(Only read first post)
When I marched, I really couldn't care less about rankings and scores. I dont know a single score from our entire season and I could MAYBE tell you what we got at finals, but not 100% sure even.
Drum Corps, to me, epitomizes the saying that "its about the journey, not the destination." Scores and rankings only exist to provide a framework for the activity to operate within. Beyond that, they don't matter one bit. And, sure, its always fun to win a ring, but really, would you have enjoyed the season any less if you hadn't gotten bling at the end of it? Would you still have marched the season if you knew that you wouldn't be the next world champion? I know I would have for sure. You only get a few years to do this activity, so you sure as heck better make the most of it.