Otto

I can't get anyone to call me back - so what are we to do? I know we should get them later than sooner........... but they were to be gifts for this week. when the company had given me the time frame, when I purchased them at prelims, I thought I would be fine with using these as gifts for my son and parents - wrong. Ed

My Band videos arrived the first week of December last year. The season was finished the second week of November - again - just sayin.

So maybe DCA should use another company - seriously. Just sayin

And that's why parents shouldn't marry each other if they have the same last name before they get married - the offspring have too many toes to count.

Actually there is a way. You set upf the account through pyware and your band members can watch and download their individual sets as a full size drill or a mini set with mini highlighted drill. Check pyware.com for more information Ed Otto

Here are some: The "DARKNESS" Drum and Bugle Corps from Alaska "KUM BA YA" from Philadelphia "The SCAMMERS" from Washington DC "sfz" formerly know as Prince The KEGGERS The corps with the fastest drill - "The LAXATIVES" The really slow corps - "CONSTIPATION" GOLD BOND you may take the field in Competition - Imagine the Sponsorship! VELCRO - you make up the reason - ha DRIVERS ED - the corps with whiplash like drill The JAVAMEN - Sponsored by Dunkin Donuts Coffee The BENCHMEN - the only corps to have a second string of horn players. They switch them out mid way through the show The JUSTICE LEAGUE - no comment needed The BRIDGEMEN - oh wait - already taken -ha The BLUE DINKLES - marchers with bad circulation POSEY POWER - hmmm VANSLAYERmen - heavy metal drum corps From Holland - The KLOGGERS (Imagine their straight leg technique) From Ireland (I teach there in the summers) - The PUBCRAWLERS - sometimes they miss their prelim slot if it is early that morning. The BIDEN AIRES - they never perform the same thing twice The Pelossi ettes - they never start the show - they just sit there in a daze and have a Botox smile and point at everyone while standing and sitting and applauding.

Amen - I agree 100% (of course based out of a 100 point scale -ha!)

Well there you have it - you got me there. You win.

If you were fielding a new corps and everything was in place except the name - what name would you invent / use? (Oh and by the way - this is NOT real. I am not starting one ) I thought I would add some post season fun!

But the staff did and does teach in DCI - not all on the same team at the same time - but they did and some still do . . . . . . . Cadets Crossmen Surf

I understand your concern for the statement and the need to defend the "better than EVERY SINGLE staff in DCI" because it effects the balance of the World - However is we then go deeper - many (not all) of the DCI top tier staffs would not be able work in the same conditions and constraints because of these same conditions and constraints. The staff at Reading is excellent at what they do. Are they as good as the DCI "top" staffs? Actually yes and I 'll tell you why - They have a way of (as do all great instructional staffs) of working with what they have and turning it into something fantastic. What do you mean about "working with what they have?" I'm glad you asked - They have parameters to work with and in , which the DCI guys do not. Schedules of the members Weekend only practices - Imagine what the staff could do if they worked with a group everyday! I know if they did, the group would be in DCI finals - no doubt! Ability level (Bucs - 14 years old and older) Funding issues - working within the budget Unique Transportation problems (will the extra Bass Drums and Visual Panels fit in the two trucks) Number of Rehearsals to put together a finished product before the first performance . . . . . . with the above parameters. Those are just a couple of items - I could probably go on. every DCA corps has the same or similar issues. MY POINT is this Staff is great because of the level of show design and instruction in the short amount of time. They have to get it right the FIRST time when they teach. When I taught at the DCI level, we would spend a day on 8 drill sets for a fix. You do not have that kind of time in the DCA circuit. If you use that time, you may have wasted an entire day on a Saturday - 50% of your rehearsal time for the weekend in some cases. If you followed the DCI season then you noticed a number of corps with HUGE rewrites. Imagine what would have happened if they had it right the first time. In an age of PYWARE drill design software and Music notation software - shows can be correctly written sooner - especially on the DCI level - because they can dictate the instrumentation sooner than a DCA corps. While show design is not an exact science, thoses corps who are in the top tier are usually there on a regular basis because of planning and execution of that well thought out plan. Reading applies that to their approach as much as possible - That's all - To me - That makes them Great - if not greater because of the parameters -

Total corps can only be 128 I believe.

It can be done if you willing to compromise as msuch as the corps is willing to bend. It can't be a one sided compromise and . . . . you have to want to do it and be a member of the line.

It's a shame - I guess you are entitled to you're opinion - I hope Gino doesn"t read this thing - Ha

I am a bit confused as to why it is important for the Bucs to be compared to DCI level corps or for that matter why is there a need to taint any of their accomplishments or any of the accomplishments of the other DCA membership as a whole...... Because if you tear down the best, you are also beating down the rest. . Basically Speaking, the Buccaneers are a class organization. The hornline, the percussion and the guard sections of the corps are made up of the greatest individuals anywhere in the activity. Their talented staff plans and communicates with each other on a regular basis. The support staff is second to none. ..........and here is the point a great deal of you are missing - The corps works EXTREMELY hard as to not offend or judge another corps, organization, show concept, approach/design or performance. The staff, the membership and the support staff also have a great many friends, family and students who march in the other corps as well. They, like most others in the DCA activity, are also really nice and friendly people. So...., why is there a need to taint their accomplishments? My son had a great first season with these outstanding people this season and wouldn't change it for the world. The corps accomplished a great deal this year. This weekend the corps was on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. They performed an entertaining and emotionally charged performance at Finals and were rewarded for it. DCI vs DCA comparisons are really not needed and not appropriate. I too have taught and written for DCI and DCA and feel strongly both circuits have their merits. To compare apples to oranges is an age old argument. What if the DCI crowd (staff and membership) had the same minimal rehearsal schedule as DCA? What would happen if the reverse were true of DCA? No one would know for sure. All of the corps were excellent this season and DCA is a Great circuit. No need to tarnish any corps or the DCA circuit -. Great job Bucs and to the Captain of the Buccaneers - Jimmie Gruber - Thanks for a memorable season. Thank you Buccaneers for educating my son in the ways of the pirate - ha! Ed Otto

Then we are on the same page - I heard a member say today that the season can finally begin for them since DCI was over....... IMO - it kind of cheapens the accomplishments of the ones who were holding the group together......but then I am not in their shoes . . . . . . I felt that way in 86 when they were doing it and still do now. I'm all done with the subject - I heard it today and it bothered me so I thought I would ask - Thanks - Otto

WHy was there a need to eliminate the rule? Bummer -

I know there is a rule or there used to be a rule in DCA, based on percentage, as to how much your membership may increase after DCI finals. Is this still a rule and how is this monitored? Just curious - Thanks - Otto

may take it!

SCV . . . . . . .

I would like to comment on the contest as well . . . . . . . I had a great night of drum corps and loved everything in the show. If this is the direction drum corps is heading count me in. There was not: Rabid Goat/Rabbit looking creatures lack of drill bad drum corps 3 minute drum features bad weather unpleasant facility workers Dr. Villella, George Hopkins and their staffs did a GREAT job with running this event. All of the kids on the field Rocked and I appreciated all of the effort the staffs and support staffs go through when moving and rehearsing these groups. I had a GREAT time and enjoyed the show. Fantastic night!!!!

I have at agree - the Bucs are the closest to the DCI age with also excellent seasoned vets who provide excellent leadership on and off of the field. With the economy the way it is, I think there will be a larger amount of college and HS kids joining DCA next season. Who can afford the dues for DCI and who can chance giving up a job all summer if they need to pay for school? The "all-age" corps seems to be a great idea for a college kid to keep that fire burning. Regarding Reading - the corps is a great corps with a great staff. I am not putting down the other corps because they too have great staffs. The difference with the Bucs is the SUPPORT staff IMO. The corps is well cared for and there is always a welcoming atmosphere, even during the intense rehearsals........... The fields are always lined and the water jugs are always filled. and then there is location location location - Crossmen used to be in the West Chester, Pa. and Allentown Areas . . . . . . near several colleges. There is now a void which is being filled. HS and university level band directors in the area are also now recommending to their students and staffs to march in the Bucs.......... and now add to that their incredible alumni association and you have a great experience for anyone who joins. Support, support, support is the key for the membership at any age

The weather is GREAT in Lewisburg.

Thank you for the compliment - Needless to say - I am proud of the team- staff and kids - both on and off of the field! Thanks ....Gear - Ed Otto Band Director 9-12 Coatesville Area HS

I guess, after re reading the post the question was not clear - sorry - Should a group be at the mercy of a wind arranger with regards to show planning? The dilemna I have is this: A great arranger who produces a great product / arrangement BUT he takes a LOT of time to write the music. It then pushed the percussion and visual staff back many weeks / over a month. Is quality of the wind arrangement worth that much when it kills the quality of the rest of the design team because they are left holding the bag? Got a great arrangement but everyone else is then under the gun and are not afforded the same amount of creative time and design time as the music arranger is afforded. I am thinking about letting him go, even though he does a great job - when it eventually arrives. He is extremely well known but is getting later and later and later. The rest of the team wants to walk because of the lateness of this guy! AND yes he is a DCI arranger - Probably I just answered myself - let him go.........