BenHall

This discussion is insane. 1) Fake guns. That right there is all I need to be OK with "rifles" being used in marching band. The use of fake guns in marching band has absolutely nothing to do with any gun deaths anywhere. Period. The notion that the two could somehow be related at all is absolutely ludicrous. It boggles my mind that anyone might think the mere sight of a gun could cause someone to kill another human being. I believe that's what the assumption is, and it's insane. -BH That being said...I just saw a handgun on TV. I think I'll go kill a couple people. Woo! ----------------------------- Drum corps will get rid of rifles when a new piece of equipment becomes the standard. It won't change over night.

We often intended the candy to go TO someone...no AT anyone. However, we're talking about a bunch of musicians here, not major league baseball players. There are going to be some strays...or mostly strays...whichever. Anytime anyone was angry about it, we made sure to smooth things over afterward. We always made attempts at correcting our mistakes...both athletic and moral in nature. I was in the Blue Stars before the Cavaliers, and I had lots of fun in both organizations. I'll also mention that their approaches to retreat activities are pretty polar opposite...or were when I was in both groups. It's marching band...have fun while you do it. -Ben Blue Stars - 99 Cavaliers - 01,02,04

I think they DO take notes. Either that or there has to be some sort of set-up sheet that is provided to them. Either way, I still think being in the stands for the first part of the season will help them better determine how to navigate the program ON the field later on. All my other comments still stand. -B

I would vote yes. You can even tag an "absolutely" on there. Half of a percussion judge's brain is devoted to avoiding catastophe early in the season. That's no good. Also, DCI percussion judges aren't going to miss much even in they're in the stands. Say all you want about the quality of judging...they're trained well. Also, DCI percussion TECHS spend almost all their time cleaning the notes that are already there. Drum judges offer lots of input on musicality/composition during the early season. Being away from the havoc will help them get a sense of the big picture which would help so much more in producing those quality comments. Not to mention the fact that they'll be able to better understand where important, exposed moments are happening, as well as gradually develop a clear line of site through all the muck drum corps are throwing on the field these days (a.k.a. - drill). And no head-butting between judges. Averaged scores don't matter much if two guys are paying attention to completely different things. Leave it to THE guy that's catching what HE catches, the way HE has it planned out. There is no perfect way to do it, but I think this will help percussion sections produce some better quality stuff. In My Humble Opinion. -B

I blame the left hand of the 3rd bass drummer that year. Preparation for 2001 is the reason the tic system is not in use anymore. The Cavaliers would have scored a 4.275. I have the drum tape...I'll give illegal copies to people if they want them. -B

I voted for Cavaliers 2003. I also voted no. I just don't think it was clean enough. You do need to give credit for that crazy difficulty. As Naymizzle noted: clean wins. An amazing show. -B Cavaliers 01,02,04