DCI-Dadx2

The Corps you mentioned seem to be some of the most improved over the past couple of years. They should be proud.

Absolutely right. I caught all 3 days of 2/3 competition and Sat night of D1 finals. Sat night I was bored. This isn't because I'm a parent of kids in a D2 Corps. I've been a 2/3 parent for 5 years now. This was the first year that the majority of D1 didn't move me (PR being almost the sole exception). This year the show, and the competition was in D2/3. Congrats and thanks to all. This was Drum Corps the way it should be.

That may be, but the Spartans' medal does say Division Champion. With the other awards handed out on thursday this year, it seems that the standard thursday "semis" show has diappeared. Thursday night was more like previous saturdays than anything else. Saturday's show was something new, is definitely important and the goal of every Corps that stepped off that day. What we ended up with is two Corps that will have to accept (I expect they already have) that each have a "Title". Spartans are the Division 2 Champions, and ECJ are the Division 2 World Champions. I doubt either Corps wanted to give up a show to the other, and I know neither Corps has anything to be ashamed of. Congrats to them both, and with any luck the format will change for next season.

'92 here. Hope they liked Surf this year.

It'll be interesting to see what happens in 2007. That's my son's ageout season, so seeing his last show may not be in the cards for us. I will be returning from a deployment, so that one will be about saving as much $$$ as possible. Like Madison, it may be a whirlwind out for Sat. (optimism not arrogance), and right back the next day. My opinion of East Coast "dominance"? Not sure there was one, Tapei, Yamato, Blue Stars, Phantom Regiment and Cavaliers all medaled. I believe that the poor placing (relative to expectations) of the West Coast Corps simply makes it seem like the East dominated. Rising costs may indeed be the culprit there. Hopefully Corps are taking note and will be attempting to meet these expenses. Either that, or the West's present is the East's future.

Seems like all of the drama concerning the Titles is coming from outside of the members, families and fanbase of these two Corps. I sat at the 50 myself, and then made my way down to congratulate my kids and the Spartans staff I ran across (most of them). I didn't see this episode either. What we do have though is photographic proof of the sportsmanship of these two Corps. How many posts is a picture worth? Both Corps conducted themselves like any Corps should (as ALL did that night).

Okay, did anyone else actually prefer D2/3 to D1 this year? This was my second time enjoying finals, and doing the "Grand Slam" on Saturday and catching all 24 Corps. I've been a D2/3 parent for 5 seasons now. I've always had some favorites in 2/3 (my kids and others), but looked forward to seeing the "Big Boys" on Saturday. This year it was a bit of a letdown. There were a few notable shows Phantom, SCV and Bluecoats, but most of the other shows really did little for me. Its only my opinion, but it seems that the trend now is to find a concept write a show around it and then arrange some music to support the show. I preferred it when it seemed that music was selected to support a theme, and then the show was written. For me the difference is that I will have a D2/3 cd from this season, but not a D1. The dvd would be fine, but without the visual performance not much of D1 moved me. Just my two pennys.

I was proud of both Corps yesterday when the two drumlines integrated at retreat, and waited for the scores. Both Corps showed they understand winning and failing to win (neither Corps lost either show) with grace. I still think that this is a mess that DCI will have to get a handle on for future seasons, but if it had to happen to two Corps, I credit them both for handling it well.

LMAO

On this, we agree.

Is this a confusing mess? Absolutely. Did ECJ win the World Championship? Yes, all congratulations to them (took a picture of the integrated drumline at retreat, much class shown). Swap medals? Why? Everyone knew what was at stake on Thursday night, and Spartans won. Just as everyone knew what was at stake on Saturday and ECJ won. This year DCI gets a mess. Hopefully, that'll be the catalyst to get it fixed before next year.

That may be the best post on here this season. Thank you. I'm not a fan of the Blue Stars' show this season, but i'm not versed in Final Fantasy, so they could interpret perfectlyand I would miss it. Hope that didn't offend, but not every show plays to every audience member. What your post gave me though was an inside view to the Blue Stars psyche, and I liked what I saw. Not many could "sell" their Corps as well as you just did. Thought about recruiting for them?

Awesome review Jim. I love this line. It's close to becoming your signature here, and nicely sums up some some of the frustration of seeing how competitive and ignored this level of the activity can be sometimes. Thank you.

???? He mentions low GE scores. Not the Spartans. More importantly he doesn't mention what Corps, so as not to turn his statement into a statement by his Corps. I respect that. If others here don't maybe you should check your motives for wanting to know which Corps.

Read his first post, in its entirety. Not just the one statement you''ve latched on to. DciDadx1 clearly has meant no offense. Then read all of the replies he's gotten. He asked for support, got it. How did your posts fit? Seems like you're the one that has tried to pick a fight in the thread, or at the very least took the time to post without meaning any support. I don't think he or his child deserved that.

See you there Jim.

And that statement begs the question "What WILL Surf hit us with on Saturday? I can't wait to see. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I sure wish I could be there! Just getting our corps out east to compete this year was financially challenging. Hopfully, we'll be able to see you all in Madison next year . Thankfully, there is a little left over for the DVDs! I can hardly wait to see all the corps that I've read so many good things about this year. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Strutter, do you have something you want called out when OC comes on?

Glad to hear it.

....I'm pretty certain that both will put everything they have and the kitchen sink besides (with Jersey Surf, the sink is is a distinct possiblity) into Thursday night's show. ... regards - Jim <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And that statement begs the question "What WILL Surf hit us with on Saturday? I can't wait to see.

Have played the Spartans' show at least a dozen times today. Hope the Corps get a bit of the $$$.

The past few seasons our kids belonged to a very good D3 Corps that always seemed to be searching for respect from the judging community. Our favorite show was from a season that ended at semis. That evening at semis when the Corps and staff left the field it was clear that they were "empty". There was a lot of emotion in the show, and that evening they poured their hearts into it. A quick look at their faces showed that they knew the season was over, but there wasn't much regret. They had put out that one show that everyone in the organization knew was in them. That made it easier to accept for everyone. Any advice I would have really applies to all levels of the score column. Hope that the kids get that one show out. The one that they've been working towards all season. If they get that show out, and know that they did. The judge's opinions really become secondary. Our kids' Corps medaled the next season, but the whole family still prefers the show from the season before. Good luck, and congratulations on being a Drum Corps parent. I feel lucky. Hope you do.

Thanks

As I said, I was curious. The swaps between Corps seemed to be somewhat slow, and I saw the judge with the timing board, so I looked at my watch..... If that's ridiculous, then so be it.

100.00 - For the fan who has a t-shirt for almost all of the competing Corps. He had a tank top underneath and change into a shirt to match the Corps on the field. That is a great fan!

No timing penalties at Manchester either. I timed at least 3 corps breaking the 1 minute mark by 1.5 to 2 minutes (just out of curiousity). Checked the recaps, and no penalties. I have no doubt whatsoever that DCI is consistent on use of the penalty at a show, but they could help Corps get rid of them by being consistent from show to show. Prelims for D2 are no big deal this season anyhow. All 9 advance, and a 1 position change won't matter much.