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Here is another look at what a fine gentleman Mr. Cook was. In the early days of Star, when DCM (Drum Corps Midwest) was in its heyday, there were a number of DCM shows in Kansas. Being a week plus "tour" of contests, the judges panel needed to be switched out a bit to enhance feedback, and inputs to the group of corps. The logistics of moving the panel in and out were beyond the budget of DCM to manage. Mr.Cook "lent" his jet to DCM to fly in "replacement" judges and take the others back to Milwaukee. As far as I know, this was all at his own expense in support of the DCM organization. As one of those judges, I was amazed and awed by the generosity he extended. Is there anyone currently in the activity to match??????

Oh this brings back memories. Yes they were great, ESPECIALLY for their era. Set so many standards. Bear in mind a couple of items: Corps at that time were still pretty local, Most members were from the area, not traveling across the county to march (yes a few exceptions but a rarity). The Royals were still a relatively "new" unit in '65. If I remember, they started out as a parish corps in maybe '58. Also, most members were still high schoolers, not the college 20-21 year old , music majors like today. In any comparisons, we need to always keep in mind the circumstances and development of the activity at that time.

George was (to me) foremost a teacher. He never passed up an opportunity to share thoughts and ideas, drill writing, guard work or judging. First met him when he was with the Skylarks Guard, I was judging and at critique we would "discuss" to the nth degree any and every aspect of design, movement, equipment, body. Later with Garfield and Star it was the same, looking to discuss, share and accept input. As we became more "comfortable" with each other, I could tell at critiques where his mind set was at. If he talked about the show, its pluses and minuses for the day, I knew he accepted my commentary and scoring. However, if he started talking about the weather or how my judging tour was going or the corps tour --- he was ######, end of discussion. But ALWAYS a gentleman.

Anyone have a current address for Marie to send a card? Very true a real legend in the whole pageantry arena not just Drum Corps.

Anything new????? One of my favorite corps - missed them a bunch in Annapolis.

Jeff/Midshipmen; Sorry to hear this, but understandable. I too had the privilege of judging the interservice Corps contest in Annapolis, great event. Taken very seriously by all the cadets in competition. I wish you all the very best in your service to our country. God Bless you All.

Anyone know what happened to the DCA Bardstown, KY contest? It's not on the current DCA contest list

Just looking for some "on site" info. How was the attendance? At $5 bucks a ticket!!! Just curious if it made a difference.

I concur the Govies are a wonderfull ensemble and highlight what a small group CAN achieve. However, I disagree with them being the "oldest" D&B corps. I believe that distinction goes to the US Navel Academy D&B Corps founded in 1914. Now, if we would quantify the "oldest" as to competitive corps, maybe that woould be correct, although the academy Midshipmen do compete once each year in the fall with th Air Force Academy D&B corps.

Interesting how the numbers are coming out and "jumping" each week/day. Not sure you can take the MBI numbers "as is", looking at the recap there are a couple of names I have not seen before. New guys? Locals? First time DCA?

Looks like the current schedule is up on the DCA web site: Date Location June 13 Canastota, NY June 20 Wildwood, NJ June 27 Bridgeport, CT July 4 Rochester, NY July 11 Wayne, NJ July 11 Batavia, NY July 18 Lewisburg PA July 18 Lawrence, MA July 25 Jamestown, NY August 1 Scranton, PA August 1 Waterloo, NY August 8 Kingston, NY August 15 Syracuse, NY August 15 Racine, WI August 22 St. Paul, MN August 22 Norwich, NY August 22 Rockmart, GA August 23 St. Peter, MN August 29 Reading, PA August 29 West Haven, CT Sep 4-6 Rochester NY

Now this may be jumping the gun a bit --- but it's never too soon to plan for this summer. DCA Schedule for 2009: 6/20/09 Wildwood, NJ 6/27/09 Bridgeport, CT 7/4/09 Rochester, NY 7/10/09 Valdosta, GA 7/11/09 Clifton. NJ 7/11/09 Batavia, NY 7/18/09 Boston, MA 7/18/09 Lewisburg, PA 7/25/09 Jamestown, NY 8/1/09 Scranton, PA 8/1/09 Waterloo, NY 8/1/09 Nashville, TN 8/8/09 Kingston, NY 8/15/09 Syracuse, NY 8/15/09 DCA-Central ?? 8/22/09 Norwich, NY 8/22/09 Atlanta, GA 8/22/09 St. Paul, MN 8/23/09 St. Peter, MN 8/29/09 West Haven, CT 8/29/09 Reading, PA I'm sure I have missed a few. Help fill in the blanks.

I do beleive that was the Madison Scouts in about 1965-1966?? Problem was back then as actual chartered scouting units they could not carry "weapons", same situation with the Racine Scouts. I just can not remember how they got around the Legion & VFW rules of the time?????????

Here is one that goes back a long way -- later 60's. At the VFW nationals, Tony Schlectta anounced the Troopers as the "Caspers from Trooper, Wyoming"

Tez, you make some nice points, but look at the total scoring system now in place. There is a Music Ensemble judge to hear the ensemble performance as you indicate "award them for their blend, balance and phrasing". The Fiels (Individual) judge is looking to hear the performance technique and musicianship of the INDIVIDUAL player. A much different perspective and balances off to those lines that may concentrate on the full sound vs, the individual performance of the member. True best Brass may be the combination of both numbers but that will reflect the total performance of the group. Afterall, should not the objective of the instructional staff be to improve each individual's potential AND the potential of the full ensemble?

Great thread and terrific responses; I post because I noted way too may people have serious mis conceptions about judging and what is involved. Someone has to offer at least some insights into the details of what it takes to judge at the DCI level. Also, as I have been around, like almost forever, I can often add some historical insights of "behind the scenes" to some discussions. And besides all that its a lot of fun.

I agree, wish they would show more - such talent. Did you hear about the 2 Spanish girls where thheir suits were disqualified? They had sewn lights into the suits for effet ----- Hopkins, eat your heart out (oops, we'll see that next year!!!!) How about rythmic gymnastics? Not only the grace and beauty of the performers, their "equipment" skills - to me - surpasses anything guards do at any level.

Fred; about time someone else is bringing this up. I concur, to build up the "other" regional fanbase, some outside participation in a REQUIREMENT. I'm still waiting for a responce - ANY RESPONCE - from one of tge big guys on this.

I posed the question earlier on this thread, would any -if not all the eastern DCA corps - be willing to travel to the midwest or south for shows?????? I concur that before there could ever be a legit bid for the Championships to be in the Midwest or South, some of the east corps would have to help build a higher regional fan base. Just the midwestern or the southern corps in competition will not do it. But start "wetting" their appitites for what the rest of DCA Corpsdom is like- watch out. Not going to happen overnight, I would suspect 5-6 years to build things up and develop a strong mailing list and following. How about it?? Empire - Cru-Cabs-Buccs-Bush-Brigs-Hurcs who is willing to go on record to do a midwest weekend or Atlanta weekend next year????????? I am anxious to see a committment!!!!!!!

Would love to see DCA in the Midwest. However, I just do not see the Northeast corps willing to expend the $$$$ OR time to travel that far. Sure it's more than OK for the Minn Brass, SF Renegades, Corpsvets, Kilts, etc. etc. to do so EVERY year, but "us do that????". Much less the Alumini corps, what would the DCA Championships be without paying tribute to our collective history. Now IF the east coasters want to really support the DCA movement, how about 1 or 2 of them each year making a trip to the Midwest for a weekend set of shows with the DCA Central corps and/or to the DCA south shows to support their regions. Now THAT would be the most practical way to help the DCA movement. Comments??

Tom, Italian is good - pray tell where????

Maybe I'm the weirdo in the world, but what a waste of resources. How about spending that time and $$$$ on cleaning up their pollution??? Feeding their people??? Educating them?? Giving them roads?? Etc. etc. etc. You/we see all the glamore of the big cities, but the vast majority of the Chineese population lives in squallar with hardly a shirt on their backs. Its great to have the games and it is a good thing to do every 4 years. But whay all the pomp and flash ?????????

Man do you have an ax to grind or what????? Maybe you are a "judge" maybe not - couldn't care less but unless you have been a DCI judge at the Championships, you haven't got a clue as to what the thought patterns and pressures are. 1. The "interviewed" judges during the broadcast were not even the judges doing the show that night. Those were clips from earlier in the season. 2. What is so bad about a little "inconsistency" in scoring. If each judge gave the same numbers each night ----- WHY HAVE A CONTEST????? Just do it once and everyone can go home and cook burgers. 3. Variety is good in scores, in tape commentary, in discussions at critiques. ITS PART OF THE ACTIVITY> Learn to live with it. 4. Now, quit being a smart a-- and be part of the program. If you think you have better judging skills than everyone else, contact John Phillips to request being a DCI judge. Then YOU can correct all of YOUR percieved problems with the system.

Don't forget, those judges are judging different captions. Field percussion vs. ensemble percussion. Scoring should be "similar" burt not necessarily the same. I do not find these numbers totally out of possibility. Look at any/all the previous 2 percuission judged shows they were against each other and use that as a means for analysis.

\ Kieren; There are 2 sub-caption for Visual Ensemble: Composition and Performance. Your comment focuses on the performance area, the composition is directly related to how the design team integrates the visual & musical ideas, Now this is NOT effect it is the written composition. In an extreme you could have an extreme;y well put together ensemble that is "boreing" and therefore lacks effect, but still deserves credit for a well written product. Side note: all the sheets all captions have a combination of designer and performer relationship. There is no purely performer caption and no purely designer caption. Each caption may lean more or less in either direction but it all needs to work together.