Drillwatcher

Phantom needs a new percussion staff that understands the activity better. They also need a new brass arranger. Last couple of years have been no where near previous levels. Crossmen and Spirit drills are sub par Bluecoats need a visual coordinator. They are on the brink

I would lessen the amount of WGI guard influence in visual so we get less BS programs.

I hope they can come back. If they go another season they will lose World Class stus I believe and it will make it exponetially more difficult to return.

I hope they do but the complete silence over the Summer does not make things look positive.

Agreed, thus my comment of a little deeper analysis being needed. You can lead a clothes rack horse to water but you never know which end you get...

I would suggest a little deeper analysis. Now the big question, how many will come again?

You are not suggesting he ruin a good story with facts are you....

Moderators how does this belong in World class discussion?

Ditto

If golf claps or people sitting on thier hands is the goal then I guess it is on the right track. The Cadets a couple of years ago did seem to have the crowd appeal. Last year the champion was not wonderful. No one else was better than Blue devils but if that is a few tenths short of a perfect visual show....

Have to disagree with a few things. If the elements which are rewarded are changed because you have judges that understand drill and focus the designers will change as well. You are actually making my point that the recent champions for the most part are not what the crowd thinks is entertaining. I agree more music emphasis is a move in the right direction. Things either need to come around to things the audience can support or we are destined to have many more mirrors and coat rack horses.

Less unpopular champions. Having shows that use actual drill, staging, and focus. Not having 4 out of 5 visual judges give a corps with limited mass appeal perfect scores.

No thier scores and placements have.

It does with all the judges who do big shows and championships being WGI judges.

Having taught for several years you blanket statement is not accurate. We received tapes from Bret Mascaro, Nola Jones, Ed Warren and Dan Smith that did an good job of recogizing and commenting on music demands and how they impacted visual. The comments I believe people are talking about are the Squirrel effects that many music judges feel they are qualified to comment on. You also have lots of comments from "visual" judges that make you think there are 4 guard judges. The concern of the influence on music is valid but is a symptom. Put about 3/4 of the WGI visual judges in front of a drill paper and see what you get. The idea of being wholistic has been lost.

Apparently as close as you can come to intelligent conversation

What would be a good idea would to actually have intelligent conversation about an activity we all must love to be here. If things don'yt change it will not be around long and you will have to chose cage matches, monster trucks and wrestling.

I agree with the WGI guard control as being a negative and has been a big reason shows are less entertaining and music has been devalued. I think the other thing brought up here that has very serious ethical questions is having Cesario as the artistic director influencing shows and more importantly judges and having a huge vested name involvement with the uniform company most of the rcent champions have worn. Time to clean house and eliminate the appearance (and it may be just appearance) that things might be influenced by things other than the members.

I believe as long as they return with in 2 years they can retain world class status

You have got to be kidding. This is his life and although drum corps is an excellent ADDITION to a formal education, the education needs to come first.

DCI site saye someone named Tom Sink is director. Since that appears to be new my guess is Mr. Stinson is not continuing beyond interim.

Here are a few questions. Reading the website Glassmen have 3 different facilities. It looks like 1 is rented. Why would you not utilize space in one you own instead of renting an office? It appears they are both old. Does it really make sense to operate these buildings instead of renting when needed? These seem to be ongoing situations. Maybe a year away is the best solution. It worked for Troopers. I would not be suprised if tryouts are smaller since if someone wants to march they would miss everyone elses tryout if the corps does not go on this season.

I am curious if any one else is concerned that with the new sheetless system WGI and most local circuits are using judges will be able to change scores for up to 6 groups before they turn them in?

Since I would assume as webmaster you would know some of the current information, could you fill us in on the question that started the last bunch of questions. How was the turn out at the first camp? Firm numbers would likely put a lot of the current controversy to rest.

The silence of any actual answer does little for credibility. Making excuses for why people could not attend does little more than make people wonder how small the turn out was. We all know the conflicts that exist. Let people know how things are going maybe they can help.