RBarron10

I'm not trying to pat myself on the back, I'm just telling as story. As a former member of the Madison BOD, I sit and watch in awe as to how far this corps has fallen in the DCI world. A corps that was once innovators, musical masters, guards that were awe inspiring ... is now a former shadow of itself. I never marched Madison, I was career military and missed my opportunity to march with anyone, but I was a fan. Scott Stewart and staff welcomed this quirky military guy into the corps and made me feel as if I was part of the family. For years I donated financially to the corps, bought dinners/meals, purchased Madison gear, bought tickets in the Madison block etc., I was even told I was one of the top 25 financial donators to the corps. I was very puzzled, because I never would have thought my annual donation of $1000 would be a top 25. Where did all the financial contributor's go? Maybe they were like me, trying desperately to get the BOD to make some type of change we pulled away, pulling our funds with us as well. What was once a locally based drum corps with most of the members from WI and MN, now the corps can barely get 150 coed members pulling members worldwide. Madison was my favorite corps ever since I saw them on PBS in 1975. When I found myself stationed in Milwaukee WI in the early 90s, I had to check out my favorite corps in person. Who knew that the corps relied heavily on fundraising and volunteers - next thing I knew on Friday I was calling BINGO at the BINGO hall. Also, I was in for a surprise finding the corporate office of the Madison Scouts was Scott Stewarts apartment. Corps members, parents, alumni etc., all worked and volunteered on the sidelines. Parents and volunteers made flag, fitted uniforms, painted the wheels on the buses, etc., now all that is gone along with a family element that once made Madison so successful. Their was PRIDE in the boys! The judges didn't always give them the scores they deserved, but that horn line would rock your soul and as the final note was played, fans in the stands leapt to their feet cheering wildly. While this next statement may upset some, but we know it's the truth. Madison is now a 15th place corps at best and the talented members of the corps end up going to other corps because they want to perform on Saturday night. Corps that are within a 2 hour drive of Madison, who made the top 12 last year ... Colts, Blue Star, Phantom, and Cavies, these corps welcome the top talent from Madison to bolster their ranks. Why would a talented member want to stay at Madison ... the new corps jackets aren't even that cool anymore. BOD If you care about this corps you need to do what you've been elected to do. Manage this corps and make some decisions. If your happy with a 15th place or lower placement in the DCI world, then keep doing what you're doing and other financial contributors will stop funding this folly. Someone on this board needs to make two phone calls, one to Jim Mason and second to Dan Acheson and find a rising talent to become the Executive Director of the Madison Scouts. Oh one last thing. I do wish the Madison Scouts media team would stop posting video clips of the "glory years," 75, 88, 91-99. Those videos remind us of the way is was, not how it is today or how it has been after Scott. Now it is now is a bunch of BOD leaders with their head stuck in the sand ... ignore the problem and watch the Madison Scout slide further down the placement ladder of DCI. All of us old dinosaurs will stand and applaud the efforts of todays Madison Scouts and remember, "The Way we Were."

Drum corps, and a history lesson. Wow.

Thanks so much for the explanation. Sometimes I wish some of these shows came with cliff notes, so I could fully enjoy the craftsmanship of the total design of these programs.

I don’t speak French or whatever that language is that is in the narration that the Blue Devils are using. But I would sure like to know what they’re saying in English? And how does it fit into the show? Does anyone know?

I agree with what you said 100%. I watched with enthusiasm The Sound Garden last night on FloMarching. But very soon after the show started my enthusiasm turned to WT@? Scouts are very young and I don't want to put any one section down, but visually the show just struck a cord and not in a good way. Best of luck to them, but 16th was where I had them placed. There is a world of difference from 8th place to Madison - it's not even close and if you think so, you need to watch the takes again. Who's to blame? I thought the kids worked as hard as they could. But year after year (really since the "Heart and Soul" show) the members are given a turd. I once was member of the Madison board, we never had issues like this. I thank Chris and the board for getting the corps out of the red. But it's time for a change. Ego's set aside. Someone please get on the phone and call Pat Seidling and offer him the Executive DIrector job! Do this before it's too late, if not Madison will take their place beside, 27th Lancers, Glassman, Velvet Knights, Bridgemen, Freelancers ... you get the idea.

Agree. Pacific Crest is making a big push out in CA. Spirit of Atlanta is also in that 12-16 mix. Looking at the score sheets, Madison is behind everyone, especially in the Visual category. I think we're looking at another disappointing year. Blue Star is just licking their lips, looking at all the talent they will steal from Madison next year. My crystal ball has Blue Stars in 7th ahead of the Cavies. If Madison keeps on placing outside of the top 12 year after year, Madison will become a feeder corps for the top 12. Too many top 12 corps in the Madison area (Cavies, PR, and BS). Let's hope Madison has a few tricks up their sleeves ... time will only tell with 4 more weeks to finals.

My choice hands down numero ono is Brigadiers - First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Near by me is nothing. I have to go to Murphyfreesboro and if the show does not include Madison I'm not going to go. I know shallow approach to seeing drum corps shows but Madison is my favoriate. Near by me for shows after that is Atlanta or Indy. I used to live in Milwaukee WI and there were a lot of local shows in that area and I really didn't mind see shows that were not fully completed. I might check out the streaming shows this year and see what I'm missing.

chaddyt - what has me so unexcited about 2014 ... NOTHING ... I live in West Tenn no where near the heart of drum corps which IMO is the midwest. Lots of small shows in that area within a couple hundered miles of each other easy access so it's easy to see a lot of shows. For me I want to see the almost finished product. So I wait until late July to see shows. My school I teach at begins first week of August so it's difficult to get away come the 2nd Saturday in Aug to go to finals. Besides by early July you can tell who the top 3 will be. I agree with FSUBONE that Madison, and yes Madison is my favoriate corps, that Madison visual package is weak and doesn't have the layers that it needs to push into the top tier. But I remember a time (yes it was in the 90s) that on any given night 7 different corps could have won the show. In 1991 Madison beat every single corps at some time during the season ... that was exciting. Now you can just look at the show card and know who's going to be 1st or 2nd. My first watch of Crown's show last year, was it's weird and it will win. I can honestly sit here and say I don't remember a thing they played, but I remember the zanny head gear they wore and the big tall guard guy rolling the bass drum around on the field with all the E=MC2 stuff on it. That's it and that show was the best of DCI according to the green shirts of DCI judges. That show may have just sent you spinning through the roof, but for me I was like ... what am I supposed to take away from this? SCV's show I could releate too and got into them fighting the revoloution. Madison kind of threw me for a loop with all the "stuff" they had in that show i.e., desert cammo uniforms, helicopters, singing Never Walk, marching on the field ala "military basic training" and dragging guard members off the field like they had been killed ... for me it was way over the top. As a 30 year active duty veteran I think I can say that. For me to say I'm just not excited this has been a long time coming. I'm no new guy to drum corps, be a fan since 1975 and toured with Madison, South Wind, and the Cavaliers from 1992 to 2008. Moments from the last few years that I found exciting are. - Blue Coats Playing Creep and the Boxer - PR and the Finals night performance of Sparticus - Madison - New York (too bad that could not have been on the DVD). - SCV - 2013 LeMis - Cavies 2004 - James Bond - BD - 2003 - House of the Rising Sun - Crown 2004 - Wild Horses Maybe it's all just me and now that I'm over 50 I just can't releate to the younger generation's idea of music. I have tried ... and we'll never be Royals ... you can call me Queen Bee and baby I'll rule ... let me live that fantasy. Most exciting moment IMO EVER !!!! was the 4 count turn by Madison in 1988 playing the opening notes of Malaguna. I wish I could have seen that moment LIVE! Next exciting moment ever was SCV playing the bottle dance for the very last time in 1992 at Camp Randall for encore (corps used to in the old days play a tune in tribute to the new champion). I was there for that moment and it brought down the house. I'm just not excited as I used to be about DCI. Maybe it's time to move on, my friends keep trying to get me to come over to DCA and see their finals. Maybe it's time for a change. :-)

Chattyt. You miss read what I said. I said I was not excited and yes the shows bored me. Sure some of the had a few moments but last year no corps with the exception of SCV and Madison on some level made me want to see that again. I like for a corps to do something that makes me want to see more. I left San Antonio last year not really wowEd by anyone. I have been to shows before and would run home and find the next show and off I go. I was not completely bored as you said I was I was just not excited and generally bored if that helps

in 1992 BD played When a Man Loved A Woman! They brought down the house. Stripping down to an unbuttoned shirt ... it was hot! Everyone in audience knew that show just OOOOZED sexy! You are right top to bottom the top 12 were all great shows. DCI won't let Madison move up and SCV just has got to get everything to fall in place. If Jeff Fedler can work his magic in SCV, I think SCV will be on top for many years to come. I would like to see SCV make a move ... Gayle Royer sure did have them in fine shape back in the late 70s and 80s. SCV has to stop all of it's in-fighting and that would help them a lot.

FSUBONE - thanks for your post. I checked your profile on here ... I don't know you at all but something on your profile stuck out to me. One of your favorate shows of all time was the 1992 Madison Scouts. I toured with the Scouts that year. It is one of my all time favs as well. I can still just about hum that entire show ... now that was an exciting year to me.

Wow I asked a simple question and get called almost every name in the book for it. I said I was not excited about the upcoming season. I asked “Does anyone else feel this way and if so why?” Here is what I found surprising. I’m not trolling … I’m asking a question about the upcoming season. I’m stating I’m not excited and was bored with many of last year’s offerings. But I was thrown under the bus and ran over repeatedly. Don’t worry I have thick skin J. Some members really gave me some good insight about some of the things currently happening with corps I didn’t know. Thank you for being supportive of my question and statement about not being excited and needing more than one viewing to connect/understand a show. The DCP members that bashed me for my post, I checked to see their status on DCP and surprisingly I found many of them to be Veteran members with numerous postings. My gosh are you the Nancy Grace’s of DCP where your opinion the only ones that count? Some of you bashed me for starting a topic you thought had been beaten like a dead horse. Do you bash those that start topics talking about Placements for 2014? We’ve not even seen a show in 2014 yet. I didn’t want to bring electronics into this discuss nor instrumentation … I really don’t’ care either way about what type of horns the corps play, but if you want to know I think drum corps lost it’s edge (corps used to have a bright sound now they don’t) when it went to B Flat horns. Lastly, it seems like many of you don’t have lives and live on here. One poster was asking why I had not posted yet to defend myself. Well I just got around to checking my post. I am sorry but I am a rather busy man with my own National Championship Drill Team and I’ve been busy. Hind sight - maybe it’s not the corps I’m bored with at all … maybe it’s the snotty attitude some people have towards drum corps. Some of you posters sure do fit the label of, “Take it or leave it”, or “Its change baby so adapt” and “Out with the Dinosaurs, we don’t need you!” It’s a free world, so troll on.

As we begin a new year of drum corps, for the first time in almost 20 years I am just not excited about this upcoming year. Last year, with the exception of SCV … I was bored. Sure, oooh, look at the pretty colors and the strangeness of it all, but to be 100% honest I didn’t get a lot of it. WAY OVER MY HEAD or I’m just not taking the right kind of medication. I am tired of slick tricks by the guard and pre-recorded audio clips that are supposed to enhance performances - they don’t - it’s all become a distraction. Maybe if a staff member from a corps would sit down and explain it to me all I might get it, but that’s not going to happen. Used to in the “olden days” Drum Corps World Magazine would explain what’s going on, but now it seems like you have a musical arts degree to understand a show. It has all become so bland for me that I have become bored with drum corps. I really don't care why type of instruments the corps are playing, it's all good in my book. However, the antics of the DCI judging system never ceases to amaze me. Typically I travel to one large regional show a year. Airfare, hotel room, dinners out, tickets, souvies., etc usually cost me $1,000 or more for the weekend. Maybe I’ll just by the DVD and call it a day. Does anyone else feel this way and if so why?

Dear writer of the original posts. I feel your pain. First, I don’t care about the rule changes, corps could play anything they wanted too and I’d be fine with it. Second, the kids are great … their work ethic is second to none and I know each corps whether they are #1 or #99 these corps put in a huge amount of work to bring their shows to life. Third, the staff … well they are playing the game. The game is the rule book on judging that is set forth by DCI and the drum corps themselves. I guess my problem is I’m just not enjoying it anymore. I’m not a college music major that is exposed to many of these musical pieces long before a corps put a show on the field. My problem is all the “ART” that has taken over drum corps. I can’t follow the shows without doing my research on the artists that wrote the musically originally. Gone are the days you can just sit back in your seat and see the show unfold and appreciate it. I know HATE is a strong word, but Blue Devils last 3 years I’ve hated those shows. And those are the type of shows that keep winning DCI. I still have no idea what E-MC2 was all about this year. No clue and I’ve seen the show 3 times. But one thing was for sure, I knew by the weirdness of the show that it was going to give Blue Devils a run for their money. Even back in the early 90s when Star of Indiana did Pines of Rome, I was intrigued by the music enough I went out and purchased a recording of the show and feel in love with the music. The mellophones in that show were awesome! I have moved to a part of the world that drum corps doesn’t come near here and for me to travel to Atlanta or San Antonio for a weekend costs a $1000. If I enjoyed drum corps like I used too, I wouldn’t have a problem spending the money. I just don’t dig the shows. What I am going to miss, are my friends … I was on staff for two corps from 1992 to 2004 and during that time I made a lot of friends. Many of them have moved on to other things now as well. I guess it’s time for to move on now too. Good by my drum corps friend … it has been fun. Dear DCI … I know I am only one voice, but your judging of drum corps shows are killing the activity. I don’t understand your judging system and how you can reward some of the oddest things … like French speaking voice over dubs, rolling rubber balls and calling it guard work or rolling a bass drum across the field. Judging has MORPHED drum corps into Guard with drum corps accompaniment.

The BOOing really started in 1991 in Madison WI at the DCI Preview show when Star won over The Cavies. I was there and it wasn't a low rumbling boo, it was a loud and everyone heard it boo. I did not boo because I know how hard the "corps members" work. With that all being said, what is the appropriate way to say. 1. Judges you rewarded that? Come on that's not what "I" want in drum corps. 2. Staff that show is lame. I want to be entertained, not given a bunch of artsy fartsy crap. Be all that as it may, BD has pushed the envelope on designing a drum corps show with the judges in mind. I really don't think the BD staff really cares what the average $$$$ spending fan cares about. Just as Star did in the early 90s. I thought the judges sheets were changed last year to award more points for entertainment value, Michael Cesnaro praised the new system and at the end of the day, nothing changed. I really did not like the BDs TaDah show and yep I watched it about 5 times. Totally lost me. As far as entertainment value Crown should have been the champion. I have been checking out recaps this year and some of what fans are saying. I amazes me to this day, how "fans" love entertainment friendly shows such as Madison, but they get killed in General Effect from the judges. Many people have been booing for years and nothing has changed the judges minds. BD is the best at what they do, with a few YOWAZA YOWAZA moments. But come on, get me on my feet BD and give me something to cheer about. The last chart from BD I liked was The House of the Rising Sun. My my money, BD is an artistic drum corps that gets 5 stars and gets 1 star for entertainment. Ta DAH!

But Michael at a time when DCI need the Madison Scouts they are not coming to Murfreesboro again. I hate to say it, but with Atlanta being on a Sunday, I don't think I'm going to a single show this year. The 7 at Murfreesboro are going to gen out the same old same ole and I'm tired of funding it with my money. DCI needs Madison and Boston, especially since they have been the most entertaining corps the last couple of years.

You know if "Scouts Honor: Inside A Marching Brotherhood," was available for purchase as a DVD at the souvie booth I'd buy a copy. Can we look forward for this documentary being made a DVD and on sale anytime soon with the Scouts souvie crew?

But wasn't that the purpose of the new judging sheets to bring more entertainment "back" to drum corps? If fans don't get the show,and have the WTF feeling, how can it be rewarded high scores in entertainment? Judges please explain that to me? Dan A ... you might need to have little chat with your judges and remind them about this thing called entertainment. Blue Devils play and execute on a very high level, but entertaining, they are NOT!

AMEN Brother Preach it! Of course, we're just paying fans that put the money in DCI's pockets ... what do we know about drum corps?

That's what I don't get ... fans just seem to politely applaud the Blue Devils. Big hands all around for Crown and Madison at the two show’s I’ve been to. With the new judge’s sheets with the emphasis on entertainment this year, I don’t see how BD is winning all these shows by the wide margin in ALL captions that they are. Ok, I’d give them several of the captions, but all of them? I get that the judges have been trained by Michael Cesanario, but Mike is this going the way you thought it would? Ok, BD is clean, but come on judges a clean sweep in ALL captions. IMO there are several corps that are out entertaining BD this year. With the new scoring sheets how can you ignore the fan reactions? Of course this is DCI and judging has been messed up for a long time! Mike I hope you can get your money back on that new score sheet you sold … it’s a FAIL in my book.

Madison made a bunch of changes to the show on Sunday and Monday. I was at practice on Monday, and the changes were still gelling a bit. The horn line had new music to play and on Monday was a little out of it and trying to grasp all the new stuff. Guard just put in some new stuff too. Maybe all these changes are starting to gel and there is still lots to clean ... maybe that can explain the 4 point jump. Bethatasitmay, I like the upward direction of the scores.

Madison added new hit during the Magulina part of the show and guard did costume changes tonight. Great show tonight Scouts.

Come on Scouts beat Cavies tonight! It's been a longgggggg time since Madison has beat the boys from Rosemont!

UT-Martin … a review 5th Place – The Crossmen The Crossmen – this year’s program is the best Crossmen program in several years. The corps started out very strong and all elements were hitting well. As the program went on the energy sagged a bit, especially in the upper horn line and the guard. Guard needs to hang on to their equipment more and during that big synronized flag movement in the middle of the corps in the middle of the field; it needs a lot of work. HOWEVER, this show has what it takes to squeak into the top 12 with a lot of work. LOVE the closer! 4th Place – Spirit of Atlanta Spirit of Atlanta – Show concept is Vegas and it was genius! The best “program” of the night. The opener was on fire. Vegas flags and LOTS of energy. I did think the show went a little flat toward the end, but this was the first show of the year so that is to be expected. This show can and will surprise a lot of people this year. I’m going out on a limb and put this corps in the top 8 this year. Fantastic program and with little tweaking it can be the SENSATION of the year! LOVE it! This program is top notch! 3rd The Cavaliers Ok, this program was little all over the place. I have read the demise of The Cavies in other post … nothing here that can’t be fixed. First, stop trying to act like another corps (one from California that wears blue) and be who you are. I found myself thinking several times that they were trying to be something they’re not. Guard (rifles in particular) were dead on, but sometimes guard seemed a little lost in the transition. Where I got lost in the “15 Minutes of Fame” was connecting the dots between the segments. The audio and “noise” from the pit was “lost in translation”. The odd sounds and sound bites did nothing for this show. The entire pit audio segment needs to be scrapped and rethink. Horn line played well and I noticed the drums were play matched grip again and what I call “flat” drums. Show needs some tweaking, but as is it’s a 7 place show come August. 2nd The Cadets Standard fare for them. Solid in all captions and guard is brilliant. Show started off strongest of all the corps, but corps was running out of gas towards the end. Of course this will improve as the season goes on. This program has the capability of winning DCI. Accessible music and crowd got into the 12 – 25 idea. First 2/3’s of the program was very good, but towards the end of the show it seemed to lose gas, then BAM the last of the program was a blur of moving forms and excitement … should be interesting to see where this program goes when I see them again in Atlanta. 1st Carolina Crown Fanfare for the Common Man … Ok, the opener is very familiar to many of us and they sewed that familiar thread of music throughout the show. Guard costumes at the beginning (they change mid way) was “God AWEFUL” (Green Hornet meets Green Lantern). I thought he show was “monocromematic” and everything on the field was a shade of beige and gold. I hope the final product from the color guard gives us some color. No big gripes with this program. The show was cleaver and horn line does have some meat in those runs. I don’t think the show will win them a ring, but who knows. Early in the season and Crown is enjoying some early success. I didn't have them 1st, but what do I know, I'm just a homer.