prodigal bari

I think there is something to like in most every show; even ones whose concepts you may or may not agree with. And this year was a veritable smogasboard of styles and approaches the sort we have not seen in many years. This is a year where from top to bottom you had some sense of both parity in excellence and variety of styles we have not seen in a long, long time. I do have a concern, however. (controversial opinion follows... ) I think that the fear of some in the community attempting to force the entire activity into a homogenous direction has contributed to the controversies we have discussed ad naseum on this board and within the DC community. And it is justified. The funk in the 90's was caused by such similar pressure where corps felt forced to follow a formula in order to place...and IF that occurs again we will see the same funk return...and with the thin margins that corps have to run on financially, anything that destabilizes audience numbers could spell trouble for the activity. That is my concern....and it needs to be addressed by DCI; and some type of expansionistic discipline within the rules and judging norms needs to be excercised so the activity can keep a varied palate of styles and approaches...without the personal biases being the tail that wags this dog. Keep the palate expansive, and the audiences will keep coming back.

And playing, as opposed to talking...

Please explain exactly what you are talking about...I am curious. Especially when it comes in the guise of a hit-and-run. Please...I am waiting...

Very simplistic answer there...but you know that was NOT what I was talking about. George is pushing a quantum change in DC. He does not get it...then he deliberately pushes a over-the-line show on the audience. Then in addition he does something almost unprecedented in DCI history...holding his corps OTL in Worlds...then throws a public fit when he disagrees with the results. THAT is what we are talking about. Now...think. It isn't that hard to do.... at least for me. :)

THIS is where the adults who put this show together should have thought about the implications of having controversial content in the program...and the corps director acting so poorly in front of the audience. They (George) acted badly and used the corps as a shield; no less than when a coach throws a full-blown tirade at the officials and starts throwing chairs. The players are stuck in the middle; and it is the offending adult's fault. It is time for GH to face the music on this one. And quit putting the kids/young adults in the middle of this squabble.

As opposed to rebutting you?

Get over using the hate card. <**>

My problem with this entire episode is that there is a man who is hiding behind a large group of kids/adults making them do things for him and his visions; and then ducking behind them when shots are winged back at him. George Hopkins. He has used this incredibly talented corps to try to force unwanted change on the entire activity; and then castigated those who react as being mean to the performers...knowing all the time that he is using those performers as a shield from criticism of his actions and his visions. I know most of these members know they are performing controversial works...but when George gets booed (which he probably deserves himself) it gets deflected onto the kids...because they are always close by. Don't think it does not happen....I have seen this too many times just in the marching activity alone...and IMO it is nothing short of cowardly. Therefore there is one more person who I would add to the list of those who ought to be embarassed and ashamed; and that is the director of the corps himself...for knowingly becoming a lightning rod for such venom that it gets soaked up by the young adults he is in charge of. <**> <**> <**>

This situation with Cadets in Q-finals is reminicent of the infamous IC Reveries sit-down strike in the late-60's...one that caused the disbandment of that corps. My quesion to the community is...How damaging could this be to the Cadets (especially with the actions of its director being so public)...could it conceivably lose financial support due to the potential embarassment of its benefactors...and other various factors? Let it rip, ladies and gents...

Can you say "IC Reveries part deux?" Keep the penalty...and Cadets be glad they were not DQ'd outright. And lets see if they can recover tonight. in other words..YEA.

There is a difference, however (booing aside...). Star was working within the envelope, and pushing the daylights out of it, in order to create something different within the medium. The envelope was not being changed, however. And since (for 1993) it was so visionary it is now celebrated and respected now. George (by way of his vehicle, the Cadets) are completely out of the envelope, and are trying instead to work in a 3-ring circus; ignoring the envelope completely. This show would be accepted in another medium...but since it is perceived to be beyond the rules (whether it is or not) is the reason why it is not only accepted, but absolutely reviled by the general DC public. I doubt this show will receive that respect 14 years from now for that very reason. It is because George used it as a protest...and sadly for its membership (although aware of its controversial content) they are caught in the middle. :(

I cannot believe I am actually defending George... With the content of drill demand the Cadets have safety is an issue...and if they cannot see the lines for their pic points, then you will have collisions. And yes, members can get injured doing these drills. Now, he did make a horse's rear out of himself...but he did have a point.

1st time Troop has broken 80 in many, many years....Congrats!

I bet they are removing all the complaints about the lame webcast, too.

Can you imagine a corps getting ahold of this type of field...and programming the drill dots into the matrix for rehearsal??? This COULD be the next leap for instruction...

I believe (pun not intended) that if there were guidelines in place for the adjudication of vocals that what we heard from Cadets would be significantly different. They are working in a present gray area of the sheets; and I suspect they are using that to their advantage. If the judges all of a sudden figured it out in Q finals you would see a SIGNIFICANT change in Semis. Again, it is the old adage...You do not clean what can't be seen. Except it is 'You do not clean what is not judged.' ps...They could take a lesson from Bloooo....even with their added narration, it does not get in the way of the music at all...in fact, it actually ADDS to the performance. (And this is from one who is not a big fan of yapping in shows..) Remember, 'you have the right to remain silent...' :P

They're playing the game of 'plausible deniability...' <**>

So we can compare it to yo....oops; cant do that! :P

If they are just averaging in the regionals in which a corps ATTENDED then it does not pay to go to any early regionals and take a beating in the standings. Couldn't DCI come up with anything that made more sense and fairness than THIS?? Looks like they got the France family of NASCAR to come up with this scenario... (And please, do not say 'It will work out for the semi's...just making the moviecast is worth money for recruiting; and again adds fodder for DCI playing for the big boys and squeezing out the little ones...)

Man...without the penalty; SCV takes a huge surge!!!!!!!!!!

Also...look at the score compression...just a bit over 15 pts from front of the field to the 17th place cutoff...the corps are so evenly matched!

They have some gall...pushing Platinum membership after this bloody mess of a webcast!

THAT they are....

Did you just notice the lack of applause for the Cadets???? Wow.....

It is incredible that SCV is a 7th place corps...with THAT high calibre of performance! Next week will be amazing...