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Rookie doesn’t mean what it used to mean. They come in ready to roll nowadays.

I am struggling with the idea that SCV will be in the top half and possibly fighting for a medal. I understand they have most of the staff back from a couple years ago. However, they were in fifth before the 2023 season. There are many FMM that have found a new home or are apprehensive to take the risks associated with this comeback. I see them in the bottom half if not bottom quarter of the Top 12 as they start their comeback. Please understand, I have always been an SCV fan and wish them well. I just don't see them as a top 6 corps this year.

I didn't know that, but it makes total sense that these two giants were born under the same star. The old saying among drum corps veterans of a certain era was that if you never got to play Kenny's "Auld Lang Syne" or Duffy's "Battle Hymn" you got cheated. Mike wrote for all the heavies in the early DCI days: Anaheim ('72 Champs), Blue Stars ('72 runner up), Troopers (perennial contenders), and dozens of the rest. He just about invented the "Sound of DCI". He's been in my personal Hall of Fame for 50+ years. Rest his remarkable soul. Mike Duffy is irreplaceable.

As opposed to their normal percentage of newbies. Majority of newbies to the top corps are college age with DCI experience. And these top corps usually have the higher numbers of one and done.

I miss the excitement of the planning of getting everything ready for Spring Training, but I will never lose my excitement for this corps!! I just sit in my little corner of the country and cheer them on! 🙂 🙂

When I was on the board, how we kept things safe digitally like Social Security numbers and such was to keep them on a flash drive and then put that physically in a safe (where the bingo deposits would go before the bank, so yes, a legit safe). This was mostly for bingo volunteer documentation (payroll was outsourced), but it was our little way of defeating cyber thefts and so long as that flash drive was never inserted into a computer with internet hardware then we were golden.

Another expense for corps going up. But some will say “it’s a small percentage” and ignore it adds to total cost. Which raises the thought of how insurance companies determine the cost of liability insurance. Thinking they check the corps policies and procedures. And if they find out a corps isn’t following them… won’t be surprised that someone announces they won’t field because they can’t find or afford insurance

Wait. Are you saying that (if rumor = truth) NDAs were executed by a drum corps organization? That money was spent by a drum corps non-profit for that purpose?

No doubt. And I apologize if my comment led you to believe otherwise. You've been an ardent supporter of our cause likely longer than I know. Thank you for taking the time to elaborate. I've worried, since my return to the activity, that the bad/lax behaviors are too far entrenched. My interactions with leadership across the activity certainly make it seem that way. Their constant resistance to proven strategies for improvement in safeguarding also make it seem that way. To say nothing of my own alumni reaction that I'm told is echoed by other survivors' experiences. This isn't to negate what improvements have been made, but uh, clearly, as I've been saying, it could be too little too late. I genuinely hope that isn't the case.

Wake me when it comes close to the amount of hours victims have toiled with their adverse outcomes of abuse in DCI corps. Or just even one corps. Or just even one victim.

Haha. I get how you feel. It still feels like yesterday I was packing for spring training for my last summer and getting ready I miss it a lot

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Back in the day, it was very possible to make a major jump (or fall) of well over 5 places from one season to the next. In today's corps, the vast majority of corps finish within 3 positions of the previous year's placement. Here are some eye openers......................Racine Kilties 28th place 1976, 10th place 1977. Madison Scouts 14th place 1972, 4th place 1973. 27th Lancers 20th place 1974, 4th place 1975. Spirit of Atlanta 22nd place 1977, 6th place 1978. Argonne Rebels, 11th place 1973, 33rd place 1974. Suncoast Sound 13th place 1982, 6th place 1983. Racine Kilties 7th place 1975, 28th place 1976. Hawthorne Muchachos, disqualified 1975, 21st place 1976. Oakland Crusaders 8th place 1976, 15th place 1977 (high drums in prelims) Seneca Optimists 8th place 1977, 23rd place 1978. Garfield Cadets 19th place 1974, 11th place 1975. I am sure that there are more. There were also some drastic 2 year movements as well, though that is for another time. It would be interesting to hear from members that were in both years. I am also sure that major moves up were a bit more gratifying than major moves down, but such is life...........

In 1980, the Garfield Cadets had a huge (around 1/2 of the corps) contingent of members that came to the corps in late May from the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, in what ended up being a miraculous season. After a slow start, and playing "catch up ball" for a good portion of the season, the corps finally was in the mix, and in a 5 corps battle for the last 3 spots in finals. At prelims, the corps laid out a great job, and got a score that looked quite promising of 81.45. Around 30 min. after the announcing of the score, I see a staff member (I was on staff, too) who looked troubled. I cornered him. He tells me, "North Star has filed a protest against us". "For WHAT", I asked. "Overage", he replied. I grabbed him by the collar and said, "you better tell me that we are clean". I was concerned, as we filled 3 blanks in July before second tour, and I was worried that maybe they were not checked thoroughly. He tells me, "we are clean.....but there's a problem". He then tells me the name of the member, and he was a student at West Chester University. Compounding the problem was this......the container with all of the birth certificates was left by accident at our prior school. Not only that, but the member in question did not have a driver's license, which would have sufficed. Pesceone said we have until 3 PM to produce proof that this individual was not overage (and it was after 11 AM already) The member in question also looked old, and had marched in a DCA corps for a few years. Then, an idea hit me. It was a Friday, and the bursar's office at WCU would be open. They would clearly have documents with his date of birth, and may verbally verify. We ran to a pay phone a block away from the stadium. Not only did I reach a person there, but she was cordial and helpful, she verified the dob, and also said that she would verify it to Pesceone when called again. We ran back to the stadium, found Pesceone in the press box, and told him. He called the University Bursar's Office, asked for the woman by name, and she verified the member's DOB. Pesceone hung up the phone and said, "gentlemen, I consider this matter CLOSED". North Star had not been on yet. We found their drumline warming up and paid a "visit". Frankly, I don't think that their members knew anything. However, when their staff saw us, at least some of them definitely knew, and to say that there was some tension in the air would be an understatement. The Cadets score held the corps in 10th place, where the corps also placed in finals. Ironically, North Star also made finals at 12th, which was deserved. However, I always had a bitter feeling about that, with them making the effort to attempt to have us disqualified. Karma can be rough though.......that was the last finals performance that they (North Star) would give, while we would win it all 36 months later. Ironically, a Cadet parent traveled to the school where the birth certificate container was left AND FOUND IT, bringing it to the corps at the stadium by early evening. I do wander if we would have been disqualified on "hearsay", especially if we had proof that we were clean by early evening, and the "plaintiff" had zero proof of anything.

It looks like we have a conflict. The latest announcement from Mad City is that the show is "Mosaic" and the early "Unholy" announcement was not correct. The source music looks to be consistent, just the name of the show is different. Madison Scouts April 28 at 1:00 PM · "a MOSAIC of everyone we have ever loved..." The Madison Scouts present their 2024 production titled "Mosaic" featuring the music White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane), Momento Magico (Youn Sun Nah & Ulf Wakenius), Egyptian Danza (Al DeMiola), Man on Fire (Harry Gregson-Williams), Unholy (Sam Smith) and Sati (Salim & Sulaiman Merchant). #MadisonScouts #DCI2024 #Mosaic Mark Waymire To clear up some misinformation floating around for a while, the show title was never "Unholy". Never suggested, hinted at, considered, nor any theme related to things deemed "unholy", slightly "unholy", "unholy" to some but not others, etc. The theme, repertoire, and direction of the production were decided in a concise, team-centric way within two design meetings back in September. The show title was chosen the first week of October. The efforts of many to this point in the off-season were on full display this weekend. Much gratitude to all stakeholders. Go Scouts! https://www.facebook.com/MadisonScouts/videos/2024-madison-scouts-show-reveal/986501829589055/

Rumor has a person or and organization. The worst kept secret in drum corps has few people talking

That’s so sad. Such a great guy. 🙁

Only one Drum Major. I like that.

MEGA speculation on my part here: I'm wondering if they are referring to member contracts. My bet is that those contracts generally hold harmless for liability should something happen. Don't know, haven't read one.

I'm wondering how many vets came back after last year. And with SCVC not active and they get tons crossover from the them they are dealing with mostly new members. BUT...remember BD in 2022 after the 2 years of not performing they had something like 90 percent newbies. And look what happened.....

And if so, am wondering if it is in the same vein referred to in the Hales/SOA case file "Hales - Answer for Spirit" stating: "Plaintiff previously executed a fully binding and complete release of all claims against Spirit as regards all of the purported factual allegations and causes of action she now asserts in this matter. Accordingly, Spirit specifically raises the defenses of failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted as well as accord and satisfaction."

Thanks for the kind words. I guess it will end up being loss of money (whether to victims, lawyers, insurance firms in some combination) that will drive change. There is a saying, attributed to Eisenhower, ‘If you grab them by the b*lls, their hearts and minds will follow’. The loss of $ is the grab…

If insurance pays out, their rates will definitely rise in the future. As to whether they have coverage for the incident, that's going to depend on the literal policy language, can only speculate there.

Not a Counselor- Is it safe to assume that that if insurance is paying, that insurance rates in future could increase? I can also envision a scenario where the insurance company puts words in the policy to limit their liability if Corps doesn’t adhere to a strict member safety standard.

I agree with you on the toll abuse takes on victims. My (attempted) point was that DCI/SoA are racking up the legal bills. Cadets folded because of their legal bills. How much more hemorrhaging money to law firms can the activity afford? And to allow incidents to happen in 2021, 4 seasons after the Hopacalypse, and after DCI started to concern itself with member safety? Put 50+ teenagers-21 yr olds on a bus with no adult supervision and assume nothing could happen? What in Gods Green Earth were they thinking? If it costs them beaucoup $, well maybe that is what it will take to get everyone’s attention.

I don't see how such an "agreement" could have been signed without being under duress, given the power differential. That would make it unenforceable, amirite?

because without a victim coming forward, no one wants to get sued. and if rumors are true, NDA's made sure victims won't come forward

Apart from the fact it's TROOPERS not Trooper (haha - i'm sure that was a typo), I think this is realistic and possible prediction.

1.Blue Devils 2.Bluecoats 3.Crown 4.Vanguard 5.BAC 6.Cavaliers 7.Mandarins 8.Phantom 9.Colts 10.Blue Stars 11.Blue Knights 12.Trooper

It was powderful!

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Chief, bass drummer with the initials AST aged out from BD 2022, having marched BAC the prior year. She went to BD because her significant other had aged out in 2021 and wanted to be on staff in 2022, but BAC management wouldn't allow that. She is a wonderful drummer and a super all around person.

Scott Chandler Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/C6jvaTCvsOE/?hl=en

I've been told many many many horrible things by alumni. I have none about JF by a survivor, and no known connections to one. Anyone I know who's marched those years doesn't bring it up and I don't ask. That info has to be divulged completely voluntarily for it to be ethical. If how McKenzee, I, Terri and others I know have been regarded is the standard in this activity, then I don't blame them for staying in the shadows.

This activity is about 20 years behind the Catholic Church. It’s disgusting that people would continue to defend the likes of Spirit or Cadets or SCV. The rot is deep. No one dares mention the ex director of Cavies/SCV. Why? It sickens me. DCI has been negligent and cowardly. Oh, all we do is organize the tour. Well, how is that going. All the “TBD” contests. So sad.

Maybe, but you could say that about anyone. Would you have bet they would have finished 11th at this time a year ago? No. You'd have been laughed out of here if you said they were going to place 11th at this time last year. They had their best placement since the 70s in 2022. I don't think Mandarins, Regiment or Cavies will be challenging SCV either. It's funny that Spirit misses a year and drops 2 places and with Vanguard missing a year people are saying they might not make finals. They have a great staff. THAT is key.

Ya know that's something I have always thought about...........The Closer. We hear it every year. Someone will say "Wait till corps "Insert Name" adds the closer. Then the closer is added, and in the grand scheme of things, does little in score and/or placement. Honestly, the only shows that I can think of in the last 20 years where the closer actually made a difference in winning a title (in my opinion), is Spartacus, and Ink when BD added little Clara leading up to finals week.

Glad to see/hear they are sticking with their most recent show roots, production rather - I stand corrected. Very exciting musical selections. Now that Cadets are no more, Bloo now gets my fandom and my financial support. I don't think Drum Corps has been pushed this far by anyone other than the Cadets back then. Just based on clips of their camps, the experiences they are creating for members/potential members, as they did in December with Dave Vives, blows my mind and I'm all about it! In case anyone missed this gem:

That or they don't really care

What I do know is the Auditionees for Mandarins this year nearly doubled from 2022-23. While I don't know how many, I do know some of the 2023 members unfortunately didn't get contracted this season, due to the talent pool increasing. That I know for a fact. My son told me last weekend when they had camp that the talent this year is absolutely insane and the corps as a whole "leveled up." He also said this year's show is definitely harder than Sinnerman, and the brass line is so much better. I will see what I can find out, but I know we have some posters in the DCP family that can probably get these numbers, if it's available.

Diamond Bar and Charter Oak is about a 45-50min drive from the crib. And Canyon Springs in Moreno Valley is 25min away. Definitely going to go check them out next month!

I doubt the top 4 will change. Blue Devils will be either 1st or 2nd, with Bluecoats, Boston Crusaders, and Carolina Crown shifting around in any order. As much as I want to believe that Bloo can do it, I think the corps most likely to challenge BD is Crown. 5th-8th will be an interesting range with Cadets gone and SCV added back into the mix. Most likely we'll see Mandarins, Phantom Regiment, Santa Clara Vanguard, and Cavaliers occupying those spots, not necessarily in that order. I feel like any one of those corps could achieve that 5th place spot. 9th-12th is always the most difficult range to predict, but I'm gonna say Blue Stars, Colts, Troopers, and Pacific Crest, in any order. My personal wish list: Bluecoats in 1st. Mandarins in 5th. Blue Stars stage a comeback and break out of the 9th-12th range. Pacific Crest in finals.

You know you've hit the big time on DCP when Chief calls you brother. The season better start soon so some of this grumpiness on here goes away.

While listening to the source material, I’ve also considered it to be a deconstruction theme potentially.

That's a generational BLESSING! Keep it going...

My wife and I attended DCI Finals for the first time ever last year. We had the time of our lives, and judging by the multiple standing ovations the corps got from the majority of fans in attendance, I would say they would be inclined to agree with me. Maybe i missed it, but I don't remember seeing or hearing anyone demanding their money back. In fact from what I saw, most people where doing what I was doing, and that was ordering their 2024 Finals packages from their phones on the spot. And as bad*** as last year was.......2024 will be even better. Can't wait.

Hello, making my obligatory first post in this thread. As for 2024, unknown right now as to whether I will drive again or not but I can say that the corps was supported in 2023 by some of the best ###### drivers that I've worked with in some time. I hope that everyone who was involved in 2023 returns in 2024 and they build further on the foundation that has been strengthened over the past few years. As for me, I will still love them as I have for many years even though I am becoming an even more rounded drum corps fan.

He was just inducted into the DCI HOF this year. 😢 https://dci.org/static/michael-duffy-dci-hall-of-fame