asifindnoarta

My thoughts exactly. There is, in this activity, an emphasis on the 'experience' that only detracts from the final product. We seem to think the boring shows that are being pumped out year after year are justified by the fact that they involved an extremely large amount of human effort. I say that all that effort is being wasted if the product is anything less than an amazing work of art. I question whether or not any corps has even reached this goal. If a show isn't amazingly good, I don't care about it and never want to watch it. Doesn't every marching member wish that their show was the best possible show? Why would anyone go into a marching season with the attitude: "well that's ok, the show will be boring but at least I'll have a good experience." I feel like this attitude is killing the activity. We can't settle for mediocrity. Every corps out there needs to be producing better shows. The standards of the fans are too low. The standards of the various staff members of different corps are two low. Drum Corps is not at a satisfactory level of show to show quality at this point. Anyone who is satisfied with the current standards have no imagination. Drum Corps could be so much better. I want to see a Drum Corps where Cavaliers 2002 doesn't make finals because it is too boring in comparisson with the other competitors. I'd pay attention to corps struggling to make the top 12 if they were doing it with shows as amazing as Cavaliers 2002.

Yes, it's not unreasonable to expect the members of last year's 12th place corps to have the capability to perform last year's 1st place show just as well as last year's 1st place corps given that they are provided with the necessary instruction and necessary time.

I agree with you that the quality of the show produced falls primarily in the hands of the show designer. I also agree that the members themselves have no influence with respect to the design of the show. My complaint lies not in the lack of talent of the members but with the short comings of show designers. I believe that with better show designs and quality of instruction, corps with talent levels equivalent to that of a 12th place corps could create shows of quality equivalent to that of a first place corps.

Well then, since you are offended, I retract my statement and apologize for ever making it. I understand how much human effort goes into drum corps shows. I think its sad that all of that effort can't always be converted into amazing shows of top three quality. I really do believe that every corps has the potential to produce an excellent show. I often find myself questioning why this isn't the case. I don't condmen any corps for any placement. I do, however; wish that the overall quality of drum corps accross the board was higher.

Yes I agree. Forgive me, I mispoke. In terms of historical significance with respect to the survival of a particular corps I do recognize the correlation that you have pointed out. I think it is very important to remain cognizant of all corps to some degree. My response was more of a remark concerning a general lack of quality from top to bottom. Essentially, I was attempting to convey that although a corps should be respected for its hard work, it should not necessarily be revered for it. I wish that the performance level of all the corps were higher. I think its not unreasonable to expect all corps to create better shows. Wouldn't it be better to expect a show like BD 2003 to place 10th. All shows placing higher than that would certainly be worth paying attention to. I don't see why drum corps can't be like this.

Well I don't believe I am complaining in the strictest sense. I supose my comment was more of a lament concerning my overall disatisfaction with the quality level of the activity as a whole. I meant in no way to disrespect any corps that places in 11th or 12th, I meant merely to point out that my personal attention will be paid to those corps whom I believe produce the highest quality product, regardless of placement. Those corps who fight for 12th work just as hard as those that fight for 1st.

I'd counter that the bent-leg technique is not as physically intense as straight-leg. I'm not closed to the possibility that I may be wrong on this. I'm only familiar with the straight-leg technique so I can't really provide a fair cross comparison. Has anyone out there marched at least two full seasons using one of each of the technique options? Anyway, provided that straight-leg is more physically demanding I'd say that is evidence enough to give some of the harder Cadets shows a slight edge on the "2000-era Cavies" shows.

Although it seems, as you have pointed out, that making the 11 or 12 spot is essential to the survival of some mid-range corps, I don't believe that makes the persuit of the 12 spot any more important than a championship race. I believe that the focus should be on the product of greatest quality. Watching mediocre groups battle it out for a finals spot doesn't seem captivating to me. Those corps are barely making finals for a reason, that being that they aren't producing shows of the highest quality. I'll be watching for the best of the best. you can have my attention once you start producing excellent shows.

I would like to know what others believe to be the most physically intense drum corps show put on the field. I realize that this seems utterly subjective but good I say. This way we might gain some insight on the inner workings of different shows. I believe the hardest show put on the field is Cadets 1999. What do you think?

Sarcastic complaints such as this are in no way beneficial to Drum Corps. If you really care about Drum Corps, Lafalot, you would have not posted this useless "idea". Lafalot, you should work on your rhetoric if you expect to be taken seriously by your peers. No one will listen to you if you provide useless suggestions such as these.

I see no reason to withold reasonable criticism of a show on this or any other forum. Forums are meant to foster the rational debate of various opinions. If a particular show is bad, we as participants in the forum have the right (and perhaps the obligation) to discuss why that show is bad. Progress will hopefully grow from this tasteful and intelligent analysis making Drum Corps better for all of us.