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There it is. Welcome back!

I'm critical because I'm tired of sugar-coating it or making excuses. This is a competitive activity. You know who doesn't survive very long? Corps who are trying to compete with the Top 6 budget as they continually fail to compete on the field. It's no real surprised that we've lost over 200 some odd corps in the last 15-20 years. But I guess we could all pat backs and say "hey, at least the crowd liked it" and continue to bury our heads in the sand to avoid the reality of the situation. I'm not in charge and I don't expect anyone who is to give a flying flip about what I think. But, this is a discussion forum, so I'm discussing. I'm not pretentious enough to think my opinion matters to anyone anyway. It's just another viewpoint from an alum who is sick and tired of seeing something I love circling the drain. Why set yourself up for the disappointment? Must be what it's like being a Cubs fan.

When this was discussed on the FaceBook version of DCp, when i brought up doing things other than drum corps that weekend people seemed insulted with things like why would you go to it if you wanted to do something other than drum corps. Thus why I thoroughly enjoyed Annapolis much better than Rochester. I don't feel the need to spend every moment of the weekend immersed in the activity, and haven't for a very long time. While it would be nice to take that idea of having the runner-ups host a regional, what I am still curious about is who were the runner-ups? No one has made that known as far as I have seen.

Yeah, from what I understand/have heard from folks who marched Cadets in that era with her: A) maybe almost every corps would love to have a mello player that talented in their organization and would make necessary accommodations for her if for no other reason than she makes a horn line better with her tone & could be (and was with Garfield) an amazing featured soloist B) most corps would love to have a member as dedicated to their corps & the corps' goals as she was: hard worker, one that could motivate other members, etc. I've seen units in the late 90's that marched one-armed individuals in the front ensemble playing mallets (WGI for sure, don't remember if they also marched DCI): another talented and dedicated member who did whatever was necessary to achieve what was needed of them. As easy as it is to look at Finals week and see high-precision and that last push to achieve goals, and as much as we know corps go all-in to win or place high, I think often people can forget we're also talking about human beings: folks with emotions who have been a part of the activity for large parts of their lives, see the positive impact of the activity, etc. People who have largely dedicated their lives to be teachers who want to help students excel. When a kid comes at you with 100% effort, is a sponge when it comes to instructions, pushes themselves to improve and impress, I think most teachers/corps would accept them as a member if they have shown they can handle it, regardless of perceived physical limitations

It's winter guard season which is off topic here and on topic elsewhere which makes my statement off topic here and if I had Fan Network I wouldn't be here, I'd be there but instead I'm getting google eyed looking for on season videos during the off season because I have no off season! I like winter guard AND drum corps. What's a girl to do? As an off topic, I like this off topic thread. It calms me and makes me

That very simple idea never dawned on me.. Must be getting senile..That might be an incentive for the "Runners-up" to have a shot at showing their stuff, and possibly become a way to re-establish an opportunity for some of the outlying corps to try and raise funds to make an extra trip to somewhere "out of the ordinary" or possibly to get an expansion of the fan base. I'd still like to see who else actually "submitted a bid" for '16-'17. Just to find out who else thinks DCA can bring in an event for Labor Day weekend and make it a win-win for the circuit and the community. Pat

I was told the music that they are playing this year has never been performed on a field by a band or a drum corps.

I'm gonna pull the plug and start this topic now. With all the staff changes done in such a timely manner, the 2015 season is well under way for the Scouts. Personally, I couldn't be happier with the choices and I can't wait to see what is yet to come. Go Scouts!!!

I realize drum corps does not appear to be for those without disposable income, despite the fact that some MMs do work hard to make the money for the summer and/or crowdsource, etc. But, have there been many discussions about the costs associated with drum corps, especially the cumulative nature of them for mostly (relatively) poor college kids? I'm thinking of the costs to go to repeated camps. There's the cost to travel there and the cost of the camp. So, let's figure a tank of gas at least, sometimes two, plus camp fees. Camps seem to occur at about a monthly rate. That adds up. If you're a college kid trying to work to pay the bills, it's very hard, and yet, they love drum corps and feel pressured by staff to attend the camps. Not to mention this is right before and after the holidays when perhaps the kids and the parents are shorter on cash (not to mention, near crunch time and final exams for colleges). I feel for these members. As a parent who is planning right now for college expenses within the year, who is counseling her child to minimize debt in college, I guess I find some of this setup a bit elitist, though that's a strong word and I don't find the people of drum corps I know to be elitist. Yes, of course there are costs involved. I'm not saying it should be free. But I am saying, is it all necessary? Seems like this would be a wonderful place to start using some technology for virtual camps and whatnot. No, it's not like the real thing, but if it saves the kid $200 or more for a weekend, then maybe it's worth exploring. And as a side note, even high school marching band costs seem to be escalating beyond a typical kid's means. I really hate this. I've supported my local HS band generously, but I do think that curtailing some costs just to make the activity an option for those without independent wealth would be worth it.

First off, you obviously haven't gone back and read many of my posts, beyond the ones you want to respond to. My tune has changed DRASTICALLY in the past couple of years. I used to be one of those cheerleaders and "hype-artists", but I came to the stark realization that the Scouts have spent more time outside the Top 6 than they've spent in it in the last 25 years...and almost entirely for the past 15 (6th in 2005). I had hope...but that hope is long gone. They just aren't drawing the talent to keep up with the big dogs. Couple that with poor visual design and a woefully underperforming guard, and you have systematic issues that will continue to plague the corps. If Jim Mason couldn't right the ship, it's very unlikely to happen at this point.Real talk, bro. p.s. You can make all the assumptions you want, but I've volunteered my time to pull the corps out of a tough situation more than once, given my skill set. Not just them, but Boston and Teal Sound as well.

So the changes made in 2010 didn't help? The changes in the fall of 2014 won't help? You honestly believe bringing back much of the talent from the 2014 staff, along with KC Michel, David Veda, and Scott Boerma coming back, as well as the additions to the staff that will be new in 2015 won't help? I guess we're all entitled to our own opinion, but the one you expressed is comical. As for the troll thing, sorry dude, that's all this crap that you write is. You don't support your corps in any way on this site. I am sure you haven't supported the corps in any way since you aged out-financially or volunteering. You simply write things from your account on here, and probably have never addressed a single concern with people that are teaching and running the corps who can actually listen to your thoughts and possibly take ideas from you. I've written emails, made phone calls, spoken to people with the corps at shows, rehearsals, and at Macy's, and I can tell you first hand that they listen and want to hear from people. It takes less time than writing a post on here, and will actually make a difference.

Well, people might not be posting - but at least I know there's interest in this with all the views.... Here's Pride's show - amazing concept and fantastic equipment work - can't wait to see this one live ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbKSTr2RKkQ

Careful Lincoln. He's just a troll that will do nothing but come in here and complain about the corps with no knowledge, and no basis for his comments, except maybe watching a youtube video, I wouldn't feed him.

+1 Terri. Complete package at Troopers. Even the posters are theme oriented.

Spent the weekend in Mesquite, TX at Troopers camp. Get ready for an adrenaline packed ride! This show is chomping at the bit. It's got some great legs. I anticipate it will stirrup some excitement!!

*pulls head out of the sand*. Mylar snare heads, what huh!!!??😃 Geez, who was the last corp to play Mylar heads? Glassmen 2002 started with Mylar heads but I think they switched to Kevlar at some point in the season? Anyone? (Crossmen 95?)

he wrote a slightly updated and less notey version for Westshore in 92. But 86 was the stuff. DeLong played that for us on the bus so many times

The US Navy, Phi Mu Alpha, The Buglers Hall of Fame, Bugles Across America, the Bridgemen, the Phantom Regiment, the Sunrisers and Prime Time Brass were all represented among the echo taps contingent surrounding Clark Terry's resting place this morning. The call (in the glorious key of G) rang out in the crisp morning air with all its natural harmonics layered in sequence, across the hillside, just north of Harlem, where the great man's marker stands within a few yards of those of Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Cootie Williams, W.C. Handy and Louis Armstrong's mentor, King Oliver. The buglers, and Clark, were in good company today.

On the subject of Rudolph: An elderly Russian couple, Rudolf and Olga, were walking one warm and sunny spring day through Moscow. Rudolf glanced at Olga and asked "Olga, my sweet of sweets...you have no umbrella. You wait all your life to own that beautiful, colorful coat you wear, yet nothing to protect it. Olga, take it from Rudolf...it gonna rain. And Olga be sad. And when Olga sad, Rudolf sad. Olga...let us stop and buy you umbrella." "Rudolf, my love...there no clouds in sky. Sky is blue as the Baltic waters. It not going to rain." They walked on. A few minutes later, Rudolf stops and says "Olga, love of Rudolf life, it going to rain. Rudolf as sure of that as the cold of Siberia...it going to rain. Olga, please...let us buy you umbrella." Sighing, Olga responded "Rudolf, Olga tell you once it not going to rain. Olga now tell you twice -- it not going to rain. Olga sure of it. Let Olga walk in peace and enjoy the spring, my love." They walked on. 5 minutes later, Rudolf stopped, turned, and placed his hands gently on Olga's shoulders. "Olga," he said, "Take it from me. It going to rain. Olga's new coat will get ruined. Olga will cry, and Olga's sadness will drive Rudolf mad. Drive him to drink Vodka. Olga not like when Rudolf drink Vodka. Please, my precious...let us buy you an umbrella." "Rudolph," Olga responded, "I swear on Stalin's grave. if you no stop this nonsense, you will drive Olga to drink the water of evil herself. Sky Blue...no cloud...beautiful day. Rudolf, my love...I say this with all love Olga have...shut up!" They walked on. Two minutes later, angry Russian gray clouds rushed into the sky, followed by an absolute downpour. Despite their best efforts in finding the nearest shelter, Olga quickly becomes soaked. Though successful in finally finding shelter, Olga's coat becomes soaked as well -- and due to shoddy Russian manufacturing, the colors of Olga's coat immediately begin to run together. Overcome, Olga begins sobbing uncontrollably. As Rudolf lovingly embraces his wife, she slowly regains enough composure to ask "Rudolf, while Olga scoff, Rudolf know truth. Tell me, my love's desire...how you become certain that it going to rain?" Placing his arm around his wife's back, Rudolf responded "Ahhh, my love. I thought you would have learned by now... "Rudolf the Red knows rain, Dear."

Hoping the Mylar heads stay all year. They'll be the only line in DCI whose snares don't sound like counter tops.

Am i missing something? What does any of that have to do with Mylar snare heads and cowbells?

That's not necessarily dumb. I've seen first hand the positive that can come from drum corps as a resume bullet, in my own case one drum corps in particular. I've also seen where certain other drum corps on a resume turned out to be a huge negative for the folks involved.

Nope.... We've (Reilly) been canceled. Not sure what happened, that's way above my pay grade... heh Donna and I have rescheduled us to attending Sky Alumni's BHOF. Looking forward to getting some audios, videos and pics!... (Donna will be a guest with the Brassmen Alumni's Honor Guard for the BHOF) My good friend (Fran) is MC'ing the Maryland Drum Corps Hall of Fame in Baltimore that night...

Thank you for posting this. This gives me hope for the activity. Kudos to Boston for acknowledging this members challenges. I wish her all the best!

Tell me about it. I live with it every single day. And graced by God for the opportunity.

Purple? PURPLE?? I fell off my bicycle, and my entire left arm turned purple. My doc told me it was a hematoma, and it would go away on its own. It just wouldn't, so I went back. His manner wasn't very bedsidey and gruffly asked if I'd like him to drain it. I hate needles; I can't sew very well and jammed the $%#@'ing thing into my thumb. Remember the purple thumbs from the iraqi peoples' fledgling democratic vote? I can't get my friends to register to vote, yet they constantly pitch and moan about the current state of things. "Our Favorite Things" was one of the Cadets' least inspired show ideas from that staff. Ooh, if I had a son, I'd name him Staff, because I've never heard of an English person named that. Are they ever going to officially change the name of the English Horn, as it's neither English nor a Horn? How about Oboon? Obone works, but High School kids would snicker every time the Band Director said, "We need more, Obone." That sounds like Shakespearean porn. Did you know that Judi Dench won the Oscar in Shakespeare in Love for being onscreen for 8 minutes? That's why they created the award in 1936. I don't like Leonardo DiCaprio per se, but he was robbed of a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for What's Eating Gilbert Grape. What did the green grape say to the purple grape? "BREATHE!" Get it? It had turned purple. "Breathe..." Carolina Crown's purple pants.

Like most drum corps shows, it's all how you sell it: Excellent at marking time in this difficult economy until exact hit without pre-telegraphing the move; the business competitors will never see it coming. Stop and go's are an expert skill to capitalize on opportunities and not going beyond the imposed limits. Able to function in pressing situations with little sleep and under other tough sacrifices, making the best appearance even when others are not ready. Can follow directions whether from the podium of the chief officer or the bull horn of press box critics. Definitely a team player with full ensembles, sections, subgroups, as well as soli. Most sensitive to the rhythms of life, the counter-rhythms, and the various tempos that create the bigger picture.

I can do a triple scotch.

These absolutely stunning effects are what would happen if Boston Crusaders merged with Carolina Crown. But only Blue Devil$ could afford the equipment nece$$ary to do this, and Cadets and Bluecoats would go bankrupt trying to finance it.

Yeah I have 5 friends who have done front ensemble at various corps and PT was part of it. If you aren't willing to push through that to do drum corps then maybe it's not for you. And you might not be marching, but you will be loading and unloading multiple times a day, will sometimes be moving all that stuff ludicrous distances in some instances, and playing upwards of 90% of the show. You will still work your ### off. People saying front ensemble is easy and not a lot of work is a pet peeve of mine. Might not be marching but they sure make up for that in other ways. This is a serious question, not asking to be mean or anything. Are there actual reasons or disabilities even that make it hard, or is it something you just have not done or don't want to do it because you're a little lazy? If it's the latter one and you want to change it, you can. If you don't want to change it, then again, might not be for you. If it's the former, well read that article posted above. Anythings possible!

Animal Farm will help move the Crusaders up the competitive ladder and entertain fans

Not to be an a-hole about it, but PT is an important part of overall health and wellness. I don't know about a lot of drum corps except Cadets and I know the pit absolutely has to participate in PT. Just because you're not marching doesn't mean you should neglect your overall health. I am willing to bet there is no way to avoid PT altogether, so if I were you, I would look online for some beginner PT programs to assist you with getting into shape. You can also PM me and I can give you some tips as well. Good luck on whatever you decide. Physical Training.

Especially since Annapolis hit the ball out of the park in almost every respect. It's far and away the best championships location I've seen for DCA.

Makes. Me. Cry. Kids are so dam tough, resilient SOB's.

A timely article.

She most certainly did and never slacked from anything the corps was doing. Oh, it was a struggle for her many times and she did endure the great pain at times. She didn't ask for pity, never asked for special treatment, but set an example for everyone (marching members, staff and volunteers.) Someone mentioned the military veteran who marched Bluecoats several years back. He also has been joined over the years by others with profound challenges. That they were successful in their efforts is one reason that many in the drum corps audience are unaware of them but the very reason they have the respect of their corps mates and other marching members. They most certainly have mine.

All the bad sounds from those old (pre upright valve) horns are because of the key......

I imagine many corps today would offer a position to Barbara. To the best of her abilities, she used her left hand to assist in supporting her mello and probably did most of the cardio PT.

You do want to be part of a "team", so do whatever it takes to be part of that team. As Tim K. said, you didn't mention what your perceived(my word not Fr Tim's) limitations might be, but you're old enough to know what you must do to survive physical training. No one else is going to push your pit equipment every day for you, especially after a days worth of rehearsal in the heat and then you still have that 1/4 mile (or further) to the competition field at night.

I love these videos. I hear these runs, complete with met, in my sleep. Literally. Can't wait to see this design unfold.

Audacious, adj. - showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.

I really dont think anyone lost fans because they dont announce a show. Yet run a huge risk of arm chair critiques when announcing. Could be good or bad either way. Its nice when a corps chooses to announce BUT I dont see anything wrong with choosing not to. jmo

AS it will if a corps chooses NOT to announce which should be their choice.

Do you think some corps just wait until all the pieces of their show are in place versus announcing really early only to scrap it? Cadets announced a Pearl Harbor show a few years back only to change it to 12.25

Objection. Calls for pre-supposition in the testimony. Rash judgment.

The thing is, if they would stop the super secrecy & just announce the show, people would be talking about it. I have never understood the benefit of holding back show information. DCI should have an announcement day sometime in January where all Drum Corps announce their shows. Imagine the anticipation & buildup to that!