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We were having this very discussion last night. It’s obvious that the criteria for what constitutes performance is miles apart between the eyes and ears of adjudicators and fans. Look at the responses to those who performed before and after those who received multiple standing ovations is a clear indication if there ever was. We noticed there’s no replacement for wonderful musical phrases, powerful brass and percussion and actual marching design with great guard staging. Props and/or lighting is not a replacement for either. We also noticed that amplification and electronics is not a substitute for complete musical phrases either and is better when used in support of the musical repertoire instead of being the musical repertoire. It was nice to see individual corps identity resurgence with the hope that it remains. Costumes are not required to tell a story or emitting themed translations to receive audience approval. Seems like great drill design is still the staple for fan visual appreciation vs fluttering around from one set to another then striking a silly pose. Finally guard unison work with choreographed body movements along with the use of flag colors are both more beautiful and impressive in comparison to individual improvised movements or theme based equipment use. Anyway you cut it scores will determine a winner. The big question is what will determine the scores in the future?

To anyone involved with the 2021 season. Congrats. Staff. Member. Volunteer. Whatever. We did it. Drum corps made it back. Was full of fear a year ago. Full of happiness and hope now.

FloMarching? Narration? A corps director pacing the front sidelines? This is DCP, complaining is an artform!

Saw everything live yesterday after watching a few of the events on Flo. The shows were more exciting than I had expected, and it was just great to be there in person. Just a few quick things: Great to see a kind of reset and renewed confidence out of Phantom, Madison, Cadets, Troopers. Maybe no scoring on a shortened season benefited several corps in ways tough to imagine back in fall 2019. Maybe no scores allowed everyone to relax and just perform. (Well, just design, teach, and perform.) But I missed the competitive angle. Blue Knights still one of my favorite corps to listen to in the stands. I almost never remember much about their shows, however. If I could snap my fingers and make that attic thing on the left disappear, the Cadets would have had a near perfect show. And Flo doesn't capture how sharp those uniforms look. Tough to be a little critical when everyone's in a we're all winners mood, but I'll go there: Boston's amping was just plain irritating. Such a great horn line. It didn't need the dial cranked up like that. I didn't notice it on Flo. For me, it diminished the show in person. They should have saved some money by not going with the video screens. Vanguard video: What a great way to showcase that corps and the talent in a video format. Crown was very good Crown as always, but SCV made me think there is some special creativity going on out in NoCal. Blue Devils video: Perplexing. Always glad to see Bluecoats being fun and distinctive Bluecoats. Because I'm not a big Beatles fan, this show (and the one in 2019) doesn't bring out the goosebumps as it does for so many others. But they are a great stew of talent out there on the field. In 2022: Ready for Bluecoats to pivot directions, even a little. Ready for Blue Devils to shrug off whatever fever led to that video and go for #20. Ready for Vanguard to push the envelope ahead of everyone else. Not sure there is anything the Cavaliers can do for me to surpass 2019's Wrong Side of the Tracks, but I'm ready for them to make the attempt.

So the circumstances of the universe created a season without scoring - something that when I was marching "they" said would never happen. Seems like the atmosphere surrounding the activity is a lot healthier than usual. A lot more positive. No endless ####-talking between fans and #####ing about tenths from this judge or that, or if Czapinski hates our guard, etc etc. All the competitive BS between corps is gone too - you're naive if you think 20 year olds are mature enough to not be ######## about it [reminds me of 2007 when I saw a Crown member after a show and told him how much I loved what they were doing, and they just said "We should be beating Phantom."] The argument was always "if there is no competition, there won't be the incentive to strive for excellence." Seems like that was BS too. Fans seem to be eating up the shows made for them rather than to eek out a couple of points of GE. Maybe it's time to ditch the scores?

I missed the scores. It's kind of an analytical game to see how my amateur thinking compares to the judges. But I did sense a less stressful LOS last night. And while this is almost dumb to assert after one afternoon and evening of shows, it had the feel last night that corps like Phantom, Madison, Cadets had regained good confidence - maybe after performing without the constant, depressing feedback showing they are not in the top mix.

nope scores will always be here & need to be!

This was a fun 3 days. It was amazing what quality entertaining shows were produced mostly virtually throughout the winter and spring, and then collectively at practice, but for only a few short weeks to put together and then attempt to clean. There was enormous variety among the styles and visuals and music, attire. Kudos to all of these Corps that despite unprecedented challenges, found a way to get out there on the field this summer to perform for both themselves and us fans. The return of the smiles on the faces of these performers in all these corps, brought a smile to my face and brought me joy. Thank You to all these Corps and staff and volunteers that made what looked like the impossible not that long ago, become the possible.

This was fun, the entire 3+ weeks have been fun and refreshing and a great distraction from everyday life. But most importantly, it's reaffirmed my love for this activity. I can't wait to introduce this activity to my young child, after they (only one child that we are aware of) are born in 2022. I hope the child will love drum corps as much as I do.

I think the 2021 season worked well without scores. We need scores for Championships, but in 2022, do we need scores at EVERY show? What if during the week shows were not judged, and corps could continue celebrating their history/identity while honoring 50 years of DCI. During weekends/regionals judges judge, scores/placements are given and we have a 2022 DCI champion. Week day shows become cheaper for the show sponsors, and fans get to see the 2022 shows with instant encores and small ensembles included. I would gladly go to a Wednesday night show without scores yet still pay for Flomarching so I could see the "competitions" on the weekends. Z

It’s always been within our power to care more about entertainment and personal development and other things more important than scores, and it will continue to be within our power. Having scores again won’t force us to make them more important than those other things. That is a choice for us to make, and maybe the experience of this year will lead us to make it more wisely.

Congratulations to ALL the corps who made it on the road and to Indy this summer under even tougher than normal challenges! It was a terrific success. Don't forget to do what you can to support your favs this off season, a large number of corps organizations are under great stress still coping with the impact of COVID. We will lose several, please help if you can.

I hope this topic is not too early for discussion. But, I believe based on what I saw from the Scouts from their first gender inclusive shortened season, I believe that they can have a really good season next year. I understand that they are starting a competitive winter percussion program, a winter guard, and teaming up with the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. I think this will be great for talent development during the winter months for the Scouts. The future can be good for them again!

Congratulations to Boston Crusaders Executive Director Chris Holland for bring selected bas the 2021 DCI Director of the Year! Very deserved!

To be honest, I think it's really easy to say "the judges just don't get us and aren't rewarding us." It could also be that "long musical phrases" weren't the issue. Maybe Don Hill wasn't able to capture the complexity necessary to impress judges, and maybe that has nothing to do with long phrases or "four distinct pieces." For what it's worth, I think Regiment placed about where it should have in 2014. So regardless of how they got there, I'd say the judges did a good job in the end.

Bjorkstakovich!

I think the attention to scores is more of a fan thing. Yes, the top 6 or 7 want to win. Equally important for the next tier is to get into 12th or better...and stay there. BAC has made no secret of their aspirations BUT it should be noted that all those years of DCI prior to them coming into the top 12 in 1999, the corps focused on simply "being Boston". Their "We don't gava" attitude in those years clearly served them well, because most of their competitors have since vanished. When BAC went out in 1979 with 25 horns and 83 with 19 they knew they wouldn't win...or even make top 12. It was all about survival.

What we are seeing today is THIS generation’s style. My generation, with its innovations like “total concept shows” and breakneck drill had its heyday (and irritated the previous generation). If a style doesn’t do it for you, no need to worry! It will change again soon enough… and, sometimes, “what’s old is new again.”

Won't be surprised if there are some changes resulting from the experiences these past two years. Don't think they will be major changes, like dropping to a four-week season. This year didn't seem like treading water. Bunch of staff, leaders, and performers put on a great tour given the situation. And they had to make key decisions months ago during great uncertainty. I think the corps and DCI did a fine job in 2021.

This year was a one year free pass, a one time only pass. If there’s no judging, what would we complain about?

thank you DCI for saving my sanity....All the corps reaffirmed my hopes for 2022...particularly the corps that normally place 13 thru 18..keep up the good work..peace

And he was totally serious about a Bjork/Shostakovich crossover. Who wouldn’t be?

i logged in tonight ( i was at the beach Thursday and friday) and hands down the best audio and video of the season. sucks that i couldn't get that til finals night

Don’t forget to cancel your Flo subscription or they will charge you automatically.

I'll play this game. Personal faves: Phantom, Cadets, Bluecoats Best overall show: Bluecoats Brass: Boston Percussion: Cadets Guard: Boston GE: Bluecoats Visual: Cadets (I tend to go to marching for this...I know the criteria are different) Musical moments: Bluecoats ballad soloist, Cadets Simple Gifts, Phantom's opener, Cavies Sing Sing Sing Favorite single moment: BAC Guard rifles in the ballad. Favorite Encore: Phantom in the end zone with Elsa's tonight. BONUS MOMENT: When the Blue Devils came outta nowhere tonight and won the WTF caption pipping the Mandarins like Phantom got past the Blue Devils in 2008.

What an incredible season, despite it being short. There were no shows that I did not like. Everyone was amazing in their own way this year. The following are just for fun. Personal Favorites: The Cadets, Phantom Regiment, Boston Crusaders, Bluecoats, Madison, Spirit of Atlanta, Music City (these folks really blew me away watching them live in Akron, OH). Favorite Musical Moments: Far and Away & Moondance, Cadets; Boston's ballad & closer, Bluecoats closer, Phantom Regiment ballad and closer, Spirit of Atlanta's ballad, Madison's closer, Cavaliers Sing Sing Sing, Blue Knights' closer, Music City's opener & closer, and probably many more. Favorite Encore: So many were amazing but the Cavaliers playing Jupiter on Thursday past was really well done. Things that were great to see: Iconic uniforms (Cadets, Scouts)

Hope it’s not too early for this, but I think the future looks bright for Phantom after their performance tonight! This Phan is VERY happy and excited.

Best tater tots: Slippery Noodle Best thing about Indy’s Greyhound station: 2 minute walk to stadium Best stadium food: nachos Best you-got-guts moment: A trumpet player from Spirit of Atlanta took a bad fall during the Friday performance. He returned later to the age out recognition with a bandaged forehead. Best embrace: Madison Scouts drum major and the contra soloist following Madison’s encore of You’ll Never Walk Alone

Not surprisingly, the first three 2022 topics are for Cadets, Regiment, and Scouts, three organizations seemingly on the uptick in terms of fan excitement.

Best video production where you are thankful no one was hurt by an approaching bear, mountain lion or blurry looking Bigfoot. Santa Clara Vanguard - Wait for Me

"Heineken?!!! F**k that s**t! Pabst...Blue...Ribbon!"

Phantom has always has issues with many folks about how they approach and arrange. Some people don't dig under the surface and think very deeply about what's inside that arrangement. They come to some rather shallow conclusions in quite a few instances. Lord, we can go back to 1979's "Malambo" and people saying the triplets weren't difficult because they were in unison. Mmmhmm.... Yeah. Right. Passages where the Low Brass were in the lower ends of the instrument, which could get excruciatingly ugly with G Bugles and was insanely hard to make work, and well, it wasn't pitched high enough to suit some folks. There's a catch phrase that's been in vogue, "Sustain and deliver" in evaluations. (Yeah, I know it's got other connotations, but that's what the term is.) Sustaining and shaping a long musical phrase and then capping it off with the hit or ending idea isn't easy. It demands a lot of thought from the performers and maturity. Thinking back, "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral", at least in the Calliet transcription for Wind Band, is an very difficult exercise in patience. Cranking out he notes are easy. Making it a musical experience is very, very challenging. If one is into instant gratification... or into being spoonfed with being hammered to death with painfully obvious challenges and difficulty well... Phantom has suffered for not being that way a good bit of the time for quite some time, not just recently. In 1999, they made it pay off, and it was pretty much a miraculous thing. Effect doesn't have to be blatantly obvious, nor "Impressive". It can have subtle facets. Same with deciding what is challenging and how challenging. There are nuances. Just my tuppence.

I feel BK has figured out how to develop long emotional build ups that fit today’s style. They do it in a much more subtle way than we’re used to in the past. The same for SCV in ‘18 and ‘19. What I like about both those corps is that they respect me as an audience member by asking me to invest some thought. 96 and ‘10 Regiment are the epitome of long build ups, different in their approach yet both with big emotional payoffs. I trust Regiment will find a way to make it work. It can be done.

Great David Lynch joke. Even effective without the “f” bomb.

Were the designers drinking Heineken or Pabst Blue Ribbon when they were putting together that presentation?

I agree. Nicely said.

No. No. No. Drum Corps is about competing, not exhibition. We're Americans. Someone has to come in first place.

I hope so. I have missed the Cadets during the past few years. Just could not get into their shows. And then the whole organizational mess. I want to think of 2021 as having finally put a lot of junk behind them.

That Canadian humor gets him in trouble from time to time 🙂

Well deserved in my opinion. "Thoroughly enjoyed their recreation of their iconic 2003 Phantom Regiment production of " Harmonic Journey ". Their attire, visuals, music, marching, was traditional and spectacular. The show flowed so well from start to finish. Its not difficult to understand why they were such a big hit with the fans this summer. Congratulations Phantom Regiment.

thank you to all of the corps, staff and volunteers that came out this summer.

DCi doesn't have the resources to pay for blanket rights to everything, and some rights owners won't give it or they have clauses that say they can veto things if they so wish. it's been covered to death on here as is the fact that Dan doesn't get to make many of the calls you proscribe him the power you think he has...but really doesn't. and i'm not defending Dan. i'm stating bylaws

Ok. Thank you to DCPers for a short but fun season of enjoying these shows together. I cannot wait for what next year holds.

Blue Devils #20 in 2022!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I don’t think anyone has mentioned this, but Mandi’s show could have competed this year. A very nice complete show.

One last time. Mood:

Must be tasty kool-aid

Also, the WTF was that? award goes to: The Blue Devils video

I cut the cord years ago and stream tv through YouTube tv. No dish, no cable, just kick ### fiber with one gig network. It’s magnificent.