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sardomus

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Posts posted by sardomus

    Cadets members, post your thoughts here.

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    This is actually an interesting topic that I wouldnt mind scratching the surface of. Thursday night when we got pulled off the field it was very alarming. As most of us were spread out in the opening set we really didn't know why we were being called back to the center of the field. There was kind of a brief explanation...and then Hopkins told us we had to block it up and hurry exit the tunnel. Once I knew why we were being called off, I knew we were going to hear boos. People were intoxicated, we're already public enemy number one for every other reason, and we're not exactly close to home. I knew as we were leaving the field that this was a bad choice. And as much as many people believe Hopkins did it for some sort of competitive edge....he really didnt. He did it for the safety of the corps. Although I knew that, and we knew that as a corps....I knew the 12,000 people in the stands weren't thinking the same thing. We all knew as soon as we had to go back out there we were going to get booed....and it was one of the worst experiences of my life.

    Being apart of the 2006 production we/I sort have got used to constant criticism of the show and used to not having the greatest crowd reactions, but this was a horrible feeling beyond any prior that we were put in. It was bad enough to have our energy we were ready to bring halted by the sudden incident....but the nasty comments we heard from the stands before and during the show really effected me. we tried to not let it hinder our performance but there was no stopping it....once the show started there was such a lack of energy as it felt like everyone was marching on eggshells. I noticed stupid errors that hadn't happened since spring training...just complete mental breakdowns. It wasn't the worst performance we could've done, but it certainly wasn't the way we planned to start the first of the three nights.

    When Hopkins spoke to the corps after the performance as he always did, it was a complete different vibe from any time before. Usually when we come off the field he always knows whether it was a good or bad performance...and when they're bad he gives us a minor pep talk to how we need to take the approach to get better. But that night it was different. He started with sincerely apologizing to the corps for putting us through it. He never had the intentions to set us up for a performance where the fans were booing from the beginning. He explained that his decision was purely spur of the moment and he didnt take the time to think of all the consequences. Obviously its easy for anyone to criticise him when its hindsight 20/20. But he was purely in the moment on a field with 135 performers ready to start, and 12,000 people in the stands screaming at him, and he was faced with a choice. He felt horrible for the position he put us in, and it was the most sincere speech I had ever witnessed from him. It made my eyes water to hear the regret and sorrow from him as he explained how he barely knew what had happened in the show because of how upset he was in the stands with hearing the constant boos and heckling his performers were receiving.

    After four years of marching drum corps, Quarterfinals night 2007 was the worst performance emotionally that I have ever felt. It will stand as my worst drum corps experience, and I hope another corps will never have to go through a performance with what that crowd put us through. It felt horrible and disgusting. I understand after reading these boards a few days after finals, many claim that the boos were directed towards Mr. Hopkins and NOT the corps. BUT, we didnt feel that, nor (at least I) didnt know that. We received those boos as boos towards us. The laughing, the heckling, the obnoxious comments through out the whole show....we felt towards us. And it did negatively impact our performance and we all knew it.

    As far as the outcome of finals and the season....it ended the way it was supposed to end. Whether were going to win or not, we brought our best stuff we had to offer both friday and saturday night, and it was up to 8 judges to crown a winner....nothing anyone else could control. Neither placement would have overshadowed the work and memories that went into this summer...and this was the best summer I could've possibly asked for regardless of that final number was.

    Just a little insider that might shed some light on the topic.....hope it helps

    This post should be pinned at the top of this forum for all the pro-booing idio... um... "people" to read.

    Utterly Disgusted!

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    What is drum corp about, to DCI it is not about the kids, look at where they are holding Div 2 & 3 next year, 200 miles from Indy. The young adults who join the Cadets know what they are getting into. The I believe theme was written by Edward R Morrow back in the fifties and brought back on NPR in 2005, but there was no mention of this all year so is it OK for the Cadets to steal someones work is that what DCI is about. The judging is horriable on Friday the Cadets were dropping equipment all over the field and took first in Color Guard and BD who was perfect came in sixth that judge needs drug testing but since it's the Cadets the judges chack with George first anyway.

    Wow, are you sure you want this to be your first post on DCP?

    Booing in the World of Arts

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by sardomus

    I just can't believe what I've been reading on here the past 2 weeks...

    Ok, let's really stir the pot, by substituting the name of the corps-

    Next season, we should all boo Pioneer until their staff gives them a show they can compete with.

    Oh, sorry, is that offensive to some people? Will I get flamed? I like Pioneer, I admire them, but they are always at the bottom of the pack. So, according to all the pro-booing posts, we should boo whenever they are on the field... keeping in mind that we won't be booing the kids, we'll be booing their staff.

    Now, doesn't that just sound heartless... YES, IT DOES.

    On the Propriety of Booing

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Ya know, I've been thinking a lot about this whole situation since Thursday night, and reading the OP is very much a "wake-up call" for me. DCI is not what it used to be when I became a fan, not because of the shows that "push the envelope", but because the audience reaction has changed from simply not applauding at things you don't like, to booing and shouting things like, "give the kid a gun already" (and before anyone says that it was just one fan, the laughter that followed the remark was loud enough to be heard in the theaters).

    So, as a director, I will no longer be selling the activity to my students and recommending to my students that they march Div 1, because I will not subject any of my kids to these "symptoms of DCI's schizophrenia". Anyone who is a HS director, ask yourself this- if you were at Quarterfinals or were in a theater, would you want your kids to be on the field with The Cadets?

    Booing and the Cadets

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Is that what really happened OR did the booing continue even when they came back out and starting performing?

    This pretty much sums it up-

    During the trumpet player's narration (that many describe as the "EMO Kid"), someone yelled out, "Give this kid a gun already!", followed by laughter in the crowd.

    I don't care if you like narration or not, if you like the Cadets or not, that's just not being human.

    Cadets Changes

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Also, at one point, the guard have a featured toss where instead of grunting (as they did in Quarters), they sounded like they had yelled "EAST". Anyone else catch that? I think that was sort of a reaction to being booed the night before. The whole corps just had a lot more moxy on Friday and I think that attitude (plus some of the changes) will lead them to a victory tonight. It's going to be a blast either way though!

    Funny, I thought I heard them yell "East" also.

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