ajwdad

wildabeast, thanks for the pics! You had 3 of my sons, and I had never seen them before! In appreciation, Michael

Hi Tuba, Orch said it right... I have had 3 sons in open. All really enjoyed the experience and learned a ton. Their corp was better than any high school and better that most any college (i cannot think of a single college that has better marching, but I am not going to make that a blanket statement). The schedule is not as demanding, but still it may be one of the harder things that you have ever done. My sons got in better shape here than in sports, and for one of them, it really helped with a military academy. BTW, the open class corp was and is better than the marching band at the academy. Jump on in, you will not regret it, and you will cherish the memories.

Boy, it sure is nice in sunny california. BTW, it would be great to get a chance for worlds in Texas as well, or the East Coast. Too bad DCI choose Indy for the foreseeable future. Best of luck to the corps, and let's hope the weather holds. Now I feel like a farmer. Spend a year on a crop, and then pray that the weather cooperates.

Except for the fans of the consistent winner. Hence my original point. We are fans, with opinions, not just disinterested bystanders. If we were, then I completely agree with you. Everyone would love the underdog.

it would be quite interesting if all the shows mattered, like in tournaments, or racing... I guess that DCI would make more money and that the early shows would count more. Fans all over the country would get more for their money, and not just those that go to Indy. Even the NFL recognizes national, and divisional champions, but of course the big prize is the super bowl. Here is a place that DCI could do much better in marketing. And we could have a west coast champion, east coast champion, southern champ, northern champ etc... and get even more fans involved As it is, the only show that matters to a lot of you is finals. All of the rest are only prelims, and don't carry much weight. If Tiger had to win the open to be considered the best, he would not be the best very often. As it is, he has been the undisputed best in the world for most of the last decade, even if he did not win the majority of the tournaments that he entered. For now, the best is only the one show winner of the finals, and flukes along with upsets do happen... Finally, we have a judged event as opposed to a objective event. Makes an upset even more likely given human error.

blue devils Interesting question. In most sporting events, fans have a preference. Non-fans root for the underdog. IE who do you want to win the world cup? Answer. the best team or the underdog?

Congrats to BDB. And to Vanguard Cadets, and to all the corps for their work.

Hey Canadian director; this question is for information only, not meant in any negative way whatsoever. But, why the lack of marching bands, is it the weather? Seriously, I marched in North Dakota for a football season, and it was not a lot of fun. Here in California, some bands are good, some are not. But, we are quite lucky to have both vanguard and blue devils in our area. I am only 40 miles from either, but my sons chose Blue Devils... even though I work about 1 mile from Vanguard headquarters. thanks,

So, I would like to put another perspective out there. I think that the WC BD A Corp helps BDB in that former WC members are on staff. But, it actually can hurt them as both vanguard and BD are so close that good members/musicians/guards can make a WC corp, and not be in Open. Not everyone has the funding to travel the distances to get to world class organizations, and certainly SCV and DB are strong draws. If they were not so close together, and if they only fielded a single Open class corp, I bet that the open class corp would have access to stronger talent. Sounds strange, but both of the corps lose good members to their world class organizations and to each other at times. As for Bingo being such a great advantage, I am not so sure. I know that the 2.5 day train ride in coach was not so easy, and would bet that a lot of corps spend less on travel given the location in Indy. In fact, B corp has not gone to that many world championships. Just a few years ago, it did not go. (I think 4 years ago, but not sure) In full disclosure, I am the parent of a BDB member, and have had 2 others in the BD organization. I do know of BD members going to Vanguard, and B core going to Vanguard as well. I am sure that the other has happened. I do think that it is a credit to the organizations that this thread even exists, especially considering that BDB has never won a world championship. And, this corp is stronger than ever. I know Rick, and he does a great job. I don't know the vanguard leadership, but clearly, they do a great job as well. Finally, I and most BD parents, feel lucky and grateful for the organization that BD is and the lessons that our kids/young adults are learning. Best,

Actually, Ellen Tauscher (rep from alameda county) appointed the judges before joining Obama's administration. And the special election is in less than a month, so she better deliver! LOL

Debra, Well spoken! I have had 2 kids in B and one in C. Rick and Debbie deserve lots of credit, and so do the volunteers that canvass the schools for new talent, and provide so much of the support needed. Still not cheap for any of us, but definitely worth it. Agree with the B corp comment at the end as well. B's highest final was last year with the heartbreaking 2nd. Also, calling a feud between SCVC and BDB is a bit much. Sure, there is some competition between the corps, seems a lot more among the fans. But, I do happen to know that several of the both corps are good friends, and are happy for the others success. Final comment: Best of luck to both corps! and also to every other competitor. MLW

Well Spoken. Marketing should focus on the benefits and the product, and on extending the customer base but not on fixing the outcome. So, my what if 1) What if the winning corp was featured at the superbowl, and the next 2 at the divisional football championships? or at least supplied music for it? I know, timing is very tough. 2) what if CBS, NBC, ABC carried the championship live? We are more like pay per view now. Not sure either idea has any merit, but i think that we should focus along the lines of letting a lot more people know about drum corp, and the product likely will sell itself. M

way to go BDB!! Wish I was there... Keep up the intensity!!

Saw the shows tonight... Wind was a mess and the venue was lacking. Also, they performed in about 90 degree heat in the sun. Lots of fun, good job to the corps. Vanguard and BDB. BTW, anyone see that trophy that went to BDC? Renegades showed real class again. Best of luck on tour! MLW

I like their show from last year better, certainly Disney liked it a lot. But, this is a judged contest, and my guess is that they will have to be way better than competition to win... Their visual is ok, but not yet ready for prime time, but the guard and horn line seem better.

Hard to understand what you really mean... i personally know both head drum majors from BDB and Vanguard Cadets. both worked their tails off. Also, your book does not really matter to anyone marching, only their book matters, and in that book 2nd place is a loss. BDA does not consider the season a "win" neither does BDB and both corps will do everything they can to prepare and win next year. Both corps are justifibly proud of what they accomplished, but BDB definitely does not feel like they won, in spite of what you think that they should feel. And, we are talking about young kids here, so expecting them to always take your mature and superior attitude. Some will react like the young teens that they are.

I saw them perform about 3 times, my take is that it should be up to them. I definely saw wc corps in their range.

Mr Boo; it happened twice with the same judge in a different position. Check out the semis. The corp did complain about that judge, but DCI decided not to take it seriously. So, when judging went from 1 show a day (quarters) to 2 shows a day (semis and finals), the best judges probably were selected for the Worlds. I personally think that it shows a serious flaw in how judges are selected and certainly how scores are generated. I cannot blame the guy above for leaving BD, but unfortunately, judged sports and contests have these kinds of heartbreaks. It happens in the olympics, and much better run organizations than DCI, but in most of those cases, the organization tries to improve and takes inputs from their members seriously. I would say to take a really deep breath, remember all of the great times, and true benefits of drum corp, and then make a decision in a month or two. Emotions are high, and that is not usually a good time for decision making. Also, i encourage you to write to DCI and tell them directly about your feelings, and also your thoughts. thanks to both BDB and Vanguard cadets for a wonderful season! You guys were outstanding. Also, i thought both surf and teal were outstanding. Citations color guard was very very good as well.. Best,

I am not shocked, which means that I understand judging is subjective. The best corp and show came in second because a single judge decided that he should choose the winner. BTW, that is way semis were close. Same judge... BDB consistently beat VC the entire year, except for the first show, and beat them by 1.3 in the quarters, but again, that one judge. If I sound disgusted, I am. Cadets marched a good show, BDB won Disney, but you cannot beat biased judging, and that is what happened.

You have it right, but there are some older kids in the corps.

Wow, in reading this thread, i would think that everyone hates the Blue Devils! I was at the show, and frankly agree with the judging. Phantom had the best theatrical performance, Crown had an amazing brass line, Cavies were very strong in spite of the distraction of the narration. IMO, Phantom's show featured the guard so much that it was hard to concentrate on the music and marching. It was my favorite show from an entertainment perspective, but BD's show was cleaner. I would like to see BD do better with their horn line, but that is where Crown was really good. This judging is consistent with what I have seen at other shows, and BD has only lost 1 time this year. So, I bet that they have something going for them and it is not unfair or corrupt judging... I thought that the top 3 corps all are excellent.

Congrats to the core!! i think this is one of the highest scores that they have ever earned!! Good luck next week. Wow, great score for BDB tonight! Looking forward to tomorrow when all the OC corps get together. Music in Motion Place Corps Score Open Class 1 Blue Devils B 91.200 2 Spokane Thunder 86.275 3 Citations 85.450 4 Raiders 84.150 5 Dutch Boy 81.750 6 Impulse 77.275 7 Legends 76.675 8 7th Regiment 76.275 9 Colt Cadets 76.100 10 Racine Scouts 72.275 11 Les Stentors 65.450 12 Spirit of Newark/New Jersey 64

Hi Drumlaw, I was at the show, you guys were really good! The high brass was amazing and the show was entertaining. Thanks for performing, and keep up the good work! AJW Dad.