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If you think that DCI can boom in popularity via a viral video, think again. It wont happen overnight. They are doing a lot of things well as an organization and some things not so well. But this didnt ruin DCI nor is it an example of them failing.

Thank you for including Kanstul. Not surprisingly, Kanstul has few votes. As sales manager, the answer was obvious to me: not many people here are familiar with the brand, or simply have never played one. As a small company, we have fewer resources for marketing our brand, so we are not as recognizable as our competition. As well, we have never participated in any sponsorship / endorsement programs, therefore not as many bands or corps play our horns. And until recently, we have been perceived as being more expensive than other brands. I think that if you ask students and members who have actually played Kanstul marching horns you'd find that, overwhelmingly, they prefer Kanstul over other brands. If you ask brass caption heads and techs who have stood in front of Kanstul horns, they would tell you that they prefer Kanstul for better projection and quality of sound. If you ask techs and repairmen about Kanstul horns, they will tell you that they are the best built in the industry. If you ask directors and boosters who purchase Kanstul horns, they would tell you that they last longer and have lower maintenance costs - because Kanstul horns are built right and are built to last. Also, our pricing is unchanged since 2009. Remember that King, Yamaha, Jupiter, Dynasty, Blessing and anyone else in this game all owe their designs to Zig Kanstul, who has been the innovator in marching brass since his days at Olds. Finally, I have been playing Kanstul marching brass (and bugles) since the early '80's - decades before I began working for Zig. I have worked with a number of bands and corps over the years and have seen and played all of these horns at trade shows. I say with confidence that Kanstul horns are very likely the best available.

I don't really think DCI is at fault for this one. It's really more of the fans and the people commenting on the video. From what I see, the DCI Harlem Shake wasn't meant to be an ACTUAL Harlem Shake video like the ones spreading across the internet. DCI wasn't trying to show the world how much crazier they could be than the last Harlem Shake poster, but rather, show the internet that there are clips in the product that they're trying to sell (World Championship DVDs) that contain people doing similar "crazy" things on a drum corps field. That's why this video is humorous. Not because of what the members are doing on the field and how ridiculous they're acting, but because of the fact that there are moments in multiple drum corps shows where audiences can connect small crazy drum corps moments with something they'd see in a Harlem Shake video. It'd be like National Geographic making a Harlem Shake video out of a Meerkat documentary. Do Meerkats ever jump around and party obnoxiously when the "bass drops?" No, but if there were a video compilation put together of the animals acting "silly" with the Harlem Shake music playing in the background, it would be enjoyable not because the animals are acting crazier than the most recent Harlem Shake video, but because of the fact that they are relatable to a popular internet trend.

I'd make one myself, except I don't want to receive a bill for breaking the Internet.

I filmed a Harlem Shake video with Recycled Percussion this past Sunday. See if you can find me.

I think its funny. Im sure it didnt take a lot of time and money to mash some clips from finals during the off season. People need to quit complaining about small things. "Oh no its not a legit harlem shake video" grow up. (Down votes in 5...4...3...2....1....do the harlem shake)

Exactly. I think this whole idea of critiquing and examining this thing like it was part of some major marketing strategy is a bit silly. It's a goofy video clip, probably put together in a few minutes, simply to throw out there and capitalize on being a little bit in the "buzz" and getting the DCI name out there. About 14 minutes of fame have already expired on this silly fad anyway, and in about two weeks the whole "Harlem Shake" thing will be a blip on life's radar, and none of this will have had any effect on DCI in any way shape or form. In other words, much ado about nothing. No reason to overthink this.

If you're going to do a meme, you gotta do it right. Otherwise, you get this.

As per JohnZ's request, a new post for Phantom 2013.

Thank you for taking my questions as I truly meant them, and not as a poke at your efforts. What's been done there is truly remarkable, especially the circumstances. Kudos. Those kids are going to love BD and ScoJo. Now, If BD couldn't make it, and the only corps you could get to go to Lithuania was Blue Knights, would you have cancelled the idea? Now, based on that, isn't it reasonable that most school kids in the US could be equally impressed when Oregon Crusaders play a standstill for them, too? OC's coming to our show this year; isn't it reasonable that some kids in the stands will be highly impressed with their show? Pacific Crest? Vanguard Cadets? BlueStars? Must only the seven be the ambassadors worthy of support from DCI?

One other thought, Dan, and forgive me in advance because I really do admire the effort that went into managing the Moksleivių Dainų Šventė orkestrų pasirodymas ("Students Song Festival Orchestra" (thanks Google translate))... You say, on the one hand, that only the best of the best of DCI is the proper ambassador for the activity, yet, it's apparent that the Festival Orchestra is playing at near the level of excellence of a good high school band (again, not taking away from any of their efforts). I just wonder, while we're talking about size of inquiries and all, why you wouldn't be putting your efforts into developing a small group of excellent players to represent the activity in Local Lithuania (BTW, it doesn't look like the "dead of winter" there!). This seems to be a "showcase" event. Why not limit it to the best of the best attract even more?

Can't take anything away from your efforts, Dan (or the effort of the lead organizer), but in context... DCI has gotten over 1000 inquiries from people wanting information on starting a group or hosting a show. Let's say that's a 50/50 split - 500 people looking to start groups. What's a good guess average size, 10 kids each? That's 5000 potential kids doing DLB and/or SS. Wouldn't you also say that's a pretty good response for just 6 weeks? Also, consider that SS/DLB were started on a shoestring DCI budget, and that it will likely be self-funding from day one, and you have to give credit for the results so far. Yes, I know you'll say it's the follow-through, the data gathering - the execution - that DCI will screw up. But, as part of that equation, it will be interesting to see if ALL the corps directors get behind the effort and support it. I'd bet the demand is probably bigger than DCI's pipeline and bandwidth can support, so it might take dedicating some extra DCI staff to support it. Maybe hiring a person or company... Are the directors - ALL the directors - going to push the bus if there are 5000 potential new participants? Or are they going to stand aside and continue to poo-poo it? If it's demonstrated that the interest is there, why do so many want so hard for DCI to fail? Why can't the drive-by posters comments be "Hey, great idea! Come on! Let's run with this?" instead of "Lousy start. Where's the webpage?" and "...low bar of success..."?

Did you happen to read the comments before they disabled them? A million people seeing something that didn't really resonate with a lot of people... not exactly a good thing. Also, looking at the stats... one of the early waves of the traffic came from referrals from Vkontakte, a very popular russian site. I logged in and checked it out... seems the video was embedded and shared on loads of accounts, Odd.

Well that's interesting. Seeing as how the people who are on the front lines of the debate would want the likes of G7 back on the BOD. Clearly non-7 voted for them (and maybe encouraged) them to run. However, I'm sure you think this is really just a pacifying technique? Or did G7 and non-7 actually come to terms with each other in a non-leaked briefing.

Had to comment after watching Blackwatch on the Fan Network. Wow ! Hope to see this live. Check this show out. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the rest of the season.

Except you have the people looking for harlem shake videos and this wasnt as good as most. You have the elitist DCI fans and alum that wouldnt be satisfied unless they had the dci staff actually make a harlem shake video, and even then they probably wouldnt be satisfied.

Actually you are entitled to you opinion but IMHO they (Kanstul) actually "hold up" as a marching brass instrument should and play well. The others have a LONG way to actually prove they hold up (jury has been out on this). Rotating your horn stock every year or two years...why if they hold up and play so well?

Well, not sure that the traffic is due so much to the content of the video, but more likely just getting put into the mix of those browsing harlem shake videos. If you want to get 20 million views, just put the word b oobs in the title and have the featured image being scantily clad. A real successful video is one where you have the traffic levels, can actually leave the comments on, and include some sort of call to action. What is more interesting about that article is the figure that more than 62% of their Facebook fanbase is 13-24. While certainly not scientific... that does give some suggestion as to where they should be placing emphasis.

Wow, didn't know that! So again, if this truly isn't a big deal to DCI or others, why the need to disable comments and ratings for the video and post an official response?

Oh, cool! Didn't realize that. Didn't even think of that! That brings up something else... if I competed in SoundSport, my local circuit may lose my business if they don't allow the horn players to be part of the production. If there are a bunch of groups out there like mine, DCI may have changed the landscape of what indoor groups can be comprised of across the country. Truth! Thanks, Boo.

Dci.org just posted a response to the Harlem Shake backlash: http://www.dci.org/news/view.cfm?news_id=fd725a1a-5ebd-4a96-8092-2ddc9ab492c3 Seems more to me like a lot of excuses and a big attempt at spin on DCI's part. I'm not buying any of it. IMHO, DCI put together what they thought was a great idea, and now that it failed in epic proportions, they are trying desperately to soften the impact. Witness contradictory statements such as these in the above-mentioned article: "DCI has spent the last six months specifically studying social media opportunities and looking to aggressively grow DCI’s online following through multiple channels" and "we threw it together in a matter of an hour last Friday, just to have some fun with visitors to our channel over the weekend" and "we really weren’t taking ourselves too seriously when we created this piece". Sounds to me like DCI really dropped the ball here both with the original video and also with their attempt at explanation. If they weren't too concerned with how the video was received and if they really believe that the backlash isn't that big of a deal (as they tend to indicate in their response), there would be no need to post an official response.

Gosh, you should talk to that Slingerland fellow and let him know, too.

Yes. You are certifiably crazy drum corps nut. Me too. ( haha)

Some of you old farts need to chill on the negative criticism about Sound Sport. Notice all of the kids in the video, MOVING, rather than sitting on their fat as**es playing, or playing video games. Think of it too as possible preparation for marching drum corps. No?? Notice all of aspects of their performance. They get to prepare, perform, and have a great time. Is that all not good for them? Don't you think their parents were excited too? It's the BEGINNING of SoundSport. Some things may not work and some may.

What do a sneeze and a sax solo in the pit have in common? You know it's coming, and there's nothing you can do to stop it.

What do you call someone who hangs out with musicians? Center snare.

Well, I wish someone here would start discussing Justin Bieber's fame, because I'm still trying to figure out that one.

and as Paul Simon song says, we're....... "still crazy after all these years. "

I've seen Carmel, Onyx, and SCV online and Carmel is my favorite so far. I'm not a fan of the RnR (ripples and running) type of shows that Onyx does so needless to say I couldn't get into their show. SCV looks like they will be great again but the show I saw had so many drops. Not like SCV at all.

A mission statement isn't a business plan. It can inform the business plan, but they're not the same things at all.

Kind of goes against the G7 argument that open class corps should be evicted from DCI and handled through regional circuits, if you believe that those regional circuits cannot survive. So you have connected the dots for those who contend that the G7 proposal was a death sentence for open class.

Music in Motion, Inc., has been going much longer, and still does not have a web page.

well, they wanted more, and then when they were preparing to bail, they went out and locked up usually well attended DCM shows to be DCI shows. Funny then how DCI counted those shows for their "stats" the next year

I have no idea why DCI tried to do this... big oops

Then you probably won't like "Finals Saturday," the video DCI is producing starring Rebecca Black.

HIIIYYYYAAAAAACCHHHHEEEEEEWWOOOOOKKKKKKIIIIEEEEEEEEEE

The craziest thing I ever did regarding drum corps was joining one.

Correct, we don't know yet. In fact, I'd guess THEY don't know yet, which is part of the problem with selling their ideas to the other members. So far, all we've gotten is "we're better, we score higher, and we attract more fans", with emphasis on those corps which perenially languish at the bottom of the competitive scale. But if their idea is performance alone, without competition, it pretty much blows up their "we score higher" argument. Performance is subjective where competition is more defined. Without scores the only thing left is "Did you enjoy the show?", and I think many fans would answer yes to corps outside of the seven. And for how long have we heard that kids want to compete? And kids in lower corps should compete against their class? If performance is the hallmark of the seven, why so much rationalization on the kid's enjoyment coming from competing within their own level? I think the 7 will have competition, I just don't think they'll ever split off of DCI.

Sound Sport is year round, so your school could choose to not compete during band or indoor season.

The dancing and such, without playing, seemed a bit much for a 6-minute show, and it was hard for me to get into the live brass music with the repetitive canned beat in the background. Indoor competitive wind ensembles could definitely be done, but I'm not sure that this is the best of way doing it. Of course I appreciate that they put time and effort into an uncommon type of performance like this. It's nothing on the performers, it's just the way the show is designed. This is a less-explored idea, so it will likely evolve and change as it goes along, as do all competitive activities. Incorporating some electronics could work if done right (maybe). I'd just like to hear more of the actual people playing the actual instruments.

What's with the pre-recorded aspect? Um, no. If this much pre-recording/synth/whatever is allowed, I'm not getting into it. That's nothing more than winter guard where the members learned a few notes on brass instruments. Next.

This is what I'm getting from this show so far:

Although Phantom Regiment is most "known" for that move, there was a "little" corps from Columbus, Ohio called Limited Edition who did the whole corps crab step in their 1989 show first.

Oh please....a 2 post exchange hardly equates to something "going on." I took the reply the way Boxing Fred probably intended. Lighten up, Francis.

Bridgemen Shuffle, 27th's Rotating circle/company front in Danny Boy, Bostons Reprise of conquest to end their shows, bottle dance SCV, Sky Ryders Rainbow endings....

Mirrors wheeled on the field.

Troopers Sunburst.

And, Golf Claps!

You are all over it, Shawn! The discs are mixed to shine on an acoustically flat system, with all speakers balanced to the same level. That should put the listener somewhere right around the drum major's podium. Remember, too, that there are both Dolby AC-3 and DTS HD Master Audio on the blu-rays. The DTSMA gives you more bandwidth and a smoother dynamic range while the Dolby is a little more compressed. Either way, if at all possible, you want to use a discrete decoding option as opposed to a "manufactured" decoding scheme. Hope everyone enjoys them!

You're comparing soup and nuts. If they sound better, that is to be expected. Recording technique and equipment in the 60s was neanderthal, in the 70s and 80s it was rudimentary, in the 90s it was sophisticated analog and now it is digital (HD)...a world of difference. Now, if we're talking what they were playing, I'd pit Boston's 1970 line against what anybody is playing today. And, Boston did it with leg rest snares and they carried everything they played. Soup and nuts, apples and oranges, quarter pounders and chicken nuggets. Had to add this, go the the DC Historical Society videos and look at the 1972 Skyliners DCA show. That was shot (thank God it was) on something just a few notches above kinnescope. Still, it sounds pretty good -- what you can hear above the crowd going crazy. That show still causes me to grow a full beard in 13 minutes, pure testosterone.