SNModdison

I was answering that question.

You said he had a California bias. That implies you think someone is better than BD and SCV.

Probably have to check and see who judged. My guess is that judge on Finals night judged earlier in the season and had BD above SCV in guard. Even though the judges are told to judge the performance in front of them, some judges seem to have favoritism. I'm not saying this particular judge did that, but that could possibly explain it. Winning guard by .2 one night, and then losing by .3 seems large to me as well. I have always thought of it like this: a .1 gap means they are barely ahead of the next group, .2 there is a discernible difference, but still in the same ball park, and .3 gap would mean they are almost not in the same ball park. So, having one judge have one group ahead, and then almost not in the same ball park the next night seemed like a bit of a statement to me. Just my 2 cents, for whatever that's worth. lol

Ouch. I rather like their music.

Don't play with my emotions!!! LOL.

This is the closest outcome that I'd like to see. I'm hoping the Seattle Cascades are higher than 27th though!

They'd better be! I paid for the subscription mostly to watch Finals!

This is an almost impossible task. I love many of these. Phantom 2007 might be one of my favorites though, so that's what ended up with my vote.

I'm not sure there is much left to be said, other than to simply say the results are not pre-planned at all. Judges are asked to read the performance; that's it.

The judges do not agree communally what the scores will be, nor do they know what scores each judge will give each corps.

I did not bash another corps. You misunderstood my point.

That's not what I meant. What I meant is that the Blue Devils have a very distinct sound. Whether or not their music is happy and light, or dissident and dark, I can always tell that it is the Blue Devils.

What I was trying to get across is that it doesn't matter if they sound the "same" every year. They are good. The Blue Devils are always super clean, and that's always good too. Paul Rennick's drumline are always great, and have the "same" kind of feel every year as well. None of these things are bad. That's what I was trying to say.

"The need someone who can write a show that doesn't sound like every other show they've done for a lot of years. " This sounds like the Blue Devils to me; the same 'ole sound every year. Carolina Crown's brass sounds wonderful and performs at a high level every year. Why must we beat down the competition? It's like saying the Blue Devils march the best every year.... Or, I guess are the cleanest every year. Why so much bashing?

And I will respectfully disagree in return.

Yes, it was a show that got passed up by being completely hosed at finals. This is probably the biggest shaft I've seen. The best corps, with the best show got hosed finals night.

Cavaliers 2002 or Cadets 1998. 1998 Cadets is definitely an underrated show from a cleanliness standpoint. They were pretty dang clean visually.

I almost can't decide between 1998 and 1999 SCV. 1998 was my first year marching, and SCV was the first corps I saw. That show inspired me, and still does today; I get chills listening to it even today. 1999 in Madison, watching SCV live, and the tie... that was my favorite show. So, they are both winners for me!

I've definitely felt their ending lacks excitement, especially visually. There has to be more.

To answer the original post: Yes, BD and SCV are the top 2 because they have the best shows, performed at the highest level. It's pretty simple.

I would think any year that the Blue Devils don't win, they get caught by someone. They always start out at the top.

True; the comment about performance beating the content numbers made me think of the peaking thing. We shall see. It will be exciting, especially since BD and SCV only see each other one more time until finals week.

Peaking too early, maybe? Curious your thoughts.

Kemp's number was a big reason for the spread tonight. The numbers are very close across the board, and the content numbers for Vanguard look strong. Keep cleaning, and they may just be able to win this thing. Exciting.

Crown's drum line is good this year! They are very clean. Hopefully they continue the upward movement next year!