New Judging Terms for 2020

[xandandl]

 With the shift in emphases in movement and musical styles during recent seasons, new ways of expression are required to assist the communication on the adjudication tapes and competitive critique comments to align these with the new realities. In fact so much of the current vocabulary of assessment and evaluation pre-date DCI’s beginnings in 1972 of the previous century; their continued use may tinge the roster of 136 DCI judges (https://www.frontensemble.com/judges) as dated and even stodgy to the new mms, designers and faculty hip on moving past traditions and military-based manners to these new realities of field performance. These newer terms are derived from other sciences or as DCI terms them, Strategic Partners in the activity.

 To prepare for 2020 and beyond, to ready one’s self for the future Rules Congress discussions, and to appear erudite, relevant, and astute to the hordes at marching band and winter indoor contests before the next DCI season, now is not too soon to consider and integrate these new judging terms into one’s everyday conversations. DCP posters, Reddit roosters, and dinosaurs of all eras wishing themselves to appear current, contemporary, intellectual and aware would best approach the new language skills as if tackling SAT’s, ACT’s, GRE’s or M-Cats. Here are a few to trial. Certainly there will be more.

1.   Ecdysis refers to the constant change of garb by mms during performance shedding one set of clothing (whether deemed uniform or costume) much like a snake sloughing its skin. Similar to the advent of the constant change of flash flags by guards in the 1980’s and after, corps in the Cesario-Carlson era/error molt their vesture as if the audience has A.D.D. and grows weary of viewing the same wears every few steps.  The Strippers of Atlanta did this no less than 3X during their 2019 performance while many other corps such as Colts and Jersey Surf appeared to change only twice. Interestingly, SCV, Crown. Bloo, BAC and Cavaliers did not succumb to ecdysis which may account to their higher placements; the Allentown unit reverted to dysecdysis as the season progressed and disregarded the shedding which marked their early contests. Certainly there are some who believe that a Berry or Miller outfit should never molt.

2.   Tonic immobility as a visual term refers to the paralysis of movement (oft termed Staging) as opposed to the free-flowing of formations and drill. It replaces the BITD terms of “Park and Play” and “Park and Bark.” When the term is used musically, it would refer to each musical arrangement sounding like all the others the unit performs.

3.   Thanatosis is a term relating to “playing dead” (think Will Pitts ending Regiment’s ‘08 Spartacus and his age-out performance.) Thanatosis may also refer to the groveling on the ground and inability to stand on one’s feet which marks many of the “acting” efforts of today’s units. Obsequies often follow particularly when championship scores are announced. This is not always good.

4.   Sisyphean task connotes the endless pushing of props across the field particularly when done by musicians to hide that they are not playing their instruments while the props are moved. Like Sisyphus these efforts may be relentless but mark the hubris of the designer, not that of the marching member who would prefer to be a musician. The adjudicator and audience is to be distracted by the transit of the prop, a fete the front ensemble has mastered and excelled before and after every practice and performance. However, the front ensemble cannot be everywhere.

5.   Urban vistas refers to the cluttering of the green fields with tarps and props such that the grass and turf no longer is considered venerable green spaces for the environment but, like the cement cities of the metropolis, are doted with columns, buildings, faux-mountains, and other constructed objects hindering the natural view. Like builders fitting as many buildings on postage stamp lots as possible, bigger is not always better. Beware if your designer lives in a city and has never seen a panorama not suitable for cementing or camouflaging.

6.   Sonic filigree are those amazing exercises of masterful technique inserted into the score of a nice melody or lyrical piece to show off the talent and skill a horn line, arranger, battery or front ensemble wish you to acknowledge no matter whether the beauty of the piece is interrupted or disrupted. Sonic filigree is not necessary to the piece but sometimes is more memorable. When this is done electronically, it is known as white noise.  

7.   Stationary front is similar to its cousin in meteorology: that is something that is stuck in place. Most often it will refer to a horn line caught in tonic immobility.

***

These are the terms I have eked out of the Task Force so far. What others might you have learned??? 

Edited August 17, 2019 by xandandl

[Ghost]

These are the terms I have eked out of the Task Force so far. What others might you have learned??? 

Maybe later, I'm too busy with the dictionary right now.  Then, I have to research some of Jerry Van Dyke's material.

 

Edited August 16, 2019 by Ghost

[Jeff Ream]

comment i heard on a sound file this year:

 

" I'd love to freeze that moment like you're watching Flo so i could just stare at it in awe"

[leanlion]

2 hours ago, xandandl said:

 With the shift in emphases in movement and musical styles during recent seasons, new ways of expression are required to assist the communication on the adjudication tapes and competitive critique comments to align these with the new realities. In fact so much of the current vocabulary of assessment and evaluation pre-date DCI’s beginnings in 1972 of the previous century; their continued use may tinge the roster of 136 DCI judges (https://www.frontensemble.com/judges) as dated and even stodgy to the new mms, designers and faculty hip on moving past traditions and military-based manners to these new realities of field performance. These newer terms are derived from other sciences or as DCI terms them, Strategic Partners in the activity.

 To prepare for 2020 and beyond, to ready one’s self for the future Rules Congress discussions, and to appear erudite, relevant, and astute to the hordes at marching band and winter indoor contests before the next DCI season, now is not too soon to consider and integrate these new judging terms into one’s everyday conversations. DCP posters, Reddit roosters, and dinosaurs of all eras wishing themselves to appear current, contemporary, intellectual and aware would best approach the new language skills as if tackling SAT’s, ACT’s, GRE’s or M-Cats. Here are a few to trial. Certainly there will be more.

1.   Ecdysis refers to the constant change of garb by mms during performance shedding one set of clothing (whether deemed uniform or costume) much like a snake sloughing its skin. Similar to the advent of the constant change of flash flags by guards in the 1980’s and after, corps in the Cesario-Carlson era/error molt their vesture as if the audience has A.D.D. and grows weary of viewing the same wears every few steps.  The Strippers of Atlanta did this no less than 3X during their 2019 performance while many other corps such as Colts and Jersey Surf appeared to change only twice. Interestingly, SCV, Crown and Cavaliers did not succumb to ecdysis which may account to their higher placements; the Allentown unit reverted to dysecdysis as the season progressed and disregarded the shedding which marked their early contests. Certainly there are some who believe that a Berry or Miller outfit should never molt.

2.   Tonic immobility as a visual term refers to the paralysis of movement (oft termed Staging) as opposed to the free-flowing of formations and drill. It replaces the BITD terms of “Park and Play” and “Park and Bark.” When the term is used musically, it would refer to each musical arrangement sounding like all the others the unit performs.

3.   Thanatosis is a term relating to “playing dead” (think Will Pitts ending Regiment’s ‘08 Spartacus and his age-out performance.) Thanatosis may also refer to the groveling on the ground and inability to stand on one’s feet which marks many of the “acting” efforts of today’s units. Obsequies often follow particularly when championship scores are announced. This is not always good.

4.   Sisyphean task connotes the endless pushing of props across the field particularly when done by musicians to hide that they are not playing their instruments while the props are moved. Like Sisyphus these efforts may be relentless but mark the hubris of the designer, not that of the marching member who would prefer to be a musician. The adjudicator and audience is to be distracted by the transit of the prop, a fete the front ensemble has mastered and excelled before and after every practice and performance. However, the front ensemble cannot be everywhere.

5.   Urban vistas refers to the cluttering of the green fields with tarps and props such that the grass and turf no longer is considered venerable green spaces for the environment but, like the cement cities of the metropolis, are doted with columns, buildings, faux-mountains, and other constructed objects hindering the natural view. Like builders fitting as many buildings on postage stamp lots as possible, bigger is not always better. Beware if your designer lives in a city and has never seen a panorama not suitable for cementing or camouflaging.

6.   Sonic filigree are those amazing exercises of masterful technique inserted into the score of a nice melody or lyrical piece to show off the talent and skill a horn line, arranger, battery or front ensemble wish you to acknowledge no matter whether the beauty of the piece is interrupted or disrupted. Sonic filigree is not necessary to the piece but sometimes is more memorable. When this is done electronically, it is known as white noise.  

7.   Stationary front is similar to its cousin in meteorology: that is something that is stuck in place. Most often it will refer to a horn line caught in tonic immobility.

***

These are the terms I have eked out of the Task Force so far. What others might you have learned??? 

brilliant

this little essay puts you in the class of iron lips' prose skills.

your dark side has conquered your love of the activity.

can't help but remember that fateful day when members became students.

[garfield]

I think I'll cash in my interest chips before I learn these new terms.  I just don't care this much.

The corps need to grab me with music, motion, and spectacle before I'm interested in learning new lingo.

 

[mfrontz]

Sample sample: when a judge takes a moment to evaluate non-member produced digital contributions to the soundscape.

 

[Jurassic Lancer]

You lost me at Ecdysis. 

[kkrepps]

16 hours ago, xandandl said:

4.   Sisyphean task connotes the endless pushing of props across the field particularly when done by musicians to hide that they are not playing their instruments while the props are moved.

This makes me think of a time last year watching a Corps on Flo during Championships. The multicam zoomed in on a MM relocating a prop on the field in the middle of the show. I forget what musical moment was going on, but obviously the camera operator thought the Sysyphean task was the more important. 

[kkrepps]

Palaestraen movement refers to the musical phrase punctuated by gymnastics or other feats of extreme acrobatic skill. 

Edited August 17, 2019 by kkrepps

[Fran Haring]

I wonder if No. 5 might lead to the Urban Heat Island Effect, prevalent in cities during the summer, at drum corps venues nationwide.