Bob984

"Allen, Dr. J didn't skip practice.....and you can't shine his shoes.....and you did skip practice......you're GONE".......lol.. great post!!

(1) I have NEVER booed a corps......nobody who works 8-14 hours per day in the heat to perform for an audience deserves to be booed............also, these are not professional performers, but are kids......if you don't like their show, then don't clap....if you really can't stand them, go for a Coke.............. (2) I HAVE booed scores/results of a show. The individuals who judge are paid professionals to make a call. Sometimes I don't agree with a call....sometimes I highly disagree.......and if that call places someone lower than I think is right, or I don't agree with the winner, that is the only way that I can voice my displeasure. I would do the same thing at a sporting event if it is a bad call in a big game, especially late in a tight game with all on the line. (3) I do not think any yelling or booing during a corps performance is called for, and I consider it a disruption of the performance and improper behavior....not only to the performers, but the rest of the audience. If you did this at a golf or tennis match, or at an indoor jazz or orchestral concert, you would be shown the door.....in a hurry.......this is not a football game, but a musical performance. I think those who yell ANYTHING at inappropriate times during a performance, especially to "make the record" (like so many think they have to these days), and especially anything derogatory....should be shown the exit... I also feel that showing disrespect to any corps during their performance in the future has the potential to actually cause altercations in the stands........ GB

There is one point missed here..........most of the corps play "arrangements"....music that has already been composed and performed, and then it is arranged for the corps musicians. Some of today's arrangers are so interested in maiking their own "mark" with their arrangement, almost re-writing the piece, that they distort the original and in many instances come up with a product that is not nearly as effective as the original. Two examples: Successful: Crown....arranger did a superb job arranging the original works for drum corps, keeping the integrity of the original scores, and completeness of musical thought..........extremely effective........... Problem : Boston.....La Fiesta.....arranger took so many liberties with the original to attempt to create a different flavor/feel, that the arrangement came across as "just ok", even though the corps performed very well....as this happened, all I could think of was the "straight ahead" Maynard Ferguson arrangement for me is so much more effective, and has been done very well by other drum corps (Devils/Muchachos), and I wonder how much better they would have been playing an arrangement closer to the Maynard version... Music is art, and composers are artists. Yes, most professional composers do not sit there and write thinking "the crowd will buy this"....However, the most famous of composers were those who wrote brilliant music that was not only critically aclaimed by the "musical community" but well-received by the public. Orchestras don't still play "great standards" because they HAVE to....they do it because the music is great and the patrons of orchestras wish to hear those works. However, there is always room for new, GREAT compositions. Great music will stand the test of time; always has, always will. Drum corps is a musical "sport" played in front of large audiences. If the majority of the audience is not "moved' by the musical product, then in my opinion, that product is not a 19.5 in musical effect. Great music is usually fully recognized by both critic and public/audience. If a drum corps arranger writes a musical book that only receives "polite applause" throughout the entire program, it would be safe to deduce that perhaps the arrangement or original work left something to be desired or just did not communicate well to the audience. Finally, if design teams can step back and say "I think we have come up with a tremendous musical product" and the statement is actually true, they shouldn't have to worry about the critics (judges) or the audience. GB

I may be "old school", but I agree. I think the rule allowing a "flying start" and these unjudged prelude/accompaniment/whatever that we have at the beginning of some shows has been ineffective, and should be eliminated.....if they are that good, then they can do them at the start of their show.......it has also made the announcer's job, especially at smaller regular season shows, difficult, as they have to be cued exactly when to announce the corps.......... GB

Ideally, I liked it when the entire show was on live TV......I don't see that happening anytime in the near future, and that is one expensive show. I think it is great that we are on ESPN, and that has opened our "sport" to a new audience......I would love to see full shows broadcast.....but I also realize that DCI makes money on DVD's, and they made far less when people could record the entire product off of the airwaves.......I am sure that is part of the decision.....I have had a problem with explaining to non-drum corps people that they are not seeing the entire contest or the entire performances....I do think they should make it continually known that they are only seeing excerpts of the shows.....I think quarterfinals live in the theatres and also the Spring showdown theatre broadcasts have been greak perks for drum corps fans.......Nothing is perfect, but I think what we have is good........... GB

2nd half of show..........Tchaikovsky Suite 3 Finale....fabulous piece of music....difficult....very impressive.......never been attempted by a marching organization that I know of......... GB

At a show, sheets go to the tabulator immediately after turned in by judges....rumor has it the score was tabulated (thus the tabulator would know) and a few people in the vicinity of the tabulator saw/knew as well...then sheets were destroyed shortly thereafter as stated. What would be interesting is that all judges keep a "tote" of their scores for each corps, and I am certain that those who judged know what they gave out....has anyone ever asked those who judged that day to cough up their number so they can be added together....or were they "sworn to secrecy".......until someone who was on that day coughs it up one way or the other, we will never know for certain, and the rumor will live on......... GB

The Crossmen were disqualified in 1976 for overage during the regular season...formally at a show in Sevierville....I do not know who the finalist was in 76 in the top 8 who was alledgedly overage......I was in the Crossmen the following year in 77....we had birth certificates on every member, and were "lined up" for "random" age checks multiple times that year........that year, the Bridgemen were disqualified............ GB

If my review of Spirit and placement opinion came off as a "put down", I am sorry......and it happened in all 3 shows because it was the same for me (again, an opinion) all three times......I did say that I felt they executed well in all captions.........and I think I had something positive to say about everyone.........Like all of the open corps, I am sure Spirit worked their tails off all summer.......I have nothing against Spirit, and I wish them the best in the future.....I do not intend to "put down" any corps.......... GB

I had Academy in and Spirit out.....I felt Spirit's musical book had some serious "lulls", although I felt they executed well in all captions....also, I'm not a guard person, and I noticed Academy was whammied there, so that may have been it. I think Blue Stars could have gotten in with a stronger closer......this was a tough year, and when you had a corps that performed like Madison did in 15th, that shows just how tough it was......... GB

Keep them...and pay them more....that is a fine, fine hornline, and they can't be "ignored" forever..... GB

I messed up....but did enter reviews for them under seperate cover......sorry...........GB

I read all of the posts, and frankly, I don't believe that the regular season should be factored in any way. To me, one of the great things about drum corps is that it is kind of like a horse race. You can be in the lead, just off the lead, or 30 lengths back in the middle of the "race", and that does not indicate where you will finish up. Although it has been awhile, corps have made incredible strides to make finals in some years, and there have also been some huge strides up the ladder at all levels, and some falls as well. It's that final product that is going to matter, and that makes drum corps a unique sport. Frankly, I would like to see all seedings eliminated, and have all of the open competitors draw for positions....however, I realize I am in the minority there, and it won't happen. I went to some late June/early July shows, and I felt the corps this year were better prepared than in many years. If a corps is not fully prepared at the beginning of the year, it should show up in their score, no matter who they are.....that will "get it done" in a hurry. GB

heard from a reliable source that, unfortunately, Magic will not be back.......... GB

overrated.....Cavaliers: serious lack of musical impact, especially 2nd half, yet they still got high music effect scores all year, which was puzzling........ underrated.....Crown.....fabulous horn quality, sound, arrangements, and effect......not fully reflected in score............... GB

Sean Penn doing "Spicolli"....... Adam Sandler in his high, whiny voice Mr. T Eddie Murphy "Scarface" Willie Nelson, singing..... GB

.....someone who writes in invisible ink........... GB

Your thought about the problem about judges "leaving room" is a valid one. However, I don't think that we have to go above the 100th percentile....there actually is a simpler solution. Adding a zero. So each judge is scoring out of 2000 instead of 200. All the formulas remain intact, and you still have a final score out of 100. However, now instead of the judge having 20 numbers from the 90th percentile to perfection, the judge now has 200. Plenty for any show. The judge can now give up a very high percentile number at any time, with plenty of numbers left at the same range. When you figure that from semis on each judge only uses 40-45 numbers, now they would have over 400 in the same percentile range. GB

another blunder..... my review of PC at qf....... Pacific Crest.....fun show around the Vegas theme.........I thought they performed well in all captions......I think they are ready to take it up a notch.....arrangements were good, but they need more meat there to move up the ladder.....that said, the show was enjoyable, and they snagged the last semis spot............unfortunately, I missed their semis appearance by about 2 minutes due to traffic problems.... GB

no doubt SCV and BD have traveled way more than any other corps, and the fact that they come all the way east every year is wonderful.....out of necessity, they have been doing it for a very long time, and both corps are used to large budgets which are largely supported by their highly successful bingo operations. Unfortunately, restrictions on Bingo in the East are very rough, and that is not a major source....Eastern and even midwestern corps are not used to raising that level of cash, and struggle to raise what they do. All that said, I think a west coast championship every 5 years would be reasonable.....Giving corps multiple years to plan for the expense...they may have to raise membership costs that year only to help, but kids could also plan..........Curiousity question to west coasters.......would you rather have 2 different corps per year be visitors to west coast shows, or have the championship every 5? Just curious........ GB

For me it was simple........1977...the night before DCI East...........we were traveling from a show in Va. Beach, which we managed to win, to our housing sight in the Allentown/Bethlehem area.........around 2-3 AM, we stopped at a rest stop to gas up....most of the corps was asleep, but some of us went briefly inside. I did, but I didn't see.... The person who marched next to me sat down at the counter to get a cup of coffee....he put his head down and went to sleep....nobody saw him, and WE LEFT!!!! The next morning, we went to rehearse.....I went to the director, said his name, and then proclaimed "He's not here" !!! We showed up for prelims at the stadium, and there he was, sitting up against the fence....he had managed to get rides and make it there.....when I saw him, I laughed and simply said, "'ya better play good today"....which he did.......... GB

Bridgemen 27th Suncoast Sound Kilts (Jr.) Muchachos GB

I don't think pulling out of DCI will happen by western corps...nor is it a good idea.....For the competition to be truly national/international, ALL of the best players, representing the entire nation, need to be at the big dance.....it is actually one of the founding reasons. I do fully agree with you that only having one championship on the west coast (this year) in 35 years is very unfair(and I live on the East coast)......in the past, there were regional circuits........maybe keeping all corps in their region from 6/15- 7/15 and then mixing it up would save money for all of the corps.............I am also not for the "100 years in Indy" (lol) policy, but I think Indy must have given DCI an exceptional deal.........but I can't see fans flocking to Indy 10 years straight...........You mentioned about the 7 kids you took to finals who were interested but didn't want to give the huge time commitment.....their are options........the west has division II/III corps that require less time and travel.....even Academy, who nearly made division I finals, only had around 15 shows, compared to some open corps who had 40.........senior corps is also an option...............in terms of corps growth (number of corps): it is so tough today, with the amount of cost....items which are now legalities (basic insurance and also liability insurance) are very expensive, and then you factor the cost of instruments, uniforms, vehicles, GAS, instruction, food.......it's and expensive endeavor, at ANY level........I think that has hindered growth more than anything, and also made it hard for current corps to survive.....some Western corps have chosen limited touring (Academy and Pacific Crest come to mind) and those decisions were accepted by DCI.... GB GB

Oops....I am sorry, but I forgot to include SW in my qf review....... Southwind............I thought they were competent in all sections, although I did hear some brass and percussion performance problems today..................some good hits, especially early on, but I could not grab on to their arrangements, and thus I saw deficiencies in music effect..........I thought Troopers should have outscored them........still, they have a good bunch here to grow with............. GB