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This is enough to make me stop lurking. dans, I appreciate your point, and agree that you shouldn't necessarily be downvoted solely because you provided a contrary opinion, HOWEVER, there is some insinuation here that I believe needs to be corrected. 1) "If DCI doesn't listen to the successful in the activity" indicates that the members of DCI aren't interested in input from the (competitively) successful groups, which is a fallacy. If I understand history correctly, none of their directors has run for a seat on the DCI BoD since 2010. It's not that they are being kept out or that folks aren't interested in listening, they are intentionally not participating in any leadership. Which of course hanicaps the entity as whole if any larger constituency isn't engaged in forward thinking discussions. That's very important to note. 2) "Kudos to the 7 for thinking outside of the box" implies that there is a plan of some sort, when George explicity states that they have no plan. If you take it in another context that they are thinking "outside" of the governace box and proposing a new governance model, that's true, but a) it's not a new model, it's a reversion and b) Hop was the one that advocated for the governance model currently in place a few years ago, IIRC. 3) Lastly, I understand the value we all place on "on-the-field" success in this wonderful activity. Consider for a moment that there may be some intelligent directors who may have been "successful" on other areas, (say, business development?) beyond 12th place.

Although . . . . the "victim" card has its limits.

Not for nothing, and I haven't read the entire thread, but at what point to kids realize that, if someone is making money from this gig, why are we paying $3000+ to participate? Silly thought? Perhaps. But it sounded good to me at 1am Carry on.

I'll be honest...if push comes to shove, I'm not sure all 7 bolt DCI

I just wish we had specific proposals how to make DCI more marketable to performers and audience. Honestly, the G-7 leaders might well have CORRECT ideas how to kick-start DCI in a challenging economic environment. Like them, or not, these are intelligent and capable people. Too bad, all we can do is assume they are right or wrong. Based on what, exactly?

OK Catherine!

But based on previous statements by SEPTEM, that's exactly what won't happen if they get their way now. Surely their first move, upon the membership voting to change DCI's bylaws so that only the top twelve can vote in the future, will be to call for a new vote, to change DCI's bylaws again so that something like the G-7 proposal takes effect. This proposal will of course pass by a vote of seven to five (and may very well strip the five of voting power). And then DE ZEVEN will arrange things so that they each get a bigger cut of the show proceeds, and exclusive weekend shows with no competition from lower-ranking corps, and permanent status for themselves as members of this elite. How on earth does anyone "get better" on the terms LES SEPT are known to advocate? Given this flouting by NG PITONG of DCI's mission of cooperation and mutual benefit for all corps, the question is: what kind of hardball should DCI be playing this month? DCA banned Renegades for a year because their members smashed up some hotel rooms, on the grounds that such activity reflected badly on the organization. This G-7 nonsense seems much worse to me, much more detrimental to drum corps as a whole (rather than to the little club for seven groups who think they're everything). Should, and can, DCI ban Blue Devils and Cadets (and any other ringleaders of this nonsense) from participating in DCI events for, oh, the next three years? Will that be enough to end this foolishness? Could those corps survive even one year without at least half their expected show income? DCI certainly can survive without two or three corps, even the past two years' champions. Would the other five members of A HET abandon BD and Cadets, given that with two fewer corps, they now get a slightly bigger share of the DCI pie (and a clear shot at victory, in Crown's case)? (edited to fix a couple typos)

A bittersweet farewell.

Is there anything now that prevents them from voicing their ideas and making proposals? There certainly have been plenty of rules changes over the last decade that I would presume came from "G7" corps. The problem is that they tend to make changes that increase the cost of operating a drum corps without any matching increase in attendance because that change was implemented. Electronics didn't add to attendance, as far as I can tell. But, it did become more equipment each corps had to buy. That's because ROI in drum corps is measured in what score they get and not whether the additional cost to get that score meant any more revenue for the drum corps activity. Just because someone is intelligent at one thing, doesn't make them have a marketing background or knowledge of econometrics. Does any G7 director have an MBA? Have they ever run a business other than their drum corps?

I would really like to hear someone other than Hopkins open their mouth publicly about this whole thing. Thanks to Arnold for making some statement, but he didn't address the G7 specifically. From what I've read Gibbs/Devils is a major player, and maybe Fiedler/SCV has his mitts in the oven. What about the other corps? They are all sitting in on the weekly conference call, that is indisputable. Let's hear from them, if not a statement then someone should ask them about it while doing a fluff piece for DCI Today, or the DCI webpage, or one of the many interview opportunities during the summer. Let's shine a light into the darkness and see if the rats scramble or if they stand firm.

I think DCP, like nearly all internet forums, is full of a lot of passionate people who are on the outside: people not designing shows, attending rules meetings, in on conference calls with directors, etc. Essentially people who at worst have zero experience in the activity other than a fan, and at best have previously marched, taught, designed, directed but currently do not. There are a few people on here who are currently on a drum corps BoD, who do work for corps, etc. But most of us (myself included) are not actively involved in the activity more than as a fan, parent, or volunteer: we aren't in on any meaningful design or direction decisions for DCI or its member corps. With that in mind, we are giving uninformed opinions, based on at best one interpretation of one side of the argument, and at worst just our own emotion. Without seeing how the Directors' meetings play out, without hearing exact plans laid out but both sides, internet forums are just fan fodder. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't have a "soft spot" for the G7. I just want to be informed before jumping in persecuting any ideas that aren't entirely fleshed out to the public, without hearing BOTH side give their arguments, etc. We have yet to hear any of that, so getting passionate about a leaked email, or powerpoint without seeing how it plays out officially is getting passionate without proper context.

This. And, I STILL wonder how the 7 judge neither Madison nor Boston to be "successful".....

wining on the field doesn't always equate to winning in the board room

you're also smart enough to know in a committee, some voices have more power and sway than others. if you don't have a vote on the EBOD, just the regular BOD, is it wise to #### off the EBOD guys? having people run an organization that compete against each other 3 months of the year, then try to be buddies the other 9 months is lunacy.

Some of us who were there at the beginning of DCI remember how in the early years some of these G7 Corps would not have made it, as it was their fellow member DCI Corps, more experienced than they at the time, helped pull them thru some rough financial, and competitive stretches. Their Corps Directors went to DCI sponsored Seminars in the winter months, run by DCI founders, other DCI Corps Directors, business and marketing consulting people, to provide these Corps advice, direction, support, etc on how to develop and successfully run a DCI Corps. This training allowed these Corps to get off the ground and to provide them an foothold to help them to grow and to later prosper. Which they did. Without their fellow DCI member Corps staff providing such assistance, support,encouragement, etc to some of these G7 Corps back then, few of them would even exist today, and that irony is not lost on some of us that " remember way back when ".... when the Troopers, Boston, Madison, Blue Stars, 27th, Crossmen, Kilties, etc were on top but never tried to hurt the Blue Devils, Cadets, Phantom Reg., Bluecoats, etc that were below in placements ( WAY below, in some early years too I might add ), but instead these DCI fellow Corps Directors offered most of these G7 Corps assistance, support, training, advice, encouragement, etc.

I know the scores and placements mean practically nothing when it comes down to it, but I'm giving everyone outside the idiotic G7 thing extra support in 2013, especially to someone who gets bigger crowd responses than just about all of them! Can't wait to see what Madison brings in 2013! Keep moving up!

Much like the Troopers cavalry styled uniforms, Bayonne's Hats and yellow Coats, and of course the kilts with my beloved Kilties.. The renegades uniform set them apart, and was part of their identity, and frankly, was a part of their coolness. There in fact a desperate need to get back to that classic identity.

I am probably more excited for this year's show than I have been in 10 years. Bought my San Antonio tickets today - from the Scouts of course.

We march agressive drill and trombones at West Chester U(the better WCU ) It can be a real pain in the ### at times. Doing a 180 at a flying backup into a halt at 2 step intervals comes to mind. It's always the backfield to front field stuff where we ran into problems. There is just no way to make it look clean. Personally I'm not the biggest fan of trombones in marching band. I was switched to baritone in HS. And I'm glad I was. I like the sound of a trombone section in marching bands. But it is so hard to clean visually. Trombone players are awful with upper body stuff. Yes, it is possible to clean... but trombone players are a pain in the ### in the first place. And going out to 5 + positions while marching is no fun... and some body moves while playing just don't work well. I love the trombone. I've been playing all my life. I just don't see a place for it in drum corps of today. I wouldn't be hurt if it was allowed for solo or small group purposes, especially since it projects fine with NO i repeat NOOOOOOOO AMPLIFICATION necessary. Just don't see a need for it on the field. And whoever said something along the lines of cleaning trombones musically is a challenge. It's no more a challenge than cleaning slow fingers.. in fact I think it can be easier to clean. I had a #### clean trombone section at WCU when I was section leader. Cleaner than the baritones.. that's for sure. And we had plenty of challenging music.

Hmmm I see quotes in the first post like and and Didn't see anything there address what I wrote. Please go ahead and copy/paste what I must be missing in the 1st post of this thread proof that the directors have intentionally not been engaging the DCI BoD for some reason. Thanks

Garfield, I think I speak for most of us here on DCP when I say a huge THANK YOU for the herculean task you undertook on our behalf. I know for me personally, I have a redefined outlook on a great number of corps now, seeing what they have to work with. It also has affected how I, and I think others, view DCI current events. Thanks again - while we haven't commented as much as you might have expected, I guarantee we have all been watching and reading! Mike

Welcome all to open house!!! Can't wait it's been too long. Can't wait to get going

This is CLASSY!

That is not how it works. We have already seen that the "The 7" have declared themselves the ruling class of the activity. The first change they made to the format of the shows formerly known as TOC was to remove the merit-based qualification of the Boston Crusaders, who beat the Cavaliers fair and square in 2012. So "better" does not matter.

In all the questioning, dissing, discussion, and explanations in this thread, I think this is the worst part to read. As we see corps folding, going inactive, and barely surviving on life support, to lose a corps for political reasons is sad. I think the bridge needs to be mended and both DCA and the Renegades should meet once again in the middle. I hope this can happen. Good luck to the Renegades this year. I am looking forward going to open house on the 26th with a car load of other Southern California people! Should be a great weekend.

I'm performing with another corps at a couple of the same shows as them, but I'll do my best to be in the stands by the time they're on. 2012 made them my favorite corps, and I'm not going to miss a chance to see them live, especially after a year like that. Whatever is going on with the G7, I'll be there to see amazing performers putting on an amazing show. Looking forward to the show announcement whenever it happens.

Gary, I like the Renegades, too! I considered other messages including . . . Time to move on. Give it a rest. What's done is done. There's no going back, only forward. Tomorrow is another day. etc. Maybe my choice was a bit harsh.

First, as you know I am a Renegades fan and supporter,.......but, now we blame the posters on DCP?

So, after more than two months and nearly a thousand posts and 75,000 views, we come to the end of our little venture. We've reviewed 22 corps plus DCI and I've very much enjoyed getting to know the financials of each corps a little better. (This is where each of you give me a green plus because, either, you're glad I'm finally done and/or you appreciate the effort. /shameless plug.) There have been quite a few surprises that changed the assumptions I had going in, not the least of all is the recent success that DCI has had. While I'm not surprised at the lack of comments (expecially considering the views) I'm happy and thankful that the thread stayed on course and that everyone avoided the urge to derail it. Nothing ever dies on DCP so this consolidated record will be available to reference for as long as John D allows it ("Hail to the king. Long live the king!"). I have several things to do yet. First will be to update the spreadsheet and post it in the next couple of days. That'll be the raw data. Then I think I'll start a thread where comments about the data will flow a little easier and where we can discuss some of the conclusions that come out of this exercise. I'm thinking about a poll, too. And I've been asked to write an article summarizing the findings of the 990s. The likely most significant annual meeting in DCI's history is coming up in two weeks. Perhaps this data would be useful to some attending that meeting. Perhaps the commentary from DCP will be illustrative, too. So pipe in on the upcoming 990's discussion thread. Thanks for playing. garfield

I'm sure the show will be highly entertaining, but by signing onto a DCI split/coup attempt that can only hurt the lower tier corps, they put a really bad taste in my mouth. And as for CrownBaritone's comment, I fully support the marchers, but I think Crown is doing you guys wrong by supporting Hop's plan, and I think you and everyone in the drum corps community will be far worse off once the dust settles. I'm not trying to stir anything up. I'm just saying it's disappointing and the side effect is that I don't really care what their show is, and I won't be making an effort to see it this year.

The solution is simple: Just put the names of all the "Group of 7" corps in a hat, then draw one name. This corps will be ostracized by the fans for one entire season. Nobody goes to their sponsored show/shows. Nobody buys tickets or merchandise from them. Nobody stays in their seats for their performance in any show, all season long. Instead they file out beforehand and return afterward. I think the Director of this corps would quickly get the message.....

Having been to the HBCU Honda Battle of the Bands, I've been (slightly) exposed to this sort of production, though I didn't witness a "tunnel." It certainly is enthusiastic, but I hope no one ever tells them they could be more like drum corps, because what they have is singularly unique and wonderful in its own right, and it fits the purpose for which it is intended. Conversely, drum corps is what it is for the purpose for which it is intended. When fans proclaim, "Stop trying to change drum corps!," or, "Stop trying to make drum corps more like marching band!," I don't think this is what they had in mind to be concerned about, and I suspect it would only add fuel to a fire that isn't begging to be ignited. Each activity needs to be appreciated for what it is, and not unappreciated for what it isn't.

Hey Everyone! I wanted to share this new performing arts organization that is being formed in the Sacramento, CA area. Currently in the works is an all-age winter guard, with a mini-corps and coming this summer, and eventually a full all-age corps on the horizon. More information to be coming shortly, but suffice it to say this is going to be a very exciting couple of years for the Northern California Area! Take a look! http://momentum916.tumblr.com/post/36223748947/exciting-new-performing-arts-organization-formed-in

Are you trying to limit the creative palette of drumcorps' visionaries?

Although that would only be appropriate for The Seasonings,the Serenude (for devious instruments) and Shepherd on the Rocks, With a Twist.

4. Suppose canned hams were being sold at G7 Souvie Booths, Buy One Get One Free.

Oh, I am sooo looking forward to the next letter soliciting contributions from at least one of the "Magnificent 7" on whose list I currently reside...

One thing to remember about any and all DCP posts is that the people on here do not even come close to representing the drum corps community at large. Any emotional reaction on this forum is only a reflection of the people that frequent this forum. If Renegades are wanting to move forward...more power to them. They certainly shouldn't be held up by any views stated here. As always...just my 2 cents. Dan

Bump! Winterguard, Mini-Corps, Drumline, Drum Corps...A journey underway. Join us.

Didn't Madison win twice (75, 88); Anaheim & Star once? Oh I see, perhaps you are counting the ties to offset some of that? Still not working but I am not best at math in public.

I left DCI for DCA (as a spectator) specifically to escape the electronics.

I have been watching this thread for the last few days, weighing all of the comments and opinions, and decided to wait to see what the different opinions were. As the Director of a corps, I say let "the 7" go scratch in there own sandbox for a couple of years. Since the majority of "the 7" have finished their last few seasons in the red, its going to be up to the others to carry the financial weight. They won't be willing to do that for long. I find it hard to believe that corps like The Colts, The Troopers, The Crossman and the many other great Corps can not do a fantastic show without one of "the 7" in participation. I personally see this as a good thing, it's time for these tin plated dictators with delusions of god-hood to go away. Its been tried before. It has failed before. It will continue to fail. "The 7" are NOT DCI. The board is NOT DCI. The members ARE DCI. Let them leave. In fact, ask them to leave. They are doing nothing more than preventing Acheson and the rest from doing their jobs by making them deal with all of this stupid moronic bull. When "The 7" or "MIM" ,or whatever you want to call them, fails, then allow them to come back to DCI under the condition that they have new leadership. Permanently ban the Directors and The Board members of "the 7". Members of "the7"- your 15 minutes of fame are up and its time for you to just go away.

That model is long gone, and unless you have many many millions to start enough local corps all over the country, it is gone for good.

Regarding questions about Boston....BAC was NEVER part of the mutiny. In fact, the G6 + 8th place corps have repeatedly shown contempt for the Boston Crusaders. Boston beating Cavies in 2012 and Phantom in 2009 was an inconvenience to them, albeit an embarassing one. If those 7 corps are the best, what explanation do they have for these placements? And that doesn't even address the fact of various caption results---both SCV and Bluecoats losing to BAC in different captions at finals in 2011. Over the past 12 seasons, in fact Boston has been more consistent within the top 12 than Bluecoats or Crown, both of whom having placed lower than 10th during that period. The bright line between the "7" and everyone else exists only in the minds of those seven directors. To some of us, notwithstanding the outrageous behavior of the "7", this evokes memories of 1983 when Boston wasn't allowed into what was then Drum Corps East. It is noteworthy that at that time, two different regional drum corps circuits would not even allow Boston to participate. But, one organization DID.....it was and is called- Drum Corps International. Many on Boston's Board were marching or teaching then. They have long memories. It is also interesting to me that the two corps closest to the G7 and still excluded have combined over 150 years of drum corps longevity. Both Madison and Boston are survivors, and they will survive this as well. To the G6 + 8th place corps: DCI will carry on without you.

Is it possible to un-nominate some current HOF members whom are leading the G-7 charge?

Sounds very dada.

That right there ladies & gentlemen is a great post. Nicely done!

The sunscreen costs alone might be prohibitive.

Much appreciated, Ron H! That whole "let's keep everything under wraps" approach isn't in best interest of building excitement, promoting ticket sales, etc. I am thrilled MB has strong numbers. That's a good sign we need to see! Please put up some "winter video" when you can.