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It has to be Alexander Nevsky done by SCV.

This one is more tears than goosebumps, Granny. Get your Kleenex ready. My bucket list is very short, but it includes pulling a baton out of my collar and conducting the Regiment doing Fire...

This is simply a place to put drum corps video clips that give you goosebumps (or do you say goose pimples?...because I don't). Anyhow, I"m seriously expecting my plus button to get hit many times for this one:

The IRS form 990 is the tax return for non-profit organizations. As such, all of the financial data for DCI and each corps is exposed for all to see; 990's are open for public view because of the filer's tax exempt status. That is, if you can figure out how to read them because the forms are notoriously hard to read and decipher, especially for non-financial people. The financial stability of DCI and the individual corps is a hot topic in DCP-land. My hope is to present the finacial data here in little bites, giving plenty of room for discussion, in hopes that we all can become more familiar with the facts about the financial health of the activity. My method for studying the 990's is to analyze the trends over as many years as are available. Typically, there are three years of 990 data available and my goal is to spot the trends over time, subject to the 990 forms available. A word of caution: nothing that we can present here is a full explanation of the background story of the numbers; complete explanations are not part of the forms even though notes are an integral part of the form filings. It's just raw data - income, expenses, assets, and liablilites - it doesn't explain how the numbers came to be. As a result there will be a natural tendency to speculate on the reasons for the numbers - something that DCP'ers are very good at. But the real back story can only be explained by the financial people at DCI or the individual corps. Still, I've always believed that numbers can tell a story. My hope is that, by presenting the numbers here, that story will reveal itself to all of us. Disclaimer: While I work in the financial industry, this thread is not official in any capacity, and does not reflect the position or opinion of DCI, any corps, or my employer. All data comes directly from Form 990's found on www.guidestar.com, is presumed to be accurate but is not guaranteed to be so. All opinions expressed are mine, personally, are not audited, and are only based upon my amateur interpretation of the 990 forms. With all that in mind, here we go! Fun with numbers! EDIT: For those who may wish to skip to their favorite corps, I've added the following index of post numbers. First the corps name and then the post number where their 990 discussion begins: INDEX OF CORPS 990's (Name: Post number) DCI: 2 YEA!: 134 Blue Devils: 204 UPDATED 2011 NUMBERS ARE IN RED Cavaliers: 286 Carolina Crown: 367 Phantom Regiment: 437 Santa Clara Vanguard: 469 The Bluecoats: 525 Boston Crusaders: 576 Blue Knights: 603 Madison Scouts: 647 Blue Stars: 669 Spirit of Atlanta: Not available Consolidated Summary of Top-11 plus DCI: 724 The Glassmen: 739 The Troopers: 767 The Academy: 808 The Colts: 824 The Crossmen: 845 Pacific Crest: 869 The Mandarins: 891 The Cascades: 917 Jersey Surf: 957 Pioneer: 969 Consolidate Summary of All Corps: 994

Great thread, but one thing I want to know... where does Boo's pay figure into all of this... because whatever it is, they're not paying him enough.

http://www.dsmsports.com/marketing-and-sponsorships.html Mike

Darker than 88 Suncoast??? Dude you need therapy.

Supervisor : works from home or behind the scenes, makes final decisions, buck stops here for caption issues. Coordinator : burns up the phone lines, organizes people, put out fires before they happen, lines up equipment/supplies, lines up field staff, works with other captions for changes in show. Manager : feet on the ground, attends camps, direct contact with members, goes on tour, supervises techs, makes decisions on tour. Arranger/Designer : preseason work, writing work and notes, attends a few camps possibly, can work from home. Tech : poor college student, goes on tour, drinks beer, gets tan, cleans, wears sandals, grows beard, works hard. Director : works 20 hours a day on tour, head honcho, gives speeches, diplomat. Close?

I have no interest in a truly dark disturbing show, and my guess is 95%+ percentage of fans going to shows don't want to see it either. I would go as far as saying a show as described by the OP would fall into the artistic dribble that too many groups are putting out today. As far as a high school band doing something like that, I can't imagine a parent or the community having to put up with it for a whole season. Watching it once at a show is fine, but seeing it in rehearsals, football games and shows all falll would drive me nuts. I do respect the OP's opinion and this is not an attack on that, it's just so not my cup of tea. As far as the original question goes, I would say trying that type of show would fit 50% of corps personalities, any one of them could do it.

No!

I love this thread,.............

Still speechless 5 years later...

Skip to 2:40 if you want just the face rip. 62 horns, NO AMPS. Check out the French horns on the last note. There were only 8.

Doesn't get any better

MEET THE 2013 READING BUCCANEERS VISUAL STAFF! We are pleased to introduce the talented veteran Buccaneers who will lead the Buccaneers visual program in 2013. Make plans to join us for Membership Day 2013 on Sunday, November 25. We will once again put a world-class visual program on the field this summer – don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of it! Bobby Jones (Program Coordinator, Visual Designer). Bobby returns to the Balance in Blue for his seventh year, having produced award-winning visual programs for the Buccaneers in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. In addition to his work with the Buccaneers, Bobby is a much sought-after designer and consultant for marching bands, drum corps, indoor guards and indoor drumlines. He is also an adjudicatorfor USBands and The Mid-Atlantic Indoor Network. His drum corps resume includes design work for the Jersey Surf, Crossmen and Hawthorne Caballeros, among others. Bobby resides in Westminster, MD with his wife Amy and puppy Myron. Henry Manfra (VisualCaption Head). We are pleased to announce Hank Manfra's return to the Buccaneers as Visual Caption Head. Hank returns to the Buccaneers visual staff for his ninth consecutive season. In addition to his work with the Balance in Blue, Hank has been the visual designer for the Morris Knolls High School Marching Band, of Denville, New Jersey since 2002. He has designed and taught various other northern New Jersey bands as well. A perennial Buccaneers favorite staff member, he marched with the Bushwackers for nine seasons (1993-1994, 1996-1997, 1999-2003), where he also taught on the visual staff in 2001. A 1999 graduate of the School of Visual Arts with a degree in cartooning, Hank is currently Manager of Technical Operations at DC Comics. Lou Zanine (Instructor) returns for his fifteenth year with the Buccaneers. Lou is a 1985 graduate of West Chester University, where he earned a degree in music education. His drum corps career began in 1980 with the Crossmen and later continued with the Skyliners and Westshoremen before he joined the Buccaneers. Lou first became an instructor in 1983 and has since lent his talents to many marching bands, indoor guards, and drum corps. Since joining the Buccaneers as a baritone player in 1998, Lou marched for five seasons, and was on the brass staff for three years before finding a home with the visual staff. Long-time Buccaneer Allison Fassnacht (Instructor) returns for her fourth year on the visual staff. A native of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, Allison joined the Buccaneers in 2002 as a flute/piccolo player and learned to play soprano. She marched mellophone with the Buccaneers in 2003 and 2005-2009, taking 2004 off to "rook-out"with the Crossmen. A 2005 graduate of Penn State University with a degree in biotechnology, Fassnacht also marched in the Penn State Blue Band for three years. Her teaching experience includes three seasons with the Conestoga Valley High School Marching Band and five seasons with the Morris Knolls High School Marching Band. She currently works in pharmaceutical research and development at Bristol-Myers Squibb in New Brunswick, NJ. We welcome Christopher Vitale (Instructor) back to the Buccaneers visual staff. Chris served on the Buccaneers visual staff in 2008 and 2009, and subsequently served as Visual Caption Head for DCI's Jersey Surf. Chris marched with the Crossmen in 1999, 2001, and 2002, and his teaching experience has included positions with theCrossmen, Hawthorne Caballeros, Jersey Surf, and the Reading Buccaneers. Chris holds Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music in Conducting Performance degrees from the University of Delaware. Currently, Chris is the Director of Bands at Westfield High School in New Jersey. He is also an active visual designer for several high school marching band programs in Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Steve Rinda (Instructor) returns the Reading Buccaneers for his second season. Steve began his drum corps career with the Bushwackers in 1997, and marched there as a member of the horn line from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. With the Bushwackers, Steve was also the Visual Caption Head and Visual Designer from 2004-2009. Recently, Steve worked as a consultant and on the visual staff of the Connecticut Hurricanes. During the marching band season, Steve teaches at Daniel Boone High School in Douglassville, PA and has worked in the past for Upper Darby HS. Along with his teaching responsibilities, Steve writes drill and teaches marching for several programs across southeastern Pennsylvania and Missouri. Steve currently is a social studies teacher at Perkiomen Valley High School in Collegeville, PA. When he is not teaching, Steve spends time with his wif eBecca and two boys. We welcome Stephanie Cullen (Instructor) back to the visual staff for her third consecutive season. She is a 2010 graduate of West Chester University, where she received her degree in music education. She marched in the Reading Buccaneers for four seasons (2007-2010), and has taught at Norristown Area High School(2007-2009), North Penn High School (2010) and Central Bucks South High School (2010). She is currently a music teacher with Prince William County Schools in Manassas, VA. Buccaneers veteran Brad Mea (Instructor) returns to the visual staff for his second season. A resident of Royersford, Pennsylvania, Brad graduated from Spring-Ford Area Senior High School in 2007. He is on track to graduate this December with a degree in Music Education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where he performs with various ensembles, and was a member of the "Incomparable" Golden Ram Marching Band. Brad marched mellophone with the Reading Buccaneers in 2007, 2008, and 2010, and with the Phantom Regiment in 2009 and 2011. Brad is a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. The Buccaneers are seeking members in all sections for the 2012 edition of the Balance in Blue. On Sunday, November 25, 2012, the Buccaneers will host Membership Day 2013, at TwinValley High School, Elverson, PA. Registration begins at 11:00. All persons interested in learning more about membership in the Reading Buccaneers and being part of the 2013 corps are invited to contact Membership Manager Karen Wildonger to indicate their interest. Visit www.readingbuccaneers.org for more information or email membership@readingbuccaneers.org. Founded in 1957, the mission of the Reading Buccaneers Drum& Bugle Corps is to provide men and women of all ages a unique andenriching educational experience in the performing arts in which they developas individuals and as performers. TheBuccaneers were founding members of Drum Corps Associates and won thefirst-ever DCA World Championships in 1965 and won ten additional titles since. For more information, visit www.readingbuccaneers.org.

Umm...the rest of the world (for example, businesses in your local community). A website is the face of the non-profit to the rest of the world. If someone sees the words "education" and "faculty", they probably will feel comfortable that they understand those terms. If someone sees drill designer or percussion caption head they might very well say huh??!? If you see your corps as part of a bigger picture things like that matter. If your attitude is "no one needs to understand this stuff if they don't already know about drum corps", well -- there's been plenty of discussion on DCP about the changing face of drum corps, finances and business models. No need to rehash it here.

There you go Jeff. I big fat red mark! hahahaha I'm sure that'll bring your rating down!

Wouldn't this make more sense? Supervisor, deputy supervisor, assistant supervisor, tech ... You might even throw in, if you want, some staff associates, adjuncts, etc. Or even go the other way: Executive supervisor. But the supervisor/coordinator/manager mess makes us look like we're contestants for Upper Class Twit of the Year. Not directing this at Crown, per se - rather at all the corps who sow confusion with titles that don't make sense. By the way, I also hate "faculty." We're not in one place long enough for ivy to grow here. Besides - and no offense - not everyone staff rates the "faculty" label. We all know who I'm talking about. He/she travel with every corps. Staff maybe. Faculty not. HH

Read it on my Kindle and loved it!!

I would suspect that those that are rating "down" are the ones that really may not want to see their individual corps information presented and then compared.

agreed... I also voted 5 stars when I saw the thread was rated 2 stars. Thread has lots of great info.

Ok, so I took a chance and downloaded this book because of the subject matter and the excellent price being offered. I was SOOOOO NOT disappointed! I read most of it in one sitting. I had tears of laughter running down my face in many parts. ANYONE who has ever been in a start-up corps or ever marched senior corps anywhere can relate to this story. I found myself comparing my own drum corps friends to Renegade members and found that so many of the incidents described compared to many of the incidents we have all lived in our own corps days. My own early days in the 1970 - 73 Burlington Commanders were full of similar incidents, stories and a cast of unforgettable characters just like the early Renegades. It is written in a breezy style just as if Rudnicki is telling you the story across a table at a shabby bar. The initial DCI meeting story is hilarious. Aside from the humour you also get the underlying message about the sweat and incredible work ethic that drum corps instills in a member. No, some of us never really made it big...maybe a lot of us. But we all worked hard and played hard. I really recommend that anyone involved in drum corps or band download this book and get set for a really great read.

Cavies announced on Facebook they'll be using the opener from 2004. "007" will be one of their encore pieces. Excited to hear that one live again...

What kind of stick-your-head-in-the-sand idiots rated this topic anything less than 5 stars? I demand to know! Great job to the OP! Keep it coming! I can't wait until we get to the corps themselves!

PUREFUSION PERCUSSION CALLBACKS/2ND AUDITIONS PureFusion Percussion will be holdingcallbacks/2nd auditions on Sunday, November 18th. For those of you who were unable to make the 1stauditions, this is your opportunity to audition for the instrument of yourchoice. Announcements for placementswill be made on 18th. We are seeking to fill: · Battery Percussion: Snare, Multi-tenors, Bass Drums & Cymbals · Front Ensemble: Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone, Bells, Aux. Percussion,Drum Set, Guitar, Bass Guitar & Electronic Keyboard · Dancers & Cast Members 2nd Auditions/Callbacks Sunday, November 18, 2012 12p – 4p Cambridge Armory 450 Concord Ave. Cambridge, MA 02138 Registration fee: $30 in advance, $35at the door ** Registration Fee is a one-time, non-refundablefee and is applied toward your membership dues ** (if you paid at the 1stauditions you are all set) Team t-shirt is included www.purefusionpercussion.org purefusionpercussion@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/#!/PureFusionPercussion

I think for a show to be truly dark the subject matter must be truly dark. I don't mean Twilight or any other teenage vampire fantasy movie that involves good looking yet carboard actors. 1. It must be based on a true life story, it really did happen. 2. It must be a story the audience are aware of. 3. It must be a story that moves the audience at a much deeper level than knowing Robert Pattinson was in the movie.

Hey! I'm glad for the feedback. I wonder if anyone "important" is paying attention? Maybe they already know this stuff and it's just us fans who, apparently, pay for this activity that don't have a clue about the numbers. Probably most don't care now and won't until there are no more shows. How's the data coming, everyone? Too much? Too fast? You're eyes glazing over yet?

That ends the look at Revenue, so let's see if the numbers make sense. In looking at the change from 2010 to 2011, Revenue was up $883,211. Of that, there was an increase of $357,476 in Contributions ($125,000 from Chase), an increase of $538,653 in "Program Revenu" (shows), a $10,068 increase in DCI Magazine sales, and a $22,919 decrease in souvie sales profit, and a small decline in investment income. Of the increase, Contribution accounted for about 40% and Program Revenue accounted for about 60%. (The other two categories of income had little impact, or "NM" (not meaningful) in financial terms.) While the nearly $900,000 increase in Revenue is a great number, 2011 Net Profit (Revenue minus Expenses) was only around $300,000 higher than 2010. So, apparently, Expenses were up in 2011 by about $600,000 as well. Next, we'll look at where the money went.

Do you mean a show that has this :

I don't "get" you getting a negative for simply posting a mission statement, either. But like Jeff said... those green-red things are no big deal. Keep the posts coming... this thread is great!!!

Alright, let's look at "Program Service Revenue". This is the category that includes income from shows and the like, and generally has a couple of income items that comprise it. Here's the top line number: 2009: $8,040,721 2010: $8,121,373 (plus $80,652 [1%] over 2009) 2011: $8,670,094 (plus $548,721 [6.7%] over 2010, plus $629,373 [7.8%] over 2009) Here again, an impressive gain both year-to-year and over the three years. There are two categories that make up "Program Revenue". There's "Program Revenue" and "DCI Magazine" (although the magazine is called "Unrelated Business Revenue"). Program Revenue: 2009: $7,824,857 2010: $8,001,731 (plus $176,874 [2.3%] over 2009) 2011: $8,540,384 (plus $538,653 (6.7%] over 2010, plus $715,527 [9.1%] over 2009) DCI Magazine 2009: $215,864 2010: $119,642 (minus $96,222 [44.6%] from 2009) 2011: $129,710 (plus $10,068 [8.4%] from 2010, minus $86,154 [40%] from 2009) So, it's obvious that "Program Revenue", which is everything other than the magazine, like shows, clinics, and "programs" was the primary driver of the gains in overall Revenue. We know there weren't more shows in 2010 or 2011 (in fact, I seem to remember seeing that there were a few less shows each of the years), so it must mean that there was higher revenue per show or event. Could be more fans paying the same price or it could be the same number of fans paying a higher ticket price. It could also be fewer fans paying a substantially higher ticket price. Don't I remember seeing that overall attendance was up in 2011 (I know it was in 2012), and my ticket price to finals was the same over the three years. So I guess we see here the impact of more fans in the stands. Unless someone else has a different opinion, which is usually the case on DCP.

Be sure to thank Rex for his stellar memory, Beto. The Chase grant leaves $585,196 in unexplained "Contributions". Anyone else have a recollection of a special grant or contribution that may explain the increase? Garfield's Kid and his little sister are mowing and picking up dog poop, Garfield's better half is raking leaves. Garfield just came in to refill his adult beverege before resuming his supervisory role.

When I asked Rex if he remembered anything he reminded me that DCI won $125k in the Chase Community Giving program in 2011. That explains one big chunk of it that will be a one-time shot. As for the raking of leaves didn't we see a Garfield's Kid on these forums sometime back?

Next, "Revenue" is broken down into four categories: 1. Contributions and Grants 2. Program Service revenue 3. Investment Income 4. Other revenue For the three years, Contributions and Grants looks like this: 2009: $327,262 2010: $352,720 2011: $710,196 Nice! That's a 117% percent gain over the three years. Whatever they did to change their work here in 2011 surely paid off. There's a reference to a subsection that's supposed to further break down this category but, of the categories available, the only one that has an entry is "All other contributions, gifts, grants, and smaller amounts not included above". So, we don't know if this is a stepped up fundraising program (a "systemic" change) or if it was a one-time grant with some entity, personal or corporate. Still, whatever change occured in 2011 was a good one. Off to rake leaves! More later.

Hmm... a negative rating on the intro? Interesting. With no comment posted it's not easy to tell what the poster is opposed to. Is it the premise? A waste of time? You're bored? I surely understand that there are those who don't give a darn, but I surely don't understand the opposition to learning. But that's just me. Meh...ignored.

All the videos of 2008 finals scores!!! YESSSS!!!!!!!!! Here's how it goes every time I watch any of the videos: "and in second place....." I'm starting to breathe heavily. "with a score of nine eight point one zero" I'm getting anxious. *silence* My heart is pounding at ∞ bpm and I'm hyperventilating. "Blue Devils" YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I explode in fist pumping, teeth-barring glory and power that lasts until basically the rest of the video XD thank you for letting me share my experience with you X)

Okay, so anytime I get a chance I have to say that this is my single favorite show in the history of drum corps. I flat wore out my VHS tape not to mention I received a number of noise complaints from the other residents when I would be watching this late at night (around 9 p.m.) with the volume turned way up and me cheering at the top of my lungs reliving the moment.

Here you go!

Can't forget this! There may be other videos out there, but the best one got taken down so here's this one

Here I'll post a string of some of my favorites. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI_wvI36z80

There are all sorts of dark, evil, and depressing themes that have not been done before that could be done by a Corps that chooses to do a dark, hopeless, depressing theme. What a depressing thought. But such thoughts please some people. Ok. Thats cool.

While the term "faculty" may seem pretentious to drum corps insiders, it makes perfect sense from the outside looking in. If you're going to pitch your drum corps as a youth-oriented educational non-profit, using terms like faculty (and even supervisor and coordinator) make more sense to those unfamiliar with drum corps.

Totally agree. It's slightly arrogant, IMO.

I think I could see crown doing this or the regiment, I know that sounds typical but I think that the regiment could pull off a SUPER dark classical piece. And I think crown could do it because, well they're crown. End of story. I could be wrong, this is just my opinion

First off, thanks. And to the rating, it's the sentiment, not the number. I'm going to keep staring at the 990's but I sure don't need to post them if no one cares. So I'll keep going until the thread dies in, oh, about 25 corps from now.

I've just learned that John Mackey's "Drum Music" will be broadcast live on the Web in a few minutes by the University of Texas Wind Ensemble at 4:00 Central Time. As a bonus for drum corps fans, the first piece they're broadcasting is "Rocky Point Holiday."