drumcorpsfever

Of course!

When the corps comes through your area, sponsor a special after-meal treat in the member’s honor. Get a couple cases of fresh strawberries, an ample supply of whip cream (cans are best for the fun factor), shortcakes, and ice cream. Set up of serving area and let the members make their own strawberry shortcakes. Be sure to have the corps approval to do so. The members will love it. Also, corps are always looking for volunteers. I’m sure there’s a multitude of things they’d love your help on.

So true. In addition to overall meaning, there’s always little things during the show that has meaning that is often missed. I enjoy watching he detail and knowing better what to look out for.

Good topic. I often have a hard time figuring out how the props fit with any given show. For that matter, an associated thread on show meanings and how to better understand what we’re seeing out there would be great too. Often times, the descriptions handed out by the corps leave so much to be desired.

Agreed. I think DCI’s statement was odd in that it mentioned measurable results in the past 2 yrs. Like, what exactly were those measurables? It read like cheap corporate BS to me.

Yes. WITHOUT THE RAIN! I always think it’s me that jinxes shows whenever I buy tickets in advance. However, the lineup for this shows screamed BUY TICKETS NOW! So, reluctantly, I bought tickets yesterday. Bring your ponchos and umbrellas!

One of THE BEST stadiums for a drum corps show. Acoustics are excellent, site lines perfect, seat elevation is pretty good. Parking is ample. Akron has made tremendous improvements in the area. Great venue!

Reflecting about the connection between Conn-Selmer and drum corps, it feels like we might be watching the closing chapter of something bigger than just a factory or a company decision. For decades, the sound of drum corps—especially in the G bugle era—was shaped by American-made brass from legacy brands like King and Conn. Those horns weren’t just instruments; they were part of the identity of the activity. You could hear the difference. You could feel it on the field. When DCI moved away from G bugles around 2000 and ushered in the Bb era, it changed more than just key signatures. It brought drum corps closer to the marching band world. Suddenly, the same horns showed up in high school programs, and Conn-Selmer was right there supplying both sides. That accessibility was great for growth, but some would argue it blurred what made drum corps unique in the first place. Now with production shifting overseas and the Eastlake, OH plant closing, it feels like another layer of that identity is being lost. This isn’t just about jobs (though that matters a lot); it’s about the end of American-made brass being central to the activity. For those who marched on those horns—or even just grew up listening—it hits a little different. Curious where others land on this. Is this just the natural evolution of the activity and the industry, or are we losing something important that can’t really be replaced?

Class act!

As for judges, DCI could get away with only 3-5 judges that would rank in order of overall placement without needing all the captions we currently have. It’s unlikely that in the grand scheme of placement, not much would be different. Think “The Voice”, “Dancing with Stars”, “American Idol”. There’s no reason that DCI needs so many judges.

I like the t-shirt

INSTRUMENTS AS PROPS, YES! How about a show about the evolution of instruments? From Ancient Horns, to Classical/Military, Renaissance, Early Modern, all leading to Modern. Imagine no valve bugles, to single, 2-valve. Then a resolution into Bb knock your socks off. This would be fun, easy to understand, visually appealing show. I'd find this very interesting.

There’s this:

Flo could have a running “tick-err” on the screen during broadcasts. Create the category, tick’err on the screen. There you go! Throw back to the old days, bring in the new with drum corps betting!

True. But… what competitive outcome can’t be readily predicted after the first head-to-head, or first viewing of a corps show? Things do change throughout the short season, but not to the degree where widespread betting would take notice or even care.