Tom Brace

On target, sir. Exactly correct. Except I would refer to the potential prime audience members as "members of scholastic marching bands." Because, we can't have a potentially deragatory name for these folks. They can provide DCI much needed income.

I have no argument. Makes fine business sense. Maybe we should run it by DanielRay first though. Ya' Think?

Some old guys must like the idea of having a theater with dolby sound and a great big screen...all to themselves. Unfortunately, none of those guys work at DCI. Seeing older drum corps perform just doesn't bring in the folks...that's why the format changed. I think you are right. DCI could do some of these special offerings on the Fan Network and most likely increase the value of a subscription. But, it would still take time to edit each one of the "features." Best Percussion Moments of the 1980s, Loudest Hornlines of All Time, etc. These could be done, but the production work to put them together would still have costs involved. The key would be to use these specials to build more value and gain more subscriptions to the Fan Network. Then, with a big screen TV, a nice audio system and a popcorn popper and a couple of cold ones, fans are ready for a very similar experience right from their own living room.

agree totally.

This. They could have beat Madison that year.

So I might have to add $200 - $400 to this total for an out of town member. Thank you for your help with this.

So, perhaps $1400 or so? Thanks.

Thank you for this information. That is very affordable.

I actually think they should show a last season's highlights to get us in the mood for the upcoming DCI season. And also to plug their first weekend broadcast. I think that makes the most sense. Also, maybe a plug for some sweet deals on the DVDs of 1974-1999. Once you own those DVDs then why would I bother going to the theater at all. I can pop my own popcorn.

Do those fees include camps...everything? Thanks, by the way.

and yet, this seems to be the crux of the issue. Where does this money come from? So let's say that we can project that in three years New Co. will create revenue at a sustainable level. Let's say we can project that we will need X amount of dollars to prime the pumps so we can get to 3 years from now. Where does that money come from? Does DCI once again, go out and get a "more than short term" loan? And what happens if all this....doesn't work? What then? It's clear from reading betwixt and between, that discussions of a merger are/have/will ... happening/happened/happen. So, who's in and who's out? Who's left out? And who's calling the shots? And most importantly, can this involve a Marching Arts Museum and Hall of Fame? Bob Jacobs....what's happening with this particular idea?

Thanks again. I appreciate you sharing this information. As someone who has helped members with their tuition costs in the past with both Open Class and World Class, it's interesting to see how things continue to change. I understand the Revolution information as well, as if they are out there touring more and racking up more costs on the road, it would make sense that the tuition would be higher.

So for Raiders it would be $1550 + $300 in camp fees = $1850. Thank you. Do the Raiders offer discounts for returning veterans or for veterans who invite a new member who stays the entire season? I have seen corps who do either or both of these discount programs. Thanks for the information.

What's the total cost for a new marching member to join an Open Class corps for their first time. I asked this question in the WC forum and got many responses...it ranges from a low at $2500 to as high as $3700. This does not include any travel costs...just the cost of a year's tuition and fees. So, the same question for Open Class. What's it cost?

1. Don't listen to anything Tom Brace says. Yeah, that's worked for many hear on DCP. 2. Work hard. 3. Make friends. 4. Take time to enjoy. But, again. Trust me on this. Don't listen to Tom Brace. That guy is crazy.

Yeah, I haven't seen the hype out of anyone connected with the organization. They just do what they can do. The easiest way to put the corps back to mid-90s era prominence would be to have the 50 years worth of alumni at Pioneer do what the Blue Stars alumni helped their corps do. It takes time, energy, talent and probably most of all....more money. I think Pioneer runs their organization as about as lean as it can be and still be safe and practical. That said, the transportation model was flawed in the past and that has been addressed last year. Here's the deal. I know there are alums who offer the gifts of their time and energy and that helps as well, but it's that money for fuel, for new flags, for scholarships for new members, for scholarships for current members. In 1995, what did it cost to march Pioneet? Honest question. I don't know. But, what did it cost in 2011? My guess is it was significantly higher. As I see the drum corps models out there...anytime you consider raising the tuition, it is with the understanding that you may lose some membership in the process. Some kids will just not be able to afford it. Others may shop a comparable deal at a higher placing corps. So, I see the quickest way to increase enrollment at Pioneer would be to get more significant revenue in the door to help reduce member costs. Make the tuition cost more affordable and I would wager the numbers would go up. Also, I have noticed a difference in one of Pioneer's sections over the other two. It seems to me that the percussion side of things seems pretty steady with good enrollment numbers and good overall talent level. What's the secret of that section? How can that be replicated for the other two sections? Is it the instructional team? Is Milwaukee just a percussion-centric area? How does the corps get more guard auditionees? More horn auditionees? I once calculated some recruitment statistics from a corps I was involved with for 3-4 years. If a kid came to audition and wasn't invited by a staff member or another marching member, the auditionee was 7-8 times more likely not to make it to the first show. Yeah, they might attend a few camps, but then as it got harder, they would wash out. Kids who were invited by an instructor were most likely to make it to the first performance. That's what I have tried to do with the corps I support...see how we can bring in more dollars. There are people who are better on the expense reduction side...praise them. I am focused on squeezing out more revenue for the corps to work with.

DCI is. Simple statement. It as an entity...exists.

DCI is.

Just wish Boston would have been swinging by the Phoenix area. It would have been great seeing them join the show here.

But, this is NOT a political discussion. So I would urge you to edit your comments. Thanks.

I see the only growth in small corps happening outside of DCI. SDCA (still holding in there) and DCA are the basis for small corps development. Because, if someone wanted to end up with $1M after running a drum corps...I'd say, start with $2.5M. Yeah, Jeff...have you been to parades lately? You know what's missing? All the marching bands. I remember when Grand Haven, MI had a II/III competition and a huge parade of like 35 drum corps. I think it used to be the first weekend of August each year. I don't think parades happen as much as they used to. They have become another expense that some communities cannot afford.

Please re-read your first post. Sounded pretty negative to me. Inactive? Moving down to Open Class? So, perhaps you want all rosy and sunshine in your thread? Life isn't built that way. People don't learn from much from praise, they learn far more from criticism.

You are correct, sir. The forgettable cartoon super hero show from Mexico show was 2009. What a sleepfest that show was. Then, Chris got busy and Madison got their act together. What they have accomplished over the past two seasons may have well saved many years of heartache in Madison.

yeah, but you forgot to mention the 2009 disaster on the field called "Red Violin." Major problems there. But, Madison's answer was no better...Night of the Iguana? Yeah, forgettable as well.

100s of small drum corps no longer exist. Wishing them to still be here won't bring them back. I have not heard many new ideas that will bring them back. Perhaprs SDCA? Most smaller corps are now populated by members who's average age is higher than DCI's age out limit. Fact is, most high schools have marching bands. Fact is, fewer are competing because of the travel costs and shrinking budgets. When you look at the demographics between competitive drum corps and marching bands...they are virtually identical. Affluent suburban districts with families to support the expense of travel and the weekly competitions. Problem is...drum corps is not a scholastic activity. In this, it lacks much of the advantages these competitive marching bands enjoy. They get tax dollars plus parent donations, plus a strong local network of support. Something drum corps last had when VFW and AL were leading the effort.