irishbugle

To answer the question with a broader answer, I think your going to see a completely different DCA model 10 years from now. DCA is gaining momentum among the youth because of the increased demand, younger average age, and weekend scheduling. I believe the momentum will pick up more and more as the product being fielded by the Top 7 corps gets more and more aggressive. I think two major things will kick the momentum into overdrive. 1) Introducing amplification (for pit amplification only, not for sound effects) 2) Revising the show format to something like the DCI Tour of Champion shows. DCA was always attractive for me because of their focus more towards audience appeal. As the circuit becomes more aggressive and demanding, show appeal is now taking a back seat to competitive success in the eyes of the judging panel. And in turn, DCA is attracting audiences looking more for that competitive edge like you would find in DCI than what DCA had in the past. This is not to say that some of these shows are not appealing. I though Bucs and Cabs this year, and MBI last year were very entertaining. But those were 3 corps out of the the entire circuit.. Each persons views will be different here. I think a great way to bridge the gap between the older audience and the newer, younger audience is to adopt the DCI TOC model, specifically with these 4 things. 1) Having representatives from each corps that was performing that night, greeting audience members as they made their way through the gates. 2) Before the show started, on either side of the path the crowd takes to enter the stadium you had either a hornline or drumline battle going on between two different corps and the ticket holders were walking right through the middle of it. Right off the bat, you felt more like you were attending a themed show (Broadway, Dinner show, etc). 3) Each corps had a small ensemble type of performance for the crowd before the start of the show. This encourage more fans to get to their seats faster because if not, you missed something. 4) After each corps performance, they would arc up on the front sideline and perform some type of modern pop/rock/dance that the younger generation of today would recognize. There is little doubt in my mind DCA would find great success if they would adopt a model like this. Does it require some different scheduling... yes. Does it require corps to possibly end rehearsal an hour or two early so that they can be at the show to put out this kind of "pre show" entertainment... yes. In my mind, it's well worth it though. Rather than focusing on each corps performance, the focus should be on a full night of audience entertainment, geared towards the audience and not towards a judging panel.

This is a great opportunity for the Renegades. Props to the administration for taking a bad situation and turning it into a great experience that will keep the corps going. Honestly, I'm a little jealous because that's one hell of an opportunity being offered. This could be one the best Renegade years yet. I know a few corps have tried this in the past and they were never able to make this happen. I hope the Renegades not only pull this off, but maybe establish a tradition for one US corps to do this every year. Best of luck.

The Chase Community Giving contest has started up again. There are a few Drum Corps listed, most of which are not in the top 100 which means they do not receive any of the award money. Taking a quick look at the Top 100 as it is today, I see quite a few groups/organization/causes that are no where near as important as some of the drum corps we know and love that can desperately use this money. It is extremely vital that everyone take a quick minute to click this link and vote. It's so simple. I believe, unlike previous contests, each person only receives 2 votes this time. So please, put them to good use. https://www.facebook...CommunityGiving Just a quick look, here are some of the drum corps that I see are in the running this time. The Caballeros The Hurricanes Drum Corps South, Inc Xtreme Drum Corps Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps Skyliners Alumni The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps .... I know there are more. I see that the Cabs are real close to making it into the top 100 for the first time. Throw them one of your votes... it will matter!!!

Can't wait to read some reviews and possibly see some videos.... Looks like placements won't be so easily decided this year.

Is it that Empire has a problem or are have other corps just stepped up their game?

WOW!!!

And?

Just wondering the same thing. Scores running late? Didn't think there were enough corps for a 3 hour show...

Oh come on now... PLENTY of posts from many people since last year predicted C2 to be a powerhouse. I was one of them I'll admit it. And I'm not turning my back on this corps or predicting they will stay were they are. The intention of my post was to point out how hypocritical people can be. I'm not calling out C2 or their staff in that post, I'm calling out my fellow DCP'ers, DCP'iets??.. I'll use this as an example... last year, a certain perennial Top 5 corps came out in Wildwood and during their performance, stood still for the final minute or so because either they did not know the drill, or did not want to perform it just yet... Either way, the posts on here were grim. Many, many people were making predictions this corps would have a tough year. I think only myself and maybe one other person defended them and said they would catch up and be just fine. The average comment centered around, "if your already behind, it's even harder to catch up". Fast forward to last Saturday and we have another corps in a similar situation. Complete show sure, but MUCH work to be done. Much more than the other corps we all liken that program too, and honestly much more work than many of us probably expected. I mean honestly, show of hands, how many people predicted the corps would come out prepared and ready to go??? If your reading this right now, you probably should be raising your hand.... unless your at work, than someone will think your weird. Yet even being behind, I don't see the same reactions I saw a year ago. Sure you have to give this group a little extra credit because they ARE who they are, but at the same time, as I said above... this is the same staff that had ALL YEAR to get the corps ready, and it's mid JULY, and we saw what we saw. Point is, and this isn't directed to anyone specifically, it's amazing how bias we can be. I'm sure they will get much better. I'm not in any way crucifying them, or trying to be hard on them at all. I'm really impressed by the foundation they have put together and I have no doubt, within 3-5 years, they will have a DCA championship trophy sitting on someone's desk in Allentown. And honestly, that's a lot more than i can say for many other corps I support. As I said, I'm going after my fellow DCP friends on this one, not Cadets2.

You know what makes me laugh about this C2 thing?? If this were any other corps, everyone would be writing them off. Take the relationship to YEA and Cadets out of the picture and just imagine this to be a new corps. If that corps came out in the MIDDLE OF JULY and were that far back in the standings, missing guard work, Really rough vis program, etc... Everyone on here would be saying things like, "not going to be top 5", or, "too much work to do". But because it's Cadets, it's becoming apparent everyone automatically believes they just will be better. I fell for that too. Bottom line, the same staff that everyone is expecting to get this corps 7 or so points better really quickly is the same staff that had the corps coming out mid July like they were last night. Maybe I''m being too harsh. That's not my intention. I'm glad C2 is doing what they are doing. I'm just also glad to see they are just like everyone else. In my mind, DCA is now as competitive as I hoped it would be. No C2 just running away with eveything like people predicted.

Two corps?

These kids haven't marched on any stage yet. Except for a few exhibitions. To my knowledge there are no Cadets alumns matching in Cadets2 yet.

{Insert something about George Hopkins taking over DCA or a judging conspiracy}

My prediction is C2 will take second. But at this time, using publicly available information, I don't believe their program deserves that spot yet.

Here is what I would like to see and what I believe is truly appropriate: Bucs 83 Cabs 79 Hurcs 77 C2 75 Fusion 71 Bush 65 Windsor 65 Sun 62 Here is the way I think it will play out since I believe the perception is used to judge these corps more than the reality. Bucs 83 (A fair number, they are that good in reality) C2 79.5 (Given the videos available, I don't think they should be anywhere near this score but I think their name and uniform will carry them much further than reality.) Hurcs 78.8 Cabs 77.9 Fusion 72 Bush 70 Windsor 67 Sun 65

Sure it would. At the time that video was posted I don't think they sounded any better than any of the other Top 5 DCA hornlines at that same time. Not even 1% better. It's really a moot point, we will know exactly where they stand after Saturday.

I think that's a good way to sum it all up. The only thing I would say is I don't think Bucs will peak too early. I think they will peak at just the right time. They have great things going on with their program this year. Although I haven't been a fan of their winning streak and wish the circuit was a bit more competitive, you simply can't argue that the Bucs have earned every point allotted.

Excellent review. Thanks!

I'm not sure I entirely agree but I think we will know more at Clifton. From what I heard they had a few small issues tonight but nothing a block of rehearsal time can't fix. Being only .4 behind Hurcs, I can see them overtaking them and possibly Empire by the end of the season.

I was going to say it was INT since the tickets are only $5.00 and there will be more money to spend on food and souvies! See what I did there??

Well... we will know tomorrow. Just for fun, I went back and looked at the last 5 years (2007 on) for this show. I look at Hurcs and Cabs and averaged the scores of both corps since 07. Cabs averaged a 75.7552 Hurcs averaged a 75.176. I believe at least one corps will score "higher than average" for this show tomorrow.

Your correct, 3-5 haven't changed much in quite some time. My point is, based on your math, they never will. Using your formula, there is no account for change. As Jeff said, what happens if MBI comes out and pops an 81? What happens if Hurcs come out and pull a 68? The formula bases itself on everything being status quo. It doesn't account for a corps to have any vertical movement. Still a good thought though. I'm not saying your wrong with what your point is. I'm saying it's not a 100% fit.

The major problem I see with Camels math idea, is that it doesn't account for any change in a corps success. A couple of the corps are stepping it up this year and have turned their program in different directions. They will likely see different levels of success or failure this year different than previous years when everything was the status quo. Based on a mathmatical equation, the corps will place in the same order they have been at every contest this year and for every year to come.

Please tell me your running for office. This has got politician written all over it. I know I pulled these out of context (only a little) but I just couldn't stop staring at these...

I also think you have to take into account the comparison. There was no other Open Class DCA corps at that show to compare against MBI. That number IMO means little. DCI judges at a DCI sanctioned show with only Govies to compare for DCA corps.. Either way, I'm confident MBI will do well in Bridgeport. It's going to be a great show for the fans.