DCIdad

Not surprisingly, every single show sounds tremendously better live. Amazed at how much hard work and dedication all of these corps have put in, and how much that shows in the final product. Didn't catch the open class shows this morning, but all of the early world class corps have been fantastic. Now, Go Mandarins!

Yes, this is very helpful. Thank you.

This is my first year closely following DCI scores. A question for you veterans: looking back at finals week last year, there was movement between 5th and 6th place (Cavaliers overtook Cadets) and movement between 11th, 12th and 13th places (Scouts dropped from 11th to 13th, Academy slid into 11th and Crusaders took 12th). It looks like some of that movement actually occurred in the days leading up to prelims, but the semis earlier in the year affected seeding. Is that the typical amount of movement? Would you expect similar this year? If so, which corps do you see potentially moving up or down?

Hmmm. Can't find it, but I'm a rookie at periscope.

Us too. We're staying at Courtyard by Marriott. It says it's .6 miles. Anyone know if there is a walkable route to the stadium or is a Lyft or Uber going to be the best plan?

Question about Lucas Oil: Is there re-entry permitted? That's an awful long time to be confined to a stadium (although we may choose to skip OC, tbh).

I don't know about the percussion side, but I do know that the brass line has a lot of young, inexperienced kids - quite a few of them high schoolers. The good news is that this could bode well for them over next couple of seasons if they stick around. And I agree, a one-plus point deficit isn't going to be easy to overcome, but on the other hand not impossible.

You're right - it looks like the percussion score in the caption ranking here on DCP is incorrect. It's showing 16.9 for Mandarins (compared to 16.65 for Madison), but when I go back to the actual recap it's only 16.15. I think the 16.9 is for Blue Stars who are listed above Mandarins in the recap. Just curious - where are you finding combined rankings for this regional by caption?

Except they actually finished ahead of Scouts overall in percussion - so that isn't the difference. Not a strong point for either corps.

Looking back at the numbers, and I was interested in why Scouts have opened up a lead over Mandarins through this show and the last regional Atlanta/Winston-Salem. It looks like the big reason was a huge shift in brass scores. Up until last 10 days or so Mandarins and Scouts were neck-and-neck in brass scores. Since that point, they've opened up a 1.2 point lead in that caption, which explains much of their lead. It's not so much the Scouts have dramatically improved in that area, they've continued the steady improvement you would expect, but Mandarins brass scores have taken a beating in the last two regionals. They've lost much of the ground they have gained in the brass line since San Antonio regional. Also, Mandarins have noticeable dips in all 3 regional scores for brass (around half a point each time) from their performance immediately prior. What would explain this - more stringent scoring? Poor execution in big shows? Wondering if anyone has any insight into why this gap has developed? It doesn't seem so much as Scouts improvement as it does Mandarins hitting a plateau. I know they have a very young, and inexperienced brass group and are marching quite a few high schoolers. Also have had to use at least a couple of alternates, which I know can have an impact. Wondering what others have seen that might explain this? Unfortunately this could be the difference that keeps them out of finals.

I'm a very biased Mandarins dad, so I can't honestly disagree with you. Sure seem like Scouts have alot of momentum now. But revolutionize? Really?

Nice show, but I still would pick my Mandarins ahead of them.

As a Mandarins dad is it wrong that I'm hoping for either 12th or 14th for this reason?

Okay, probably time to stop critiquing the theme of this show at this point, I guess.

Like those streamers at the end - were they there before? I don't remember them. However, that's not as powerful of an ending as many corps have at this point. Overall a very good show.

I think Crossmen's show would be just as effective (or maybe more so) without those props they push around. They don't really add much for me, and they seem to spend alot of time pushing them around.

Still don't get how the lineup for this was determined. Some said it had something to do with the scores at last regional but that can't be accurate. Mandarins have known they were performing on Fri instead of Sat since the season began. It wouldn't be much of an issue except that it does impact seeding heading into prelims. Does anyone know the scoop?

I admit I am not expert and I'm very biased - but I don't get this. Of course, I'm listening on FloMarch so I don't have the best vantage point. Will have to see for myself in Indy.

I'm kind of afraid that with that score Mandarins will not overtake Scouts in the seeding (unless they struggle in their performance tomorrow). How important is seeding heading into prelims and how are results heading into finals determined - do they only take into account prelims and semis or also the regional results?

We decided to go really late in the game and had to scramble to find tickets. We're in 141, row 12 for prelims and row 15 for semis. Are those going to be bad seats? Too low? We scored 441 for finals, and I know those are excellent but hoping the others aren't bad. Never been to finals.

That judge looked trapped for a few minutes

Have two sons marching with the Mandarins and the tarp always makes me nervous. Haven't seen it live yet, but in the last regional I thought it looked great on camera. With wind or if it's not placed quite right it does have the danger of taking away rather than adding to the show. I absolutely loved the netting!!! It will be interesting to see what adjustments, if any, they make for Indy.

Agreed. The Scouts perform really well, and usually clean. I just don't like the theme of the show.

I thought Mandarins performance was excellent! Not sure how that the tarp issues with the wind will impact their score, if any. Wish we could see Scouts right away for a comparison.

Wow! That net is new. I love the finish!