Bandguy

Some things come to mind on this: 1) There are people who will move from one corps to another because a staff member they became attached to moved. I'm not saying at all that a staff member who moves will try to recruit people into the next corps. It's just the thing that if a member wants to keep that connection going he/she can do it by making the move as well. 2) I think there are people who will move simply to get a "second opinion". Everyone in every corps plays, spins, and marches. Like one of the previous posters said, there are those that want to see different ways to get the same result. 3) I've often wondered how much movement would happen if corps announced their programs, say, in October of the previous year. If members knew ahead of time what it is they will be performing, would that make a lot of difference in selecting a corps? By the way - I totally get the loyalty issue, and I'm a fan of it. If one pours themself into the corps and the corps pours themselves into the member how can you NOT have loyalty for them? I guess I'm thinking you don't necessarily have to have the uniform on to be loyal.

I must say that I'm thoroughly entertained by this thread! There seems to be a lot of time and energy thinking about who's winning, or the moral issues of electronics, or West Coast inflation, or whatever is the popular thing to complain about. Posts like these remind me that we're talking about real kids who are working hard and (just maybe) having some fun. It's also really good to know the accompanying grownups have the opportunity to have a good time as well. Yeah, its posts like this that remind me of the human factor, and I'm liking it a lot. And I'm staying tuned for the next episode of "As the Cadets Travel".....

My school is in a residential neighborhood. We've had no concerns over the years because of communication and a couple of promises that every drum corps I've hosted has honored: 1. The neighborhood association knows when a corps is coming to my school. 2. No playing outside before 9:00 a.m. and after 8:30 p.m. 3. Doctor Beat is pointed away from the houses. That's really the worst thing to deal with, not the playing - the corps get immune to that torture. 4. The neighbors are invited (and come) to check out rehearsals. Turns into a good time for everyone.

Maybe this is something for us to do during the off season (besides moan and groan at each other about every little drum corps detail known to humankind - you know what goes on every winter). Get a few drum corps addicts together locally with a beer or two and develop some questions to share with other groups?

Great information, guys - thanks!

Need some help here. I'm looking for information about songs played in shows over the years. I was able to find information about Santa Clara's shows on their website, which was very cool. I'm not having as good a fortunate in other places. Does a document exist that contains all the show music from every year from every corps? Curiosities got me which is why I'm looking for this information: Who was the first corps to play Malaguena, and how many times has it been played by how many corps? Would Malaguena be the single most played song ever? I've been told Spirit of Atlanta was the first corps to have a themed show. Is that true? What was the first year anyone heard Conquest? This could end up with a SERIOUS trivia game!

I was at the show tonight - all I can say is it was FABULOUS for so early in the season. Don't get me wrong - there was plenty of dirt spread out there. But you could envision what their shows were going to look like in August. If the rains hold off during rehearsal days, look out! It's going to be a great summer. I'm a fan of every drum corps, but I have to tell you - watching Holy Name was kind of like rediscovering an old friend. I (like a lot of others I think) WANT to look forward to what the Cadets offer, but know there would be controversy with whatever the product was. Their show this year reminds me of why I love watching them perform. Thanks, Cadets - you brought back some great times and made a few tears happen. I'm a FAN again!

Alpha Kappa - Ohio University

Thanks for the help, folks! We can close this topic down now.

Hello: I'm looking for someone out there who is familiar with the history and/or traditions of the Madison Scouts. I have something in mind and need some guidance from someone "on the inside" of things. Please PM me, and thanks!

I've been hosting drum corps for over twenty years. You are about to have a real good time! The main thing you need to do as a host is (for lack of a better way to put it) stay out of the way of the corps operations. They are trained to do what they need to do on the road, and more often than not a host with the best intentions in the world will get in the way. Your best asset to the corps is be a resource for information - know the distance to the show site, know where the day old bread store is, know where the closest WalMart is, stuff like that. I agree with what was said in the last post - be a good security system for the corps sleeping areas. That's their home for a while, and if you have any children you know what their bedroom probably looks like. The corps personal stuff is usually out in the open, and there is usually a habit of leaving doors open and/or unlocked. Your kids are always welcome at rehearsal (everyone likes an audience), but make sure they understand they cannot interfere with rehearsal. Don't ask questions to the staff unless it's a free time situation, for example. The corps has rehearsal objectives and every minute is spoken for. My goal every time a corps comes to my place remains the same as its always been - to see to it all the corps needs to concern themselves with is coming in and doing their thing. I'll handle all the peripheral stuff.

Centerville, OH, 90's - Blue Devils were lined up for an encore after the show. After they played their warmup some guy yells "You're giving me a woody!" I never saw a horn line laugh until then..........

This IS a fun dream to have.......... Personally, I'd like to start a foundation of sorts with the intent to help bring down the cost of marching for the members. For example, let's just say that $1 million was available yearly to this cause. That means 2000 kids could get a $500 cut off their marching fees regardless of what corps they participate in. I'm sure there are a lot of kids out there who want to march but aren't able to come up with the necessary funds to do it. I don't anticipate the costs going down in the future, either.

That the person who has a power strip in their baggage is equal to the first kid in your high school gang that gets a car. Everyone loves you because they have somewhere to plug their cell phones..........

So many great shows over the years, but for me: SCV 1989 BD 1992 Cadets 2000 Bluecoats 2007 Crown 2007 Phantom 2008 Cavies 2002 Glassmen 2007 Spirit 1980 Speaking of SCV 1989 - not to bring anyone down, but next year is the 20th anniversary of that show. That means the ageouts that year are now in their FORTIES! Nothing like a little ray of sunshine to start the day, eh?

Something else to consider, too - this thread was started two DAYS ago. A problem was presented, a solution was developed, and action was taken. I think I'll remember this whenever I watch a political debate, or hear about how long it will take for the economy to recover.................

Looks to me a lot of people stepped up to help out a music organization. The bottom line is some kids will get an opportunity they may not have gotten, and that is VERY cool! Thanks Rocketman for bringing this to our attention, and to all who had help to give - way to go!

I just got an email from their director - the school's colors are blue and gold. I have a daughter who is a FedEx employee. That means a pretty good discount, so if anyone can come up with uniforms I can help with shipping.

pm me - we'll talk

In Ohio a few years back - BD set up for an encore performance after the show. The hornline played their warmup, and after they finished a guy yelled from the stands "Great job! You're giving me a woody!" I never saw drum corps kids start laughing in formation before then.............

1989 - Spirit in Columbus, Ohio! That was my FIRST opportunity to host a drum corps, and I was very excited. The buses showed up five hours late and the first bunch of kids got off and heaved up their guts in our parking lot. Their scheduled ten hour stay turned into three days. My band room looked like an infirmary. Those poor kids couldn't even sit up, let alone actually do anything. Those that could handle it did a standstill at the show. Seeing how the staff and administration of the corps handled things, though, was an eye opening experience for me. They made sure the sick ones were taken care of and went about their business with those who could rehearse. Everyone was there for each other. It was a truly beautiful thing. I remember watching them leave and thinking "So this is what it's like hosting a drum corps." That was 1989, and I've been hosting every year since. And to this day Spirit still holds a special place in my heart!

For those of you going to the Columbus Ohio show Wednesday evening - give yourselves a few extra minutes to get there. Crew Stadium sits next to the Ohio State Fairgrounds, and Wednesday also happens to be Opening Day for the State Fair.

I'm interested in getting an idea about how well attended the shows are so far this year - 1. How many performing corps? 2. How many world class / open class corps? 3. Approximate number of people attending the show? 4. Small venue that appeared to be packed? 5. Large venue that didn't appear to be packed? 6. The "on time" factor - can you determine the change in attendance from the first performing corps to the last one? This really isn't some scientific thing - I'm just curious. Your best guess in attendance figures will be fine. Thanks in advance!

Looks to me corps A has made adjustments and moved on without you. You should consider the same thing. In some form everyone who remains in a career will have the same decision to make as you're facing now. People move from company to company doing the same thing for any of a host of reasons, from the chance of advancement to just needing a "scene change". TV news reporters are the first thing that come to mind. I admire your loyalty to your corps, and also understand that may be the "safe" way to go. But corps A has moved on and it appears there is some shaky ground coming up for them. So, rather than thinking about letting corps A down, how about giving corps B a chance? Whatever you choose to do - choose to march SOMEWHERE. If you don't that means you have let BOTH corps down and what's even a bigger issue - you denied yourself an opportunity.

OK, so what do you think - move it to Louisville's Churchill Downs and have Crown do last year's show twelve times?