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Bob984

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Everything posted by Bob984

  1. I think you are wrong. You don't post a complete 2024 World Class staff and then not come out and compete.......they did this last year they ran a camp and then announced going inactive right after that camp.....any such blunder again this year would be a "death blow" to the drum corps, and I don't think they would announce unless this year they were certain they were happening. Agreed the trust issue from those that auditioned last year is something they have to work out.....also, the same with staff.....
  2. the rule, as I read it, doesn't prohibit any sounds......just that all is to be played live and not to be a pre-recorded part...you can easily play timpani parts from a synth..........ditto with electronic drum sounds......and a pad controller could be used.......what they don't want is the parts themselves to be actually pre-recorded............. they want all to be evaluated on LIVE performance....not pre-recorded......and also that in full ensemble sections, that nobody's playing is masked by just a handful of select miked players..........makes sense.............
  3. On 7/4/82 the Racine Scouts got a total score of 4.8. As far as I know, it is the lowest recorded score in DCI Era history, and perhaps all of modern drum corps history, as I have not seen a score any lower, though there have been some other "single digit" scores scattered throughout the years.....
  4. For a good number of years, I would say around 1/2 of the membership came from where I mentioned.....sometimes a bit more, sometimes a bit less.......agreed, corps can have camps (especially audition camps) anywhere. I know Boston has run full corps camps in Fla., and I believe they still might. That said, cost will come into play if the Cadets would move all camps to Erie for the facility. Cleveland, at 94 miles away, is the only airport where you can even come close to getting an economy flight in and out. I will say that if they wait each year until Spring training move-ins to go out there, than it's a non-issue...........
  5. At least that is better, though still may be a problem for east coast drivers.......moving in for Spring training is one thing, but camps earlier than that, I don't know.......if they ran a bus or two (though that is now far more expensive than just a few years ago) out that could help.........my biggest concern will be what they decide to do after this season.....a total move to that area (Erie), in my opinion, could be very problematic....
  6. True........I just don't see kids from places like West Chester, Eastern Pa., South Jersey, Mass., Ct., Eastern New York, Va., Md. etc. going by road to Erie for monthly camps..........6 hours or more on the road each way, and possibly adverse driving conditions.......and the airfare, with possibly the exception of Cleveland, is way, way more expensive. I would heavily research things before doing it, because if the members do not come, the facility is going to be meaningless.......I also wonder if any on the Board have ever been to Erie in January and February......not the same as June to August.........not trying to be "Mr. Downer", but I just don't see that area (Erie, and the 3 hour perimeter around it) as currently being any kind of "drum corps hotbed" for potential members.....I just see it as a very dangerous gamble at this point.....
  7. What WILL matter a great deal is membership, and their travel to rehearsal sites. Like many top competitors, the Cadets have a significant number of members who travel to camps via airlines.......however, they have also have had a SUBSTANTIAL number of DRIVING members from the East Coast, with many from Eastern Pa., NJ, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, New York, and Mass.. A good percentage (not all) of these were from a driving time of 3.5 hours or less to the rehearsal sites. The following airports were all within striking distance.....Philly, Wilmington, Allentown, Newark, JFK, Laguardia....and a bit further to BWI, Harrisburg, Atlantic City........discount flights and carriers are abundant, and with careful planning, a flying member can get into the area without spending outrageous money, and there are enough rides, van pickups, etc. to get them picked up and taken to camp, and then back at the end. That will ALL CHANGE if they would make Erie their exclusive rehearsal sight. For members who drive and rideshare (a substantial number), it could be a "deal breaker"....if a member is 60-90 minutes away now, the drive will now be over 6 hours....cross state......and perhaps quite treacherous in Winter.......even if they did this, that's a really long drive home (and a ton of gas/tolls) on a Sunday to go to school Mon. morning......these are all HUGE factors.....and there will be MANY facing that situation, not just a few......yes, there is an airport in Erie (though not nearly as big as their current hubs)....beyond that, it is 94 mi. to Cleveland, 94 mi. to Buffalo, and 129 mi. to Pittsburgh. My big question is........do they believe there are many new and talented students in that region who want to be Cadets? I would also assume that there might be members of the Bluecoats in that region. How does current Cadets membership feel about it? I agree that where the offices are does not matter.....however, when you move rehearsals 6 hours away, that is significant. If you think everyone is just going to get on a plane instead of drive, I think you are mistaken, and it will be a deal-breaker for a significant portion of current membership. If they are confident that quality recruiting from that region will happen, and that significant membership will fly to that area, ok.....but I am not. If they decide to make this move, I can only hope that I am wrong.
  8. Gail Royer may have been a band director, but the Vanguard was under solid leadership in every regard while he was around. What happened to SCV has zero to do with the foundation of the drum corps. For both BD and SCV, bingo has been a huge part of their income......I was at a clinic way back in 1975, and Royer told band directors that the bingo income generated by their bingo hall that year was $1,000,000.....in 1975!! In 1978, they showed up on tour in brand new Silver Eagle buses.... I do believe that a sudden change in SCV's bingo income (after generating a huge amount for so long), certainly is huge. However, did they do anything to quickly react to that? Most drum corps have gotten into trouble by spending significantly more than they take in.....it's really that simple. SCV was/is a corps used to spending MUCH money. If suddenly that income drops substantially, yet you do not change your spending; that's a formula for disaster. They have obviously decided that they either can't or won't cut corners for this year, they are hoping for a 2nd bingo operation for next year, and that's that. My big question is this. What if that bingo operation doesn't materialize, or revenues from bingo continue to decline? Will they be willing to re-tool their income sources, and perhaps consider running on a significantly smaller budget? Many on this website have indicated that the current operational model of most of the World Class Corps is not sustainable. I agree. In my opinion, there are world class corps who in the near future will need to learn to operate on a budget of let's say $800,000; instead of $2,000,000+. Yes, that's quite a cut, but it can be done. For corps that have to travel more, it could be a bit more. I DO think that DCI can help with that, by deciding to make touring for a good portion of the season regional. However, DCI IS the corps, so the corps as a group will have to decide on that......and I think that it's a decision to make soon. I do agree that directorship of the corps (SCV) had a small impact. However, there are many on the board, so how they failed as a unit is perplexing. I can absolutely guarantee you that if GR Royer was director right now, he would have found a way, and the corps would be on the field in 2023. I do wish SCV well, I hope they get their "bingo operations" in order, and that they are back strong in 2024. If anything good came out of this, it will send a message to all of the corps to get their fiscal houses in order, and to stop spending $$$ that they do not have and are not projected to take in.
  9. I went to Indy around 5 times.......no more.........reasons (1) price....the cost is quite high....tickets, hotel, car, concessions............(2) it is not a good sounding stadium, at all (3) I can fly to multiple airports in the NE (whichever is cheapest, and all are cheaper than Indy) and make my way to Allentown....tickets are much cheaper......better sound, better corps atmosphere......there is very little performance difference or competitive change from there through Indy....(4) I've done all that I care to do in the Indy area outside of drum corps (Speedway/etc.)...I realize that they probably have a deal and it's easier planning for the corps, but I still liked when the championship was in different locations, as I felt it was better for the fans....and indoor stadiums might be good for guard/visual, and WEATHER, but IMO they are bad sounding musically.
  10. If they paid for a camp and it was held, and they received instruction and meals....even if they did this with a corps that shut down, the chances of a refund on that is near zero. However, any "tuition/dues" money that was paid toward the summer, or any camp fees paid toward camps that were cancelled.......that is a totally different deal, and IMO, would legally equate to "theft", as they paid for something that did not happen, and isn't going to happen..........
  11. I think that it varies from corps to corps.......the CEO may or may not "have the checkbook". Even if they do, usually they may have to pass expenditures, including staff salaries, in front of the board before any contract is signed/agreed on. I am sure that some corps' boards will say, "you have x amount of dollars for the design team and instructional staff"......and as long as that total number is adhered to, they may give the CEO or someone else the authority to hire staff......but I think in many cases, at least with the design team (where the brunt of that money goes) the board is made aware of all offerings before an agreement is reached. Also, just like athletes....some design/instructional personnel negotiate a multi-year deal, and some are single year deals. The board has every right to question every single expenditure of the drum corps, and whoever writes the checks has to be accountable for each one, if everyone is doing their job. Keep in mind if the corps makes a stop to gas up the buses, and the director uses a corps credit card for that, they most likely will not be calling board members at 3 AM to ask if they can put gas in the vehicles. However, if somebody decides they want something new in the visual program for the 2nd half of the season, and it costs 25K, the board certainly should know in advance, and should have the right to axe it...........Obviously if someone writes checks without oversight, that is a problem.........many a corps has spent far more than they had, and now they may be starting the following year significantly in the red...........I would bet the farm that was the case....
  12. Many corps have some high profile staff members who are well-paid. Boards negotiate salaries with staff members, and the board controls who they sign and how much they are paid. You can not blame someone with a great track record for going for what they are worth. If the corps had sudden difficulties, did the board ask the staff to take a pay cut? Did they even consider knocking a week off of tour or rehearsal camp? As some have pointed out, you have many costs that are nearly uncontrollable....buses, fuel, food, fields, insurance..........but some can be limited.....staff, props, uniforms, equipment...maybe go out with one less bus (ie a still full sized corps, but not gigantic), one less truck......it all adds up........and I think DCI will need to plan out regional contests where corps tour and compete within a region, and don't meet fully until Indy....I think that actually creates some additional competitive suspense, and would save some significant money........
  13. Just a few years ago, another corps, that I will leave nameless, sent out pleas for money and that they were in bad shape fiscally.......meanwhile, in that same time frame, they spent $80,000 on props which really didn't do much at all for the show.......ie money down the toilet......corners CAN be cut....left and right....and the activity can survive....but the current spend, spend, spend model is going to fail. Some of these corps have boards with 12-20 people on them....they had better figure it out, and fast.
  14. Spending is the main issue.........I think all of the DCI corps are going to face a reality check very soon.......they can't keep throwing the additional costs onto the membership, nor can they expect alumni support to provide super high amounts.............they are going to have to learn to "cut the fat" and live within their means......I am also surprised that they didn't plea with the alumni for emergency donations, ask staff to take a pay cut, and maybe cut out a week of tour.............not going out should be the very, very last resort..............I feel for them, and Mr. Royer would be going crazy.............
  15. I do not necessarily agree that November determines how a corps is going to do. Some vets might be exempt from November/December audition camps, and simply show up in January (though they may ask for a dues payment to make sure the commitment is there) I would agree that the quality of auditionees is huge, and that can certainly happen in November and December. Contenders typically attract more talent and greater numbers of auditionees. They are also able to "hold out" a bit more, and not sacrifice quality much to fill the ranks. On the other hand, lower-ranked corps lose some membership with some of their vets leaving and going to a top corps the next year. Also, they may have to set the bar lower to fill the ranks. I would agree that if the end of January/ February rolls around, and the hornline and drumline are not mostly set personnel-wise, you are now behind. Then on the other hand, I have seen top 5 corps scrap a tune and replace it in April, and still come out with guns blazing at the start. Guard tends to be the latest segment, as many members compete in winter guard. The quality of the written show and the quality of instruction matter alot. Time frames can be somewhat flexible, but if you start Spring training and the music is not out and mostly learned (plus now you also have the entire drill to learn), you now have problems. Many corps still struggle to really be ready at the first contest. With the shorter season, major changes/overhauls are very tough to do. It is tough to make up competitive ground if you are seriously behind or need major changes. Those writing must write for the talent level of the corps, and be realistic about where they are and where they can go competitively.
  16. One of the legends, and a great guy..............RIP Tom Float
  17. I can understand that someone might think of this possibility. However, I can tell you that it is not the case.
  18. At the beginning of the season, the corps was announced "under the directorship of Ron Lambert"......later in the season, when the corps started to achieve, it suddenly was announced "under the directorship of Ron Lambert and Denise Bonfiglio". She is the CEO, not the director. I am just stating facts, and people can interpret them any which way.........but my eyebrows raised when it was brought to my attention.
  19. There is no question that if a corps returns a large number of members, especially a top tier competitor, it is likely that they are going to be strong. However, the actual number of ageouts a corps has is not nearly the "predictor" that it used to be. First off, a large number (larger than ever) of members just march a a season or two, and that's it. Cost is HUGE. Some corps do offer discounts to returning members...some even use a sliding scale for years served. Still, many plan on a year or two max, and that is it....certainly understandable these days. Back in the day, we didn't even start inquiring about an eligible member's return until November....giving them time to recharge their batteries and think about it. Some would say right away if they are coming back or not....some would wait several months....also, top corps attract top talent.....so you may have a 20 or 21 year old "rookie" who is every bit as good as others that marched 4 seasons.....some may come from strong college, high school, and indoor programs. Some may have marched with a smaller corps, or even with another finalist, so they are not really "rookies". The bottom line is you may have a corps with a huge number of new people, yet the corps very well might do just fine....it depends on the corps, the talent level, and the vehicle that the staff gives them.
  20. Agree Totally agree........DCI should have made a rule FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON that staff can not go up into the stands at a contest, should have a designated standing area for the staff (they usually do have that) and keep them distanced from folks......I am going to East, so I will be curious to see if I see staff going up the aisle,,,,I will be down low off the 50, so I will be able to see.....I would bet a C note that I will see many maskless staff running up those stairs for performances throughout the night (though I hope that I am wrong)
  21. "Bubbling" at this point makes total sense, even if it may seem overprotective to you. There have been outbreaks, corps with several blanks and trying to isolate infected members from the corps, etc....major problems....and cases have risen steadily......staff will be in the stands where those fans are "only" seated, and all it takes is for one infected (but unaware) fan to infect one staff person who is moving around.....better to be "too safe" at this point.....NOBODY WANTS this, but protecting the members so they have the best chance of finishing the season without an outbreak, is certainly not "elitist or short-sighted".....especially at this time.....
  22. The outdoor seats, where you sit on the wing, are discounted.....
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