actucker

I don't know that there are a ton of unsanitary conditions that drum corps deal with that are worse than what kids go through in school every day. Its just that its 24 hours a day, and contained to the same group of 200 or so people. One of the biggest things I harp on with groups I teach is NOT sharing water bottles. Everyone is required to have their own. Its easy to think "oh, someone will have water", but that's a surefire way to spread the gunk once one member has it.

I'm not the one who made a generalization about "over-reliance" on front ensemble contributions, which is just a masked way of saying "I don't want to hear percussion any more than I have to". I like the fact that there are a ton of colors in use on the field. And you and I both know what was implied by that. There is no over-reliance. There is design choice. At most, front ensembles cary maybe a minute or two of melody over the course of entire shows. Lets be real here.

You're right. The front ensembles should never have any contribution to the melodic content of the show. The only valid melodic color is brass. What are these designers thinking putting variety of timbre in the composition.

It would make very little sense for the battery to be doing their most difficult drill during a slow melodic moment. It makes perfect sense for there to be some visual velocity during a high energy percussion moment.

Yeah, I wouldn't count on it. Not enough reasons to move it, and too many not to.

I agree, and in a perfect world, sub caption ties wouldn't happen. However, the one drum judge I've seen assigning sub caption ties was judging the first DCI show he's ever judged. He hasn't assigned a tie since. That being said, the point still stands. Scores are close because performance qualities are close.

And yet, when shows like the ones we are discussed are being called ineffective, it is often in an argument against those shows placing higher than others. Effect is more than just entertainment value.

Good call. Thanks for the info.

No the sub caption ties and close scores suggest that competition is very close, which is absolutely the case. It suggests absolutely nothing about the quality of the judging.

Yeah, not buying it.

While I really really really want to agree with you, I'm going to disagree. When Coats came out firing on all cylinders early on in the season, I definitely thought this show was a medal contender. I still think it can be, but the corps seems to have hit a rut in terms of execution. The trick is, with a show like Tilt, or any other more cerebral kind of show, its a lot harder to generate emotion and obvious effect beyond the cleverness of the design. This means that in order to really generate a ton of effect, you have to execute beyond all question. Its absolutely doable. The Blue Devils have done several shows of that nature. The major effects in the show have to come from excellence. Coats haven't gotten there yet. For what its worth, I think Crown is suffering from similar issues. What made that show click last year was the development of the love story. That being said, I'm NOT advocating that every show should have a story. I think Coats' show can work just fine the way it is. But they've got to be near perfect to make it happen. In the effect category, you can get away with a lot more dirt if you have a show that generates a serious emotional reaction (Spartacus for example). This fact is why you tend to see more shows written around some kind of narrative or through line. I love that Coats have decided not to go that route. Its absolutely my favorite show on the field this year. Right now, however, its not a clear medalist. Its definitely a contender, but the beauty of it is, there's still time left in the season. A lot can happen in three weeks.

I know exactly what a non-profit designation means so back off with the condescending tone. But it means a lot regarding what can be done with that money.

And may the odds be ever in their favor!

Oh, well yeah, also fantastic. Still, hard to pin down best ever.

Oh man. I dunno about that. Don't get me wrong. Vanguard is fantastic this season. But best FE in history? There are so many good ones.

I didn't say nobody is genuinely bored. I said people like to use that word to describe something because they don't want to acknowledge that its effective. As I said, different people like different things. Even the most effective shows won't be able to reach every audience member. Corps that win regularly tend to have more detractors. Again, I don't recall anyone saying "you're bored so show x is effective". As for trends, of course we'll look back and consider current shows antiquated compared to whatever is going on in 20 years. That doesn't mean that 20 year old shows aren't effective. It means that they are no longer in style. There's a difference.

Yeah, no. It shouldn't.

People say the exact same thing about any show they don't like. Different people like different things. Saying that the BD shows that have won in the past few years aren't effective is simply a refusal to acknowledge what's going on on the field.

I don't remember anyone making the argument "you don't like it, so it must be good". I do remember some people correctly arguing that effects are wider spread than simply happy major chords. That unsettling is in fact an effect, and the sheets don't call for any particular effect.

Oh man, I LOVED that show. My inner nerd went crazy! (well I guess its not so inner now I think about it).

Also worth mentioning that "making money hand over fist" isn't exactly accurate, as WGI is a non-profit organization. That being said, they are certainly financially solvent, and have no trouble staying that way.

Your point was that the upper tier of corps are comprised largely of members who've marched before, staffs that have the most longevity in the activity, and design staffs that have been working together for years? Great. That was my point too. No wonder there isn't a ton of movement in placement from show to show.

Only finalists get in for free on finals night in WGI.

According to a friend who's on staff, he is not lip-syncing.

Translate: the judges aren't doing what I think they should, so its political. It can't possibly be that some corps draw different talent and have stronger staffs than others.