MarimbasaurusRex

I understand that there would be legal issues, and that would go into the cost associated with the permits. The other option is to continue taking a loss on it. They're never gonna stop the guy who sneaks in a video camera and records things, possibly without anyone ever noticing. Bootlegs have been happening since the dawn of portable recorders. It's not just a DCI thing. But, DCI is in the unique situation of being a youth/family activity and parents want to video their kids. They do it at school, they do it at the park, and they're not gonna stop doing it at a stadium just because somebody printed something on their ticket. They'll never be prosecuted anyway, so it becomes a hollow rule with no real penalty. So... make some money.

Can't resist the urge to chime in here... There is obviously a need (read MARKET) for the immediacy and customization that a home made video provides. You can stand on your soap box and cry holier than thou all you want, but that won't stop the tsunami of technology. Rather than fight it, work with it and make it work for you. The solution is very simple. Offer a $15 or $20 video permit for those who wish to make home movies of the event. Add a few restrictions like hand held only, no tripods or additional mics, etc., and require that the permit be displayed in plain view for ushers and other audience members to see. These home movies actually do a lot for the promotion of DCI. Yes they are currently illegal, but maybe they shouldn't be if a contribution is made to the cause. Do the math and I think you will find that DCI is letting a good opportunity get away.

I'll add 2 cents here based on what I was taught by some old school grip gurus that makes a little sense. Since the left hand is naturally weaker for many (most) people being right handed, the whipping action of traditional grip gives the left hand a little more zip and power, supposedly helping to balance the left with the right. Problem is, the mechanics of traditional left hand grip have been so grossly perverted over the years (even in DCI, see palm up, a very inefficient approach which was not the original intent of the grip) that it ends up being weaker anyway. Does it really look cooler than matched or is it more dorky? You can either play or you can't. Grip is just a means to an end. Only a grip nerd really cares. If you hold the sticks upside down it doesn't matter as long as the sound coming off the drum is killer. Was Dizzy a bad trumpet player because he puffed his cheeks? Was Hendrix a guitar technician? It's all about the sound.

Nice to see the Bali peeps gettin some love. After drum corps, I lived in Bali for a few years to study gamelan and have been doing it ever since. The dedication among artists, and for the artists there is perhaps the best in the world. Gamelan isn't just an art that other people do, it's a way of life that everyone participates in at some point their lives. People there listen to it all the time, in their homes, cars, etc. That performance was shot at the Bali Art Center as part of a competition that happens every year in June/July. If you like the kids, wait til you see the adults who taught them. Holy crap. Hundreds of groups from all over Indonesia converge for a festival that brings out literally hundreds of thousands of appreciative fans. (bring your riot gear cuz it can get a little crazy!) If you ever get a chance to go to Bali, go during these months and plan to be at Art Center every night. It's a must see for anyone who loves great musicianship.

Todd is over on facebook, go ask him!

One word... Polkacide

Gotta concur with Z here, it was definitely Tom in 77 and 78. Not sure what he played in 77, but he played the Musser B major Etude in 78 with only slight alterations for the shorter keyboard. He did it C grip, too. That's a beast of a piece. Think he scored a 98. The guy's a monster percussionist. Just got back in touch with Tom after many years. He's doing well in Ohio, was practicing law and now working with a law related internet firm. Had major problems with his wrist and stopped playing for a long time but he's getting back into it now, so look out for flying mallets! That picture from Buffalo is a classic, a truly talent packed pic with John Bergamo (later my teacher at Cal Arts) and Jan Williams, long time percussion director at SUNY Buffalo. That was back in the Maelstrom Percussion Quartet days, one of the better percussion groups ever, also including Mark Marchant, another Erie T-Bird and Philharmonic guy who sadly passed away last year. Pretty sure that picture was from the time Maelstrom played one of John's hand drumming compositions for him called Piru Bole. He still regards that as one of his favorite performances of the piece. Gary Gilroy is a great player too and he took second a few years in a row as I recall. He definitely deserved a win in there somewhere. Think he's a band director in Northern Cal these days.

For the record: It was not quite unanimous. I wasn't there for any vote, had to work and no one told me there would be a vote on this, and it was not addressed or determined in a board meeting before presentation to the membership. I personally disagree with the decision, but my reasons have nothing to do with how DCI deals with Sr. corps. Also for the record: I'll be ending my participation with En Garde. It's ridiculous and foolish to be publicly slamming DCI over their policies a mere month before the corps evaluation. Good luck with that.

When I clicked on this thread, I thought... this should be interesting... But, there is no comparison at all based on the stated premises. Schoenberg created new musical language. Whether liked, understood or not, the key word is *created*. Mr. Hopkins has taken pre-existing elements from other genre and applied them to an existing form. No creation whatsoever. That's the difference between art and craft. It's like comparing an apple to a model plane, they have little in common. Yes, both people are less than popular among some, but for entirely different reasons, and that's where the comparison ends.

There were also the NYPENN and Great Lakes circuit associations. I started off in a baton corps called the Hi-Steppers. We competed against the Dal Demons and others. Gary Matzak was a Demon and he will probably be along shortly with more complete info on the parade circuits back then (yoo-hoo, Gary!). I also taught a corps out of Scarborough Ont. called Mirage that won NBTA a few times in the 70's-80's. It was a great place to get started and, with girls outnumbering the guys by about 10 to 1, the only thing better than the scenery was most excellent bus rides coming home at night.

Great story, Mick. We had a good weekend with the drumline, too. I was surprised at the intensity and focus of every player in the line. We had to MAKE them take breaks just to pace things for the weekend. No one wanted to stop playing. Not a red flagger in the bunch either. After working exercises in the morning, we budgeted an hour for working on the music for the opener. Kevin, our main battery instructor, wrote it to be easy, not knowing what experience level to expect from the players. Well, they learned it in 15 minutes! We'll be reverse watering all year just to keep up with their drive. Only a few more spots to fill (openings for 1 or 2 snares, 2 tenors, 2 basses) and it's going to be a fun season. The best moment of the day was with Josh, one of our bass drummers. Josh had written me with concerns about making the line. He said he had played bass in high school, but he "wasn't very good." I assured him we would work with him as much as necessary to reach his goals of being a better drummer. He had his work cut out for him, as many in the line have a lot of chops and experience, but Josh stuck with it and made several break-throughs during the day. It was hard for him, even painful at times. But, it was obvious to everyone that Josh was finding his way. We were all proud of him. At the end of the day, just as I was going out the door to my car, Josh leaned over to me and said with a big smile on his face, "Hey, you know... I really improved today!" I replied, "Yes, you did, Josh. Yes, you did!" That's the stuff that keeps ya going.

I dunno, but they better be at rehearsal on Saturday or they're out of the band. And for the last time, no, your girlfriend can't sing with us!

We just want to BUMP... (insert clap here)... you up!

I probably slept in every place there is to sleep. In the seat Across the seats In the aisle On the floor between the seats Under the seats In the luggage rack Across the back window In the doorway on the steps In the bathroom On the bathroom floor (ew) Standing up Still to this day, if I'm a passenger for a long trip in a car or van, or on a bus or plane, I fall asleep when it starts moving. Heck, I'm about to fall asleep right now! *SNORE*

I like Phantom as much as anyone. But, if I'm understanding this correctly, they are saying they can't trim their 1.2 million dollar budget down to 1.15?

That'll learn ya to be careful what you ask for! Fortunately, I can count better than I sing and we had 30 at the open house not counting staff, and Mick tells me he has 60 on the "interested" list. Get on board peoples. The train is leaving the station. If you're near the San Fernando Valley, get yourself in the loop pronto!

I'll be here all week. Try the veal and don't forget to tip the waitress!

Did they ever make a marching dynasonic that was 14"? Could probably make one by taking the strainer from a 14" concert snare and putting it on a 12x14" shell.

The kind with a mouthpiece on one end, some valves in the middle, and a flared bell on the other end. They're real purty. (says the drummer)

I have to doubt whether there was ever a time when contest appearance fees amounted to the majority of a corps budget, at least among the leading corps since the beginning of the touring era. Bingo and other sources probably contributed a greater percentage. And member fees in Div 1 (sorry, World Class) are WAY higher than $1500 these days.

I agree whole heartedly that audience consideration SHOULD be a large part of music education (Unfortunately, at this time it is not. Been to a block buster sold out student recital lately?). But, that doesn't make my statement ignorant. Ticket revenue does not drive drum corps as it drives professional sports or theater. You are welcome to prove me wrong. Also important to note that the mission statements of the various junior corps organizations make no mention of fans as customers, nor any intent to satisfy the desires of an audience. Mission statements clearly put the emphasis on providing experience for members. I'm not saying that's right or how I want it to be. But, them's the facts.

Forgive me if this point has been mentioned already. I made it through about 7 pages before starting to nod off... It's important to note that drum corps is NOT show business. The primary source of income for any drum corps is member fees, not ticket sales (as is the case for professional sports or theater). Drum corps is for the members on the field, not the fans in the stands. We pay a fee to watch what they do, but that provides only a small fraction of income for the corps. As long as this is the case, fans will not be a major part of the rules equation.

Good question. I figure he was either trying to be classically stoic or wondering who farted. That's John Brown, better known as JB, DM from 77/78 and assistant DM for the last part of the season in 79. RIP

Guilty as charged. Pierre was a lot of fun. When we would stop for food and the lines were out the door, Pierre and I would use the drive thru using our frisbees as steering wheels (and plates). The fast food people hated that, but by the time they saw us they had already made our order and we always got served while everyone else was still standing in line. Took both of us jumping hard on the bell cord to make them think a car had gone through but it worked every time.

Good ole Bill Dubiel. Nice guy and a good leader through some rough years. You probably don't want to know the nickname we had for him, but replace the first B with a D and say it fast and you'll get the idea.