victrussell

Although I am partial to the Scout's uniforms of the '90's, I think this uniform is a big improvement over last year's uniform. I am very hopeful that the Scouts are heading back to a pro tradition, pro alumni, and pro fan approach to drum corps. Vic Russell

I was happy to sign up and pay my $89. I am anticipating that all of the shows will be streamed on a full screen. I will be able to attend few, if any, live shows this season. Also, If I do attend a live show, it will have to be in June. Through my "platinum" membership, I will be able to watch the major shows during the remainder of the season. Vic Russell

The '97 Madison Scouts show is directly responsible for bringing me back to live drum corps shows over the past 10 years, including attending 5 finals. That show is as entertaining as a drum corps show gets. Although my all-time favorite is the '88 SCV Phantom of the Opera show, all of my remaining favorites are Madison Scouts shows. Vic Russell

The crowd at 2006 Semi-finals went absolutely crazy over the performance of the Madison Scouts Alumni Corps. Admittedly, I haven't heard this kind of response for several years prior to that performance. .

The press release doesn't really tell me anything about the direction let alone the substance of the 07 show. So, it is merely speculation at this point. For all of you old-schoolers, I would urge you to go to the Scouts web site and order the Madison Alumni Corps Project CD/DVD package. It is great!

Not from anyone who has any sense. Vic Russell

Why would you make a statement like this? Of course, posters on this site understand that they have no official standing to make decisions for the Madison Scouts organization. On the other hand, without fans supporting and attending drum corps shows, there would be no Madison Scouts. So, it is only natural that fans of the activity would offer their opinions and comments in a forum like this. I just don't get it when someone comes to a site like this and tells others they cannot express their opinion on whatever the subject may be. Vic Russell

I am going to wait for "the rest of the story" before I jump to any conclusions. Vic Russell

A "turnaround" from what? A “tournaround” from the fan-friendly, thrilling shows and financial stability offered under the leadership of Scott Stewart? I am hoping for a return to those years. I doubt seriously that I am the only fan who stopped contributing to the Scouts after Scott left. With a return to shows that appeal to Scouts fans, I will bet the financial health of the Scouts will also improve. I note that most of the people who post on this forum who claim to be so enthralled by the Scouts' shows during the past few years are actually long-standing fans of other corps. Vic Russell

If I remember correctly, Wall came in as Executive Director and Salas came in as the Corps Director in the fall of 2002, after Scott left. In one year, Wall managed to bankrupt the organization and he left. Sal stayed on as the sole Director after Wall left. Vic Russell

I loved this post! Ain't it the truth! Vic Russell

Wow, this is certainly a rewriting of the Scouts' history. They were only out of finals ONE YEAR! And, in my opinion, booting the Scouts out of finals in 2002 is and was highly suspect. The fact is, the new-fangled Scouts have lost their special position in Drum Corps and lost support among fans. That fact that a number of people who post on this site who didn't like the "old" Scouts like the "new" Scouts says it all. I say, bring back Scott!!!! Vic Russell

I think "pay-per-view" for streaming shows is the way to go. This could be a good source of income for DCI and corps. Even fans who are unwilling to put out $39 or more for the season, might be willing to come up with the $10-$20 to stream a regional or finals week show. I suspect a lot of fans will "get caught up in the moment" and will pay out a relatively small amount to see a stream of a regional or finals week show. I greatly prefer the windows media player full screen streams because they are far superior to those flash media player clips. Vic Russell

Let's see, San Diego/Southern Cal -- Nixon Library :( ; Kansas City/Independence -- Truman Library :) . I'll take Kansas City for sight seeing. Vic Russell

Why would you assume that she scored the corps' guard correctly despite her inability to "express a coherent thought" as she evaluated the guard's performance? That makes "not one lick of sense" to me. Vic Russell

Just what this thread was lacking -- some homophobia! <**> Vic Russell

I don't understand why it so hard for some people to comprehend that DCI judging is nothing more than a collection of subjective opinions from a small group of designated (by DCI) individuals. It amazes me that some people think that DCI judges--simply because they are DCI judges--possess some extraordinary insight into what constitutes a performance that is one tenth of one percent better or worse than another performance. Judges--because they are human beings--come with a set of personal biases and preferences that are necessarily reflected in how they score a performance. I believe that George Hopkins, like everyone else, has the unfettered right to say whatever he wants about DCI judging. True, his criticism is likely to have more impact than yours or mine because he is a member of the DCI Board of Directors that hires the judges. But, he still is faced with the task of convincing his fellow Board members that his opinion should prevail. I suspect Jeff Fiedler will not agree with him! Vic Russell

I don't understand how anyone can HATE a drum corps. I can understand how fans do not like or appreciate a particular show performed by a particular corps. I attended semi finals this year and the only shows that the people around me did not like were The Cadets and Blue Knights. The comments, however, were more in the vain of the show design/choice of music did not sufficiently show case the talent in those corps. I have attended a lot of shows over the years and I have never heard anyone say they "hate" a corps. Vic Russell

I just returned home from the semi-finals in Madison. I must say, in all the years I have been attending drum corps shows, last night's show by the Madison Scouts Alumni corps was the most thrilling experience I have ever had in drum corps. It was truly a thrill of a lifetime. From the crowd's reaction, I do not think I was the only one who reacted this way! Vic Russell

I could not agree more!!! When MikeD likes a Scouts' show, I know they are headed in the wrong direction. Show placement is not indicative of how well an audience or fan base receives a show or identifies with a corps. I think the 2002 show was wonderful -- I still play my DVD of that show all the time. Anyone would recognize the 2002 show as a Scouts show. The 2006 show does not even look like a Scouts' show -- it could be anyone. Thank God the Alumni Corps will provide me with a real Scouts show this year. Vic Russell

DCI has put up two complete shows -- Cadets and Vanguard -- in the Flash Media Player format. That is progress! I wish they were in the Windows Media Player format so I could see them on a full screen rather than in the poorer quality Flash Media Player format. There are only clips of Crown and Boston -- shows that I do not think were available at all last night. And yes, there is no clip of Bluecoats. Vic Russell

Yes, DCI is trying to do the right thing. My problem is that (with my eyesight) a full screen performance (using the Windows Media Player format) makes a huge difference. I am looking forward to the day when they use the Windows Media Player format and drop the Flash Media Player format. Vic Russell

This is what I wrote to DCI Season Pass customer service: I can understand that circumstances beyond DCI's control may have caused the loss of the feed last night in San Antonio. On the other hand, why didn't the company you contracted with have backup power sources? Nonetheless, I think the DCI should post the complete shows that were lost (Blue Star from the afternoon show, and the five corps from the evening show, including PR, in that most of us only saw part of that show) in the Windows Media Player format. I only bought a Season Pass after I learned that the San Antonio shows would be streamed and I could watch them on a full screen. I have no interest in the Flash Media Player clips from various shows. They are too small and too jerky for me to watch. I am not of the “I-Pod” generation, so I do not download audio. Moreover, I already own a large number of drum corps CDs. I understand that you are going to stream some other shows this summer. I will probably not be available to stream the Atlanta show because I will be in Northern Wisconsin. I am attending the semi-finals in person, so a stream of that show is not something I can see. I do not want to be just negative. When the streaming worked, it was wonderful. I think that if DCI perfects the streaming of shows, this will be a huge revenue source for DCI. I would gladly pay more for a Season Pass that offers reliable streaming of complete shows in the Windows Media Player format. I would also be willing to pay on a per-show basis. Vic Russell

With all due respect, if you don't KNOW what the terms and conditions are, I don't want to hear what you THINK they are. What are they? If you don't know, do shut up. Vic Russell

This is what DCI's web site says about the Season Pass: "We're expecting the stands to be filled, but we didn't want to leave out the fans who couldn't make it to San Antonio. That's why Season Pass is working hard to bring the drum corps experience to your computer. Today's Season Pass coverage will include: Live streaming video Live webcam "The Beat" DCI's video magazine Live "Boo-yah" game-time commentary from Michael Boo Photo galleries and more" I don't see ONE WORD about this being a bata test of the streaming system as some posters have claimed. I agree that all would be forgiven if DCI made available on its Season Pass web site a complete streaming show from tonight in the Windows Media Player format. Vic Russell