billj

I knew the risks of mentioning the S word, but I really like Regiment's show and I dont think they are getting a fair shake. I hope they perform with a chip on their shoulders today, tomorrow and Saturday.

Let's go Regiment! Bring the Fire! SUTA!!!!!

It seems right to say this, and many people on this forum seem to agree including me, but the score progressions and gaps don't paint that picture. Last I checked, most improved scorewise were... Bluecoats a Blue Devils. Surprise! And if you look at the scoring progressions and comparisons with other corps, I'm going have to say there was some slotting after day 1.

By the way, if this is real, then one could look for the group with a bunch of earplugs and mics on their horns.

Saw SCV, Cavies and Bloo Live. They all seemed amplified in some way but Bloo had a trumpet feature farther back on the field and they were louder coming out of the speakers than from the field. That seemed odd.

But still, go Vanguard!

It almost seems like the visual design is bringing down the brass numbers somehow. 4th in brass?

Isn't that a sad thing to have to say based on the talent level they have?

I guess it depends on one's definition of "fair". Should only the mostly subjective opinions of the finals night judges decide the outcome or should separate full panels all have an influence? This could also make penalties or a bad run on Thursday or Friday impact the final standings.

I get the idea of ordinals and slotting and "leaving space" based on performance order, but the idea of corps "pulling away" points from other makes zero sense to me.

Unless I misunderstand, it was planned that they not have the food truck for August? If so, this sound like a "planned" issue/emergency.

SUTA

"Traditions" (there are other words that could be used) regarding exclusion based on gender are a dying breed, and for good reason. So, I'm saying that this isn't a new or surprising thing to happen. Everyone is free to feel how they want, but there's no amount of outrage that's going to undo this, so it seems like misplaced energy. I have only so much free time and energy and I spend it only on things I can control. Would anyone like to look the Scout's female members from past in the eye and tell them that they weren't really members?

Not really. The sooner people get over this, the better because I seriously doubt this decision will be undone.

Given this day and age, I don't understand the uproar about Scouts officially declaring going co-ed. Sorry, no offense, but people need to get over it. This is the way of world, people. And news flash: Boy Scouts allow female members, gasp! They've had female members in, what, 3 or 4 past years? Did people pull their financial support, mock corps leadership, and express their outrage each of those years? Or maybe it was ok for the years they made finals, but not ok last year? And I didn't don't want to hear "it was different". It wasn't.

I see what you did there. I truly don't understand why there's a need for corps to declare, or people to want corps to declare if a show is "literal" or "non-literal". Is this so important and does it really matter?

Yeah, I really wish SCV didn't do Les Mis. </Sarcasm> What is so unclear about the concept? It's pretty darn clear to me and I've just watched a few videos. There are shows placing higher that are unclear, IMHO.

My guess is that it's easier said than done. And while that may appear to some to be an obvious quick-fix way to address what some perceive to be problems needing addressing, there's something to be said for keeping a staff together, and growing together. Consistency across the key staff positions is pretty important.

I don't think it's so easy (seeing ...) The feedback seems to boil down down to: bring in one of a handful of people/staff. To be honest, as much as I love Gaine's drills from the past, and as much as I'm glad SCV won a title and has been at the top the last few years, I'm not so excited about the visual direction he's taking things (less drill, more props).

We see and hear "lasts" each year, but they're just not announced. "Last year without props", "last year of most corps marching fast, cool drill", "last year without thunderous goo", 'last year of traditional uniforms', etc. They are a result of evolution, and they are all sad, but we all survive and move on.

Fair question. My response didn't intend to portray a "we don't need any help or input from anyone' 'attitude' as you call it. I was mostly referring to during the season, that most corps probably have plenty of input from the people they need input from. BUT if a qualified (emphasis: qualified) person offers input or assistance, then it should be considered, when possible. In the off-season, if QUALIFIED individuals offer input on other things, like fund raising and other operational aspects, great. I'm not so sure on the design side as much only because people are hired to do that. In the end, though, I doubt any corps has a 24x7x365 direct hotline to the leadership, design staff, or instructional staff, nor should there be. Too many cooks spoil the... show.

Saying "go get some GE" is an oversimplification. As if you can hire a GE specialist. Does anyone really know what GE is (and no, I don't need a link to scoring rubric)? It's subjective at best, and political at worst. I've never figured out how GE has been scored over many years. All know is, the 'rules' are always changing. And, thus, I don't care much about the scores or placements. Many times the placement order isn't what I think it should be. I haven't stayed for the score announcements at a show in many years. I go for the performances, and not the figure skating style scoring. For what it's worth, I think Regiment should be scoring higher in GE this year.

This isn't a fair assessment, and it's also an oversimplification. And on any corps' thread, the "fire person x" and "hire person y" gets old.

I know of a few times over the years that corps publically solicited ideas for music or themes, but is it realistic to expect any world class corps to accept feedback from a group of people not on staff? The staff is watching and hearing things every day, in addition to getting judge's feedback several times a week. What additional, useful information could they possibly get from others?

On a related note, I have the same concerns about musicians being able to "march drill" in the future. Will they eventually look like this?