One rule change that could modify the game

[cixelsyd]

Getting back to the topic of this thread:

On 11/6/2025 at 6:53 PM, Slingerland said:

Make a bold proposal.

Mine is to make GE just 25 points of the score and take the 15 points freed up and put them solidly in captions that are unequivocally "execution" oriented.  Why? Because the kids in every corps can commit to cleaning the snot out of the work they're given, but they can't do anything to make a pig of a program all of a sudden well designed. Balance the "execution" element off with an "exposure" element (and yes, that is how it was done back in the day, so we know how it works).

Benefit? It makes five-figure program designers and program coordinators less important to the overall success, hence less important to seek out or retain. Side benefit - it would make it less risky for corps to hire younger designers, and Lord knows, we need some fresh ideas.

I want the same thing you do... but there are no captions that are, as you put it, unequivocally execution oriented.  Every judge in the subjective system is split 50-50 between a design subcaption and a performance subcaption.

If we want fresh ideas, we need fresh input.  Best would be to get people from outside the mutual admiration society of the established marching arts judge/design pool, and allow them to judge even a 5-point sliver of general effect without "training" their unique perspective out of them.  Another would be to ask established judges to sequester for awhile, then judge GE where every corps is a first-read.  Yet another would be to expand the judging pool to the point where no one judges GE more than once a year (there are a lot of other marching arts judges out there).

[wolfgang]

This has the same obstacle as any other rule idea:  The corps govern themselves. 

[cixelsyd]

Actually, it is far worse than that.

a.  All the corps are governed by an elitist subset of corps.

b.  Rule changes go through caucuses of designers, instructors and the like.  Corps directors have the final vote, but it is only really a veto power.  (And maybe I should make that past tense.)

[jthomas666]

On 11/6/2025 at 9:02 PM, 2muchcoffeeman said:

The Elephant in Room: Will 19-year-olds pay for this execution-forward experience? They did in 1980; will they do it again 45 years later?

The biggest revenue driver is camps and tuition. Camps and tuition revenue are directly correlated to prospective-member interest level. Prospective-member interest is driven, first, by the show design that the corps put on the field in August. Show design drives member interest; prove me wrong.

Kids want to be part of something they think will make them cool among their peers.

The Colts are clean. Dollars to donuts that camp numbers at Colts are a fraction of the number at Bloo, and it's not because Bloo is incrementally cleaner. Nothing against Colts; it's just the way it is. Captivating, spellbinding — read: Expensive — design in August draws crowds in November and December. 

tl;dr: Does the customer want to buy what you're selling?

Good point.

However, if what you say is true, then if GE is reduced in value, design will still be driving prospective-member interest.

Or is it marching for a potential champion that drives potential-member interest?  If that's the case, then again, reducing the value of GE will not dampen potential-member interest. 

[contraguard05]

1 hour ago, jthomas666 said:

Good point.

However, if what you say is true, then if GE is reduced in value, design will still be driving prospective-member interest.

Or is it marching for a potential champion that drives potential-member interest?  If that's the case, then again, reducing the value of GE will not dampen potential-member interest. 

If I could forge a birth certificate and get new knees, I'd go where I was pushed to my limits, did cool stuff, and thought it was a good environment. For me that's the Blue Stars or Boston Crusaders weapon line, or the Bluecoats tubas.

Two out of those three traits tend to be found mostly in the upper echelon. I know my preferences may not be representative of today's members, but I imagine those things still matter to some extent.

[Jeff Ream]

On 11/9/2025 at 8:02 PM, jwillis35 said:

One rule that would change everything: 

Corps are only allowed to recruit members from within a 4 hour radius

- I personally would not like this but it would change A LOT!

Yeah it would change how many corps remained 

[Jeff Ream]

23 hours ago, wolfgang said:

This has the same obstacle as any other rule idea:  The corps govern themselves. 

Yup

[OldSnareDrummer]

15 minutes ago, Jeff Ream said:

Yeah it would change how many corps remained 

On the flip side, the Guardians could probably become a dynasty. 

[OldCorpsGuy]

2 hours ago, Jeff Ream said:

Yeah it would change how many corps remained 

And not for the better. 

[Slingerland]

Another option that I hope would garner widespread support.

Every frigging trombone gliss is a .5 penalty for each and every trombonist who performs one.  Trombone "splatting" (which has become unconscionably popular) would result in an immediate DQ.

Edited November 11, 2025 by Slingerland