Cadets 2016

[jsd]

Well, it depends on the way you are talking about the design. If you're defining design by how it is competitively, then yes, Boston's show wasn't very good (though again not one of the worst designed shows of the decade like George thinks). But people don't always see things in terms of numbers.

Many people would argue that BD 2010 was bad design even though it placed 1st. Design is how you define it.

But it's not. Using the sheets in conjunction with the principles of art and elements of design, we CAN come up with an objective basis for the evaluation of the corps on the field.

For instance, you may love corps "X". They may resonate with you, speak to you, and touch your very soul. There are a plethora of reasons for this. However, the show and corps may not make it past quarterfinals. In that instance, where does the misjudgment lie? Is it in your evaluation of the show, or in the final adjudication of the corps in competition?

Here's a personal example: I was on the BDB staff in 2004 when the "A" corps was doing the "Summertrain Blues Mix". I sat with the rest of my staff at prelims for World class and watched BD, and then the Cavaliers. As soon as the Cavies were done, we all looked at each other, and said, "Well, second place isn't so bad". It was obvious that the best corps there from a design standpoint was the Cavaliers. It wasn't even close. How did we come to that conclusion? The sheets, the principals of art, and the elements of design. There was nothing BD could do to overcome the divide. Should they throw that season away? Nope. Should their placement alter the way the members felt about the season? Nope. There is more to the activity than where you finish placement wise.

That, however, is my frustration with the Cadets this year. Killer kids, killer horn line, killer drum line, killer colorguard...whose adults dropped the ball on their design.

[Cappybara]

Not trying to be a slang term describing male genitalia or challenge you but do you ever think that maybe Cadets show this season is a little too deep for some spectators to understand, including the judges? I mean, judges have their perceptions and opinions too and unfortunately I do think that there are some personal feelings that get in the way of the outcome of a judged show. Look I'll be honest, I don't understand HALF of what some corps are trying to portray on the field year in and year out. Maybe I'm not that deep, I don't know. Call it what you want but this year....I actually get what the design team was going after and I credit that to the performance of the members. Is it a flawless design like some other corps that I'm not particularly fond of? Not in the least. Are there perhaps some elements that are lacking? Abso-freakin-lutely. Yes, clean clean clean would be a major step in the right direction but as far as portraying a story and/or idea, I think that Cadets have done that pretty well this year but hasn't been very well received by the judging community Whether or not the public/judges get it is one thing but to say that the design of this year was essentially a complete flop.....I respectfully disagree. I don't see their guard as a problematic component. They are so much stronger this year and really add to the effect of telling/portraying the story of the show and I think are staged (and I hate using that word) pretty well compared to recent previous years. Saying that no amount of cleaning is going to make it better is completely asinine to me. Name me ONE world champion corps that was dirty at finals? Besides MAYBE Cadets 2000 and to be honest, we only know that because of what the MMs have said about the performance of finals that night and I think that Tekk and ChaddyT can attest to that.

91 Star, 92 Cavies, 02 Cavies come to mind.

[Ghost]

Here's a personal example: I was on the BDB staff in 2004 when the "A" corps was doing the "Summertrain Blues Mix". I sat with the rest of my staff at prelims for World class and watched BD, and then the Cavaliers. As soon as the Cavies were done, we all looked at each other, and said, "Well, second place isn't so bad". It was obvious that the best corps there from a design standpoint was the Cavaliers. It wasn't even close. How did we come to that conclusion? The sheets, the principals of art, and the elements of design. There was nothing BD could do to overcome the divide.

But it didn't the BD very long to figure that out and have done a masterful job of designing to the sheets even when they've changed.

[Cadevilina Crown]

91 Star, 92 Cavies, 02 Cavies come to mind.

Crown 2013 is another one that comes to mind.

[jsd]

Not trying to be a slang term describing male genitalia or challenge you but do you ever think that maybe Cadets show this season is a little too deep for some spectators to understand, including the judges? I mean, judges have their perceptions and opinions too and unfortunately I do think that there are some personal feelings that get in the way of the outcome of a judged show. Look I'll be honest, I don't understand HALF of what some corps are trying to portray on the field year in and year out. Maybe I'm not that deep, I don't know. Call it what you want but this year....I actually get what the design team was going after and I credit that to the performance of the members. Is it a flawless design like some other corps that I'm not particularly fond of? Not in the least. Are there perhaps some elements that are lacking? Abso-freakin-lutely. Yes, clean clean clean would be a major step in the right direction but as far as portraying a story and/or idea, I think that Cadets have done that pretty well this year but hasn't been very well received by the judging community Whether or not the public/judges get it is one thing but to say that the design of this year was essentially a complete flop.....I respectfully disagree. I don't see their guard as a problematic component. They are so much stronger this year and really add to the effect of telling/portraying the story of the show and I think are staged (and I hate using that word) pretty well compared to recent previous years. Saying that no amount of cleaning is going to make it better is completely asinine to me. Name me ONE world champion corps that was dirty at finals? Besides MAYBE Cadets 2000 and to be honest, we only know that because of what the MMs have said about the performance of finals that night and I think that Tekk and ChaddyT can attest to that.

Their design, from a colorguard standpoint, is a mess. It was last year, too. It will be their downfall this year, as well.

You can clean an inferior product until the cows come home, and I am positive the Cadets staff will do as such. However, cleaning an inferior product will only do so much on the sheets. This is where the execution number is larger than the demand number, and that is never a good place to be if you are a corps that is perennially in the mix for a championship.

[jsd]

But it didn't the BD very long to figure that out and have done a masterful job of designing to the sheets even when they've changed.

Nope. Hence the multiple titles since then.

[George Dixon]

So cadets beat SCV in visual and were .1 behind in music. Got to keep cleaning and work those big moments.

[Sandonovan]

So cadets beat SCV in visual and were .1 behind in music. Got to keep cleaning and work those big moments.

Seconded!

[blakman7]

91 Star, 92 Cavies, 02 Cavies come to mind.

Ok Cappy, I will agree with 92 Cavies. Thanks.

[George Dixon]

92 cavaliers were clean in most respects

From Hop FB on Cadets tonight:

CADETS

Good show .... marching better ... musical performance not consistent this evening

Getting better and picking up a point a day .... but ... we just have not had that performance that makes everyone glow.

Guard better .... for sure but ... there is more to be had.

Reflection ...

Good.

Very Good.

Lots of people Love you.

The next step awaits.

Do we have the courage to LEAP