MUSICandCHARACTER

This is becoming more and more about staff and less and less about the members. Geez, don't use the amps and you will not have a balance problem. But even if you do, presetting the board should be no problem. Thousands of BOA bands do it all the time (and in my opinion makes BOA shows much less entertaining). From the time they parked the pit this has been a creeping problem. When you took everything out on the field with you -- well the balance had to work or else. I would hate to pay my tuition to run the soundboard all summer if I was a member AND -- I really dislike staff being involved at any level during the performance. The first rule change seems silly and could set a precedence for future things. Say for example, a corps wants to use fancy stage lighting or something similar (I know -- but we seem to be edging toward production all the time). Then could we can have non-members running the lights? Then what? -- a Wizard of Oz show with extras to play the munchkins? Non-member actors to help the GE? Nope, I strongly believe that what is produced on the field be in control of the members only. And such a rule change will once again, favor the bigger corps with more money. They not only can afford the amps and soundboards, but can afford to dedicate someone to run the board. Some of the Div I corps have a bunch of staff. Nearly twice as many as some other corps. It is a tangental argument I know, but to keep Drum Corps competitive, the less that is done to favor corps that have more resources, the more competitive it will be. Jim

With Live365 you pay broadcasting rights to ASCAP, BMI and SESAC and they make sure you follow the Digital Millennium Act for digital broadcasts. You pay for the right to broadcast. Now if I was streaming from my home computer, publishing the play list in advance, and other nonsense (like taking live requests) then I would not be paying the legally required fees and would be in violation of the Digital Millennium Act. All the music on the station I paid for. I either bought the CDs or the downloads. I have no intention of doing anything but promoting drum corps. But for those of you who think that DCI doesn't pay attention to this board -- you would be very wrong. I got an email from them this morning about the station. I have done everything I can to make it legal. If for some reason it is deemed illegal (I cannot imagine how) I will take it down in a blink. But I have done everything the law requires of me to my knowledge. Jim

Well, lets hope for the best. The website is temporarily down due to non-payment. Hopefully an oversight that will be corrected. They were supposed to have a camp this weekend. As far as I know that is still true. Stay tuned ..... Jim

Some of you may know that I have been operating a radio station called ALL BRASS! radio which featured drum corps, brass bands, brass ensembles and brass soloists. I decided to break out the drum corps into its own radio station. The radio station is FREE. I am always happy to have shows suggested for the station. http://www.live365.com/stations/drumcorpsbum Jim

I think Revolution might edge into Div II. Cap Sound only having a handful of horns ... ugh. That is not good news if it is true. You have to have 30 to march. That is what caused the Bandettes to go inactive last year. Of course the Div I camps are very crowded and the big Div II corps are drawing a bunch too. After some cuts are made there, some of those kids will filter down to the Div III corps. Jim

Marion and the Canos will have their work cut out for them just to come back after being off a year. My guess is that the Raiders will move up. Cap Sound? Interesting -- maybe. Yamato will be in the hunt for sure. I would like to see the corps near 40 members do well instead of being walloped by the corps with 68. I think Spokane Thunder can be in the hunt. I don't think predictions without even knowing the shows is anything more than a guess on how the staff will do with the corps. But that is a big piece of it -- but only a piece. Jim

Linnie, It sounds like you have put a ton of work into the Canos -- not like you haven't in the past. I am sure the Canos will be worth seeing this summer and the evaluation will be fine. Those of you that don't know Linnie, he is a gent and a hard working one at that. The Canos would be a good place to march this summer. Jim

UGH ... The video was great. The music was awful. It never ceases to amaze me that drum corps that make great music all summer use hard rock type (not distinct and noisy) music in their videos. But I love the video shots, they were great. Jim

DCA's mini-corps. Why not? Jim

This is true. An entertaining show might win, but a FUN or funny show under the current system has a snowball's chance. Jersey Surf is a prime example. Their new video touts playing to a standing ovation every night. It doesn't tout the chance of coming home with a ring (although I doubt they would do that even in they were winning). Three years of Disney Awards and FUN shows. Impulse was basically founded by ex-Bridgemen and VK people. They put on very entertaining and fun shows and finished 6th two years in a row. It would be extremely difficult for a fun show to win in the current system. The system is not going to change to allow something as subjective as crowd appeal. The best a corps that does "fun" can hope for is lots of applause and perhaps the Disney Award. Jim

The Academy has done many, many things right. They will be tough. But some things to consider. ECJ, The Spartans, Oregon Crusaders, Impulse, Jersey Surf, Memphis Sound and the like are not going to roll over by any means. I do believe ECJ and OC want to eventually move to Div I (sooner than later). They know The Academy is coming. Believe me they will do everything possible to take it up a notch. 10 pointing some of the smaller West Coast corps is not that big of a deal. The Academy has done limited tours. How will both the staff and the kids hold up on a longer, more intense tour? I think they will be tough. I think they have a chance of winning. But I would not bet on them or against them. It will be great, IMO, the first time The Academy meets up with the East Coast biggies. Don't overlook OC either. Div II/III this year should be very exciting. Attend as many Div II/III shows as possible! Show your support. b**bs Jim

We are a bit off topic. We have purchased some used uniforms from a major college -- sharp unis that are still in great shape. Since we plan on being Div III for several years to come, we won't need more than about 55-60 (the guard of course, will not wear the unis) and we have about 150. So we should be able to fit everyone easily (we actually have over 1000 pairs of pants!). Also, we are working with the Band Shoppe in Cynthina, Indiana to customize the uniforms a bit. We plan on adding cords, gauntlets, and not using the shakos but going to an Aussie instead. We have the uniforms (in my garage to be exact) and we will soon be getting stuff from the Band Shoppe. Jim

Well, Crown comes to Indiana. They have a strong connection with Class A State Champions Avon HS (I think Avon has won state 5 of the last 6 years). Indiana only has one corps, and that is Hypnotix as a new Div III corps. But there are several excellent corps within driving distance: PR, Cavies, Bluecoats, Glassmen, Southwind, Marion Glory, Memphis Sound. It is not like there are not opportunities for the kids in Indiana. Revolution has it going at the moment. They will continue to grow and become stronger in years to come. The Texas/OK area could use a few more corps. It is great that everyone from the Scouts to the Blue Devils have camps there, but if the Texas kids makes those corps, they have to FLY to camps and FLY to move in. It makes the cost very high. Jim

I spent a weekend with Southwind before their home show. Class act. The kids were great and the staff kept pushing and encouraging them in a good direction. I think in Div I last year, they moved up about 5 or 6 spots towards the end of the season. I have also had conversations with some of the Memphis Sound staff and I have seen their show every year. They are a great program that just keeps getting better. Probably the closest and best bet in Div II near you. Hypnotix may be the closest in Div III. We are new this year. Marion Glory Cadets would be a good Div III possibility -- but I have not heard for certain they are coming out this year. Anyone know? They were inactive last year. Southwind would be an excellent Div I choice. They are on the move! Jim

I saw them at the meetings. Since the meetings in Chicago I have not heard a word. At Chicago, the new corps had to plan a tentative tour along with every other corps. But they also had to prepare to go through an evaluation process. In addition, all the corps paid their DCI dues and the area dues (ours was to DCI Central). The evaluation process is a fairly deep look into the organization. They come to a camp, they want to hear/see the show if possible, the check the financials and a 5 year plan among a BUNCH of other stuff. Some corps may not quite be ready for all of that. I don't know in the case of the Crimson Knights. I could not find a website .. and they should have one. But if you sign up for some of the free web hosting companies you do not always show up in the search engines. But they were at the meetings. Jim

I talked to the director of Revolution at the Chicago DCI meetings. He didn't say, but he hinted, like for a lot of corps, it will probably depend on the camp turnout. Lots of corps will look at whether it is worth moving up to Div II with only 80 or 90 when at 79 you can compete in Div III. But if your goal is to move up, you have to do it sometime. I think the Raiders stated they were staying in Div III, -- but if they could march 100 or more they may change their minds. I know we have planned to stay for several years in Div. III. We have purchased enough equipment to field a corps of 70+. More than 80 would take a considerable investment beyond what we have done already. But one never knows if you get 120 kids who want to march :o :o I am certain after the first few camps, we will hear more from the various Div III corps. Jim

Someone on the DCP has to be a lawyer with a little time to give to a drum corps. They could contact your old hosting company and lean on them a bit. They are your files -- and you cannot be responsible unless you knowing did something to allow a virus or bring down their system. Even at that, they should be better prepared for such problems. Any jerk can buy a web domain and some hosting and screw with a host's system if they are not prepared. I still don't see how they could even blame you, much less withhold your files. Jim

Drum Corps International may do things that seem crazy, but I have to tell you that it makes more sense than some people think. It is hard to balance all the things they have to balance. After being at the Chicago meetings, I felt that DCI does amazingly well considering they have 24 Div I corps and all the various Div II/III corps to worry about. Some of the changes they made this year to help the individual shows made great sense. They did a schedule and let the top six corps work it first. That way, every show has at least one or two top six corps. That was smart. Minimum of 110 is no big deal for a corps applying for Div I. DCI does not want to remove corps from any status if they can help it. Really, I was very pleased with how hard they work to help all corps. We are a new Div III corps and we have received plenty of help and advice. And size of the corps does matter. No way a corps of 80 can compete sound wise with a 135 member corps. That is part of the reasoning of dividing Div II/III corps by size. The Bandettes or the Racine Scouts are not going to compete with 25-50 members with East Coast Jazz, Jersey Surf, Oregon Crusaders and the like. As for saxophones ... ugh. Every member has a right to think the way they want. You will always get various ideas from a group of individuals. Some may never fly. But you cannot stop the ideas from coming out. Now, if they made saxophones legal, wouldn't corps made up of all brass instruments blow a corps with saxophones away. Would you rather have 15 saxes or 8 trumpets, 3 mellows, 3 euphs and a contra on the field. My goodness, some corps have quit using field cymbals to get a few more brass on the field. But I digress. Drum Corps International is not a body that is working to find new conspiracies. They are simply a diverse body looking to promote the activity. For the most part, they do it very well considering the body is made up of PEOPLE with differing opinions. Jim

Changes and Update (sorry for the changes, there has been a bit of confusion -- but it seems to be settled now) Hynotix Brass and Percussion Audition Camp (New, Div III) Dec 9 to Dec 11 www.hypnotix.org Guard will be added to the camp schedule after the Winter Guard season.

Quite cool! Doesn't sound like the will field a competative corps in 2006 " Initially, the Brigade’s summer performance schedule will largely consist of regional parades, as we build our program - but we will also be working on a field show for local exhibitions. When ready, the Corps will enter into the field of competition. Over the course of a season, members will learn to test their limits, make solid friendships, travel hundreds of miles throughout the region & gain the confidence that comes with learning to perform with precision." But it is a step in a very good direction! Jim

We have our tour tentatively mapped out (no don't ask, DCI won't let us or anyone release the info until it is finalized). We are planning on about 15 to 20 shows and we are going to DCI Central Championships in Indy and to the World Championships in Madison! Jim What about Windy City?

That is quite cool. I am sure you will be well appreciated by the Bandettes. Perhaps we will cross paths this summer. Jim

We are going to try and have a time where each member can work on their HS music if they need to on tour so that directors can feel good about the students perhaps missing a summer band camp. That might be a good time for you to practice the trumpet (kind of like the I&E "time" in the Div. I corps). I can see where we could accomdate the rest of what you may need. We plan to do a rather full Div III tour this summer and go to finals in Madision. Feel free to check us out and PM/email me if I can answer any questions. Jim www.hypnotix.org

I have to say I agree with this statement a lot. Winning breeds winning. But I love to see good people continue to grow. I think it is much more important to keep a good staff intact then to bring in big names. Unfortunately, smaller corps cannot pay to keep good staff, and they can move "up" to a bigger/better corps. The experienced kids do the same. Unlike competitive professional sports, long-term contracts are not usually the thing in drum corps. It would be hard, for example, to find a great percussion caption head and sign him/her to a five year commitment. Therefore they tend to move up to better jobs if they can. And if you write for a Div I corps, especially a top Div I corps, you can make a living writing for high schools, and other corps. I saw 17 bands on Saturday at a contest and I heard 4 Key Poulan arrangements. I would love to see talent cultivated. But that takes patience and money -- and many corps don't have much of either. And if someone found someone to write some great drill and someone else to write the percussion book and the staff was great and they win Div II or III -- even though that corps gave them a chance to show their stuff they are likely to be gone to a Div I program. I am not sure what point is trying to be made here. But I agree with "I Like Drum Corps" on this point. Jim

Wow, quite a first post! Anyway, in some ways I agree with you. But I think might have taken it to an extreme. Winning breeds emulation. But that will get you only so far. Eventually you have to break out to get noticed. Part of the reason the batteries sound the same is that to score well, there has to be lots of percussion and fast moving stuff. During the quarter finals movie presentation, they interviewed a judge about how they discriminate between top corps that are so close. He said it comes down "to the book." I took that to mean that if two corps are playing very well, and very clean, the harder book will score higher. Unfortunately, that can lead to books that don't fit well together musically. But to say the corps, even the top corps, and melting together is a bit hyperbolic. The Cavies win in 2002 with original music and some amazing drill. They win again in 2004 by playing themes from the 007 movies and actually making a 007 on the field like a college marching band spelling out the school name (and to me it was cool). The Cadets win in 2005 with a dream (nightmare) and some rather abstract parts. The parking lot may sound the same -- but on the field different things are happening. So the parking lot stuff sounds the same. Kind of like saying HS marching cadences sound the same. The pendulum swings from year to year and always someone does something unique. 2000 BAC with the "Red" program was different and moved up in a hurry. Just my random thoughts. Jim