jasgre2000

I don't know how exactly it is judged either, but in my opinion ... the music categories (including the ensemble categories) are judging a skill, rather than an effect. It doesn't take any skill (at least no skill that should be given credit by DCI judges) to simulate the low brass with a synth.

Cadets 2012 Blue Devils 2010 Cadets 2010 I usually avoid the bad shows on the fan network, so that is all I could come up with right now.

I don't know why it is so hard to figure out. Electronics should ONLY be judged in the GE category. It should not be judged as part of the other music categories (unless someone is actually playing an electronic instrument on the field that takes some skill). If the electronics are used poorly, then it detracts from the GE, doesn't it? What am I missing? This seems pretty straight forward.

I think the idea of two separate divisions based on traditional and "anything goes" would fail miserably. No one would sign up for the restrictions of the traditional division. How about a slightly different proposal that achieves the same purpose, but would be more effective. In figure skating, the competitors have to perform two programs. The first is a "short" program where they have to complete a list of required maneuvers. The second is a "long" program, or a "free" program where they have a lot more freedom in designing their show. Why not require each WC corps to perform two programs. The first would be a little bit shorter (to keep the rehearsal requirements manageable), and would have a list of traditional requirements that must be followed (no dancing, no electronics, etc.). The second would be anything goes (but the corps would still be judged mainly on their movement on the field and the music they produce on the field). That way, we can preserve the tradition (and allow the dinos to have shows they like ... they can skip the other half), and foster innovation and creativity.

The problem is, who would want to be in the traditional classifications under those restrictions?

There must be some definition of what it means to be a drum corps. If people want theater on a football field, they can go start their own activity. With that said, I am for a liberal interpretation of drum corps. Drum corps should not be regulated by extensive rules. There should be basic rules to protect the essence of drum corps (e.g., no woodwinds or strings). Beyond that, the only regulation should be the criteria by which corps are judged. I am in favor of an anything goes approach, but corps must still be judged on how well they march/move on the field, their visual effect, and how well they produce music on the field (not by pressing play on a computer). Let corps experiment with electronics, and even video/lights, but don't give them credit for including those elements and leaving out the important essential aspects of drum corps like marching and playing music on the field. I know many (if not most) would prefer a more conservative approach, which is fine. I don't see the harm in allowing some innovation.

But only because he chooses a minimal palette. Not because it is forced on him.

The NCAA's biggest problem is that they have too many rules, and only enforce them selectively.

What is unfair about it?

You would also have to make sure the talented staff members and designers are evenly disbursed between corps. Maybe DCI should have a draft, where each corps takes turns selecting staffers, designers, and members so there is a good competitive balance.

You would also have to regulate the number of members that each corps can accept with X number of years of experience, so one corps isn't marching a bunch of experienced members while the other corps are training a bunch of rookies. Sounds a lot like the NCAA (which I despise). Let the corps compete amongst themselves. If they provide a great experience and a chance to be competitive, they will attract the best marchers. If there is competitive unbalance, it is the result of a lot of hard work and effort put in by staff members and alumni of a particular corps over many years. Why should all the work be erased?

Those shows aren't sponsored by DCI, are they? Why should DCI force corps to go to a non-DCI show? That doesn't make any sense. You might not like BD's decision not to support local shows, but it is THEIR decision. If they have such a big competitive advantage from doing less shows, other corps would follow their lead. They aren't, so it must not be a big deal.

No one is forcing the other corps to do as many shows as BD is doing. I don't see what the problem is. Blue Devils have a system and strategy that works for them, and anyone else that wants to can follow their pattern.

You can see the sheets for yourself here: http://www.dci.org/news/view.cfm?news_id=5bc74534-fd5c-43c6-a28d-78c928fdd00a

Well, I think you are clearly in the minority than, because most people I have heard from don't have a problem with most of those shows. And is 3 (or 4) out of 22 WC corps really going to drive you away?

For those that think DCI should change to make things more entertaining for you, do you not think by doing so they would alienate another group of fans? I know I would not be happy if DCI heavily regulated the content of shows or discounted corps that try to be creative and innovative (because being artistic is "pretentious" ... or something like that). The fact of the matter is, it is virtually impossible for everyone to get their way when you are dealing with tastes and preferences. If you think your tastes should be catered to over someone else's, then you need to tell us why it should be that way. I, for one, think the wide variety of show designs that we saw in DCI this year proves that there is something for everyone in drum corps. If you don't like one corps, wait until the next one. You will probably like it. If you don't like any of the shows, then maybe it is time to move on, because the entire organization is not going to change to cater to your minority view. That is just illogical.

I think you misunderstood what I was saying, and I could have been more clear. I am not saying Drum Corps is not entertaining. I find it very entertaining, and have for a long time. I am saying that my support for the activity doesn't depend on how loud the crowd is screaming at the end of the show. Do I love every show I see? Of course not. I was not a fan of The Cadets show at all this year. If the trend was for corps to start doing cheesy shows that seem to cater to young children, then I would probably not be that excited. But there aren't several corps doing what The Cadets did this year, just like there are not several corps doing what the Blue Devils did this year. I happened to love BD's show this year, but I have never been a big BD fan. I find their 2010 show much more incomprehensible than this year's show. I think they accomplished this year what they were trying to do in 2010, but fell short. While I haven't seen every BD show over the last 20+ years, I can't remember any that I really liked before this year. I am not a big fan of the type of music they usually select. But, even though I am not normally entertained by BD, I am not going to rant about "the general direction" of the activity and how DCI has lost its way. And why not? Because they decisions of one or two corps are a minor annoyance compared to the value that is provided the corps participants that depend on the support of people like you and me. Entertainment is a very important part of drum corps, but not important enough that I am going to withdraw my support because I find a couple shows a year cringe-inducing or boring. I guess my point, boiled down, is that there are more things to consider here than just personal entertainment. Entertainment should certainly be considered, but the impact that leaving the activity will have on others (particularly the marching members) is also something that should be considered when deciding that you are going quit on DCI.

I would like to see some evidence of that (but I doubt I will get it).

You are complaining about execution not being heavily weighted? Now I am really confused. Didn't you just say Jersey should be 13th because of their show design (while admitting their execution was not great)? You seem to be contradicting yourself repeatedly. Its either that, or I am really dumb.

But I am not asking about the last several years (most of which were years that a certain corps that happened to win this year also won). I am asking about last year. Did you complain about the system LAST year?

There will be four different corps in first place at each of the four major regional competitions prior to Indy (BD, Cavies, SCV, and Crown). The corps that places highest in Semi-finals will not place highest at Finals.

LOL ... I can totally see this happening.

Cavaliers will return to the top tier quickly (as in next year) and will challenge for the title. SCV will follow up their amazing show this year with an even more amazing show, and will challenge for the title. The Blue Devils will, as the always do, challenge for the title. Their show will be much more accesible than their 2012 show, but will still have people whining about it. Crown will be even more motivated to win than they were this year, and will write and even more difficult show with the hopes of getting the judges to recognize how awesome they will. This will be a mistake, as the show will not clean up well and they will place no higher than 3rd, but no lower than 5th. The Cadets will do another unique show that is a little cheesy, but they will perform the heck out of it and will challenge for the title. Phantom will do Carmen (and kill a woman on the field this time). Madison will recruit a great group of young men with their awesome early show announcement (and anniversary year) who will rise to the occasion and produce a "baby throwing" type show that will place in the top 5. ...that's all for now.

This isn't meant to offend, but I find your argument very hard to understand. In one post you say that GE should not be weighted more than 20%, and then in the next you suggest that the design of the show should be the most important factor when determining placements. Isn't design going to impact GE more than anything else? The other captions are based on execution and skill. You seem to think execution captions are too important when determining where corps place in terms of score in one post, but then in the other you suggest we should give MORE weight to the execution/achievement captions than the design captions. Am I the only one confused by this? What am I missing?

Were you complaining about "the system" when The Cadets won last year? I'm guessing you weren't (which kind of undermines your claim that this is about "the system" and not one particular show).