Rufus67

With credit (apologies?) to Dos Gringos' song "Back in the LPA" (link below) here's my take as it applies to DCI. Feel free to add/edit/delete. I’m just an old age-out viz tech Whose tan line is still taking hold And I have ideas for great visuals In the end I teach what I’m told And the cap head he will be a calling And there is no chance I can stay So I’ll bid you adieu And wish I was you Marchin’ and gettin’ to play Singing Aye Aye Aye The good times had I Marchin’ and gettin’ to play I’m just an old worn out cap head I can’t count all the places I’ve taught But I can still tell a good story Though their truth is really for naught Now the sun in my eyes it is fading And there is no chance I can stay So I’ll bid you adieu And wish I was you Marchin’ and gettin’ to play Singing Aye Aye Aye The good times had I Marchin’ and gettin’ to play I’m just an old corps director Who’s stories are too old to share Most of them I have forgotten From the 10 years in a folding lawn chair Now the Board they will be a calling And there is no chance I can stay So I’ll bid you adieu And wish I was you Marchin’ and gettin’ to play Singing Aye Aye Aye The good times had I Marchin’ and gettin’ to play Singing Aye Aye Aye I wish that I Was marchin’ and gettin’ to play

This is the sad/current/whatever reality of competitive DCI today. You have to play the game DCI and the judges during the season dictate. Scouts don't have the luxury of driving innovation like Bluecoats, Blue Devils, Crown, etc. and instead have to be the best of the "me toos" in order to break back into the top 12. Mind you, I'm not saying this is a good or bad thing, just a thing. Until and unless adjudication in DCI gets overhauled Scouts, and other non-top 7 corps, are going to be making crap-shoot decisions regarding show design each year and hoping it resonates with judges.

Don't know but maybe? In any case, at least corps would know going into the season where they stand via other corps in terms of show design and musical book. Then it would be a true test of executing a lower degree show or shooting for the moon and executing. Bringing it back to musical arts, all-state tryouts do this kind of thing all the time. Each musician is given the same piece of music (degree of difficulty established) and then evaluated anonymously against how well they perform against the standard (at least in our state where the judges are behind screens so the performers don't even see them).

Have corps submit both drill/visual design and music book prior to the season to have it graded by panel for degree of difficulty. Then during the season have the judges evaluate performances based off the established degree (i.e., they'd have the design and book prior to the show, know what's coming, and evaluate execution of it). Updates during the season would be submitted, degree of difficulty re-established and communicated to judges, then incorporated into the sheets. Judges would also send their comments on execution forward to next judging slate so they could determine if noted problems get fixed.

Well, I expected this kind of reaction this morning from the Negative Nancies and got it. You all have a nice rest of the season as I'm done reading the vomitous bile you see fit to spew here on the DCP boards. I'll simply leave you with a couple of questions: Has your complaining changed anything with the Scouts now or in the past? Does complaining make you feel any better? Do you think your complaining makes any reader feel better or more informed? If you answered "No" to any of those questions I'd suggest you turn the mirror on yourself rather than the current administration, show designers, instructional staff, or marching members. I'm not talking about your "right" to complain, mind you, simply the efficacy of it. Good day to you all and hope you find some peace. “What you’re supposed to do when you don’t like a thing is change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. Don’t complain.” ― Maya Angelou

Always with the negative waves Moriarty...

This announcement has me so excited I almost couldn't take my morning nap!

That's the thing that gets me the most about the activity (a mix of art/athleticism). Take figure skating - everyone knows if a performer falls during a routine they're not winning that day (unless other competitors fall more). During a drum corps performance where you see marchers out of step, using different marching styles, etc., and yet see them score higher in visual than other corps, it doesn't instill a lot of faith in the system (i.e., doesn't pass the eye test).

Couple of steps: Define what "visual" caption means, specifically what's being evaluated and how by the judges (beyond the flowery language that explains each caption - give specifics regarding why one corp's visual is rated higher than another's) Make sure judges are evaluating based on what they see and not what they want to see (peer reviews, training, testing out, etc.) Make transparent their ratings and notes to keep them honest and inform the paying public Give up on the first three ever happening and just enjoy the shows - it'll never be defined and adjudicated to everyone's (anyone's?) satisfaction

Had mine removed during the week while marching DCA and went to rehearsal the following weekend. Remember laying low (informed brass staff what was going on and why) during the day's rehearsal then, like the dumb-a$$ I was, got into the horn arc and thought "I'm feeling ok - let's try this triple forte chord!" Once done brought the horn down and saw blood in the mouthpiece. Yuck! Thankfully that kind of thing didn't linger long and am pretty sure I was able to play during that weekend's performance. Definitely not worth pushing this early in the season.

Your point is well taken. I was on the first flight out of San Diego on the 14th traveling to Atlanta. I remember three things: The captain went down the aisle and eyeballed every single passenger on the plane before we pushed back from the gate. When they passed out the plastic silverware for the meal all the knives had been removed. As a group we were ready, willing, and eager to defend the plane if anyone tried anything. The Cadets will be just fine and, dare I say, should be able to grow out of mess that was GH quite nicely.

Thank goodness. Healing thoughts to all affected.

Ok, you win the internet today. The rest of us can stop trying now...

Not that my voice counts for a lot but, as a parent who's sent tuition dollars to the Scouts and volunteered time with them, I'm very glad to see them make this move.

Our son's marched for two different corps over the last couple of years, neither a finalist. This is his age-out year and he never thought for a second of going somewhere else, thinking of the first corps as his home (he was a late-season fill-in for the other corps). Who's to say that's right for everyone though? If your kid has the chops and desire to audition for perennial contenders then that's what they should do.

Thank you!

Is there a vendor site, or someplace on DCI, that took photos of the corps during their performances this weekend? DCA has that, broken down by corps, but I can't locate the same for DCI.

Alpharetta, GA.

No, it isn't, and is at least based on something objective.

Not sure how you maintain their identity while rebranding but here's the thing as I see it - they needed to change, bigly, to remain relevant in today's drum corps. Someone mentioned that they don't see anything to draw young performers to the ranks but I'll politely disagree. Trotting out the iconic green tops, or variations thereof, and thumbing their nose at where DCI is headed was no longer working. It was also probably turning off a good number of young gentlemen who might have come out for auditions. In any case, they've moved the needle from "what do they need to do to become part of competitive drum corps" to "they should've have done the change differently." Regardless how you view the changes this year there is no denying (1) they went big with the change and (2) they put themselves back on the competitive landscape. Now it's about refining, paying attention to the way the wind blows competitively, and keeping the product fresh. Also, as far as identities go, they will always be Madison, always sing MYNWA, always have alumni adopt a current marcher and present their NAIL, and always be a brotherhood. The Cadets maintain their traditions, Blue Devils theirs, and newer corps like Crown evolve seemingly with the sunrise (Purple Pants Band, Abandon All Hope, etc.). Those traditions will continue and tie the various generations together more than the product put on the field ever could.

Didn't think I'd like that show but have to admit I like both the costumes and uniforms. This from an admitted old fart whose son marched with Scouts. I know! I'm shocked too! Oh, and go big or go home! Scouts went big!!

There are already have and have nots so why not formalize it? DCA is doing its best to turn into DCI-light and struggling at that transition. By tying them to the "New" shows you secure revenue for them. By keeping it "traditional", however you define it (more marching/no prancing, uniforms, etc.) you cut the costs down and still provide an outlet for kids wanting to march. You also avoid the "get off my lawn" of some of the older audience members. In the end it's just an idea, though.

Rather than Open/World class corps would it make sense to do Classic/New instead? As DCI moves further toward being Cirque-light, with the attending increase in costs for props, costumes, etc., would it not make sense to have a formal place for corps who can't/won't keep up with the arms race and instead field a more traditional corps? They would have separate judging standards/panels, could still appear in the same venues/competitions, but would broaden the marching arts market for folks who aren't quite sold on the direction DCI is taking (that would be me) and others who can't press the change accelerator down far enough.

Congrats on your child making a corps! Mine also marched 2 years DCA then made the jump to DCI last year. While I'm generally supportive of all corps and the effort put in by marching members and staff I will admit to having blinders on when it comes to my kid. I must've watched their show 100 times or more on grainy YouTube videos shot from horrible angles with lousy sound quality and couldn't have cared less. Never did get a chance to watch the whole show either as I was firmly locked in on our son the whole time. Enjoy the coming year and, if you're anything like me, you'll be amazed at the end of the summer that your child was (1) talented enough to make such a group and (2) dedicated/strong enough to perform at such a high level for an entire summer under grueling conditions.

Our high school hosted Madison Scouts for the last 6 years of DCI South and was a big reason why our little (comparatively speaking) band ended up placing a good number of alums in DCI and DCA corps over the years. Great opportunity for the kids to see (1) practice at its highest level and (2) a whole day of competitive corps in the lot and competition (courtesy of the generous free tickets given as part of the price paid by corps for housing). Probably the best example I've seen of combining local outreach with great late-season drum corps. Now if they could just figure out how to fix the traffic jam after the show's over...