MikeRapp

Someone actually designed a t shirt for this.

If I understand the rules, at least one and as many as two outsiders are on every show. So Nashville would be Blue Knights. And probably Phantom.

But there are unintended consequences to what you are proposing. I don't want to see shows become an exercise in how many compulsories we can jam into an 11 minute show.

Just bummed they aren't on the Nashville schedule. But, I don't know whom I would want to replace them with. Maybe if they finish high enough they will be on the TOC events next year.

I might, might, suggest that the challenges from Crown and Bluecoats have had something to do with Blue Devils' shift away from the more esoteric, technical aspects of show design.

It's gone that route, largely, because it is broadening the reach of the activity beyond those who are only or mostly interested in the technical drill and charts of the playing membership.

Well, one aspect of artistic design is required to put any show on the field. Not every corps does it the same. If you don't like how Cadets or BD do show designs, march with Bluecoats, Crossmen or Academy. No one is sentencing these kids to a corps beyond their choice. You are acting as if the kids are being taken advantage of, and I guarantee you virtually none of them feel that way at the end of a summer.

To be fair, there were aspects of Ink that I felt were very poorly "cut and pasted" together. Sometimes BD does try too hard to make an entirely unique compositional statement. I do tend to prefer the way Crown and Bluecoats approach show design — in general — but that's not to say they are better or worse than BD. Just a different approach.

Also, this is a very, very difficult medium to excel in. Maybe the most challenging arts medium ever invented. Just because a corps fails to achieve perfection doesn't mean they aren't trying, and have just fallen short. Every show designer wants a seamless, artful, emotional show stopper. They all start out with the same basic goal (or most do). But it takes enormous ability, enormous MM talent, and a little good fortune to achieve greatness, and even then you don't ever achieve perfection. To whatever degree the DCI members seek to reward "seamlessness" I don't know. That said, to say the audiences don't like what the corps are putting out now is just false. Yes there was a time when DCI appeared to be stuck in a creative rut, but now, sorry, I see the opposite. We have at least four world class corps that are within one point of winning a gold medal. We have three more that with some good fortune and show changes could win the bronze. And we will see amazing attendance all season long. All things considered, I think DCI is doing a pretty decent job evolving this activity. Is there a lot of politics? You bet there is. But all things considered, things have been far worse in recent eras.

I think I like the robes. But I think they wait too long to ditch them. I get why they do it when they do it, thematically, but it does make their drill look very mushy.

I suspect that is already done. State of the art artificial surface, plenty of parking, and epic walk-up.

Or they could just move the Southeastern Regional to Nashville. Just sayin...

I respectfully disagree with your contention. It's not either or. There is education and entertainment, I doubt the kids marching in these corps since 2013 feel as though they are putting lame ### "entertainment" on the field. Personally, it wouldn't bother me much if the guard positions were replaced by instrumentalists. I don't watch a corps to take in the wonderful work of the guards. Nevertheless, i cannot argue with the fact that the emphasis on guard is selling a whole lot of tickets and attracting a whole lot of interest from kids who would never play an instrument.

I'm not sure whether you are agreeing with me or disagreeing with me. Regardless, DCI doesn't operate in a vacuum. Yes it is very insular, but all of the corps have a budget that is largely met by selling tickets and merch, and garnering admiration from potential marching members. It benefits no one "in" DCI to operate under a creative philosophy that "serves" a particular set of interests that doesn't appeal to the fans, and even less the marching members.

This entire discussion can be summed up this way: What appeals to some, does not appeal to others, and vice versa. But it is inarguable, imo, that the emphasis on guard contributions has vastly broadened the audience for drum corps in general. Some may like it, some may not, but to say it has hampered the growth of the activity is just flat out false. If you don't like a corps focusing more on guard, don't buy their merch.

An extremely detailed and long winded explanation of what I tried to say, albeit much more briefly. The corps don't work for DCI. The corps *are* DCI.

I tend to think there was a time in which Blue Devils sort of relished the fact that most fans didn't like their shows. But I don't feel that way anymore. I don't know if there is a video of the finals retreat that got really ugly (Merry Had a Little Lamb), but suffice it to say there once was a really bad arrogant attitude around BD that I believe badly hurt the activity. Those days are gone, hopefully forever. Maybe seeing the activity that afforded them their livelihoods brought to its knees made them appreciate that they need other corps, other views, to have the jobs they have. I never marched. But now that I have watched this activity closely for several years, I have come to appreciate the corps that are truly committed to telling a story. Of some type. Any type. Not all corps directors are innately good at this. A precious few are very good at it, so good that they can't do it any other way. The folks behind BD are exceptional at story telling. So good that they create a dramatic story around some of the most obtuse concepts. That's not always bubble gum fun, and it doesn't always work well. Somtimes it scores well. Sometimes they overuse ideas that have worked for them. But, look around the activity, and you will see the corps that are perennially at the top repeat things that worked for them. This is part of the reason I love Bluecoats. They completely reinvented the concept in a way that no other corps has ever done. Yes, most of what they are doing other corps have done, but Bluecoats are committing all in to their concept, just as Blue Devils and Crown have done, and Cadets, SCV, Cavaliers and Phantom each did when they went on successful runs. Successful people either become arrogant or confident. Arrogance I have no use for. Confidence is required to be a consistent winner at anything. The confidence that the BD organization has oozes from everything they do. I pray the arrogance never returns, but he confidence is infectious, and has had a huge positive impact on the entire activity.

The thing I love the most about Bluecoats is they are willing to risk everything to make the highest possible impression. When you watch them, and you realize what huge risks they are taking, you can't help but be on the edge of your seat. Just having the guts to put a mic in front of so many screaming soloists is so risky. The props are just so demanding of the performers. Arrangements are the opposite of what we commonly know as band music. But now they are the obvious victim of massively high expectations. Imagine if this show preceded Down Side Up. We'd be peeling ourselves off the floor in shock! But in the context of that show, the bar is raised so high. Anything less than clearly better and bigger feels...like a miss. But the path they are taking is like being in the middle of a high wire without a net. They have to figure it out. And that's why I find myself anticipating every one of their performances.

I worked for decades in the Christian music industry in Nashville. When churches began to sing, and then perform, "new" contemporary music in their services, most who grew up singing hymns from hymnals, with music, harmony and instrumentation that literally hadn't changed in centuries had a violent reaction against it. There were a few very compelling arguments "for" the traditional music of the church, but no one could intelligently argue "against" new expressions of faith in music. Many churches at that time refused to allow drums or (gasp) guitars in their church services. But now it's not even passé to discuss such ideas. The vast majority of Christian churches play and perform all sorts of music with literally all varieties of musicianship. And underneath it all is a truly amazing and vibrant community of writers, arrangers and musicians that continue to create and teach music to churches for use in services. I sometimes feel like I don't belong when listening and watching some dci shows. Most of you have infinitely more history and ability within drum corps. You know and hear different things than I do. But I find that fascinating and one very strong indication that the activity is thriving and growing. Yes, for sure, a lot of music is being over-arranged IMHO. At the same time, I have come to realize that there are hundreds of thousands of people who love this art form because of how highly the activity elevates original arrangements and arrangers. It is truly unique. And while I have been among the critics of BD, the evolution of Bluecoats have helped me understand that it is very hard to have long term success in any creative venture. And when you do hit on something that works, you are probably wise to continue doing that. BD isn't always my cup of tea. But I realize that, as one of the few destination corps, they attract kids and arrangers who want the kind of innovative arrangements and musicianship that BD accentuates. It's just not always about my personal musical enjoyment.

There are no DCI designers. The member corps do as they please artistically. Some corps care more about scores than others. Some have far more resources than others. Some have a specific style they are known for and that's what they do, regardless. DCI could no more dictate show design or direction to a member corps than you or I could. And, frankly, you and I might have more power by attending or not, buying merch or not. These arguments have existed for as long as this activity has existed. Not everything is made for everyone. There are corps that are not my cup of tea for a variety of reasons. I don't take that as a personal slight, or even a statement about the "direction" of DCI...which is, quite literally, simply the aggregate of all member corps directions.

But I have no problem with this. It is a far more diverse activity now, and that expands reach and involvement. Yes some shows miss their intended mark, but I'd rather have groups try something new and even at times more intellectual than just marching around and playing big notes. I do think show designers should fully realize that without fans in the stands no one loads a bus. But I also realize that corps directors count their merch money just like the next guy or gal. You roll with what you do and can do well.

Does anyone else see a whole lot of Star of Indiana here? So cool!

I agree with this 100%. My issue with BD is the sameness of their show designs in general, but I also understand it is fully intentional, just like what Bluecoats has been doing over the past three seasons. i will say, though, that SCV has very little park and blow. This year they are marching while playing very, very difficult passages.

Let's face it, a whole hell of a lot of corps are in that boat.

Maybe it was the feed, or the mic placements, but it again sounded like PR was marching 10 less trumpets. Esp in the first half of their show.