MelloRick

I don't have to have been there to understand the history involved. Patterns of years gone by is what makes me weary of DCI's intentions. My comments are on what has been reported here on DCP, and what I do know about DCI's history. Way back when I started life in drum corps, we had CYO, North Eastern, Bay State, Ocean State, VFW Nationals and many more. You may not recognize those names, but they were all drum corps circuits here in the north east. Where are they now? GONE! No longer do we have a contest every weekend in a readius of a couple hundred miles. DCI came along in 71, and slowly one by one, all those organizions disappeared. A short time later, so did the drum corps that populated them. Now I have no place for my three kids to enjoy what dad and mom did, because there are no drum corps close by for them to learn. DCI has no interest in anything that does not add to their bottom line. Just look at what they are offering to you; You travel to perform at "their" shows, and get "no" monetary rewards, but you do get to perform in front of a crowd. Ok, I certainly understand wanting to perform for a crowd, but again, my feeling is, what is in it for DCI? It's simply another name to add to the program book. They get the benifits of you performing while not having to give up a thing. I guess from the stand point of that it's a win win. They fill their show, and you get to perform. But make no mistake, DCI needs you more than you need them, and I didn't have to be sitting in a room listening to them talk to understand that. My opinions have nothing to do with water glasses. :) I guess my chances of getting in the DCI hall of fame are gone by now...

Appology accepted! I think we are all arguing for the same reasons. We all love this activity like we would a child. It is, after all, where I spent all of my youth, and what I beleive has made me the person I am today. I was born into drum corps! I am disappointed that I don't have any more drum corps left for my kids to get started in like I did. All three of my kids play, but there aren't any drum corps close enough to commit to a full season, so it's just the school band for them. Most of you believe that DCI involvement is good for your corps, and as I said, I certainly do hope I am wrong, and it is a long and great experience for all. For me, I have always felt DCI drove the corps my heart is still with, North Star, out of existance. I don't know that for fact, but I do believe it with every ounce of my being. It is for this reason I have very strong "anti" DCI sentiment. After being away from the competition for some years I have come to love what I have seen the past two years at DCA, and don't want it to be taken away. I perform now only in minicorps, and this year for the first time in 26 years, in the individuals, but that fills my desire, and has once again started the fires burning. I can't wait for my next rehearsal, and performance, which is a feeling that has been missing for a long time. I will be looking for that beverage, and look forward to sharing it with you. I have alreay booked the Clarion for next year...See you in Bennigans?

Yup, sure you do, but just try and see what DCI thinks of you and your corps. If XYZ corps shows up to all the events, and you only go to your selected 4 shows. Do you think they will look upon you in the same light? They did it to the junior corps, and they will do it to you if you don't do as they wish. The corps that couldn't afford the big tours were just not given the support by DCI. My whole point was I don't think DCI is the governing body to put this together, I don't trust them at all. DCI is very cunning at their approach, take over, maybe not, but run out of business may be more like it. They took control of the DCA show in RI in 05, and ran it into the ground. No more show in RI is the end result! Why, because it doesn't fit their preconcieved demographic is my best guess. They used the venue to promote their own in Foxboro that year. Yep, used it and left it to die it's own death. For the first time in many years there was no drum corps show in our little state, and that is too bad. Seems as though I am the lone decenter here, and that is ok. Forums are to voice opinions as far as I know. And as you can tell, I am Opinionated. Nothing I have said is meant to be derogatory to any corps that does this, please don't take it that way. I am just a concerned fan, and not a "lost cause" as you put it. In fact I do take exception to that comment. How can you even have an opinion of me, you have NEVER met me! Whether I go to your show or not has NOTHING to do with this conversation. I hope for all of you that I am wrong, and time will tell. Mostly, I do wish you and all the corps that participate good luck! And I do look forward to seeing everyone in Rochester next year!

I certainly understand the plight of the MW, and WC corps needing some sort of organization to facilitate a schedule. DCI certainly carries much clout in the entertainment area, so in that sence it is an easy solution for those corps that feel left out. Perhaps DCA missed a golden opportunity to expand, and in doing so may have spelled it's own demise. I dislike the NE/Westcoast argument that seems to be taking place. I don't see it as us vs them. Very sorry that some of you feel that way. I personally thought the 05 Renegades should have won the championship, but that is my opinion, and unfortunately I didn't have a scoresheet in front of me. I had been out and away from competing corps for some time, and just re-entered this past year, although it is from the minicorps area, and believe me I wish we had more events to perform at too. That said, there is no way I could ever do a schedule as I had in my DCI days, and I fear that DCI, which I believe is all about money, will begin to dictate a strigent schedule for their "all age" division. Say what you want, DCI WILL dictate to you, you will see! Over the years DCI has become a group of "haves" and "have nots". Where are the have nots today? GONE forever! I wish all of you the best, but mark my words and be very careful what you wish for. DCA may not be perfect, but I believe it is run by people that truly care for drum corps as opposed to the bottom line. DCI is a Corporation, and being run like one. Drum corps has always been a great hobby, but even the federal government recognizes that when you make a profit it's no longer a hobby. The preceding remarks are those of the commentator, and don't necessarily reflect those of this station, or it's managment. :-)

I would not be so thrilled about that just yet. Seems to me DCI is positioning itself for a takeover, which in my opinion would be a disaster! Just look what has happened to drum corps under DCI. When I competed in 78 there were about 80 corps there in "open" class, what was there this year? and Of those, how many could actually contend for the top 12? (better put my flame suit on). Now, I am not so ignorant than to know that much of the decline is due to the change in economy, but that is where good leadership SHOULD be able to see the problem, and adjust. I think what has decended on drum corps over the last 20 years is a sin. Senior or All age corps were those I as a kid looked up to, now it is the senior corps looking up to the juniors, and getting direction from the juniors. I personally don't like it. In my NOT so humble opinion, DCI is a dictatorship. "Do as we say OR be gone with you". Instead of embracing it's heritage they are h**l bent on changing it. DCA has been our lone oasis in the otherwise eat 'em up and spit 'em out world of DCI. I won't even go into that mess they called a drum corps show on ESPN2. I give them an A for marketing however. I am a former member of DCI, and I am not so proud of what that means today. So happy as you may be, this may spell the final end for drum corps I knew it, ENTERTAINING, and something ANY kid could take part in. DCI will have no more of that!...ok off my soap box....

I will add my 2 cents now. Drum corps has been in my blood since I was born. I have always loved it for what it was. I did find myself agreeing many times with Mr. Dorritie's article, and thought it was head on! I do believe, however, that the judging system does now, and always has dictated what direction drum corps moves. As a member of the 78 North Star, I remember what that meant. It pretty much meant no matter how good we were we could NEVER place much higher than 9th or 10th, because we didn't do the kind of show the judges preferred we move in. Right wrong of indifferent, made no difference to me then and makes no difference to me now. I took the stage with Mass Brass this year, and got the thrill of my life performing what I liked. It kind of put my whole drum corps carreer into perspective for me. Just why do I do this? Because I like performing MY kind of music, and seeing the fans enjoy MY kind of music. Win or not, makes no difference. Sure I would have loved to have that medal around my neck, but in the end it was the response we got when the fans jumped to thier feet all at the same time. Gave me chills. I did enjoy listening to Star, but if they were 10 miles away and Mass Brass was 50, I would easlily travel the extra 40 miles to do what I enjoy doing, not what ever it is the judges seem to be rewarding. I know I am rambling, but the point is when I watched DCI this year I was bored to tears. Not because anyone was bad, but because it wasn't what I expected to see. Precision, oh sure plenty, excitement sure there was plenty, but I came away from every show wondering why it was over. I heard no begining, and no end, just a series of notes in an endless scale, and enough running around the field to take the wind from a track star. I respect each and every performer, but for me, it just left me empty. I guess I was just happy to see I was not the only one to realize that. AT first I felt guilty that I "did not like" what they performed on the field of competion, but then why should I? If I go to a concert I paid to get into and did not like it I would feel ripped off there too!

Ok, I went with the FIRST Star....NORTH STAR! Don't mean to blow my own horn here..ok I do! Many reasons other than the obvious. First and formost, North Star was totally responsible for my 25 year marriage, and three wonderful children. I would have never met the love of my life had it not been for North Star. Second: some of the very best friends I ever had. Can't wait to see them all at the 30th reunion next month! Third: to finally repair my broken heart when the corps folded! Fourth: Just like 27, many many inovations used still today got their roots with North Star. One I wish they were still using is ENTERTAINMENT! Fifth: Jimmy and Linda deserved a better fate...pound for pound by far the best corps directors to ever mortgage their home for the good of the corps! Sixth: if the Bridgemen can do it why not North Star? Ok, I'll shut up now....

Mass Brass we use G....I had a young lady at the mini corps show explain to me why Bb horns do not project. Geesh, something to do with the resonance of the universe, and Bb horns resonating down 37 octaves, and being absorbed by the other objects in the universe...Excellent explination, but my explanation...if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...must be a BAND...LOL...

Right, there were spaces there, but no way to use them. As I pointed out in my post, after running around the front to the ticket office after I dropped dad off, there were many spaces there "unused", along with the small lot in the back that I was warned not to be sneaky and try to park after dropping dad off. Problem was nobody was able to park there without one of them wrist bands. So while the park was in complience the event was not! And is there going to be another ticket office out back so when arriving one does not have to run track to purchase tickets? Hope you had a grass catcher...LOL

My only complaint was the lack of consideration for handicaped people. When I arrived on Sunday morning I merely wanted to drop my dad off in the almost empty parking lot next to the stadium. Ok, so I couldn't park him there. I certainly understand, but when I attempted to pull in the lot to at least drop him off I was told there was no way I could do that. I mentioned that I needed to turn around anyway, and was told to do it right there. Finally the attendent told me I could drop him off near the gate, but "don't try anything sneaky". I was somewhat offended by this comment. I did drop him there, then parked accross the street in a local driveway. (great deal) When I arrived at the gate I found dad there not able to get in, because the ONLY place you could get tickets were on the complete opposite end of the stadium. There was also a gentleman there with oxygen that had to sit and wait for somebody to run around the other side for tickets. You really need a way to get tickets near the gate on the far end. I was somewhat disheartened to see so many empty spaces in the lot at the other end too. At least let your less mobile drum corps people park there. Heck, they built drum corps and deserve a little bit of a perk for doing so. Disney World with the hundreds of thousands of visitors every day have spaces closer to the parks, why can't DCA offer some help in this area. Now the good...Friday I&E was absolutely fantastic! What a venue that was. The whole day was great, and I wouldn't change a thing, except for maybe some A/C where I performed in the midrange venue. Dang, it was HOT in there. Hey, how about a jam session next year in the street between the Convention Center and the Clarion? Loved the alumni show. Sky you will always be this fans favorite. I will try like heck to live my dream of playing with you next year! (gotta work out the transportation thing from RI) The hotel, and convention center was great. Now hopefully Bennigans will know enough to staff for a HUNGRY drum corps crowd next year! I flew to Rochester, and have to say that was one of the easiest airports that I have ever flown in and out of! Although Ernesto was still causing heartburn on Sunday. We attempted to fly out and had to sit in the airport for 5 hours because Boston was socked in. We could have gone to the finals after all! There were many more positives than the one negative I mentioned, and I don't want to leave it at that. So, thanks DCA, City of Rochester, Paetec Stadium, and to all those that work so hard to keep this activity going. After being out of drum corps for 24 years it sure feels good to be back.

First post here, so I better make it a good one As a proud member of Mass Brass, I can't say enough of how much I enjoyed performing Friday! It was a gas for sure. Growing up in drum corps I played my last competing days in 78 with North Star, and have witnessed the changes since. I am not here to bash or cheer one or the other. I believe that music is music, and as long as people have tapped their feet, there have been differences of opinions in what is exciting and what isn't. Star was great, regardless of what they played. In tune (sure try that with G bugles folks - :sshh: ) balanced well executed. I prefer to play what I am playing. I won't even touch the debate of F Mellophones vs G ones and which are "really" drum corps. Bottom line all shows were entertaining for many different reasons. I would not wanted to be ANYWHERE else Friday night than amongst my best friends in the world. Even those I have not officially met yet. Great job SU, Renegade's, my buds at Mass Brass, and the "other" Brass - (sorry, couldn't resist). And how about Kevin's? You guys came back after not doing so well last year (I know, I played with them last year) and did an outstanding job! Sorry, I just think you guys get the "big balls" award for 06! Not easy to come in last and still come back. Lets also not forget, there was 1 point from 1st to 3rd. I don't think the judges sent any message of "things to come", more like "geez, what a great show". At least that's what I came away with. Star you be Star, nobody would want it any other way. I can assure you Mass Brass will be Mass Brass in what ever directions we go. There is room for all of us...NOW...ROCK ON baby!