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Thanks both to Jay and Michael for correcting my spelling of Chris' name. If I would have gotten off my butt and pulled out my book I would have gotten it right! Too tired from lack of sleep and too much beer over the weekend - Go figure! Donna

I know many members of the judging community peruse this site, so I really wonder why no one has chimed in – so I will! EndzoneEric wrote: Kinda borrowing from my original post in this thread, I got to wondering... are the judges trained to reward achievement or punish errors? I know about the "ranking and rating" responsibilities. Ok folks, the name of the game is: Derived Achievement which means the What and the How. What is being done and How it is being done – AT THAT MOMENT. Not What or How it was done last week, last month or even last night – but what is happening at that moment at that contest. Also, please notice the word “Achievement” - it is a build up system, not a break down as in the past with the Tick system. Our responsibility is to: Rank, Rate and Educate. Rank = where they place (1st, 2nd, etc.); Rate = Their score; Educate = Why they got that score in relationship to others and to suggest ways of improving their show. EndzoneEric wrote: It seems that, from body language alone -- and this is PURE SPECULATION -- there are some judges that love to be entertained and to see the corps "throwing down." There are others who appear to be happy to catch the corps doing something wrong. Eric, this is pure speculation – you were watching the judges, but you have no idea what they were reacting to at that specific moment. Each one was focusing on their specific caption at that specific time. As fans, we are looking for entertainment – the judges are looking for the “What + How”. EndzoneEric wrote: I wonder if DCI would ever consider publishing some of the judges' tapes on the Fan Network, maybe even adding an iso-cam at some of the shows. I would be interested to hear what they're saying, and I have a feeling that other people would be as well. Since the corps gets the judges tapes I don’t think this is up to DCI. Maybe you can contact the corps to see if they are willing to share them with you. Not sure that it would happen, but actually, I would like to hear them as well. I could be wrong, but I thought that some of this is on the DVD??? Also, maybe there needs to be an added award given for Most Improved – heck, we had that in Winterguard. My suggestion: just for the heck of it, attend a judging seminar sometime. My organization follows the DCI/WGI philosophy and all judges are taught to be Objective, not Subjective, but the bottom line is – we are human. You (the director, instructor, fan, etc.) may not always agree with our Ranking and Rating, but we are trained to follow the Criteria Reference on the back of the sheets and that is what truly determines the end result.

Michael, I ran into Chris Hardiwetz (sp?) this weekend (we are both members of CSJA) and we had a long discussion about the CAC. I told him how wonderful your performance was and he let me know about all the issues and hard work it took to just try to get it off the ground, much less pull it off. The biggest being to not let the Alum corps interfer with the Jr. Corps - and that is one reason why George and his BOD is against Cadets having an Alum corps next year. I'm not sure that most folks know all the hard work that happens behind the scenes to make something like this happen. You don't just send out an email and hand out some music! BTW, I was really impressed with the check you guys handed to Mr. Warren - WOW - Too cool!

Now, I have said in nearly every post I have written that everyone is entitled to their opinion and I hate when people slam each other...but are you kidding me? Were you at Finals or did you just watch it in the theatre? Was that the only time seeing a show this year? I have been involved in this activity for 10 years before there was a "DCI" and this was one of the greatest years of all time! If you only saw the shows in the theatre, please remember that it was Quaterfinals - while I am sure they had a crowd, the stands would not have been packed. I was there Friday and we were on our feet many times throughout the night. On Saturday the stands were packed and it was loud as hell in there! I am also guessing you didn't read my earlier post from last night which mentioned the crowd reaction to to all the corps. We were on our feet more overall then in our seats! The only "polite applause" anyone received was Cadets - until the end on Saturday. Not quite sure what you are basing all this on - but as someone who was there, it just ain't true!

Not sure who that was Gary. It was very quiet on my side. I would imagine the voices would carry since those bottom windows were open.

Bluecoats were indeed in the bottom 6. They placed 7th on Friday night.

Ryan, I wouldn't say I had a great time, but an interesting one! I really learned some more lessons of life tonight. Lesson 1: I will never, ever attend a show again without someone else to share the experience with, even if that person is a "Newbie"! And I have been able to take 5 "Newbie's" to contests this year who loved them. Each in their own way. Some who have even seen things (as the Corps wanted us to see) that I didn't!!!!! My only guestion Ryan is, was your friend in the audience on Friday? I am only stating my "feeling" of the show from Friday to Saturday, and while I totally agree with the placement, I just felt more emotion, power and strentgh from PR the night before. I am truly surprised your friend could even talk at all by that point because I am not sure I could have! Maybe that is why he " could only utter expletives", I can really imagine what those were!!!! Donna

First and foremost: Congrats to Phantom! They finally got to be the bride!!! How wonderful for them and I think the entire Drum Corps World is very, very happy for them. Now, for the rest of the night (please no hate mail, we all are entitled to our opinion and this is just really my observation of the evening) : I was extremely impressed with the crowd’s reception of Madison. Now those of us that have been around for a while, know that no matter what place there are in, Madison has always been a crowd favorite and we were all so happy to see them back. However, I was very disappointed in the bottom 6 tonight. For some reason, at least in the last few years, it seems like this 6 performs their show the best on Friday. I am not the only one who noticed this - I talked to several that agree. The biggest issue I saw was the colorguards. Folks rushing the counts, or tossing too late, lots of drops, etc. Blue coats were probably the only exception - they really put it all out there. Even my Blue Stars, whose show is my favorite of the year after Crown's, seemed a bit off. Again, just my opinion. SCV did a very nice job tonight and the entire crowd seemed to get behind the "Vanguard" yell. Cadets were the Cadets. What more is there to say?? But then Crown came out, the crowd gave them a standing ovation as soon as they saw the first uniform hit the field (Cadets weren't even close to off yet) and then Crown performed a show that blew everyone away - No lie - Wow Oh Wow!!!! Their guard really stepped up to the plate and nailed everything. I was sitting (actually in the press box) around folks that had not seen this show yet. While I am not a youngster, I am talking folks in 70's/80's, but who have been around this activity for decades and even they were chuckling, clapping and on their feet at the end. As I was leaving the stadium I heard scores of band kids who were talking about that show. Oh how I can't wait to see what they do next year. Now it was Cavies turn. Last night, I thought they marched the h@ll out of that show and really didn't see how they could have improved that drill, but tonight I was stunned at how clean they were. None of us had recovered from Crown's show yet and now we have to deal with this! OMG, we had no idea what to do but sit there with our mouths open and try to breathe. Ok, here come's PR...the crowd respectively clapped along with "Iowa" until Cavies were off, but then immediately got on their feet to welcome Phantom on the field. You could tell that this was the favorite show of the year (with Crown coming in a very close second). Now I love this show. It is probably my most favorite PR show right after New World. But again, I just felt it was a bit off as compared to last night. The end was spectacular and the “I am Spartcus” yell(s) from the crowd were a blast and when the corps yelled, it sent chills down your spine (I mean that in a good way). I was very nervous though that they didn’t pull it off to beat BD. I didn’t stay for scores, drove the hour back to where I was staying so I didn’t have to be disappointed all the way back, but was so happy to see the final result. BD, as I said in previous posts, I still don’t really understand the show and miss the “jazz”. Glad to see PR beat them, but I thought Cavies should have too. It was the first time I ever attended a show by myself (my “date” had to bow out), so I spent more time paying attention to the reaction of the crowd then I usually do. My biggest gripe: While I really felt that this was one of the most supportive crowds I have ever been a part of, I really, really, really am hating the screaming of names or this, that and the other thing during the quiet or down times (unless it is kinda part of the show and everyone does it). While at times it can make us smile, the kids on the field do not hear you - they are way too in the zone to pay attention to anything then what they are there for. It just seems to me that all that is just BS to "make the tape" and have their 15 minutes (actually 1.5 seconds) of fame. Please, let's stop this! Anyway, again just my opinion, but mostly my observation of the evening. Please, please, please – no hate mail!!!! On the flip side: As wound up and excited after last night’s show as I was, I now feel quite a bit down and depressed that it is all over with. It’s like that feeling you get on the evening of Christmas when it’s all over!!! I will tell you though, that in the 30+ years I have attended Finals, this had to be the best year I have ever seen! Thanks for listening. Now I would like to hear the opinions of others that attended. Donna

Last night as The Cadets started their narration something about how Sarah found her happiness a lady behind be shouted, "Who cares?!" I had to laugh out loud!!

Michael, I didn't read your review before my earlier reply, but thank you so much for saying that Crown's Chess show is among your favorites! That too is one of mine and it was that year I fell in love with Crown and have been a huge fan ever since. Having the field used as a Chess Board and the giant Chess pieces moving around was one of the most visually stimulating shows I have ever seen! This year, their "Clair de Lune" is one of the most beautiful horn ballads I think I have ever heard. Winning this year probably won't happen, but we will see it in the next few or less! Your "Corps History in Review" was a delightful article to read and I thank you for sharing it with us. Donna

Exhausted! How could you be exhausted? Just because you "old guys" have been rehearsing all week to put on a performance that most of us could only ever dream of doing - what's up with that? Oh wait, now I know - it was that d@mn walk from the equipment truck to the field and back - why they put the old guys at the very end of the parking lot I'll never figure out - I thought I was walking back to Indy!!!!!!! Ugh!!! BTW, you going to the get-together tomorrow at 2pm? Donna

Michael, As I said on another thread, I just didn't know if Cavies could out-perform and outshine what Kingsmen did last year, and I didn't think Kingsmen would top Madison's performance from '06 - but you all went above and beyond! It was so great to see and hear all of the favorites from over the years and to watch the guard perform moves that I did back when I marched!! I was so happy to see so many people stay in the stands as well. I really hope you all felt the love