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The consistent comment I heard about BK's corps' percussion voicing for 2019 was musical, musical, musical. As a non-drummer it was great to hear something other than aggressive banging working out testosterone over-dosing coming out of a corps' battery. Wherever the dynamic duo lands, I hope their summer efforts of 2019 set a new direction for DCI percussion.

With the blessing, none.

This is what happens when you have too many boilermakers.

Fair question. I know that there when I was there, there were not many UW students (in the marching band or in the School of Music... two almost completely district pools of students) that marched DCI. I know of three in the last decade, although I bet that number is slightly low. That may change going forward with the regime change in the UW band, but the most consistent source of Scouts from the state of Wisconsin in the last decade has been UW-Eau Claire, not any other high school or University. And yes, there are auditions held there for the last few years. My larger point is that this fantasy of a viable top-tier corps drawing on local talent, playing the old hits, rehearsing at Madison East HS... it's a vapor in the air. It's as far from reality now as the days of one-handed bugle hold were from the time when the Scouts started to become mostly non-local in their membership in the early 80s.

My Drum Corps World show recap is out! https://www.gaminnet.info/?p=5939

The color guard design/show in 2005 PR was one of the most beautiful and interesting things about the show. Everything the color guard did was "wow" - art deco-style flags/umbrellas based on chevrons, multiple period-style costume changes (where every new costume was better than the one it replaced), equipment work that was cheeky and so much fun. And then that closer with that head dress and the incredible orange color. One of the best color guard programs ever put on a field.

The cavaliers brass caption manager also does brass for Aimachi in Japan. While he’s over there I believe he holds auditions. For years the Cavaliers have had many members from Japan in their membership.

You dislike talented performers from other countries performing in an 'international' competition format? Ok....

Can't reward content if there's too much dirt to even get a read on the content

The 2019 Boston Crusaders beg to differ...

I have many fans on DCP, But I must say Sutasaurus and Continental are my biggest ones 🙂

If one wants the Madison Scouts to be a top-competing DCI corps, the membership that the corps draws from can't be totally, primarily, or even mostly drawn from local Wisconsin programs. This is not inherently a criticism of Wisconsin band programs. Students from there, however, when compared against students from many other parts of the country and world, do not *on average* bring the same skillsets of marching and playing that students in other regions do, and do not tend to turn out for auditions at the same rates as in other regions, and that strongly affects a group's ability to compete.

I love Love LOVE that show!

One hurdle in dealing with HS band members and DCA is the "drivability" of the DCA corps from the potential high schools. Being weekend-only, it is not just a couple of camps and then move-in for the summer. There would be a lot more schlepping between the home town of the potential members and the corps. More akin to the old days, actually. The band I taught actually had one member play snare with C2 and now has been in C1 the past seasons on snare, but I know the first year entailed a lot of driving for him and his parents. Which adds another wrinkle...HS kids are a lot less mobile than college and older members. They need parents willing to drive in many cases. Even kids who are driving age are barely driving age, so parents may not be willing to let them drive X hours to rehearsals all year. It does shrink the available pool for individual corps, but at least in my area there are so many schools it still leaves a good number of potential members from just about any northeast DCA corps. Figuring out the best way to tap into that market is another matter.

I wouldn't bet too much if I were you.

BD then the rest

He has an intense dislike for drum corps that don't solely recruit locally. I'm assuming he also just generally hates the concept of globalization

Why? It is Drum Corps International.

Unless I am mistaken, Jeff is still under contract with Carolina Crown. That would mean in order for him to take the job with the Cadets he would most likely have gotten permission from Crown to sign with the Cadets as a consultant for the upcoming year. Honestly, I think this means very little in terms of his involvement with Crown. In fact, I would go so far to say that having Jeff back in some capacity with the Cadets is not only good for the Cadets and Crown but drum corps in general.

Please no story telling

Judging by the reffing in the NFC Championship, that first statement seems false

Idk, for me inferno didn't have the member talent and insane music book and visual design that Power of 10 had (in terms of cleanliness and music book difficulty/achievement) nor did it have the conceptual depth/complexity that Ink had. Had it not been for the fact that the Cadets had a director who basically self sabotaged the show with those black unis, I think the Cadets would've taken the silver that year and possibly the gold. Inferno had the audience appeal much like Tilt did, but it takes more than just GE to win a championship.

Meh. Off season banter and something to post about as we goof off at work. It's a harmless thread.

Is this a poem?

who even knows since the majority of corps guard their rep secrets more closely than nuclear missile codes?

DCA has lost four of its champions in about the last 10 years. Something has to be put into place to help keep corps afloat during lean years or other crises that arise. Without enough corps, there simply won't be enough people in the audience at shows, especially prelims and finals. As for recruiting, which has been mentioned by several other people already, this is the very most important characteristic of any successful drum corps that I have ever been a part of. Recruiting must go way beyond setting up tables at marching band shows. Networking with as many band programs and following up with contacts in a positive way is essential. Drum corps need to have their very best people in charge of the recruiting effort. One aspect of recruiting that I think is sometimes not given enough priority is retention. Retaining existing members is a part of a successful recruitment effort. Drum corps need to treat their existing membership well and let them know that they value their time and efforts. Marketing. I have been a band teacher for 23 years and I have never received 1 piece of mail, email, or any other kind of media regarding DCA. I would guess most band directors aren't even aware of its existence, or if they are, they only know of the stories of past decades, which would it be very helpful for the new image of all-age drum and bugle corps.

yeah that was amazing the last 2 years.

Hmm. No changes??? https://bluedevils.org/programs/a-corps/seasons/?module=staff&season=2020 I don't see Cappybara's name anymore as major consultant...................................................................................................................unless it's that coda called Re-Cap.

Everyone's BUSY at Crown!

kkrepps gets me. 🙃

Hopefully the Cadets don't do anything close to what they have done in the past decade and a half. I'd love to see some elegance to them

After watching BD360 for 2019 I get the feeling it might be the opposite for BD. They really seem like they are simply out there performing and having fun with the knowledge that that they are totally prepared for what they are about to do. At least that is how it comes across to me.

I posted over on the Madison thread as well, but having spent a few years up close and personal with Daniel Montoya, I'm very excited for what Madison may be doing next year! I suspect that crew is going to give the Scouts a very distinctive voice in World Class. Mike

marketing, marketing marketing....towards the younger generations. In PA alone there's 5 marching band circuits....partner with them. recruit at their big shows. build relationships with them. 3 of those same circuits operate in NJ. One operates in NY along with NY Fed. You have to get kids interested to march, and face it, few corps are full. You then get their parents to come. Then, from that pie, eventually marching days may be done, but you have the ability to retain them as fans. As that base grows, then you can start to explore different venues for championships since that is a sticking point. Embrace Soundsport/mini corps as a way to grow corps into the competitive arena as DCI has been doing. I have enjoyed the DCA minicorps in the past, but that's been mostly geared towards grous from an exisiting corps, or older alumni. Face it, starting a drum corps isn't cheap, but Soundsport has shown that with time and patience, as well as a sound business strategy, you can get corps on the field during the summer. Standardize the show host and fees process. The every corps for themselves model is old, and it discourages smaller corps from being able to get into shows. And...get public information out about DCA's safety policies.With all of the craziness in the last 2 years, DCA has been VERY silent about this, despite an article last fall exposing a fomer finalist for issues in the past, as well as the former YEA director and how that affected and in several ways led to the inactivity of C2.

are we larping? 😁

How religiously insensitive you are. Do you think that perhaps there might be those who celebrate Festivus who are currently spinning their aluminum polls? Moderators!!!!

Any idea if Shaw is bringing most of the brass staff from SCV with him? Very impressed with the staff changes PR has made. 2020 is looking like it could be an even more competitive year. Corps like PR and Cadets getting stronger is a good thing for DCI. Not sure how far either corps will move up, but I think both will be drastically improved.

bumped for fun 🙂

With the return of JD Shaw and some of the old staff, I've compiled a list of the top 15 songs from phantom regiments past that they should revisit in 2020 1. They 2. Need 3. To 4. Move 5. Forward 6. And 7. Not 8. Keep 9. Playing 10. Music 11. From 12. Their 13. Past 14. Shows 15. Death Hunt

good grief. I'm pretty sure this thread is meant to be FUN

Nah. It's all in fun. There are a lot of years where there was simply more than 1 great performance/show. Plus many of us are more knowledgeable in one area (i.e. brass or percussion for music majors/minors or those that work in music education) than another (I know nothing about color guard) so when a show that we feel is stronger in our more knowledgeable area doesn't win we might get a little salty. BUT there may have actually been robbing, rioting and pillaging in 2012 if this call wasn't reversed.

I’m an actual female and I agree 100%.

Oh my god who cares. Hire the most qualified people they find. If it happens to be all male, so what? - signed, a green smoothie drinking, stuffed toy hugging, sheltered, safe space loving milennial 🙄

i get that the change inconvenienced people, but it was the right call given the forecast

1974 - Anaheim Kingsmen should have won DCI. Bottle Dance, Shmottle Dance.

2015 Blue Devils (Ink) -- At the time, I was unfamiliar with Into The Woods. Now having seen multiple productions, I have a much greater appreciation for this show and see why it bested Inferno.

I won't put numbers down until labor day staff announcements. Buy, sell, hold on improving from 2019 show/performance/placement/score/etc. BD - hold Bloo - sell SCV - buy Crown - hold Cavies - buy Boston - buy Blue Knights - hold Blue Stars - sell Cadets - buy Mandies - hold Xmen - sell PR - buy Spirit - buy

This is what WILL happen: 1. Cavies 2. SCV 3. Blue Knights 4. Blue Devils 5. Bluecoats 6. BAC 7. Crown 8. Mandarins 9. Blue Stars 10. Crossmen 11. Cadets 12. Pacific Crest I’ll put money on it. 😉

Oh, honey.