MusicEducator71

That's the sad thing about the northwest...the EGO is what drives the organization. I am in agreeance with everything said thus far. When the EGO that runs the organization really cares about shaping and educating the student and the community--and not their own name and their personal accolades, then the two corps can grow together. There are hundreds of talented people in the northwest, but they all don't seem to get along. My advice for you all is to WAKE UP! Stop bashing each others' philosophies behind each others' backs and work together. Until the "KEY" people come into play that can do that, I feel it will never get any better.

I agree with a few of the comments made by a few people above. Both Oregon and Washington schools get out for summer break in mid-June. There are still several flaws in the whole picture. Mid-west corps seem to thrive---if you agree with the writer who mentioned strengthening the public school music programs. Midwest band programs seem to be supported, and the corps in their respective areas can tap into it---on the other hand, I agree with the other writer who brings up that Oregon Crusaders seemed to have more polished products over the last three years (not including this summer)---and those shows were better than the Scades show from this year. The flaw? Can the two local corps combine and have ONE powerhouse northwest corps? instead of two weak corps? If the public school band programs are weak, then wouldn't that make our drum corps weak as well?

Why can't we sustain a quality corps in the northwest?

I know tons, my dear friend. If you would wake up and smell the coffee, you might learn a thing or two

GO SPOKANE THUNDER! The poor northwest seems to be overshadowed by organizations that care more about personal EGO and less about kids <**> . Spokane seems to be the only group from that area that cares about the KIDS :P . The corps who is doing it for the right reasons will hopefully be on top... that being said...GO SPOKANE :) !