HockeyDad

Ahhhh.....and that's why we're on dcp - to debate/discuss what constitues making things better.. how boring it would be if we all agreed with each other!

Please don't go there. Don't equate not liking today's drum corps to "not growing." That's cheap and disrespectful of a heartfelt opinion.

Well, I pulled this sword out of this rock, and then, the lady of the lake appeared and she told me

Amen brother. yes I know you're being sarcastic

OK. I know this one.....you all gave terrific answers, BUT, for anyone who ends up being a lover of drum corps, the best show moment of all time HAS to be....... The very first drum corps show you attended. After all, that's what got you hooked. So, for me, it was the head chopper at the beginning of 27th Lancers 1978, entering from the corner of the end zone.

Who cares what people who have no interest in drum corps think?

But you wouldn't call on me, would you???!!!???

Daahhh da dat daahh Daahhh da dat daahh Daahhh da dat daahh That robot thing from Cavies 06. Still can't get it out of my head

I'm not in favor of booing. I'm not in favor of narration. thank you

Hmmmmm...........so my post, throwin' some love your way, saying how much I loved several Cadets shows, deserved a raspberry? Wow. It's hard to break through your defenses.

Hey, this thread's still going. How are you doing today, borgs? I love your corps, by the way. (there's just one teenie little aspect that drives me crazy though - I love to listen to their music but "other audio" gets in the way in recent years) I probably listened to '84 Garfield and '87 Garfield a thousand times. And '86, a year that Garfield didn't win - right at this very moment the "On the Waterfront" music is going through my head. Awesome. Thanks for lots of happy listening pleasure over the years!

The Happy Schapps Combo.

You proved my point. You just couldn't let her post her opinion, you just couldn't stop yourself from rebutting it. That is what made the narration topic the most posted this season - almost every post was challenged by a Cadet defender. No other corps had its defenders like this, and many corps, most notably Cavies, were criticized all seaon.

Well, my answer is kind of the same as "VKMello"'s answer: it was a big deal because there are a large number of Cadet fans on dcp, and you challenged darn near each and every posting from a person who didn't like the narration. And, since there were a lot of posters who weighed in saying they didn't like the narration, that plus the rebuttals took up lots and lots of space on dcp. That made it a fun debate, but I think something like the return of the Troopers is much more significant. My opinion.

Why? They've been doing narration since the year it was approved. 2005, 2006, 2007. If there's a story here, it's why they continue doing it despite widespread negative reaction (wait -my opinion only - that's for MikeD).

Navel gazers

George, sorry you're upset by your experience. Is it possible that the final results - who came in first and who came in second - has a little to do with how you feel? Anyway, I'll not deny you your feelings on this. I have always felt quite the opposite about Finals crowds. I love them. The Finals crowds are the most knowledgable crowds of the year, particularly the hard corps Thur and Fri crowds. I remember in 1999 in Madison, when Boston took the field to warm up at Quarterfinals, the crowd stood and gave them a loud standing ovation. It was so great. The kids were just kind of standing there, looking at the crowd. I suspect many of them wondered why they were getting a racous standing O before they even started their show. Well, it's because, for the first time since DCI was founded, Boston was going to make the Top 12. Can you imagine that happening at some local show? No. I love the knowledge of the Finals crowds. I guess that allows me to overlook the other stuff. On the other hand, if you're having a bad time, the other things you observe probably amplify (sorry...) the bad experience. But I ain't no psychologist - what do I know.....

I don't agree. I don't think the difference (if there was one) in how the crowd reacted to BD in 2005 compared to Cadets in 2007 had anything to do with whether the corps was a "threat" to win. I think it's something completely different. I think it is simply because it's the Cadets' Director who pushed and pushed for years and years to get the narration rule passed. It was not Gibbs, or Fiedler, or Stewart, it was Hopkins. So, who is the lightning rod for those who don't like narration? Hopkins. That's it. No other reason. I think, when people are listening to narration, even if it's Crown, or Boston, or Blue Devils, they think of Hopkins, the man who brought it to drum corps. That is why the boos are directed his way. That's my take on it, anyway.

2007 Cadets. 1993 Star. 2007 Cadets. 1993 Star. As if there were no other truly ground breaking milestone shows. Ever listen to or see 1975 Blue Devils? You want to talk about an earth shattering show that drove the activity in an entirely new direction, that show was it. Following that year, Devils copped 5 of the next 7 titles. That sound - never heard anything like it. THAT was innovation. How about 2000 Cavaliers. Set a new standard for color guard and drill. Another corps with 5 titles in 7 years. But wait, this is DCP, where we like to trash the Cavies (the don't march and play...). And, how about 1983 Garfield Cadets? Again, innovation in drill and GE; innovation in tempo. 4 titles in 5 years. When I think of truly innovative corps, it's the corps that changed and dominated the activity for several years. I just don't see what the 2007 Cadets did that was new or different.

The heck, you say? People responsible for their own behavior?? You are so 1950's. No no no. If little Johnny does poorly on a test, it's because he as ADHD and needs to take an untimed test. If little Lisa is having troubles with the rules in school it's because the teachers and administrators are out to get her. Good modern helicopter parents go to the school to angrily lodge complaints and demand satisfaction. And, some day, when little Tommy doesn't get that job offer, maybe mom can drive over to the company and chew out the CEO.

Isn't this whole thread just flame bait from the OP?

I think I've finally figured out my problem: I'm not smart enough to enjoy narration. I don't even know what texture is. I thought it was something you feel with your fingers. I also didn't know the spoken word is an instrument. <Sigh> I don't like narration because I'm not smart enough.

OP - You place the start of booing a corps with 1993 Star. Apparently you weren't in attendance at Camp Randall at the Preview of Champions in 1991. Never heard anything like it - before or since. It was so bad that the venerable Brandt Crocker even lost his cool for a moment and said, over the public address system, "That's uncalled for!!", after which, the booing acutally got louder. The booing was for Star beating Cavies. I wouldn't say the booing was all directed at the judges that day. I think it had a lot of anti-Star in it. Anyway, booing is bush league. This kids aren't paid for what they do. Give it a rest.

First time I saw Cadets was waaaayyy back in 1978. Old people will recall that Garfield missed Finals a few times back then. But even so, there was always admiration from the crowd about Garfield being the hardest working group of kids in DCI. (BTW, Garfield was taking penalties for including singing - I guess you could call it singing (one word, "AMEN") way back then..........kinda ironic). That work ethic is one thing that has never changed. Congratulations Cadets.

As a dinosaur, let me say: The quality of today's music is so much better that the *frackalishous* '70's it's not even comparable. Back in the day, other than the top two or three, you'd get some pretty cringe-worthy stuff out there. Not to rip, but, c'mon, the musicianship now is heads and shoulders above what it was back then. And, that's GREAT. BUT, if you like to listen to drum corps music like I do, hundreds and thousands of times after the season's long been over, today's equivalent of the cringe-worthy '70's music is the equally (or even worse) cringe-worthy narration. Gawd awful. So - the old style of dci - is it dying? You bet - it's dead. Has it been replace by something better? That's the debate.... Now if you'll excuse me, it's time for my Geritol.