That, in my opinion, was a bad idea from management.
Why not spend the money and go compete? The "trial by fire" that OC went through at competitions in the deep south really brought us together as a corps, sure, practicing makes perfect, but there really is no substitute for a good touring schedule. Practice burns you out, while competitions provide fuel for motivation.
Or maybe I was the only person motivated by consistent losses to Academy? :D
I kid, I kid.
But, from a performers stand point, by the time July 28th rolls around, most corps have gotten the whole "tour" thing down, while OC will still have first show jitters.