Russian Spy

Was it a classic case of the band director and band parents deciding that the color guard staff and parents had more power than they did? Did they get sick and tired of spending a major chunk of their money on 30 kids or less?

I heard that Cheshire High School is no longer competing at WGI in Scholastic World. Does anyone know if this is true? If it is, what happened and where did their talented staff go?

Yes! I was successful and inspired dialogue, discussion and a wide range of opinions! Now, those of you who look like this remove the tape and let's talk about the judging last weekend!

Did the CT Hurricanes get the old shafting at DCA? It seems like a couple of judges had it in for them during finals. My question isn't meant to take away anything from the other corps who competed in Rochester. Congratulations to the top three! I'm curious about people's opinions on this subject.

Yes Sir!

Let's get started early. What winter guard will be the surprise of 2010? What guard will gag in 2010?

For all of the inquiring minds out there... The roof was closed because it would have cost thousands of dollars to open it up (I've been told an amount in the six figure range)... A private firm does the opening and closing and DCI would have to pay for several employees from that company to remain on-site, for the entire event, each day... Apparently, DCI didn't know about the high price when they signed the stadium deal.

My back yard would be very convenient!

Eat 'em up Boston!

Red, white and blue clashes with their green shade! LOL!

Has DCI developed a contingency plan if the Swine Flu situation gets extremely bad? A statement on their web site from Dan Acheson would be nice.

At the risk of making the DCP censors angry, does anyone have an opinion about the judging at WGI? There seemed to be a lot of suspect decisions, many more than previous seasons. Comments, anyone?

All of the hype about Aimachi was nothing more than spin generated by their American staff!

Nope. There will be other finalists of course. Check out Salem Blue. Certainly not boring.

Aimachi and SCV.....one and two or two and one Sacred Heart.....16th......Their your private dancer, a guard on the bubble, in finalist trouble this year......... None of this meant as an insult, just an opinion

Salem Blue! All the way in class IA!

WGI and judging..... Totally incestuous in the non-traditional sense of the word..... Judges who teach a particular group head to a regional for a judging assignment and end up rooming with someone who will judge their guard in Dayton, etc. It amounts to a one-on-one briefing and advice session in the hotel room........ People judging groups taught by a very close friend or relative or a spouse's close friend, etc. There was a proposal a few years ago for judges to make a choice: judge or teach. It never got to the floor for a vote. After all, why do only one when you can do both, double dip for money and have the chance for prolonged critique at a regional (see above)...... There was also a proposal of sorts which would have required judges to take a season off and return to the teaching ranks for a year. The thought process was to provide a reality check for the judge. That never got to the floor either, I believe. There are people judging WGI who haven't taught for 20 or 30 years. That's just wrong when you think about how much the activity has changed during that time period.

Does anyone have any new information about Spartans?

Stolen program concept....... Done very well by the Norwalk HS Band from Connecticut a few years ago! Maybe B-Stars can watch the video for some programming ideas......

Salem Blue... All the way in IA... Great weapon soloists...The guy rifle marches with Cadets and the girl sabre comes from Glassmen... The guard's design team is from Cadets...

I predict that...... Sacred Heart won't make the finals.......Down the tubes.......Watching from the stands.......

It looks like your guard might be the only one. How did you manage that? Do you have a realistic chance of making finals in IO? Good Luck!

Watch Salem Blue in the Independent A class. They should do really well, with a medal being a real possibility. A small guard with talented performers. Weapons soloists are strong: The guy rifle marches Cadets in the summer. The little sabre soloist marches with Glassmen.

Spectrum was promoted to open by WGI. Bye Bye Benji. Onward and upward. Is there still a medal in your future?

it's prediction time, so hide behind your mask....... who will be the surprise guards at wgi in dayton....vaulting to a higher finish than anyone expected. also, who will be the guards choking under the pressure and plumetting to a lower placement than anyone ever imagined. here's your chance to show your color guard prediction talent.....so start posting. see you in dayton!