DCE Countdown (3) - 'It will be a first-rate show!'

In a few days it will again be time for the DCE Championships 2007. Many fans and participants are already experiencing sleepless nights as the European title contest promises to be more exciting than ever. In DCE Countdown we look ahead to 'Rotterdam' together with experts from the drum corps world. In the third instalment we interview 'corps watcher' and 'March & Show' editor Evert Kipp.

Are you counting down the days to 29th September?

"Of course. This year I have tried to follow the drum corps circuit more consciously than before, although I unfortunately had to miss the DCN Finals. As a result, however, I am probably looking forward to the DCE Championships even more so, even though it will be a very long day. I'll be missing my father-in-law's birthday as well, as his birthday is on the same day. He used to be a musician himself, so he does understand luckily."

Will it be an exciting title contest?

"Undoubtedly! Everyone does more than their best on this day. And those in the actual final push themselves even further. Although I am not a drum corps musician, my musical past at K&G means that I know how it feels to try and win the title. Once you have tasted victory, you want to achieve that again and will do everything you can to do so. I can imagine that every member of each corps will be giving their all this week to give the best performance of the season on Saturday. It promises to be a first-rate show!"

Who will win in the end?

"Oooh...that's a tough question, which nobody can really answer beforehand. Everyone will undoubtedly have their favourite. I personally find it difficult to judge. First of all, I'm not, or do not consider myself to be, a real expert, but just a drum corps enthusiast who enjoys following contests and performances. And secondly, I stand right in front of the corps on the field, due to the photos I take for our website. This means that I don't really get a good enough impression of the shows, which is needed for a well-founded judgment. I would incline towards Jubal, but that's mainly due to my musical preference. I haven't really seen much of the other top performers. I don't really mind who wins in the end. As long as the best corps wins, whether they be German, British or Dutch... The best has to win, whatever their nationality. Fortunately we have judges who decide."

Do you expect any surprises?

"Surprises must remain surprises mustn't they? Any surprises for me will naturally come from the foreign corps as I haven't seen much of them yet. In any case, the best surprise would be nice dry weather, with not too much wind, so that everyone can perform to the best of their ability. This would benefit everyone, participants and audience alike."

No tickets yet for the DCE Championships 2007? The kiosk at Sparta Stadium will be opening at 9:30 on Saturday morning to sell tickets to the general public. For only 15 euros you can have a place in the main stand from where you can enjoy 22 top European corps!