure to ignore Facebook chat when watching Fan Network live broadcasts. I will write a review for DCI or DCA or both guaranteed to #### someone off. Bawker will have great smart ### comments Lance will play devils advocate for the sake of playing devils advocate. Someone will like waffles, but be told Belgian Waffles are better and have more depth. I could go on, but this should be a start

I'm with atucker on this, 100%. Shows like SCV 2010 are what draw me in. It would be horrible to lose that kind of creativity.

Sweet. Smiling all the way to work, thanks Cadets.

I didn't say (and dont' believe) that drum corps needs to play contemporary music. What I said is it can't freeze itself in time by not incorporating electronics into the repetoire. Drum corps' biggest problem is the growing gap between its obviously uncontemporary style and the modern music environment. Where we saw synthesizers as mysterious new gadgets (expensize ones at that), today's young people grow up with tone-bending power at their PCs, if not their smartphones. Electronics in music, including marching band, are convenient. It's also part of the musical language. We can't take that retrograde step. It would be the ultimate geek move. We would mark ourselves as more irrelevant than ever. And we all know how irrelevant we've been. As I said, it would be equivalent to mandating that the guard must be female or can't wear a uniform different from the rest of the corps. Those once made sense in the contemporary context. Banning electronics just wouldn't make sense to a generation that grew up with different possibilities. HH

Better view it while you can before he takes it down. By the way, I'm looking forward to Cadets this year.

There is no one solution, IMHO. Before you come up with solutions, you have to accurately define the problem. If someone just throws out a comment that "attendance is down", that is not the problem - that is just a symptom of the problem(s). (On a side note, the thought that attendance is down is thrown around DCP like it is a universal truth - with no definition or context. Attendance is down for Finals? probably - have you seen the economy recently? Kinda scary over the last couple years. How about attendance in Atlanta, Denver or my local home show? Maybe, maybe not. But I digress.) There are many root causes for "the problem". You need to identify all of those root causes and then you need to come up with solutions that address each of those issues. You can't prescribe medicine without an accurate diagnosis of the disease and expect a cure.

Electronics added virtually NO cost to drum corps in the scheme of things. I don't understand why people keep repeating this idea that it did. How many corps have doubled the number of tubas on the field in the last few years? At at least $5000 per horn, THAT'S a big hit to the pocketbook. I'd be shocked if any corps had more than $8000-$10000 total invested in their electronic package. Upping the numbers to 150 was actually a financial improvement to the corps. Most were already using 4 busses for touring, but at 130 members they had empty seats. Considering that adding 15 members paying a few thousand dollars each at essentially NO addition travel-related cost, it was one of the more fiscally sound changes that DCI has made in a while.

I like bacon. Now back to your regularly-scheduled DCP argument.

Interesting statement. Of we fine nine that attended semis and finals 2010, 2 were upset the 2nd day 'How come the placings today are the same as yesterday?' Good question! In my opinion the performance levels varied between the 2 days, however, we know there's more to it. On Sunday we went to Indy 500; toured the museum and track in the heat, very neat. Lady GaGa is intriguing as was Madonna, Cher, Marilyn. Lady GaGa is and will be fine. She has roots.

right now it runs approx. 80 horns, 30 percussion, and 40 guard. There are some minor differences in some of the numbers, but this is pretty much the baseline. Splits in the 3 different subcaptions vary as well. 8 snare/5 bass/4 tenor...maybe 4 cymbals, but usually not...and anywhere from 10 15 in the pit. 40 high brass (trumpets and mellos) and 40 low brass (euphs/baris and tubas) color guard usually seems to go flag spinners > rifle spinners > sabre spinners. 1-3 drum majors.... pre-heat the sunshine to 80 degrees...mix well with great tunes and cool marching. serve SCREAMING hot.... serves thousands...

Nope; here is the disconnect from the main-stream: If non-drum corps, non-marching band oriented people go to DCI Finals expecting Loud Music, Primal Rhythms, and Performer Stage Presence which connects to the audience in a euphoric manner (all of which rock concerts provide) they will be rather disappointed because what they will actually get is non-amplified Symphonic Brass Sounds which cannot fill the huge dome, complex rhythmic cheestafartabellyflops from the battery percussion, and an attempt at some semblance of stage presence of a Broadway production with the use of drill and props. And if they go to DCI Finals for the competitive side, they will also be disappointed because there is no real surprise or anticipation of the final outcome past say mid-July.

True. However, that SOMETHING doesn't necessarily have to be a transformative change to the base product. For instance, someone had an idea about marketing DCI's existing product to band kids by staging clinics at shows, and offering group discounted ticket packages to draw band kids to these events by the busload. The idea was good enough that it gained support among DCI leaders, and has seen widespread implementation.

After 40 years, I see no reason to follow or trust the elite corps directors who have taken drum corps to this point. I'd rather see if the non-elite corps have any innovative solutions (could they do worse?). But as long as the non-elites keep chasing the DCI promise land, I doubt true solutions will emerge <shrug>.

Well, they're spread out. There's no locale or region that can claim the "majority" of drum corps. Because they sell tickets. And would the South and West just not have any shows? (Granted, that would shorten the tour, but....)

1. But, we already know "the masses" aren't going to come to a drum corps show anyway. Major league baseball attendance is down. Should they incorporate electronics on the field to initiate "the masses"? NO, that would just be silly. You would completely alter a past-time that hasn't had a real change in over a century. Soccer? hasn't changed forever. the list goes on and on. Sports has about a bazillion more fans than drum corps can ever hope to have. The funny thing is, the individual sports don't change. "Ahh, but they don't have to..they already have the fans". They didn't change when they didn't have the fans either. Basketball hasn't changed much in over a century...3 point line...24 second clock...not much else, and those changes didn't alter the composition of the teams/sport. Baseball added the designated hitter...extremely minor in the grand scheme of baseball...other than that? unchanged. Soccer? While I don't have much knowledge of the sport, it's still 2 teams, one ball, and lots of running and kicking. You can't use the premise that LACK of change is making drum corps lose fans. Which leaves change... A poll was ran on DCP a while back and 95% of the responders either didn't want electric, or didn't care. 95%. I know that's just DCP people but why in the name of Cthulu are we pandering to 5%? No matter how much you say a poll on DCP means squat, that's just not true. It still shows a trend, and at least it was polling people that were already drum corps fans. 2. What it looks like is pretty low on my care list...what it SOUNDS like is at the top of the care list. I don't know if it's really possible to grow the activity in this day and age. Ultra niche activities rarely grow much. The secret is retention, while replacing those that die. Losing the "older" fan removes a larger chunk of income than gaining "younger" fans. Keeping a fan long enough to turn them into "older" fans is the trick, but you can't do that if you are constantly changing the entertainment media. The question becomes, Can DCI exist if the fan base stays numerically the same for years to come?

their presentations have changed...styles are different, but their INSTRUMENTATION hasn't...rock has and will be guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and sometimes brass/woodwind. rock and roll is PROOF that you don't need to screw with the instrumentation to get a vast array of different styles in one genre.

I understand why you say she is wasting her talent... but, it is worth noting that some people would describe what she is doing as maximizing her earning potential. If you had the chance to make $100,000/year in an orchestra (I'm not really sure how much orchestra musicians get paid), or $100,000,000* in 2011 alone, which would you choose? *forbes projection

So, then, why are DCI Directors saying there's a problem? Seems like you think everything's headed in the right direction. So, is there a problem, or isn't there?

Ahhh, but remember Master Orderone Cannoli that 5,000 wine spillers are the maximum number who attend any given symphony concert, and they sit silently and quietly on their hands with their mouths shut for 45 minutes (with people giving them annoying looks for even coughing) and only stand, clap, and say Bravo at the end of that 45 minuets. Whereas 100,000 beer drinking fans attend each U2 concert or competitive event like NASCAR and those fans whoop, holler, and spill beer throughout the entire event. And moreover, U2 and NASCAR are self-sufficient money making ticket selling machines whereas Symphonies need Foundations Grants, Rich Patrons, and Government Grants to even dream about surviving. So, IMO, if DCI wants to claim Major League Status and perform at Pro Stadiums attracting 60,000 fans to Finals, they need to start appealing to the Major League ticket buyers who attend music concerts like U2 or competitive activities like NASCAR.

I want to be amazed. Please provide a specific example (cite a user) of a die-hard fan being inconsistent regarding growing the activity and how they want it to look like it did back when they marched. I could be wrong (really), but I suspect that your interpretation of what they're saying may be a factor in your assessment.

Lets get some courage wolf. Your turn DCP http://memegenerator.net/Courage-Wolf

well then hell, i'm qualified to judge guard

Interesting. Now I'll have at least a partial answer to my on-going question, "What exactly do they make at that Eastlake plant?".

A lot of corps use the notch system. Good for king, less work for brass staffs

Ok so since I did one for last season I figure it be appropriate for me to do one for this season. To start off here's my corps history. I marched Pacific Crest 06-08 and the Bluecoats 09-10 and aged out this summer. (Best summer ever!) I'm going to throw in some things my mom, sister and girlfriend said about certain corps that they saw while at world championships. So here it goes. PIONEER First off, this is last place? Jeeze what a brass sound!!! And I feel the visual package is much improved from years past. Kudos to you. My only gripe with this show really besides it's obvious dirt was music ensemble timing. It was all over the place and made for awkward transitions between sections and impacts. But overall the intent was clear and not questionable. Also, the vocals were very professionally done by the members. I can't wait to see what you bring to DCI this summer! SIDE NOTE to those of you who think drum corps is deteriorating due to lack of corps and all that other rumored stuff, if these guys and gals are as achieving as well as they are then I say you rethink what you say....unless your opinion is about electronics..... CASCADES Wow what an improvement from last year in aggression, design and quality. Brass section sounded more full this year compared to last. Just like Pio, the visual product is better too. Percussion still overbalances though but I guess that'll go away when the hornline is a little bigger. Loved all the gimmicks and acts that were put out on the field (i.e golfing) and then the nice touch with the picnic at the end symbolizing the bad weather has passed and we can relax now. Good job. P.S Hope you guys liked Mike on vis staff! Also, funny incident. I think it was in the deep south this season where the announcer said your corps name after your 3rd movement thinking you were done and then you went on with your closer. Made me chuckle a little. JERSEY SURF Ok so this was a little weird for me. I'm ok with patriotic music but something just rubbed me..weirdly about this show. I mean, you performed the heck out of it but it just felt weird to me. By the way, your bari soloist did a fantastic job on ATB all jazzed up. Like the new unis too. TEAL SOUND Whoa, where did this swagger come from? I remember watching some of your open class performances from previous years and thinking "well, if they come into world class they might beat pioneer and cascades" but you did a bit more than that and with a performance attitude. Brass sound was balanced but there were several intonation and sound matching issues here and there which did make me cringe a little bit. And some nice amount of exposed difficulty in the brass book. I'm gonna go out on a limb here by saying I liked the touch of the guitar in Teals shows these past two years. That said, NOT EVERYONE SHOULD DO IT! But it works for Teal and definitely gives them a defined style and identity and they are doing something different that entertains!!! Keep it up!!! Also, definitely felt you should of topped Mandarins. MANDARINS In all honesty, I was excited for this show when I saw the music selections. Meetings Along the Edge is a great piece so seeing that made me smile. But the arrangement I felt didn't do it justice. Also, the drill seemed a little over the members heads. I could tell from not just the DVDs but the fannetwork that there were going to be visual performance issues and visual ensemble. The brass section also didn't sound as focused and refined in sound as the four corps that placed below them. What I did like though was that you guys tried to create an atmosphere and really took us to "Far Away Lands." I also liked the singing and the little drum grooves in there. Thought mellos were your strongest section musically. Hope things look up P.S Should have kept Robert Soto on your staff. PACIFIC CREST Two words, UNDER SCORED!!!! Ok ok so I'm a bit of a homer but holy %$#@!!! They were never that good when I was there or had that good of a detailed design!!! I mean we took it up visually when we did Vegas and musically with Primality but Jesus!!! Steven Estudillo was a great drill writer for his first year writing for corps ever. Brad Davis and the rest of the brass staff have really transformed that hornline into a monster too. The Maze effects and character moments were cool. Mom, sister and girlfriend really liked the ballad, but all three liked the movie I AM LEGEND so go figure right? My only gripe with this show was the arrangement of Asphalt Cocktail but that's for other obvious reasons. Machu Piichu was done very well though and I liked the double company front recap during Turbine. Ending drill was cool and intense and really brought the show to a close. Should have been closer to spirit and troop and in front of Xmen SIDE NOTE-Thanks for doing 3 pieces that have never been done on the field before. Especially one that I've been aching for and said in the "Music Corps should do" thread. I-vii-I-vi-V CROSSMEN I had really hoped that this Metheney show was going to be just as cool and well designed as your past few years shows which I really liked but this show really made me wanna make a hot dog (since I was at home and not a live show). I couldn't stand the arrangements or the drill. It just felt really flat and boring to me and I like Metheney too but I couldn't get into this show at all. I apologize for being harsh but your last show should've been on thursday this year. It didn't have that Crossmen stamp on it like your other shows have had. I wish you all the best of luck next season though cuz I really like bones to be honest. SPIRIT I saw this show and continually thought to myself "WHY ISN'T THIS SCORED (not placed) HIGHER?!?!" This had that old finalist Spirit feeling to it. Though the show was recycled music, it was still very well done and was noticeably different from the other versions. The ICON vocals didn't bother me much. Holy cow your brass pumps out some volume!!! And I'm sure the trumpets playing on harmons really helped them play louder after they took them out. Really dug the harmon mute part by the way. My only gripe with this show was that the ending didn't feel complete to me. It was missing that little bit of * insert masculine adjective here* to really bring the house down. Overall, a great package. TROOPERS I really dug this show! The music was cool and the drill demand was up from past years but I feel that may have hurt you more than help, but I'm glad to see troop take it up a notch in that category. Drumline was really good this year too since they caught my attention. Forgot to mention that with Spirit too. But I guess you're making yourselves notorious for that now. My absolute favorite part of this show is the trumpet solo to the end. I really dug that final push to the finish. Good job to the staff for designing that and good job to the members for selling it to me. ACADEMY Definitely a clean corps and they are heading back to where they were competitively in 2007 when they declared themselves Div.I/World Class save for one thing....I found this show boring. The only thing I can really remember was that the 2nd movement had a waltz kind of feel to it. But that was it. Brass, and drums were good. Whole corps was cleaner than last season so keep that up but entertain me more. (Really dug the Ascent last season). COLTS Another clean but boring show to me. But I'm not everyone so don't get yourselves down guys and gals, you still performed well and clean enough to get 13th and that's still something to be proud of. Memorable moments were the Pollack section and the jazzy trumpet duet, sounded awesome guys. Guard was good as usual for colts. I also dug last years show more than this one. OH! Go back to the red plumes, I think they go better with the uniform. GLASSMEN I liked some of this show, forgot the rest. Drum line was really good and after looking at the recaps are why you made/stayed in finals. I don't quite recall which movement it was, maybe the closer but the cross impact was one that stuck with me. Other than that I can't remember much. BLUE KNIGHTS Great horn sound and really loved the music choices. When I first heard about this show and the musical selections I was a bit iffy about it mainly because I wasn't to sure how the music from that earlier time period would translate on the field. But I was most certainly pleased with your show. One thing though, I don't mind the technique change so much but please still keep the dance and body movement in your shows like you have in the seasons previous. To me, that identified who the Blue Knights are/were. My girlfriend liked it with her performance background being in dance when I showed her previous shows. She liked the dance that was in there but unlike most, I wouldn't mind 20-32 counts more of it in the show next season. Also, I like loud MADISON SCOUTS Speaking of loud WOW! This is what I call a comeback and boy was it ever. I mean this show had so much going for it. My entire family loved it and decided to go to finals night earlier just to see it again. Tuba battles were cool, trumpet soloist was great. Drumline and guard were definitely selling their part. And who knew a show with no theme could go so well? Congrats scouts! BOSTON CRUSADERS I liked this show a lot. From the opening to the Shostakovitch, the jumping, the climbing on each others shoulders, and Rachmaninoff. Man I was digging this. I even liked the snare dueling. Kind of reminded me of blast's drum battle. Only one negative thing to say about this show and that's that the movement with the drum break was loud and yelling at me for a little too long. I felt more dynamic contrast would of made the ending of that movement more effective. Closer was awesome with conquest and the Blue Cathedral push to the end. Definitely made me smile. BLUE STARS Should have been 7th place!!!! This show was so awesome!!! Mellophones!!! You made me to involuntary and disgusting things you were so good. The guard was rocking their work and really drew me in when they would do some of the magic trick gimmicks. The drill was completely insane by the way. And what was cool about the drill this year was that your props didn't really get in the way of it. Having mobile props of reasonable size and with mobility capabilities help make the visual product of a show a little more exciting. Loved everything you did Blue Stars. Hope you guys enjoy Patrick and continue to enjoy Crafty as well. SCV I was so hyped for this show!!! Then I saw it......there were some parts though that I did like. When I heard that SCV was doing Bartok, I didn't even bother looking at the rep because I expected Allegro Barbarro to be on there. Boy was I wrong. That's what really got me down mostly so it's not really their fault, it's mine for not doing the research. Though I will say, all those crazy tempo changes were extremely well handled I felt. It impressed me. Also I liked the drill package this year since it conveyed what I was hearing. Can't wait to see what you have for us this year though Quick Top 6 thoughts PHANTOM Lots of love here. The show was one of the best designs out there. It just wasn't clean enough all around. Brass sound was really unfocused and visual was dirty. I don't think I need to talk about the percussion mainly since they gave me the same reaction Blue Stars mellos did. Hope they do well without Paul this season. Funny story that some might relate to: It was towards the end of the season and Phantom started to win drums again after we were winning Atlanta and such. I was wondering to myself "how the hell are they beating our battery?" Quarterfinals night, we walk by their battery and I heard how crisp every articulation was and fought to try and keep my mouth closed. CADETS Family liked this show a lot. I liked it mainly cuz the brass played their ###3$ off the entire show I felt. Battery was meh. Geoffrey didn't bother me much. Over all I liked it. CAROLINA CROWN Please stop changing uniforms!!! lol but seriously. Anyways, really like the music to this show, I don't mind listening to it too much. Some very cool drill. I liked the recap of last years ending. Really conveyed the them well. Also, I hope the injured mello guy is doing well in his recovery. P.S Please stop playing every impact in just Bb!!!!! There are 11 other keys you can play in and still sound great playing them!!! BLUECOATS Best show I was every part of. Also some of the hardest and awesome drill I ever marched (Thanks Tim Fairbanks). Timing in the closer was a @#$%& cuz you know that guy that's all the way in the back corner at the end of the ballad and stays in no mans land for half the closer? Ya that was me. Great show to age out too and was the cleanest show I've ever been. Color Guard, you guys came out of nowhere and I still can't take my eyes off you when I watch the show. CAVALIERS Definitely a climb up and struggle for you guys this season so congrats on climbing up from 5th to 2nd this season. Guard was great and overall the package was entertaining. But the brass was not doing it for me and the drill was dirty for my Cavalier standards. I felt Samuris and Great Divides drill was better executed but that's just me. Loved the groove/my rifle section. But that was it. Good season boys! BLUE DEVILS Ok so this show is the opposite of last years for me. Last year I could close my eyes and listen to the show and be fine. This year, it's cover my ears and watch the show. I was looking forward to this show when I saw La Suerte do los Tontos listed which is still to this date one of my favorite charts BD has done, and I was also excited to see Kenton on the list. Then I heard it and it seriously sounded like my brothers hockey team trying to play music. It wasn't going to happen. Though I did dig the shout section when you guys did the jazz running block. Liked 2 of the mirror gimmicks. 1. When you played the first loud impact into the mirrors instead of the crowd and 2. The DM teleporter. Please go back to regular Jazz shows and not this atonal stuff. And I don't agree that this is Star 93 of today because well, a hockey team cannot play drum corps, simple as that lol. Also, you have a great soloist who will be with you for the next few years, might be able to top Scott Dean (P.S this kid was the soloist in Pacific Crest for Luck Be A Lady in 07...when he was 14!!!). Use him to your advantage. I felt the solos were just white noise on top of white noise when they happened. Just please, play jazz like you use to? I love it when ya'll do that. Anyways that's my review. Again, my opinions might be similar to others but they aren't everyones opinions so don't take to heart everything I say....unless you feel Obligated to.

I have no opinion on this, as it can only be an individual decision with so many variables as someone said. One comment I have to make though, is the comments about the costs of the electronics contributing to the increase of tuition. While I am no real fan of the A&E on the sidelines, the costs are trivial in the scheme of things. Even a rack of top-of-the-line amps and speakers, and a synth or two is likely no more than about $10k, and most of that is a one-time purchase of gear that will be used for several seasons. That's about the cost of two tubas. Considering the hundreds of thousands of dollars most corps spend on equipment, and hundreds more on travel, the cost of the electronics probably amounts to about $25 per member. Not a factor when we're talking about $2000-$3000 total costs.

So what the OP is saying, is that we should reward corps that don't perform better than the Bucs just for the sake of saying we have a different champion...THAT would turn off more fans than seeing the Bucs win every year, IMHO. The Bucs have won their titles because they were the best in each respective year. If you don't like it, work at being better and beat them on the field. It's that simple. FWIW, I thought this past season could have seen the streak come to an end...MBI really "brought it" and it wouldn't have been a total shock if they had emerged victorious. The surest way to kill your fan base is to see that the best performing corps doesn't win...in which case they're reduced to performing in exhibition. This concept would also have a negative effect on whatever corps DID win if you put this in place...you would have members that would decide there was no compelling reason to march when you knew from the start that you were reduced to performing in exhibition. They might just decide not to march ANYWHERE that season...and that hurts the corps AND the activity as a whole. If they wanted to march in a non-competitive environment, there are plenty of alumni corps that would afford them the opportunity. Besides, how would YOU feel if you were a member of a corps that won the title, but you KNEW that the only reason you won was because the better corps wasn't allowed to win? To me as a MM, that would lessen the meaning of that championship-because we weren't truly the best. If you don't want the Bucs to win, bring a better corps.

I come from a community where all of that is pretty much assumed as default. Hence I never saw a need to have a separate word for it. Interesting.

No problem. Internet access is on its way to becoming ubiquitous and context-free, with the rise of the smartphone and now tablet computers with 3G. The "security" I care about is that of knowing all of my data is accessible by me anywhere at any time on any device.

Most people aren't, actually, at least not when it comes to something like that.

Incidentally this is the first time I've ever seen the word "scientism."

Not really. Flash drives have largely been replaced by services such as Dropbox.

I am one of those people.

No better way to concede an argument than by turning it into a joke.

There are countless elements of show design that transcend "taste."

Or picture someone like Troopers or Crossmen doing "Homeward Bound" as an opener. That would rock.