onthe50
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Posts posted by onthe50
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Lee (and the people who support his crazy theories) don't even know the current emphasis in the judging system. I laughed out loud until I realized he was serious. What was more shocking was the people who commented in support of his views. People need to figure it out. Also, some people should not bite so quick without thinking about what they are putting in print. You may want to go back and re-read your comments.
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All of the corps are learning the electronics game as the season goes on. I was in Scranton where the Cabs pit was over balanced the entire show. In Clifton it was better. Both C2 and Bucs had their out of balance moments at the Reading show. The implementation of electronics will keep getting better. I don't think anyone can argue the fact that the DCA corps are now "up to date" with programming which has resulted in a greater level of entertainment.
Last year, the Cabs pre-show was very cool and they could not have set that mood once the show started under the 2014 rules. The fact that they could not keep that feeling going into the judged portion of the show was a bummer because it was so cool. This year, they have added some neat moments as well.
C2 and Fusion also use electronics to enhance their shows as I am sure MBI does. Fusion's use is more horizontal while C2's is more vertical, both helping to enhance their programs.
The Bucs use electronics in many ways to enhance their program. They find ways to enhance their very creative transitions while providing a variety of colors with their choice of patches and samples.
Everybody wins, unless you are one of "those" who refuse to accept change.
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I understand that isolating individual proficiency is good on an analysis bases. But most if not all of those small technique issues would never make it up to the box anyway. So in the grand scheme of today's performances, how would it benefit a corps? It seems the best vantage point to view the overall product would be from the spectator's POV. At least that seems to make the most sense.
Stop making sense.
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I felt like I was watching an episode of Beavis and Butt-head reading this review.
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Which was exactly my point a few posts up! It speaks volumes that as close as the Cabs were to the Bucs, there is absolutely nobody questioning the placements.
I thought the placements were all correct. How the overall rankings worked out by looking at the caption scores makes no sense to me.
Ah, what do I know?
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Don't sell White Sabers' percussion short...that section is full of former Statesmen,
That's not my point. The White Sabers have a nice percussion section. The Bucs were not third on Saturday by any stretch especially a half of a point below the Cabs. There were several caption scores that made me wonder if I was at the same show.
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As I said earlier in the thread...
"You can't second guess what everyone else will or could do, you have to have an absolute and total trust in the rest of the panel to get their end right. Otherwise, the system gets cracks in it, and you could end up with a real mess."
Even the winds are shifting within certain captions, Jeff. for instance, Percussion has been the Bucs' bread and butter for... how many years!? I thought they played very well at Scranton, but were 3rd. Now C2 and Cabs have percussion ensembles that can take them on toe to toe.
I was shaking my head at this one. So the Bucs are closer to the White Sabers than they are to the Cabs in Percussion? Don't count on that holding up people.
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And Tom Float was definately the man back then!
That he was
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Appreciate your review, Jeff!
I do think Cadets2 will conquer at least 1 new corps in Rochester. Hmmm.. . .
You will see that before Rochester
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Something else to consider. As the economy has improved over the past few years people have more disposable income. Anyone who has went on vacation this year can tell you people are traveling more. We go to the same beach every summer and the crowds are way up from 4-5 years ago.
and there you have it.
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Burgers were good.
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Decent review Jeff! I thought the corps were very entertaining as well and it looks like the DCA championships are shaping up nicely. To add to your review, I thought the White Sabers were very good and on their way to their best product to date. Hurcs soloist was awesome! C2 was decent and I can see them possibly mixing it up with the top group of corps if they can get the horn line worked out but they have some work to do. The Bucs were just at another level and have a show that entertains like no other corps I have seen this year. They had me 15 seconds in and never let go.
All around a great night.
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You sounded great Fran! Both live and recorded.
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Tickets acquired for Downingtown.
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I'm so glad I did drum corps back in the 70's. I would have broken something marching in modern day.
So true
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Some people are still teary eyed about seeing the sunburst in competition in 2013.
This is true and here lies the problem in DCI. Creatures of history. Corps need to be evaluated on their nightly achievement not their body of work over their existence.
We all scream for:
The bottle dance
Conquest
Danny Boy wheel
Sunburst
on and on.
Remember, the judges are fans too.
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Was watching some old shows (1998, 1985, 1987 Cadets, etc) and there are so many tasty and subtle mezzopiano ensemble moments. It seems like the activity has gone away from that...we got a lot of forte runs building into fff impact chords. Anyone else notice this? Not every corps has to be Star 1993 but yea...
It's a compulsory contest today. How many notes can we play and how fast can we run. It really is amazing BUT, some of the music opportunities have been passed over. It's a shame.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEL1Sc7K4DY
This is my favorite one. Matt Harloff is the man, listen to his speech at the end of the video.
Love it
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I don't know if I'd go that far, but it is an excellent high school facility for the area. The best part is that there's no track and the sideline is pretty close to offset the stands being farther back than normal due to the design of the stairs.
The "no track" is a big benefit. Beats most of the stadiums DCA has shows in and way better than Wildwood.
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Know What You Don't Know
"The Process for learning is saying I don't know...and building on that without an ego."
Ray Dalio
Founder, Bridgewater Associates
Sage advice for all - I'll keep that in mind, garfield. Just know that it might not mean to me what you think it does . . . my best to Ray Dalio, BTW.
I appreciate that the conversation has gotten a bit more civil. Maybe I'm just soft - just not accustomed to sharing important ideas that way. You don't want to read a lot of minutae here, some probably just want to respond ASAP. So - just a couple of "other" things to ponder, maybe: Then you can insist I don't know what I'm talking about, anyway. Easy "win" for you!
When the Field Percussion Study was presented to the DCI Board, they subsequently approved a new "Percussion 2" caption at that meeting, The Percussion Caucus has been requesting a second judge yearly for some time - ever since one percussion caption "was lost." Why do it now? This even though DCI is intent enough on holding down adjudicator expenses to the point that they've not changed the judging fees in DECADES. Wonder why this reaction at this point?
A document was presented at that same meeting from an expert attorney warning of the type settlements that are precedented in actions of parents vs administration/staffs in youth activities. Think judge tripping a kid that then suffers oral/facial damage that ruins his career as a brass major. Now, that board presentation might be brought up in a potential damages suit that we all hope doesn't happen. Fairness and logic don't apply. Legal precedents and jury emotions do. Protest all you want. That ship has sailed. Did you read all the documents on MRT?
The DCI Visual Design community is virtually unanimous in their desire to remove all field judges, even the ones who can hang in the periphery. You know the activity, you think the visual crowd matters?
Tom Blair, the Producer/Director of DCI CInemedia Projects wants all judges off the field. Think he matters?
Jeff doesn't like the composition argument, I know, but there are others who write for DCI (and DCA, BOA, WGI) for a living that do. Think they matter?
I appreciate your time, and know you have better things to do. Just one request: remember our little conversation about these things for awhile. I'm certainly not saying that any decision for change is a no-brainer, because there are always plusses and minuses either way.
Interesting choices for you. You can easily dismiss this information without a thought - it's certainly contrary to what you probably hear "in the lot" or social media. Or you can ponder. Or just go back to insulting each other's posts. Or this one.
P.S. Did you hear that WGI Percussion just voted to add a Visual Effect Judge for 2016? That raises their judge costs by 25%! Interesting. It's all one big year-long community now.
Great post! All very valid arguments that need to be considered.
I realize the passion some people have for the field judge and the micro analysis that comes with it. I really do and that is a very valid point. When considering seating the percussion judge upstairs, the key point is the intent of the designer. Just imagine if the designers had to score the book so you (the audience) could hear every great part of the show without going out to the lot?
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I believe you're right. There is plenty of room there. Great venue.
There is no better stadium than Downingtown for drum corps. The corps and fans will love it.
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I hear ya... some of those Victory beers are pretty high on the ABV scale. Good place for a designated driver. LOL.
No beer for me before a show. And in this case since I have a bit of a drive home, and since Rte. 10 demands one's full attention behind the wheel... LOL... none after, either.
I have walked out of there more than once glad I was not driving.
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Andy, you're correct.... the Victory location in Downingtown is basically a couple of towns over from Coatesville.
What John said earlier... the food is great there!!!
Be careful how many you consume.
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Looking forward to the Downingtown show. I hear that several corps will be practicing at the High School.
DCA Championships - How to Fix the Competition Problem
in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions
Posted
It's the mystery number.......... How different judges reward communication gets interesting too.