Putting my cards on the table

[Blackstar]

I know over the last ....while or so it appears...no all my post have been negative. I hate being a negative person. I'm usually ther kind of person that tries to find solutions. And I think thats wre some of my frustrations come from with the activity. So I'm going to list my issues in no particular order

1- The music. As I write this I'm listening to Chuck Mangione's Land of Make Believe. I first heard this song from a drum corps. Alot of music I like now I got from corps. My favorite song ...Appalichain (sic) Spring from corps. I found music from Aaron Copeland to Dave Brubek that I wouldn't have. I haven't heard anything in the last 15 years that makes me want to find the orginal except 2 pieces, Canyon and Pollock. I think the "snippet" arranging is hurting things. There is very little (at least to me) memorable music.

2- Nothing is being done to ensure the long term survival of the acivity. The current problems with the economy will only hurt more corps under the current touring system. Gas is at an all time high, insurance, fees, rentals, and now corps have to pay to us music. But instead of finding ways to reduce cost they add amplifaction which cost money. And while its not mandotory we all know to win you have yo keep up with the jones..or Blue Devils or Cavies. It hurts the smaller corps. It hurts the larger corps. Until a top 12 corps doesn't field for a year or more no one will care that the Southwinds, Cap Regs and others are not around anymore.

3- Its not really about the kids. Yes I know it was never about the kids or this corps or that corps is about the kids. But in general its all about winning. Directors, instructors, parents being to say they were involved in a winning corps. Would I start a corps if I had the money, yes. But I won't have them practing every day. I would let them see the sights. Play at an amusement park so they could get in free. And yes compete at shows. The year I marched I was in 18 states ands 33 cities. And got one day off. So the only time I got to see anything beside a practice field or staduim was when we travelled. And how many kids are over 18. We need to stop saying this its about the kids. Its about winning.

4- An issue I had with some of the people in DCP. Recently there was a thread about a blind girl in the Bosie band. Some mean and gruel things were said and it took 6 pages to be shut down. I write something and it takes 2 post. I'm thinking is this the kind of discussion board I want to be associated with? Get over it you say? Until you been called cruel and nasty names you get over it. Until you been well until it happens to you you won't understand.

Has the activity gotten better. Of course. All things gets better, sports players are bigger and stronger, car are safer and drum corps are doing things they didn't years ago. But lets stop thinking about today and start worrying about tomorrow. If Kodak can change then so can the activity.

[luis]

I agree with you about that there's people over 18, and I have been thinking that sometimes that this is a big issue with some drum corps but sometimes drum corps just want to win and not teach some drum corps don't want to go and teach a kid who is 15 or 16 who is a great player maybe even better thatn college studetnts but not a great marcher, so some drum corps don't want to take the time to teach the kid how to march better some people will disagree but I'm just pointing out facts I'm ready for a fight if you think I'm lying

[Lance]

Try more with the positive.

[BlooContraGuy]

I don't march corps to see sights. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that my drum corps experience wouldn't be the same AT ALL with out the work. And what in the heck is wrong with wanting to be the best?! I feel like most people have some sort of ambition to be the best.

You hate to be negative, but you're so good at it!

[acolli17]

When I marched, and when I'm going to march this summer, I don't really care that much about the cities I'm not seeing. If I wanted to see in-depth views of Denver, San Antonio, Atlanta, and Allentown, then I would just go to those cities. But I don't want to go to those cities, I think that'd actually be pretty boring. I wanna work my butt off and get better at something. And I can't find anything I'd rather do than spend 16 hours a day doing drum corps. If you want to see cities, don't do drum corps. But I'll bet you it's not as rewarding.

Corps are probably more financially aware than a lot of things out there nowadays. They rely heavily on the support of Alumni, and friends who donate extensively. If you'll notice the Troopers' Silver Spur campaign to buy a new food truck. As Fred Morris said "You can't run these things from your kitchen table anymore, it's a business". There are a lot of groups out there treating it as such, and those are the ones succeeding.

It's entirely about the kids. Who are the 20,000 fans at finals cheering for, the design staff? Yeah, it's cool if you meet a person who taught or designed '08 Phantom, but the credit goes to the kids, those are the heroes of the season. After all, they're the ones who are being judged when it really comes down to it. It's about their ability to put themselves in to the show given to them. Design only goes so far. Talk to any corps director. I urge you to watch America's Core, the documentary about Troopers' return to tour, and watch Fred Morris react to the things those kids do. Then come back and tell me it's not about the kids.

And it's not about winning. That's not an empirical statement, of course there are some out there to win it. But I won't say I'm an exception to the rule when I tell you that I had the choice between Troopers and Cadets, and I chose Troopers because it felt more like home. I also went to Troop because I want to say I was a part of making something great, not that I joined something already great. Of course we all want to get better, but a large part of that is challenging ourselves to beat our own expectations, not the corps that's near us in score. It's not about the arrival point, it's the journey one takes to get there.

It's not what you experience. It's who you have those experiences with.

[Lance]

Some people really think those who march are mindless automatons bound to do the will of staff. It's weird.

[shaners]

im not going to respond to everything you wrote, but i will say that you should get your facts straight before you make assumptions about corps, their members, and the reasons DCI makes the decisions they do.

[roosevelt]

I agree with you about that there's people over 18, and I have been thinking that sometimes that this is a big issue with some drum corps but sometimes drum corps just want to win and not teach some drum corps don't want to go and teach a kid who is 15 or 16 who is a great player maybe even better thatn college studetnts but not a great marcher, so some drum corps don't want to take the time to teach the kid how to march better some people will disagree but I'm just pointing out facts I'm ready for a fight if you think I'm lying

You know that this is all one run on sentence right?

You are right, some drum corps don't emphasize education as much as they do competition, but they are in the minority. Even some of the top corps do put an emphasis on teaching and the member experience over competition.

With that being said, I don't think every corps is obligated to take on younger kids that aren't developed yet and develop them (like you suggested they should). That would hold the corps back and negatively effect the older members of the corps and effect their experience. So, have them go march a lower tier corps or a Open class corps and get that experience and training so that they can be ready the next year.

[BlooContraGuy]

When I marched, and when I'm going to march this summer, I don't really care that much about the cities I'm not seeing. If I wanted to see in-depth views of Denver, San Antonio, Atlanta, and Allentown, then I would just go to those cities. But I don't want to go to those cities, I think that'd actually be pretty boring. I wanna work my butt off and get better at something. And I can't find anything I'd rather do than spend 16 hours a day doing drum corps. If you want to see cities, don't do drum corps. But I'll bet you it's not as rewarding.

Corps are probably more financially aware than a lot of things out there nowadays. They rely heavily on the support of Alumni, and friends who donate extensively. If you'll notice the Troopers' Silver Spur campaign to buy a new food truck. As Fred Morris said "You can't run these things from your kitchen table anymore, it's a business". There are a lot of groups out there treating it as such, and those are the ones succeeding.

It's entirely about the kids. Who are the 20,000 fans at finals cheering for, the design staff? Yeah, it's cool if you meet a person who taught or designed '08 Phantom, but the credit goes to the kids, those are the heroes of the season. After all, they're the ones who are being judged when it really comes down to it. It's about their ability to put themselves in to the show given to them. Design only goes so far. Talk to any corps director. I urge you to watch America's Core, the documentary about Troopers' return to tour, and watch Fred Morris react to the things those kids do. Then come back and tell me it's not about the kids.

And it's not about winning. That's not an empirical statement, of course there are some out there to win it. But I won't say I'm an exception to the rule when I tell you that I had the choice between Troopers and Cadets, and I chose Troopers because it felt more like home. I also went to Troop because I want to say I was a part of making something great, not that I joined something already great. Of course we all want to get better, but a large part of that is challenging ourselves to beat our own expectations, not the corps that's near us in score. It's not about the arrival point, it's the journey one takes to get there.

It's not what you experience. It's who you have those experiences with.

Well said!

I can relate to the bolded part, quite a bit.

[Shadow_7]

Possitive? What's positive about corps these days? For what it costs me to do 5 years BITD, that'll cover 1/2 of 1 year. I used to tour 90+ days, and end in late august. Days off in British Columbia, Texas, and Ontario on the same year. Compete in regionals (three major shows on ONE day in different "regions") Each with a top twelve and finalist night show. Most being several day events. At a costs of maybe $5 a day for the members. Fast forward 20 years and it's now $50 a day. Regionals are a one town, one day event. Quarter finals, well, does that even happen now? Do you even go to school with the guy you're marching next to?

Possitive? For the costs of what I pay on cable, internet, laundry, and perhaps electric bill PER YEAR. One kid MIGHT get to do drumcorps for ONE season. Which MIGHT be 1/2 of the experience I got as a kid. At least in terms of number of days out there doing it. Versus fund raising, recruiting, other than why isn't there a horn in my hands and why am I not playing it things. Trust me, I'd LOVE to be more possitive. But about what? That it still exists to some limited extent. And if I'm not an hour late to that one event a year in my region, I might get to see something that kind of resembles what I got to do?