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Most Improved Corps of 2014


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Just for the fun of it, I went back to the start of the 2014 season to see which corps had improved the most over the course of the year. I took the first recorded score for each World Class corps, and then compared it to the score they received in their final performance. This turned out to be quite revealing, because not only did the Blue Devils set a new record with their amazing score last Saturday, but they came further than any other corps this year when measured against their own season-opening performance. I think this measure is in some ways even more impressive than a corps' overall placement at the end of the season, because this is a marker of how responsive they were to the judges' comments and how hard they worked to resolve any problems. It's possible that I've entered some incorrect numbers here; please correct this list if there are any mistakes.

Final Score

First Score

Difference

Blue Devils

99.650

73.200

26.45

Cavaliers

93.675

67.300

26.375

Blue Knights

91.150

65.150

26

Santa Clara Vanguard

96.075

70.150

25.925

Blue Stars

89.600

63.800

25.8

Colts

85.350

60.400

24.95

Carolina Crown

95.675

70.800

24.875

Cadets

96.875

72.100

24.775

Bluecoats

97.175

72.800

24.375

Crossmen

86.225

62.200

24.025

Phantom Regiment

91.425

68.300

23.125

Troopers

84.775

61.700

23.075

Boston Crusaders

88.950

66.400

22.55

Madison Scouts

87.575

66.200

21.375

Pioneer

68.850

47.500

21.35

Spirit of Atlanta

81.550

60.300

21.25

Mandarins

78.150

57.900

20.25

Pacific Crest

78.900

59.450

19.45

Academy

81.875

63.800

18.075

Cascades

72.250

55.100

17.15

Oregon Crusaders

80.100

66.000

14.1

Jersey Surf

75.800

62.600

13.2

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You should put the start date for each corps in competition and find their average daily improvement.

Cascades and OC for example didnt compete until the west cost tour went into Oregon.

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I do know the most improved OC Corps for this year was the Racine Scouts as voted by the Corps Directors.

Go Chrome Domes!

[see signature block.]

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Thanks for compiling these numbers. They say quite a bit.

Speaking subjectively: of the 9 corps I saw both early/mid-season AND at the quarterfinals cinecast, I'd say Colts showed the most improvement. I was never a fan of the design -- liked the idea, but was always confused about the narrative. When I saw them in June, I thought the design team threw too much at the performers. I thought this would be a 17th or lower year.

Was pleasantly surprised after seeing them in quarters though. The staff made the right adjustments and the members achieved enough to be finalist-caliber. Hoping this trends into the next year with an improved show concept.

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I vote for the Blue Knights. Some serious foot phasing issues early on, of course white pants and shoes make it hard to hide any problems. But from 1st show to Finals, the best improvement both score wise, and development of concept. IMHO

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Point spread is not necessarily the best indicator since most of us knew who this year's winner would most likely be as early as July 4th and while placement the remainder of the top 5 was pretty much determined if placement was not, so I would not say Blue Devils huge jump is an indication of improvement.

I think I'd have to give it to Cavies. At the cinecast in Akron I thought they had a good show with a great gimmick, after seeing them in Atlanta I saw a great show with an amazing gimmick.

Boston Crusaders were placing dangerously near Spirit early in the game and behind Madison. That show improved leaps and bounds.

I did not see Blue Stars early in the game but everyone was telling us to wait and see and Blue Knights did not get the greatest reviews early on, so they'd be contenders as well,

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Point spread is not necessarily the best indicator since most of us knew who this year's winner would most likely be as early as July 4th and while placement the remainder of the top 5 was pretty much determined if placement was not, so I would not say Blue Devils huge jump is an indication of improvement.

I think I'd have to give it to Cavies. At the cinecast in Akron I thought they had a good show with a great gimmick, after seeing them in Atlanta I saw a great show with an amazing gimmick.

Boston Crusaders were placing dangerously near Spirit early in the game and behind Madison. That show improved leaps and bounds.

I did not see Blue Stars early in the game but everyone was telling us to wait and see and Blue Knights did not get the greatest reviews early on, so they'd be contenders as well,

Have to agree about Cavies, What a difference!

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Just for the fun of it, I went back to the start of the 2014 season to see which corps had improved the most over the course of the year. I took the first recorded score for each World Class corps, and then compared it to the score they received in their final performance. This turned out to be quite revealing, because not only did the Blue Devils set a new record with their amazing score last Saturday, but they came further than any other corps this year when measured against their own season-opening performance. I think this measure is in some ways even more impressive than a corps' overall placement at the end of the season, because this is a marker of how responsive they were to the judges' comments and how hard they worked to resolve any problems. It's possible that I've entered some incorrect numbers here; please correct this list if there are any mistakes.

Final Score

First Score

Difference

Blue Devils

99.650

73.200

26.45

Cavaliers

93.675

67.300

26.375

Blue Knights

91.150

65.150

26

Santa Clara Vanguard

96.075

70.150

25.925

Blue Stars

89.600

63.800

25.8

Colts

85.350

60.400

24.95

Carolina Crown

95.675

70.800

24.875

Cadets

96.875

72.100

24.775

Bluecoats

97.175

72.800

24.375

Crossmen

86.225

62.200

24.025

Phantom Regiment

91.425

68.300

23.125

Troopers

84.775

61.700

23.075

Boston Crusaders

88.950

66.400

22.55

Madison Scouts

87.575

66.200

21.375

Pioneer

68.850

47.500

21.35

Spirit of Atlanta

81.550

60.300

21.25

Mandarins

78.150

57.900

20.25

Pacific Crest

78.900

59.450

19.45

Academy

81.875

63.800

18.075

Cascades

72.250

55.100

17.15

Oregon Crusaders

80.100

66.000

14.1

Jersey Surf

75.800

62.600

13.2

Although Blue Devils B were technically an Open Class Corps, they did compete in the end as a World Class Div. competing Corps. As such, they would be my choice as the most improved Corps that competed this summer. Their 15th place finish in the World Class Open Prelims at Semi's had them closer in score to the Madison Scouts ( 5.25 pts ) in their last show competition for 2014, than the Madison Scouts were to the Cavaliers( 6.10 pts ) in Madison's last show competition for 2014. Thats pretty startling and quite amazing.

Edited by BRASSO
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