Ron H

I can attest that Gavin Burnham is truly among the "superman" directors as well. Quietly turning Minnesota Brass, Inc. into a cash-only operation along with establishing a long-standing relationship with Dynasty and retaining a long-term, high-quality staff is a super-human feat in the world of all-age corps. And I don't use the word 'quietly' lightly. He's one of the most understated directors I know and he understands the unique challenges facing DCA corps very well. This last point is why I would vote 'no.' Only because Gibbs, Fiedler and Hopkins' passions are with the junior corps, not the seniors. And that's perfectly OK. I would like to see more development of strong directors under the all-age umbrella. That's how long-term growth and stability will occur.

That's OK. Most threads are hijacked this time of year. Not much else to talk about yet!

Here's a pic from rehearsal on Wednesday night. A few people missing in the hornline & battery, but it sounded great!

Having been a longtime member of MBI, I'd love to march sometime with Empire, Brigs, Bucs or Cabs. I'd also add the Hurcs and Bush to the list. Most of my spine-tingling DCA moments have been watching these great corps! But my evil side would also like to march with that certain left-coast corps too! If I had to pick one at a time, my first choice would probably be Empire.

I am going to be direct but, I hope, gentle... Never assume that by just getting someone in the door they will suddenly have the scales drop from their eyes and see the value of the drum corps activity. Recruiting is not just getting people in the door, it is keeping them coming back rehearsal after rehearsal, year after year. So I'm not going to address the specifics of hornline vs. drumline or guard, but just look at some basics. There are two points that jump out in my mind: (1) You always, always, have to ask "are we providing the best experience this person can have?" Here are the hard questions you must ask yourselves: Is the instructor offering a top-notch program? Are they providing an experience that makes people want to come back and learn more? Or do members drift in and out? I'm not saying that you need to replace your horn staff, but you have to look at the issue with the long-term goal of growing the organization. Because that's the bottom line. That's how you'll survive the long haul. It doesn't matter if someone is teaching because they are "so-and-so's friend." When I was Director of Minnesota Brass, Inc. we tried to conduct exit interviews as often as was practical to learn why someone didn't want to march with the corps. For example, if someone really wanted to be a part of the corps but couldn't commit to the schedule, we'd try to find a way for them to still participate in some way, sometimes on the support staff or else as a volunteer (like working our shows, souvie booth, carrying water for parades, driving the truck, setting up props, etc.). There are so many jobs that someone can help out with. And guess what? Sooner or later that person will probably be in the line. If you discover that someone doesn't want to march because it isn't challenging them as a musician (perhaps thinking that the staff is below par) then take this approach: Involve them on the staff. Use their expertise to improve your organization. Sometimes you'll find they are a valuable resource. Sometimes they are just whiners and it's best if you part company. In any case, you'll learn valuable lessons along the way. When someone comes through that door, you've just accomplished 5% of the task. Now with 95% ahead of you make sure as hell that you try to keep them coming back. And take a multi-year approach. Think about how you want people to stick around until 2018. (2) The best recruiters are the members themselves. This starts with point #1 above. If the members are enthusiastic they will bring people along with them. At MBI, Joel Matuzak, our Show Coordinator says it best to the members: "Bring along three people with you, because one will quit, one will suck, but the other will help make us great." But you also can't have an organization that is un-enthused at the top. You really, really, need people on staff - including support and admin - who can motivate the membership. MBI always believed that what they did mattered to people's lives. It didn't matter if MBI won the show although that's great. What matters is the kind of experience we had together as a group of people joining together to do something we loved. We believed in creating a family. And we believed that it was within our power to do it. That belief naturally creates an enthusiasm that is contagious. Don't worry about trying to create a 32, 52 or72-person hornline in a single year. Stick to the principles. It may take many years. But the result will be a hornline, drumline or guard that loves what it is doing. That loves to be a part of something that is like a family. When an organization like a corps is working toward a common goal - and that goal is simply to do everything as best as it can - then people will naturally jump on board. Excellence is a Journey. That's what Scotty Wild, a former Minnesota Brass Director, always told the corps. Winning is out of your hands - that's the judges decision. But excellence in every thing that you do, whether it is teaching a line, maintaining the roster, caring for the hydration of the members on a hot day, hitting your mark in a marching set, polishing shoes or cleaning the corps truck is everything. Excellence is how you do things, not a goal. Make your organization strive toward excellence in every aspect and be enthused about it and people will be knocking down your doors to join.

I'll chime in then... I was quite impressed by the turnout as well, especially taking the weather into account. 67 horns is nothing to sneeze at...err...or shiver at. The ballad sounded pretty good as a sight-reading. And the staff choices sounded pretty solid as well. And thanks to Ann for the pumpkin bars!

So, not having viewed the DVD's, do any of you have opinions regarding the shows themselves? I'm not asking you to second-guess judging, because we all know that somehow the camera always zeroes in on the mistakes and misses the best parts. :big hug: But maybe some opinions about how the different shows come across on video?

With 3 new stadiums (2 under construction and 1 more planned), strong drum corps fan base and tens of thousands of hotel rooms, maybe Minneapolis/St.Paul is a good middle ground location..perhaps 2014 or 2015... The new TCF Stadium at the University of Minnesota: View of the computer model, looking toward downtown Minneapolis:

As is true of almost every season since the 1990's, you probably won't hear about Minnesota Brass' new show until after they hold their Open House, which usually occurs in December. They prefer to announce their show to their membership well before they make it public in the wider Drum Corps community. Expect an announcement sometime after the first of the year...

That's great! I think the Kilties may be the next "stealth" corps. I strongly suspect that people will not see you coming in 2009. It sounds like you have things in place to be the next big surprise in DCA. Scott knows what he is doing.

The NBC affiliate in Minneapolis-St. Paul, KARE11 News, ran this story last night about MBI: http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.as...54&catid=14 There is also a 6.5-minute video feature on the corps at the above link that originally aired in 2004. A terrific video that was nominated for a regional Emmy Award for best news feature. That's a great honor in a major media market. Click and watch it! There are many moments in the video that apply to ALL All-Age corps.

I sincerely hope the Kilties will not be daunted! I wasn't at finals but was rather surprised at your score as well. The corps is beginning a new era in its history. Don't shy away from it because you are on the road to greatness.

Finals: 1st - 97.913 - Reading Buccaneers 2nd - 96.513 - Minnesota Brass 3rd - 95.063 - Empire Statesmen 4th - 94.913 - Hurricanes 5th - 93.625 - Caballeros

Thanks Tom. I hope ES understands this as well. I could kick myself for not being at finals!!!

I have to say one thing. This is a momentous evening for MBI. I've been involved with this corps for a long time, and one of the corps secret - and fun! - desires was to beat (at least once) every other corps in DCA. And they had, except for one. Up until tonight, the last corps that was on MBI's radar was the Empire Statesmen. MBI had never, ever beat them in a competition. Tonight, they did. And that is not to belittle the Statesmen. All throughout my career with MBI we have had nothing but the highest respect for ES. Empire broke the mold with the "old school" DCA years ago. And those of us in MBI have always regarded Empire with awe and respect. I'm not involved with this year's MBI. But I have been intimately involved in years past. From my point of view, it has been a privilege to compete with every DCA corps. And while it was fun to finally beat ES in regular season competition, I hope that members of ES understand that, without you, MBI would not have attained the level of performance that it did tonight. You set the bar for "outsider corps" in the old tradition of DCA. A heartfelt Thank You to the Empire Statesmen.

HOLY CRAP MBI!!!! Congrats! I'm in tears! This is the highest placement of any non-NE corps in DCA history I believe.

Very, very nice guard work Bush!! Loved the clip!!! Thanks so much!

Though the subject has been discussed to death, I'll repeat that any musical performance of the kind Cadets '08 attempted which relies on spoken word to tell the story is poorly designed. It is human nature that whenever a voice is heard in a context like this it immediately comes to the foreground of attention. The corps itself suddenly becomes nothing more than the backup band. I really liked the Cadets when they were doing drum corps. I utterly hated them when they became a soundtrack for a cheesy story.

oops. I meant to say the 90's, but couldn't remember exactly which year!

I agree 110%. That's why in all the years I was with MBI, I hoped and wished that every other Midwestern corps continued to improve. When the Kilties beat MBI for the DCM Championship one year in the 80's, it was the best kick in the butt that MBI ever experienced. They revamped their program and eventually became what they are today. I'd like nothing better than the Kilties to be neck-and-neck with MBI every year. It keeps everyone on their toes. That's why I wholeheartedly support every corps. The better EVERYONE is, the better for the fans, the corps' members experiences and the long-term health of the activity.

You all realize - of course you do! - that MBI's score is from June 29th, while everyone else's scores are from three weeks later, July 19th?

MBI? A startup corps? They are celebrating their 62nd year of competition this year. They've been participating in DCA since the 1970's.

^And let me add, playing in the Metrodome is an ear-splitting, thunderous experience. It has got to be one of the loudest venues I've ever been in, including standing next to the speakers at First Avenue nightclub with Prince onstage.

6 O'clock it is. MBI is first corps on, at 6:15!

Now that would be something! I've been rather appalled at the venues DCA has chosen in the past. You'd think that with the iron grip the NE corps have in keeping the championships in the NE, there would at least be some cooperative effort to get the championship show in a decent venue. Huskie Stadium is a great venue, and the city knows how to handle the drum corps. Scranton? Nazi cops and a baseball stadium. Rochester? A soccer field 20 yards from the stands with poor acoustics. Syracuse? Another baseball stadium with a field not even parallel to the 3rd base line. Yeah, I know, submit a bid. :)