OldBones

Tim, your on the right track as far as adding more drum corps to the activity. I believe the #1 duty of any non profit board is to help make the organization financially stable and to find ways to help grow an organization. If a director wants to be on the board, their first priority should be to help find ways to grow the activity, not just their drum corps. Actually, I feel having corps directors as the board is in total conflict of DCIs true mission. Im not saying they are all doing a bad job, I would say they are doing a fair job. But in the end, they are still only looking out for their own corps' interests. I would also eliminate full tours. Corps trying to move up to WC and do full tours, especially when they aren't ready to do so, is the major reason why there are so few corps today. Some of the corps are adopting a more regional approach to their schedule and I think that should be more the norm. As far as judging, everyone should be judged by the same criteria. Box 5 on all sheets for all corps. If a corps is no better than a 30, then you know where you stand and hopefully figure out how to better yourself. Corps in Open Class that score in the 80's - 90's 2 days before prelims drops a good 25pts at prelims is wrong. Lets make the kids feel good about themselves during the season then hit them with a 2 ton anvil for their last performance. It doesn't make sense to me. Those would be my changes.

I started with a slide. Progessed to Rotor/Valve. Never made it to 2 valve. How about The Newark Armory or standstill shows at the Philly Armory? Evening with the Corps at Symphony Hall in Newark - Carnegie Hall in NY or Madison Square Garden Felt Forum. Seeing all the corps in a show before Memorial Day with a finished show.

Guilty

I ALWAYS say Contra. The kids keep saying TUUUUUUUUUUBBBBAAAAAAAAA!!

When you pick up a members trumpet and automatically place your right thumb where the valve should be and your left hand back where the rotor should be them tell him "your horns broken". The confused look (even from some of the staff) was priceless.

But he has said these very words to a couple of OC directors and at least 1 WC corps director. So I believe this is his true feelings, NOT a rough draft.

Not a bad idea. Not impressed after all that build up and secrecy. All I got out of it was "They found a way to get woodwinds into the activity".

Maybe do a full tour class and a partial tour class.

We need more corps not more classes. Open Class is already treated like the red headed step child. We need all corps judged on the same sheets. Its ridiculous having WC judges doing an OC show then admitting not knowing how to judge a corps because there is one less box on the sheet. (Yes, I heard a judge actually say this – more than once). The thing that needs to change is touring obligations.

No More Open Class? All corps are World Class - All on the same sheets.

I've been rereading the DCI Proposal. "Be like the G7 or Die?" Not totally. But the crux of the proposal doesn't hold water. If they are looking to grow the activity and this is the best they can think of, stay status quo. How about DCI makes any corps that does any part of a tour and has to head home for any reason (other than an act of God) face severe consequences. Hold the directors and the board (if a corps has one) personally responsible for loss of income to DCI and their show partners. Any proposal that determines NEXT years classification from last years scores is just plain stupid (#1 criteria). Corps like Pioneer or Cascades would be relegated to Local status. Maybe they belong there, the G7 certainly believes so. They have proven that they can sustain a full tour, why punish them. Lets say for example, Surf or Pacific Crest doesn't have the kind of year as last year (every year is a crap shoot as far as judging and scores go) they could end up as a local corps as well, loosing very valuable dollars that Im sure they are counting on. Their proposal would not only eliminate a good portion of OC, some will drop off the face of the earth (shrinking, not growing the activity). Would this happen? Don't know. Could this happen? I believe so. If you look at everything in the presentation, I wouldn't be surprised if a one or two of the G7 ends up like Teal or Glassmen. Then what? Since the DCI corps market themselves as being more than just competition, instead of scores, DCI should reward (pay) corps for longevity, handling of prior tours, treatment of kids, staff and facilities (not just during the season but in the off season as well). Why not rank all the corps by the criteria mentioned here along with their scores and and reward those (pay a bonus) who DO a real good job.

As thousands of posts have said in the past still holds true today, most people go to the theater to be entertained. Doesn't matter if the theater is on Broadway, local community, the movies, or drum corps. Just for an example, Surf had one of the the most fun and entertaining shows last year and wasn't technically as good as the G7 corps. I bet if you asked anyone in the stands who watched their show, they didn't complain about them not being technically perfect. Why did so many people rave about Oregon? Pacific Crest not that bad either. Maybe not as absurd as you may think.

Your right Charlie1223. The other half of the equation is the amount of money you bring in. BUT, you also must be fiscally responsible and spend only the money you have, not the money you hope to have, unless your the federal government then you can just print the money you don't have. The corps that have died over the last few years tried to keep up with the big boys and do things they were not prepared to do, such as a full tour. I would include the OC corps as well. Sometimes you need to look at the situation realistically and cut back to keep the organization going. Maybe for a year or two do a limited tour ala Academy and Surf, build your bank account up again, then go back to a full tour. That is much better than going inactive. If you cant sell that to your members, then maybe they weren't the right fit for the corps anyway. You don't need companies to donate food and fuel (though that would be a godsend for any corps). There are many other ways for corps to cut costs while on tour. A small example of this is, I know an OC corps that runs a fundraiser where the parents fund a meal while the corps is on tour. The corps makes a sign thanking the donating family and the family gets a certificate thanking them for their sponsorship and the kids get a great meal. This saves the corps money needed when they hit a bump in the road while traveling. Im sure other corps have ways to create needed funds when the funds are not there as well.

How many corps have to close operations before the remaining corps propose a change? Nothing will change until one of the G-String corps can't come out. Even then, the rest of them won't care. It will just turn the G7 to G6. Last years proposal has parts that can work, other parts will destroy more corps (especially in OC). Unfortunately, all of it is about the G7. Be like them or die. For those who think instructors salaries are needed to be competitive, I believe we can figure out who the top 14 are by San Antonio. I say top 14 because it's rare when the top 10 do not make finals and the 11-14th place corps has a shot at finals. When it comes to the G7, if you're not one of the top 3, your not winning either. For the exception of Phantom 1 year, if your name is not BD or Cadets, its a good chance your not going to win. So if your budget is overtaxed by instructor's salaries, I would rethink are the salaries worth it? The corps who are always in 15th and down have figured out to get kids to come to their corps and stay. It's not always about the competition. Since Transportation and Food takes up most of any corps budget, anyone notice the price of gas is going back up and that food prices are suppose to jump up dramatically this year? Now that one of the better WC corps gone for the year, are there be any others who are on the fence of doing the same? I wouldn't be surprised.

A couple of years ago a college student from West Chester PA tried to start a drum corps. After two years and a lost of some bucks, the dream never materialized. I know another person who poured a good bit of money to start a corps to have the same result. I commend both for trying. We also read how Drum Corps this and Drum Corps that is starting up and will be out the next summer. You rarely see anything come from those announcements either. If this is your dream, spend a couple of years with a drum corps (preferably an Open Class Corps)and watch how it is run. Then wait till you hit the lottery.

I was at the Inner harbor 2 yrs ago watching a Drunken Santa Parade (I was there for a graduation and when we went to the Inner harbor we found about 200 Santas hanging out at a bar and started marching around and ended in the harbor area) and just came upon Tuba Christmas setting up for their concert. That was a great time.

I believe Spirit of NJ only competed in one show over the last two seasons, in VA 2011. They were scheduled for a small portion of tour this year but due to low numbers, they could not go out. I do know that they are working hard to come out this year and I wish them the best of luck. I hope to see them on the field again in 2013.

There are still many victims due to the hurricane. If anyone will be near their Open House at 301 Wood Street, Bristol, PA 19007, please stop by and give a helping hand. Thank you Help us to support victims of Hurricane Sandy! The Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps would like to do their part in supporting victims of Hurricane Sandy by collecting clothing, non-perishable food and other essential miscellaneous items during our open house next weekend. Below is a detailed list of items we are looking to collect: Batteries (AA-AAA-D) Medical Supplies Flashlights Cleaning Supplies Blankets Personal Care Products Towels Toiletries Baby Clothing Diapers Backpacks and various school supplies Winter Coats Collections will be accepted throughout our Open House weekend from November 23rd thru November 25th at 301 Wood Street, Bristol, PA 19007.

There are still many victims due to the hurricane. If anyone will be near their Open House at 301 Wood Street, Bristol, PA 19007, please stop by and give a helping hand. Thank you Help us to support victims of Hurricane Sandy! The Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps would like to do their part in supporting victims of Hurricane Sandy by collecting clothing, non-perishable food and other essential miscellaneous items during our open house next weekend. Below is a detailed list of items we are looking to collect: Batteries (AA-AAA-D) Medical Supplies Flashlights Cleaning Supplies Blankets Personal Care Products Towels Toiletries Baby Clothing Diapers Backpacks and various school supplies Winter Coats Collections will be accepted throughout our Open House weekend from November 23rd thru November 25th at 301 Wood Street, Bristol, PA 19007.

There are still many victims due to the hurricane. If anyone will be near their Open House at 301 Wood Street, Bristol, PA 19007, please stop by and give a helping hand. Thank you Help us to support victims of Hurricane Sandy! The Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps would like to do their part in supporting victims of Hurricane Sandy by collecting clothing, non-perishable food and other essential miscellaneous items during our open house next weekend. Below is a detailed list of items we are looking to collect: Batteries (AA-AAA-D) Medical Supplies Flashlights Cleaning Supplies Blankets Personal Care Products Towels Toiletries Baby Clothing Diapers Backpacks and various school supplies Winter Coats Collections will be accepted throughout our Open House weekend from November 23rd thru November 25th at 301 Wood Street, Bristol, PA 19007.

:w00t: :thumbup:

Does this mean they would never be able to play 1812 Overture?

I knew it wasn't Bucs. It could still go over well today with some modernization.

BITD I slept up in the luggage racks when traveling. Always has a a thick foam piece and a sleeping bag. Later I added an air mattress.

I thought that was the Hurricanes around 72-73(?). Opened that portion of the show with America the Beautiful then did maybe 4 songs from different countries (Britain, France, China or Japan and Russia) then closed with What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love. Maybe the band should have copied VKs version of the 88(?) show were Communism is overthrown. Dont quite remember the particulars, but I do remember guards, workers with a hammer and a sickle and a sign saying "Now Thats Art".