Newseditor44

Never thought I would say this, but I'm a bit worried about the health of the Vanguard organization. I sincerely hope everything is alright.

No critiques from me this year. Everyone gets a score of 100 just for getting back out "on the field". Thank you for helping us get back to normal kids!

I would be in favor of a ban on props for the next several years until corps can get back on their feet. This activity survived without them for years and years, we can survive again. Lets let the groups save some money.

When I read this two years ago I giggled to myself. Now I'm full-on laughing so hard I'm crying. Bruh, lay down the bong. Seriously, that crap isn't good for you. This is drum corps. A majority of the people on this board are 12 years old. You're writing a thesis for GOD's SAKE! You must chill man. LOLOLOLOLOL! Someone is full of himself. This thread is rich AF. 😄

Yawn...

So difficult... must control my urge to type. Just... can’t.... do it.

All signs point to Crown not going to Indy this year. I've heard Disney is a possible option, but don't know how reliable the info is at this time.

Since there have been no details and we have no idea what the plan is, we will not be going. And personally I think its just too early to provide a safe, meanigful and cost-effective experience for the performers and the fans. Let me know when we're back up full time.

Nothing official has been announced.

I’m hearing rumors that there are more than a handful of corps that are weighing options at this point, including some of the big guns. Also hearing this is going to be more of a free for all, no judging, standstill style show with everything but the kitchen sink. If this is the case I will pass and wait for 2022.

I haven’t heard a thing from Crown since the telethon. My guess is that the plans for a 2021 event aren’t passing the smell test and doesn’t make financial sense. I wish DCI would abandon this idea and begin looking towards 2022.

There is no such thing as cold in drum corps. It's never happened.

Our company (large, Fortune 50) just sent a memo out today stating that they're postponing us coming back into the work place indefinitely. We were originally looking at July, but now were being told that it will most likely be another 12-18 months. I believe the vaccine rollout is going to take longer than any of us think, and there is going to be at least one more large spike in the coming weeks/months. Al of this said, any attempt to bring back the activity in 2021 is going to be a disaster and could potentially do more harm than good. SVC and the Blue Devils are looking incredibly wise right now. I would much rather the corps look to continue with virtual education programs and really begin to focus on what 2022 could look like. There are huge obstacles for this activity coming back full time, even if we get the virus under control. The world as we know it has changed, and its my belief that it will be at least 5 years (probably much more) before we see anything that resembles what we left in 2019.

As I sit read through some articles tonight on the pandemic, it's clear that these mutations add an extra level of danger, to an extent which is not well known but potentially more dangerous. Some scientists are now predicting the pandemic could last another year or two, with mask wearing being mandatory for years and public gatherings limited for quite a while. If that is the case, I think the activity will have to be rebuilt from scratch with many organizations not able to survive a three or four year layoff. how does the activity survive, and will it have been gone so long that potential members will have lost interest?

Drum corps has always been a soap opera, but it's starting to reach new heights in recent years, and its absence this past year has been somewhat refreshing. It's clear that no one has a handle on how to properly administer and keep the kids safe, and the political BS the activity tends to generate is only getting worse. I'm beginning to wonder if a world without drum corps is not such a bad thing. And as much as I hate to say it, I feel like there are others beginning to think the same thing. One thing is for certain - when and if drum corps comes back, it won't be anything like it was. I truly believe that 2019 was the last real year of drum corps that we will see for a very very long time.

I too have written my fair share of press releases and wasn't as offended by the shade as most people here are. I do think they explained their process well and communicated what their process is/was. But they're in a place where they're ###### if they do, and ###### if they don't. There is no way for me to know whether the allegations are true or not true. But in the court of public opinion and in the legal system the advantage clearly goes to the victim. And while nothing should ever condone the alleged actions, does it not scare anyone else that anyone with a grudge can make allegations against an organization and essentially destroy it, regardless of if the allegations are true? Protecting victims should be the number one priority, absolutely. But what do we do when the allegations are false or are made out of a vendetta. (Note: I'm not claiming this is the case here, just thinking out loud)

I think we've seen evidence that vaccine roll-out is going to take longer than expected. Add to that the political upheaval in this country and the financial consequences of the COVIDF-19 outbreak, 2021 is probably not going to happen. I would be much more in favor of the drum corps world observing another year in pause and looking toward 2022. Not that this is something I want, but I would rather then drum corps world make a more slow, purposeful return. But i'm probably in the minority on this.

Will put it to you this way, had Crown been able to perform their 2020 book, I think the drum corps world would have looked at them a bit differently. It would have been a very engaging show with a lot of crowd interaction, very modern musical choices, and I think the music would have created an amazing canvas for what could have been done visually. The percussion opportunities would have been like nothing they have done before, with a lot of syncopated rhythms. It would have been Crown sticking to its roots of reinventing itself again, and I really believe the crowd would have loved it. Hopefully the idea has just been placed on hold. Think George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic - but more modern.

Hint for what the 2020 show would have been... and might still be in the future... the opener was going to be the piece that got released in the hornline video after the season was cancelled. “Chandelier” by Sia

The show description was somewhat vague, but they're basing their production on the song "In my mind" as a salute to their alumni. I think they're still working through the tunes and exactly what the show will playout, but this is the general idea for 2021. I would expect a production that features more ensembles and does some fun things that they wouldn't normally to do during a competitive season. I get the impression this will be all about the fans.

Hearing Crown is finalizing plans. Should be an announcement in the next week or two.

Agreed, I hate what's happening to current age outs, but I think we have to go back to original rules and cap at 21. I would also like to see the elimination of all props for a minimum of 2-3 years while corps get themselves back on their feet financially, and the limitation of electronics for the same period. All cost cutting measures to try and keep costs down.

This is one of the few shows that I would absolutely love to hear again, modern day. If Crossmen were to come out and play this book in 2022, there wouldn't be a dry eye in the house. All the feels. Yeah, I know the book doesn't necessarily fit with the direction the activity has been going, but the world could use some pick me ups right about now. Hey Bones, you listening?

Wow. F*** You 2020! There are no words, which is ironic as words we're Michael's thing. He was a treasure, one that will not be forgotten. To his family and friends, our hearts are heavy and we're thinking about you all. You will be missed Boo.

I would be all in favor of some news ideas. Standstill performances, drum battles, Sound Sport on a larger level. Let's not worry about competition for the next few years and work on slowly and meticulously growing the activity. It's going to take at least a decade for us to work our way back up to where things were. Let's not rush it.