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I think we've seen evidence that vaccine roll-out is going to take longer than expected. Add to that the political upheaval in this country and the financial consequences of the COVIDF-19 outbreak, 2021 is probably not going to happen. I would be much more in favor of the drum corps world observing another year in pause and looking toward 2022. Not that this is something I want, but I would rather then drum corps world make a more slow, purposeful return. But i'm probably in the minority on this.

Anecdotally, I'm receiving the first dose of Pfizer this Thursday

I understand for fans that don’t have or no longer have kids in drum corps or personally aged out of drum corps some time ago, it’s easy to see the current evolution of DCI as overly expensive, too productionized, or whatever, but from this current member parent’s perspective, I still see an organization that creates opportunities for teenagers and young adults to push themselves to their limits, build lifelong friendships, appreciate the value of teamwork, and have the time of their life. I see organizations that push for new levels of excellence primarily driven by volunteers and instructors mostly paid a stipend while using their vacation or summer break to teach and educate. Perusing the tax filings of a few corps, even the top corps with year round operations mostly have reasonably compensated directors (certainly some room for argument here I suppose). Anyway, I don’t see this as some sort of “money grab” but rather an attempt at survival and/or an attempt to provide members with some level of the drum corps experience. I don’t attend drum corps shows purely for the entertainment. I attend because I’ve come to greatly appreciate the kids busting their tails in the hot summer sun to be the best they can be as a marching musician. In a time when so many complain that kids these days are lazy (a complaint I expect to continue to the end of time), I support these young people who are anything but lazy.

Jazz requires A) feel....and in todays metronomed to death DCI world with crazy visual requirements....it's a challenge many don't want to take. B(....melodic development can often take longer than the current design trends allow for.

I think it's due to the fact that the 'Jazz Idiom' is considered a 'gateway' form of music that can lead to illicit drug use. Just like dancing is considered a gateway to sexual activity. And both of these activities are considered a gateway to 'Hell". And we don't want to go the 'Hell"... That's the message in Carolina Crown's 2015 production "Inferno". 😇

It was 35 years ago. 😎