adman

I don't think it's just the danger from massive vertical props (some of SCV's "telephone pole" stunts definitely look risky), but the field tarps can be risky too. On a dry, even, artificial turf field there were several tarp twists and near falls. One in particular with Troopers, the other with Pacific Crest. I worry that unlike WGI these are partial coverage tarps with exposed edges, and at times placed over uneven surfaces (or on artificial turf seams, drainage holes, sunken water nozzels, etc.) The most basic of things -hood footing can be compromised - particularly im high BPM movement...

Yep when you have fireworks going off and two standing ovations it's a good night... 🙂

Obviously I meant Nola Jones. At times typos do occur - even without snark...

I noticed the use of violin and bass guitar in the pit yesterday, as well as FX like Echo and Delay being used on horn solos. I don't recall seeing strings before this year, and the horn FX are far more prominent. I know there were some new rules for amplification, is this part of it?

I was at tonight's show, and I have to say I am surprised BD won. In my opinion it was far from their best run. A ton of timing and execution issues. Even the start when the rifle tosses got caught in a wind gust caused a ton of drops. But apart from guard issues, truly there were execution issues. In the end I could see this winning, but tonight? No. Conversely I thought SCV really did execute. Design is a head scratcher, but the music of the Closer was brilliant. The sonic horn balance was truly breathtaking. Cavies were great even with "two endings" (The crowd gave a standing O only to realize the show wasn't over, tgen gave a second O). Also very well executed, a ton of layers, and great guard (there's a cool trick that the guard does distributing flags. One guy stands on a barrel doing a back-handed toss to about five others, ending with a full guard spin sequence). Even the pit gets into the act with some cool double split stuff. Honestly on this night I thought both Cavies and SCV were better. But perhaps judges viewed BD's book in evety regard much higher in demand...

It didn't look like Allen Kristensen. Guess I will have to look at the judges list. Nora Jones was definitely there.

Two yards isn't the numbers from the sidelines. (That's about 9 - 10 yards). When the guy was routinely out that far (and more), it's clear that he was well beyond any perception of 2 yards. Worse, he was within moving forms the exact reason DCI enacted the rule change. DCI really needs to train and critique these guys - pretty close to a couple of bad guard accidents.

Well aware. The new rule was enacted this January to ensure safety.

The rule says no more than 2 yards from the sidelines and the percussion guy routinely was putting himself 10 yards out and in the block at tonight's San Bernadino show. It was flat out dangerous. What gives? If I can figure out how to upload a picture I will (although the image has him about 5 yards in). But a tape review will show it...

While there's little doubt of your passion for this activity (like the passion of anyone reading or posting on DCP), it isn't even realistic to think about. Apart from the fact that such rule creation would be challenged in any court (Members PAY. That allows them certain rights and latitude including any governance), it pragmatically creates headaches, and perhaps important is having a bit of perspective. Drum Corps is at best an esoteric diversion directed to a target audience of ex-members, current members, future members, music educators, and allied trades. It isn't big enough outside that universe to have people care who is going where. No one in that universe is willing to deal with potential legal issues associated with competitive advantage. Heck the universe is still reeling from legal issues associated with very real member problems. The best way to retain members is to create high perceived value. Whether that value is being competitive, being inventive, being renown for a particular caption, or something else - value attractiveness will get and keep players - NOT rules. Now back to my original post - What is going on with Madison?...

The thread is crazy long ,I am trying to understand the key issues without the commentaries. I can't find show video to form my own opinion, and honestly not trolling.

Guys I really am not trolling. There really is little info online via video so I can't see this year's show. It is an organization with such a rich history. While I thought last year's show was awful, I thought they had a whole new team. I would think the Madison name would still mean something to people wanting to march and they would be able to get top talent. Seriously, why such low scores?

Without reading a year's worth of posts,what really is going on with the Scouts? Their scores are so low, and there is very little video of them. They are getting beat by Corps that historically never matched up, and by a wide margin. With fewer World Class corps even operating, it can't be a talent pool issue. On the west coast it is tough to see what is happening. Any reports?

It was meant as a joke. The Crusaders helmets being a bit "Star of Indiana"- like for those who truly remember. But I do stand by my comment of lack of cohesiveness. My point was early season last year, one could get a read on SCVs show - and it was an abstract idea. That clarity is tough to find in many, many shows this year.

A lack of conceptual cohesiveness. Last year whether designers went for theme (e.g. Bluecoats "Session 44", Blue Devils "Dreams and Nighthawks") or went for a compositional approach (SCV), things "tied together" one way or another. SCV's "Babylon" was one of greatest demonstrations of flow from top-to-bottom that I can remember. Whether you liked it or not is subjective, but from start to finish, design, body movement, props, music, dynamics, solos and soli, even a modern dance-routine seemed to fit where it should within the context of the overall show design. What show can you remember that created such drama around an act of silence (the split second before horn snap)? It's because everything that lead up to that moment made sense. I live in Los Angeles, saw SCV in their 3rd or 4th show of the year and told my drum corps nerd friends that it was one of the best I'd ever seen. I also said the same about Mandarins at that time. This year we have "The Bluecoats" an homage to the Beatles that has understandable music, but the design seems out of place. There's the Cavies doing "Wrong Side of the Tracks" in Gangs of New York Costuming and assorted props that seem out-of-place next to an incredibly dramatic and great music book. The Crusaders have cool music and they're supposed to be talking about Goliath, but the corps is dressed like "Star of Massachusetts" and the design with props leads nowhere. Last year, at least you could understand the intent of all the "SOS"stuff. I could keep going on an on, (and yes some corps have improved this year vs. last - Phantom was a hot mess last year, and Madison was a hot hot mess, may even not so hot mess, and both designs this year are better) but on the main - getting a read on cohesiveness is difficult at best.... Just my opinion of course, but there you have it.