What REALLY needs to happen?

[drumcat]

I don't believe a change in the sheets is necessary. To the extent that amps enhance or detract from the musical experience they will naturally impact the numbers. That is enough for me.

Naturally? Tell us you don't believe that's happening...

[audiodb]

Let's take 2005 for an example. If the Bluecoats drum speak had gone off track, well...that was a small portion of a big drum feature, and perhaps the whole line could have "yelled" it sans mikes to try to compensate, in order to still create the effect. That's a small penalty.

The word "penalty" might confuse some in this case. If an effect is "missing" one day due to amplification failure rendering it inaudible, it simply doesn't get whatever credit it would have gotten had the judge heard it.

Then, you have a show like Boston 2004...where the narration was basically an overlay onto a large, easy premise (color) that could be communicated without "descriptors" from the narrator. That may explain why their score remained relatively stable when they weren't used at the Orlando regional.

Then you have shows like the Cadets' Columbia performance, where noises detracted from the whole ensemble; where featured vocalists were rendered unintelligible, at times due to distortion, other times due to the amps cutting in and out; where the remainder of the ensemble had their effects disrupted by said cutting in/out; and where these severe problems went on for a full third of the show (3:30).

It's certainly something to do on a case-by-case scenario....there can't really be a "this gets x points off" thing since a show might not rely on it that much, as we can see.

However, the judges should be charged with ascertaining where and how much the amplified portions fit into the overall theme (GE), and take off points accordingly as to how much those ideas are relied on to deliver the "effect". :)

Exactly.

[audiodb]

How do you figure amplification into the sub-caption it goes in?

Which one does it go in?

From what was said on Season Pass, the GE music and ensemble music captions are affected. There's still some unresolved debate over whether either performance caption should/could be affected.

How much of the weight of that subcaption can be "used" or is earmarked for amps (I mean, if an amp is improperly wired, catches on fire and burns the stadium down, does the corps get a big, fat goose-egg in that subcaption for the night or does the amp score have a cap?).

How do you account for the "amp weight" in a subcaption when a corps doesn't use them?

There is no separate portion of a caption allocated for amps. Music judges are supposed to judge what they hear - the total result of the corps' efforts in brass and percussion (and vocals), whether amps are involved or not.

[jwscv87]

Naturally? Tell us you don't believe that's happening...

Of course I believe it is happening (so call me naive). I don't see how malfunctioning or poorly designed use of amps could possibly NOT impact the scores.

To add a caption addressing amps specifically you are essentially requiring their use. That would be a huge mistake IMO.

Edited June 29, 2006 by jwscv87

[drumcat]

Of course I believe it is happening (so call me naive). I don't see how malfunctioning or poorly designed use of amps could possibly NOT impact the scores.

To add a caption addressing amps specifically you are essentially requiring their use. That would be a huge mistake IMO.

You asked... naïve

[audiodb]

OK, now that I've actually read the poll itself....

This poll is flawed. Option #1 (amplification problems affect scores) does not require a rule change, nor does it require a change to the sheets. It is already current DCI rule and policy, according to that Season Pass interview.

The "change" that many would like to see is for judges to follow that policy....

[bawker]

OK, now that I've actually read the poll itself....

This poll is flawed. Option #1 (amplification problems affect scores) does not require a rule change, nor does it require a change to the sheets. It is already current DCI rule and policy, according to that Season Pass interview.

The "change" that many would like to see is for judges to follow that policy....

Yeppers. :)

[CrunchyTenor]

My response is easy, since I opposed amplification in the first place. #3 is my answer. I don't like it in band, I don't like it in corps. It's a "foreign" sound, if that makes sense to you.

In the event that my wish does not come true (no big surprise if it doesn't), a change to the sheets is unnecessary, but a definition of how amp malfunctions/balance problems should affect scoring should be reviewed during the off-season. (Kinda late to do anything about it now.)

Garry

[Jeff Ream]

How do you figure amplification into the sub-caption it goes in?

Which one does it go in?

How much of the weight of that subcaption can be "used" or is earmarked for amps (I mean, if an amp is improperly wired, catches on fire and burns the stadium down, does the corps get a big, fat goose-egg in that subcaption for the night or does the amp score have a cap?).

How do you account for the "amp weight" in a subcaption when a corps doesn't use them?

Sorry.. had to edit it for clarity.

in ensemble, amps would fit in under any portions devoted balance and blend.

in GE, it would be performer effect, because while it may be written in under the design portions, if it doesnt work, the performance will be flat.

if it cant be gone, it should at least be addressed when the effects fall flat or balance is out of whack

[MikeD]

I'm asking politely that people really take a moment to consider before you vote.

If amplification on field (voice, pit, whatever.. "use of amplifiers" would be the general topic heading) were to be judged more accurately, would you be satisfied?

Or will you only be satisfied in the unlikely event that amps are repealed?

Thanks!

#4...it's the closest thing to "none of the above".

IMO the sound should be evaluated, no matter how it is produced. No need for special anything regarding amps.