Has the time come?

[xandandl]

1 hour ago, stevedci said:

ponder this as why there may be more to 150 size than bus size....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar's_number

 

 

Thanks for this.

Interestingly among the dino and jr. dino set, those who marched 128 think the mms in 150 set don't seem to know their fellow members as they did and doubt whether they can even identify each mm by name outside their section. The dinos say that the corps are huge today compared to pre-DCI and that the friendships (neighborhood kids, staying at each other's homes, knowing the families and off season activities) isn't as deep as when corps mms all had the same zip code. 

Those who propose drum corps as large as Michigan or Michigan State, Ohio State or one of those Texas bands are but trying to replicate their own college experience but really don't connect to the other 1000 in the unit except for the annual alumni giving donor letter. I prefer corps the size they are, not as many as live in Delaware or Rhode Island. JMO.

[Fran Haring]

2 hours ago, MikeRapp said:

This is not at all what I am proposing. Likening this to a forced soup kitchen and bread line, come on man.

"Nobody knows... the trouble Stu's seen..." 

[Fangirl71]

9 hours ago, MikeRapp said:

This seems like a straw man argument. Blue Devils don't provide Blue fin tuna. World class corps don't offer fish sticks. But regardless, the entire activity revolves around the health and well being of the marching members. All of the marching members. Nothing would stop Blue Devils from adding food and other edibles to the menu ad hoc. I'm not suggesting dci dictate things to create a level playing field. But rather to lessen the administrative burden, and financial risk, on its members.

Im not suggesting corps should share French horns. But there are already things all members get as a benefit to being a dci member. I'm no socialist, believe me. But food seems to be a huge issue that must be provided.

This situation with Legends really bothered me over the weekend. If I were a parent of a kid in that corps, it would greatly concern me that there wasn't food for the kids beyond that night. We can argue that maybe legends shouldn't have been on tour were they so poorly managed, but we are talking about food here, not uniforms, not instruments, not tickets to the local aquarium. Kids on a dci tour should not be at the mercy of the admin of their corps to eat.

Where was it ever said that they didn't have food for kids beyond that night? I think the urgency with Legends was that their home show was Saturday and he didn't want kids to get stuck on the road or get to that point. From what I've heard and what I know, that's the last thing they want to happen and that's why there was the impassioned plea. I do know someone in Legends, and there is always food for them and it is their mission to make sure those kids are well taken care of.

Look I'm not crazy that it got to that point, but I'm glad there was the call for action versus them getting stranded somewhere or it just folding completely. My personal opinion, is that the director - even with whatever questionable thought / financial process he did in acquiring the things was trying to get them everything they needed, ending with it snowballing out of control. I also think the Director knows that putting this message out there puts his credibility and his life's work under a dark cloud. I don't think that was done lightly.  So I won't speculate, or assume that he was going to put these kids in a worse situation by stranding then somewhere we're leaving them without food.

I certainly hope that this is a lesson learned as they move forward, and they will look to growing their corps to include financial advisor/ or a stronger board.  With the burst of growth they've had over the last few years - as many other open class have, and as Sound Sport groups develop into open class groups, that's something that is obviously needed. Drum Corps is a Music, Sports & Artistry all rolled into one, but no matter what label, at its core is a business.  Unfortunately we have people that are involved in many over the years that are overwhelmed by the business side - even in the world class arena. They need help and all aspects. I would hope that DCI will take note of this, and will develop a plan for all going forward.

I think DCP did it great job coming to the aid of the Legends members, as did many other drum corps members past and present and people that have been touched by Legends. I hope they have a successful end to the rest of the season and they are stronger because of this. 

Edited July 25, 2017 by Fangirl71

[Stu]

25 minutes ago, JKT90 said:

True, and if performance fees did not also increase this would cause a financial short fall. More members but same pay...to feed them just went up from $1200 a day to $1500 to $1600. 

50 openings x top 12 = 600 new spots open. That could hurt corps 13- down in member retention. 

Hint: Since most corps do not want to raise dues to cover the ever increasing design artistic choices and tour costs, the second line of yours in this posting likely was, and likely still is, the deep down desire of a few, um seven cough cough, corps.

Edited July 24, 2017 by Stu

[thebrassshop]

Being in the parking lots for 29 years repairing instruments  I have seen this activity grow from 2 busses 1 truck and a food wagon of sorts.

1oo members plus staff and volunteers of approx. another 15  (115)  to 150 members   plus up to 50 staff and volunteers (200 and more)

also Corps today run 3 and 4 busses plus Staff busses  2 or 3,  3 and 4 trailers, 1 or 2 box trucks, vans and chase vehicles is one huge undertaking.

I hear of budgets from $900,000.00 to almost 3million. The first show this year there was a small issue getting everybody in the lot  that was just 6 corps,

and they filled it. This has not been a mom and pop organization for years, it's year round  with offices , storage , rehersal facilities.

office staffs from 3 to 8 or 9.  This is Large business folks.

I know what I spend just for Fuel for a 13000 mile 40 show tour  , 1 vehicle   roughly 60 days   runs between 2300.00 and 2600.00

Figure what fuel costs are for busses 5 to 6 mpg , tractor trailers,maybee 8mpg, box trucks etc  do 10,000 miles and 25 shows.

I believe a lot of people could live very well on what it costs just for fuel.  NOT a joke    a corps 5 yrs ago fueled everything at once 3 busses

2 tractor trailers staff vehicles, etc   well there goes $20,000.

 

[Stu]

34 minutes ago, Fran Haring said:

"Nobody knows... the trouble Stu's seen..." 

 

[cowtown]

More marchers mean more dirt and there is too much of both on the field already  

 

get more corps instead

[Stu]

Laws of unintended consequence may be at play here.  The stage set, props, costume, and vocal styling of the previously posted video should be the inspiration for the 2018 show put on the field by Hop and his Caderrots. Just sayin'!

Edited July 24, 2017 by Stu

[PeterGibbons]

2 hours ago, xandandl said:

 

Those who propose drum corps as large as Michigan or Michigan State, Ohio State or one of those Texas bands are but trying to replicate their own college experience but really don't connect to the other 1000 in the unit except for the annual alumni giving donor letter. I prefer corps the size they are, not as many as live in Delaware or Rhode Island. JMO.

 

Go Green!

[soccerguy315]

I think some food stuff is already purchased cooperatively... feel like I read about this on dci.org at some point.