Keith Laubhan

Excellent post... I'd also add physical proximity (or lack thereof) to the list of obstacles in presenting this style of theatre to a drum corps audience. I agree with the previous statements of the noticeable difference in quality between the theatrical elements and the drum corps elements... it's very jarring as a viewer. Feels like a high school play in whirlwind of top-notch entertainment. Truth be told, I think that the Cadets designers are working with a flawed premise. I think the concept doesn't work (the radio show vehicle), the presentation doesn't work (gulf of quality between the theatre and the drum corps) and the venue doesn't work (as hkhongkong describes). Sometimes when you have a flawed premise, you don't know until you try, and in those situations, I'll give credit to those who have the stones to try something new. Unfortunately, they haven't learned from the many high school bands who have tried this approach in the last 10-15 years and failed. It seems like in an effort to bring something new to their audience, they've fallen in the same pitfalls that other groups in our cousin activity have already fallen into. As a spectator, I appreciate the amazing drum corps on the field, and I appreciate the attempt to do something unique, but I can't help but feel that the show as a complete package is irreversibly doomed.

Maybe consider donating to your local high school band boosters, then. Many corps people don't want to hear it, but they've really taken the place of the old community corps in terms of providing local competitive music activities.

My gut feeling is that they'll end up in 9th or 10th.... I agree that they probably won't catch Boston, but I don't see them sliding out of finals, either. I'm biased, but looking at it as objective as possible.

I think there's a big difference between details that get lost from the stands and details that distract from the stands. I'd argue that a subtle texture change like that doesn't distract and adds value to it when you're close.

I like them, but I almost wish there wasn't the upper-most red stripe... it looks weird when the collar gets in the way. But otherwise, I really, really like them. A cool, contemporary take on SCV tradition.

I'm as big a BK fan as there is, but this year's show isn't my favorite of theirs. I do like it overall, but in its current state I would say it's *barely* my least favorite since 2002. Not that it's a bad thing, as I have really have enjoyed their shows recently. I understand the storm/rain concept (which a lot of people haven't caught), but I just don't get that inspired by it right now. It'll be interesting to see if there are any changes forthcoming to amp up some effect. I did think the hornline had a rough show in Madison, as the last time I saw them live, before they left for tour, they sounded pretty good (to a drummer's ear). I dunno... I think it's got potential, and I don't see them sliding out of finals, but as competitive as it is, it's possible. I do think that there's probably a little bit more individual demand in their show compared to their immediate competition, so hopefully by cleaning up, they can stay on pace with some very fun, effective shows that other corps are putting on.

Or maybe the paradigm shift appeals to a silent majority that doesn't feel the need to post their approval of how things are now on DCP. I find it interesting when people take their own opinion (and the opinion of a relatively small sample size) and extrapolate that across the entire population of supporters... Not saying you're necessarily wrong, but as stated many times before, DCP is hardly the be-all and end-all of drum corps commentary. As for me, while I appreciate the technical skill of the old guards, and agree that it's more "######," I have to admit that dance is a more flexible medium that is more expressive and appropriate to many musical styles than the old stuff. There's still enough technical components (to this guard uneducated guy) for me to appreciate.

I've got a couple former students in the Troop this year, so I'm happy they seem to be doing well. Good for them!

Invesco.... sounds great from the field or up top, comfortable for the fans.... but mainly, its across the street from my apartment! The most affordable finals trip I've gone on. ;)

Go to http://www.fathomevents.com/details.aspx?eventid=722 - You can sign up for event alerts in the upper right corner of the page. That's a good way to get clued in when they're announced.

Checked out both Bluecoats and Cavaliers online... very impressed by both clips, both for different reasons. Can't wait to see both groups a few times this year! Yay for blowing my vacation time on drum corps trips!

True that... *cuts arm, just to see it bleed* True that, too...

Thanks Laura... ---- I do find it kinda funny, and kinda appropriate that so many other corps have their "Official So-And-So Rah-Rah Thread" here on the forums, and Blue Knights has a deep, self-critical, 7-page thesis on trying to find themselves... ...that's about all you need to know! :)

I think Blue Knights wants to move higher up into the top 12.... I think steady improvement towards the top 4, staying there, and even contending to win, would be the ultimate goal, competitively. I do know the organization takes it pretty hard when members leave to go to other corps. The organization cares so deeply about the kids that they develop, I don't think they can help but feel a little betrayed when they go elsewhere. It's tough, I'm sure, because the corps does take so much pride in its individuals, and I can see how it would hurt to help bring someone up through the ranks, helping them to be better performers, only to see other organizations get to enjoy the fruits of that labor. That said, I'm sure it's no different for any other corps in the same competitive neighborhood. I think the ultimate goal for the Blue Knights shouldn't be competitive... it should be to become a destination corps... the rest takes care of itself. By that, I mean a corps that can not only retain its talent through their eligibility, but to be one of those corps people aspire to be in. That's obviously much easier said than done, but it's not completely unfamiliar ground. There were certainly glimpses of that happening in the 90s, especially in the percussion section... I mean, Jeff Queen and Nick Angelis came to BK to age out, for chrissakes! I don't think there's one answer to help BK solve the little nagging issues that keep them from gaining the momentum necessary to progress into the promised land, but as long as the corps stays vigilant and continues to work hard, they can get there.

All good points... that's exactly the difficult path that I was attempting to describe.

How many of those cases were due to lack of popularity or accessibility? Bridgemen? The original Velvet Knights? Kingsmen? 2-7? The majority of corps that are no longer with us are a result of organizational instability or unfortunate econmic situations- not falling out of favor with the fans.

Well, I suppose if that started to happen, they could always self-adjust. That said, I think homogenizing would make them more obscure than their current style. Whether, as a fan, you like them or not, they're hard to completely ignore.

You absolutely made a point in there, and one which I agree with. I do believe BK could be more widely accepted and stay true to their personality... and meanwhile generate the same sort of excitement that you refer to. Again, I don't think BK strives to be unentertaining, over any one's heads, etc... they just want to bring something different to the table. Sometimes it hits, sometimes it misses. While a Shostakovitch ballet suite with intricate body movement isn't going to generate the same response as a Latin jazz throw-down or large geometric drill moves (things that I like as well), it's no less important. It's just a more difficult path to appreciation than some of the styles that other corps use. They know that going into it, but they also know that there is a less vocal minority of the audience that feels as strong a connection to them as anyone else can garner.

I think you're right, from an organizational standpoint. I know many corps (BK not being one of them) have a corps director who is not the executive director, among other deliniations. The point I'm trying to make is this: lets say BD, or Cavaliers, were to stop ranking so high every year, for whatever reason. Let's say instead of 1st-4th place finishes, they suddenly started placing in the 6th-10th place neighborhood. In that situation, I think it would be highly conceivable that the organizations would lose a lot of the financial benefits they reap by being one of the top corps. Less merchandise, less visability, etc. would all take their toll. In conjunction with that, I think it's also very possible that they'd no longer be able to attract and keep the best staff members in that situation, and it would create a similar situation for them that corps like Blue Knights deal with on the business end of things. Again, I know money isn't a cure-all, and I know those corps successes can be attribute to a variety of factors, not all of them being monetary.... but it's certainly a big part. For BK, I'm not sure of the status of the project you referenced. I haven't heard anything.

It's good for them that they more than make up for it in merchandise sales. For corps like Blue Knights, they literally couldn't afford to run a camp without collecting fees.

It's my observation that competitively successful corps have more opportunities to cash in on support. Higher merchandise sales, more auditionees (bringing in more camp fees), more comprehensive corporate sponsorship deals, etc... that stuff has the potential to go a long way. Should it be the case that business and competition be linked? Ideally, probably not, but I suspect very few corps are able to completely divide the two facets. --- For what its worth, these are just my observations. I certainly don't claim to know the complete dynamics of every group, including the one I volunteer for and love so much. I don't have a business degree or a background in non-profit administration... It's just a topic I care deeply about and have a great deal of interest in.

I can only speak to what I saw from the outside, as I didn't march in 02, but my best observation was that it was a good show design that simply wasn't executed quite well enough to sneak into finals that year. I personally felt like the amount of challenge should've been weighted against a couple of the corps that did get into the Saturday show in '02, but I would agree with those that would say the 10-12th place corps were cleaner than BK. I'd absolutely love to hear your perspective on that season, though. I've heard a lot of different accounts of how things went that year, not all of which are the same. I find the dynamics of the organization in 02 and 03 pretty interesting.

To what issue, specifically?

In terms of outside issues, a lot of it comes down to money. I hate to make that sound like an excuse, but it's a big part of why a lot of these middle tier corps can't sustain themselves at the highest level. I understand that funds aren't a total cure-all (corps administration has to invest it well), but when you look at the only corps in recent memory to come out of the back half of finals to the top 3/4 and stay there for an extended period of time, it's Star. Not to discount their accomplishments in the least, but I don't believe that corps would have ever been able to achieve what they did without the money that they had and the business savvy to keep it perpetuating. With funds, corps administration has the resources to hire the best instructional/design talent, which gets the most out of the membership and puts them in the best position to achieve their goals, which raises their positive visibility, which attracts supporters and prospective members, which bolsters fundraising and recruiting, which allows the organization to keep the best instructional/design talent, which gets the most of of the membership.... etc., etc. That cycle is obviously a simplification of the whole process, but it's certainly an accurate generalization of how corps maintain success and the ability to offer a great product. But maybe the most valuable thing that increased funding offers is the ability for a corps director to spend his or her time and effort into improving the experience and the product, instead of scrambling to find the next tank of gas, or securing the next affordable rehearsal facility, or trying to determine how to come up with the cash to upgrade instruments, or all of the other little things that require money that makes the activity go 'round. I know even the "big boys" aren't rolling in vaults of cash, but when your income exceeds the amount required for the most basic of expenses, it give organizations the flexibility to invest in improvement as opposed to furiously maintaining where they're at. As for dropping out of finals in 2001, the root of the problem was certainly the show design. After that season, a lot of talented kids went elsewhere. In 2002, I think there was an initiative to right the ship by "returning to the formula." Problem was, the corps didn't have the talent to make it happen. For 2003, I think the corps realized that simplifying a touch and bringing in good, young kids that bought into the program was the right way to get back on track, and that core of members hung in there till they aged out last year. I think the 2001 season set the corps back several years, competitively, and really derailed a lot of momentum. When the competitive side of things and the business side of things are so closely linked, I believe it negatively affected the organization as a whole, too. All of that said, could Blue Knights make things easier on themselves, in some respects? Probably, but the culture of the corps is so entrenched in remaining true to their ambitious artistic vision... it's going to be a longer process to make it happen.

I think all of these are tough things to answer, which is why BK finds themselves where they are at, and likewise why corps like Boston, Spirit, Colts, Glassmen, and Crossmen find themselves where they're at. Heck, you could even make the argument that Bluecoats and Crown, until they spend another couple years in the upper eschelon, are just in the same upswing that all of these corps have had a one time and belong in the group, too. All of these corps face similar roadblocks to becoming "elite," by whatever definition you choose. Blue Knights isn't necessarily facing anything different than them. I'm sure we all know what these issues are, and none of these corps have found a way to solve them and sustain themselves in that upper tier for more than a few years at a time. If the innovative answers were obvious, they'd all be there... and if I had those answers, I'd be a highly successful director somewhere. :) As for the growing pains, I don't know how long they'll last or how long they should last... I'm sure they're similar to what the corps faced trying to become a perennial finalist when you were a member. It's going to take a change in culture to get past that, and that change of culture can't happen overnight. I will say this- any issues the Blue Knights currently have (and I'm sure it's the same with the groups that I mentioned above) aren't due to lack of passion and effort of several highly dedicated folks within the organization. It's truly amazing to see how hard some of these people work for the organization. I can't help but get the feeling that BK has the capability to improve its situation and be able to sustain it... it's just going to require some creativity or innovation on an organizational level.