Where's the loyalty?

[Blackstar]

I've been on DCP for a couple of years. Been a fan of the activity since 1980. I marched in 1984. One thing that has stayed the same was a lack of loyality in the activity.

It seems like no one stays with one corps. The idea is to march one year with a small corps, get some experience then march with a larger corps. It's not just open to world, It's top 15 to top 5.

But what surprises me the most is that it's so accepted. Very few people have loyality to one corps. Oh I see people who love the larger corps they marched with but very little of the smaller corps.

Can someone explain the lack of loyality in the activity.

[tommytimp]

I think it's been placed where they spell it "loyalty."

No, as a comic in all seriousness, let me tell you, corps means different things to different people. Just as in college or pro sports-you can play for the shirt, you can play for the institution, you can play for the coach, you can play for the glory, you can play for a lot of different reasons. There does seem to be quite a carousel of staff this off-season though, I grant you.

[bluecoats88]

well when and where I marched there was a lot of loyalty. I marched with a large nucleus of people from 1984 through my age out in 1988 who didn't go somewhere else and back then we were the small corps. We lost a few who wanted to experience the big time before they aged out, but for the most part people stayed and that is what helped propel us into the top 12 in 1987.

[Kekkles]

i lol'd @ loyality

i appreciate your attempt to conversate

[rut-roh]

Can someone explain the lack of loyality in the activity.

Yes. I think your view of it is exaggerated. I can only base this on my own experiences being associated with certain corps the past several years. The actual amount of "jumping ship" is not nearly as prevalent as you seem to think it is. Far more people either stick around with their corps and don't go to so-called "greener pastures" or march a year or two and that's it. In that respect, yes, the activity has changed quite a bit. People rarely march for 6 or 7 years (or more) the way they used to. On average, if I had to guess, most participants these days march anywhere from one to three years at the most. But like I said, that's a guess.

Edited September 5, 2008 by rut-roh

[ouooga]

It's not a lack of loyalty in all cases. Many times people leave their corps because they just aren't happy there, for one reason or another, and want to go somewhere that they feel is a better match for them. If that means moving up in placement then that's what it means, and if that's someone's motivator then they are going somewhere that indeed is a better match. But whatever the reason is, generally people boast their years with the bigger corps because it was the one they finished up at, and if they finished up there it's probably because that's where they were happiest.

Just my $.02

[SPINCYCLE]

OK...I will agree and disagree here..I certaing do think that sometimes a program doesnt offer enough for someone BUT I also know that Loyality is a thing of the past for many reasons..........NOW for all you loyal young members there is exception to the rule BUT for the most part I have seen so much corps hopping it's unbelieable. Instant gratification... the way of the World.

I have even heard members as well as staff talking and saying that a certain top 8 corps ( usually )should be a training ground for their usual top 3 corps, HORRIBLE IMO the arrogance of that statement ive heard sooo many times.

Ive seen programs grow every year and still kids leave to hurry up their success. Now is that bad , I guess not for business but i always felt and hoped that Drum corps was different.

[SPINCYCLE]

OK...I will agree and disagree here..I certaing do think that sometimes a program doesnt offer enough for someone BUT I also know that Loyality is a thing of the past for many reasons..........NOW for all you loyal young members there is exception to the rule BUT for the most part I have seen so much corps hopping it's unbelieable. Instant gratification... the way of the World.

I have even heard members as well as staff talking and saying that a certain top 8 corps ( usually )should be a training ground for their usual top 3 corps, HORRIBLE IMO the arrogance of that statement ive heard sooo many times.

Ive seen programs grow every year and still kids leave to hurry up their success. Now is that bad , I guess not for business but i always felt and hoped that Drum corps was different.

OOPS sorry for the bad type Os

[KeithHall]

I think after the 1980's (or so) the loyalty level went down hill. The better players don't want to star in the local drum corps they want the chance to march and play in the best. We had two guys leave our corps in 1975 (I think) to march Phantom Regiment. Both return to teach in our area (one back to our corps). Later in the 80's everyone wanted march BD, SCV, Crossmen, 27th, etc.

[FTNK]

Where someone marches is a very personal and complex decision that only they can make. People bash kids for being "ring chasers" but there is a lot more involved. That was the case with me. People should withhold judgment when they don't (and can't) know all the facts about why someone left. In my situation, I absolutely made the right choice...