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I like waffles.

I like pizza, I also like steak. Food is more interesting when there is a variety of quality stuff to eat.

Just saw this come across my newsfeed today: DCI is expecting to see the return of Southwind along with 4 other new corps that have applied for membership in 2015. Original article here. DCI is referring to this time as "a growing resurgence of startup drum corps," citing the six corps that joined open class last year as well. The new applicants include: Freedom Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Web | Facebook | Twitter Heat Wave Inverness, Florida Web | Facebook | Twitter Jewel City Byesville, West Virginia Web | Facebook | Twitter River City Rhythm Anoka, Minnesota Web | Facebook | Twitter Southwind Mobile, Alabama Web | Facebook I know of at least one other corps, The Battalion from Provo, Utah that is planning to apply for entry in 2016. What are your thoughts? Could we be seeing the return of a larger competitive field? Could drum corps become more widely known once again? Exciting times ahead!

That's a strange way to order waffles.

We've got two weeks to make or break our Bethesda, MD showing. This is a fundraiser for Thunder Brigade, a second year DCA corps in Gaithersburg MD. We're trying to bring Drum and Bugle Corps back to the DC area and could use your help! http://gathr.us/screening/10110 Our last day for reservations is February 19th!

Here's some corps that were around...well briefly in DCI: Spectacle City Mariners Blue Knights (Michigan) 32nd Hussar Queen City Cadets Mounties (St. Paul, MN) Drifters Gateway Combine Iron Cross Anyone remember some of these corps? How about a corps that didn't go to DCI...Oshkosh Warriors?

Just curious... since I'm new here, I've been going back through Corpsreps, and Wikipedia (yeah yeah yeah... I dont like it for research either) I noticed the Cabs and Kilts have been in the same garb forever, which is cool and has stood the test of time. But here's question for all of you out there in off-season land. And some homework for all you old farts. Who has any pics of historical uniforms of the rest of DCA, and what do you miss? For example... The Bucs wearing the powder blue thingamabob they had at some point. Did they have a long coat way back? Sunrisers actually wearing orange. Fusion... did they have anything else? Or did they always wear this uni since they're relatively new. Bushies. Whats the history and evolution of the sash? Why is there no neckerchief like your logo? MBI? yeah I dont miss the fedoras though. What about the rest of you? Canes, SunDevils, Skyliners....etc. What bright bold statement did these corps first make? What was the uni they were wearing when they first made finals?

Perhaps here are some from the past: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7GttwLodlE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5ZuERwCyMA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVQTBiCZY4I (skip to about the 3 minute mark) And of course ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=durOxs3MZ7E (also about the 3 minute mark) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBP5vtz72NA Also, wasn't there a dean of music who did the broadcast one year? I can't remember who or when, but I remember him saying of Phantom "Well, I hope they win!" or some such. Not a dean of journalism, apparently. Does it ring a bell or am I just ringing my own bell?

Rick Carpenter, who brought the Americanos back in 1980, claimed that there was a letter in the corps' archives from Post 199 asking permission to copy the Appleton S.A.L. uniforms. I assume the dingle ball look never flew in Hawthorne NJ. But one of these hats still survives. It is green.

I shall now necro this thread, once again, with my updated choices (having seen many, many more vids than last time I posted here). 1: Star of Indiana 1991 - Roman Images 2: Star of Indiana 1990 - Belshazzar's Feast 3: Blue Devils 1984 4: Garfield Cadets 1985 - Undiscovered Bernstein (?) 5: Garfield Cadets 1984 - West Side Story 6: Cadets of Bergen County 1990 - A Bernstein Celebration 7: Santa Clara Vanguard 1987 - the "Russian Show" 8: Madison Scouts 1988 9: Santa Clara Vanguard 1991 - Miss Saigon 10: Phantom Regiment 1991 - Phantom Voices

Hello everyone! Our uniforms for this winter fell through. We are in serious need of uniforms on a really tight time constraint (February 14th is our next show). If you or you know of any group that is selling lyrical style dresses (preferably gray but doesn't have to be) can you please have them email me at cmbeshaw@gmail.com Thank you so much in advance!

One of the reasons when there was a topic about changing the point system. Give some more points to music was a suggestion. But, with so many artsy instructors, judges, corps mgmt., etc. the odds of it happening are very slim.

Being in Utah, I've been able to see a bit of what the Battalion has been doing. They had a booth at every single marching band competition in Utah. They're definitely for real. Their first "experience" camp had great turnout and as I understand was quite successful for a startup corps.

To be fair, some of these corps really have taken some very good steps to ensure stability, too. Because some friends of mine are involved, I've been following the development of The Battalion out of Provo. They've been in existence for a while now, holding fundraisers and advertising/recruiting like mad. This winter they started hosting camps, with pretty good turnouts. All of this, and they aren't planning to apply for membership until next year, and then with a very limited tour. Planning things out years in advance, taking baby steps, and not moving on until the foundations are secure (aka good business!) If more startups did this, I think we would see a much higher survival rate in Open Class, and maybe even a higher rate of corps advancing to World Class status.

That's the downside of going all super-secret stealth mode between the middle of August and middle of June - your fans can get frustrated or bored really quickly and stop being your fans.

There are currently four, crowd-driven screenings of our drum corps movie scheduled across the Lone Star State, but they'll only happen if their ticket quotas are met before the deadlines. Please share the info below with your Texas friends! Houston, TX (Feb 5th screening) https://gathr.us/screening/10023 Dallas, TX (Feb 12th screening) https://gathr.us/screening/10100 Beaumont, TX (Feb 19th screening) https://gathr.us/screening/10249 Austin, TX (March 19th screening) https://gathr.us/screening/10132 To find details about screenings in other states, please visit: http://www.scoutshonormovie.com/screenings/ Thank you! Mac Smith Director/Producer - "Scouts Honor: Inside a Marching Brotherhood"

Hello everybody! 2015 will be my second summer with Santa Clara. I'm looking forward to another great summer! A little bit about me: I am a tuba performance major, and I am very involved in all the music ensembles at my university (brass quintet, jazz, symphony, wind ensemble, pep bands, etc.). I grew up in central California, and I'm currently a college student scraping by. If you're interested in sponsoring me for this summer contact me at: daniellarsene9@gmail.com Or to directly go to my gofundme page: http://www.gofundme.com/kc0bnc

I would like to see them do something totally new that hasn't been done before, yet showcases that Madison aggressive, in your face style. I also hope they put a lot more emphasis on visual excitement and stunning guard work!

My vote is for latin jazz. No one else is doing it & the crowd will eat it up.

You know, even though it's just a bunch hopeful speculation, a Part Tres of A Drum Corps Fan's Dream would actually be a great idea on the design team's part. Just look at the facts. It will be 19 years since Part Dos this summer, and 20 years since Part Uno. The shows are titled in a way that allows multiple parts, so a Part Tres wouldn't be considered a rehash of old stuff(so long as the design team keeps things fresh and introduces new ideas rather than defaulting to generic Spanish Phrygian Mode jams). Plus, Madison is in need of a revival of its image and the way younger audiences view them. A ########, balls to the wall, unforgettable show that reflects Madison's old identity while bringing new things to the table would definitely spark new interest in them. Just some thoughts I had. I'm sure whatever this new design team chooses to do will be awesome anyways.

Phantom's drill in 2010 was quite hard. One thing though, it was one example in the past several years where very little drill changed from the beginning of the season until the end and this coming after 2009 where so much changed. Myron is brilliant. He's also a really nice person.

Flam needs to give it a rest. With that said, you found it appropriate to attack BAC on their thread. I don't think you have much room to talk. And agreed with SFZ.

Can I be the first to ask Tes and Flam to get a room - take it to PM. We don't need or want to see this hot mess. It is going nowhere.

well not to mention that being a performer -- even a very good performer -- has little to do with being a great teacher.

Guard staffs have also become very specialized . BITD we were a staff of maybe 1 or 2 and good at it or not we had to learn EVERYTHING. This IMO is a reason you still see some of us and some big names in the activity still around. Today most new staff will just do rifle, or flag or sabre or dance or stretches or clean all different things etc etc etc. BITD you did it all ! It's also another reason when some of these bands hire a young new person to head their guard program , who marched in some big top 5 corps they get all excited only to find out it didn't work in many cases , often a diaster. It didnt work because many bands cant hire 20 people to do 1 section and expect the new hire to be able to do it all. oops.........back to Madison

You like what you like, which is fine. That has nothing to do with your general comment, which IMO is absolutely UNtrue. I like a wide variety of corps and shows, and placement has zero to do with it. BK has been on my own favorite list for a few years....Crown as well, going back a dozen years or so, with some notable exceptions. I like different corps every year, if they present a show that clicks with me...like this year's Bluecoats. I don't like or dislike a corps just because of their name...or where they place. Scouts have had some very good shows, and some that were not on my favorite list. Ditto Cadets, BD, etc. This is the first year BD has been on my own top list in over a dozen years, for instance.

You may want to take it BUT the kid thats paying 3 grand plus may not want to nor other Scouts Fans. Look you are certainly entitled to your opinion as well as your likes ad dislikes, No argument there but to ignore the importance of the competition aspect of this activity ( something in the roots of drum corps ) would be IMO a selfish and a non supportive behavior of the Scouts as well as the activity. Scouts can not stay in 12th and maintain that, few corps can. There will always be someone knocking at that door. Eventually, it would be very possible Scouts would just drift away, which IMO is way more not acceptable than a synth, or any silly narration or a soft ending to a show. Just my opinion.

You made a generic statement that says this: "Funny how "competitively relevant" and "crowd pleasing" seem to be mutually exclusive ideas today. Okay, not funny. Sad." THAT is not a Scout-specfic comment, hence my own non-Scout-specific comment. Your statement is just so NOT true. Lots of shows by "competitively relevant" corps in many seasons are also "crowd pleasing".

How so? The crowd loved the Bluecoats...they loved Blue Devils too...as well as the other top corps. And those groups were VERY competitive.

Did you happen to catch the Bluecoats?

This is the biggest over-generalization I've heard in a long time. Take a look at 2008 Phantom, any recent Crown, 2014 BD, Cadet's Angels and Demons show (can't remember the year) and about 100 other recently competitively successful and crowd pleasing shows for proof. Competitively relevant and crowd-pleasing appear, based on reading these MEN OF MADISON threads, to be two separate things in here.

or Cappybara vs. DCP, on most threads.

Ballsy is not how the end of their show should be described. Not saying it wasn't good, but it definitely wasn't ballsy.

This is probably the thing I absolutely hate the most about current DCI shows. The whole concept of "simultaneous demand" means we all have to watch hornlines play difficult passages while doing calisthenics. It usually looks so stupid that it's a facepalm moment for me every time. 1993 Star showed how you can do body movement and have it actually be effective. Unfortunately, no one else has seemed to figure it out.

Unlike DCI champions from: 79 where BD was 5th in drums and 80 where they were 6th, and Garfield was 5th in 83 and 7th in drumming in 84.

Maybe you should take it down a few notches. I don't think there's a conspiracy against the Scouts. I wish they were scoring higher as well but dude..... You are just inviting the usual suspects to come in this thread and bash the crap out of you by posting stuff like this.

I've kept my eye on the DCP scouts forum for years just to find out what's going on behind the scenes. As you can see, I don't comment very often (couldn't even remember my login info), but this is been the most whiney, complaining thread I can remember. Many need to lighten up and be supportive of the young men who are working so hard. IMO 1) This is not a bad show. It just hasn't gelled yet and I'm sure the staff is working on it. I like their concept of Stan Kenton with both the guard and corps uniforms - - slick and classy. If you don't know what I'm talking about just google Stan Kenton and check out the images. 2) Being a brass guy I can only say that the talent in the horn line seems to be there. This music is NOT easy and it make take a bit to get it clean. I have no doubt that they are working towards that daily. Personally, I would rather they push themselves with difficult music then play watered-down stuff. 3) It's important for any organization to have a consistent staff to be successful. Rarely does a group in any activity rocket to the top of their field without years of groundwork, preparation, and hard work. Be patient - it will come, meanwhile, be supportive, sit back, and enjoy. I am looking forward to seeing them live this year, personally I don't care what their score is. I know it will be an entertaining and quality performance. Maybe those who have got on this thread just to complain and cut them down should start another thread to mount their vengeance. As for me and my house, GO SCOUTS!!! Scouts Alumnus 88-90

I am a huge Madison fan. The Scouts are the sole reason I found, follow, and basically married myself into this activity two decades ago. That said, this year's design is an obvious train wreck. IF these kids were given a better vehicle to drive, the talent would propel them much higher into the DCI ranks. But this one is completely on the staff right now, especially Jim Mason. One has to wonder if he has surpassed his prime in this activity, as the past few years the competitive direction of this corps has seemed to skew in an undesired direction. We all know Jim is a legend in this activity, but something is awry with the direction right now, and I don't think I'm the only one who senses this. I also realize Madison typically doesn't give two ##### about where they place as long as the crowd is behind them, but this team promised the best of both worlds when they entered into this rebuilding project. And so far, all things considered, they haven't gotten the job done. I believe Komnick and Peterson have to realize this at some point and make some changes, hopefully finding a mutually beneficial agreement for the future direction of this corps. Placing no higher than 9th for what appears to be the 9th straight year now (I realize Mason only landed here in 2010), it just has to be affecting their ability to restock the shelves each year with talent that might be heading off to other places like Bluecoats, Cadets, or wherever else. I wish them the best of luck. But for the love of all that is holy, change that ending at the very least. I never ever thought I would consider Madison the hot dog corps in my lifetime (only Relampago got me close to that point...) but this year it is pretty much right there for me.

This might be the most pathetic piece of homerism crap I've ever read on DCP. Madison blew the opportunity to put a great show on the field this year, and their competition is cleaning more difficult, better designed shows. DCI doesn't owe Madison anything and neither do the judges. Deal with it.

Because the most points on the current DCI judging sheets arn't found in the Percussion sections any longer. They are primarily found in the Guard and in the Visual side. Crown won themselves a DCI Title last season with a 6th place percussion section. No way that happens if they had a 6th place Guard or a 6th place Visual caption. This year, Crown has an improved drumline and their brass line is still stellar. Why then are they in approx. 3rd or 4th place here in early July ? Look at their Visual and Guard scores.. If Percussion was where Corps could get their most points, then we'd see larger Percussion sections over the years, not larger Guards.

It comes down to this.... The OP asked if it can be worked since school started on Aug 1. I cannot speak to that County or it's school, but my school admin, teachers and band directors have worked with several students to be able to march drum corps and esp to miss time at the end of the school year. This thread is not about breaking contracts or being sued, it's about HS students being able to work with schools to have the wonderful opportunities that Drum Corps presents

And yet, many corporations not only allow...but encourage their employees to take time off from their jobs to participate in the Olympics. Why do you think they do that? Could it be that they see some potential benefit? Schools and universities are, by and large, not dumb.

No.... U are mixing this up. Plenty of people on Staff do this and again the word is- trust. While gone the staff in place take care of the students and prepare them. Staff members go home for various reasons during the summer including school activities but most districts are very understanding. Again being on a staff of a great drum corps will only serve to give ideas to further what you're doing in the classroom.... You know what doing multiple activities teaches Stu? It teaches students to manage their time. Most of us had to Work and go to College at the same time. You learn how to communicate better and be more structured with more on your plate. If your in college should u quit band to concentrate on your studies? College bands are made up of large part non music majors. In teaching, mNy of us judge/Teach Master Classes or lessons, or have a second job. All the while many Are married with families. Sharing time? Doing multiple things at one time? You bet. Plus let's not forget that employers and Universities want the best of the best. You don't earn respect by lessening your resume! Life is not about Choice of only one thing, it's about compromise and learning how to succeed through adversity. Sounds an awful lot like what marching band and corps offer.... Wes P

Stu respectfully I'm gonna disagree to a few of your points here. College and HS are not even comparable because of money. Missing HS band camp or missing a scholarship sanctioned College Band Camp are like apples n oranges. Both are fruit sure but in the end they look, feel and are different. I'm going to add this.... Letting my band members march corps and miss camp boils down to one word- Trust! I trust that they will come back with the mental focus necessary to do their jobs and know the differences between rehearsing in a band and a drum corps. If u needed to know why I'm a BK Homer it's precisely about how they prepare their membership to re-enter their various levels of life. My students and ex students come back with the necessary helpful and respectful attitude to contribute maturely without overstepping their bounds. In addition I also disagree with the idea of choices being made on one thing vs another. I was in 4 sports, band, FFA, student council, Boy Scouts and other activities. Somehow I managed my time to do all of those activities and it made me better prepared in life for multi tasking and being efficient in time. In my HS band I have students involved such as football players (even Varsity that march) and other athletes, choir, theater, ROTC etc.... I teach a large 5A HS that is successful in all activities because we're giving of our students. This year we seek to make our 3rd straight trip to the State Marching Contest and I'd venture to say we'd never have done that by putting "make a choice," as our guide. Drum Corps is no different- Why give up a marching event and chose a marching event?Why be so rigid that students in a HS band would not benefit from having drum corps membership? Over the past 5-6 years I've had kids marching in all sorts of drum corps and it only helps out program and does something else.... It motivates and excites others to get involved in drum corps? How in the world would that be construed as bad?:) Wesley Perkins OHS Band BK 97 98

Well, I've gotta jump in here. I am not a "kid" (btw, very dismissive and condescending comment, Stu..), and I do not know Burgerbob or Motor City, however: As an Assistant Marching Band Director (for over 30 years), I AGREE with these two posters. No, no one is suggesting that DCI kids should come home and dismiss or belittle their fellow band members or staff. The point needs to be made, however, that from the time when DCI corps begin their year (usually Nov/Dec) until move-in, most corps than I am aware of go OUT OF THEIR WAY to accomodate high school and college students. You can't come to the Dec camp due to your Holiday Concerts? No problem. Can't make Jan camp because of Allstate auditions? No worries. Can't get to the Feb camp due to the Berklee Jazz Festival? It's all good. Can't get to move-in until two weeks in due to graduation/ finals, etc? We'll work with you. Once the corps is on tour, those 10 weeks SHOULD find drum corps being the priority. If a band director is so short-sighted as to not recognize the fact that these kids bring with them an immense package of talent, drive, teamwork, rehearsal etiquette, etc, then he or she is guilty of band director malpractice. The few band directors whom I have known to frown upon DCI involvement are the least secure, and for good reason. The really good band directors ENCOURAGE their students to play all summer, be that music camp, string camp, jazz camp, or drum corps. To quote Maynard Ferguson, "There's no such thing as bad bands...just bad band directors."

I'm a band director that has numerous kids missing for corps each summer in corps. There will always be that "my program is better than drum corps" attitude in some, but the vast majority of directors in Texas that have very successful bands have staff with corps experience and also kids that continue to march. Case in point with my kids, they came back from BK and in 1 day they were caught up in 25 sets of drill they'd missed. They are studs when they come back but it's incumbent upon us to speak to them about using their abilities to help the HS team not to get frustrated that it's not on the same level. I really think those directors that have an issue with the activity feel like it's a whizzing contest and it doesn't have to be. Our band has benefitted from alumni and current students that march and then come to tech. It helps... Kids see corps as the best of the best and at our school we've derived many useful techniques from drum corps that are successful in the classroom. As a band director I don't think it's the rule that some don't send kids, it's more the exception!:) As for school starting early it'd be hard but the student(s) would have to do attendance recovery if in our school and make up the work involved. Wesley Perkins OHS Band

Our area's high schoolers marched DCI and showed up late to band camps. I don't really think most directors mind this as the DCI kids show up in great shape with well practiced chops and the ability to pick up drill quickly. Gonna be hard pressed to find a kid that would skip their chance at marching a corps to attend a couple weeks of band camp where much of the time is spent teaching fundamentals to the freshman.

If they have $99 lying around. What's an average fan? I'm not an average fan--I spend a lot of $ on this stuff--and yet I don't buy DCI's dvd's. Most "average" fans probably don't buy anything from DCI except tickets. The funny thing is, I end up buying several of the individual corps DVD's and spend more than that. The DCI product isn't as appealing to me as some of the stuff the corps themselves put together. and the only way to sell anything is to market it. If a tree falls in a forest...and no one's there to hear it...will anyone buy the CD recording? It's about the marketing...and it isn't stealing if the corps is giving a sample freely as part of their marketing program.