KingJoeVII

what do you mean "ways to help those corps right behind them break through"? wouldn't that just push a "top tier" corps down? Or in other words, everyone can't be a winner...

what? no, seriously, I dont understand what you are trying to say...please explain a bit more

you win... ... The government doesnt seem to get this idea either, maybe you should run for office

Longer shows would be wonderful... it would allow for more musical depth and more time to fully develop themes instead of condensing everything into 11:30 minutes... longer shows are just what this activity needs to gain respect in the mainstream musical world. imagine if Beethoven were limited to 11:30 minutes for his 9th symphony...I doubt people would have taken any notice of him as anything extraordinary. I would love to see what Bocook, or Downey can compose if not restricted by timing issues

Well, you may only find enjoyment in it because it is a youth activity, but that does not mean that others find it entertaining for other reasons. Plus, remember the original proposal would be to have Div II/III as a youth only activity...so we would not be losing that aspect entirely. The reason DCA is not fulfilling this role lies in the "mission" of All-age drum corps. It is simply not set up and promoted as a professional style performance experience. The goal of DCA is to put on accessible and entertaining shows using members of all ages. It is an organization set up to tailor to the amateur, weekend-warrior type who might actually have a life outside of marching.( not a rip on DCA at all, just telling you how it is) It is not set up as an outlet for professional grade musicians to push the boundaries of the marching arts. Of course it wouldn't be easy and it would take some time, but it is far from impossible (just look at Blast! for an example of the idea at work).

many people are still in college or grad school for many years after they turn 21... also teachers could have time in the summer.... eventually, if the idea takes off and corps bring in more and more money, paying performers would not be out of the question...

I disagree...DCI is popular because the performers are amazingly talented and the shows are the best marching shows in the world. Nixing the age limit would allow designers to have access to a more consistent and well-trained talent pool that can push the boundaries of what it possible on a marching field. Imagine having mature performers who have the experience of 8 or 9 years in the highest levels of the activity. Maybe this could be the gateway to making corps more entertaining and mainstream? Also, this would be unlike DCA in the respect that shows would be designed for performers in their prime...no offense, but a corps full of 20-30 year olds can move faster and play better than and all age corps can. If the show gets to be too demanding physically for a performer, maybe it would be time to retire into DCA...

great idea...maybe Hop can push that rule change through in a couple of years

Hot Dog! We have a weiner! yes, we can all put our hands down now... correct me if I am wrong someone, but I dont think there was a Z pull in '87 They did one in '83, a fake-out one in '90, and another real one in '03 as much as I can remember As for malaguena, I think BAC did a better job of it in '03...Don Dill, the arranger for the Cadets at that time, never really captured the spirit of the piece for me... Oh someone has got to mention the end of "Boogie Woogie BB" in Cadets '02 I saw them at their earliest performance at Gettysburg that year, but it was still the most powerful musical moment I have ever experienced. I still vividly remember the sound just completely enveloping the stands. Old senior corps members all around me stood up and raised their arms as it was happening as though it was a religious experience. Anyone else at Gettysburg that year see that show?

how about Glass, "Einstein on the Beach"...?

I dont get your point... why can't the drum corps make their own show designs that include narration? Do they have to use preexisting material only? Can they not compose an original work with as much merit?

[1] DCI is a governing body made up of the corps themselves...I'm simply saying that there is no one in DCI who is bent on destroying lower tier corps. [2] I told you it would make someone angry. anyway, my mind is not made up which is why I was asking in the first place. Your justification for smaller corps still gives no unique advantage for their existence. In other words, there are other ways to get "new corps, counteract the attrition, and...prevent the eventual extinction of the activity" than to perpetuate a system that is dying. My argument is that instead of narrowly focusing on trying to resurrect a system whose time has passed, maybe we should be trying to come at this issues from a new, modern perspective. don't demonize me for just asking a question

how many corps has DCI run out of business?? the answer is none...corps fold due to internal problems. Yes the trend these days is for fewer, higher quality corps, but it has nothing to do with DCI. If you think it is only about DCI then you are exceedingly narrow minded. It is a combination of things including economic, social, educational, and heck, even political factors that are forming this trend. Another, thing.(yeah this will probably get me in trouble with a lot of people) Everyone always longs for the "good old-days" but I have never heard a reason as to why they were so good. seriously, is there a reason to bolster, or even sustain the Div. II/III corps? They seem almost like a relic from a time that has passed.

or they would not march at all... 150 is a good, sustainable number. If anyone has read Malcom Gladwell's The Tipping Point he makes a great argument that 150 people is the upper limit of efficient organizations. As humans, we can only sustain around that number of social contacts at any one time - any more and the organization as a whole begins to fracture and social ties between members strain. Over 150, in other words, it becomes more difficult to control any group and the overall product suffers.

I like this idea...I think it would have to be an all-age type of thing simply due to school for most kids under 21...if anyone wants to start one, I'm there!

or maybe it could be the next Cirque?? "Cirque de Drum Corps" anyone?

check out some of the northeast schools - MIT and Brown I think have student run bands that are sometimes known to do shows on ice :) here is MIT on ice I dont believe this, but the Ohio State marching band on ice at a hockey game

I think some of mitch's stuff would have fit perfectly into the Cadets show this year... "You know, I'm sick of following my dreams, man. I'm just going to ask where they're going and hook up with 'em later" "Y'know, you can't please all the people all the time... and last night, all those people were at my show."

this thread was up less than 24hours after finals http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/inde...howtopic=103168

I disagree...granted technically a gimmick is just a new way of presenting things, but colloquially it has grown to mean something that is shallow and or meaningless. It means that the primary function of something is to attract attention. I think the primary function of Star '93 was playing and marching a well designed, entertaining show - not to just attract attention. but, as you stated, the word does have lots of negative connotations so maybe we should steer clear of it altogether

I always say it is "professional marching band"...that seems to be the most concise and easily accessible definition to a lay-person

yes... yes you do

I almost had this problem after coming back from tour in '04, but it is all a mindset thing. You just have to relax in college and enjoy the free football, the cheap beer, and the #####in' away trips. If you come into it wanting it to be like drum corps, you will be sorely disappointed. I had some of the best times of my life in College Marching Band (specifically bowl games and pep band trips).

oh so we can use people now? try this one...George Hopkins to Pioneer...

maybe this has been covered before, but tell me again why it is important to try and localize membership???