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**Special DCN World Open Edition** 1963


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Actually, Nanci, this is GREAT historical stuff... Remember, the World Open was "the good guys" compared to many of the sponsors including the veteran's organization. Notice the following:

1. A sponsor published his own rules, created his own sheets and hired the judges. contests started in May and ended around October 1. Instead of the current 8 weeks, we had 20 or so weekends. Consequently, you had 20 or more opportunities to have different rules. Fortunately, many sponsors would choose either VFW or Legion rules, but they were vastly different and the adjudication process differed greatly from week to week. The variance in these rules was the primary factor in the formation of DCA in 1963 - first meeting, that is, the first championship was not until 1965 (and eventually DCI in 1972, and the combine before it in 1971)

2. If you read between the lines, World Open commitee was already trying to placate the corps by allowing the corps to "nominate" judges to form a "Pool" from which the panel would be chosen. As I remember it, this was very "token" and whoever they wanted to use still got used, but at least the effort was public. They were recognizing that corps input would bring greater attendance by the corps - especially the better corps...

3. Generally, the prize for each position was set in advance, but World Open was ahead of its time and set a prize pool with share points earned based on final position - Unbelieveably advanced thinking for the time.

anyway, great stuff... and a cool picture of Bucky Swan...

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Actually, Nanci, this is GREAT historical stuff... Remember, the World Open was "the good guys" compared to many of the sponsors including the veteran's organization. Notice the following:

1. A sponsor published his own rules, created his own sheets and hired the judges. contests started in May and ended around October 1. Instead of the current 8 weeks, we had 20 or so weekends. Consequently, you had 20 or more opportunities to have different rules. Fortunately, many sponsors would choose either VFW or Legion rules, but they were vastly different and the adjudication process differed greatly from week to week. The variance in these rules was the primary factor in the formation of DCA in 1963 - first meeting, that is, the first championship was not until 1965 (and eventually DCI in 1972, and the combine before it in 1971)

2. If you read between the lines, World Open commitee was already trying to placate the corps by allowing the corps to "nominate" judges to form a "Pool" from which the panel would be chosen. As I remember it, this was very "token" and whoever they wanted to use still got used, but at least the effort was public. They were recognizing that corps input would bring greater attendance by the corps - especially the better corps...

3. Generally, the prize for each position was set in advance, but World Open was ahead of its time and set a prize pool with share points earned based on final position - Unbelieveably advanced thinking for the time.

anyway, great stuff... and a cool picture of Bucky Swan...

Exactly why I didn't want to leave any of that lil issue out. It was too powerpacked with info!

Well, I'm glad someone over here is appreciating this great stuff! Heh..

Stay tuned!

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That 1963 World Open was a big day in the history of the Sunrisers. It was the show that really launched Sun onto the national drum corps scene.

Thanks, Nanci, for sharing this stuff!

Fran

Edited by Fran Haring
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