dcikon2

I do like the color that the towers bring to the field. However, my concern is if the towers cover some of the guard work. I saw some neat guard work being done behind the towers and I don't know if that gets picked up.

There are some good shows this year, such as Blue Stars, Crossmen, Troopers, and Colts. I know this occurs every year, but I feel bad when someone who has a good product doesn't make finals. The competition is close which is good for DCI. Hopefully, those who don't make finals can use this year as a spring board for even better success next year.

I have always known Phantom Regiment to be a "classy" organization. I remember the meals they fed the corps while on tour. I remember the staff being kind and caring and always concerned about each member. This is my perception of what I have witnessed in the past.

DCI should not be holding a contest with just 4 corps. I cannot see how you would get enough spectators to support the price of attending a show with only 4 corps.

I do have a question. I hear a lot about certain judges not scoring various corps well. I remember Marie Czapinski working the color guard when the Scouts performed Bohemian Rhapsody. I am not aware of a full out between the Scouts and the Czapinski's. I certainly don't mean to bring up bad feelings.

I don't think DCI will ever make it back to the University of Missouri. I am also aware that the former football coach at the University of Kansas did not want any event held on the field other than football. Though I have been to the CMU stadium many times, I am not aware of how many people it seats on the home side. Does anyone know how many people the stadium seats?

This is just a thought. Would the Cascades be better off right now competing in Open Class until they are stronger? I don't know what effect the scores are having on the morale of the corps.

I do find it interesting that Central Missouri State University (Warrensburg, MO) is hosting a TOC event. The corps are going to have al little walk if the parking and warm-up area is the same as for this show as it is for the marching band contest. Though Arrowhead Stadium has been refurbished, I don't know if this would work. What is the possibility of having the University of Kansas host a show? We don't have high schools with stadiums the size of high school stadiums in Texas in the area.

I believe it is great for fans, and particularly those who might be new to drum corps, for the Vanguard performing Les Miserables. This is the kind of music that I am eager to purchase recordings. Even if SCV doesn't medal this year they still will have won the hearts and appreciation of many people. This takes me back to the days when they performed Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, the Russian Show, and Carmen. Please keep this up. I know I would rather spend money supporting a drum corps and show like SCV than a show that is not accessible to me.

At one several (years ago) there were a couple high school marching bands in Washington who competed in BOA. I don't know if this is still happening. Does Vancouver have potential talent to recruit? Is it possible that the guard and brass line will grow over the summer?

Has the Cadets filled the tuba/contra position yet?

My first experience with people being negative at a show was with Star of Indiana. Most of the resentment towards Star was due to the money they had. Though I appreciate the difficulty and complexity of shows, I have cut back in the number of shows I attend each year. I prefer to go to a competition and be entertained. I feel you can do this with good music, effective drill, and great choreography. I do not like to listen to bits and pieces of songs thrown together. DCI may eventually have to start taking the paying fan in consideration. Though this has supposedly been done, I feel this is more lip service than actual policy. On the other hand, perhaps DCI and BOA will merge in the future as both have moved in the same direction. I will say that I am not a fan of narration. I can handle a little of narration if it is done well and if it enhances the overall product.

I do feel sorry for the members when people boo. I have been attending shows since 1975. I will admit that my attendance at shows has decreased, especially when there aren't enough programs that I am interested in seeing. I am now not willing to shell out $40 or more dollars to watch something that is not going to entertain me. At the same time, I can appreciate good drill design, playing, and guard work. I don't know the status of the DCI fan base. However, I would be concerned if I was trying to gain a larger audience. I must say thank you to SCV for performing Les Miserables. It reminds of the days when they performed Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, and Carmen.

I am so glad Vanguard is performing Les Miserables. Miss Saigon, Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom of the Opera have been some of my favorite shows of all time.

The article was informative. I do disagree with one aspect of the article. Yes, almost everyone can find something in each show to appreciate. However, If I can't thoroughly enjoy (be entertained by) several shows then I probably will attend less contests that year and not purchase dvds and cds. I have noticed that I now spend more money traveling than I do attending DCI contests. This was not the case 10 years ago. Perhaps this will change.

I really feel for Crown right now. They have a GREAT show and I don't feel they are getting credit. I won't go into on DCP, but GOOD LUCK TONIGHT! PLEASE make the judges realize they have to give the proper score to you!

Does anyone know how the crowd reaction was to the last 2 scores?

I hope that the television stations in San Antonio and Austin has a segment on the Crossmen making finals. I also hope that making finals will encourage more of the talent in Texas to stay in Texas.

I agree with the previous posters about "slowing" down. First of all, it is going to be very difficult to change the negative attitude of the people in the area have of Teal. I would think it be essential to have the support of band directors, schools, businesses, and organizations in the area. This is going to be difficult after their unpopular history. I wish them luck, but as I teacher I would not encourage any student to march with them at this time.

Yes, Texas has the Crossmen, but it also has several corps who hold camps there. I realize Florida has some great marching bands, winter guards, and winter percussion units. However, Florida is acutally out of the way when you look at scheduling. On the other hand, Disney World is a fun free day! Perhaps input needs to be taken from the corps directors whose groups have performed in Florida. What is the support of band directors and schools in the state? Personally, I don't see any way Teal Sound will come back. I know that as a teachr I would not encourage any student to march with this group.

DDFiddle - I agree with your post. I have taken people to shows in the past and they won't go anymore due to the type of shows that were performed. These people were not in the music business. They will not only attend another drum corps show, but talk against it to others just because they felt the many of the shows were not entertaining. To put it another way - they thought it was a waste of money. It is evident that Surf is performing to the people in the stands and not to the judges. It is sad that they are being penalized for this direction. I still feel DCI can work something out to include them. Why not feature Surf prior to Academy's performance? I believe DCI wanted more accessible shows. This is an opportunity to back up this belief.

It appears that Jersey Surf's full show won't be included in Thursday nights theatre broadcast. Though I find this awful, I do understand. I would much rather watch Jersey Surf than some of the groups ahead of them. At least Surf should feel they have won the hearts of lots of people this year. I need to donate more money to them!

I sure hope shows don't all turn out the same down the road. However, I do want to be entertained in some way with at least a few shows at competitions. I realize that shows have become more like BOA and WGI over the past few years. Some of this may be a good thing. I would hope that most corps would consider the fans when programming their shows in the future instead of seeing how far out there they can go. This is just my opinion. I can appreciate a difficult horn book, complex drill, and excellent guard equipment work. I guess I want the best of both worlds - being entertained and appreciate the shows.

I have mixed feelings if kids who didn't pay dues to Teal ended up marching in other corps. I feel this would be a slap in the face to the people who made specific donations to corps on their behalf. This would also be teaching those kids poor life lessons. Hopefully, this lesson can teach all corps, including top-tier level corps, to not take non-paying members from previous corps. Too bad there isn't some sort of membership data bank set up for all corps to access.

I do like showing Surf during intermission or perhaps in the beginning prior to the actual air time. There always seems to be time before the first corps performs. I sure would like this to happen without hurting corps in front of them. However, isn't it DCI who is trying to encourage more fan-friendly shows? This is the perfect time for them to make a stand on this issue.