noneofyourbusiness

1. Just be glad they have never had DCI in New York City. I lived in both the NYC and LA areas, and NY defintely wins for the worst traffic. The roads are about half as wide as the LA area, and they are completely falling apart. Driving across the Outerbridge Crossing or on the Belt Parkway is like trying to squeeze a watermelon through a catsup bottle. 2. Ever fly into LaGuardia? THAT is the definition of a he!! hole!!

These corps are getting better very quickly. It should be very interesting to see how the Yokohama Scouts do at DCI this summer. Love the announcement of "Are the judges ready", etc. in English :P .

US field or Canadian? B)

Well, at least not until August 2007 :P I remember people saying the same thing when CC moved up from Div. II. You may be surprised what can happen in a year or three. And, based on what I have heard from people on the inside, both of these organizations you mention are in better financial shape than many of the current top 12. They may have alot more staying power than you think.

Hmmmm, I haven't seen the Blue Stars announcement of their non-technical, non-demanding show for 2007. Where did you find this info? Also, "those who've been in for a while know how to play the game": I believe that Donnie Van Doren, Frank Sullivan, Mike Anderson, Brent Montgomery, Ron Hardin, etc., etc. have a little bit of experience in this thing called drum corps. I'll bet they have some knowledge of "how to play the game".

Surprises out of the gate: Cavies with a big spread in Annapolis over Bluecoats and Cadets Blue Stars a very close third in Coon Rapids Vanguard on top of BD in Pleasant Hill

I know of a "kid" who was an alternate with a top 3 corps' color guard back in '90. Seems like he spent most of the summer being the lacky to the caption head. BUT, he later became one of the best (if not THE best) rifles ever to march and was also in the original cast of Blast! Being an alternate is not a losing situation, if the member treats it as a learning experience.

Guess I've been spoiled by some other young musicians I know, but that didn't seem so spectacular to me. JMHO.

Actually, the BOD is in touch with reality....they have to pay the bills. The instructors are living in the "artsy-fartsy" world, which we know has absolutely no knowledge of real life. The BOD heard the majority of the fans and voted with their heads.

This might seem like a practical idea (my son did it), but it will not work as a "rule". Unfortunately, there are too many variables in life, and all this rule may do is force alot of people to never march. There are alot of one-year members today due to parents' finances, school issues, travel difficulties, etc. I think forcing these people to make the decision of marching in just Div. II/III/DCA or nothing during their one possible year would not solve the root problem. If the Div. II/III corps cannot attract enough members in today's DCI-run environment, then maybe they should consider just going all-age. There are more and more opportunities in DCA today, and every region now seems to have competition opportunities as well. The only other option I see, if they truly cannot survive in the DCI world, is to start their own circuit (i.e., USFL, WFL, etc.).

I've heard that one of the corps will be announcing by the end of this weekend....

Would you ever, assuming that a performance wasn't personally insulting, BOO a corps member or corps as a whole? Never a whole corps. But, I would boo any member I saw wearing a "Hillary for President" button :P

definitely possible...

Absolute BEST drum corps venues: Orange Bowl, Miami: Love the neighborhood Jackson, Mississippi: Awesome corps housing and wonderfully cool, dry weather Citrus Bowl, Orlando: Another great neighborhood, better weather than CA Bayonne, NJ: The wonderful smells coming off the water bring back memories of Jimmy Hoffa :P

Isn't this what the Brits said in 1775?

Check it out. http://www.dci.org/news/news.cfm?news_id=3...a4-37ce9b04fb9d

Just saw this. Great sign for SW. Check it out. http://www.southwind.org/

There's an article showing the names of all the people who have been called back. Check it out. http://arizonaacademy.org/nm/publish/news_255.php

WOW! I heard that SW may be buying a new bus!! WOW! I heard that PC is going to Denver!! WOW! I heard that Cascades have a new management team!! WOW! I heard that Blue Stars is chartering this year!! WOW! I heard that Cesario is working for Colts!! ENOUGH with the shameless plugs already. The announcement board and news area are for these type pf posts.

And you better hurry. From what I have read and the info I have gotten from many conversations with corps members and staff, most of the Div. I's and II's are already having to cut many people who tried out back in Nov. and Dec. There will be very few spots available at this point in the season in corps making the trip to CA. I would suggest getting off emails to the Directors of all the corps you have interest in and seeing if there are any spots left.

corpsreps.com lists a Northern Lights D&BC from Seattle, but they have no scores, no repertoires, and no history posted for them .

I have been involved in many, many non-profit youth organizations over the years. Unfortunately, in about 2-3% of the cases, there are people who are in the group more to make $$$ for themselves than to serve the youth the group is meant to be all about. As in all business dealings, there are always a few scoundrels that can ruin the name of an entire industry or activity. Oh, and my opinion is that drum corps, even those that cater to the college age members, or the all-age corps, fit the definition of non-profit alot better than many other groups that get this same tax definition (can you say YMCA?).

My opinion, in no particular order: 1. The Indy announcement. This will have a profound effect on the activity over the next ten years IMHO. 2. The Cadets show. Personally, I hated it. Yet my children learned to like it. Guess I'm showing my age. 3. Blue Stars shocking climb up from Div. III - II - I. Based on their current stability in finances, quality staff, rumored big tryout numbers, stong alumni base, etc., I can see them returning as a perennial finalist again. They have 40+ strong years of history that other corps making this leap have not had before. 4. Crossmen move to TX. It may not help them as much as some people have said for this year, but I believe that, over time, they will profit competitively and financially from this move. This is a corps that deserves some good years operationally. 5. The continued loss of Div. II and III corps. If these units do not find a way outside of DCI to survive, this level will be gone within 5-7 years. Personally, I agree with the suggestions that they approach DCA for some support. With that organization's huge growth in many areas of the country, they could be sanctioning as many or more shows than DCI in a few years.

You have to be really careful with the amounts that you hear. Alot of corps tell you it is $1,200 or $1,300, BUT that is just the tour fee. If you include registration fees, camp fees, mandatory uniform fees, shoes you must buy, price to keep a specific part of the uniform at the end of the year (i.e. buckle, feather, etc.,), spring training fees, etc., these corps come out in the general neighborhood of other corps who have one, all-inclusive fee. I estimate most corps in the $2,000 range, plus or minus a few hundred when you total out everything. Then you also need to consider the "other" money, such as laundry, free day food, souvies, late-night snacks, etc., etc. Also, how much does it cost to travel to that corps' camps?

Make it a five point penalty and $5,000 fine for warming up right next to the stadium during other corps' performances. I am sick of hearing someone else's drum line right in the middle of a corps' ballad.