I received the following, which I have reprinted verbatim, from Bob Jacobs, director of Jersey Surf. It is the document which lays out the procedure for awards and advancement at the 2005 DCI Division II & III World Championship.
2005 DCI Division II & III World Championship-Awards & Advancement Procedure
Tuesday, August 9, 2005
DCI Division II & III World Championship Preliminaries
1 Division caption awards, including the drum major award, are judged at
this event and awards are announced and presented at the Division
Championship contest
2 Every corps that does NOT advance will receive a participant patch
stating: "DCI Division II & III World Championship Participant"
3 The top 9 corps in each division will advance (total of 18)
Thursday, August 11, 2005
DCI Division II & III World Championship Divisional Finals
1 All corps participating in this event are considered to be "Divisional
Finalists"
2 All corps will participate in a full retreat at the end of the competition
including the playing of "America/O'Canada
3 Each participating corps will receive a patch stating: "DCI Division II
World Championship Divisional Finalist" or "DCI Division III World
Championship Division Finalist"
* A separate patch for the champion will state: "DCI Division II
Divisional Champion" or "DCI Division III Divisional
Champion"
4 Each participating corps will receive a medal stating: "DCI Division II
World Championship Divisional Finalist" or "DCI Division III Divisional
Finalist"
* A gold, silver and bronze medal will be awarded to the top three
corps with the gold medal stating: "DCI Division II Divisional
Champion" or "DCI Division III Divisional Champion"
5 All caption awards including the drum major award will be presented
6 Existing traveling trophies will be awarded to the Divisional Champions
7 The three top scoring corps in each division and the next 6 highest
scoring corps will advance
Saturday, August 13, 2005
DCI Division II & III World Championship Grand Finals
1 All corps participating in this event are considered to be "Grand Finalists"
2 All corps will participate in a full retreat at the conclusion of the
competition including the playing of America/O'Canada
3 Only the Champion will receive a patch stating: "DCI Division II World
Champion" or "DCI Division III World Champion"
4 Each Champion will receive a new trophy naming them the "DCI Division
II World Champion" or "DCI Division III World Champion"
5 Each Champion will receive a flag naming them the "DCI Division II
World Champion" or "DCI Division III World Champion"
6 The Spirit of Disney Award will be presented.
This document was disseminated among the Division II/III corps on March 8, 2005
following the DCI winter meetings at which the Division II/III corps voted to alter
the existing prelims, semis, finals format.
Some Observations:
1 DCI did not impose this format upon the corps. In fact, the member corps
are DCI. The members determine the rules of the game by which they play.
This system was voted upon at the urging of the Division III corps, which
desired that the traditional semi-final contest have more importance.
Traditionally, the "next six highest scoring corps in the semi-finals have been
Division II corps". As a result, Division III customarily only has 3 corps
representing the division at finals. This proposal was passed over the
objection of the Division II corps as the prospect of two winners was
discussed.
2 It is curious that the caption awards are judged at the preliminary contest
and presented at the Divisional Championship. Division I averages the
scores over the three championship contests and awards them at Finals.
This is done for two reasons. First, the units are required to display
caption excellence over a three contest period. Second, no one judge
makes the call as to the caption winner. Having judged DCI for 12 years,
this is a difficult position for both the corps and the adjudicator, which was
resolved by the Division I directors.
3 DCI does not award rings. This is a function of the Championship corps to
address on behalf of its members. In the case of Division II, it would be left
to the management of East Coast Jazz to purchase World Championship
rings for its members. Similarly, there is nothing to prevent the Spartans
from acquiring Divisional Championship rings for its members.
4 I have been involved in the drum corps activity for 35 years as a marching,
member, instructor and adjudicator. Never has anyone ever had to tell me
what was the most important contest of the year. Clearly, our activity has
long held that Champions are crowned and caption honors awarded at the
last show. While I appreciate the Division III corps seeking deserved
recognition, this convoluted format has the clarity of boxing---WBA, WBC,
etc. The New York Yankees were not the American League Champions
because they beat the Red Sox in the first three games. First to four wins.
Every competitive society has its expectations in determining a Champion.
Last year ECJ lost a World Championship by the narrowest margin in the
history of the activity. At the end of the day the Spartans were Champions
and we were runner-up---fair and square. While we were dissappointed, it
was as it should be. I would hope that the DCI Division II/III directors
revisit this issue.