Fred Windish

Jeff- I do not know what is planned for up there. But, a few years ago, there was a request to build one of those metal ‘pole building’ equipment/storage sheds there. Every year, ASD stores more and more equipment and materials in that area. The amount is space left over for DCI use is about half what it once was. rpbobcat- the Allentown local committee consists of about 75 volunteers, many who have served the event for several decades. They really know what they are doing and the DCI officials who arrive that weekend generally stay out of their way.

Allentown has always had its flaws. I could tell you stories! Like the ground hogs living under the Upper Grandstand. Unfortunately, new issues seem to arrive yearly. But, like an old favorite, moth-bitten, sweater, it’s just too hard to let go.

Multi-Cam is for me, too! Today’s corps are so highly detailed in color and uniform, equipment, and prop design. That can only be appreciated to its fullest up close. Even facial cosmetic make up and expressions of concentration, satisfaction, and joy hold my interest throughout. Drum corps is an entirely different experience through multi-cam. It’s something like attending a Broadway Show seated in the first 5 rows up front, rather than from the back of the house.

No doubt, Boston Crusaders are very strong across the board, particularly the Guard. With some tweaking, I can see this corps winning it all. In my opinion, the show design could use a better defined stage set. The key prop, a boat, doesn’t quite translate to me. I’d like to see a representation of this vessel with solid brown wooden sides. Possibly using roll-down fabric panels between the vertical structural pieces. Even if only part of the time. While you’re at it, also consider some kind to end zone protrusions to hint at movement into a dock. By comparison, the Bluecoats bring greater visual atmosphere to our experience with their production.

Strongest Phantom Regiment show in many years! Congratulations to all.

Yes, I remain SHOCKED by this announcement. This is the most significant step for DCA since its founding in 1964. The challenges presented here are many and will be difficult to overcome. Good Luck, and Best Wishes to ALL !

fsthnds - I will be SHOCKED if such an announcement is made. It would be too costly for most of the corps and their fans. It would put DCA in competition that morning with Soundsport activities. It would require many to take off work Friday and would provide almost no practice time beforehand. But, who knows? Lots of crazy things happening these days in America. DCA had a chance to ‘dip its toes in new waters’ years ago at Winston-Salem. That site was much more accessible for many more of the corps, at a time when DCA featured significantly more competitors and spectators. DCA took a pass then, on a far less risky gamble than what you are announcing with Indy. Unless, of course, DCA becomes Soundsport !

That big corporate donation action comes mostly from personal networking among executives. It often happens over rounds of golf at the country club, tennis on the courts, cocktails with the boss, fraternity/sorority chums, etc., etc. Once you get those avenues working in your favor they can last a long time.

drumcat - Thank you for your brilliant analysis of this issue. You have provided a well-written and comprehensive piece. For several years now, I have felt uneasy about the way technology has reshaped our beloved product. We are treading on the artificial, toward an unnatural substitute, an illusion, so to speak. Way too much of this in today’s America, I think. Limitations are needed Yes, I’m old (72). I’m sure this is a factor, but so what? You know, I am amazed about the detail now possible in producing artificial flowers and plants. I see some incredible results there. But, my greatest pleasure is derived from being in the presence of the real, growing, genuine articles on which those man-made products are based. Your Conclusion, for now segment is excellent! Much appreciated. 👍

Right you are, Jeff! Here’s a good example from the early Allentown years. The night before Friday Prelims, I was told by a friend a CARNIVAL was operating on the lot we used for corps bus parking. You know the space, the gravel lot adjacent to Pineville. Indeed, there WAS a carnival operating that night and was planned to continue throughout the weekend! I arrived to see a full size ferris wheel going round along with about a dozen other rides and various booths. I called friend, and City Council President Watson Skinner to ask for immediate help. As it turned out the carnival operator was the brother of Mayor Joseph Daddona ! The whole thing was torn down that same night and gone by daybreak less than 12 hours later. Prelims gates opened on time at 7:30 am Friday. Phew!

George Dixon - I noticed your use of question mark with the word ‘termination.’ I am not nearly as tuned in to the Cadets as you. So, I’ve been thinking about this possibility and would like your thoughts. This situation is indeed curious following what many consider to have been a very good performance year. I’m hoping for a more innocuous development as an explanation to what happened. There is a definite impression the Cadets are under financial strain. POSSIBLY, the staff was told everyone’s current paycheck amount needed to be substantially cut for the coming year for the Cadets to reduce their debts. Some paid personnel might well have decided not to work for less, opting to move along and find work elsewhere. Plausible? Such does happen all the time. Either way, all my best to the Cadets . . . a true DCI icon.

I continue to appreciate your curiosity and enthusiasm expressed here, Orwellian Wiress! Your perspective is refreshing, as I represent someone very much older (age 71). I marched color guard for both Emmaus, PA Sentinels and Reading Buccaneers, and then did Alumni parades for both. Really, marching competitive field shows ended for me in 1972. For the most part of all future years I served as an administrator and an event promoter. My marching experience was dramatically different than what goes on today, for sure! Drum Corps Planet used to be utilized more and, for the most part, comments were generally more lengthy, particularly from those who took the time to write show reviews. For some reason, corps became afraid of what their members might express here. Some prohibited members from contributing to DCP. I never supported such policies and considered it a lost opportunity for those groups. Seems every corps substituted their own Facebook pages for public outreach. Certainly, that should be one of their outlets, but using Facebook alone lacks in reaching the more general community. I never registered for Facebook and don’t ever plan to do so. There is no way I would spend time visiting every single corps Facebook page to monitor this activity. Please continue posting here. Perhaps, your interest will spread to others from your generation. Sadly, putting together more than a couple of sentences is too much a chore these days for some. That’s too bad. Now, explain your choice of screen name! I know who George Orwell was, of course. He predicted what we are seeing in America today, unfortunately. Thanks!

Thus, the challenge I see in all of this demand for growth and creativity in the productions I’ve enjoyed for so many years. That is, how best to fairly reward it under such rapid change. To me, each year a performing group strives to keep its audience engaged and intrigued. They do this by offering more for consumption. More volume, more color, more interesting body movement, more emotional layers, and new visual interest in staging. The goal, to remain fresh and, of course, be recognized as one of the very best of its type. The highest stamp of approval affixed at season’s end. There really was a time when drum corps was judged to determine which organization assembled the finest group of people blowing air through tubing, using their hands to strike surfaces with sticks, their legs to take them from one place to another in perfectly standardized intervals! But, now? Nearly unlimited creativity, design, and technology have created a dilemma in scoring to determine who does it all best. That is, until next near brings a new definition of what constitutes “best.” I have a problem understanding placing a higher value on paid-for technology over excellence in individual human achievement. Somehow, electronic buttons, dials and sliders have taken charge, it seems. You know, these newer enhancements are never going away. How many groups can afford to keep up at this level? Not many, I’d say. But, hey . . . . I still enjoy it all. It’s fabulous ! ( Perhaps, any numerical rankings should be based more on human physical achievement and talent of students rather than artificial embellishments available over-the-counter.) 🤔

There is NO doubt, ever since the use of electronic enhancement was introduced to better hear that one soloist, electronic use has only become more pervasive. Electronics in drum corps has moved well beyond the “just a little boost” stage. So, when does expanding our performance horizons end? I say, never. It’s just not part of our creative nature. The risk is creating just another rock concert, wherein no amount of bells and whistles, laser lighting and flash bangs is too much. Today’s younger participants and audiences are weird this way. They need to make a bigger statement than the other guy. Bless their hearts!

No matter what changes are made to the judging sheets, at the end of that special night in Indy, there will be only ONE group (unless a tie) indicated by those sheets as the FIRST PLACE, the overall CHAMPION. Unfortunately, every other group goes back home disappointed to some degree. Sad, but that’s what it is. 2022 was a magnificent DCI Finals, all the same! 🏆

I think you summed it up nicely, MikeZ. One factor few ever consider is the huge amount of money being saved by having the event at Allentown as compared to any “Pro Football type” venue. As a DCI Regional, all net income after operating expenses eventually goes back to the corps. For all its warts, Allentown produces considerably more money to each corps. Why? Lower facility rent (very much lower). Staffing all done by an experienced local committee of volunteers, about 75 people. No outrageous requirements as to required staff at very high union scale (Philadelphia, in example). Besides, it’s actually not too difficult to find free spectator parking at Allentown, compared to $25-30 per night at a major facility. Food and drink prices MUCH less expensive in Allentown, too. I estimate each DCI corps comes out of the Allentown Regional with between $10-15 thousand dollars MORE per year!

Lehigh’ s football stadium has no lights and is natural grass. I live across the street from the athletic complex. A more newly renovated, wonderful stadium can be found 15 miles east of Lehigh at Lafayette College. It has plenty of seats, new lights, artificial turf, no track so the corps are closer to fans. BUT . . . . The the parking situation for fans is even worse than Allentown! Bus, truck parking almost non-existent. P. S. - it’s been thoroughly analyzed already. 😉

Allentown helicopter story has been mentioned a few times here. Here are some interesting facts related to that. I booked it by phone that morning. There was large helicopter hanger nearby in Coopersburg, PA. It was built primarily to house the helicopters owned by racing great, Mario Andretti who lives just north of Allentown. A few other corporate owners used it, too. Within a span of about 30 minutes from the initial call. The copter arrived over the mountain that can be seen from the stadium. No, the pilot was NOT Mario Andretti, nor was it his helicopter. The fee for this unusual service was $300. Took about 20 minutes to blow off the field.The fee was paid on the 50 yard line where the craft landed. DCI Executive Director, Don Pesceone walked out with a DCI check. No, Pesceone did not need ‘duck.’ The blades were not rotating!

I enjoy this chance to learn more about other posters. DCP also has available a ‘Profile/About Me’ section for each poster by clicking on a name, but I don’t think that’s been utilized very often. Me- 6 years drum corps marching 45 years DCA and DCI projects management (I’m old)

This is probably the most difficult time I’ve ever had predicting the final placing. We’re enjoying at least 15 tightly packed programs on display. The top-scoring 5-6 are incredible and I’d like to see ALL of them medal . . . . but that’s not how it works! Having watched only on FLO, I’d commit to this final prediction - 1. Blue Devils 2. Boston Crusaders 3. Bluecoats 4. Carolina Crown 5. Vanguard 6. Blue Stars Special shout-out to Bluecoats who mesmerize me most. Oh, big hello and welcome to you, ‘fangirl.’

drumcat - Welcome back! I remember reading your opinions years ago. I am absolutely an older vintage participant and fan. It’s a condition we both can’t control. Your views on the ‘marketability” of contemporary drum corps performance mirror my own in several ways. I am particularly grateful to read such a thoughtful, well-structured contribution for us to consider. Truth be told, I think drum corps at the elite level has changed too much, and changed too quickly. There is no doubt the performer talent level has never been higher. Today’s performers are tasked with so much more to do out there, and they’ve met the challenge impressively. Yes, the lack of melodic flow troubles me, too. More work needed there, for sure. In the near future, I believe, the pressure to expand the product into even more levels of sensory influence for the audience will result in the whole experience being moved into a large “arena act “ of sorts. Maybe, two touring companies for some organizations, just one for others. The possibilities are endless for designers. What with stage spotlighting moments, video screens, laser beams, smoke, simulated rain, etc., Best of all, two performances per day under no weather threats to mess up the whole thing. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around this season’s Bluecoats performance. I find Bluecoats to be the year’s most intriguing corps. They hold my attention in a vastly different, but good way. I don’t think they will make their way into First Place for 2022, but do see Bluecoats as some kind of precursor to what’s ahead for audiences. Maybe, that’s it. A watershed moment taking place. To me, if my indoor arena prediction ever comes true, the show’s performances will most resemble what Bluecoats offer now, but with all the “bells and whistles” their budget allows going forward. In other words, DCI will move even further away from the brass and percussion and other traditions I once expected. This is a different world in many ways. I get that. My curiosity of where it leads drum corps during my remaining years will never end. I’m certain I’ll still find much to like about all this. I’m just not sure what it will be. That’s for others to decide . . . as it should be.

Once again, I am not a musician, 71 years old, and still enjoy and support drum corps. I also acknowledge things do change. My biggest disappointment this DCI season centers around the music arranging. Generally, too many selections sound disjointed, even abrasive. It’s as if the brass and percussion is now being used as an interlude between dance routines and body posing. The sound contributions are often not melodic. Well played and showing a command of the instrument, of course! But, to me, just quick hits without enduring value. Younger audiences find much to like. for sure. But, marketability beyond students and member families, this product falls too short for building a casual audience when this show comes to town.

At this point in the season it might be fun to discuss your picks for the “middle” of the final Top 12 at Indy. I’m thinking - 5. Boston Crusaders 6. Cavaliers 7. Cadets See something different you’d like to share?

Hey, waliman444! You nailed it perfectly. I posted the very same thoughts minutes ago. I’m not a musician, admittedly. But these short bursts packing in so many notes doesn’t do much for my enjoyment. I just can’t get into that, as common as it is now.

You’re always a good read, ironlips. Thanks. You know, anyone who has paid for the opportunity to witness the current products on the field, who reads Drum Corps Planet, and particularly those who post their thoughts here is still entertained by it all ! Best way for me to simplify is to say, our beloved activity would do better being more accessible to a more general audience. The curious observers, the first impression customers. There is certainly no shortage of performer talent moving around out there! Stunning, actually. But, I believe, a little more tweaking the musical product toward the masses would help. I am particularly concerned by a lack of sustained melody.