Blackstar

Oh no! My wife makes the best homemade waffles ever. When we moved in with my 98 year old aunt to care of her she give me the dummy look when I served her Egg-o's. She showed us how to make them from scratch.

I used to post often but I find that negativity and abusiveness is slowly taking over DCP. People being called trolls and mention of waffles whatever the hell that means really turns me off. Love the activity don't love some of the people in it.

I'm going to stop reading after page one. Why, because this is why I hate most of the people involved in this activity. The OP voiced is opinion which is legal. And of course the responders have the right to voice theirs but there is so much disrespect in the responses it makes reading DCP sickening. He had a valid concern. The French flag, like the American flag should be respected. We have visitors from France and how do we show them respect, by using their national colors as streamers. A simple $20 solution would solve this problem. But since its the mighty Vanguard its easier to say to the Hell with the French. Go ahead and eat your waffles and I hope you choke on them!

I'm wondering how you know me so well. Did we go to school together, work together, date the same girl once, did we march in Crossmen together, have dinner at a nice restaurant together and discuss the changes in the activity? I think not. I have no issue with changes as long as change is good. This type of change isn't good. Look at the Troopers. When they "Blued" West Side Story they made finals. When they went back to their traditional style they didn't. Will Vanguard or Phantom ever win a championship again with their current styles. I pray so but know in my heart they probably won't. But please sir, don't presume to know me. We haven't met.

I just had the pleasure of seeing both shows. With Blue Devils I had to go to Corpsreps to tell what they were playing. Then I had to go to the original source material. I was still at a lost. Too much electronics, over amplification, the first half of the show was the horn line marching around in blobs. I have a feeling this is a championship show. And that might not be a good thing. Now Spirit is a totally different story. Totally entertaining. Music that was music instead of beats and bops. Basically I wish more corps were like Spirit. I know I may be in the minority (again) I know I'll be called a dinosaur. But that doesn't make me wrong.

One thing I don't understand about this activity is the lack of support of those who try. The activity is dying and needs more corps period. So what this person is a "kid". Kids have done many wonderful things starting with Joan of Ark to Eesha Khare 18 who recently develop a quick charger for phones. Many adults have attempted to start corps and failed. Even some of our more well known posters on DCP (Any remember North Coast DB back in 2006). Instead of knocking these people offer support. I don't know how much DCP affects recruiting (probably not much since most people in my daughters college band doesn't even know about DCP) but any negatives hurt 10 times more then any positives. This isn't 1950 or even 1980. I say Good luck to whomever is running the Guardians whether they are 18 or 48.

It not about being the same its about them being very ugly. Its like a cross between a broke court jester and circus ring master. If this was a TV show they would have said it "jumped the shark"

I've read over the last few of announcements concerning the leadership of new and start up drum corps. I noticed that if 50 were announced, the leadership of 48 were questioned. Of course several reasons are given, from lack of experience to youth. My question to the galley is what do you feel makes a person qualified to run or start a drum corps?

It seems when some corps send a plea for funds its okay. Phantom comes readily to mind but when others do it they are portrayed as the worst money managers ever. A lot of for profit companies are in the same boat. Many times a creditor takes this route because THEY are in the same boat or trying to stay out of said crowded boat. If I had the funds I would send something. But the only thing I can offer is my prayers for a good outcome.

Drum corps needs to be run like a business???? Yes it does. But a business only operates on the revenue it can generate or the money it get get via investment or loans. The issue with drum corps or DCI is that corps are given a tour schedule and then need to find the money to meet those obligations. I hope I'm wrong in this. But like DCI isn't like MLB or college sports its not like business. How much money could 2 small (100 members or less) save by touring together and sharing cost? Would we have had Gold and VK this year? Income is limited so we need to find a way to make the activity less expensive.

Working with anyone outside of the immediate area is not feasible right now. My goal is to get instruments for the kids along with people to teach music. At least for the first several years marching is out besides parades. The group will be young and very inexperienced and the highlight of the year will be a local concert. Taking one small step at a time. Starting a corps in todays times are near impossible. Besides the start up cost the ongoing cost without a very steady income places this outside the means of most people. I get 3-4 calls a week asking to donate money. Grant money is getting tighter. Also, as Oldbones pointed out not having an Alumni hurts because theres no built in donation source. I think if we looked back on DCP in the last 5 years of people announced or mentioned starting a corps we would be amazed. I didn't really want to bring up what I'm doing because I didn't want people thinking I'm starting a corps in Delaware. I'm starting a small music program that may in the next 5-8 years grow into a drum corps.

Several things, My area, Wilmington DE has several very good High School bands. What I want to do is introduce music to those that might not have an interest in school music. I had that chance and it opened up a new world to me. While other kids were listening to ONLY hip-hop I was listening to SCV playing Appalachin Spring and finding my favorite composer. Being able to hold a semi intelligent conversation about Mahler, Bernstein, Brubeck and others all because of drum corps. While I would love to see a drum corps from Delaware I always see my vision as a group of kids who do parades and have a show designed for a gym. The tour is arranged around appearances at NBA and Indoor football games as well as stops at amusement parks and doing local parades. But starting a corps in the Delaware Valley is difficult because of the fund raising chances. No bingo because of too many racinos. Also too many non-profits drawing from the same pots. Need to start a good pizza joint and use the profits for a corps.

I've been one of the people who say the activity is dying, But I also lost the true focus. We need to save the activity to help more kids, not save DCI. Drum corps were started back in the day as nieghborhood groups to keep kids off the streets. This is needed now more then ever. They need the exposure to travel, positive adults in their life and chance to learn responsiblity. Drum corps can offer this. We've had groups in the past that tried to do this, Spirit of NJ comes readily to mind. But the main problem is that people want to win. How would the fans reacted to Star of Indiana as a true youth group instead of the powerhouse corps it turned into. America loves a winner. But a bunch of kids with minimal skills are winners also if they make it onto the field or learn how to do a straight drum roll or blow a smooth b flat. When we talk about getting back to the roots the discussion shouldn't be about style but substance. What has the drum corps done to make this country better? It may sound corny but everyday I thank God for another chance, promise to be better then I was yesturday, do at least 2 good deeds and make 3 people smile. I don't always make it but I try. I'm not saying Crown or Crossmen or Surf should change thier business models or say X amount of kids need to be from a certain income level or need to meet certain crieria(sic) but we need as an activity to use what we have to make this a better place. I'm in the process of trying to start a music program in our city. Teaching kids how to play instruments with hopes of them becoming a travelling marching band and performing around the country at sport events. We need more music programs, start a corps, community band, and help some kids and maybe even the drum corps activity.

Wow calling someone stupid is.....stupid. But saying these ideas would destroy drum corps. Lets see, we have dancing color guard, no color presentation, No G bugles...no bugles at all really. Grounded timps and mallets, themed shows, should I go on. Someone that seen a show in 1970 might not recgonize todays show as "drum corps". I figure it like this, if you're gonna change go all the way. Blue Devils as shown the direction of the activity and they win doing it. While I actually feel asleep watching thier show people seem to love it. So lets take it to the next level. As long as you feed the animals and treat them right no one should have an issue. You can change the color of lasers to make them more visible during the day. Pyrotechnics would add quite a bit to some shows so get some balls and do it. BUT DON'T THINK I'LL BE AROUND TO "ENJOY" THE NEW STYLE OF DRUM CORPS.

While watching at the picture house I actually fell asleep during Blue Devils show. Woke up for SCV and Bluecoats. All the other corps were quite enjoyable even though there was way too much pre-recorded material.

Not that my opinion matters but I really loved this show. Very interesting concept very well done.

First time I got to watch corps this year at the simulcast in the moving picture house. First I loved the shows. Lots of recognizable music, great guard work and of course excellent playing by the kids. I was praying the whole time Crossmen would make finals, Corps that I'm not usually a fan of really impressed me. BUT.... please get rid of the pre-recorded material. When Blue Knights did drum corps I almost peed myself. But when the electronics kicked in, well the crowd were I was died. No enthusiasm, nothing. But when they played the place lite up. While many corps also used electronic material I'm only using them as an example. Cadets with their relatives of Timmy were just as annoying. Please DCI Board of Directors, get rid of pre-recorded material.

There was more then a PO Box in West Chester, There was an actual Corps Hall on Westtown Rd. I don't think we ever practiced there in 84. Always took the bus somewhere, at least when I joined 3 weeks before tour.

We practiced at Boening in 84 and I think they did it the years before, have to ask a friend about that.

DCI was my exposure to great music back in the day. Growing up were there was only R&B or Gospel, I found many classical and jazz songs and artist that I love. In the last decade or so its been few and far between. When I think of drum corps I don't thinnk or want braodway. I can go to a braodway show if I want that, I want drum corps with a variety of music in each show and people running all over the field and guard doing crazy tosses. Now you get stories in the music that really are usually a strecth. I was taught if you can't explain something in one sentence then you don't understand the concept or its a bad concept. I don't see many one sentence shows out there. I'm not really a dinosaur but I am old school.

16,000 is a great number but it has nothing to do with the health of the activity. The number of corps is the only number that people need to be concerned with in relation to the health of the activity. Also how many new corps come along to replace lost corps........ just saying

Its a sign of our times when we put winning ahead of helping somoene . The people that say the show must go on are the same people that keep going when someone is hurt on the street. I find it funny that we find the killing of 12 people in a movie theatre so upseting but the injury of a young adult less then important then a musical show? As a firefighter I've seen dozens of memebrs stop fighting a fire to help another brother or sister in service. I have to add that the people who write that stopping a show is dangerous to the other performers.....really. How?, they might hurt their lips stopping mid note. Blow a knee coming to a slow stop....if the activity is so dangerous why don't they wear protective gear like yellow vest and hard hats....sheeeeeesh. Its beating drums, thowing flags and blowing horns for Gods sake. Stop the show and help the member. How would people have felt if God forbid that member of Crown had fractured the leg and the bone puncture a blood vessal? Can't happen, think again. Every second is important in a medical emergency, especially if you don't know the nature of the injury.

Marching kind of ruined it for me. I thought if I can do it it must not be that hard..... Then I realized it was the great instructors who took their time to teach me the drill and music in a week.

I did not mean to say what I do is better then anyone else's contribution to this place we call earth. My example was that while I enjoy this activity and people always and I mean always comment that people should volunteer, I do not have the time to do so for a corps. Would I like to, No I would LOVE too. It would be like a vacation compared to what I do now. I was planning to start a small local drum line and color guard until I got a call saying my father drove into a house. I still have that goal, I just pray God gives me the time.

I discovered this activity in 1979. Marched one year in 1984. Besides some old Drum Corps Worlds and very old Drum Corps News I didn't know much about then D2 & 3 as well as All Girl corps. The following in 1985 I went to the DC East Championships. While I enjoyed the larger corps it was the smaller division that I feel in love with. I really wish the smaller corps got more love from the fans and DCI.