BlueCollarDrumCorps

One of my old Scout shirts from 86/87. Maybe some of you remember this one.....very Dick Tracy looking. It's a girl looking at a Scout saying.... "But you said scoring wasn't important....." Bill

So, would this be "legal" per the current rules or “interpretation” of the rules if incorporated into a show this season? Just curious. Many strong feelings here about issues that could warrant a thread themselves but seem as more as a distraction or deflection to some fundamental questions. So...could this be repeated this season? Bill

mouthpiece.....

GO Châtelaines de Laval ! All-"Girl" Corps added another interesting dimension. Something that I miss. This topic did make me think of All Girl groups in high school. Anyone familiar with all-girl high school drum and bugle corps? Believe it or not, there was at least one in Texas (Baytown-Sterling) and they were huge. They had drums, bugles, color guard AND dance. They also had a large band. Half-time was shared between visiting and home band and the D & B Corps. This was a fun group to watch :P Bill

I think Michael Boo has a good angle on this. I put a little more emphasis on it being a summer youth activity. Yes, I know groups go all year but the major commitment is summer. Something similar to American Legion Baseball or Summer Club Soccer. I think the focus of travel and the wonderful diverse experiences help illustrate the differences in traditional band compared to drum corps. The NCAA reference for me is a little broad from the participation standpoint although I do understand it from the organisational view as you clarified. Similarities between the NCAA are more along the line of Division III schools not I and II. Corps kids pay to play. NCAA/Schools provide so students can play. Scholarships, room, board and a more extensive support group (counsellors, physicians, tutors nutritionists, compliance etc...). So I do not disagree, I feel the commitment is deeper in some ways when you put the hours in AND have to find the resources or pay your way. Our family friends have a working understanding of drum corps and understand my support of the activity but it still doesn’t stop them from “ Oh, your going to band camp” followed by other American Pie references. :) We have a few laughs but they understand and support it and continue to come to community band concerts, kids musicals, community theatre and other opportunities and see them all informally linked. I do tend to believe that aligning drum corps with other musical activities makes us stronger overall. Bill

Flam, no sweat….you have nothing to apologize for. Thanks for the review. Bill

Thanks for the review. Nice perspective. Bill

SUNCOAST 84 Controversial at the time for polictical reasons (not music selection). In some ways it would be similar to doing a show about Iraq. Some people don't know that Vietnam wasn't widely taught or spoken about in school during the late 70's and early 80's Great tunes and it pulled you in. bill

It'll be fine....looks aren't that important anyway; or at least that's what they tell me.... :) Did remind me of the old Geneseo Knights though. The orange ones from the early 80's. On another note, I think the new Fleur de lis is great and the web site is looking really good. I have really enjoyed the communication and information from the corps, and feel much more connected. Great job all! bill

Wow Thanks, what memories. That was my first year to march in corps with a first year corps the NighHawks. I was 15 and we toured quite a bit with Suncoast and we looked up to them. I remember after a show the corps arced up and played Greatest Love just for us. Man, that was really special and made us newbies really feel welcome. It was fun to see "and hear" Pete(y)? on timps! What a show he put on. Thanks for the memories and we were really cheering for an upset of Spirit for finals that year! bill Houston NightHawks Madison Scouts

Yup, I think MB3 in 82 was nice too I loved the opener...BUT does anyone remember Suncoast in 82? Boy, they were pure energy. I thought they should have edged Spirit out of finals. I think Madison 86 is overlooked also. Take a listen. Bill

Here I come down on the fence again as I only have anecdotal evidence and personal experience but… If this is or isn’t a trend is irrelevant because it can not be supported in a fashion which action can be taken to respond to the condition. Associations with similar mission/visions should collaborate to assess and evaluate the condition of these activities. This is more common than you might think. Are associations responding or reacting? I believe success or survival is much more complicated than music selection, television or level of dues. There does not appear to be data that looks at these activities as a whole. I do not do this for a living but my environment demands this level of understanding. Possible approach (not solution) As I sometimes am a little obtuse when I communicate through email here is a rudimentary example: DCI DCA WGI BOA (Insert any other similar group) These groups can work collaboratively (or collectively) on sharing information, comparing experiences and commissioning studies/assessments that assist in meeting the mission of these groups. Let’s see, how about the Council on Marching and Visual Arts. I know, lame so make up your own. So what to look at… (Again, I do not do this for a living) • Change and change drivers – how much, what are expectations, causes, how will it affect association functions. • Competition – what is it, how to respond. • Skilled staff/workers – recruitment, retention • Threats to success • Corporate needs • Government funding/regulation • (insert issues determined by this group to be of value) I think this will give us a more global understanding of what the conditions are. It appears that common language and indicators can not be agreed upon. If we can not understand or define the scope of the discussion then we are talking to hear ourselves talk. Bill

Hey, you called it! Good ol' 6 to 5. This is the stride we marched in Jr. High The days when marching a straight line was the norm. bill

Diesel of course... When I see 2 or more buses together that aren't yellow Gyros...Parthenon’s in Madison during camp…yum! B-52’s overhead…from the shows in Rome, NY. Plaid Spats tube tops :) bill

Sorry if this has been said but I briefly skimmed the other 34+ pages on this topic… There should be a considerable savings that will be incurred by DCI locking up event space and room blocks. For those of you familiar with event planning you can imagine the comp. rooms and other benefits DCI will get from this. Usually rates for rooms are locked at a certain range. Food and use of resources are also factored in. I would think that the single site benefits would be passed on…you hope. So, this is an opportunity for some savings for hopefully DCI and it’s member corps, fans and a benefit to Indianapolis. bill