dukecornwell

Fran, no offence taking here at all and I appreciate your comments and advice. It wasn’t easy making this decision, but we had to keep the students available for their summer band programs. Also, I see many DCI corps that were active last year and in-active this year. It seems that the number of division II/III corps are dwindling each year. I don’t know why, inadequate management, not enough shows to compete in, lack of support from DCI, or the money it takes to go on tour? It also seems to me that the all-age corps are getting younger every year. I think that this is a reality that we also had to look at before we made our decision. DCA = less cost, less travel, more competitions, students available for their summer band programs. If you read our vision statement, you will see that this corps is forming to support the marching band programs of the Cavalcade of Bands. If you are on the island this weekend, maybe we can discuss this further. Once again Fran, I appreciate your advice.

Here is the Vision Statement and the Objectives for Cavalcade Drum & Bugle Corps: Cavalcade Drum & Bugle Corps Vision Statement: To give scholastic students of the Cavalcade of Bands the opportunity to perform in a year-round activity to help increase the skills and objectivity to become an experienced performer. This in turn allows these students the probability to return to their bands as more seasoned professionals. Objectives: Afford the students the possibility to perform in front of a diverse audience and adjudicators. Give the students the opportunity to learn and grow from the achievements of character building skills. Our goal is to help set them up with life-building experiences.

Good question!! As far as I know, there is not a junior division in DCA. It's a matter of thinking about the Cavalcade of Bands Director's. This corps will support the band Director's. Students will be more prepared to challenge the Marching Band season, then ever before. The Cavalcade of Bands is a GREAT high school marching band circuit now, and will continue to thrive. I can not take their students away to go on tour. Most of our bands have a strong summer schedule and the students need to be home during the week. Also, we should have more shows to compete in DCA. I hope everyone supports this orgainization, because we need to support this GREAT ACTIVITY, WE CALL DRUM & BUGLE CORPS. Any questions, see me in Long Island this weekend. GREAT luck to all that are competing!

Thanks Jim. I am an old, old friend, but I'm not that old yet. LOL. It great to have you on board with Cavalcade. I have to wait until I make it official. The staff should be in place within the next two weeks.

Sorry you have found this thread to be a little confusing. After I wrote it, I was a little confused my self. Anyway, Cavalcade Bands are located in the States of Pa, De, NJ and Md. The corps home base will probabbly be in Pa. as to that is where the majority of bands are located. We are however growing in NJ at a good pace. As soon as we have a home base I will post it. We are working on that now along with many other important things we have to do. Thanks for your interst in Cavalcade.

I understand that there is alot going on right now in DCA. It's early in the season, but The Cabs!!! Come on folks. The Cabs have been there every year. So, they have a numbers problems. Who hasn't? I've competed against them for many years in the past. They have never let me down. The Cabs will be back. What about the Bucs. I didn't see them, but WOW! I can't wait to see them this year. Back to the thread. Cavalcade. A new corps to keep this activity going and growing. See you all on the Island next week. Long Island, that is......

Thanks Eddie for your kind words. I'm just trying to keep this GREAT ACTIVITY alive and growing. I have received many inquiries so far and things look like were on the right track. Good luck to you and The Hurc's this Saturday.

Thank you for your support. Initially this corps is being orgainized under The Cavalcade of Bands orgaization. We have, these numbers are close but not accurate, 100 Marchings Bands, 50 indoor units and 80 Jazz Bands. Some of the jazz bands are from High School Marching Bands that compete in different circuits, not Cavalcade of Bands. All we ask is that you attend a school that is a member of Cavalcade. Any of our orgainizations. So to answer your question, Cavalcade Drum Corps will have members that compete in different marching band circuits.

Thanks Donny. After our conversation last night, it's great to get your support. You understand the need for growth in our activity. See you on the island Saturday. I can't wait to see Cru back on the field. Good Luck.

CAVALCADE Drum & Bugle Corps This Drum & Bugle Corps is being considered so that all students can have a year round activity under The Cavalcade of Bands umbrella. The membership will be made up students who attend schools that are Cavalcade members ONLY. There will be a quality staff of designers, arraigners and instructors in place in the very near future. Some staff positions are already filled. Look for an announcement as soon as the full staff is in place. All students of member schools and organizations of The Cavalcade of Bands, Cavalcade Jazz and Cavalcade Indoor Associations are eligible to apply for membership. Cavalcade will accept applications from in-coming freshman through out-going seniors. College age applicants will be accepted as long as their College is a member in good standing with The Cavalcade of Bands. Please fill out the application of interest at www.cavalcadeofbands.org, if you would like to receive up to the minute news on the progress of this drum corps. You must be a student member of Cavalcade of Bands to receive these updates. I will keep the drum corps community updated as to what's going on by using this forum. Cavalcade will hopefully start competing as a Drum & Bugle Corps in 2006. An application will be submitted to DCA for the 2006 season. This will be a weekend drum corps. First camp will be held over Thanksgiving weekend 2005. Site TBA. More information to follow.

I just had a call from Joe Allen ( aka Donny Allen ). He sounded very excited with what's going on with CRU. I have also been talking with some associates who tell me CRU is for real. Two weeks to go untill Long Island, one week to go untill Wildwood. It seems like yesterday that I was at Scranton with the Hurcs. Where does time go? I wish all corps a GREAT season, and welcome back CRU.

Joe!!!!!! Please bring a CLEAN towel in case they put you on TV. Watch your language and be nice to the Brass line. LOL Have a GREAT weekend, my friend.

I just received a call from DA and I listened to Cru playing ensemble over a cell phone. If you have ever listened to a drum corps over a cell phone before, you know the quality is not that good. Well, I have to to tell you the brass line sounded GREAT! This is a drum corps!! Best of luck to CRU, and welcome BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Donny, I heard thru the grapevine, from some friends of mine that were at the parade, Cru was very strong!!! I also heard that the fund raiser was a GREAT success!!! It seems that you and Cru are serious this year. It's not easy to come back, but I feel Cru will be a force in OPEN Class FINALS. Best of luck to you and The Crusaders.

Hey Joe! This is the way most Sr. Corps have to operate today. Seniors are now mostly All Age. Every year, IMO , the average age of the members of these corps gets younger and younger. I don't know if the younger members will be as committed to a drum corps schedule, as we were. As you say, too many things going on in their life. A lot more things to do, more options available to them then we had. I look at corps going in-active, both DCI and DCA and wonder what is going on here? I look at more class A corps in DCA and wonder if DCA Class A will have more corps than Open class in the near future. I don't know. Maybe this should be a new thread to get other opinions. Just my .02 Joe. As always, I wish Cru all the best this year and many too follow.

A Joe To Joe Bump!!!!!

GREAT NEWS!!!! Your in my prayers Donny Joe!

Any news about how Donny made out?

God Bless You my Friend. JOE!!!! Is that you over there? Talk to you soon.

I spoke to Donny last night and he sounds very optomistic and realistic. His health is good, GREAT to hear that, and his drive to get Cru back in finals is never ending. Best of luck Cru.