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Let me apologize in advance, as this is going to be long-winded. I have been watching some of the webcasts from the MLG regional in Anaheim that has been going on this weekend, and what I'm seeing in this production has got me thinking about the Fan Network and how it could improve the marketability of DCI. First, let me give some background of what I'm talking about. Major League Gaming is one of the largest professional video game leagues in the world. Yes, I'm taking about video games. The tournament going on this weekend is for Starcraft 2, a strategy game with significant complexity and depth. Consequently, it's can be very difficult for people unfamiliar with the game to get their head around. Sound familiar yet? You can see what I'm talking about by going to pro.majorleaguegaming.com Something to note is that when you go to their home page, you're immediately greeted with multiple live streams of the current tournament. These streams are commentated. The free streams are medium quality and ad-supported. Subscribers to the service get ad-free, high definition feeds. The site also has live chat, forums, and news. If their marketing copy is accurate, their consumer base close to 40 million people. For competitive video games. So why do I think this is relevant? This is a niche market that has a relatively high barrier of entry for new consumers. So is drum corps. A big chunk of their potential consumer base is people who play these games casually. A big chunk of DCI's potential consumer base is people who participate in local marching ensembles. Both have difficult times using traditional media for marketing. (Television, radio, print) Both are attempting to use the internet to expand their respective mediums. There's a lot of parallels here. Now, on to the Fan Network. Here are the aspects of it that I think could be significantly improved: 1) Make more content available for free, and make it highly accessible. If you are trying to get someone you know to check out drum corps, it's not easy. There may not be any shows local to bring them to. Even if there are, going to a show can represent a relatively significant time and money commitment for the new guy. Shows are long, and tickets cost money. Nowadays, the easiest way to potentially show someone drum corps is online video. Unfortunately, most content is judiciously pulled from YouTube for copyright reasons, and almost everything on the Fan Network is behind a paywall. What's worse, is if you go to the Fan Network, you see links to tons of content, that just don't work. There's no clear indication of what is available free and what is premium. After clicking on a few links and seeing "You do not have access to view this content" the casual visitor is going to leave. Recommendation? Make the low/med quality live streams free. Ad-supported if needed. I don't think anyone would really complain about commercials during the downtime between corps when they get to watch regionals online free of charge. Then have ad-free, HD quality streams be a feature of the subscription package. As for historical content, have clips available from shows for free, with full show VOD available for subscribers. Now we don't need to have free content for the entire history of DCI. Potential new consumers aren't going to care that they can't watch the 1974 Kingsmen, but will be interested in seeing content from the past 5 years or so. Have relevant content available. 2) The Fan Network doesn't do anything to network fans There is no community at all. One of the things I noticed from MLG is they have extremely active forums and have live chat up during the broadcasts. There is a community there, which means there is personal investment from the consumers. Really, The Fan Network should be a direct competitor to DCP. Recommendation? Build a community. Give consumers a place to contribute content. Forums and chat are relatively simple additions that would go a long way. Segregate some sections to paying subscribers only so you can add another bullet point to the feature list. Even better if you can get prominent personalities in the activity to participate. (For Ex: Having a live QA chat with Wayne Downey that's subscriber-exclusive) Give users the ability to comment on news articles and columns. Have live chat available during webcasts. Make sure every aspect of the site tries to get consumers actively engaged. 3) Break down barriers of entry This is the hard one. While the above two points do work toward this goal, there is more that can be done. Using the MLG example, the games being broadcast are also commentated. Good commentary can be very very useful for easing new people into the activity because they explain what is going on and why it's significant. Now, would I suggest live commentary over a drum corps show? Maybe? While I wouldn't like to hear talking over a show myself, I also am intimately familiar with the activity and don't need it. While someone who has no marching or musical experience would appreciate an expert pointing out how technically challenging a particular brass phrase is, or the complexity of a particular drill section. Perhaps use the time between shows for highlights and brief analysis. Or have commentated videos available for streaming after the fact. (I.E. the live stream is 'pure' but then when go back and watch VOD's, there is optional commentary available) Okay, I've typed enough for now. What are your thoughts?

Ummmmmmmmm Thanks for sharing?

Ok, I’m 50 … I’ve been around DCI so long I was one of the original “Friends of DCI”. I sat through 16 drum corps and enough of all this positive stuff everyone feeds everyone I wanted to share with you the cold hard brutal truth … only one corps will win and some corps are better than others. Deal with it. Here we go The Colts – what’s up with the lightning bolt on those uniforms? The Academy – What happened? Cavaliers have a sell on guard uniforms last year and you thought “The Matrix” look was cool? The Glassmen – Guard was scary – horn line wishes they were scary. Troopers – The Road Home? Come on I didn’t see an I-40 sign at all in your show. Ok, I will give it to you, you got me all emotional at the end with those old Trooper Flags waving off the background. SHAME on you for making an old man cry. I had a senior moment, sorry it won't happen again. Spirit of Atlanta – too much white … loose the white plumes. Man you guys spent a fortune on those story boards. Please let me know when you have a sale at the end of the year. I know a couple of movie theaters that would buy those from you. I think you have a solid Top 12 show. Now clean clean clean to stay their. Blue Stars – Why are the DCI judges picking on you? I thought you guys had a much more accessible show than last year’s “magic act”. But if you move across that scaffolding watch your dress and cover. Spacing issues up that high can be killer distraction. Blue Knights – I was so excited that you didn’t have one single “tide died” flag in your program. Still you have the oddest flags in DCI. Madison Scouts – I kept getting choked up during the middle of the program, I had to keep telling myself this is only a drum corps show don’t get carried away. Ok, I lied I said I wouldn't cry any more. Your ending was a little loud “thank you's” were heard from some of the fans … I have no idea what they were talking about. I thought business men wore dark suits in New York? Or is gray the new black? JZ and Alisha Keyes called and they want their song back, because you NOW OWN IT! Boston Crusaders – Well well, some music I actually knew. If you’re going to whistle coming on the field, put a microphone on ya, I could barely hear you. Where was the BLOOD? I’ve never seen wounded Airmen without blood! Come on this is DCI put on your war face. Santa Clara Vanguard – What’s up with the Plain Jane flags? Solid yellow? Huh? Did your order not come in? Drum line was smoking – only real Devil I saw on the field. Horn line, I think you’re over your head. I think I need to sit up higher to find out why random horn players just take off running for no reason during the program. BlueCoats – In a song you just described me with your opener,“I’m a creep, I’m a looser” best horn part of the night, of course I like Radio Head. Guard, please get rid of the color blind uniform/costume maker you used this year – those guard uniforms were just ALL wrong. Horns stop by the gas station on the way to Indy to fuel up, because you’re running out at the end. Phantom Regiment – Oh how I love to hate on these guys from Rockford Loves Park. I hate the word LOVE in anything. Ok, you had the best horn line of the night, drums were not as bad as I thought they were going to be and the guard was 100% rock solid. New uniform with some type of coat of arms in the middle was a little small and those mirrors kept distracting me; you should have made that coat of arms thing bigger! Carolina Crown – How many times are you going to play Queen before we all get sick of it? You’re like Madison with all those Maliguna songs they played. I was hoping to not like this show, but it works. It has a very cool hip vibe all it was missing was the smell of that wacky tobacco stuff we smell at rock concerts and you would have me. Oh BTW tell Jimi Hendricks Jr., he needs to throw that rifle higher at the end on top of the scaffolding he’s on. If he’s not careful he’s going to bust a score board one night. Oh one last thing, for finals the guys you surf over the horn line, put them in a judge’s uniform! That would be awesome if you could get a judge to crowd surf! Cavaliers – Ok, I hate you! I’ve been humming and singing Nature Boy all day. I can’t get it out of my head! I didn’t know Nate King Cole recorded that song. Taught me something new. See this old fart can learn a new trick. Guard this year wins the “extraordinary” costume award, and those stilts are nothing short of genius! I thought for a minute I was watching “Avatar” again. Oh those little feathers in the headgear of all the guard guys, I wish I could have seen their expressions when that uniform was unveiled. I’m sure they thought … “OMG you gotta be kidding me, I’ve gotta wear that all summer.” Cadets – shame on you! Tearing up a perfectly good baritone horn just for effect! Now if you threw some saxophones and flutes on the field that would have been WILD! I would have hated to be your drill writer keeping all the red guys and white guys in their own little groups like you did and then alternate red/white red/white all throughout the show. I thought for a minute you were about to pull a Phantom Regiment on me and play “Amazing Grace” the way they did OMG that would be the deal for sure for us old farts. All in all George I think you found a show that perfectly suits you! I liked it. Ok I said it now sue me. Blue Devils – WOW that guard loves those wild colors don’t they. Black and white and pink, ok I didn’t know those colors go together. BD’s new uniforms are a departure from conservative for sure … two white stripes on one pant leg – you need to send those back to FJM and get one sewn on each side. Nice old school throw back in your show to Burt Baccarat … one fan liked it, he yelled out “Thank You”. I bet the LOWES guy in Concord CA loves seeing you guys in May when you want to buy show props. Next year if you buy the middle section of the fence you got post for this year you will get a 5% discount! If you moved some of those cubes out the way you could march and move around more like the Cadets and Cavies. If I was judging the show last night here is how I would have judged it ..;. You don’t need no scores. 1st - Cadets 2nd – Tie Blue Devils and Cavies (I couldn’t make up my mind) 4th – Carolina Crown 5th – Phantom Regiment 6th – Blue Coats – and no one explained the “BLOOOOING” on the PA last night either YEA 7th – SCV – Devil is in your house but he didn't go down to Georgia 8th – Tie – Boston and Madison (I was going to put Madison in front of Boston – but I love a good war) 10 – Blue Stars – Brass line is really solid 11 – Blue Knights – I watched I listened and you are exactly where you should be 12 – Hometown Favorite – Spirit of Atlanta – I would love it if they would play “Let it Be Me” as a warm up! 13 - Troopers 14 - Glassmen 15 - The Academy 16 - The Colts Love me or hate me I speak my opinion. THIS IS MY OPINION, THIS ONE IS MINE, THERE ARE MANY LIKE IT BUT THIS ONE IS MINE. At Ease!

THER ARE IDIOTS EVERYWHERE. THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO BOO ARE MENTAL MIDGETS AND LACKING IN SOMETHING FROM THEIR UPBRINGING. THOSE MEMBERS OF BK,MADISON BOSTON SURF GLASSMEN ARE OUTSTANDING YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN. WHAT INTERESTING ABOUT BOOING ITS NOT GOING TO CHANGE ANYTHING SCORING WISE. IT JUST MAKES IDIOTS LOOK LIKE BIGGER ONES.

Yet you have time to whine about the difficulty of typing the scores...

Because it's just too difficult to go to http://www.dci.org/scores/ and get accurate scores...

I'm impressed you can judge every caption fairly and evenly from your seat in the stands. Although, around here it seems to be a common talent.

By the way, "Bottom 6" is not 6-12.

Dude... I'm a South Carolina resident, and you just insulted me. Not cool. South Carolina is a beautiful place with lots of nice people if you care to look past your preconceived stereotypes. Now, on to the actual topic of this thread. I was at the show last night and was very disappointed along with everyone else. I do have the same story as many others in that I can't make it to Chesapeake or Summerville for those shows due to my work schedule. I don't want any form of refund and am not crazy about the weather insurance idea. What I think would be an excellent idea would be for DCI to offer something in the way of compensation in the form of merchandise. My idea is this: if you attend a show that is rained out (assuming you aren't a fan network subscriber already), you get the next live broadcast for free and free copies of the most recent mp3 downloads of all the shows you missed due to weather. Seems like a fair trade that would cost nearly nothing and keep everyone happy.

I "left the activity." Haven't posted on here in quite some time, but have occasionally checked in on a slow day at work. I've been attending shows since 1978 (both the local shows and finals). I marched in the mid-80's. So, I have a pretty lengthy background in the activity, and have spent an untold number of dollars on tickets, CD's (I still have the old cassettes and records), DVD's (VHS tapes), t-shirts, hats, etc. Ever since the advent of A&E, my interest has slowly disappeared. I gave it a chance - I really did. I can't stand listening to the talking or the true drum and bugle sound being drowned out by the A&E. Do soloists really need to be miked? There never used to be a need. There have been 3 shows this summer within 30 minutes of my house, and I have not had the desire to sit through any of them. I have not purchased CD's or DVD's in 3-4 years. I might have about 3 t-shirts that are newer than 6 years old. The past few years, I only attended 1 show locally per year, and didn't bother heading out of town for other shows. I travel quite a bit, and I used to scan the schedule to see if I could attend a show in the city in which I was traveling. I haven't done that for at least 5 years. Judging from what I've seen and heard about attendance at the local shows here in Texas this summer, I'm not the only one who has "left the activity."

Bluecoats marimba player coming out to center of field and throwing (and catching) an 8 with a rifle.

Awesome! So you sold 2 of them?

Quick background/disclaimer: Have posted Atlanta show review once before under diff screen name (Stevie 222?) in 06. With the exception of 07 have seen all the Atlanta regional shows from 06 on. This is the first year since then that I have felt compelled to review because this year ALL the Corps I saw were so impressive AND entertaining. Seats were in middle sec (220) under press box, on the 40. Marched 92 and 93 Spirit. I am a horn guy and notice music first but understand with ‘modern’ Drum Corps the visuals are at least AS important as everything else. Appreciate guard and percussion, just can’t speak as intelligently on the two. These are my un-biased opinions as a fan but would never want to offend anyone especially a marching member. Wanted to see more shows but was mainly worried with getting there in time to see Spirit’s biggest competition (Glassmen and Troopers). Glassmen – Always like when a guard enters the field in character. Were selling the show and setting the dark, mysterious mood from the get-go. Nice concept. Well thought out. Moonlight theme always good for translating onto football field. Noticed some holes. Good showing from them. Troopers – I loved this show! Very cool feeling when I saw them enter the field in the old- school looking unis. Bit of a flash back for me from watching the old stuff on DVD and Fan Network, even though I wasn’t around the first time they were popular in 70s/ early 80s I believe? Got to be hard to program for this Corps BECAUSE of the unis though. Not sure they could pull off just any concept but The Road Home fits them perfectly. Communicated the feeling of the open prairie very effectively. Loved the road and wheel visuals. Road tarp fits in nice with the show but is abstract enough to not be too distracting. LOVE THE INFINITY CHORD!!! Played very much in tune I might add. Liked the guard frilly/sleek unis. Just a great package over-all. Love the subtle ending. Want to see this show again for sure. Blue Knights – Don’t think I can remember a more entertaining show from them. Haven’t always played to the crowd so was very happy about their repertoire. I recognized most of the music and really like all the arrangements. Loved the drumline and the middle section of the show. Hope to see them continue on this path for next year. Blue Stars – Nice beginning. Don’t mind the prop at first, maybe gets a little awkward later, looks good though. Just wish they could have somehow pulled it apart and spread it out so Corp could have more field coverage. Good energy and nice sound. Spirit of Atlanta – WELCOME BACK SPIRIT! HELLOOOOO HORNLINE! Of course I’m a little biased as an Alum but the thing that impressed me the most was there confidence and field presence right as they set foot onto the field. Sure the delirious screaming fans didn’t hurt! The front movie screen captures were very tastefully done and helped hold the concept in mind through-out the show. Nice GE moments with forming the A and film strip drill. Impressed with the guard this year too which doesn’t usually happen with them. Loved the film strip flags and all the different film characters. Loud but balanced. Awesome solos throughout. Perfect vehicle for them to re-capture a spot in finals this year and I really think they can do it! Way to go Spirit!!! SCV – Have always been a fan of SCV. Like their crisp, clean look. Lends itself very well to their always awesome drill. Great marching, just wish I could have connected with the show a bit more. Almost as if they are doing a similar concept as Cadets just obviously darker. Percussion was awesome. Cymbal line is always my favorite thing about their show and they didn’t disappoint. Boston Crusaders – One of my favs of the night! I love Les Mis! Love their red, white with silver. From high up it looked kinda like the silver on the front of the unis were camera flashes as they were in the block about to enter the field. Nice visual moments through out. Not sure they need the white tarp though. I think I get what they were trying to convey but is still iffy. The thing I liked most about the show is how they mixed Les Mis with 1812. Not sure it would work but they proved me very wrong. Awesome climax. Will want to listen to this one a lot for sure. Madison Scouts – One of my all time favorite Corps! Brilliant opening statement. One of the things I’ve always been impressed with about them is how they can blend moments of powerful intensity with very emotional heart-felt moments. This year shows off that strength perfectly. The beginning hit with the power chord and then the un-comfortable dissonance as the guard opens the newspaper really grabs you by the throat to immediately submerse you into the pretty weighty concept. Very tricky show to pull off but I think they do it by not backing off while making sure to not trivialize 9/11. Seems the timing is right since it’s now been ten years. Guard conveys the dis-oriented business man perfectly throughout the show. No lulls in this show. Had my interest the whole time. Feeling of hope and re-newel conveyed very well toward end of show. Hornline sells the heck out of it too. Bluecoats – Always thought of this Corps as one of the more entertaining ones although this year as well as last year felt a little cold to me for lack of a better word. I did enjoy their rendition of Creep. Some very nice and intricate staging moments, especially the quadraphonic section, I just want MORE of it! Think they fall a little flat in the end though. Sound and look is very competent over-all though. Phantom Regiment – My other all time favorite Corps! The thing that impressed me most about them this year was their balance and control. Especially during the softer sections. Perfect concept for them. Always prefer them to have an all female guard and was impressed with their unis and guard work this year. Just so wish they had more impact moments musically and yes they need to kick the drill up a notch. I know they can play louder if they want because they absolutely brought it for the closer. I don’t know, maybe the ending was more effective because they held back in the beginning? Do think they always need some sort of cape or flowy type thing on their uniforms though. Just doesn’t seem like Phantom without it. Very beautiful and entertaining none the less. Carolina Crown – The funnest show of the evening for sure! They were ready to rock from the very beginning. Loved the guard and all the “trust” falls off of the scaffolding, very effective. One thing they always do best is the body movement stuff. Fit with this show very well. Any Corps that can get the whole audience to clap along with their music is ok by me. Not Championship caliber show this year but I am confident it will be soon enough for them for sure. They have been my favorite hornline from 07 on and thought the sound was amazing this night as well. One of the FEW corps that don’t make me miss the G bugles. They got me out of my seat more than once! Cavaliers – Really appreciated the fact that the horn book was as entertaining as the visual this year. I liked all the gimmicks with the upside down drums, stilts, etc, just too much to take in at once!!! This is the kinda show you have to watch more than once to fully appreciate all that’s going on. Nature Boy tastefully done. Liked the fact that they had a concept but kept it more abstract. Maybe not the best horn performance of the night but am loving their power and intensity for sure. Cadets – Hands down the best performance of the night and my favorite of the night! This staff has lots of guts to even attempt to pull this thing off. Technically it’s like writing for two separate Corps with the ‘Angels’ and the ‘Demons’ always doing their own thing but once there are together having to make sure it works. They do it INCREDIBLY well. Wasn’t convinced it could work, but think they unify the Corps when they need to by using lots of white to balance everything out. The drill is amazing. The music I think is the most complex book out there this year. The gold and silver ‘pole’ fight was the most awesome GE moment of the night for the whole audience I think. Standing O after that one! I just can’t give this show enough praise. The only thing that bothered me a little was when the final angel came out towards the end and the guard brought out the huge white fabric panels…wish they could have been huge flags to show more movement maybe? All the white was a nice effect though. Had the crowd emotionally invested the entire time. This show alone makes me want to get the DVDs for repeated viewing. One of my new favorites from a pretty small selection from the 00s. My favorite Cadets show in a long long time for sure. Blue Devils – The horneline reminds me of my favorite old school BD hornlines from yester year. Veeery laid back but still oozing confidence. The guard is great as usual. Some nice moments with the building of the house section from the corps but when your hornline is this good YOU DON’T NEED ALL THOSE PROPS! And I not only appreciated last year’s show but actually liked it. Think the final house prop gets a little lost right over the white of the 50 yard marks. Is the drill complex enough to be a winner? No. Is it enough for them to execute a not so difficult visual show flawlessly? I don’t think so. But it was entertaining just seemed REALLY flat after Cadets for me for sure. All in all a really freaking awesome night of Drum Corps! Several of my friends, me included said it felt like a finals show. Big thanks to Michael Cesario for spear-heading the effort to nudge the Corps in a more entertaining, fan-friendly direction. After all, without the audience why is it worth it? If you haven’t seen a show, GO! Hopefully this review will be an incentive for someone who wasn’t sure about this year to lay down the bucks and go see a show. It will be well worth it!!!

To the OP: I'm tired of the Blue Devils hater haters. Dude.. seriously. Lighten up.

Slightly off the current topic, but I don't think this rises to the level of being worthy of a new thread, but the electronics balance was much different for the Atlanta webcast that for previous ones. I haven't watched all the shows from Atlanta yet, but I wanted to say this: When I've seen Phantom live and also on past webcasts, I love the show, except for the synth in and around the Mozart Requiem. For part of it the synth totally covered up the mello section feature, and then there's another part immediately following where the synth sounds are just terribly cheesy--I think it's totally the patches at fault, but it sounds like Mannheim Steamroller (and I don't mean that as a compliment). For the Atlanta show, the Phantom PAs were placed immediately audience side of the field-facing mikes, which meant that as far as I could tell, the synth was totally inaudible for the show, and I just have to say, WOW, that makes a HUGE improvement in those sections for me. I was of course thrilled to actually hear the mellos for the first time, but I honestly expected silence for the following part, but what do you know, there's a pit part going on there that I had never heard before! And the whole sound of that section of the show was just so much better. It just kills me that even in shows like Phantom's or SCV's where the synth adds very little if anything to the sound and is rarely featured, they still are using it. I just... don't get it.

While I'm glad there are experts on this board and in DCI, my personal opinion is that I go to a drum corps show to see what human beings can do well. It's amazing to see an exposed show executed immaculately. It's amazing to hear a crisp, clear drumline throwing it down. It's amazing to hear a unified hornline running licks together. It's amazing to watch a beautiful guard perform as one with passion. Yes, I'm a purist. However, I can see all of the theatrics, amplifications and tricks in plenty of other places. Drum Corps used to be the one place where I could enjoy viewing 'experts' in these other 'basic' skills. I miss that. I also wonder whose pocket DCI is after. If it's the alums, who have the support money and offspring to march, from what I've heard they are not reaching them with these new approaches. If it's the young ones, I don't know. Other than 'band geeks', their family and friends, what teenager that you know would sit through a drum and bugle corps show? My college-aged son certainly would not. I'd love to hear other's thoughts on this.

I was involved in organizing a show several years ago. We purchased "rain insurance", which IIRC was relatively inexpensive (I believe it was about $600; in any case, less than 1K). Fortunately, we didn't need to utilize it as the weather was absolutely perfect but it would have covered expenses such as those involved in stadium fees, all DCI fees (judges, performance fees, etc.), lighting costs (we had to rent lights for the field we used); we would have been able to issue full refunds to those who wished and our only "loss" would have been revenue from program sales and 50/50 tickets. IMO, there is no excuse for those who don't purchase this coverage for their event knowing that there is a possibility that rain could cancel it.

This was a positively negative thread until negative people positively ruined it by going negatively negative.

In my opinion, I believe that people didn't bash BD when they got 4th place because that is the spot where most fans felt was the right place for them. The reason people are frustrated or disagree with the 1st place that BD got at Atlanta is because they believe that Cadets and the Cavaliers put out a show that was better in terms of design and music. I wouldn't say that "all hell" broke loose, it's just that people became frustrated when a subpar show(still pretty good in my opinion) got placed higher than the brilliant shows put forth by both Cadets and Cavaliers. And I do not know how you find the Cadet's drill to be "unoriginal". I believe that they have the best, original drill out of all the corps. Most of my friends that are fans of BD tend to be elitists at times and try to bash other corps by coming up with absurd criticisms. But please don't take this out of context, I am not calling you an elitist

I guess the same could be said for someone who goes in a corps-specific thread and taunts that corps with their posts, just sayin' Personally, I have no problem with booing...yes, even if the Scouts were the ones getting booed. Why? Because the crowd has a voice as well. They are expressing their disagreement or displeasure with the judges. It's not in any way a reflection upon the kids. Who am I to say that the crowd doesn't have a right to express themselves? After all, they're the ones who paid to get in. Maybe it's just the libertarian in me, but people need to get thicker skin. If having your placement booed is the worst thing that happens to you in life, then you're doing pretty darn good. It's a competitive activity, folks.

Well, I know you are a god of brass, I just din't know you could judge M&M/ design / battery/ melodics / guard and dance as well as the people in the box. Heck, I salute you Reverend Michael Schmidt. You are A#1 in my book I'm amazed that you can do all that at the same time when it take a full panel most of the time. DCI could save tons of money by having you judge all captions at the same time ! You rock !!

I love the Blue Knights, Blue Stars, Boston, and Madison group! Four shows that I really like in a pretty tight group!!!

Late to the party tonight... Was taking tour of our Hospital where our future Blue Knight will be delivered in Nov... HOPE BK GOT ENGLISH TONIGHT and shook up the party!!:-)

You are not kidding...fair warning to all contras marching backwards... yikes!!! ...this is the first time that the words crown is on the field does not mean a good thing...

I'm fairly sure nobody cares how you scored it - even with your incredible credentials.

Just wondering why Carolina Crown is not in their own show???

Did you know that Summerville SC has the oldest landscaped gardens in the country 1741. Good luck to all tonight.

the designers

1990 - Crossmen - New York Voices Bluecoats Madison Scouts - Undiscovered Madison Velvet Knights - Hollywood Tour Spirit of Atlanta - Selections from Gone with the Wind / The Color Purple Dutch Boy I agree with Mike. I believe this to be one of the best of the bottom top 12, but 1991 1991 7) Madison - City of Angels 8) Crossmen - Pat Metheny 9) Blue Knights - Various 10) Freelancers - Various 11) Bluecoats - Various 12) Sky Ryders - Camelot

He is

A new class RETRO drum corps No A&E no more than 5 in the pit Drill Style of the 80's-90's 128 member limit 5 circuits NE South Midwest Southwest Northwest You compete in all your regional shows and the top 30% of corps in each division can compete in Championships

BDUFLS et al, Sure, those are the DCI judging guidelines, and I was waiting for someone to quote them. Thanks for the citation. They're the problem, and one of the reasons attendance is down, I believe. You say the guidelines emphasize quality, musicianship, and artistry more than demand. I'd be willing to bet that you've either played or heard many instrumental concertos. If not, I highly recommend it. What, then, does "virtuosity" mean? Virtuosity = High Demand + Artistry. Without the demand, or with less demand, ain't no virtuoso, joe. I fell in love with DCI because I saw athletic, musical, and design virtuosity. Judges seemed to reward that. In the last decade, I see something different. I want to be blown away. I want to say to myself "How the heck did they do THAT?" I want to see virtuosity in every sense of the term. I don't want to see design sleight-of-hand and clever playing to the too-narrow DCI judging criteria. Why too narrow? Because they even build in to the "system" of judging "criteria" if you read them carefully an out that seems to downplay, or even exclude, "virtuosity/demand": the wording of the performance criteria that evaluate how well the musicians are playing their music "within the spectrum of visual and musical demands" can be interpreted by any judge to imply "within THIS PARTICULAR CORPS' spectrum of visual and musical demands" At minimum, the criteria so deeply bury the criterion of demand that it is relegated to, well, fodder for discussion forum speculation. Too bad. But majority rules - corps directors want it that way, because not every corps wants to push the envelope as well as innovate. So, as I said in the first post - aim lower, hit the target, get rewarded. Ho hum. So we have reruns of the 80s "innovations". That's not innovation. Nor is it virtuosity. Nor does it put more people in the bleachers. Virtuosity-less judging criteria: reminds me of Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron. Try, but don't try too hard.

The day after the rained-out July 17 2010 Minneapolis show, I volunteered with the storm-delayed, overbooked Southwest Airlines to return to Chicago on Monday instead of Sunday. I received the value of the return trip (about $59), a $300 travel voucher, and free lodging for Sunday night. Sweet. With last year's voucher, I headed to this year's Denver and Omaha shows on July 9 and 10. That 2010 DCI cancellation blossomed into two great 2011 shows.

I was going to respond to him but then I realized I'd be arguing with some dude wearing a cow suit.

Minority? Dude. You're on DCP. There are approximately 4 billion posts on this board that are exactly like yours.

So many people on here think that judges should have exactly the same tastes and preferences as the general DCI fan. This is simply ridiculous. Just because the general public thinks something is more "effective," doesn't mean it is more artistically effective in the way DCI defines effect. If it was, then DCI effect judging would be nothing more than a popularity contest. Personally I have a much bigger emotional response to the Blue Devils' show this year (and last year) than the Cadets' or Cavaliers' shows. I ask myself... If I can be "affected" more by them, then why can't the judges also be? So what if the crowd golf claps? I think they are awesome and have an extremely engaging show that "should" connect with the audience on many levels. It's not BD's, nor the judges fault that it doesn't. Also..... I read every day on here about the "good ole days" in the 1980s and prior of drum corps...... and to me of all the shows this year.... the Blue Devil's may resemble that era more than any any other. The arrangements are great.... they flow really well (not as much hack n' slash as previous years or many other corps), and the emphasis on the show is squarely on great melodic music. Many have called BD's visual design "easy." So..... nearly all would agree that 1980s visual designs were much easier than today's..... and if that era was so great... why can't BD's show get the love it deserves? And in relation to that..... people also complain constantly that drum corps has become too much of a "visual idiom," and that there's not enough emphasis on the music.... yet many seem, to love BD's music, but not like the show because of the visual. Well, if cubes, poles, and good ole park 'n blows keep you from enjoying this awesome show, I think the over-emphasis on visual is actually in your own head.

And when DCI destroys the great success it has found by corrupting the activity with sounds and visuals that offend a huge portion of their fan base, we will need these smaller organizations to pick up the pieces and start the cycle once again. We may as well start now.

The biggest problem with this topic on DCP is that many posters believe that "demand" means "fast" or "large step size". It doesn't.

My favorite is Boston i leave a show singing the pre show song. I love the colors of their flags and it is by far the best uniform for a guard thia year. The baritone soloist is without a dout the best I have ever heard brings tears to my eyes. drum has the most class i have ever seen. Bostonsshow is the most entertaining this year. WOW WOW WOW

In the world of competitive sports/entertainment changes to the rules are made to accomplish two things. Make the end product more entertaining so as to attract more fans and to protect the participants. Baseball has changed very little in its history, but what changes have been made were to make it easier to hit home runs. Why? Because fans love to see home runs! Almost all the changes in football have been made to make easier for the offence to score touchdowns. Why? Because fans love high scoring games! Also both leagues support and encourage lower levels of play from Pop Warner and Little League to Arena Football and the Minor Leagues. Why? To create a continuing flow of new fans! Rule changes made by DCI have done nothing to increase the fan base and in fact have had the opposite effect! I have a feeling fan reaction to any rule change proposal is even considered in the final decision. Also, DCI has done nothing to encourage the lower levels of the activity. Sadly DC will continue to shrink if nothing is done to rectify this situation.

TJ, I guess my last post to you was more in reference to this statement then anything else, which is why I suggested to keep facts and opinions seperated. I can not see any open class corp music difficulty coming close to a world class top 8 corps. The age differences and experience alone prohibit that. Difficulty is usually subjective anyway. However, the rest of my comments were regarding how long it takes to become an organization that long distance members come to. It takes a consistent staff and success to grow a program. To attract better talent, unfortunately requires higher acheivement. (placement) I have no doubt that if MC slowly builds its program and developes a sound system that it can become a great drum corps. It is very difficult to make the jump from Open class to world class and become competitive. Take a look at Jersey Surf, Teal Sound and some of the others who have made the jump. It is not easy to crack the top 12 in world class. I am not saying it cannot be done and be in the top 12. I would be very excited for MC if it does make it to that level. I just know it it takes a lot of time and patients. Best of luck with the rest of this season and keep on working hard. See you in Michigan City

I also remember how "classy" others were on retreat that year. LOL

wow boston what a show. Every person involved with the corps is amazing. .visually the show is amazing Continue your hard work increase your performance level and you will bring it home.

I've had many many many very similar experiences. I haven't encountered anyone yet who loved the synth or sound samples that corps were doing. I've only encountered varying levels of tolerance for them.

I said this last year about BD, and I'll say it again. No, they don't move as fast as often as the others. But they do offer enough of a variety of approcahes, and show that they master them all. See the sheets don't say speed wins. The sheets ask for variety and achievement, and BD delivers on that front...hence the visual numbers they get. yeah it comes off to many as boring. I think they get a little too much love for all the time killed moving props around. But they are clean and show a wide range of skills, not just speed, speed speed.

We all could use a bit more "Maliguna" in our lives.

that's right - it was a Jupiter.

CHEERS to my Scout brothers (and Kc Pekins,, Scout lil sister) who have thrown DOWN and given PR an amazing colorguard in one season!!! SUTA

I think Phantom '91 is the only time anyone has thrown a horn across the field for real..... (watch close at the end, when they throw the helmets, and a horn goes flying) But then again, last year in Boston's show, there was the horn toss, that was missed a couple of times. I know I always held my breath when they tried it.... It's a cool effect though for the Cadet's show, really love all of the layering they've put into this show, could really push for the title, I hope so at least.

In 2002, nine years ago, there were 72 drum corps in competition in North America in three divisions. According to the 2011 repertoire list on CorpsReps.com, there are 42 drum corps in competition in North America in two divisions. How many will be competing in 2020? Hard to say, but the trend doesn't look too good. Garry in Vegas