Fred Windish

Good points, Tim! I'd like to add the difference in communication technology these days as compared to back then. For 1918, knowledge moved very slowly. It was not so easy to build any consensus across the nation. We must admit, today, we wake-up every morning to an information overload to tap. Some of it good, empirical, trustworthy. Most of it . . . just plain junk science and claims by people promoting some agenda. How easily persuaded are we?

Agree, Keith. That’s pretty much the “Back to the Future” movement I see.

Had this been a courtroom trial before a jury of his peers, and assuming no accepted plea beforehand, the result might have been different. Far different. Both the Prosecution and the Defense are playing a higher level, more meaningful game of Chess. Every move made eventually brings to an end the contest. We have the result. So long as the competition was played by the rules, there is not much those disappointed can do. Only move on.

I’d like to thank Tricia Nadolny for taking comprehensive interest in this story. When difficult topics like this are found in any organization, and they are, we can all gain valuable insights by knowing the details from every angle. Better prepared going forward. Tricia is an accomplished journalist known for her high standards of performance. I learned much through her work describing an unfortunate an damaging situation that has come to our house. Let the rebuild continue !

For years, Macy’s was always about promoting tv shows to be shown on whatever network is telecasting the parade. I’m used to that, and understand it. IF, this Covid version of the parade event starts politicizing to me, or virtual signaling, etc., I’ll turn it off. I guess, since it’s NBC, I won’t be watching very long. ☹️

My favorite marching band, the Alabama Million Dollar Band, was scheduled to perform at the Macy’s Parade this year. I would never attend the Macy’s Parade in person but it would have been great to see them. Enjoyed MDB several times at Tuscaloosa. Absolutely thrilling experience. Very heavy on Brass and, OH those Majorettes! Barbie’s Ken would be jealous! But, really, several other SEC bands are incredible, particularly LSU,, Auburn, Florida, and Texas A&M.

I recently received my DCI March On T-Shirt as a premium for making a donation during the recent DCI fundraiser. It came from a manufacturer named Pep Wear. Today, a DCI merchandising email came also showing the name Pep Wear. The word “pep” is certainly a term found in cheerleading. Question: Is Pep Wear a division of Varsity? If so, then a business relationship with Varsity is already in place. I have no problem at all with that. The T-Shirt is of excellent quality. Again, I really don’t believe all of DCI will be turned over to Varsity. It would seem WGI would be swallowed-up first, if Varsity’s goal is total domination of Marching Arts.

Step back and think this through. We’ve always believed Dan Acheson works at the “pleasure of the DCI Board” who pays him. It’s difficult for me to believe the majority of DCI Board Members think this new partnership puts their own decision making in jeopardy. Or, in time, changes the operations of their own local incorporations. Most likely, each DCI Board Member analyzed the specifics of this cooperation in detail before approving and making a formal announcement through its DCI staff in Indianapolis. The same specifics posters here can only speculate about. DCI does not function under a dictator. I’ll repeat my own speculation. A smaller paid DCI Staff, with a smaller 2021operating budget means the total basket of DCI Staff responsibilities will require some “outsourcing,” so to speak.

If Varsity eventually consumes all of DCI and uses a heavy hand of control, our activity will have come ‘full circle.’ Back to the same oppressive conditions seen from the AL and VFW that led to DCI’s creation! I really do not believe this DCI/Varsity announcement will reach the same level. At least, not in my lifetime (although I am old!) To me, this is a way for DCI to scale back and now, with limited resources, refocus on the original mission of the original founders. That is, keep control of this existing segment within the hands of each independently operated member group. No doubt, certain tasks of DCI, like SS and DLB, event ticketing, merchandising, marketing, and workshops, etc. can be ‘farmed-out’ without real effect on what DCI is now. The same DCI we’ve seen coming into our region, and into our homes.

Thanks, Mike Seems to me, the past version of SoundSport didn’t really reach into the full DCI, age-eligible, base found all across America. Injecting this option directly into hundreds of high schools, through Varsity, should do that. Thus, resulting in potentially new, full-field participating, recruits. More importantly, closer connections to entire school district administrations now likelier to provide housing spots for bigger DCI touring corps who pass through many school districts, AND include their own SoundSport group as performers! Put another way, DCI gains leverage in more places.

Fellow posters, I know nothing about Varsity other than what is being discussed here. I am neutral on this news. Question - is the release of SoundSport to Varsity actually seen by DCI as a necessity if DCI is to successfully manage its way back? From what I’ve seen of SoundSport on FLO and other places, the number of participating groups is not very large. How much DCI time and effort is expended there? Maybe, too much. I’ve always believed, due to losing a season, DCI (the organization) needs to come back “leaner” than before. Or, cast off certain operations and responsibilities. Meaning, fewer events of all types.

The response from the start was to let the state governors and their own health officials determine the amount of ventilators, hospital beds, and personal protective equipment needed to deal with their own population. They were deemed closest to the problem. Some governors knew what to do responsibly, others did not. As requests came in, the Federal government provided help in obtaining and transporting what each needed. The State of New York went overboard in their requests, but there was no way to monitor the judgment of each and every governor. As such, production of response items was ramped-up by Executive Order. It was a costly and lengthy process. But, there was no other choice given the numbers coming from each state. Now, we find out the assessment of cases and deaths per state were not only based on a faulty baseline report, but also due to 50 different methods of determining how to medically code each related event. It is IMPOSSIBLE to know with certainty how many cases and deaths were experienced nationwide. The formulas used to determine state reported numbers varied greatly. Yes, this is all quite controversial, but that’s my story . . . . and I’m sticking to it ! 😗

Yes, dans! Dwelling on ‘doom and gloom’ can be seen as a strategy toward some deeper goal. I refuse to be negative when it comes to the continuation of DCI, and drum corps in general. This wonderful endeavor of ours has shown great resilience through several tough periods. I’m counting on that. We will pick-up the pieces, return in some modified form, then build from there. In my way of thinking, 2020 is already over (it would have been anyway). Bring on 2021!

Just stopping in to suggest another interesting segment by Allentown’s WFMZ.com. Another ‘adjusting to covid’ solution. Written by Jamie Stover. Includes video! A band member from Quakertown High School misses playing the marimba. So . . . she (and Dad) build their own! I hope this young lady joins a drum corps. 👍

Ha! it’s err. Agree, though, with your suggestion. Although, I prefer that choice to be a personal decision. I have no problem with anyone who does not comply with recommendations, I can choose to keep distance from them, shop someplace else, etc.

Here’s the real problem that is affecting everyone’s reactions, a huge number a qualified and reputable medical professionals have gone on record with vastly different views than what any one of us believe. I spend a considerable amount of time every day in research. A strong case can be made for whatever direction one prefers. I’m also considered in a high risk group, do wear a mask wherever requested. I’m just not as concerned about the level of danger as many seem to be. I choose to remain positive about a ‘fix’ to all of this. Way too much confusion surrounds this episode, for sure.

Jeff - I think what’s actually happening is, no one has any confident idea what to do. As a result, many schools are trying to please everyone. Around here, they are asking parents to make one of three choices. Pick in-person, online, or a combination of both. Then, there’s still the option to homeschool the kids. This fourth option continues to grow, by the way. In Pennsylvania, every option includes the right for the student to participate in traditional school activities with other students who are reporting to school every day. As a retired public school teacher, but one who never was a parent, my choice in this situation would be to homeschool the student for the coming year until this is better sorted out. Current public school teachers are going to spend a great deal of class time dealing with discipline matters over masks, distancing, etc. Ask your wife!

Fifty years after its formation, Drum Corps International (the brand) signifies the world’s best of its type. There are many other drum corps conglomerates around the globe. Name one superior to DCI. I can’t. Over time, DCI became recognized, enjoyed, even emulated, around the world. It has developed a network of sponsors, teaching staff, adjudicators, and production teams to handle audio/visual/print media and event management. It has entertained generations of young and old participants who ‘did’ DCI in some form. It has a storied history of accomplishment on record. So, here we are at a time of crisis, not even self-inflicted, and folks are trying to determine if DCI should be reborn as something else? I don’t think so. Now is for DCI survival and continuation as best it can. How long would it take a replacement, call it Acme Pageantry, Inc., to achieve the same position held by DCI? Establish its own brand, abilities, and unique appeal. Difficult road for Acme to travel, it seems.

To promote and manage event operations, I believe it best if the group putting it all together looks at the task at hand independently of any one, specific corps competitor. We all can believe a Blue Devils, or a Carolina Crown-type, office staff could take over the entire DCI operation as an adjunct. But, is that a good scenario? I think not. I can tell you, the week before major events, like Regionals and Championship, the Corps Directors are totally focused just on their own group. I have seen them become laser-focused, bull-headed, near monsters. Each looking for an ‘edge’ over all others. So who will keep the patient, steady, even hand? 🤔

I continue to believe, even if just a few (8?) DCI-affiliated corps are able to conduct just one national tour leading to Indianapolis, all corps will benefit. Those corps who can perform locally, even if just in concert, but who are unable to travel extensively during 2021, get a chance to re-group as best they can. Simply put, they will have something to come back to! I have faith.

My direct knowledge of how DCI corps housing works is years old. However, in the past, the show sponsor was responsible to procure and pay for housing the corps assigned to their event. Initially, the Allentown Regional housing locations were booked by our local committee person, Bill Higgins. Bill was the ‘middle man’ between DCI corps and housing sites. Later on, after Bill and I retired from leadership roles, a DCI employee handled all aspects of housing. One year, we were called upon to house a 56 corps event. We did it, but it included many sites that since dropped out of participation. School districts, private schools, colleges, Boys/Girls Clubs, YMCA, churches, community centers, a Children’s Home, a City Police Training Camp, and even a military base (Fort Indiantown Gap) were used. All sites within 90 minute drive. Daunting task for sure. We can tell many stories, some that led to losing sites. In one case, we chased a very well known West Coast Corps Director up to the Boston Area and demanded immediate payment. We got it. I would think the easiest way to obtain housing would be when the event was sponsored by a school band program. In a 5- corps event, that band’s own district could absorb the whole thing. The situation grew tighter as sites used to serve the Allentown event were extended to service all other events 2 days before/after Allentown. My guess is, the other events’ housing difficulties became Allentown’s problem, in effect. Years later, many of the sites utilized during the ‘56 corps’ Allentown days fell from availability. Even though the number Allentown of groups performing in Allentown reduced by half, the present situation is still difficult. My expectation is, if there is a 2021 Tour, some corps will need to work deals with nearby hotels. Not as impossible as it might seem. Traditional housing in school gyms has gotten very expensive, too.

To clarify . . . I already indicated I did not support the original G-7 concept. My post also states others corps can still participate in what would be a shortened 2021 tour. I expect those additional participants would be corps not able to participate as they had done in 2019, likely due to this 2020 shutdown and difficulty finding members, etc. As far as I’m concerned, a 2021 Tour could be a ‘G-30‘ or any higher number. The greater the better! Truthfully, I would not be surprised if just 8-12 groups choose to travel extensively. Arrangements will be difficult and accommodations too expensive for many corps, but not all. Even if just 8-10 groups can set out for long distance, overnight travel, etc., that small number can represent all corps. Any corps able to run one-day-only trips, can perform at one of the scheduled tour days as it passes through their region. Everyone gets a chance to conduct a relatively normal season. One determined only by what they can handle while they regroup. Even a limited scale DCI Tour will produce benefits. Like sponsorships, ticket and merchandise sales. 2021 DVDs, and telecasts. If it’s 8 corps on the road, or 30 corps on the road, the key is continue on in some form until everyone has recovered from the ‘damage’ of 2020 with the COVID-19 restrictions. This is not an endorsement of the goals of the original G-7. The goals in 2021 would be more inclusive and help everyone as much as possible. Nothing sinister at all.

Thank you ! At a time like this, it’s best to keep everyone engaged. To the best of your ability so long as you can. Best example is what DCI is offering tonight with its March On public fundraising event. I believe DCI will have a smaller group of performing corps who are able to take on a limited touring schedule. Provided it’s all safe and legal, nothing would be better for survival than to go with that. Relationships, practices and procedures, remain. As the 2021 tour moves around, nearby drum corps and related activities can join in. Some continuity in process allows every interested party a chance to continue participation. Highest level marching music continues on the ‘menu’ for sale.

Poppycock - I do believe a DCI-level product can survive and regroup. However, my thinking is, some sort of touring schedule in 2021 is essential. It might involve a smaller number of corps, but even a group of 8-10 organizations able to pull-off some semblance of the quality we normally see will suffice. DCI can’t cut loose sponsors, fans, and media exposure for a second straight season. A reduced size public presence would keep interest going and motivate other groups to persevere. We’ve recently discussed the old G-7 thinking. I’m glad that didn’t take off. However, the activity’s survival now probably does rest with a small group of elite, able, and willing corps to keep the flame burning. Now, will we have 8 elite groups who can manage a more costly, promotional-style, and inspiring tour? Yes.🤞

Roll Tide! Right about the rain. About 7:30 this morning, my nearby home in Saucon Valley was hit with a a VERY strong downpour lasting about 20 minutes. Maybe 3 inches of water found in what was an empty bucket outside. Some local flash flooding and damages. Never saw such heavy rain. . . and I’m old! Yes, both days of the event would have been rain free. No ‘Flo’ whatsoever. 😀