Ediker

You make a valid point. For better or worse, insulation has provided a measure of protection for an activity that has struggled to survive.

Congrats to Blue Devils 2023 on a well-deserved victory! 2024 might give us a first 4-peat. To the other great corps out there, don’t even think about beating BD until you fully grasp a few facts about how this activity is scored: 1) GE is not synonymous with difficulty and demand. 2) Diffficulty/demand does not equal GE. 3) A “great design” is not merely cramming in a bunch of demand. 4) GE is not cleanliness. 5) GE is not gimmickry. 6) GE does not equal audience or crowd reaction. 7) Since GE scores are not divided by two (like Visual and Music scores), GE numbers contribute twice as much to overall score than any of the performance sub-captions (brass, percussion, color guard). 8. It is easier (much) to correct performance problems in July/August than to overcome a GE deficit. 9) Visual Analysis and Music Analysis may not be GE, but they are tied to how the visual and music designs coordinate and contribute to GE. 10) Today begins the off season for performers. 11) Today through April is the on season for designers. 12 If you are a designer and are the least bit foggy about what constitutes GE, read the #### sheets. Every single word… over and over and over. 13) Reading and understanding the sheets is not the same as doing what is on the sheets. 14) Whether you agree with (or like) what is on the sheets is immaterial to the fact that the MMs you serve will be judged by what is on the sheets. 15) Malicious compliance, doing the bare minimum and/or checking the box for a GE sheet item is not the same as maximizing that item. 16) Generating GE is good. Generating GE in innovative ways is good. Generating GE in a variety of ways is better. Generating GE in a variety of innovative ways that also carry artistic risk is way better. Do so better than anyone else in a way that requires the most proficient MMs is the path to winning. 17) If you don’t like the sheets, work to change them and quit grousing about them. Anything missing?

Focusing on “chasing” does not prepare one to lead.

BINGO

They did have a distinct drop in amplification level compared to the blue corps before and after. It must be tricky to strike the right balance… and I am loath to suggest anyone it dial up.

Funny, it’s been in my head this week that they must’ve done Sweeney. I guess not. It would be a good fit, and a new challenge that departs from their usual upbeat feel good stuff.

I get the sentiment. My era was run and gun. When I look back at favorite (long) past shows, it’s clear that there was an excessive emphasis placed on marching alone. Talented brass players were turned into marching automatons.

BD’s holy trinity is effect, execution, and variety. Effect is prioritized. Execution serves effect. Variety keeps it entertaining and engaging. That’s the secret. BD’s ideas mature and percolate long before they hit the field, and it shows in their GE scores. There is never (ever) a half-baked idea. They will be tough to beat this weekend. The door is technically open. All three runners up can beat BD in many captions/subcaptions, but rarely GE, which is BD’s secret sauce. BD has probably developed vast stores of ideas that wait for the right moment in the right show. Their shows are the result of very disciplined design and solid execution all around.

No shortage of technical demand in BAC’s show. Every section is packing serious content. The battery especially was killing it tonight. Superb brass line. Guard was strong of course. Wish the guard had more front and center moments.

In a color smorgasboard Bloo’s guard outfits steal the show. Love the change in color as they rotate. So many pretty moments musically/visually. To me, the narration seemed less intrusive on Flo. Live, it seemed a bit loud and a bit much. Bloo creates more effect with body movement than anyone else.

Crown performed beautifully tonight. The show looks and sounds very sophisticated. Stylistically this show is a slow burn that builds toward that final set.

Great job in percussion, Crown!

Great idea

BAC is killing it in performance captions, and ranked 4th in GE, with one week left.

That’s got to factor in

BAC brought it tonight

Mandarins are killing it!

Wow, this is some tough competition

Is that Bridget Bishop’s car blocking the way?

You must be in the fabric business

I watched the shipwreck moment closely and noticed the “white whale” dancer going by each section of the ship as it’s coming apart. It’s clear now why the ship is in pieces before the flyover flag. There must be something planned to make the whale dancer more visible while wrecking the ship.

Still getting my head around BAC and Bloo tying at both semis and finals

BAC did not win guard 2017

Agree. More into the thrill of competition, handling nerves, and delivering a demanding show under pressure. I can listen to music a million other places.

I’m with you 100%. Unless they make it clear that the whale burp destroys the ship, and then the tail runs over it.