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When Will We See A Full-Field Tarp in DCI?


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6 hours ago, George Dixon said:

Soon? Which corps most likely?

 

too soon.

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5 hours ago, George Dixon said:

the same folks teach the top HS and the top DCI corps - it isn't "follow the leader" - rather they try new ideas in both arenas 

no but stadiums with natural grass will be an issue...it's why others that used tarps in the past didn't use them at those venues

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4 hours ago, jeffmolnar said:

Maybe for a decade. During my time in Texas high school band (2000-2003), everyone was still chasing The Cavaliers. There was also the obvious BoA stuff that didn't exist in DCI, largely because (to me, at least) DCI seemed to "above" it. I feel like it's only been a decade or so that we've seen top Wold Class corps just shameless ape the BoA stuff. Eww.

That's because Texas is its own (wonderful) high school band world that really only within the last five years has embraced BOA & the national circuit as a state, and not just the top few groups, and marching band as a whole in the state is better for it (even better than it was). Outside of Texas, BOA & DCI have in fact been in tandem for decades, as mentioned by other posters. Pull & push, sometimes various corps have led the innovation, sometimes various high school bands lead it, often times both cases in the same year. The only difference is that the BOA rule book has generally created an environment where innovation is more encouraged, especially in regards to the two circuits in the 90s. It's just the way it is ---- our activity (and yes, it's one niche activity with two branches) is FAR more incestuous than the sports world, almost infinitely so, and there's simply no way to get around the high school circuit and the drum corps circuit totally sharing designers, judges, and teachers. 

I actually see WGI as the circuit that drives our activity the most right now, as there is by far more freedom to innovate there --- although I fail to see why this is such a massive a problem for anyone.

As to the topic at hand, O'Fallon Township was excellent this year and earned their first Finals appearance. I loved the tarp and the concept. It created some stunning visual moments and was quite a feast for the eyes, while being paired with some great music like Dello Joio's Satiric Dances, Philip Glass, & Niagara Falls. And, honestly, a feast for the eyes and ears....isn't that why we all love marching band/drum corps? Why would this be terrible if a corps did a full-field tarp? 

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2 hours ago, Jake W. said:

That's because Texas is its own (wonderful) high school band world that really only within the last five years has embraced BOA & the national circuit as a state, and not just the top few groups, and marching band as a whole in the state is better for it (even better than it was). Outside of Texas, BOA & DCI have in fact been in tandem for decades, as mentioned by other posters. Pull & push, sometimes various corps have led the innovation, sometimes various high school bands lead it, often times both cases in the same year. The only difference is that the BOA rule book has generally created an environment where innovation is more encouraged, especially in regards to the two circuits in the 90s. It's just the way it is ---- our activity (and yes, it's one niche activity with two branches) is FAR more incestuous than the sports world, almost infinitely so, and there's simply no way to get around the high school circuit and the drum corps circuit totally sharing designers, judges, and teachers. 

I actually see WGI as the circuit that drives our activity the most right now, as there is by far more freedom to innovate there --- although I fail to see why this is such a massive a problem for anyone.

As to the topic at hand, O'Fallon Township was excellent this year and earned their first Finals appearance. I loved the tarp and the concept. It created some stunning visual moments and was quite a feast for the eyes, while being paired with some great music like Dello Joio's Satiric Dances, Philip Glass, & Niagara Falls. And, honestly, a feast for the eyes and ears....isn't that why we all love marching band/drum corps? Why would this be terrible if a corps did a full-field tarp? 

I disagree that there was pull and push outside of Texas. I went to a TX “BOA school” and followed the top groups at nationals during that time. Everyone was still chasing The Cavaliers in design. That corps designed circles around most of the top H.S. groups and their cheesy props, voice overs, silly costumes, etc. Cavies got their GE the hard way, without relying on external “crutches.” TX was obviously better about not giving into BOA nonsense, but nationally you still had bands like Carmel and Marian Catholic who would’ve fit right in at the UIL state marching contest.

Doing something wacky and different isn’t inherently “pushing the activity.” It’s just being wacky and different. Covering the entire field with a tarp isn’t a feast for my eyes, because my eyes are rolling into the back of my head. It’s such a juvenile demand for attention. Instead of generating interest with your actual performance, you demand that I pay attention to your giant prop that’s burning a hole in my retinas. Extremely lame, and so very “high school.”

Innovation is born from limitations. You mentioned sports, but I don’t think that comparison works like you want it to. In basketball they might slightly change the rules from time to time, but the court is the same size with 2 hoops at the same height. In soccer they might change how certain penalties work, but they still don’t let you pick up the ball with your hands and run. Coaches have to design their plays around each game’s limitations. That’s what makes them beautiful.

DCI giving in to the BOA prop arms race has been super disappointing for me to watch. That’s not innovation, that’s just claiming freebie GE points because you weren’t a good enough designer to get them the real way. I get why it’s done — it’s an easier, more reliable way of securing GE points. That doesn’t make it more impressive, though, and at the end of the day, that’s what I want out of a DCI show. To be impressed.

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5 hours ago, Jeff Ream said:

no but stadiums with natural grass will be an issue...it's why others that used tarps in the past didn't use them at those venues

Same case with HS 

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I hope never for safety reasons.  They get moldy and seriously just not suited for outside.  If your GE counts on it..revisit your show design and take a deep breath.  WGI is INSIDE and smaller venue.  Apple and oranges.

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11 hours ago, GUARDLING said:

my experience is coast to coast so I do get the facts 🙂..Atheltic directors even today in a few places STILL bark at guard shows even with tarps  sometimes 2 so what came 1st the chicken or the egg...lol 

Order both from Amazon in separate shipments and see which arrives first...:whistle::peek:

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