July 4th

[oldbandguy]

Taking a needed break from drill writing.

For what it's worth...

Here are the scores as of July 4 2006 next to the scores for July 4 2005. Blue Devils are not included because they were in Europe in '05, Glassmen are there now, and Blue Stars were Div 2.

Bluecoats 81.9/80.6 +1.3

Blue Knights 75.4/72.1 +3.3

Boston 77.15/75.65 +1.5

Cadets 82.2/82.75 - .55

Carolina 78.15/77.9 + .25

Cavies 82.6/82.4 +.2

Cap Reg 65.25/68.55 - 3.3

Colts 73.4/72.7 +.7

Crossmen 72.4/72.75 - .35

Esperanza 64.4/67.6 - 3.2

Madison 78.1/83.2 - 5.1 (had highest score in DCI on 7/4/05)

Magic 60.85/66.75 - 5.9

Mandarins 66.95/71.1 - 4.15

Pacific Crest 69.3/69.6 - .3

Phantom 80.45/80.6 - .15

Pioneer 58.15/61.85 - 3.7

SCV 77.6/77.75 - .15

Seattle 61.4/68.75 - 7.35

Spirit 70.95/74.05 - 3.1

Southwind 66.3/69.85 - 3.5

Some things that stand out to me. So much for West Coast inflation of scores this year. EVERY West Coast corps is down from a year ago. (BD excluded)

14 of the 20 corps are down from a year ago. 9 are down more than 3 points. (Seattle, Magic, Esperanza, Mandarins, Cap Reg, Scouts, Spirit, Southwind, and Pioneer.) Only 1 corps is up more than 3 points. (Blue Knights)

By the way, I believe the number of shows each corps has performed in '06 is very close to the number they had as of July 4 in '05.

Some points for discussion:

Why the drop in scores?

Are the judges being tougher?

Are the corps not performing to the level of '05?

Are the '06 shows more difficult?

Will a 99+ be possible this year?