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If SCV was based in Texas over the last several years this would not have kept the corps out of the financial trouble they are in. A move does not fix bad management.

[elevator doors open on Hook em’s floor] [green gushes out like the red in The Shining] Yeah, I’ll try another hotel

The only problem is that's Texas....

I had a bunch of thoughts but overall feel it's a good move. It feels weird to see them so far away from New Jersey. At the same time I was hoping they would get out of Allentown after the off-the-field issues in recent years. I like Allentown, PA but I feel Cadets had to move on. Of course, in this post Covid era with the uncertainty of trying to keep drum & bugle corps alive it is nice to hear of some hope. This is no guarantee for success but it feels like the right move. In terms of location: Erie is only 1.5 hours or less from 3 major airports in Buffalo (NY), Cleveland (OH), and Pittsburgh (PA). Erie sits on the Southeast shores of Lake Erie in a beautiful setting. Having the sports complex to use year-round is a big bonus. This area also happens to be big wine country (not that this matters for drum corps fans -- or maybe it does). Lots of wineries along the southern shores of Lake Erie. Perhaps now the Erie Fanfare DCI show will become a bigger show, and the stadium is really nice (Veterans Memorial Stadium). It is not super large but the sound is fantastic. From a recruiting stand point (at least from a regional perspective) there are many colleges within a 3 to 4 hour drive from Erie. Many of them are in large population centers in Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Akron, and Youngstown. Penn State is maybe 3+ hours from Erie. Other Big Ten schools like Ohio State and Michigan are roughly 5 hours from Erie. There are many great H.S. band programs in this region as well. Upstate New York, Western PA, and Northeast Ohio have many solid to exceptional programs. I realize most drum corps recruit nationally and especially in places like Texas, Indiana, Florida, etc. But it doesn't hurt to have many fine H.S. programs and incredible collegiate music schools in the region. Cost of living in Erie is pretty good and hopefully will help Cadets manage and facilitate everything needed to be successful. Just some general thoughts on the move and location. Best wishes to the corps as they move forward.

Forgivable, but relentless heartburn. The activity itself? Greg said is best.

I told my son if he had marched for the Mandarins last year, I am not so sure his fro would have fit under the spinning prop in the opener lol.

SCV will never get Silicon Valley Bingo Income anywhere else in the USA. They also own the building they are in, and surrounded by insane real estate prices. If they cash out of that situation that will be the end of them. SCV is able to keep 6X the bingo revenue they generate relative to the Blue Devils. If they didn't have insane fiscal mismanagement they'd be able to coast on Bingo all the way with just two Corps that run modest budgets, or one Corps with an insane budget.

Great article from the DCI site with videos: https://www.dci.org/news/modern-troopers-aim-for-new-heights-with-2023s-to-lasso-the-sun?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email

I don't see the problem with Cavies moving to the greatest state of the land..... unless they are concerned about me popping up randomly at their headquarters. .......... or trying to sneak into their meetings on show design.

I'll take the Houston Cavaliers lol

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It was a wonderful time and life experience. I made many friends that are still dear friends 50 years later. It looks and sounds different, thank goodness, and I hope it survives for the next generation so they can experience the joy of Drum Corps too.

Dear DWW11, I hear what you’re saying. If you feel your dollars are going into the wrong hands, find another activity that more closely aligns with your ethos. There are many, many, many more deserving organizations that don’t carry such “baggage”. Time to make an assessment on where your dollars go. I love drum corps…with all my heart, but there are other charities worthy of my dollars. I not only contribute monetarily, I volunteer on a weekly basis to help people overcome “food insecurity”. I will continue to give money to my corps because they, in my heart, are keeping the ideal of drum corps alive. As for DCI, it takes a “village” to challenge the venues they choose. That’s a lesson I learned from drum corps.

The East(ern PA) of my youth... The West(ern PA) of my future...

Eioolps.. Eioolps..

If the Troopers can make it in Casper, Wyo., the Vanguard can make it in the heart of the richest enclave of the world's 5th-largest economy.

Just some responses as I am an Erie resident and have grown up in the area. We are geographically very convenient. The Lake Erie Fanfare is actually no longer held at Veteran's Stadium. While I love that stadium and I personally love judging in the press box of that stadium for our local marching band circuit, parking, warm up areas, and everything else are VERY limited around the stadium. The Lake Erie Fanfare is actually held at the stadium on Edinboro University's campus now which provides so much more room for spectators and corps. We do have some wonderful high school programs in the area, however, music education has taken a decline here in recent years. This could be something really good to help bring that back.

Yup, wouldn't fix anything. Mike

This is a VERY good thing for the organization on so many levels not the least of which is having offices, fleet parking/storage, rehearsal facilities and spring raining facilities (including 2 domed fields) all in one place. The fact that the Erie community has been so enthusiastic in support is another indication of this being the right place. Allentown never full embraced the corp nor did they deliver on many of the promises that Erie has actually put in writing.

...at ear-splitting volumes, no doubt...😂

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I think they're bringing in this group's staff. https://ntucac.com/harmonica-band/

There’s a really big part of me that wants to bring one in. I keep thinking of ways to bring one in in pieces, and put it together for a Blooooooooooo moment.

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Lol I don’t drink anymore. I do sneak in bottle caps for my water because they take them.

From the article, emphasis added "The band is still expected to return to J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown for the annual DCI Eastern Classic in August, the CAE said."

Professionals carry a variety of harmonicas for different keys, octave ranges, etc. I suppose each will be miced-up for amplification in the pit or out on platforms. Harmonica company endorsement ads will air during FloMarching.

To drag this discussion back to Troopers. Considering how staffs have gotten large, I wonder if Troopers will add a harmonica caption head, 2-4 harmonica techs, and a harmonica visual coordinator to the staff?

When I had the beard, my wife told me I looked like a poor man's James Harden lol

My last semester at college had a roommate who had just finished a hitch in the Army. Was a good soldier but joined so he could afford college. We were close in age and over 21 so… He let his hair grow and looked like a shaggy Prince Valient from the comics 😆. And the people at the bar the locals went to knew us on sight. I graduated and he got it out of his system so no more bar trips. He met a young lady who hates me because “Jim was around and they went to the bar. Jim left and no more bar trips. Therefore.. Jim.. bad influence “. 🙄 My wife thought that was hilarious…

In the 1970s we were trying to sneak booze into the stadium. In 2023 we are figuring out how to sneak a vuvuzela into the stadium. What has happened to us?

Me and you are alike lol. Retired in 2021 from the Navy after 24 years of service. First six months after I retired, I grew the biggest beard ever! Didn't even want the beard, just grew one cause for the first time in my adult life, I was allowed to have one and didn't have to shave. My wife couldn't get used to it. She was used to me being clean shaven lol. She nearly threw a party when I finally shaved lol.

💯.

Well, Mr. Hook'emCavies, I have been on DCP since 2004 as long as it has been up, and I think you're probably one of the nicest people here. As I've said to you before, never apologize for or think you need to lessen the passion you have for your corps.

At the rate they are going it will take them about 1,300 years to circumnavigate the globe.

There’s a part of me that wants to bring one in when he says that. 😂

Source music origin doesn't necessarily mean they're taking the storyline too.

Erie has a long and successful storied history of Drum Corps' which continues even today. Welcome Cadets.

Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change? Edit - for those who don't know - this is a quote from the movie, not wrath aimed at my esteemed colleague JimF

"Never put your own money in the show!": The Producers

Excellence is a Choice. The Process. The Universe.

I'm booking a room on the Cavies floor. Nonstop cavies shows on TV, bbq, and dinner with Mr. Mast lol!!! My old director probably warned him about me at some point. Lol!!!

You really need a harmonica to do Morricone justice. He even used it to great effect in the non-western The Untouchables

Heck, if the goal is to make $ outside of CA, SCV should go to Vegas & open a hotel / casino. Doesn’t need to be Drum Corps theme, but maybe one nod could be restaurant called ‘Miss Amana’s’. And they could take bets on DCI at the sports book.

Someone mentioned this on another forum, but there is a Santa Clara, Texas in the San Antonio metro area 👀

So B-flat harmonica or G-harmonica? Do they use a marching harmonica or concert harmonica?

where do most of the paying customers for drum corps live? (no... not those in the stands. Those who pay to do this.) That's right. Big BOA programs. Texas, Florida, Indiana...etc. Yes there's a few from PA, NJ, KY, CA, MN/WI, OH... but there's a reason BAC started having florida camps in 98/99. And Cavies in GA. and others in Texas. Bring the business to the customer. Most of the corps now have a Home office, but do everything else in other cities or states.

I have a student who had similar hair; he showed up Monday with it shaved off. So maybe it is going out of style? Caveat is that I am worst when it comes to fashion. For 21 years USAF told me what to wear; & now I wear whatever is on top in drawer.

sounds like a good move for all!

So, I just watched The Hateful 8. (Source music). I don't see this storyline translating well to general audiences.