Steven Rocco

There are many now defunct Corps that would be thriving now had they done that.

Thanks for the clarification and apology, but at the same time I realize that airing the dirty laundry as I have seen it on here doesn't really help matters either. And by the way, I am a pretty big Art Bell and George Noorey fan. Have you ever heard of Phil Hendrie? He does a great send up of Art.

Like nemesiscorps, I also apologize for naming names and getting too heated and personal. It was not classy or appropriate the way I responded. I've been spending too many hours fuming over this issue and will now take a walk outside. Nice Cider House reference by the way.

Wouldn't be the first time he has used such tactics.

Yep. I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you get rid of the bottom, the top will most certainly die. It's like cutting out the roots of a tree. And to the people who are in favor of this because the current model isn't sustainable - The surest way to make the activity sustainable is do exactly what the quoted poster said - live within means. Like maybe going back to regional circuits. Doing more local shows. Charging less for a member to march. Charging less for the general public to see a show. And this next part is pretty out there; MAKE IT ENTERTAINING. Quit trying to educate the audience. Give them a great time every time and they will keep coming back.

Well from what I've heard, Mackey is his default setting in those meetings. George went through EST/Landmark training back in the late 80s I believe, so hence the reference.

Well George - Jack Rosenberg (Werner Erhardt) would be proud of your relentless tactics of coercive persuasion!

I'm interested to see what happens to the rest of open class.

This is yet another thing that Hoppy stated years ago that he wanted. A super division of 7 or 8 Corps and let the others fend for themselves. He said this PUBLICLY many times and everyone just blew it off like it wouldn't happen or that he wouldn't be able to do it. Even if this isn't what was proposed this past weekend, it will be proposed again eventually. And what wise Mr. Hoppy doesn't seem to understand is that if you continue ripping out the "bottom" Corps of the activity, there will be no top Corps eventually. This is not good for the activity. The other Corps will be getting significantly less in performance fees because these top dogs are going to be taking more pieces of a smaller pie. There will one day be no more pie. This is not sustainable. Well if this does go through in 2011, I will never spend another penny on any of those "elite" Corps. Maybe out of the ashes of DCI, a new organization will emerge, where leaders with common sense will step in and create something that can actually serve the youth and the communities they are from. where you don't have to have a million dollar per year budget to go on tour. Where tickets don't cost 50 to 100 dollars to see 7 Corps. Where a member can join and not have to fork over 2-3 grand! Maybe DCM can come back. I know the overlords of DCI would try to crush something like that because it would threaten their money, but something needs to happen. Well, I can dream anyway.

We need more people with that kind of balls. Ever since I got involved with this activity 25 years ago, I've watched Hoppy relentlessly push to change the activity. And he does it so methodically and incrimentally. He proposes the ridiculous and the slightly ridiculous at the same time...the slightly ridiculous passes, because in comparison, it seems so much more rational. Then the next meeting, it's the same thing. Another ridiculous idea mixed with a slightly less one...lather, rinse, repeat and in 2012, he has finally met his goal of having woodwinds on the field. And keep in mind, he started proposing woodwinds and electronics as far back as 1985. He has been and continues to be relentless. We need more Directors to grow a pair and start opposing Hopkins at these meetings. But I fear it's too late and he will get exactly what he wants.

Oh, I thought when you called them Star of Madison, that you were slamming them. My bad.

Well I would rather have a thriving and entertaining Scouts with some former Star staff, and using superior facilities in Bloomington...than a folded Madison Scouts with no facilities at all, or anything else for that matter!

You...you think my predictions are serious? Ok then.