tubamann

G.. Maybe their was a little self-healing going on. We should remember our geography as well as our history. Remember that Bergen County, NJ (Cadets land at the time) overlooks NYC..you can see most of the NYC skyline. Do you think maybe Hop and company, being at the time, citizens of the greater NYC area, were trying to put on the field how THEY felt that horrible tuesday morning. It is not unlikely that there were people in the Cadets familt that were touched by the tragady. Remember, New York, and its environs, was their home.

My friend, drum corps is more than just instrumentation. As it has been discussed on here numerous times, the title is really a holdover, ie kind of a cultural thing, less than an accurate discription of what we do. Remember that the changes made are what the people in charge think is best for the activity long term. The truth is that legacy fans such as you (and me to some extent) will not fill the stands. They are looking to the future. Sadly, when this happens, some people will be marginalized.

Last I checked the real goal of the BOD and the corps directors that make it are the furthering of the missions of both DCI and their corps. They are not freaks either. They are good people that have a different view from you..and THEIR opinion just happens to matter.

Fine.. then leave!! I'm sure those evil kids wont miss you. BTW..if you want to make a point you might try not insulting people, using homophobic rants, and run on sentences. Otherwise people might thing you were..full of it? maybe??

..and many of us will not have given a crap or missed you for just as long.

First of all, I can tell you that WW are not popular at all with the instructor's caucus. The brass guys arn't about to give up trumpets for clarinets. I know this having spoken to many instructors. Second, instructors vote because they would like to have the freedom to try new things. That is all. Contrary to popular belief, very few people can make a decent living from drum corps. With the exception of a select few, very few people can do DC as their primary career. An example.. GH's salary is normal for a head of a non-profit of YEA's size. He does not have any personal endorsment deals. Last I checked, he drives a 2002 Eord Expidetion with 300,000 miles on it. Finally, if you now hate drumcorps, leave, and quit #####ing about it here.

Hey, you said it. DCI is doing what it has always done..letting the corps determine their own self interests. That is why DCI was founded, and that is what they are doing to this day. They have much more to consider then the opinions of the ultra conservitave fans that lurk on and dominate DCP (and overestimate their own importance, IMHO)

Based on thier usual stand on rules changes, I would conjecture that they voted yes for both amped brass and electronics

Corps were dying well before any of Hop's rules changes were put into effect. Attendence at DCI events has risen and remained steady since the first big change (b -flats in 1999) The 350 regulars at dcp who make 90% of the posts dont like the new rules., to be sure, but I don't see a mass exodus of fans or corps over this. Despite your own feelings, drum corps is here to stay and will continue to evolve. If it is no longer for you that is sad. Truly. However, it will marshall on without you.

George H's passion for the YEA! mission and its effects on the young people involved is what pushes him to argue for his so-called agenda. He feels that the changes are what is needed to keep the activity going. Love him or hate him, that is is why he does what he does.

Very true. this activity has always been about more than instruments, toys, and politics. It is about many things..a good example of which could be the your relationship to your Scout brothers. I am happy to see that some "old schoolers" can see this!

Dude: While I do not agree with Brandon on most things, and disagree with him on the current rules propsoals, your tone and attitide here are doing nothing but causing strife. I know from my years that brandon is speaking the truth. I also know that his opinions are not discounted by the fact that his corps no longer fields. How do the mismangement and financial problems of CR have to do with what he thinks?? You are not helping your point of view, and even though i agree with it in principle, you need to

DCI is somewhat a victim of its own sucess. Many of the instructors who teach corps also, for years, have taught at the BOA level. They were able to do what they wanted with the more liberal BOA rules. Now that the BOA side of the activity has grown, many of these folks are wanting to do the same things they do with their bands, albeit at a higher level. Not that it bothers me, really. I have no problem with electronics if it is done well. I will judge each corps by their merits on the field.

Yeah, God forbid that someone here knows what the hell they are talking about..

One thing to remember (and this is from the DCI guys).. Allentown is CHEAP..really cheap With the costs of the other venues being so high, Atown is a welcome alternative in the cost department!

I am guessing that the broadcast was cancelled because its revenue potential was not great enough to cover its costs. Remember that DCI had to PAY ESPN to get this on the air. I would hazard that the advertising revenue was not great enough to keep it going. Of course we all pontificate here on things that we dont really know all that much about. Do you or I have a copy of DCI's balance sheet? Are we privvy to the budget meetings in Addison? No. Do any of us have access to the balance sheets of YEA! or The Blue Devils?? Do we know the ins and outs of all of the corp's sponsorship deals or capital improvment budgets?? Ahhh..no.. And BTW..the OP was speaking of the numbers of corps competing at DCI..he said nothing of membership. Nor did I. Yeahhhh... Of course it is easy for folks here to be armchair directors and spout off all of this..the reality is many here are misinformed or have no idea of the real facts. Ball's in your court...

Yet you insult a whole group of people with you signature remark..then hide behind the Bible..talk about pompous.

BS. As I have said, Drum Corps are more than rules or instruments. It is the esprit de corps and dedication to excellence on a level unmatched in the marching world that makes us unique.

Answers: 1-Wich organization do you speak of?? DCI?? or the corps themselves? Last I checked the corps that I am a part of does pretty well, and last I checked DCI was doing OK too. I would love more corps out there, but DCI still puts plenty of butts in the seats, still sells alot of videos, and is still beloved by alot of folks. 2-Well this would require DCI to be in a hole financially. Last I checked, DCI was not operating on a deficit budget. Since dan took over, he (and others) have been able to take DCI from near death to solid financial solvency. 3-I would love to see this too, and the folks at DCI would too, but they know it is good to have 22 solid corps then 75 fly by nights. BTW, with open class there are alot more than 22 corps in DCI.. Try again.

I hear that Crown will be doing a new uniform concept that will involve: -Underpants worn OUTSIDE the bibbers. -A Sombrero with a 48 inch brim. -Jewelled 6 inch stiletto high heel shoes. Really it's true. The brother of the 3rd cousin's boyfriend of the show designers godmother told me. I swear

I cant tell you how many times I saw Harvey on the sidelines at DCI and the Regionals. He was to me just part of the DCI experience, standing there, imposing yet gentle, waiting for the corps to go. It will strange to see someone else with the BIG clipboard and Blue Numbers. My prayers go out to his family and colleauges at DCI.

This is why I know of one corps that does not allow airbeds for members on tour (alldays ok)

Dude, get over yourself. The horns were six years old. FYI, any horn, Kanstul or otherwise, after being put thru the rigors of a 6 drum corps summers..drill collisions, eq trucks, corrosive breath, etc, are worn. They rattle, are constanstly being repaired and lose their finish. A company made Academy a great deal where they could put new instruments in the hands of the kids nearly every year at a lower cost. What did you expect them to do?? Great move. I'm sorry that you find a corps replacing its older horns disrespectful.

Well perhaps they are hyped because they are beloved by their alums, fans and members alike. Regardless of competitive results, todays CC is well thought of by the Drumcorps public. And how is this a bad thing??

Well, when the corps' budget is YOUR responsibility, you can make that judgement. Dynasty made a sweet deal. Can't blame PR for going there.