Recruitment Problems, Financial Stress, and Poor Leadership, Oh My!

[BigW]

At one time or another, I have done all the above. I think more of us do these things than others realize. Drop some money into a corps scholarship find bucket, send a check with a note to help a needy kid cover their dues, bring stuff for a break or a snack...people are doing this.

[totaleefree]

None of the corps you talk about are current DCI Corps, I think this may be more a DCA topic.  A lot of people involved with Teal Sound wound up with Coastal Surge and almost the same thing happened good intentions without a sound plan.  Teal Sound went out in a very bad way and gave DCI a bad mark. You can't just leave a corps stranded and hope that someone lets you do that again.  If someone in Northeast Florida wanted to start a corps you would do well to avoid any reference to Teal Sound. Since I am sure someone will take this the wrong way, the kids who marched there did what they were supposed to do and I am sure some had a great experience, but   the financial plan was terrible. 

 

Edited April 24, 2018 by totaleefree

[KeithHall]

Teal Sound? I live here and haven't heard a word about them. Who is taking this on?

[Lead]

7 hours ago, BRASSO said:

 Glassmen apparently have no desire to return. Their bingo revenues dried up when local casino competition came their way, and thus they feel its impossible to attempt any return.

There is desire, but incorrect leadership.

[Tim K]

I’ve been repeating myself since 2014, saying “I think this is as good as it gets” regarding drum corps. Though there have been some years where I thought drum corps plateaued a bit, and if I said those years, others would argue differently, but the excitement, enthusiasm, and creativity we see now remind me of the 80’s, which considering I am sometimes stuck in the 80’s, is a compliment. I think when the season unfolds, we’ll be saying the same thing again.

Regarding Soundsports groups that did not make it to Open Class: if you take a look at DCX, you see longevity in drum corps is usually  the exception rather than the rule. No doubt finances played a role in many cases back in the day, but some organizations that sponsored corps saw other ways of serving young people. Every case has different nuances.

Regarding recruitment: the number of Open Class corps has grown. Prelims in Indy starts earlier each year. The number of kids involved in drum corps is up, however ten years ago you had four or five corps competing for the top talent, then about seven, now it’s about nine. Top talent is rare and corps are competitive in recruiting. None of the finalists in WC faced problems with numbers, though see on other threads, some faced challenges recruiting young people who could perform their shows. That’s a whole different issue from ten years ago when the recession was in full force.

Some corps may be facing a crisis, but that does not mean it have a domino effect.

[IllianaLancerContra]

8 hours ago, Dchristian125 said:

When I talked to Teal Sound, the were vague on many details. However, they were clear on the fact that they want to return. The chances of that happening, however, is something that is hard to predict.

 

Well, you can spit in one hand & want in the other & see which one fills up first.

[Jeff Ream]

9 hours ago, Dchristian125 said:

Well for those organizations who have run out of options, risk-taking and hope is all they have left. Other organizations might be fortunate to get loans, grants, etc. But I do see your point regarding the opinion and mindset of the banks.

risk taking is the fools way. You do what BD or Boston have done....you build up a solid support system and infrastructure. You find ways and ensembles to help make the organization money. Too many drum corps ran on risk, and where are they now?

 

this isn't Wall Street where risk can be parlayed and losses made up fast.

[DAvery]

I've always wondered why more of these types of groups do not utilize WGI winds as a restarting point.  Chances are there are more performance opportunities than even being a Soundsport group, as almost every region of the country has a winter guard circuit.  I realize not all guard circuits allow wind groups, but alot do. Also, you could conceivably start with 10-12 players and be competitive. Admittedly the season is different, but it would not seem to difficult to transfer from a Jan-April season to a June-Aug season.  

On a similar note, if I was wanting to start a drum corps in today's environment I would start with WGI winds.  In my experience it is a healthier, more positive and lower cost option to DCI, or even DCA. 

[Prtzdle]

In addition to the choices above, I am a souvie swag investor. Plus attending a few shows each year....that mostly supports YEA! since they run shows that are local to me!

 

AS I am not as connected, does anyone feel the rise or several Open Class Corps to World Class the past years hurts recruiting efforts of these smaller groups? Kids wanting to be on the "bigger" stage, if you will? Just asking...

[Terri Schehr]

2 hours ago, IllianaLancerContra said:

Well, you can spit in one hand & want in the other & see which one fills up first.

Spit?