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Everyone wants to keep blaming props and electronics. It’s the insane amount some of these corps are paying designers and staff. Corps only have themselves to blame of what they evolved to. Let’s see if the pendulum shifts. Something has got to give.

I’ve been saying this for like ever! Staff drives the budget.

Stanbury Uniform, brought to you by (you guessed it) Varsity

Yes, $4400 was already on the lower end, if not the lowest WC (some others may appear less expensive but their tuition isn’t all inclusive). $3400 is less than even some open class corps. Keep in mind that this lowering of member costs is due to generous donor(s), not expense reduction. Charter buses, semi tractor rental, food and housing are expensive.

Phantom Regiment’s board of directors convened March 11-13 in Chicago. On the agenda: in-depth discussion and strategic planning for the future of Phantom Regiment. A few sentiments were shared by all: We’re Excited We’re Uncomfortable We’re Proud! Read the rest of the article here.View the full article

For a perspective sort of related; I paid $5,000 for a 5 week ballet intensive for my daughter. That was 5 weeks of ballet for 5 days/week. 3 meals/day, no travel, no performances, nothing on weekends, no unscheduled visitors, one trip away from the college they stayed at. What you get for a DC summer tour (and camps leading up to tour) experience imo far outweighs the ballet intensive. The value is a personal choice, but breaking down all components of each experience, DC gets the most bang for the buck. IMO. Each one at $5K? I’m going with DC. Plus I suck at ballet.

Someone has to say it. Thank you.

My point is while it may be ok for you that many people are paying 5k to have a great drum corps experience, it's unfair for those who cannot afford to do things like this because it can be prohibitively expensive, especially for those who come from poor areas but would still like to have the same experience.

My bad. I saw so many brass spots open, I assumed it included DCA.

Did they switch to Varsity Spirit for their cheer "skorts" in dovetail gray? (sorry)

Worth the watch. Some great folks running the organization!

Yep. The problem is that performers want the $5000 drum corps experience but don’t want to pay $5000. People often blame expensive props, electronics, etc. for ballooning the costs but that’s not really much (in most cases- there have been exceptions) compared to fuel, food, bus rental, bus drivers, tractor rental and drivers, housing, etc. If a lower cost experience is what would make this activity more popular, open class corps would be packed with members and world class would be looking for members. I think corps used to foot more of the costs through donations and sponsorships in the past and now more is on the member. The one thing that’s probably changed the most is corps moving from entirely / nearly entirely volunteer to more paid staff, drivers, etc.

I did a season of Hop Talks (tm) so I’m not sure much is left. Found the blog, immediately regretted finding the blog Since he obviously is reading this: Hi George! You belong in jail!

I remember seeing something on facebook a few years back of an entire public group page that proclaimed his innocence. Some of the comments I read by many of those people made me think they were members of a cult.

I heard someone threw a bucket of water on him and he melted.

Thank you for this information. Two years probation and a small fine. Very disappointing.

And for good measure...this company front in 1979:

It's probably not one that is talked about much...but for me...it was 1992 Crossmen at Allentown...mid-show...my GAWD it was awesome!!!!

Spirit of Atlanta in 1979 and 1980. I'll never forget when Spirit was asked to march halftime for Georgia Tech at the Tech-Alabama game ( because Tech students weren't even back in school yet). Alabama brought their "Million Dollar Band" with what looked like a million members. And...just a couple of weeks off of Finals, Spirit walked out onto the field behind them with 128 and just blew the paint off the pressbox. Good times.