mingusmonk

Yes I was. And yes, there were some issues. Some of it was a lacadasical drumline, and some of if was staging issues (that were intensified when the drums were inserted into their location). Depends on what song/section it was happening.

Good for them. Great to see Fred utilizing his network for talent.

So one does not have to be a Star Alumni to join the Alumni Association? I recognize at least one person in the photo who has never marched Star, Blast, Brass Theatre (congrats, Dan). Or does getting married into Star count? :)

Circus show was 87. Star is a hard one for this topic. They reinvented themselves every. Disney Sci-Fi Circus Porgy and Bess Brit' Belshazzar Roman American Barber Bartok How different can they be? 90 and 91 are the only 2 years that have remotely the same feel.

Thanks everyone for the updates! Do HIPPA regulations apply to drum corps forums? :sshh:

Well, since we all now feel the same way, that's the end of this topic.

No kidding. What are these folks? Terrorists?!?!? :P Seriously tho', when I heard that Fred "Mountain Grown" Morris (aka Mercury Morris) was put at the helm of corps director, I knew they were already headed in the right direction. And yes, the fan appreciation for the Troop was very strong, even as things began to wain.

BTW - for those coming back from the road, there is a lot of great discussion on this topic in the Indy announcement thread. Not suggesting this thread be killed, just trying to help those that may have missed it.

Not necessarily. NASCAR and IMS announced that, starting next year, the Brickyard 400 will be a week earlier than the historical "first weekend of August" date (July 29th next year). I haven't mapped that out with DCI, but I think it will normally have a 1 weekend gap.

Something to consider. With the long term deal and offices in Indy, it would certainly seem feasible that the quality of the finals event could really prosper. It would actually be worthwhile to have corps test certain design elements, tweaks and setups (since you are partner with the city, and since you will be there for the long haul). And it should only get better as the years go on. Keep in mind that a closed roof does not necessarily mean a "vacuum-locked" facility (a la the RCA Dome). I have not read anywhere that when the roof closes, all openings must close. So maybe the open walls could keep "open air" and maintain better acoustics than a traditional covered stadium. Just wondering out loud.

By that logic, all of the "Bring back ______" threads that live in the historical forum should be moved to this General DCI Discussion forum. There is no new news in this thread. It simply expresses people's desire to see the return of a historical corps. Now, should there be real current news (similar to the happenings at VK Youth Arts), I'd love to see it here.

This is a legitimate concern, and always has been an issue. But I'm not sure the 10-year deal is really to blame. I guess what the new deal creates, is a set-in-stone certainty that finals could only be "West" one more time during the 10 year span after Pasadena. But realistically, how often does everyone expect DCI to do a west coast finals? In the 36 years of finals, pre-Indy, finals will have been held in the West 4 times. From 1972 through 2007 ... 3 times in Denver, and soon to be once in Pasadena. That's an average of one West finals every 9 years. I'm not saying that it's right or wrong that DCI has made those decisions, but based on this history, how often did people expect west coast finals to happen in the future? If they go west in the contracted Indy-off-year, they will be keeping to form with their average.

Correct, that's the one valid downside for the fan. I was probably a little vague, but that was the meaning of my closing of that paragraph

Well. if Cook gets booted from his casino deal, he's going to have a lot more free time on his hands. Seriously tho'. Can we just move this thread to Historical?

I have refrained from opinion on this thread for quite some time (Not exactly true ... there was that sushi post). I'm seeing the dead horse taking a few hits as well, but I feel like a couple things could be added. Everyone's got there own personal take on how this affects them as individuals, and I find it interesting the levels at which some of you project their perspective as some kind of collective view. At the highest of levels, for DCI as an organization, this is the right move. I say this whether they chose Indy, Kansas City, Memphis, or Paducah (OK, I night have a problem understanding Paducah). It's obviously a lucrative deal for their offices. If you've got an attractive long-run option, it should be in the Midwest. It just so happens; that DCI was lucky enough that Indy was interested in them. They should be proud of the fact that they were wanted. They are located with their peers. The people responsible for finals will be integrated into the finals community year round. Not only will that mean less strain on planning resources, it means, instead of stressing over what to do next year, they can be proactive for years to come, and refine all kinds of event elements that never could be addressed in the past. Some of you have personal issues because it ruins your family vacations, so you might be forced to choose to skip finals altogether. While this is fair enough, and your personal decision, don't make the mistake of applying your "negative" scenario as negative to DCI or the event. I guarantee you this, for everyone of you that vacations every year to finals and elects to skip some Indy finals, there are an equal amount of people (probably more) that rarely, if ever, go to finals because they either cannot afford to travel out of their region, or to burn vacation time, etc, that will now be going to finals. I don't see them posting here, but I'm surrounded by them in non-internet life. It sucks that you choose not to go. But it also sucks to not be able to go. The only real black and white downside is a variation on this. For those that simply cannot afford to go out of their region, unfortunately, that region will not change for quite some time. But who knows, after a couple of years of streamlining the repetitive event, maybe the price of attending finals could get even cheaper. As 2008 approaches, I'll be glad to share suggestions on "things-to-do" (Actually in Indiana, :P Not a neighboring state. But keep in mind, Indy is only 1.5 hours from IL and OH, so interstate travel is not necessarily the "crazy talk" that some have made it out to be).

On 86th Street, just east of Ditch Road (That's the first light east of St Vincents hospital). It's located on the north side of the street.

Best legitmate Sushi in Indy is at Ocean World. It's on the Northwest side, between Michigan and Meridian. It's not expensive, trendy or fancy. ####, it's just part of a generic line of strip mall stores and eateries. But for fresh, real Sushi, that's where it's at. Ask again in 2008 and I will give you directions.

Press release and some ICVA audio at Inside Indiana Business.

Nice post. Positive message. Interesting approach. Why have things gotten so preachy around here lately? Have things gotten "so bad" at DCP that we need behavior-influencing threads threads pinned up every week ... telling us all how mean, hateful, and hurtful we have become? If so, then maybe admin and mods need to re-evaluate the current set of Guidelines. As the current ones must not be suitable. Also, I can't keep up with every thread nowadays (not that I ever tried), but all of this hand-ringing for Star alumni has me vexed. I know my share of Star alumni, and truth be known, people from each year took some lumps. But I don't understand how it turned into horrifying night-terrors and life-damaging emotional scarring. I guess I just know the wrong people. Most that I know are proud of the impact they had on the activity. They will always be remembered in this community for that impact. Unfortunately, not a whole lot of folded corps' members can say the same.

I know nostalgia is a little overplayed nowadays, what with VH1's I Love The 80's Part 13 and what-not. But this thread kicks. I'm nowhere to be found in these photos or years of discussion, but the feeling of seeing that bowling alley photo was priceless. ####, even seeing Rick Brown in there was priceless. Not that I would have ever said that when he was on staff during my marching years. :D Hope everyone is doing well. Nice to see the heritage interest from Mike, as well. Drum Corps program heads don't often take to time (or risk ^0^ ) to publicly post stuff on DCP. Thanks. Later, flip

Funny. :D I knew more contras than mellos back in the day. Actually, with the exception of a couple of traitors from another top 12 corps with whom I marched, I didn't know any mellos. Over the corps-years of Star, I knew pit, battery, sops, contras, bari's, colorguard ... but no mellos ... strange. I'm starting to get a little creeped out here.

I'm not sure what question was asked, to which you are answering "No." But, it seems that some would like for the dialog at DCP to be tailored to their own particular pacing and tastes. Welcome to "Teh Internets 101" Turn your book to page 132, Chapter 12 titled "Bulletin Boards and Forums." Behaviors vary, and the response is to mod, or not to mod. But if you really feel like this is a community, the group will continually evolve it's exchange of information on it's own terms (within the mod guidelines of course). And while attempting to steer behavior is well-intended, without guidelines there to dictate the behavior, it just comes off as preachy. If you feel like a newbie needs a lesson, send them an PM and give them some tutelage. But why do we need everyone to fall into "community-speak"?

Didn't the contra line have a similar sacred device?

Understood. But by providing examples, you are going down a road of defining acceptable and unacceptable wording and verbage. While I don't think that was your intent (as who would want to manage and moderate to that level) it's now there for user reference ... the good and the bad. But that's my opinion, and I respect your opinion regarding it. :D

When I first read the OP, I was feeling a little bothered by it. I think my initial feelings were probably a tad extreme, and was based more on this posting being a "straw that broke the camels back," packaging it with the recent shift in moderating processes. So, that being said, I followed stated advice. I waited a minute. I re-read and re-thought the initial post. And I still have an issue here. Not only are the opinions diverse, but similarly (and maybe moreso), the personalities are diverse. While I can appreciate your desire for less confrontational interaction, it seems to me that you would prefer everyone to behave not only within the guidelines, but also with an indistinguishable approach. I would find this horribly bland, and it would make DCP a much less attractive place to visit and in which to participate. What certain responsible parties might find most palatable might bore others to tears. I get your opening and closing statements, but somewhere in the middle, your implying a cut and paste approach that doesn't sit well with me.