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Well reading that is two minutes of my life I will never get back.

Fans against untested fabrics. Wtf is that?

Bloc prints?

I agree. Wildwood should be included in any discussion of great Jersey Shore towns.

I'll be the next Pope Francis before this ever passes.

Nice! My HS band director tolerated drum corps b/c he knew the type of member he'd be getting back after the summer. I never went to summer band camp until senior year due to tour timing, and yet never had a problem learning the (very) basic box formations and music (no flip folder for this drum corps horn player). And, I was never a member of the "Fanfare to the Earth Worms" brigade (horns down at a 45 so as to see ahead of you and see the music). Horns to the box! 😁

Back in the Stone Age we had a guy in my junior corps, came from a local high school band... against the band director's wishes. "You'll ruin your embouchure" or something like that. LOL.

adding soloists is the gateway. just like amps led to synths, and any key led to any kind of brass.

let's be honest, many in the band world looked down on drum corps. Some still do actually

We’ve been hacked!😱

Good grief- is it so hard to understand that MANY people, young and old alike, love the all brass and percussion of drum & bugle corps. I can't think of many kids I know who are current corps members who would enjoy clarinets and flutes in the ensemble. In fact, I don't think any current members I know would welcome that change. For many, the all brass and percussion sound and clean, uniform, muscular look of the all brass horn line is what makes drum corps unique. Add woodwinds and all the other stuff and it kills it forever. Why is this so hard to grasp? Why must we become an all star college marching band and destroy the very thing that makes drum corps so unique? So you can hear a flute solo or clarinet feature? Great if you love that- I highly recommend the mutlitude of bands and orchestras that do that kind of thing already.

Will this thread be around in five years? 😉

Soviet bloc fabrics 😂

No, it's not serious. And don't call any of us Shirley.

Happened to me too! My 13 year old reply was, "How can it ruin my embouchure if I use the same mouthpiece?" I then got yelled at but no answer to my question!

The sound of the corps will be cut anyway, to maintain ensemble balance with the woodwinds. That is what we were told about trombones. Yet in the first year (half-year, given the short notice), already someone spent major chunks of their show swapping out the entire bari/euph line for trombones. As for solo-only, that is what we were told about amplifying brass. And now they are amping the whole field. Technically, the instrumentation change and the corps size change are separate issues. But it does not surprise me that people are trying to bundle them together. Frankly, the case for increasing corps size is so weak, this is the only argument I could imagine making for it. (And still an insufficient argument, IMO.)

FYI, no one was here in 2000 arguing Bb when it was approved. DCP didn't start until 2002

I think it is highly unlikely to have a WW section in the corps proper. I can see the day that a solo WW or two are used as featured solos or as a small group from the pit. If that’s the case, would many of the legacy fans bolt for the door? How would they react if a Benny Goodman type clarinet solo opened Rhapsody in Blue? Would that be the end of drum corps for you?

Be careful of what you wish for! Understand the pros and cons argument, just don’t believe there’s any real value to be added by allowing WW use unless there are limitations to how they are to be used. IMO initially the departure of legacy fans will be huge. Those departures will require new marketing to fill vacancies, not just for DCI regionals or championships either. Some local shows will feel it the most. Other than increases in revenue for instrument manufacturers it’s another incurred cost to organizations who already operate in the red. A impact study needs to be conducted from both fans and individual organizations prior to adoption of a proposal.

You are making an assumption that economics is driving Ray's decision to leave. Yes he recorded the Blue Knights years ago, but he has more recordings that go beyond Drum Corps that are excellent and have sold. Releasing a recording on the SACD format is not going to make you wealthy, so you better love what you record more as much as the money you make from it. As a sound engineer and mixer, I record stuff because I love the sound of the instruments, the music, and the talent behind them both. Half the stuff I have recorded was not for sale, and the other half would barely make a profit. No need to go into his motivation because he already stated what his motivation was for leaving....it is clear. I understand his motivation for leaving, and cannot fault Ray one bit for it. I also cannot fault anyone who continues to enjoy what they are seeing on the field. Everyone has a line in the sand for what they will support, and that line is different for different people. We need to respect lines, not criticize them - we are not all the same, or have the same taste. For some it was amplification of the pit. To others it was the added sound effects, live voice, or the run from set to set and bark. I hated the addition of live solo voices and the lack of drill, but that has not chased me away. Woodwinds would absolutely be my line.

Avedis Zildjian lived in Constantinople during the 17th century and practiced alchemy, the study of transforming metals into gold. In a stroke of luck in 1618, he accidentally discovered a unique metal alloy made from tin, silver, and copper. Avedis used this new alloy to make cymbals, and was amazed at the powerful sound that was created as a result. Word of his marvelous new cymbals spread, and the sultan requested that he make more for his elite band. As he perfected his craft, Avedis was given the honorary title of "Zildjian," which means "son of a cymbal maker." For the next four centuries, Avedis’s cymbal making process remained a family secret and the Zildjian business grew. Eventually, the company moved to the United States, and today, Zildjian cymbals remain popular with musicians.

Yeah, I read that article too.

However, when I googled Fans Against Untested Fabrics-they are alive and well and thriving. Google it and see what I mean.

Thank goodness this proposal is for 2021. I heard that 12 corps' so far have already ordered their Color Karma Corp. uniforms for 2020.

Sure it is, if the potential members wish to do so. That is how summer enrichment activities exist. Many, such as Interlochen, charge double what DCI charges. Colleges have summer programs in all sorts of areas for HS kids; they, make lots of $$$ from them. Are you trying to say the only reason for drum corps to exist is because the organizations have no WW? Seems a rather odd rationale to me.

Methinks at least some of this was written with tongue firmly in cheek. "Color Karma Corp."

They’d make great drumsticks imo...

yawn

Are they “painful to watch”?

IN DCI judges are told what to judged by the voting membership

I have always wanted to ask you this Mike and this seems the perfect time 🙂 Why is it you want more marching bands featuring any and all instrumentation ? Especially when there are are hundreds if not thousands of this type of unit already? I like brass and percussion only on the field...where else can I go for that if you change dci and dca to look and sound like mb with any instrumentation allowed? An Anything goes div ain’t happening so please refrain from that recommendation 🙂

yes. and that "communication" caption is nothing more than just effect

and then there are those "piccolo trumpets."

Piccolos are somewhat similar to screaming trumpeters-one is usually enough. Or at least one at a time.

The Stone Age-Fran you are really dating us. No, but back in the late 60's at least that was the prevailing thought in my area. But then when band camp came around a couple of us that did march came in ready to go while we could hear many others say-I guess I better start practicing again now that summer is over.

But what if it’s a clarinet soloist AND a grand piano? Would you reconsider? 😉

even one is a challenge!

True story, 1969. I was a member of Liberty High School Band. One (1) week from graduation. I notified Director Ronald Sherry I would miss a parade due to my first performance as a Reading Buccaneer. He actually gave me an ultimatum. I need to choose between his band and Buccaneers. I told him “I choose the Buccaneers.” The goofball than gave me an F in Band on my fourth quarter report card of my Senior Year ! Only failing grade I ever received throughout all Public Schools and later, three college degrees. Yes, there was some tension between drum corps and band back then, at least in Bethlehem, PA.

Oh yeah never heard it myself but used as an excuse. Our assistant band director was with Lancers and some people on Westshoremen board complained because they thought he was recruiting. He wasn’t recruiting as he was up to replace the regular band director in a few years and didn’t want to hurt his chances of getting the job. Lol he wouldn’t even talk corps to you... this was mid 70s

They could bring Artie Shaw back from the dead and he'd have a tough time topping Chris Metzger with that opening solo. LOL

The fine art of incrementalism.

well at least woodwinds won't do the same trombone gimmick to death

I’m fine with that. Just not marching on the field.

That would be ok.

Yeah but from a potential members standpoint it goes a little like this maybe hey Mom Dad how about giving me 4 -5 grand so I can March with a marching band over the summer. Parents respond- why would we let you do that when you can do that for free at your high school or college

after Hook 'Em is finished with his Asteroids.

I know most of the country feels this way, but Northern California gets completely hosed when it comes to the DCI tour. Think of this: BD, SCV, and Mandarins are all located within 2.5 hours of each other and represent one-forth of World Class finalists the past two years. We only get TWO world-class shows! (Spoiler alert, there are some changes coming this year - the former Stockton/SOME show which was moved to Sacramento last year is no longer. A "new" show is taking its place, which is more "earlier" than "new." I want finals in California again. Sigh. I know, it won't happen any time soon.

It is artistic expression in that the designers and members are attempting to explore new and creative ways to create programs within the idiom of the activity. Of course your point about appreciating historical artistic works in current times are noted and understood. They do stand the test of time and are still appreciated and used for inspiration for new artists all the time in fact we see their inspiration in the drum corps activity as well. My point was and is that art never stops evolving nor should the drum corps activity and yes the use of and experimentation with electronics is part of the evolution as are props and other yet to be explored creative tools. Maybe DCI does need to start containing the "arms race" as you call it. I do agree that some corps litter the field with stuff just for stuffs sake that offer no real compliment to the concept or design. If such designs were not rewarded I think you would see a change begin to happen in the activity to push creativity with and WITHOUT the use of giant wastes of money and effort. Maybe The Cadets poor use of props this year and overall subpar design and their corresponding placement is a start in that direction? I don't know, I don't have the answers to that.

In about a month, based on previous years. The 2019 schedule was announced on DCI's website November 16, 2018.