SomeOtherJoe

Just realized how cool it was to grow up around drum corps in California... got to march with 4 of the top 5 DCI corps on the list. Put me down for BD.

Since the tenth discussion came up... a little insight into the topic of discussion on the Blue Drum side after finals: Prelims Recap -------------------------------- BD Perc: 19.5 - 1st GF Perc: 18.9 - 3rd BD Perc GE: 9.8 - 3rd GF Perc GE: 10.0 - 1st Finals Recap -------------------------------- BD Perc: 19.8 - 1st GF Perc: 18.9 - 7th BD Perc GE: 9.5 - 4th GF Perc GE: 9.9 - 1st All Blue GE scores went UP except for Drum GE, which went down 3/10ths to 9.5... the lowest GE score handed out in about a month. That from a Drum GE judge that spent 75% of the tape talking about the guard... apparently the drumline wasn't very "effective." But hey, who's #####in' about a tenth. :) In all seriousness, that was a great time to march, win or lose. Losing didn't matter much a day or two later, doubt winning would have either... definitely doesn't 20 years later!

La Fiesta?

Wasn't trying to imply that there are, regardless of all the chatter... though it definitely might have come off that way. The primary point was that it would take much more than an 8th place finish to knock 'em out.

34 straight finals appearances... only a fool would bet against 'em. Too much talent in the NorCal band circuit to keep SCV down considering there are only two big times in the region, both differ drastically in style, and both are considered legendary in the activity. With that said, if anything can bring SCV down, it's financial/organizational problems. Considering their rabid alumni backing, hard to imagine even that having a long term impact.

Not sure where you got your numbers... mine look a bit different. '76 SCV - 4th '77 SCV - 7th - 8th when Oakland included - Approx. 50% Vets - .25 up from 9th (10th w/ Oakland considered) '78 SCV - High Drums '79 SCV - High Drums SCV has made the switch about 4 times now. Want to include variances in transition years for each?

I've got no problem with the majority of your post... sounds like the guy had a huge influence on you, which is cool! However, I've seen the statement above bandied about all over the net all year long, and I've had to laugh everytime I've seen it... cuz it defies common sense. There is NO line that could pull off a grip switch without an initial dropoff... NONE! Take the current year's high drums line, bring 'em all back, switch 'em to matched, and they're taking 4th or lower... ok, maybe 3rd... nah, 4th. The notion you can switch and simply glide on w/out a dip is hilarious. It ain't that easy, and dues must be paid... at least a year's worth. There have been tons of "young" SCV lines, and none of 'em have fallen off in placement so far so fast. Age and inexperience may have played a part, but so did the grip transition. Not sure why people get all defensive and try to explain it away. It's just a price you pay when you make the switch. Question is, why pay the price then follow it up with a complete turnaround. Not sure what happened in the org, but the guy should've gotten the opportunity to push it forward for another two years. By the way, before you argue the "matched had nothing to do with it" point, look for some empirical evidence. I'm willing to bet every tradish to matched transition year you fine will point to a significant dropoff. I'm surprised it's even an argument.

Perspective and context. It may not have seemed like much of an enigma to you, but that's cuz y'all were creating it! Most of the folks that followed in your footsteps looked back to what you did and "how" you did it... the "how" was passed down by folks that were there. There was a point made re: just "who" was available from within the ranks. Excellent point... maybe no one. Casella and Gussek... from high drums to 10th to gone. Is that a red flag? Maybe no one wanted the job... if we're speculating, it's probably just as likely a speculation. What makes SCV SCV? Is it the corps hall, the music selection, the instruments... the uniform? Is it the writing? The staff? Fans seem to be rabid... is it because of the uniqueness? If so, what makes 'em unique? I don't doubt the excellence of the two guys hired. But, commitment to excellence does not equate to carrying forward a specific type of unique. BD, Cadets, Cavs... all of 'em have a commitment to excellence, but all are very different from SCV. Why? My initial point was that it will be different. Doesn't mean it won't be excellent, nor does it mean it won't be better, it just means it'll be different. With two new caption heads from outside the ranks... I'd be willing to wager on that.

Fred started it all. Ralph started under Fred... and took over surrounded by alums. Your point has no merit.

Any thoughts? Yup... I think you're right on the money. No one outside of SCV "gets" SCV. There's a loooooong running tradition in that drumline. Extremely odd to see two outsiders hired to supposedly carry it forward. That's not a statement on either's talent in any way, shape, or form.

There are plenty of negative reviews on the site. I guess they just found his particular review uncivil. "G" already admitted to a good deal of emotion coming through while writing. The post reads a bit like a rant and/or venting in certain areas. The mods made their judgement call... they're usually pretty good at it. No big. Again, THERE ARE PLENTY OF NEGATIVE REVIEWS POSTED ON THE SITE. Heck, there's a few posts directly to Dave re: a dislike of narration... and they're still there. Take a few minutes to search/read the site, and you'll find your comment baseless. Well, that's one way to solve downtime, dropped connection, and constant throughput problems. B)

Sorry, bud, but I've gotta call BS. Your assertion is bogus. Do a search on "narration" and/or "derby" on the BD board and you'll find PLENTY of opinions stating a dislike for the current year's offering. Both FMMs and non-FMMs have given reviews and/or opions that aren't exactly "favorable." If your posts were deleted, then I suspect it was due to choice of words more than content. There are probably more posts favoring "other" corps on that board than the sum of those favoring BD. In fact, the majority of corps related posts deleted have been posts slamming "other" corps. I doubt you'll find any corps specific board that hosts such a large contingent of "alternate" corps fans, or that attempts to apply leniency in terms of allowing differing, negative viewpoints. I also doubt the moderators on that board are experts in libel. IMO, they're trying to balance a desire to be lenient in terms of offering opposing viewpoints, the need to maintain a basic level of civility, and the requirement of using the board as a means for dissemenating public information and keeping parents informed. The thickness of their skin is being tested this summer (for obvious reaons), and at times, it may be thinner than others. So your post was deleted... so what, join the club. Word it differently while stating the same opinion, and I bet it stays. It wouldn't be the first. Or, you can write "hey x, what the **** were you thinking when you dreamed up that **** show" and watch it get canned in a few milliseconds ;-) By the way, I'm betting the only real feedback they need is the finals score/placement. I would expect 'em to come out swinging next year!