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bobjective

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    Saturday, August 13th 5:30 PM ET “DCI World Championship Finals” Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, Indiana

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Just now, bobjective said:

    This is just an objective question that came into my mind last night. It appears that maybe once in every few years some other corps wins the DCI title other than BD. Or, should I say that every few years someone else is “allowed” to win the title other than BD. Are the Blue Devils year after year truly the best corps on the field on finals night or is it because they have won so many titles in the eyes of the judging community, it’s almost like in sports, you are going to literally have to knock the reigning champions out to get the prize? What do you think? I marched in the activity for five year in the 80s and instructed for a couple of years. Now, I’ve been closely following from the side lines the last few years. Honestly, I know the activity has changed a lot from the 80s, but, I can’t help but wander if the playing field at the top is really fair and objective anymore. Just my humble observation. Also, with as much money that these young people are paying for the experience these days, if I were a great musician and had the physical ability, I would have to say that I would do everything in my power to march with BD, unless winning a title was not really at the top of what I wanted out of the experience.

     

    Saturday, August 13th 5:30 PM ET “DCI World Championship Finals” Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, Indiana

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    1 hour ago, George Dixon said:

    I really feel like the judges got everything correct in the end - a terrific percussion performance by Bluecoats was recognized - Boston's outstanding guard - and Devils being the best corps in 2022

    Thanks to all the marching members for your efforts & energy, and a shoutout to all who supported those efforts

    I felt DCI's "50th anniversary" efforts were just so-so. Hopefully they'll work with LOS to improve service & staffing next year!

    This is just an objective question that came into my mind last night. It appears test maybe once in every few years some other corps wins the DCI title other than BD. Or, should I say that every few years someone else is “allowed” to win the title other than BD. Are the Blue Devils year after year truly the best corps on the field on finals night or is it because they have won so many titles in the eyes of the judging community, it’s almost like in sports, you are going to literally knock the reigning champions out to get the prize? What do you think? I marched in the activity for five year in the 80s and instructed for a couple of years. Now, I’ve been closely following from the side lines the last few years. Honestly, I know the activity has changed a lot from the 80s, but, I can’t help but wander if the playing field at the top is really fair and objective anymore. Just my humble observation. Also, with as much money that these young people are paying for the experience these days, if I were a great musician and had the physical ability, I would have to say that I would do everything in my power to march with BD, unless winning a title was not really at the top of what I wanted out of the experience.

    Madison Scouts 2022

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    2 hours ago, C.Holland said:

    I don't believe more stuff is the solution, but instead how its all used is important.  

     
    Stairs and the ability to create different heights, are beneficial.   Mandarins method of creating height this year, with some steplike objects that stack against each other is a great idea, and not a budget buster.   And those are small enough that they're moved quickly, and the components are stackable to create a variety of levels for performers and scenery.


    Platforms from steeldeck and staging concepts are built for our use in concerts, and for the rigors of tour.  They already have the agility to add casters, lock together, and have paintable ply toppers.  They're pretty reasonable for cost and built to outlast the roach.  If you've got 8 of those you can roll around, you can create all kinds of layers on the field. 

    4'x6'x2' foam blocks (covered in cheesecloth and sealed with elmer's glue) can hold a couple of performers on them.  They super light to move around.   The cheesecloth shell makes them take paint really well.  

    2x2x2 acting cubes are also incredibly durable, cheap to build or buy, and if you paint them some sweet contrasting color, give you pop all over the field, plus again, choreograph them into the show and you've now got almost unlimited platforms, sculptures, or can be used as additional bodies on the field for forms. 

    There's no reason to kill your budget on props or methods of creating levels.   Designers just need to choreograph it into the show BEFORE the season so you're not wasting time standing around  thinking "so we need to add 32 counts of body work, and figure out what to do with these things here".  

    Plan ahead.   

     

    Shameless plug -> hey drum corps visual heads and band directors...    i'm a theatre designer, tech director, and production manager.  If you need set designs...  feel free to reach out.  I can help you keep your budget down while helping you find ideas for your shows.   

     

    now back to your regularly scheduled banter. 

     

     

    Chris with your knowledge you need to seriously be in their design team!!!

    Madison Scouts 2022

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    11 hours ago, C.Holland said:

    That performance today felt like what I want from them. 
     

    from what I hear amongst the ranks, there are few corps members treated better.  So we can only see.  
     

    But I will say todays performance felt like Madison. 

    Chris in your honest opinion with all of the expensive props used on the field ie. BD, Blue Coats, etc. within the top scoring corps, do you think that Madison can afford to put on a competitive designed show on the field like that to even make it into the top 8 anymore?

    Madison Scouts 2022

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    18 hours ago, C.Holland said:

    A couple things to remember.  Its a slightly younger group this year than we're used to, but theres still is a 60+% retention rate.  If the membership is getting a good experience, then I would give the design team one more season since we're in the right ballpark and good experiences tend to get membership to stay.

    Seriously, the budget isnt there to grab Scott Chandler, but Josh Wendt is seriously great at his job, and talent follows him.  He's a great pickup for the team. 

    I just seriously hope with the retention that they can knock it out of the park next year.

    Madison Scouts 2022

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    21 hours ago, henry7184 said:

    It's not about how much they move up, or down, it's about the quality of the product and how that increases or decreases. The 2022 production and design is so exceptionally better than the 2019 production that I can't even find the right word for it. It's probably the most significant jump of anyone from 2019 to 2022 in terms of design improvement. That being said, no other corps was in such a dire need of a massive design improvement so this doesn't surprise me. Madison had the worst design of 2019, IMO.

    What matters is how well they set themselves up for the future. This show sets them up much better for 2023 than 2019 did for 2020 (or 2022 as it goes). 

    It's the same with Regiment. They may finish 10th (up two spots from 2019) but the improvement is so much more significant and valuable than moving up two places. 

    Scores and placements matter little when looking towards the future. It's the quality of the product and the design matter. For both Madison and Regiment, 2022 is such a monumental step in the right direction.

    Next year, the staff needs to write a more challenging program for the members - I think they possess the abilities to tackle it. I hope they don't make the same mistake Star did. I remember in June 1989 talking to one of their visual designers/staff members. He told me the design and demand of their show was so beneath the capabilities of the membership and they were going to be doomed come August. He was right, they were beating Cadets, Devils, and Cavies coming into finals, and ended up 6th (behind them all). It seemed Star learned that lesson with what we saw in 1990. It's a lesson I hope Madison learns this year. They could have had an even better season had the design been more challenging.

    It all starts with design. Design elevates you or it sinks you.

    I feel like Madison is at a very important crossroads for next year. On one hand they need to keep most, if not all of the design team in place for continuity. But, on the other hand if the design team feels that they cannot produce a more demanding/creative design for next year, then there definitely needs to be some critical additions and/or subtractions to their design team for 2023.

    • Like 1

    MADISON SCOUTS 2022

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I only have 4 personal wishes going into 2022 for the Scouts:

    -Please bring back the iconic/classic look in some fashion or form.

    -Bring back the Latin music in some modern fashion. There is a ton of great source music out there that you can work with.

    -Please keep the average age of the corps up, the maturity level was evident this year.

    -Please be cautious not to take a step back in the design: ie (1988 to 1989).

    • Like 2

    MADISON SCOUTS 2022

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I hope this topic is not too early for discussion. But, I believe based on what I saw from the Scouts from their first gender inclusive shortened season, I believe that they can have a really good season next year. I understand that they are starting a competitive winter percussion program, a winter guard, and teaming up with the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. I think this will be great for talent development during the winter months for the Scouts. The future can be good for them again!

    • Like 4

    East Coast Showcase -- Lawrence, MA -- 8/4

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    On 8/4/2021 at 7:19 PM, OldSnareDrummer said:

    Music City seemed a little stronger tonight. I'm starting to like them a lot. Gutsy corps. I don't think there was a multi cam last night so first I've seen of their uniforms. Those are sharp. Liked the tall light sabers at the end of the show too. 

    Are they fielding a full corps this year? The video I saw of the a couple of weeks ago showed the were pretty small.

    Biggest 2021 Surprises & Delights?

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    On 8/1/2021 at 4:09 PM, bobjective said:

    If the Cadets are playing Rocky Point I’m already in on them!!! I’ve been waiting for some semblance of this song back in the field for sometime now! 

    This is the best show that I have seen from the Cadets since the power of ten in my opinion and I loved that show!!! I am so appreciative of cadets and other corps like phantom and madison bringing back throwback shows with familiar music and uniforms!!! Much appreciated from an old mid 80s age out guy!!!

    • Like 1
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