OldBones

To answer your question: First, they aren't beholden to anyone. Nor do they care. Secondly, they dont allow anyone to recruit at THEIR shows (Regionals, States, Whatever) unless you provide worker bees for that show. As far as the local shows, I believe the Band Directors have the final say. Last weekend Windsor Regiment had a table at the Robbinsville show, which was a USSBA show. (The weather pushed the show indoors) They even did an exhibition at the show. Last time I checked, Windsor Regiment is a DCA corps. I quess that alone dispells the USSBA/DCA talk. If they don't want any DCA corps to recruit at a USSBA show, it may be because they do not want anyone from DCA to interfere with their recruitment for Cadets2. Is this different from their statement about youth? Depends how you look at it. If you look at it at their point of view, THEY ARE providing for the youth in the activity. They have created several entities to accommodate as many who want to participate in the different venues that are offered. For that, they should be give kudos because not many drum corps has done what they have done. Like you said in a previous post, they invested in this entire venture. They should reap the profits, whether its money or members. You want to start a circuit and make the rules, be their guest. Is it a good idea? For them YES. For you NO. As far as Im concerned, who cares? Like I said before, if kids want to come to your corps, they will contact you. If not, they won't. band kids in the NJ/PA area are very knowledgeable about all the corps (DCI and DCA) in the area and they have a decent idea as to where they want to march (DCI or DCA). Hope that answers your question.

Exactly my point. Need to separate the two entities. AND there are quite a few USSBA bands that compete in TOB and Cavalcade. So you have a chance to see the kids anyway. Whats the difference if its USSBA, TOB, Cavalcade (I only use these three because they compete near me) or any other circuit. No need to get so testy about USSBA. Their ball. Their game. Their rules. Like them or not.

What problem? Couldn't all parties be just bands? After all USSBA IS a separate entity of YEA. If you read the original post I responded to, you will see that she complained about USSBA. USSBA is NOT the be all and end all. She made it sound like it was. I noticed those who recruit at TOB and Cavalcade seems to do well. If She was only recruiting from USSBA, she is missing a lot of kids to talk to. The point being that there are quite a few bands that compete in USSBA, TOB, and Cavalcade. USSBA may be excluding DCA corps from recruiting, TOB and Cavalcade do not. There are quite a few USSBA bands that compete in all three. If YEA doesn,t want DCA to recruit at their shows, so be it. Thats their policy. Live with it. I know a few USSBA bands who have staff from DCA corps. Quite a few also have local DCI corps staffs. Doesnt mean the kids want to march in their corps. Just because there is a drum corps doesnt mean the kids want to join. Thats in ALL corps circuits, not just DCA. I also know several people who tried to start a corps and just because the local school had a great band, most could care less if there was a corps in town. Just the way it is. All I'm saying is if you are recruiting, have a plan. If the plan is to recruit from a band circuit that doesn't allow you to do so, then adjust the plan. Don't blame YEA.

I always liked watching WWP. I am actually going to be at the Hatboro Show. I look forward to see the show. Good Luck

When I was with Cabs way back in the day we use to do band show exhibitions. They were fun and always got a great crowd reaction. I hope Windsor Regiment does a great job tomorrow. Good luck at your performance, Unfortunately, Ill be in Hillsborough. Good Luck WR

That is what I said in my original post about DCA recruiting.

I'm sorry I wasn't a little clearer with this. I meant that bands jumped to TOB because of pricing. USSBA raised their prices. TOB did not.

For a lot of bands its price. I do believe TOB had a small jump this year because YEA raised their prices.

There are times when a recruiting corps would like to sell merchandise but are not allowed if cadets merchandise is being sold. Know this through experience at many shows throughout the years.

That may be so, but that's not ALL corps. Besides there are ways around that. The corps Im posting about cant do the USSBA big shows so they go around the local shows were they see the same bands (sometimes they are the only recruiting corps at the show). When they do TOB and Cavelcade they see some of the same bands there as well. Its a well thought out plan and they are fairly successful at getting shows for recruiting. They also recruit at shows outside of those three circuits. Like I said earlier, there's more than just YEA/USSBA out there. If you only want to recruit at USSBA shows, you are missing a big chunk of talent. Don't forget that there are also collegiate shows as well. And YEA doesn't run them, but they are recruiting at them. The one in Allentown draws a lot of corps. Cadets, Surf, Raiders, Hawthorne, Bushwackers, Reading, Even Sky Alumni, and The Sentinels alumni corps from Emmaus PA has a table. Last year Bluecoats were there.

This year as well. Ive been to the Broadneck show in Md. A DCI corps (not the Cadets) was there recruiting same thing at the Shawnee show this past weekend.

Quite frankly I've been to a lot of local USSBA shows in NJ, DE, MD and PA over the last few years and there have been corps other than Cadets with recruiting tables.

This is true but to recruit at the USSBA big shows, one MUST provide workers to help out at the show. I believe the minimum number is 15 workers. Doesn't matter if you are DCI or DCA. That is why you only see Cadets recruiting at these shows.

I dont see the problem here. You talk as if USSBA is the only band circuit for drum corps to recruit from. I was at a Cavalcade show with recruiting tables from a couple of DCA corps and 1 DCI corps. At the TOB Championships this past weekend there was a Drum Corps Row with DCI and DCA equally represented. If USSBA doesn't allow DCA corps to recruit from USSBA, there is always the other circuits to draw from. Nothing for nothing, a lot of USSBA bands also compete in TOB and Cvalcade, and trust me, the DCA corps do recruit from those shows.

The Bracken Cavaliers Alumni corps from Bristol PA is looking for a percussion instructor. Anyone interested should email donc1224@aol.com

It was the saddest night in Crossmen history. I happen to know that several corps directors were very upset when Crossmen formed. Their corps disbanded because it. The judges somehow knew the name of the over aged person. If memory serves me, Blue Stars reported the name to the judges. The overaged person never marched in Blue Stars. But he did march in one of the corps that disbanded. The only way Blue Stars would have gotten the name is because someone had it out for them. Funny, earlier that year, Crossmen were also checked for overaged members at a show in North Jersey. After they got off the field, the judges made them stand in line and checked ids of those suspected of being overaged. None were found.

I did not get to see them this year. I am going to download their video when they become available though. You are right. With all that happened in Japan, they represented their country real well. Congratulations Yokohama Scouts. Hope I get to see you the next time you come to over. Please have a safe and pleasant flight back.

Same thing at the theater I was at near Philly (Neshaminy AMC). Only no red. Crowd complained to manager when they stopped the broadcast for the third time in 5 min. Free passes were given and when all the problems were worked out, they started the broadcast from the very beginning. Funny watching them manipulate the dish on screen. Did anyone catch the broadcasters stumbling through the Bluecoats score? My finish had Cadets Cavaliers Crown BD

The age old adage of the point spread between WC scores and OC scores has bee figured out today. The OC scores have dropped an average of 20.2 pts from OC Finals. Here is a link to a running score sheet on Google Docs: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en_US&hl=en_US&key=0AkOC7u8Z_kMTdG5TbXRMTGdJaUx2cVpwOE1aU2N3REE&single=true&gid=0&output=html Congratulations to BDB - OC - SCVC for making semis. BDB has a legit chance to move up even further. :worthy: :worthy:

I like how both are giving the backgrounds and giving extra tidbits to promote the smaller corps.

And their off and Running Following the Michael Boo and Bob Fields Blog live. Wish I could be there Good luck to ALL the corps tonight. Especially the Open Class corps. I'm not so interested to see how many makes semis, but how many will beat a World Class corps.

I was at that show. My first time seeing OC. That WAS a lot of fun.

WOW Three corps practicing in Burlington this weekend 2 literally next to each other. Cabs at Burlington City HS, Raiders (from Burlington) at the park next to the HS field and Reilly Raiders are there on Saturday about 1/2 mile away. Very interesting.

Coming from the area, I know all these corps. I am looking forward to seeing Windsor Regiment this year. Being an Open Class Corps, The Raiders give the opportunity to to those who cannot commit to a WC Corps. Windsor Regiment is DCA, which is another competitive option. All the others are older participants who give great stage shows for those who like old time DC. So effectively there are only three corps looking for the same membership in the area. In NO Jersey there are 7 DCA and DCI corps vying for the same membership (Surf, Cabs, Bush, Sky, Hurcs, Spirit NJ, and Raiders). Besides as the article states, a majority of the Raiders membership now comes from the So Jersey, PA, De, MD, VA areas. They simply moved to an area that is more centrally located for their members and still keep their NJ presence. No matter where any corps is from, they all try to recruit the same kids that goes to the Cadets/Cadets2. That's all part of the DC food chain.

This is exactly what I was thinking as I posted this. But its not just TOC shows. What if a person wants to see a show in Florida or Albuquerque but needs to travel over 2-3 hours to get there. Will they go? If attendance goes down the sponsors potentially loses any chance to break even. With the amount of money a sponsor pays to hold a show, is it worth being a sponsor in the future?