ybooby

I think the problem is that with all these rule changes on electronics is that the majority of the sound being heard is going to come through speakers. If Hopkins gets his way and woodwinds get added to DCI, every woodwind instrument is going to need a wireless microphone. And before you all bite my head off for saying that, how many marching band shows have you been to where there is a big hit and you can't hear the woodwinds because the brass and perc are so loud? I understand innovating the activity, but I feel its losing crowd response. Someone posted about attendance being down over the last few years. Maybe because the activity has become less about entertainment and more about the show designers being artists. I just read quotes from the BD staff about their 2010 show and they said something to the effect of, we knew people probably wouldn't like it, but we did it anyway. The shows where people are on their feet going crazy before the show even ends (Madison '95) seem to be few and far between now (phantom 08, madison 10). I'm not saying loud = good, but this type of audience isn't the kind that wants to see people prancing around a football field for 6mins and play for the other 5...imo

I have to disagree. Yes, the corps that won those years were not always the biggest corps, but they were still significantly larger than most open class corps. So while the largest corps may not always win, the top 4 corps are always the corps with the most members. Not taking anything away from the kids in these groups, but when the judges hear a nice full hornline they are going to get the points. When Open Class was created which corps were at the top ever year? BDB SCVC Teal Sound..aka the big corps

i think something that everyone needs to keep in mind is that the judges see the show one time at finals and they go off that. They dont sit in the truck and look for ticks over and over like im sure alot of us do. Also there are ALWAYS ticks in EVERY show. If you really want to find ticks you can.

so what about cadets 2000? the 2 quarter notes after the drum feature that were dirty. By your logic they should score like what a 17? everybody makes mistakes like these.

There is still about a month left of the season and anything can happen. Remember 05 when BD was in Europe they were scoring very high very early and they finished what like 4th or 5th? Its still early. Another thing is how people are saying BD's show is more exciting than Cavies. it might be true i dont know because ive only seen youtube videos, but this is a similar discussion i've had with fellow corps mates and friends about 2000. Cadets had a more entertaining show but Cavies was in my opinion a harder and probably better designed show. We will just have to wait and see. But my money is on Cavies. They always pull it together toward the end of the season. You dont need to win in June to win in August.

I think that Cavies might overtake BD for the top spot. It has happened quite a bit recently and as you can see on the recaps cavies are gaining more ground than BD. Yeah cavies show might not be as exciting or as hard as some of the other shows, but if its cleaner thats all that matters. my prediction is Cavies and BD in the top 2 3&4 will be PR and SCV The only reason i dont have PR moving up in the top 2 is because i dont think they have got it quite figured out. Yeah they are amazing, but its just not all there (music yes, visual not as much). I think SCV will pull it together for a solid finish. They have been moving back up over the last couple years 5&6 Crown and Cadets Crowns show is really good i just think they might peak a little early. Cadets could move up with some alterations. 7-12 Boston, Bluecoats, Blue Knights, Glassmen, Colts, Blue Stars Boston has a really strong show, and its probably the best corps i've seen Boston put on the field I honestly dont know much of anything about the Bluecoats this year, but i thought they were over-hyped last year so we'll see BK is always a solid finalist The bottom 3 is a toss up for me But there is still about a month left so anything can happen!!!!

First i would like to say that my opinions have nothing to do with my corps or any of their views. Someone made a statement saying that World Class could survive without the Open Class corps. I disagree with this because Open Class is like the NCAA of the activity (Not saying that in a negative way because i enjoy NCAA sports more than pro). There are very few people who just roll out of bed and are good enough for a top World Class Corps. It is a great learning experience for anyone who marches, especially if performers plan on moving up to world class. I know a good number of people who auditioned for world class and were told they need more experience. Going away for a few weeks is a great way to prepare yourself for a whole summer of being on the road. Another is that just one season of open class can make you a much better and more mature performer. I also think that open class is a little more fun to keep track of because it is very unpredictable. Yes World Class is amazing to watch, but there are always those 4 or 5 corps that are always at the top. In open it changes all the time, and you see more jumps and closer competition.