Leaderboard

Actually,a lot of fans show up for Rutgers games. They just tend to be fans of the opposing team.

I'd be really surprised if there is anyone who longs for the return of drum corps more than yours truly. I've been involved since 1960. When there is a safe strategy for this, I'll be at the head of the line. But I would ask my colleagues to consider facts, not pipe dream fantasies. Read what JimF says, above: "Lol just did a NYT link to where I would be in line to get a vaccine." Does anyone actually think 18-20 year old musical athletes are going to be at the front of THAT line? Logic says "no" to that. Think about the ramifications of large groups of un-vaccinated young people traveling thousands of miles to converge at one venue to do an un-judged "Showcase" performance over a weekend in Indy in August, then returning whence they came. I want drum corps back so bad I can taste it, but the corps that have declined to make that trip are the sensible ones, and the rest may not have the option, no matter how much they wish it. In the words of Duke Ellington, I don't want "to tear the seams of anyone's dreams", so by all means, dream on. Just recognize that you are dreaming. Maybe it will come true. I'd like that. I

They hosted a show in Toronto back when I was marching. The Shriners International.

What is confusing is what people are saying what a "season" is. The only proposed event in the one DCI put out in August. To me one event does not constitute a season of performances.

That is absolutely true. Each corps admin needs to evaluate their operation in all areas to see if attending makes sense for them financially and logistically.

BD doesn't want a shortened season at all, and SCV has their own reasons for not wanting to move forward with anything in 21. Both made the right decisions for them. Everyone else, especially those located in the midwest, aren't them. One size really doesn't fit all.

Where’s the picture of Dan sitting on a corner in Indy with a sign begging for $$$?

I’m genuinely curious about what DCI will be doing in Indy this Summer (2021). Doubtful it will be on a large scale. I don’t see how it would be possible to put together a number of corps that would travel in from all over the country for just a few days in the Summer. How would large groups even get to Indy during a pandemic? Not to mention the social distance aspect in the performance itself. Hopefully by then the vaccine will be available to the wider population which would help, but I can’t see how DCI would have more than a couple of corps from the Midwest (what does that even mean anymore, since the members themselves are from around the country) with limited number of participants each. Will they play in a standstill or march? What will the quality of the performance be, given all of the above? Also, what does the bridge year do to the members that would have aged out this year? Is this idea for Indy in 2021 their only shot now to age out, or are they even eligible for this anymore? I doubt DCI would allow someone to “redshirt” for two years, so the members that have been waiting will be 23 when the 2022 season rolls around.

Does DCI asking fans who ordered tickets to 2020/21 to turn it into a donation count as a gutsy move?

As we’re looking at capacity at LOS, social distancing, health rules and regulations for next summer, there is something we need to take into account that makes drum corps audiences, especially at finals, unique. We have a lot of young people and many “young at heart.” There’s not a huge what I would call a “middle group,” namely folks with school aged children. The 50+ group may travel and attend, but will the 65+ crowd with health conditions? I’m 58 and attend in a block that includes lots of folks in the 70+ crowd and between shows the value of flu shots, potassium and calcium supplements, and the pros and cons of Eliquis v. Xarelto come up as frequently as costumes v. Uniforms. Even with a best case scenario, attendance will be way down due to demographics. Regarding donating the value of my tickets back to DCI, if I don’t attend an event in Indy this summer, which is at this point a likely scenario, I would donate but would like options. I don’t mind giving some to DCI, but I would like DCI to give me the option to donate some of the price to corps that may be struggling. If that option is not available I will still donate my 2020 tickets back to DCI if I do not attend and if I do attend I will still donate to DCI. I just think the option fir some to go to the corps shows “we’re all in this together.”

I know there's a deadline involved because of tax deductions. But, I think more details about 2021 in Indy need to be revealed before asking us to make a decision.

I applaud both BD and SCV for making the intelligent decision

I marched in the 1971 and 72 shows with Garfield. The Shriners weekend happened in mid-June when there were a lot of HS graduations in the NJ area. For me and a bunch of other members that happened in 71. The corps had already left, except for the 9 or 10 of us with graduations at various schools. We met at Garfield HS around 10:00 PM, and about three cars driven by adults drove us to Toronto overnight. We got there around 6:00 or 7:00 AM the next morning, just in time to join the corps for breakfast. It was a loong weekend, but we place 2nd. The company that recorded the albums was great. DCP's Ironlips told me over dinner once how they recorded, when I was on a business trip to CA a number of years ago. Those albums were amazing.

Never saw the vid.... irony is local Shriners had a drum corps for a few decades....

If it's like a Shriner's Convention, they'd better bring in more of the 'hard' drinks. Making reservations now...

Please remember that allowing fans into sporting events during this pandemic is mostly for fan reactions to the games and not revenue. Most professional sports like NFL or NBA and MLB get most of their money from television contracts. Of course DCI has none of that luxury.

This event is for one reason and one reason only; $$$! It’s a fund raiser. DCI is in no financial position right now to even support a 2022 tour without $$$.

Lol now I’m going to have to check what year Reading Buccaneers 🏴‍☠️ played Drunken Sailor. Real upbeat version and nice sop/bari duet playing very fast and very clean. Well will be in my head until I copy some more vinyl and cassettes to laptop. (Retirement/Covid project)

Listened to Madison Scouts '76 early season vs late season yesterday. All day I had the theme from Shaft going through my head - the earworm repeating over and over. To get rid of it I listened to Hotline Bling. Guess what was in my head this morning? I'm going to listen to "What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor" now to get Hotline Bling out of my head.

I attended an Indy Eleven (USL Championship division) match as recently as Late September at LOS and they were allowing to to 7500 in the lower bowl at that time, however we were required to keep masks on and maintain 6' distance on the concourse...as well as remaining in our purchased seat. Personally I felt safe in the stadium.

Rutgers had fans go?

probably because they can only hold it so long

hell guys you marched with still call me kid

Music City, probably more than most corps, thrive more of a local membership draw. Good for MCDC!

Can’t see anything that DCI can do in the summer of 2021 more than keeping the light switch on. I’m sure they realize - DCI - that unless there is some sort of bridge to 2022, the activity could be doomed for extinction. This isn’t the early days where the local legions and VFW posts were the sponsors and local membership was a given. The lack of marching units and failure to maintain local participation does not bode well for a quick restart back to normalcy anytime soon.

To not march in 2021 is not "gutsy". To march in 2021 is gutsy.

Still no official word on whether the Couchmen will sit the season out, or sit the season in.

Me, too. On the trusting. It's hard for me to grapple with all the factors and details involved and how they might play out for each corps. Why BD and SCV leaders don't deserve the benefit of the doubt here - that they are likely making smart decisions on behalf of their organizations - is puzzling.

Each corps has to look at what is financially possible as well as logistically feasible. It is sad, but I trust each corps’ admin to do what is best.

neither does trolling

I would be more comfortable if ticket deferral was the default option and response was only needed if you wanted to convert it to a donation.

A conversation is a two way street. People have asked plenty of questions to achieve better understanding and received trolling remarks in return.

I’ve tried asking this young person questions to try to understand their opinion and gotten 😄as a response numerous times. So much for having a conversation. Where has anyone said corps are irresponsible for wanting to go to Indy? I see people bringing up reasons why not going might be a responsible thing to do.

that was 78 i believe

I’ve kind of stopped bothering. The ignorance is too high

pointing out things like cost and logistics have zero effect on this poster. the guidelines and protocols DCI is going to require is going to jack costs way up. like way up. so what revenue other than fees from the kids are corps going to get?

Well that’s the 3rd or 4th post I’ve made that you (ONiels) added a laughing face at lower right as a response. Hope you do make a corps so you can learn maturity when dealing with others

What does this have to do with the financial responsibility post you answered?

Perhaps a thought that needs to be said out loud: When corps management is deciding on their plans for 2021, they are not just looking at 2021 members. They are looking at 2022 and beyond. Taking the pain in 2021 might help them survive 2022 and later seasons

So you’d encourage organizations to abandon fiscal responsibility and member experience to so you can watch marching band?

It is also good that some Corps are looking at the financials and making a a decision based on reality

so... can Pacific Crest win if they fill up with BD and Vanguard kids? lol

I’m glad that those naughty little Devils used good judgment to cancel the 2021 season yet planning their return to dominance again in 2022. #20 in 22. Do it up Devils!

The Blue Devils post today basically acknowledged the obvious. 2022 will hopefully see the return of a DCI touring season. It's a tough pill to swallow, but better to be realistic with the kids, the fans and the instructors/judges. Most researchers are predicting a 3rd wave of Covid-19 in February. We can only hope the vaccines being rolled out this winter will be effective, and bring an end to the pandemic sometime in 2021. In the meantime, we will continue giving till it hurts, to keep our corps going.

What do you know, two of the most financially sound and successful corps have common sense.

https://www.bluedevils.org/news/article.php?ID=1004

On BD's website and an email I got both Blue Devils and Santa Clara Vanguard will not be traveling to Indy 2021. Basically both organizations are planning on 2022 as a target date for return to the activity.