Well here goes, folks, I'll pitch this into the melee and all pundits, critics and experts can pound me.
I love that there is a show and event reviews thread and I think it is gutsy to post critical feedback rather than sugar-coat it.
But in all my 29 years of loving drum corps, I cannot for the life of me abide rude jeers, heckling and laughing at kids doing their best to perform what designers give them...as if they have a choice.
It is great to have a forum where we can debate narration, singing, amps, etc., and it is okay that some don't like Boston or Crown, but I will go down swinging at those who make the kids pay for their foul moods by heckling.
To yell "unplug the amps" during Boston's show was one of the lowest things I have witnessed and the no-class who yelled it should be ashamed. I was there, heard it too, and was furious. I would now no more support any anti-amp sentiment than slap my mother, just because of the rotten behavior
If you want to express your opinion, go for change a different way. Sign the petition. Write the staffs. Write DCI. Vent and rage here. Build your skills, go join a staff and outlaw once you're king. Boycott shows. Go tell the judges. But leave the performing kids alone and don't be disrespectful during their shows.
A fundamental principle of art is the critical consumer who can view or not view, listen or not listen, and buy or not buy. Let it fly here, but when you're at a show, be a fan or be gone. Let the rest of us fans, friends and family of drum corps express our appreciation without having to put up with you.