GMichael1230

Yes, and when BD has a clunker...er, Yowsa...they stay in the top 5 because they are the most technically proficient corps out there....The show this year actually has a little something for everyone..not my favorite but certainly good enough to contend. It was almost prophecy to predict the fall of the Cavaliers (albeit a bit too dramatic a phrase) Due to their off season movment.....Based on BD's off season movement, they are sticking to where they pretty much deserve , top three. Geoffrey

Heat index will be 112. I think I will sit this one out, even though its 9 miles from my home....sigh Geoffrey

Wouldnt that be "Brannan ?? G

Yup, notice the schedule and the lack of shows as compared to previous years yet it is littered with "super shows" ?? Geoffrey

1. Phantom Regiment 2. Blue Devils 3. Carolina Crown 4. Cadets 5. SCV 6. Bluecoats 7. Madison Scouts 8. Boston Crusaders 9. Cavaliers 10. Spirit of Atlanta 11. Blue Knights 12. Crossmen G

Not even close, I can rattle off 20 shows the Blue Devils were in right off the top of my head, They did about 35 shows in 1982. Geoffrey

While I agree with you as the majority of the problem, the rest of the problem is a direct result of lack of marketing and not listening to your core fan base, you cant build a house if your foundation is shaky. Geoffrey

What ?? Geoffrey

I have to say that I love 12.25 Some may call it...whatever...I enjoy the OTL, the snowflake, I always wanted to see a Xmas show done right. I hope this show morphs into something spectacular..... Geoffrey

All heresay, and those that want to alter the business need to prove validity for the change, not the other way around. Based on all the other sensless implementations, none of these changes ahve yet to not only grow the activity but have failed to sustain the activity.....The amounts of fans that left are great and no many did not comeback, and yes plenty of things to prove that ie: Show attendance, amount of shows, etc..... Geoffrey

Care to show me the research that proves your statement ? Specificaly More involved, more returning to shows,more attending camps, and more sticking with the activity for life ?? Its not about belittling HS programs, its about keeping the drum corps experience unique and giving fans and performers an option. Geoffrey

"Case closed" was reinforcing my opinion as an absolute, black and white reason to confirm my opinion, nothing more....love the DCPers who love to argue, it makes my day !! Whats a Guardling anyway ? My name is Geoff. whats yours ?? If you honestly think adding Clarinets and Saxaphones will turn our activity into the Elite of drum corps, I cue you 2006 Cadets and their character uniforms and vocals........I would add a case closed but it might get taken too literal. :) Geoffrey

And why is that ?? Because so many changes for no valid reason has turned it into run of the mill marching arts and lost what was once mighty and formidable about it, you basically tied up the debate into a neat little package, case closed. Geoffrey

Its not an art form, that the first silver bullet blown into the life of the activity and doomed its future. 85 Garfield trying to "create a piece of art" was the first nail in the coffin of the activity....... Geoffrey

Please explain the difference and also tell us what the draw would be should World class marching units add woodwinds, please do not avoid the question since you do not ever avoid a chance to dispute the opposite...... Thanks ! Geoffrey

..and this thirty three year Drum corps fan/veteran will never see it happen, I would rather walk away......happily with my head held high knowing I was a part of the Golden era of Drum corps when all the shows that legends are made of were created and performed. G

It would lose any draw based on uniqueness and be just professional marching band, along with all the stigma, and jokes, true creativity would be lost and the desire to do something different would be lost as the young adults could do it already where they get an education..... Geoffrey

The logic behind it is not only flawed it is an opinion based not on any kind of fact or research but one mans relentless desire to get his way any way possible....Drum corps, like it or not, is a business, imagine a business like Mcdonalds trying to alter its product, say from now on, only whole wheat buns and we will not offer regular anymore...and then implement that change based on an opinion without any type of research or marketing to see if there is a desire for said change ?? Ludicrous, yes ?? Curious, George Hopkins did an amazing job as director for the past thirty years, but in reality, where is his experience on the business forefront, his training, or anyones trying to step into that role for that matter.....Instructors and directors should do just that, not try to run and expand a business......how on earth do you alter a business over and over with NO research or a solid marketing plan ?? Now we are looking for ways to get more students to march by adding band instruments ?? LOL, they can do that for free in high school and then on to college....its these ridicuolus plethora of changes that were made in rapid fashion for no valid reason that not only alienated many established fan base but many potential relatives and other folks who would have been curious about the uniqueness of drum corps......Professional marching band is what DCI would become. Blue Devils doind Chanel one suite with Saxaphones, Trombones, Clarinets, etc....creativity and originality need not apply, we now have al the band instruments to play a band piece...... Woodwinds will be the final straw for numerous on staff in both the executive field and instructorial field, I know this first hand, many others also know this, why the relentless push for something that will benefit...um, who ??? Based on what ?? And why ??? Geoffrey

This years Phantom Regiment show is one of the best shows of all time, easily, hands down, period. The look they have on that field is fresh, inviting, classy, interesting, beautiful, magnificent. Guard is more than capable of spinning with the best of them and by Finals night will..the costuming is breathtaking. Kc and Jamey, et all have done a tremendous job with this corps. The visual design is sweet, easy on the eye, works well with the music, covers the field in new, unique design...its just amazing, can I say more ?? LOL....Easily the best PR design, as a total show in the last 23 years. Geoffrey

No kids I talk to in the past ten years want woodwinds in their drum corps. Geoffrey

The one thought that always makes me scratch my head is this: Why is it ok to take an exisiting art form/idiom, and morph it into something else, without any marketing and research to actually see if its a product anyone wants - and in doing so destroying a said exisiting art form/idiom and taking it away from an already established fan base that already wants the product offered to them. All the people that liked drum corps without amplification and electronics were forced kicking and screaming to jump on the band wagon, or get lost, theres nothing else on the junior scene anymore that was the way it was......now they want to add woodwinds and totally destroy the grnre, again, levaing nothing for those folks that already enjoy whats been established. YOu tell me how thats taking caree of your customers, your fans, and most importantly, the kids that "just wanna do drum corps" They have an outlet for woodwinds...its called school and college. Saxaphones are great....in a marching band. When I want to hear them I seek out a venue that offers them, I have a choice..adding them to drum corps voids me that choice, I no longer choose, its forced down my throat..or I stop going. Geoffrey

...to leave out 83 is a grave oversight. Of which you are not accustomed to ! LOL G

THings they did were other-worldly. G

1980 27th Lancers.....discussion over years ago. G

Oh Jeff, I loved 2005 ! Vintage Rosander/SCV.....it was his last year there, btw. G