Weaklefthand4ever

Are Bucs guard ans percussion attached to any specific WGI unit? I know CV had CVI and is now associated with another group. That would seem to be the answer though IF it is financially feasable to do so. Get a good solid foundation in the WGI world during the "off season" with ties to specifoc groups.

And I think that's truly part of the key. As the level of performance goes up in DCI, the DCA corps are getting talent either as age outs or pre-rookies who are headed up the DCI ladder. Back 25 to 30 years ago, if you had a little talent and a lot of drive, you could march DCI. I remember basically show up at camps until they tell you not to anymore, work your ### off and improve every rep and pay your dues on time. That was pretty much it. Now even I'm top DCA groups (especially in percussion,) you've got to be the real deal.

Thanks BigW. And please don't get me wrong. I think it's a great training ground. And in the top DCA corps you've got to have the talent. Gone seem to be the days of there being a random 1st chair triangle beater or toms/timbale player spot sitting around waiting for someone who can't quite cut it.

I knew if anyone would have an answer WGI wise it would be you Jeff. LOL. So is WGI Winds gaining any traction?

I know when I started marching DCA in 2004, it was a lot of folks in their 30's and into their 40's. Now, it seems like it's far more age-outs not too far removed from their DCI days or Jr's and Sr's in high school who are trying to get some experience and move up to DCI. The physical demands at this point even in DCA are such that you can't play the old "even if you can't cut the mustard, you can still lick the jar" game. That's why I can't see myself going out for another year (no matter how much I would like to.)

And I'm not disagreeing with you. And I don't believe that I said that. If I did, then I was mistaken. Populist concepts don't have an automatic bearing on technical expertise. I simply believe that show design 30 years ago was more geared towards entertaining a crowd 1st. Yes, we embraced technical expertise as well but we wanted to make the crowd throw babies.

Very true. If we are talking about '89 I as marching. But I still feel the fan base was a little different then too. IMHO, corps then seemed more geared towards entertainment 1st and technical perfection 2nd and the crowds seemed to follow that trend in their appreciation. Please don't take that to mean that I don't love corps (or the crowds) now. It's an amazing activity regardless of the decade.

Good point. Though some would say that that's what "feeder" corps such as BDB were for. Though with the costs mounting, we seem to be losing many of those corps. I would think corps at the top of the DCI heap would be less apt to have a need for a DCA corps to feed them. Still, if it could happen, it would be a real boost to the activity. Battery and Front Ensemble (as well as guard) have the very real advantage of WGI to keep their skills sharp during the "off season." To my knowledge, there is nothing resembling this type of activity for brass. I don't follow WGI because I don't have anyone close to me in town that travels to WGI shows. I'm a drummer (read "pack creature) so I require creatures of my kind to bond with.

Can't argue much with this one George. Numbers just don't lie and the consistency show to show is really starting to lay down.

I would agree Cappy. And the tendency is more and more every year to ram as much down our throats as possible. It feels like the safe thing to do would be to hang out backfield, beef up your front ensemble with uber Ivan Drago level super-talent and let it ride. For a first year of no field judges, I think it went as well as we could possibly expect. Let's see how the corps adapt in the coming years. Hopefully some better design from a percussion standpoint comes through.

Watching at the Atlanta show, I would agree with this. As a vet, I want them to play something a little more "in your face." The musical selection over the last few years feels like they're trying to "find their new sound" and build a dynasty type of program. I roughly counted (remember I'm a drummer so this count is questionable since I ran out of fingers and toes,) 52 Brass, 27 percussion and 22 guard. The numbers are solid enough. I did see at least 2 brass holes. It may have been a rough run for CV last night at DCI SE Regional. I saw a LOT of dirt in the feet and also heard some tuning issues. I think the next hurdle for CV is going to be to put together 1 REALLY special show to compete with Bucs. I don't think this is that year...I'm thinking 3rd and hoping 2nd. LOTS of cleaning to do in the next few weeks. One thing that I said when I was marching and that I still believe today. It's hard to truly make a run at the top dog when you don't run in the same races. I know it's a budget buster to go up north (and this year really hurt with the rain out,) but more head to head competition to me would be a secret sauce that can't be replaced. Just my personal opinion.

Yes. The souvie booths are outaide the stadium proper (if they're in the same place as last year.)

Exactly my thought as well. I'm sure if someone knows a staffer or volunteer, they could find out pretty easily. I reached out to CV and a few friends already but haven't heard anything as of yet.

They did last year and I would think 3rd parties are excluded.

As I said in a different thread, THIS body could no longer take the riggors of DCI. I require air conditioning, beer and naps now.

Glad you're able to attend. It's a great show. See you all there!

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I agree completely and have been speaking well of PR since the season premier. My question is, does a prop that is not used except as a place to hide equipment, uniforms, etc., or as a changing station, negatively effect GE? I don't have access to that information because my only background is as an MM. It could have no effect at all. I simply would like to know for my own education.

Understood. But are the Troopers and Madison not scoring well because they don't have props or because of the rest of the show design, music selection, quality of staff and members, etc.? You could be 100% correct. But I think there's more to consider there IMO. Also, please don't take that to mean I have anything against the Troopers or Scouts. They were two of my fathers favorite corps along with the 27th. I have the utmost respect for both organizations.

That's entirely possible considering I didn't (nor do I normally,) do any research of the backstory and compare it to the show. Do I know the story? Yes. Do I think the theme as it is presented on the field is something that the average fan would immediately identify and relate to Joan on Arc? Not really. That does not, in any way, change the fact that I like the show overall. I'm not a judge (and never would want to be.) To be clear, once again, I LOVE the kick stop, chevron, etc. When they add something to the show, they're wonderful (such as in 2010.) There's nothing wrong with tradition. Maybe this DOES add something in a historical context (and corps tradition.) But I'm fairly sure that the judges aren't going to research the significance as you did. So if we consider that as at least a possibility (if not a probability,) will they see it as a GE distraction? THAT is what is yet to be seen. It's certainly interesting to tie the historical significance in.

Agreed. I asked the question before of those who have been in the judging community (or at least understand HOW the judging TRULY works...not in concept, but in reality.) And let's remember, I'm a drummer so I can only count to potato...so please use small words. What would happen if a corps just didn't have props as opposed to having props on the field that simply aren't used? Would they take a hit on GE for not having them as opposed to not using them is what I'm asking I guess.

Absolutely agree with this. I like the show in all actuality. But it almost seems like the things listed here are the fantasies of a fan and not a member of a professional design staff. In my younger years (before I had a few years under my belt of actually being a part of the DCI process as an MM,) I can imagine myself saying "Oh!! We could SO throw a (insert signature move here) right here! It'l be freakin' AWESOME!!!" It's kind of like my dream when I started DCI in '87 was to one day play Malaguena because it was so cool. We all grow up (unfortunately) and start to see the big picture. I get it though. I dig chevrons and kick stops as much as anyone who lived through those iconic moments. I didn't know anyone who was a fan or member of any corps who didn't love and respect the corps and those moments. I just know and understand enough now to see that they have to actually make some #### sense and not just be thrown in willy-nilly.

I didn't go to Atlanta that year due some other things going on in my life. But I avoided watching any video of DCI corps. I attended finals so it was first time seeing the show. It was truly special and IMHO the best 6th place show that I have ever heard. Sometimes, greatness doesn't require that we keep score.

Although there are probably some subtleties that I'm not considering, I agree that the whole G7 concept was pretty much a completely narcissistic power / money pull IMHO. I do get what the OP is trying to say and we should at least recognize that it's coming from a good place. we ALL want to see this activity thrive. The G7 concept just isn't the way to do it. DCI needs to get off their collective ##### and actually advertise and push the activity forward. Right now, they don't have the proper staff to actually do that (or apparently the desire.) But the G7 concept is certainly not the way after reading what I have read.

I would agree with this with one caveat. It seems like they're milking old glory like a Holstein......UNLESS it works. When they pulled it in 2010, people pretty much threw babies. I almost expected to look up and see a beach ball getting bopped around. It just had a little bit of the old school vibe. I too would rather see something fresh. But sometimes...rarely...but sometimes, it just works. This show, in this year, IMHO is not that time.