A Favor

[Kamarag]

but for this reason, current members avoid it like the plague.

No, they don't. Quite the contrary. They may say they avoid it, but they read it. I spend enough years touring as an instructor to know what's really happening.

Regardless, the number of times members have actually been attacked here on DCP is so low it's essentially zero. Criticizing design and execution isn't in any way an attack. There's a huge difference between, "The Bluecoats have really dirty feet" and "Third baritone from the left...that guys sucks."

The former is absolutely fair and valid, the latter isn't (and never happens).

[corpsband]

Just a little....just saying. Only the Sith speak in absolutes.....

[Dan Detweiler]

Have a nice day. To your relief I'm sure.. I am done.

[Fred Windish]

Dan is touching upon the reason I much prefer watching Multi-Cam over High Cam. Why I like to spend time at the Corps Gate watching entry and exit. There ARE fantastic young people throughout every level of this endeavor. I want to see that dedication, that emotion, those faces, as much as I can! For THERE is the real story, not just the scores.

Just this past Saturday night, my vehicle was blocked-in by Carolina Crown's array of pit equipment. I was forced to just sit inside and watch for roughly 45 minutes. One of my evening's BEST experiences! What a process that seemingly insignificant task involved. All handled maturely and masterfully by a group of amazing young people fresh off the field of battle, drained of energy, passion and pride. But, they kept pushing on, and without complaint. Those nameless young adults with whom I shared a space, reinforced my belief we're all in good hands going forward.

I get it, Dan, and thank you for reminding us of this perspective as we bring another season to close.

[corpsband]

Dan is touching upon the reason I much prefer watching Multi-Cam over High Cam. Why I like to spend time at the Corps Gate watching entry and exit. There ARE fantastic young people throughout every level of this endeavor. I want to see that dedication, that emotion, those faces, as much as I can! For THERE is the real story, not just the scores.

Just this past Saturday night, my vehicle was blocked-in by Carolina Crown's array of pit equipment. I was forced to just sit inside and watch for roughly 45 minutes. One of my evening's BEST experiences! What a process that seemingly insignificant task involved. All handled maturely and masterfully by a group of amazing young people fresh off the field of battle, drained of energy, passion and pride. But, they kept pushing on, and without complaint. Those nameless young adults with whom I shared a space, reinforced my belief we're all in good hands going forward.

I get it, Dan, and thank you for reminding us of this perspective as we bring another season to close.

Agree with this sentiment. Far too easy to lose track of who these performers really are when they are in uniform performing their show. They're so amazing we forget how young they are. That's why the best DCI experience is going to a rehearsal!!

[barigirl78]

In the U.S., you are a legal adult when you turn 18. You can vote. You can join the military and go to war. A large number of the members on the field, particulary in the top ranked corps, are legal adults.

I don't know why we continue to call them "kids". It infantilizes them. Many are the same age as college football and basketball players. When I watch a college football game, I rarely hear the announcers call the players "kids". But, put a musical instrument in their hands and they get called "kids".

There are a lot of corps with high school students as members. You can call them kids. But, let's acknowledge that there are young adults on that field, too.

I agree with OP's plea for respect. No matter what age the people on the field are, they deserve it. Part of that respect, is to treat an adult like an adult.

[cfirwin3]

They are young adults, not snowflakes

Harsh personal attacks and ridicule are certainly over the top but feedback on the programs or performances is frankly what we do here

PC police love trying to silence folks. Don't let it happen, you can be honest without being harsh

Absolutely. We can't stop being spectators and functioning as such... otherwise there would be little purpose to these shows.

There's a difference between being a critic offering a critique... and being mean.

Certainly, the thoughts of the spectators matter. The whole idiom is chasing moments of applause.

[Cappybara]

On this, the day that all of DCI will come together to start sorting out who will ultimately be crowned World Champion, I would ask a favor of everyone.

For the last 6 months these kids...ALL these kids, top 12/bottom 12, Open Class/World Class, have willingly put every aspect of their lives up to scrutiny. Their sleep, their diet, their practice, their performance have all been laid open for all to see, criticize and evaluate. While there are certainly differences from one corps to the next, there is nobody that could ever convince me that any one group of kids works harder than any other. These kids have sacrificed a year of their lives to share this experience doing what they love with the people they love doing it with.

So, when we get our bowl of popcorn and plop down on the couch with our laptops today, ready to comment on every error, every shortcoming, every reason they should be ahead or behind this group or that group, let's give all of these kids the respect they deserve. We are all armchair quarterbacks to one degree or another but they are the ones out there doing it. Sure, we all have our favorites, but I for one will never...NEVER place a negative comment about any corps on a public forum. Is that being wussy, politically correct, mamby pamby, BS?

No, it is being respectful. Respectful of the human beings that sacrificed so much to entertain us. I applaud each and every person that has driven themselves to be better, pushed themselves beyond the limits of their endurance and laid it on the line just so they might hear a little bit of appreciation from a crowd.

So, before you start ripping a group apart, remember that you're on the couch and they are doing it. Kind of like sitting with a hot dog and beer mocking the morbidly obese guy trying to make it 10 minutes on a treadmill. Who is trying to better themselves? Who looks like the idiot?

Best of luck to all of those triumphant warriors that have the courage to take the field of competition today. You have my envy and my undying, unabashed, unrelenting respect.

Dan

I get your message, I don't think it's PC to ask for what you're asking. Thanks for the perspective, I'm gonna keep it in mind for the next few days. Edited August 11, 2016 by Cappybara

[Jeff Ream]

Just a little....just saying. Only the Sith speak in absolutes.....

From a certain point of view

[Jeff Ream]

Which is why this forum consists of about 20 people all trying to impress each other with their own knowledge. Granted, I'm on here too, but for this reason, current members avoid it like the plague.

By the way, these kids get crticised on a nightly basis by people who's opinion is relevant to someone other than themselves. I don't think they really care what is said here but it is unfortunate that it so often falls to such pointless negativity.

No it's o et the top attacks and the actions of both loons and the over sensitive that have hurt the place. One can comment on a show aspect they don't like or..... Gasp.... A performance issue, and not be the too used " attack on the kids". That's used as a poor justification far too often for " don't pick on my corps".