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Or at least cut down on it a little. I like it, but too much just doesn't look great.

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Exactly. I'm with you there. I've got a championship ring, and it sits at home in it's box, and only comes out maybe twice a year for very special occasions. Sure, it was awesome to win it, but it's still just a piece of metal. The memories make up for far more than a medal or ring ever will.

I will start, unlike many, disclosing my identity: Scott Markham (so I don't appear to hide behind a nickname). Michael, I'm sure this will be removed immediately, because people are typically not allowed to speak their true opinions in these forums. I have been polite and respectful when communicating with you...just trying to pick your brain about where you want to take us, and how we may move forward in regards to how we adjudicate/evaluate..and you have began to speak out/attack me publically. I'm sorry I don't love the show, but I do respect your freedom of choice, success, and contributions...I'm just a little disappointed you have responded in such a negative and combative way. Respectfully, I don't think anyone is attacking you, your staff, or your members. When you choose to try to 'revolutionize' or take great risks, it's going to stir up a lot of discussion; and some of that may be debate or negative opinions. I personally don't think anyone is even talking about your performers; they are challenging your choices and your delivery of those choices...and by taking those great risks, your performers are part of your 'art'. I certainly hope that your students aren't taking the debate or discussions personally. I hope they take great pride in being a part of something that sparks discussion; regardless of medals or not. Many of our beloved groups took huge risks. and never came close to winning...and were/are very proud of their contributions. If you've ever been to a real art gallery, you know that the purpose is to invoke discussion...the artist is very aware of this. They do not stand by their work and claim how 'standard setting' and 'box 6' it is. I strongly believe the activity decides what sets its standard...not the designers forcing opinions about their own creativity. Respectfully, my personal thoughts on the production (my opinion...and hopefully, I'm entitled?) do not really concern the content; it's the forceful delivery/message, then your response to the discussion. You said to me recently (and I quote) "Liking it is not even something I consider when I designed the program.. Moving the art form forward is". But when someone (like me) questions how/why it is 'moving the activity forward', a phrase you are attaching to your art, you seem to chastise them. Finally, I have a GREAT love for this activity...I love that we all look different and have our own voice. For me personally, much of what I love about guard is omitted from your show (which is part of your message). In regards to the whole 'destroying art thing'...don't you consider some may think you may be doing just that by claiming to "set standards" in a way that somewhat strays from what our activity is conventionally about? Your choices (and awards) don't mean I must think the activity will be changed. This is what slightly offends me: you communicated to me recently (and I quote): "Box 6 says "Setting new standards" some guards stand around doing rehashed work and visual ideas and expect new reward." For me, I personally don't want my groups to look like yours...but attacking others is exactly what you are speaking out about. Your new form of art is really in it's birth...two years now...prior to that, some could reference your comment about rehashed work and visual ideas about your past work. Perhaps we are all just in different phases of our creativity and our opinions about where the activity goes...and thank GOD for that. I believe that art is to challenge people...but it is not to force the direction of art. I'm saddened that I contacted you to learn about your process and then discuss the possibility of changes to our evaluation system based on where you see the artform going...and you perceived my discussion as nothing but an attack. I mean no disrespect to your choices, group, or organization. Scott Markham

I just remembered reading an article a while ago by comedian Bill Maher that relates to our current structure in DCI. Now, you may not agree with his politics, beliefs, or crude delivery style, but you have to agree that he makes some great points. And before any of you start to go down the erroneous path and say, "but those fat-cat, millionaire NFL players may go on strike this year. Is that what you want? DCI to go on strike!?!?!" First of all, that may not happen and I sincerely think they'll reach a deal. Second, yes the player do deserve to be compensated fairly if the owners want to extend the season by 2 games. The players are the ones that pay the price with their bodies (much like DCI members) and there have been many injuries in the past few years. If adding 2 more games cuts the amount of years they can play, it severely cuts into their ability to make a living. Can you remember the last time the NFL went on strike? I'll help: it was 1987 for 24 hours (reducing the season from 16 games to 15). How about the MLB? Well, I don't follow baseball and I could remember 2 off the top of my head: 1994-95 and 1990. Here's all of them: 1972 Major League Baseball strike 1981 Major League Baseball strike 1990 Major League Baseball lockout 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike And here's the full article: New Rule: With the Super Bowl only a week away, Americans must realize what makes NFL football so great: socialism. That's right, for all the F-15 flyovers and flag waving, football is our most successful sport because the NFL takes money from the rich teams and gives it to the poor teams... just like President Obama wants to do with his secret army of ACORN volunteers. Green Bay, Wisconsin has a population of 100,000. Yet this sleepy little town on the banks of the ####-if-I-know River has just as much of a chance of making it to the Super Bowl as the New York Jets - who next year need to just shut the hell up and play. Now, me personally, I haven't watched a Super Bowl since 2004, when Janet Jackson's nipple popped out during half time, and that split-second glimpse of an unrestrained black titty burned my eyes and offended me as a Christian. But I get it - who doesn't love the spectacle of juiced-up millionaires giving each other brain damage on a giant flat-screen TV with a picture so realistic it feels like Ben Roethlisberger is in your living room, grabbing your sister? It's no surprise that some 100 million Americans will watch the Super Bowl next week - that's 40 million more than go to church on Christmas - suck on that, Jesus! It's also 85 million more than watched the last game of the World Series, and in that is an economic lesson for America. Because football is built on an economic model of fairness and opportunity, and baseball is built on a model where the rich almost always win and the poor usually have no chance. The World Series is like Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. You have to be a rich ##### just to play. The Super Bowl is like Tila Tequila. Anyone can get in. Or to put it another way, football is more like the Democratic philosophy. Democrats don't want to eliminate capitalism or competition, but they'd like it if some kids didn't have to go to a crummy school in a rotten neighborhood while others get to go to a great school and their Dad gets them into Harvard. Because when that happens "achieving the American dream" is easy for some, and just a fantasy for others. That's why the NFL runs itself in a way that would fit nicely on Glenn Beck's chalkboard - they literally share the wealth, through salary caps and revenue sharing - TV is their biggest source of revenue, and they put all of it in a big commie pot and split it 32 ways. Because they don't want anyone to fall too far behind. That's why the team that wins the Super Bowl picks last in the next draft. Or what the Republicans would call "punishing success." Baseball, on the other hand, is exactly like the Republicans, and I don't just mean it's incredibly boring. I mean their economic theory is every man for himself. The small market Pittsburgh Steelers go to the Super Bowl more than anybody - but the Pittsburgh Pirates? Levi Johnston has sperm that will not grow up and live long enough to see the Pirates in a World Series. Their payroll is about $40 million, and the Yankees is $206 million. They have about as much chance at getting in the playoffs as a poor black teenager from Newark has of becoming the CEO of Halliburton. That's why people stop going to Pirate games in May, because if you're not in the game, you become indifferent to the fate of the game, and maybe even get bitter - that's what's happening to the middle class in America. It's also how Marie Antoinette lost her head. So, you kind of have to laugh - the same angry white males who hate Obama because he's "redistributing wealth" just love football, a sport that succeeds economically because it does exactly that. To them, the NFL is as American as hot dogs, Chevrolet, apple pie, and a second, giant helping of apple pie. But then again, they think they're macho because their sport is football, when honestly - is there anything gayer than wearing another man's shirt?

crown and bd already competing it seems...who will announce first?!?!?!?!?! i'm going to say only a winner will announce first. losers wait.... hurry hurry hurry hurry

Not sure but I think he might be referring to the actual Fan Favorite Award (in which case I think he may be right).

I think that both winning and entertaining the audience come into play for everyone. Though, I don't believe that anyone actually thinks "how can we make this boring?" when they're designing a show. It's just that some have different ideas of "exciting" than others. The designers and staff at Crown certainly know how to make things exciting for the people in the stands.

Disregard. Only someone who has not marched drum corps or had a poor experience in drum corps could NOT recommend drum corps. Though it's easy to see from the consumer side of the house; the music is the visible product. Welcome to drum corps! Whether you play ridiculous literature or "drum corps music," the real experience will trump that by far! Contact corps staff - explain your situation and express your willingness and openness to learn!

REALLY? I know and work with some of their staff and I believe they are in it to win it. I would say other than the past 2 years I would agree how entertaining as well as innovative they were, the past 2 years not so much. Maybe innovative on some level for judges..ughhhh... jmo

Perhaps a better title for this thread would be Why the NFL Rules, and MLB Droolz. I like baseball, the sport, more than football, but no argument that MLB is a hot mess.

Umm, you ever bother to compare the FA weather predictions with what the weather actually ended up being? They have a record of being more accurate than the weather channel. Just sayin.

It's a bad idea to overhype. Then you do something different than you do in rehearsal (do you overhype then?) and make a mistake.

I have no idea who you are Scott Markham but I do understand and appreciate your pen. Very well said. I applaud you. Good Luck to all the competing guards. I will be checking WGI.org for scores. I had been going back and forth about purchasing a fan network subscription but Mr Lentz has convinced me to spend my money elsewhere.

I applaud your well thought-out words and intellectual response. This is exactly what the forums are meant for....to have a discussion (albeit passionate at times)about our activity. I've largely stayed out of this 'topic' b/c there's really no right answer. But I had to let you know that I wish more people would lay out their thoughts and posts like you. Your forethought is greatly appreciated and refreshing! Please keep posting! On a lighter note...I'd love to see someone wrapped in cellophane riding a bicycle while holding an american flag...now that's art!

If I saw every corps doing the dancing, body work that crown currently does in their show it would be boring. However, crown's approach to visual, though sometimes not strong, has become a characteristic of the corps. I actually enjoy their approach to movement because it's just a contrast from what some of the other corps are doing. But like everything, if I saw EVERY corps doing it like this, it might get a little old. But as of now, I think Crown should just perfect their style rather than just completely eliminate it.

There really isn't a discussion about crown's "uniforms". They are most definitely uniforms. Because the definition of "uniform" has NOTHING to do with the style its in, the colors used, whether its fashionable, or symbolic. So, both the cadets and crown BOTH have uniforms. One is more traditional, symbolic, and another is more modern, artistic. It's not that you're against "costumes", you're just against modern, non-traditional uniforms (which ARE, by definition, still uniforms). And that's more acceptable to say than "you don't like 'costume change'".

Those are all good. Jerry Noonan, North Star Corps from Massachusetts in 1978-80, was also one of the best DCI soprano soloist " screamers " too. Some of the very best soprano soloist " screamers " have been found in the Senior Corps and DCA competing Corps too, some of whom never marched DCI Drum Corps. Just thought I'd put in a plug for some of them too.

Sky Ryder Alumni Scholarship Campaign To help keep the spirit and memory of the Sky Ryders alive, several alumni came up with the idea of adopting an active drum and bugle corps and creating a Sky Ryder Alumni Scholarship Fund. The Blue Stars were selected, as this corps shares many of the same values as the Sky Ryders, and the Blue Stars has been very welcoming to several of our Alumni, providing them with a new drum corps family and home. Recipients will know that their scholarship comes directly from Alumni of the Sky Ryders, there will be acknowledgement of donations from the Sky Ryder Alumni on the Blue Stars web page, as well as acknowledgement in programs for shows hosted by the Blue Stars. Please help the members reach their goal of becoming a member of the Blue Stars and help the Sky Ryder name live on through your donations! The campaign continues until April 15, 2011. Shortly after, the scholarship money will be awarded to help Blue Star member(s) with the last bit of their tour fees for 2011. Donations to the Scholarship Fund are eligible for deductions as charitable contributions on your personal income taxes (if you itemize). Please consult your tax advisor if you have questions about the income tax treatment for your contribution. https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=donation&d=7d98b617b33f6ad46e1117d1417a7a47

Its a QUOTE. Read the original. Don't twist it to give evidence to your cause. Chill out :) It's JUST colorguard.

Well, the Blue Stars had a soft announcement in a fund raising email sent to alumni and supporters and posted on their Web site.

So... instead of speculating something like that, why doesn't the corps just say "we're holding out on releasing any information because of copyright issues." Corps don't even tell us that much, even though that would be a perfectly acceptable reason. I mean even if a corps said "We're lazy and want to milk it." I'd take it because at least it's honest!

Eh, I'm not sure I agree with that. For one thing, there may well be copyright considerations that have yet to be worked out, in which case you may actually land the corps in some hot water accidentally. But even beyond that, as much I think corps should be dropping bits of info early and often to build hype, it's still their decision not to, and I respect that decision. I might tell some close friends, but with the understanding that it's not to be blared all over Facebook or DCP. Hell, if everyone on DCP were to post anything and everything they know right now, I bet we'd know just about everything about just about every corp's show. The reason we don't do that is because we respect the corps' choice of confidentiality, even though we may disagree.

I'm a bigger sports fan than I am a drum corps fan, but I've never understood why people on this board are so obsessed with sports analogies. Until drum corps becomes a for-profit business in which the marching members actually paid these comparisons are useless. Then we can think about drafts, trades, pay caps, revenue sharing, etc. -- all of which have more to do, after all, with maximizing profits for all involved and not socialism, parity, or helping the weak. As for the article itself, no one who is familiar with how the business of American sports works can take it seriously. Just another example of Maher's talent, which he shares with his fellow blowhards on the right, for distorting a complex reality to fit his simple-minded, black and white worldview.

I would have to present Avon World on this comment.... i think their show is very retro in an updated way. The tarp, the costumes, the equipment work.... we can't go all the way back but I think they are fun and really fresh. It's entertaining and ya don't have to think about it. Just sit back and enjoy! GOOD LUCk AVON!

It's a tense time for everyone so you saying this is cause for the post being locked. The time is too tense. Wait until after WGI.

I know that the gold horns last year were hardly a coincidence, but yes, I honestly believe that entertaining the audience is a very very high priority. I know someone fairly high up in the organization and every year that I ask him about the summer production, he tells me how much he thinks the fans will love it before anything else. I don't doubt that Crown would love to win a championship, but I just don't think that it's the first thing they think about when designing a show. Just my opinion, though. I could be wrong.

I think they should add a box 7 and make it the nice box. It would be nice.

<3 Carmel, SCV, Braddock, and South Shore.

I'll have to abstain from voting on that one. To me it's more of a seasonal thing. Football = winter = marching band. Baseball = summer = Drum Corps (more or less). I know that might seem weird, but that's usually the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of the subject.

This quote makes about as much sense as your show. One does NOT have to be able to create art to understand it.

except not all shows on the Fan network are live.

Oh Brasso, you're too much...

Pretty sure this is part of an SAT test question.

art? how arrogant,it's art applique at best. let me remind you that it's twirling rifles,sabres and flags in a gymnasium. i guess it's "art" in the same way some would consider a macrame' plant hangar "art"!

from what I can tell, Crossmen and Forte have a joint public performance on the 17th. So at least some groups are trying to join together to promote local drum corps. Do you really think that Texas corps wouldn't want to have the chance to have their souvie trucks open at a Texas show? That would seem to be bad decision making, in my view.

You can reshape a turd to look like ice cubes floating in the punchbowl and claim it's getting better but it's still crap spoiling the punch.

DOUG...WHERE ARE YOU ?....WE NEED YA,,HEHEHEHE

Here is something I put together for the similar thread in the historical section a few years ago. This research was conducted using the 1972-1999 DCI era. I also used quantity of recorded material as a criteria to make the list-so the more recorded material available benefited that performer. Greatest Soprano Soloists of DCI Being a former trumpet player, I may be slightly biased, but I can’t think of anything else I would rather listen to than a skillful soprano soloist backed by a great hornline. Obviously these results are subjective and some certainly are charged by my own personal emotions when I was listening to these performers. All of these gifted individuals marched in junior drum corps during the DCI era (1972-1999). 10) Hunter Moss-Spirit of Atlanta 1984 & 1985. One word comes to mind when you listen to Hunter play-style. His velvet tone and impeccable style set him apart from most players in the activity. His clarity in the upper range rang out over the hornline. 9) Morgan Larson-Madison Scouts 1984, 1985 & 1986. Co-owner of the highest note in DCI history. Morgan’s double F in 1986 will live forever on the DCI albums. I once heard Morgan’s opening solo in 1985’s Rhadsody In Blue after spending several hours with John Georgeson (the Scout’s brass arranger at the time). For the next couple of days Morgan absolutely nailed this solo and I was convinced that this moment would set Morgan in a league of his own in the DCI history books. Unfortunately he had some consistency issues with this solo for the rest of the year and was unable to maintain the amazing phrasing. I also remember him as being able to change the sound of a horn like no other player I have every heard. One time he was playing and I swore he was playing a piccolo trumpet, come to find out he was just changing the sound of the horn with his air-unbelievable. 8) Greg Blum-Colts 1980 & 1981. I consider showmanship a huge part of being a great DCI soloist. In this category Greg stands alone. Known as ‘Harpo’ because of his crazy blonde afro, Greg’s rendition of Summertime from Porgy and Bess demonstrated Greg’s attention-grabbing tone quality and incredible ability to play in every register of the horn with impeccable velvet tone and crisp projection . 7) Al Chez-Garfield Cadets 1981 &1982. If high note chops were the only criteria on this list Al would probably top the list. His double F in 1982 is the highest note played in DCI history (tied in 1986 by Morgan Larson-see #9). For me, it was his solo work in 1981 that best demonstrated the power and excitement of a great performer. He now performs on the Late Show with Letterman and his high note chops are better than ever! 6) Jerry Noonan-North Star 1979 & 1980. The best trait of Jerry was the way he could make his sound pop out of an ensemble. Not pop out in a bad way, but pop out in a good (Buddy Rich Big Band lead trumpet) way. His solo work featured his tremendous upper register chops as well as his superb ability to show off his acrobatic flexibility. His solo work in Ole in both 1979 and 1980 featured every quality of this fine player. 5) Adam Rappa- East Coast Jazz 1995-2000. A huge regret I have in my collection of DCI recordings is that I do not have a recording of East Coast Jazz in the mid 90’s when they featured this amazing soloist. Adam has all the characteristics of a great player: range, tone, and technique. Adam went on to perform with Blast and because he never jumped ship and went to a “big” corps many drum corps fans missed the absolute pleasure of hearing this master. 4) Shaun Owens- Madison Scouts 1982, 1983 & 1984. Certainly the moment that put Shaun squarely on this list was his solo work in 1983’s Strawberry Soup. His command of the upper register is flawless and he plays up to a double E seemingly effortlessly. This former tuba player was not only a masterful high note specialist, but he also demonstrated his technical ability by winning the I&E solo contest in 1983. 3) Chris Metzger-Madison Scouts 1974, 1975, 1976 &1977. Chris is probably the best “all around” player on this list. He is a masterful technical player. His tone production in the lower register as well as the upper register is unparalleled. His high-note chops could rival Maynard Ferguson’s and his legit chops produced solos that sounded like Doc Severson (MacArther’s Park, West Side Story 1977). 2) Jeff Kevitt-Muchachos 1974 & 1975. If smoothness was the main criteria for this list then the top spot would belong to Jeff. Jeff was the master of filling a venue with his big sound. The most amazing thing about Jeff’s playing was that his tone seemed to never change no matter what register he was playing in. When I think of a player filling an entire stadium with huge, gorgeous sound the best example of this is Jeff. His use of air and support are textbook methods of how to be a great horn player. He went on to perform with Chuck Mangione as well as many other top professional musicians (as did many on this list). Jeff’s solo work in Pictures of Spain and MaryAnne are considered by many to be some of the finest solo work in the history of the activity. 1) Jim Brady-Bridgemen 1977 & 1978. I could think of no one better to christen in the advent of the 2 valve soprano bugle than with Jim’s absolute mastery of a brass instrument. His solo work in 1977 was featured in Pagliacci as the corps’ opener. This thrilling moment was only outdone by Jim, himself the next yearl. Jim’s technique is unmatched by any other horn player in the activity. Stylistically he is a god. He places each note in the exact position like it was meant to live there. His solo work in Harlem Nocturne in 1978 stole the show. If you are looking for the best combination of technical ability, tone production, style and showmanship you can end your search with Jim Brady! Honorable Mention-these performers were also considered in the research to compose this list…Fred Bell-Guardsmen 1978, Madison Scouts 1979, Jon Schipper-Madison Scouts 1993, 1995 & 1996, Dave Wales-Freelancers 1981, 1982 & 1983, Dan Halpern-Blue Devils 1986, 1987 & 1989, Tony Gambaro-Avant Garde 1983, 1984 & 1985, Jay Long-Blue Devils 1982, John Mehan-Blue Devils, Craig Biondi-Bluecoats 1995 & 1996, Barry Hudson-Star of Indiana 1988, Chris Eble-Troopers 1983-1985, Larry Shane-Florida Wave 1988 & 1989, Blue Devils 1990.

they will provide you with the instrument I'm sure, just like they provide all the other members with their instruments as well. (this is not meant to be snarky... but if you didn't know, the drum corps provide all the instruments for the members)

I'll go one step further: Spend a lot less, go and see/support Open Class corps (and senior, for that matter), AND STOP WASTING TIME POSTING ON DCP IF YOU'RE SO UPSET ABOUT THE ACTIVITY YOU'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT SHOW DESIGN BEFORE THERE HAS EVEN BEEN ONE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR!!

Jumpsuit is what you mean. They stopped wearing uniforms in 2010 - and as for what I have heard about cool patterns and designs on this year's costume, they are going even further away from any uniform. Once a corps looks like a member of WGI, they are no longer wearing a uniform.

Great idea but I would rather just have the SkyRyders back.

I like to predict by colors: All blue corps except Blue Saints will drop several places. All green corps will have a better year. Reds will be all over the map. Shades will be solid this year

Fan...you may want to read my reviews...i do watch EVERY corps. I was OC semis and finals were you? and considering how much I have #####ed about the G8 on here, you're barking up the wrong trees. but hey keep trying. someday you may be right

says the guy who hyped 17th place as earth shattering all year