RJM

We cared plenty about our scoring when I marched with the Scouts '76-'79, probably to our detriment. As I recall, our staff, including Scott Stewart (who became director in '77) often quarreled with the judges over scores and earned a reputation for impetulance. I can't comment objectively on the accuracy of our scores and never bought into any conspiracy theories but our staff often told us we were being underscored. I hope things have changed. It was frustrating making runs at the title in '76 and '78 having the majority of our corps (and its leaders) thinking that we would be scoring higher if the judges were more fair and consistent. We tried to put on excellent, entertaining shows and for the most part succeded. Hand-wringing over scores for the 20+ years that Scott was director would have been exhaustive and probably counterproductive so I hope it dissipated from its heights in the late 70's.

I saw them last night at their own show in Lawrence MA and frankly they looked flat, especially during the first half of their show. Lots of marching problems which surprised me so late in the season. Few corps could favorably follow the ultra-clean Cavaliers but I had Boston closer to Academy then to SCV.

Could anyone comment on last night's Charlotte show? The Crossmen took a big hit.

That's just what I was looking for Linda. Seems Mr. Eendicott is the primary contact for the Explorer Fund. So glad to see the Scouts improvement throughout the year. A top 12 finish will improve their recuiting capabilities for the '09 season. RJM

Thanks Linda for the link to the explorer fund. Ill have to do some research about donating to it vs. the corps directly. RJM

What's the Explorer Fund 2007? (I'm a former Scout)

Hey, is this Todd Ryan the the very laid-back Todd Ryan who was a 2nd Sop. with Madison circa '75-'81?

Ditto everything you said. It's way over the top. I had to cover my ears during a live perfomance. My wife, who is new to drum corps, got up and left - and she's not squeemish. Two thumbs way down on the narration. <**>

I believe... Micheal Jordon and Jesse Owens could claim to be (or have been) "Athletes of God." I beleive... Both would have the modesty to not make such a claim. I believe... This type of self-aggrandizement does not help drum corps in any way.

1979 SCV- Men among Boys

1976 Madison- awesome talent; the season was too short.

Our (Scouts) finals show in '79. It was like a bad dream unrolling in slow motion- an 11 minute cringe.

Yeah, the '78 hornline had great talent top to bottom and probably rivaled the talent levals of the '73-'76 lines. But, if I must to choose three, they are: 1975, 1981 and 1995.

I'm a BD fan from way back. I saw their semifinal performance live in '05 and thought they were actually overscored that night.

I was 12 when I started the 1976 season with Madison (3rd sop.)- the year after their first championship. I was tall and could pass for maybe 14 or 15. Remarkably I wasn't the youngest one in the corps at the time. We had a cymbal player a month or two younger then I. Yes, it was tough mixing with 20 and 21 year-olds at that age. Good thing it doesn't happen these days.