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So to summarize: "I'm a BS homer!!"

I went to the show last night and conducted an impromptu "field study" of the fans around me. I sat around two high school group cliques. I was inspired to observe them because these band kids are the future of our activity. Whether they march or become lifelong fans, it's important that these shows affect them in ways my first drum corps show did. Here are some of my observations: Cavaliers and Madison Scouts still charm the girls. There's a reason they've stayed all boys. The high school girls around me were so giddy about both corps. During intermission, tons of blushing girls were getting their picture taken with one of Madison's military-dressed guard members. As high schoolers do, they were late coming back to the seats after intermission. No Bluecoats for them. I suspect a lot of souvie booth action going on and possibly a group trip to the bathroom. Tons of texting, facebooking, and miscellaneous smart phone usage during Phantom and Cadets. With kids these days, you gotta grab their attention right away or they'll do something else. SCV was smart to do a Les Mis show after the blockbuster hit because these kids were all about it. Even before they hit the field, they were giving their critique "If it's a Les Mis show then they HAVE to do (song) or (another song)." The girl in front of me was playing the game of "Oh, I recognized this song before all of you! I WIN." She was also dancing along, bobbing her shoulders up and down. On the opposite spectrum of recognizable music was Crown and Blue Devils. But there were major difference between the two. Similarities? The discussion of plumes. Kids notice the most random things. They were awed by the single very sharp plume on Crown's shako and the massive plume on the Blue Devil's shako. The differences? They were engaged with Crown from the start. Even if Crown's show is "intellectual" as some are saying, it's also downright stimulating. There's something visually or musically amazing happening every 30 seconds or so that really grabbed their short attention spans. When the Blue Devils entered the field, there was much discussion about the poles. These kids were really enjoying the first few minutes, even getting a pretty big entertaining chuckle out of the the corps tribal stomping to the drumset groove. But sadly after that, all went downhill. There wasn't much talking and some resorted to their phones again. At the end of the show, a girl giving a standing ovation turned to her seated friend (the same girl so into Les Mis) and asked, "Are you going to stand up?" The seated friend didn't say anything and just looked at her with an expression along the lines of, "B####, please." During the DCI Finals commercial, they all decided to plan a road trip to Indy. Let's see what their parents say about that... Leaving the stadium, I also heard some fan sound bytes. "What #### was that Blue Devils show?" "There was just too much #### going on. Didn't understand it." Two guys who sounded like Samuel Jackson giving a drum corps review. "Oh I think my favorite was... was... that Carolina Crown." "Oh yah, but I thought that ending was so stupid. Everything else was so thought out and then it got to that ending." A thick-accented Minnesotan family. I was tempted to butt in and say that the ending will probably change. I didn't. Well, there's my unscientific scientific study for you. Later I will probably write an in-depth review of the top guards, but for now, I wanted to give an objective observation of the shows.

I think there's something that needs to be pointed out: These kids aren't robots. Off-nights happen all the time. Ensemble tears, brain farts, drops, tiredness, etc. These are real things that can happen to anyone on any given night. When interesting score things happen, like tonight, we're so quick to "blame" the judges for it...they can only judge what they see/hear. If what they see/hear is an off-night for that caption, then that's how it gets scored. You will sometimes take a step or two back (or even more!) in a given night, or even set of nights, because these kids are human.

Those corps thank you.

So.......DCI is OK when they agree with you.....and they're a joke when they don't......I'm sensing a trend here.

You didn't read the whole thing. From dci.org........... .

First, you start with not comparing scores between shows, but then you divert to judges scoring one show by leaving room to slot later finishers. And is the correct word "subjective" and not objective? Next, the characterizing of highest score (presumably for the night) as "maximum reasonable" leaves lots of ambiguity and, reasonably, subjectivity. Lastly, your concept, therefor, would suggest that judges come into the show with some preconceived notion of the "reasonable" high and low scores for this point in the season, and simply divides that range among corps they slot that night. Isn't your analysis, if true, actually a damning condemnation of our "scoring" system? If judges are truly just plugging in numbers to justify their slotting subjective opinion that night, why all the bother with captions and boxes at all? I'm going to try to say this as bluntly as possible, but first I want to reiterate that while I do judge fairly often at the local/regional level, I do not judge at the National level of any band or winter percussion circuit, let alone at the DCI level. That being said, the gist of this wordy post is: judges follow the logical ranking/rating of groups based on rubric on sheets + performance on the field of ALL groups any given night. However, there are other factors that come into play as well. It's easy to sit on the couch/desk/whatever and criticize perceived inconsistencies: heck, I do it as well! But knowing all of the factors that go into judging it's easier to understand everything involved with ranking/rating groups at any given show. What you are trying to do, Garfield, is approach adjudicating at the upmost logical level using rubrics and a sort of mathematical estimate of "this performance level = this precise score, while this design level = this precise score." And for sure, that is PART of what goes into judging. The front of the sheets has an abbreviated list of descriptors that go into each side of the Caption, while the back of the sheet has a scale describing not only all of the factors that go into the sub-caption, but how well a unit must perform (or design) in order to achieve a Box threshold. For example, let's look at Percussion (that's one I can remember best off the top of my head, and being that's what I often judge I'm more comfortable talking about that caption) ** The Performance side of the sheet (or maybe it's called Achievement now) will have the descriptors on the front that say something like "Clarity," "Balance/Blend," Uniformity," "Expression/Musicality," "Precision." The Design side of the sheet will have the descriptors "Depth of orchestration/vocab," "Range of skills," "Simultaneous Responsibility," "Range of everything asked of members together (technical challenge, simultaneous demand, etc)." ** The back of the sheets will be split in two, with one side being "Rep" and the other side being "Performance/Achievement." It will contain the different qualifiers for each Box: 1) Rarely 2) Infrequently 3) Sometimes 4) Often 5) Always, with each box having a range of possible points (Box 5 would be, say, 90-100; Box 4 would be 70-89, etc). So the rubric defines the ranges that a group will possibly score based on their design & performance any given show. The standards don't change, as the sheets are the same from the first show in June to Finals night. The part that you are seemingly disregarding, Garfield, are plentiful: * judges are human beings, with their own experience, eyes/ears, preferences, etc. In my region, for example, a percussion judge could be a snare drummer from Blue Devils who makes 85% of his comments about the battery, and only gives the front ensemble a cursory sampling. Or conversely, you could get a percussion judge who performed in SCV's front ensemble, who will make the majority of front ensemble comments while giving the battery comments on the obvious stuff. Or you could get someone who marched snare drum but also went to music school, who gives a fairly well-balanced tape. All three judges have great experience, were trained by the association, and might very well make good tapes, but they also have their strengths & weaknesses, their specialties, etc. All judges are human beings, so it will not be uncommon for different people to "see" different things and rate a group differently from night to night. * performances change night-night. Groups improve, design elements are added, design elements become more recognizable, new design elements don't work, a corps has a bad night, a section has a bad night, a person has a bad night (i.e, say, a snare drummer). A venue can mess with a unit if it has a weird echo, if the sun is in their face, if a field is lined funky. Maybe the corps arrived to their housing site at, like, 10am and had a bad rehearsal day and then a bad run. There are SO MANY unknown factors when it comes to performance: especially earlier in the season when staff is still experimenting with what works, members are still learning the show, etc. * show dynamic changes. If there are only six WC corps at a show, there is a LOT more room for numbers. Especially when we have a diverse lineup such as: Pioneer & Cascades (two corps near the competitive bottom); Academy & Colts (two corps closer to the middle); Blue Knights & Scouts (two Top 10ish Finalists). With that sort of show dynamic, it's easier to say Colts have a wide spread in front of Cascades, but are closer to Blue Knights. With 20+ groups, especially this time of year, that becomes very difficult. You have to fit 20 groups into a range of maybe 15 total points. In the Percussion Caption, you can put maybe a 4 point spread from first to last in smallish local show, where as at a 20+ corps Regional you have maybe a 4.5 spread to fit EVERYONE. That totally changes things for numbers management, especially since most judges don't like to tie subs unless it is either blatantly obvious they are equal, or it is literally impossible to rank two units a part. This is the likely reason for the "West Coast Bias" thoughts, because there are a few number of WC corps every night, and when a judge goes from Pacific Crest to SCV back-to-back, it's easy to say SCV is def. a few points better (in a caption), which bumps up the top numbers of night. When you get to an all-inclusive Regional, there is a lot less wiggle-room. Also, for Regionals it's imperative that a judge "gets it right," since placements affect performance order at future regionals. That makes ranking & rating even more important, where as smaller shows you not only have more wiggle room, but in the grand scheme of the season it is not as important as Regionals. That might sound callous, or unfortunate, but it is what it is. As a judge, you try your dammedest to catch everything (good & bad), reward based on the sheets vs personal preference (my personal creed), make good tapes that explicitly credit & critique (instead of vaguely), etc. Just like everything in life, you aim to be the best but inevitably stuff happens. At big shows early in the year, it's not uncommon to have a few corps really underachieving, a few corps really overachieving, and then a whole lot of corps in the middle where it can often be very difficult to make the call (but that's why they get the big bucks). Sorry for the long response, and I'm cutting it short now because I'm currently distracted by a dozen things going on right now. I hope that makes some sense for you.

I like their music this year. It's better than last year. That being said, the "concept" of Triumphant Journey and the reality of the show indicate a disconnect. I hate to say it, but Phantom should avoid stories for a while. This is Red Violin 2.0 So few other corps do a true story because it boxes in the group to follow the story. With this year, I see a disproportionate amount of time spent on "enchanted forest" with less time spent on the whole "dragon slaying" part. "Whomever" gets the sword in Nimrod, after a few minutes of drill moves we get to the dragon? Even the dragon slaying is not clear. If you do a story, it has to be clear.

I think they draw performance times from groups of 3 right? So the top 3 right now are Cadets, BD, and Crown. They draw for who performs last in their group. Then the next 3 draw - then the next..... I know I've read that somewhere....

I like the Phantom Regiment usually but have become increasingly bored over the last few years with what I've seen from them. There is a lot of talent in that corps yet in my opinion (and I know not everyone feels this way) I feel as if I've been watching the same show since 2009. PR seems forgettable this year, and is a stagnant 5th place at this point. I don't see them making a move into 4th place. Now, I know 5th place is nothing to scoff at and the members should be proud. I just would love to see them do something COMPLETELY different from a design standpoint.

Did Crown just win their first regional?! I think so!

1:30 PM – Genesis 1:47 PM – Cascades 2:04 PM – Jersey Surf 2:21 PM – Oregon Crusaders 2:38 PM – Pioneer 2:55 PM – Mandarins 3:12 PM – Colts 3:29 PM – Intermission 4:20 PM – The Academy 4:37 PM – Pacific Crest 4:54 PM – Crossmen 5:11 PM – Troopers 5:28 PM – Boston Crusaders 5:45 PM – Spirit of Atlanta 6:02 PM – Blue Stars 6:19 PM – Blue Knights 6:36 PM – Intermission 7:10 PM – Madison Scouts 7:27 PM – The Cavaliers 7:44 PM – Phantom Regiment 8:01 PM – Bluecoats 8:18 PM – Santa Clara Vanguard 8:35 PM – The Cadets 8:52 PM – Carolina Crown 9:09 PM – Blue Devils Read more: http://www.dci.org/news/view.cfm?news_id=d89950c2-ef26-4729-929e-22384d3336a7#ixzz2Z0MqG1t5 Where will Pacific Crest, Mandarins, Jersey Surf, and Oregon Crusaders fit in? Who will be in the 12th spot this week? Will Crown stay ahead of the Blue Devils? We shall find out. And I'll be there watching on the side 2 40 5 rows up. See you in a week. Until then...PREDICT! I see some REALLY good performance draws and some REALLY bad ones. Take those into consideration. Chatroom for the event: Chatzy.com/84986047533456

Crown & Cadets-85.4 (tie)! BlueDevils-84.85 SCVanguard-83.25 Phantom-81.55 Bluecoats-79.75 Cavaliers-79.0 via @corpsscores

By the time we get to DCI East, if not sooner, I have a feeling Troopers and the rest will be chasing Spirit, not Blue Stars. Blue Stars are a solid No. 12 and on the verge of moving into No. 11.

I don't believe in any conspiracy. I just believe, correctly, that a corps in the bottom half of the rankings table has to do more things better for the same number of points that a more typically high ranking corps can get easily. It's a big reason in my mind that corps do take so long to rise to prominence, but it's by no means the biggest reason.

After watching the DCI MN performance live, I have to admit I felt very shortchanged on the show. Not on the content of the show, but some of the design choices; We all know that much of any show design works towards the Finals performance. I think we get that it can result to acoustics in a dome, or staging elements from a press box vantage point. But I was put off a quite a bit by the "access" of Cadets' show. I enjoy sitting in the lower tier so I am able to grasp some of the performance elements up close from the individual members and connect to their energy. Many attempts have been made in the last decade to define the field with large props, scaffolds and stages. But with Cadets giant towers, I think it was the first time that major portions of the show were not even visible to me. The opening statement (since I was sitting on Side 1 and not Side 2), the drum feature on the back hash, the emergence of the orange flag backfield. Even sections that were happening directly in front of me masked everything behind the columns. On and on - several major moments. I guess I felt cheated and am wondering if anyone else has felt as much on live viewings? Especially in smaller venues that are not a major stadium like TCF. Sort of like buying a high end ticket to a Broadway show. You are at least told when you are in a seat with an obstructed view. Judges comments will not likely ever mention this. But for any audience person in the lower tier - there are major portions of this show that aren't visible unless you are in a cushy seat center in the press box. This will also include Lucas stadium in Indy. Thoughts?

so just looked at the recap. Who was trying to tell me Crown's percussion would be ok? There's your reason for a tie. I have a feeling some folks are ****ting purple right now

I see what you did there.

If there were a competition for best hashtags used relating to a drum corps, Crown would win #purplepantsband #doyoulovemejohn #onetwothreefourfivesixseveneight

You " didn't see the rest of the Corps " ? Well look at the positive in that. Its 8 less Corps you had to write " boring " in your review, and 8 less times we had to read the word " boring " in your boring review.

It wouldn't be as bad if we had the option to buy Blu-Ray/High Cam videos on the non finalists.

Buick Dad, staying true to their style does not mean repetition or rehash of the same idea, theme, story line or whatever you want to call it. I'm sure you all are tired of me saying that, but that's why I think they are will not remain relevant in the activity. I have been a fan of PR since I first saw them in 1980 and have seen some great shows they have produced. And while they all had the Phantom trademark, they were all unique both musically and visually. In the case of this year, the show has sucked the life out of a tired theme. It's time to move on. And if the truth be told, the departure of Shaw and Rennick is due to the strangle of one egomaniac who is the whole problem.

Remind me not to ask you to predict the winning lotto numbers :devil:/>

So you're saying that there is some sort of DCI-wide conspiracy that dictates specific corps be in one range, while other corps be kept "down" so as to keep them out of the spotlight. I would LOVE to hear your reasoning, as well as specific examples of this. There are so many examples of a corps excelling in the competitive ranks or taking based solely on the merits of their show design & performance. * Carolina Crown was never a Top 6 finisher until 2007, and they rose to a first-time-ever Top 3 finish in 2009. They went literally from "never finishing in Top 6" to "contending for a Championship" in 12 months! * Boston Crusaders had NEVER made DCI Finals until 1999, jumping from 15-9th in just a season! They went from never a finalist to Top 10 "overnight." Then they jumped into Top 5 the following year! * Cavaliers had an incredible run of success, placing out of the Top 3 only twice from 1998-2011, winning five DCI Titles in that period. Last year, they had a poor show with not-so-great execution and dropped from 4th - 8th place. Those are just what I thought of immediately, I'm sure there are many more (like, Star making Finals their first year of existence). There are so many other points to convey about how ludicrous your assertion is, but before I spend more time I'd first like to hear your logical argument, complete with evidence.

That 74 is a rock hard number. VERY rock hard in A Class. Well done.

now? this late in the season? well...... let the staff on the road with them every day be able to make changes to get it clean. don't let design ego get in the way. last year, I saw them mid july rehearse a section for an hour with little to no improvement. Field staff was pulling their hair out. I asked around and was told they weren't allowed to change anything. saw them live at Allentown a few weeks later, same parts, same dirt...a week before finals. can't fix what you can't change, and at some point, you've got to put on your big boy pants, admit it isn't working and change stuff that can be performed.

Did they eat a lot of prunes and Grape Gatorade tonight? I'm sure that can cause some colorful poops

Well look at last night Cadets Guard and music analysis score. Also considered an anomaly.

You may be right, but being "realistic" does something to my bowels and gives me the runs...so, I'm gonna forego that attitude. It's time for the Troopers to shed the mindset of, "maybe, just maybe we can make Saturday night," and instead don an attitude of, "We're the Troopers and you're not! Do you see the sun? It's high noon and we're gonna kick some ###!" There is no reason that this corps can't do what the Scouts have done over the past few years.

SCV - was on fire. Old school, classic drum corps @ it's best. My favorite so far tonight.

This year's show isn't that bad, it's flow sucks just now but so did 2011 & 2012 at this stage of the season. Brass need to up their game a little, drums are better than last year and visually they look fantastic. I agree with regard to show themes, it's time to move on. There isn't another Spartacus out there... stop looking for it!!!

As cool as that would be, this isn't the 70's anymore and jumping from not making finals to 7th/8th just doesn't happen. Sorry. They shown last night they are still in the finals race, but they far from proved at being able to keep up to competition that is 5 points ahead of them.

I like the way that works on multiple levels.

Think I'm wearing my Troopers shirt in San Antonio. Not because they're scoring well, hell, if this was the 22nd place show I still would, I'm going to because it's my favorite show this year.

I hope they keep the football team off the field!

No complaints. No excuses. No whinning. Like life, and in card playing, you play with the hand that you're dealt. Those that complain about " the draw " usually fold in the end.

Minnesota Brass is not in Lynn next weekend. They are in Downingtown on the 27th of July.

As a founding member of the Star of Indiana I feel compelled to comment a bit here. The Star of Indiana was a grand experiment of a very successful and wonderful man, Bill Cook. The corps was built for community, but more importantly for the drum corps community. Mr.Cook had some different ideas on corps management and finance. He and some remarkably experienced and skilled managers, Jim Mason, Bob Lendman, Moe LaTour and many others built and ran the corps as lab and demonstration model of how they felt 'it should be done'. Many see the 80s as the golden years and it many respects it was, but by the mid-80s we were losing corps left and right. In the years I marched, 84-88 the activity lost dozens of large units, including many former top groups, 27, Bridgemen ect, while many of the then current top units were struggling financially and/or were terribly mismanaged. Star was well financed, but not extravagantly so. It was designed to eventually be self funded by way of a bus company. It had quality equipment and transportation, but took good care of it. The concept of the corps allowed it to bring in some very well known instructors from day 1. But success was anything but easy. The early years where a tumultuous period of staff changes, conflicts, direction changes, ect as they experimented and figured out better and more efficient ways to do things. In time the corps locked down certain key instructional staff and perfected the care, feeding, and traveling. Success both on and off the field followed. Along the way the corps and it's staff shared what it learned with anyone who would listen, and helped others in any way it could. A meal here, some equipment there, a bus or place to stay, even some funds to get through a tight spot. The rising tide raises all boats theory was very much in place there. Of course ultimately the limits of the activity pushed the corps to move on to other arenas where they have achieved great success. Could the organization have returned to the field? The bus company was eventually successful and in the last decade was sold to another company. Blast continues to tour. The corps hall and property are still in around and now used by the Madison Scouts and Blast for their training. But then there is the question of desire. In some ways the experiment failed. Financially corps are still largely financed the same way they where in 84', bingo ect. The touring model is still financially a huge burden. The activity is still very much a super competitive and artistically restraining niche. But the surviving organizations on average travel much better with improved care and feeding. Despite it short competitive drum corps life, the Star organization produced and incredible amount of current day designers and instructors. They and some of those key managers have and continue to bring some of those ideas and concepts to such corps as Crown, Madison, Blue Stars, and now Troopers. The Star of Indiana was built to win and to last. But the definition of winning is much more then just points on the sheet. It provided a wonderful and life changing experience for it's members. It helped the activity in many key ways, including Mr.Cook's personal financing of the PBS broadcast. It helped dozens of corps with issues and problems to stay on the field and get down the road. It demonstrated a model of management that put emphasis in the care, feeding, and traveling well. It moved on to bring some the activity to new venues and audiences, providing an outlet for former corps members to perform professionally. But most importantly, it provided a creative and learning environment that spawned a whole generation future instructors and designers. Personally I call that more then longevity. I call that legacy.

Oh how I miss you Kay!!!

I don't think there is a conspiracy, I think there is getting a corps to prove itself on the field enabling their recruiting to span out. You're absolutely correct about BAC they turned it around and have been a force to be reckoned since '99. The Blue Knights placed 6th in 2000 but didn't even make finals in 2001, they reorganized. Carolina Crown, wow, they came into Division 1 and showed everyone they meant business and have gone straight to the top. I like to think of them as one of the best examples of what a corps can do with the right staff, organization and recruitment. I have nothing but respect for Carolina Crown and the progress they've made and I think they are a great example of how a corps can move up the corps chain. After reading my last couple of posts I realize I have gone into a drum corps coma and am babbling, sorry.

In World class those would probably be low to mid 60s.

S.O.S the distress call

That is correct! Congrats Crown!

Well done Blue Team! Taking Percussion and Guard and very tight on Viz. The gap has officially closed. Also congrats to CC for remaining dominant in GE and that gorgeous brass. Cadets showed that they deserve to be in the title race and we can longer talk about a 2 corps race......period! SCV and Scouts are the Cinderella stories and this night marks their return to the days of glory....and I don't think they will look back. What a great year for Drum Corps!

I get "Rite of Spring". I've seen Fantasia dozens of times. Dinosaurs and volcanoes and stuff. Rite? Garry in Frankfort, IL

Well, you certainly don't have a music degree worth a #### if you don't know of this work.

You're kidding me with this, right? Give me a break. "I'm not sure the judges even know the music well enough to understand". Literally everyone with a music degree has spent serious time with "The Rite of Spring". It's basically the equivalent of required reading. This post frankly comes off as patronizing and rather high-and-mighty. The judges perfectly well know the music, thank you. As for Rite causing a Riot. Yes. That happened. In the early 20th century. Rite of Spring is not some inaccessible monolith now. We've had WAY more "out there" things in the last 50-70 years alone.

BOSTONS RED IS BACK!!!! RISE!!!!!!!

I've been wondering if the guard uniforms were designed specifically for the sunburst at the end of the show. They are an extension of the flags and it glows! What an amazing effect. I agree with the others who have said this show is a finals caliber show. I couldn't be happier with Fred & Co. for putting something on the field that is true to the Troopers identity, is memorable and stands out in its uniqueness. I really believe they are going to be able to crescendo the GE with subtle additions and effects. Just the Black Btich uniform added so much. Can you image what else they could add?