engsubman

W G A S

Just a note on the attendance topic: Not only were $10 tix available to Indiana residents for finals night, two, yes two child tix for FREE with each adult ticket purchased. I wonder just how many of the $3.33 tix were sold. Seems like a fake Indiana ID might be the way to go next year, JK. We could have dined at St. Elmos for 2 or 3 dinners on those savings, although the seats would have probably been about 50 yards off the 50.

General effect and audience perception versus judges placement. Blue Devils in 2nd visual general effect? Really? Sure the guard and marching technique - outstanding, fabulous, above reproach. But is that general effect? Aren't there separate captions for those attributes? I had a "novice" drum corps attendee with me tonight. At one point I made an attempt to explain the judging captions. "What is general effect", my cohort asked. My nutshell definition was, "the effect the corps generally has on the audience". "How does the production, visual, music, theme impact the audience - how much do they/did the audience enjoy the overall thing"..was my answer. My perception was that the audience enjoyed "Empire State of Mind" the best. Phantom, Carolina Crown, and Cavaliers all enjoyed tremendous responses at the end of their shows. Cadets had a strong reaction. Blue Devils - decidedly ho-hum. I don't think the disparity between the judge's placement and the audience reaction is a good thing for DCI. Is the audience at major DCI events in need of being educated about what is good and not-as-good, in terms of how an overall show impacts them? I don't think so. Here's an idea. Maybe General Effect judges should pay equal amounts of attention to both the corps and the audience's reaction to the corps. Are we trying to invest in the activity and promote its growth? Yes! Then that particular "disagreement" needs addressed. This!! This!! A Thousand times this !!

From the Scouts Website, Homepage: Wednesday August 10 Rehearsal 2-10p – Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana Open to the public. Housing is still at WACPAC all week. Rehearsals return to WACPAC Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Dear Mr. Zingali, Really!, I watched the BD show in Atlanta and focused on the drill. It was just as programmed. The demand, complexity, or difficulty of the drill was without any doubt whatsoever on the same level as a majority of the high school shows that I have seen. That's where I got the ideas for our drill ! Thanks for drinking our Kool Aid ! DG

Don't know about Buckhead area, but we like the Metro Cafe Diner, they are open 24 hours, have a bar downstairs and family tables on second floor. Check our their website: http://www.metrocafediner.com/

1 Phantom Regiment 84.900 2 Madison Scouts 82.350 3 Blue Knights 81.400 4 Blue Stars 80.150 5 Colts 74.550 6 Cascades 67.300 7 Pioneer 65.000 Read more: http://www.dci.org/scores/index.cfm?event=ab19eadf-72f6-4573-9340-c3c70be4a9b7#ixzz1ScAO4czp

Frankie is Bill L.'s son. He aged out last year and is on staff this year with the Scouts!

What time is his flight? I am probably going to stay near the airport, about half an hour from Scouts housing I think.

On another really bright note: 2 days til I see the Scouts live in La Crosse and again in Minneapolis! Wish you could be there too!!

Thanks for all the great suggestions so far. :worthy: I'm sure the wife and 16 year old daughter will want a say, so we will see. Scouts only have a partial day of rehearsal and then some free time according to their website, not sure if our drummer will want to spend one of his free days with the old farts. Who are the Twins playing? We are Rays fans from SW Florida and baseball is appealing. Michael, it would be a privilege to spend some time with you. I'll lobby the bosses. The beer haunts sound wonderful. It's almost impossible to get "real" beer in our neck of the woods. We love jazz, any restrictions on 16 year olds at the jazz venue? Hotel suggestions? Who has the most comfortable beds in the area? Thanks Again! Jim

Thanks! That should keep us busy til noon or so, anything else you can think of for the rest of the day

We are planning to (hopefully, weather permitting - prayers said) see the show Saturday, but in order to get an affordable flight home (Monday) we have to (get to) hang around the MSP area with a free day Sunday. Any suggestions on best places to stay, things to do, can't miss attractions, etc. are appreciated. Thanks !

My wife and daughter were at the Arlington show and it was Charlie playing the solo.

Scores are up on DCI 1 Madison Scouts 75.900 2 Boston Crusaders 72.700 3 Spirit of Atlanta 70.600 4 Crossmen 67.800 5 Jersey Surf 59.200 Read more: http://www.dci.org/scores/#ixzz1QXDJ0Ne5

Sorry about the over exuberance. They were in 5th last night. Its all in good fun!

For those of you giving credit or blame to the judges for the score differential, here is another perspective that sounds much more reasonable to me. The Scouts had a ten hour plus bus ride to Arlington and only 2 hours floor time. They were all very tired. After a very short rehearsal day, they had a 3 hour trip to the show. That would be about 14 bus hours out of the last 24 hours. According to a staff member in a call home, the corps did not have it's best performance in Arlington. My son, who is a section leader and 3rd year Scout, verified all this. Old Bridge saw a refreshed corps which was rested and focused, and had the energy and enthusiasm to blow the house down as only they can. The Scouts were on it and the judges scored it! So I think the credit for the score difference goes to the Scouts and their marvelous staff. The Scouts are currently in 5th place in scoring standings and it looks like they are headed higher. Go Madison! Jim Edit: Oops! My error. They were in 5th before the west coast scores. You are correct: 7th place now and heading upward!

Daughter says Madison was "Fantastic :)"

Madison is entering the field now! Spirit done.

Crossmen finished, Spirit is on field! Text from daughter at show.

The corps is Pacific Crest. I saw a video of the performance for one person. It's out there somewhere and it is wonderful! Good luck. If I find it, I will post the location.

Thanks for the updates and show report. Really appreciated!

IBC

This!! I agree! They are all distorted and of poor quality!

I don't know where you are getting this from. The Scouts don't use their synths to cover low brass sounds. They use the euphs, baritones and the famous 20 tubas. I have been to dozens of rehearsals and complete run throughs, seen them indoors, outdoors, in domes, in the rain, on fan network and have yet to hear this synth covering you and others perceive. The Scouts brass sound is one of the most authentic in DCI. Brass solos are not miced because the staff wants the purest brass sound to reach the fans and from what I have heard they have done a great job reaching this goal. Just Sayin' Peace Out!