fsthnds

I felt when I saw the Cadets in early July (Ma.) that their score was inflated by app. 3-5 points (May have been a little sympathy inflation for their off season problems). With that said at some point their score would stagnate as they meet other corps that are in the same range of performance and excellence. Even in early July I felt the top 6 were definitely in a different range than Cadets. I felt then that 8th or 9th was their likely finish at Indy. Will withhold final judgement until I see them again in Allentown!

NO!!!!!! I just feel they are not top 6 at this time. I have not seen groups like Phantom or Blue Knights yet and I question where judges will place Cadets when they meet some of the other potential top 12 corps. With all they have been dealing with, 8 or 9 could be a very good accomplishment and a great building block for the future!

After seeing the same corps 2 nights in a row and from different sides of the stands. I feel scoring for the top 3 is fairly accurate. Bluecoats are the early front runner. Crown and Boston both have their strengths and weaknesses in different captions and appear they are going to be in a dogfight for placement like Boston and Cadets were last year. As for Cadets, my opinion is right now they have issues that need some attention and cleaning. Their ending is a mess and I question if the tempo and demands in the end can be achieved by the performers. To me, their score is inflated by 3-5 points (app. .5 -1.0 in most captions). Spirit is much improved this year and their show (once they work out some issues with the doors) is definitely a potential finalist show. Will be interesting when Cadets and Spirit meet up with other corps that are in the 7-12 range as to how they get ranked in the different captions.

Here is the problem. With Hopkins still a HOF Member he has an access pass to EVERY DCI show this summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the house cleaning, reorganization, needs to start from the top of DCI !

Yes to the changing of DCI. They need to start within and remove a couple of shady characters who work the shows for them who conduct themselves in a similar manner. Some people are just toooooo touchy, feelly.

I would say YEA does NOT have something like this in place. Just look at George's relationship with the Cadets CG Supervisor

How come NO female representation on the BOD? ??

How many school principals or superintendents will be instructing their band directors to have NO FURTHER AFFILIATION with US Bands once they hear this story??????

The YEA Board dropped the ball on this one. DCI also fumbled on this. I heard rumblings about this in Aug in Indy (No corp was id'ed then) . Then at the DCI winter meeting this was the "Hallway" topic for the weekend. So for DCI to say they did not know is an even bigger issue.

Read what you want between the lines. DCI has several skeletons (past and present) in their own closet to worry about. They need to tread water very carefully

Just look to Wynn Resorts and how they are handling a similar situation. YEA and DCI need to be proactive and get ahead of the PROBLEM immediately

Sadly, this WILL have ramifications all thru DCI and beyond.

I felt all year that #3 was the big problem in the 1st half of the show!!!!!

Also mentioned he was in talks with Dan Acheson about doing a west coast tour next year and DATR

Why, when you have 30 judges, only 2 are females? The All Boys Club!

The judge must have been told to manage his numbers better by the Chief Judge because his 19.5 for BD Fri night was lower tonight. Seems like the top 5 all were lower tonight by that one judge. Maybe M. Kelley should not be judging if he can't manage his numbers better!

It means he can't judge finals and put Boston's guard in 8th place or lower

Actually Kennedy scores Boston lower than others.

The headgear, or lack thereof, has trickled down from growth in popularity of WGI Percussion and Winds. Unfortunately many judges in DCI also judge WGI or local winter shows around the country. As the groups have moved to more theatrical productions, the days of uniforms and headgear have progressed to uniforms that are now looked at as COSTUMES to increase the effect of the show. As someone else said, as groups like Bluecoats present more athletic productions, headwear becomes a risk and liability to the performance. I heard comments about the Cadets robes they wear in the first 1/2 of their show as hindering the visual aspect of their show. It can make the lower body and drill look very sloppy as members are moving around. The costume does not always allow for the proper recognition and credit from the judges. Your costume choice can make a difference and going hat/shako less does matter. Some people may say VK was a"head' of the curve on headwear!

After what I saw, they should be thanking the good lord they broke 80 last night!

I agree, After seeing them in Lynn I feel Xmen brass are outperforming Cadets right now. Granted fatigue from parades could be a factor, but all the corps did parades that day. From my viewing point Cadets are more like a whole point behind Crown and Xmen should have been 2-4 tenths above Cadets. As the shows get larger the gap will be greater.

WGI already has rules in place when performers are above/off the ground (I believe 6' is the magic #) which requires some form of fall protection. Railings, harnesses, and rubber mats are some of the ways to provide fall protection. DCI, for their own liability, should have similar rules.

This is like winning the World Series after eliminating the Hated Evil Empire!

Can barely fit 12 corps and all their staff members on the field now. Where would you put 2 more?, in the tunnel or better yet on the concourse?