backntheday

I think it was something like that, I heard they had over 40 at auditions!

I agree! Break out the shakos and riding boots, give me some butt flops and high mark time. Really?? I think we'd all last about one year looking the same and we'd all go crazy. The dinosaurs are extinct for a reason let's not lose our minds. If this is financially based conversation the biggest killer in independent colorguard is rehearsal space cost. Ask any independent director what their biggest headache is.

Or buy on of the new "un-breakable" rifles

Most catalogs carry them or you can buy on-line at some companies I use Algy www.algyteam.com

What's her name, phone number, e-mail address and city of birth please? LOL

Where I am locally I have seen a lot of the flying in minimized and the utilization of local staff be more the norm. As fas as costumes go $125.00 is an awesome price. I look at it like this 12 shows a season (give or take) Divided by $125.00 equals only $10.42 everytime they wear them! Flags now... they are an issue. I'd like to know who told all those moms that can sew flags they should charge for it!!! LOL I agree with so much you are saying I have just had to find a way to make it all work in my head and a way to justify to parents.

Everybody needs to take a deep breath... World guards and Open guards (back in the day) Have been folding due to finances since colorguard started. It is truley sad when it happens but it also allows for room at the top. I for one can name about a dozen or more that sited money as at least part of the reason they decided to fold or take a season off. Please keep in mind a World class program is completely life consuming especially during the months of Dec-April and the staff gets burnt out and needs a break. I do agree that cost are getting out of control, but some are fixed, buses hotel rooms, and the worst is practice facilities. Ask any World class directer how stressful practice site budgets are. Floors and flags barely scratch the surface of the budget in relation to practice sites. With that being said, I miss so many colorguards that have gone away. I try to do my part sponsor a kid for part of their dues. Donate to my local programs when I can. We all just need to help support our favorites and help ease the burden they feel. World Class dues can not be $500.00 dollars anymore like when some of us marched, just like all the other prices that have more than doubled since 20 years ago.

I heard Tarpon Springs

Do you think that they have had no one spin these before producing them? There are a small handful floating around some are early prototypes and some are more recent.

Although I loved their show I do have issues with the amount of breaks and drops they had on baton, rifle and sabre, Corona also had too many drops. I do not believe it is the right message to send. For all those who will say drops are not everything I agree but they are something.

I would love to see again NEI all flag Premonition all flag North Syracuse Central, Avon, the girl from Zydeco throw me 10 more!!

I do not agree, the texture on texture is taking us to a new place in design, Aimachi is a great example of the use of multible textures. I was there live and I never had a hard time seeing them and I would hate for a designer to alter their design choices based on how it will look on the Fan Network. I think there were a few groups that explored mutilble textures sucsessfully. I think our eyes are accustomed to a more simplistic look and it will take time for us to get used to this use of pattern on pattern. I say be smart about it and go for it. The more diversity we have in design choices the more interesting it is for the audience.

let us know what you think...please What you think? Please!!! Video it a post it on You Tube PLEASE!!

I agree.

At a recent regional I sat and listened to a designer who has had teams do well and not do so well in the A class. After his expanation of "being tired of it" he said so this year "I sold out" and look at us we will most likley be in the top of the class. He went on to say that he will continue to not challenge himself creatively and will continue to give them what they want a pretty ballad with soft smiles. His kids are not frustrated. It's amazing what you hear in line for the concession stand.

It is a little thicker but nothing that would take a lot of getting used to. They spin differently but again not much.

That's the beauty of Scholastic A nobody knows nuthin. One day you're pretty, the next day you're ugly. With soooo many similar sound tracks now they are even harder to tell apart.

Does anyone have schedules and line ups for the "other" shows in Dayton. Like doesn't Centerville host a show?

I think the top 15 highest scores will still be the finalists. This just effects performance order in prelims I do not think they will take fianlists based on rounds. Performance order can be a factor but if the judges are on their game they will get the right 15 in finals then adjust as needed in finals.

Marry me?

YIKES!!! I think you should watch your back at nationals!!! You said it out loud that is clearly prohibited.

Seems to be the question of the season, so many instructors I have spoken with are pondering the same questions. WE are encouraged to "do something different" and "get out of your comfort zone" but yet when you look at the projected top 15 for nationals quite a few of them are right in there with the what is the "normal" A route. Most of the instructors I know who tried to get "out of their comfort zone" are experiencing very frustrating seasons and at this point are planning to go right back to safe route next season, which can only mean more similarities between A guards next year. I think it will take a few "different" A guards to make finals and a couple to get medals for instructors to feel comfortable taking what they consider to be a risk next year. I am not confident this will happen in 2009 so look for even more similar shows in 2010.

Ok I get it in World class we want to see new, fresh and different. We want to see groups do tricks we haven't seen. However, there have been a few colorguards that have attempted this and IMO failed. When you have a line of 8 attempt and 3 achieve by any standards that is a F. Where does the line get drawn? When I see that moment happen in a world class show it just reminds me of when we used to get together in someones back yard and go "look what I can do" and none of us could do it but maybe once. World class needs to push the boundries of technique and training also.

Avon will win the maturity on both equipment and movement is standard setting for high school. I agree mostly with this prediction I'd love to see Carmel medal just to shake things up. Seminole, Americas, and Riverbanks will fight it out for the last couple of spots. It will have a lot to do with the show of the day for the last few spots and prelims performance order sadly.

I think compulsories in the A class especially are a great idea. Then when a group has the money to bring in a high priced, experienced designer it is still on the kids to achieve certain skills. Compulsory skills are a part of almost every subjective judging activity, gymnastics, fiqure skating, baton twirling to name a few. This thread should be fun to watch!!