Capital Sound to remain inactive in 2009
October 13, 2008
To all Capital Sound marching members, friends and alumni:
Capital Sound Drum & Bugle Corps wants to thank you for your support during the 2008 season of marching inactivity. In order to best ensure the success of the drum corps and a long future, it is with sadness that the Board of Directors announces that 2009 will be an inactive year as well.
While this decision is not an easy one to make, we feel it necessary for several reasons. We have watched more and more corps struggle and fail at increasingly difficult demands to remain active in DCI and other financial obligations. We have deliberated long and hard exploring every avenue possible to return to active status for 2009.
While this decision is not an easy one to make, we feel it necessary for several reasons. We have watched more and more corps struggle and fail at increasingly difficult demands to remain active in DCI and other financial obligations. We have deliberated long and hard exploring every avenue possible to return to active status for 2009. Some of those deliberations and negotiations have had legal and other privacy issues to honor. After finally exhausting every option we could think of, we have made the gut wrenching decision to remain inactive while we work to restructure the entire organization to better fulfill our stated mission for the future.
The economy has affected all of us and the drum corps world is no different. Due to our inactivity in 2008, we would incur a substantial amount of fines from DCI when we reactivate the corps. In addition, our inactivity in 2008 meant that the Corps had no income.
Please believe that the Board is committed to refunding the marching members’ dues as was communicated earlier in the summer. We will be working on liquidating the Corps’ assets and refunding those amounts as soon as is possible. Please be patient as it is not a quick or easy process. We are working to do the best for the Corps and its marching members.
This is not the end of Capital Sound. The Corps will continue to operate the UW Concessions through the football and basketball seasons.
We realize that this may be upsetting news to our friends and members and we apologize if you have heard this announcement from other sources.
Board of Directors
Capital Sound Drum & Bugle Corps
May our sound always be heard!
Editor’s Note:
When contacted for his comments on the Capital Sound announcement, DCI Executive Director Dan Acheson replied: "Drum Corps International is indeed saddened to hear that the Capital Sound will not be in a position to participate in the 2009 season. Throughout the years the corps has provided many great experiences for their members. We are hopeful for their return to the field in the near future.
It is important to note that the “DCI fines” mentioned in their release refer to measures taken when a corps commits to a tour then backs out at the last minute as Capital Sound chose to do in 2008. The policies established are those decided upon by all the participating corps. The reason such policies are in place is to protect participating corps and show organizers from losing a show or suffering a loss due to such last minute decisions. Often when a corps is in a position to return to the field and the organization has passed an evaluation the fines are reduced based on a variety of circumstances."
