eiramnosila

I just wanted to make a comment about transportation. I think my number are pretty close (forgive me please if they are not). If I remember right, renting four buses and their drivers for the summer costs about $100,000. If you cut a week off of tour it could save about $11,000 (based on a 9 week tour). That might not seem like much in the overall scheme of a drum corps budget, but it's huge. Think about what an $11,000 donation would mean to a corps. It would be great! Also, the corps that do still own their own vehicles have to pay for maintenance for them, and drivers which adds cost per mile, if you prefer to think of travel costs in miles (which makes sense I think). Transportation ends up being a huge expense one you factor in gas, drivers, maintenance, and insurance. Also, when you own your own buses, and they go down during the summer, it's like a huge bomb being dropped on the corps. You have to find another bus to get through the summer, and the costs for that can be immense. I know these aren't really suggestions, just more to think about.

You know, I love me some Elvis Costello, but why, oh why did that song have to be the one to use my name... beautiful, but so sad. Anyway, thanks for the clarification. I just wanted to be clear, I didn't think that SW was the exception with the uni thing. Really through the years I know we're not alone. If you're really looking for something to blame, just realize, drum corps is expensive and very few understand enough about it to give money to it. (I don't mean to sound like I'm talking down, I think we all know this.) Mike has really done a wonderful job of managing the corps, and watching every penny. Mike has always put the members first and foremost, and I'm sure wanted to take the year off when he was not sure that he could provide for his members in the way that they deserve. Before we got on the road and things went, well, south. Oh, and thanks for the positive responses to my post. There are so many ways that we can all help to keep drum corps going, just sometimes we don't realize all the little things that go into making a drum corps run. I know the cup thing is a silly example, but at one point I began to realize that a corps could use up to 600 cups a day on the days that they feed four meals. Will sending a sleeve or box of cups to a corps save it? No, but it will be one less thing that the corps has to buy. I just think there is so much that we can all do to help, and hopefully we will see more corps come back from their year off, and maybe not even have to take the year at all.

I'm sorry that it seemed that I was suggesting that SW was the first corps to try and save money on uniforms, just poorly using it as an example of where the corps did it's best to find the most economical way to run things.

Pat, thank you for this. It brought tears to my eyes. Southwind seems to get under the skin of everyone that comes in contact with it, and just never really seems to let go.

The idea of this thread is a nice one, but sharing a food truck between two corps just isn't feasible. I was the tour manager/housing coordinator for Southwind for the last 5 years. Many of the shows struggle to provide a single corps with the facilities that need, much less find a facility large enough to house two corps. For example, we asked that three fields be provided for our rehearsal. This need is met about 60% of the time. Asking a show to come up with a housing site with 6 fields is a large order. And, I think you'd be surprised at how far away some of the corps stay from show sites. I can think of many, many times that our drive to the show was over 45 minutes. To get the corps to stay close to each other in some towns is also a very tall order. I don't mean to be a little black rain cloud, it's just reality. Schools are becoming increasingly hesitant to house corps, the last think we need to do is require more of them.

Please understand that this post is being written by someone who is still dealing with the fact that her corps is taking a year off, and after 6 years on the road with them in different capacities, is trying to figure out how to wrap her head around it. Let me first address the comments regarding SW leaving the MDBCA. I was at the meeting that Saturday night in Oct. 2003 in Madison at the BSA office, and on that night the discussion was not about the fact that the MDBCA was only going to take on SW for a while to help it get back on it's feet and that it was now time to have SW do that. This point was only brought up on that night to justify the folding of Southwind. The MDBCA was not there making plans to let Southwind go on its own, as you'll see, that came later. If the board had truly intended to let Southwind go, they would have prepared the corps for that beginning soon after they took in SW, that did not happen. The preparations for this did not truly begin until after this meeting. The discussion was more about the fact that Madison as a corps had run very in the red after 2003 Bills were coming in that the group wasn't ready for, and a solution needed to be found. That night, the solution the board had met to discuss was to fold Southwind and sell it's assets to pay off the debts after 2003. If you look up the financial records from after that year, all three corps ran somewhat in the red, however, Southwind was far less in the red than the other two. This, plus an agreement to have Southwind break away after 2004 and pay back it's debts is what saved Southwind. Next, and this may anger some, but I have to say it. Many people on here bagged on Southwind for getting Broken Arrow's old uniforms, however, the corps needed new ones, (trust me, my yellow uniform is in my closet, and is in rough shape) and found a very economical way to do it. They traded BA pit equipment for the uniforms. After a few years, the board felt that we were in solid enough financial standing to go ahead with the purchase of new uni's, and they did. The board did what they felt was in the corps best interest. The new uniforms are not to be blamed for the corps taking a year off. Now, I'm sorry if this offends, it is simply my opinion and you may take it or leave it. Many times when a corps folds or takes a year off everyone says, wow, I wish I could help. You can. It's pure and simple, corps need money to run. Southwind had some of the lowest operating expenses, and yet still struggles to make it. You can send a donation to your favorite corps to help, and please think of those corps that are 9-21 when you're opening your checkbook. This is not to say that the top corps don't deserve donations, they do but they have an easier time getting sponsorships. Donations don't have to just be money either. Think about how many cups a corps goes through in a summer. Do you know a cheap source of cups? Then get with them, and find a way to get the corps what they need to run on. Think about your life and the people you know. You might know someone that works for a company that would be willing to give a large donation to a corps, or has a service a corps needs. Hook those people up with a corps, and help the corps make connections with people that can impact their operations. Everyone hates to see a corps fold, so help and do something about it. As an activity, we say we hate to see corps fold, and then many (not all) do nothing to help. If you hate to see it happen, take action to prevent it. Not everyone has money to donate, and believe me I know that. So, instead volunteer. Corps need people to help with many things, driving the CDL and non-CDL vehicles, sewing uniforms and flags, cooking food, putting up websites, coming up with fundraising solutions, offering their members non-emergency medical attention on the road. The list goes on and on. If a corps comes near you, offer your services as a runner for them for the day. If you know a school that would be willing to let a corps stay there for free, let the nearest corps know. These are the things that help a corps survive, and when they don't have volunteers and still have a tour to run, they have to pay for that help. Many people that marched and never had the opportunity to be on a staff never quite saw everything that goes into making a corps run, if you really think about, I know you can find a way to help. If you really want to see corps like Southwind come back, call the corps office and offer your services. Then you can really say you've done everything within your power to help. Ok, like I said, I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. I'll step down from my soap box now. Alison SW 02-07 edit: Tom Brace and noneofyourbusiness, thank you for being willing to take action. It means the world to me. Thank you.

I think this is a great thread! As far as what can we do to help - send a donation (no matter how small) to a non-finalist or DII/III corps. A little goes a long way. Also, like others have suggested, check out what the non-finalists and DII/III are selling at their souvie booths. If you're with someone that wants one of the generic guard shirts, check out what everyone is selling, and maybe you can help out someone not in the top 6. Go to home shows, even if you have to drive a little further. In order to be a full member of DCI Div. I corps have to put on a home show, and it can really hurt a lower placing corps if their show doesn't make any money, or worse loses some! And, as far as the experience goes, I think people can have good or bad experiences at any corps, regardless of placement. Half of the experience is what you make of it!

Every fall they have a big "college game day" there where Eastern Michigan plays Central or Western Michigan depending on the year and Eastern's marching band plays there. The sound just gets lost in there, and the 240 member band sounded like 10. It's a beautiful venue, just not suited to marching band or drum corps.

I love Michigan City!! I forgot about that show. Also, Eastern Michigan would be a great place to (once again) host shows. I will warn you, Ford Field isn't a great place. The acoustics are terrible.

Last summer as my corps walked out of the tunnel after Indy, the Mandarins were standing outside waiting to get in the tunnel. As soon as the first person walked out the door, the whole corps broke out into some of the nicest, loudest cheering I've heard one corps give another. They had no idea if the corps had just had a great show or fell on their faces, they just cheered. Everyone in my corps was moved by their actions especially since we were so close competitively all summer, so my vote goes to them. Many corps help each other out on the road, but that's usually management helping management (still a great thing to do) but I was moved by the fact that this was members. It was great.

I know I'm late in responding, but I wanted to add my two cents. When I marched I generally didn't mind small stadiums. One of my favorite shows was Port Huron, MI. I smallish stadium, but always packed and the crowd was always great to all corps. Another great small stadium is in Cedarburg, WI. They sell out the front and back side and the crowd loves their drum corps!! Those were two of my favorite tour stops. I can also remember a small stadium that I've been to twice (don't remember where). They didn't sell quite all the seats either time, and the crowd was awfully quiet for all corps - that's a small stadium I'd like to skip. So I don't think it's all about the stadium size, more about the crowd. On the other hand, I've always been with corps that march the morning and not the night shows at the regionals. Yeah, marching in a huge venue is nice, but looking out at the crowd and seeing more empty seats than fans just doesn't give you the same rush as a packed stadium of any size - at least for me. I think if a group is willing to do all of the work required to put on a drum corps show (find venue, housing, sell tickets, advertise, parking, clean-up and so much more) and they meet the criteria that DCI already has in place, why stop them?

This corps gives half the money that comes in from this fundraiser back to the member to help offset the cost of their dues. I would say that 80-90% of the members have very little problem completing the fundraiser. Also, there have been many members each year that are able to take a few hundred dollars off of the total cost of their dues, by simply filling out a few sheets of paper.

If you're a member of a corps (which I'm thinking you are) I'd be careful about passing out too many meds. The corps director, manager or some other staff member should have the three ring binder that has all of the medical information, including the release forms. I do applaud you wanting to take the initiative as far as keeping everyone healthy, but I would plan for the basics only. Let the staff deal with things that require more serious medical attention. All that said, I used to do something like this when I was on tour as a member. My 'medical' bag included the following: Cloth or waterproof band-aids for cuts (The little kid tattoo kind work pretty well, and they're fun!!) a few alcohol swabs a small tube of neosporin a small amount of sport tape to tape over small blisters pepto-bismol dayquil NyQuil Tylenol cold and sinus (which they're no longer making, so I don't know what to replace this with) Advil Tylenol pm benedryl pills and cream A few more hints - walgreens sells generic brand of most of this, and will help to keep the cost down for you, also don't worry about buying too much of anything except maybe advil. Just buy a little, and if you run out, restock then. I wouldn't worry about ace bandages, knee braces or ice packs, as the corps should have all of these things on hand. (If you know this is not the case, than maybe plan otherwise.) Like people have said, if you are a member, be careful dispensing even otc meds to others. The medical release forms for most corps include the staff (support, management, teaching) but not necessarily members. I wouldn't get into carrying around prescription medication, leave that up to the person that it's prescribed to.

You do have to be careful about where you get a tattoo being an ed major, however if you really wanted one it could be done. My two are on my hip and foot. The kids I teach now have never seen either one. The kids I student taught with saw the one on my foot and it was only and issue for literally 30 seconds. They just were curious about if it hurt, why I got it, and what it meant. After that I heard "wow, that's hard core" from an 8th grader, and life went on. I was actually surprised by the reaction, and when I commented on it to my cooperating teacher at the time, he just told me that I'd be surprised by how many teachers had them, and that the kids were just getting used to it (at least in my part of Michigan).

I have two, the first is just 2 eighth notes on my hip. Got that one during finals in Madison in 02. The second is my SW tattoo on my right foot. It's really hard to describe, but I really love it. (I guess there's something about the s-dub girls and tattoo's on their feet!!)