dans

Thanks! I will be headed to Johnstown on June 10 to spend 4 days with the corps...can't wait!

Ha

I can only say that I don't believe that WC or OC corps have any future if the powers of DCI aren't proactive and have the tough discussions. I never said G-7 was perfect, but it is at least an attempt to face the serious issues facing this activity. Hopkins talks about the G-7 issue in an honest and candid manner in his latest blog on the YEA website. He admits there are flaws and issues with the idea, but it is just a proposal, a starting point, a realization that there are serious problems that threaten this activity. I commend him for that and for asking that we all try to help any corps that we can. And no, he did not ask that you exclusivelly give donations to G-7 corps!

How is the brass line sounding? I expect good things from the percussion (from what I saw at winter camps), however, I'm a drummer and not sure what to expect from the hornline...Is the guard full? thanks

I respect your views but disagree. I honestly believe all involved have good intentions and care about the activity as a whole. Thank you for the civil response to my post!

No, this just smacks of "DCI is in trouble financially", and if everyone sits by and pretends everything is all right, we may lose this activity forever. The expense of keeping this activity going is staggering, especially in an economy like we are experiencing. Can you imagine if this activity we love does vanish and the powers of DCI did nothing to try to save it? Folks would be screaming for Hopkins head and asking why the folks in charge did nothing to try and save the activity? The issue hear is actually quite clear. Some are just flat out cynical when it comes to the powers in DCI (mostly Hopkins though). Anything that is proposed by the likes of Hopkins is automatically considered to be self-serving, a power play or something intended to ruin the activity. I don't share that view, I actually respect Hopkins for the passion he has given to this activity and the Cadets. This whole G-7 thing is just another perceived opportunity to attack Hopkins. Some of the venom that has been spewed on this site in the past week is way more polarizing than anything Hopkins has said or done. I want to thank Hopkins and others that have made preserving this activity part of their life's work.

too bad for you, not for me. I am counting the days until my car is headed to the first show! I love Drum Corps, with or without G-7!

Man you better run and hide, you aren't cynical and you didn't insult Hopkins

You are one cynical bunch of people

Nope, not going to get into it with you. Drum Corps is something I do to get away from day-to-day stress. If I want stress, I have to look no further than the Whitehouse for that. I'm not going to go off on a tangent and make assumptions about the G-7 thing without knowing all the facts and ramifications. This is just another perceived opportunity to bash Hopkins and blame all world problems on him.

you are wise! Thank you for the intelligent, rational post

I am going to just avoid all the negativity, complaining, and the end is near mentality on this site. I will just get pumped up for my favorite team, the Cadets! They have been moved in to spring training since Saturday and they are starting to crank it up! That gets me excited, bring on the summer. I love drum corps!

It is not good for the perception of your organization for you to engage in these meaningless discussions

agreed

Ouch!

I was at camp last Sunday when this recording was made and I think my ears have finally stopped bleeding. This is a very powerful and aggresive edition of the Cadets!

I will never forget the cadets hashmarks incident. My wife and I went to the movie theater to watch the live broadcast. After the incident my wife and I just sat and looked at each other in dis-belief. We were uterly disgusted by the behavior of many drum corps fans in the theater. We left the theater questioning if we wanted to continue to follow this activity any longer due to the lack of respect and dignity many of the fans displayed. I have followed this activity for fifty plus years and that was the only time I considered not following the activity any longer. That was a bad night for the drum corps activity! Sorry to bring up an old subject. I realize it was discussed to death after it happened.

thank you for a well thought our post; sometimes they are scarce on DCP. It is refreshing to read a post based on facts and reality ,not perception. I applaud your words of wisdom Bawker!

Heard the drum feature in person last Sunday...sweet!

Wait til you hear their arrangement of School for Scandal!

drum corps is about the performance level of humans; how many drum corps fans will pay to watch a drum machine?

Marching keyboards & tympani aren't utilized anymore because it doesn't make sense for physical and projection reasons, not because its old fashioned. Corps starting using amps for projection and technique issues, not for the fear of being perceived as old fashioned. Corps switched from G bugles because the new ones sound better, not for the fear of being perceived as old fachioned.

The majority will give them a pass and be respectful. Now if the Cadets were to use clarinets, all hell would break out! By the way, I assume you are being hypothetical in order to initiate a reaction?

I was there today...sounded really good! Nice sounding tuba line by the way

Can't wait to hear what the Cadets do with this amazing piece of music! The really cool thing is I will find out tomorrow!