wolfgang

The other WC corps to sit out 2022 (Cascades) quietly announced on their website last week an intention to return to DCI competition in 2023, with 20 shows. They plan to recruit in Seattle and Portland. Here's hoping for a successful return. As an aside, I hope the Columbians also come to Championships next year but haven't heard anything.

The Bears announced a new domed stadium in the burbs. I expect the facility rental to be cost-prohibitive, but with a good lineup DCI could draw lots of Midwest fans for an early season weekend show, assuming the rental fee wouldn't break the bank.

(hypothetical SCV opening narration) "Imagine you're at the circus and trying to get out..."

Anecdote- DCI and NASCAR seem worlds apart, but there a similarity that may serve as a clarion call for DCI. One aspect I won't get into here is constant rule changes (also an issue in DCI) that alienated their longtime fan base. Over time, attendance has dwindled. Anecdote- A 1.5 mile oval was build in Sparta, KY, near Cincinnati and about an hour from Louisville. After developing fans for years with Xfinity, Truck, and Indy Car, they got a Cup race in 2011 (after hosting Regionals for years in the 2000s at the RCA Dome, Indy got their "Cup Race" with DCI Finals in 2009 when Lucas Oil was built). Speedway officials claim they did not anticipate the crowd that tried to get there (even though they expanded seating to over 100k). Having gone to that race, one problem was the way they were parking cars. They could have fit lots more cars with a more commonsense parking strategy, but bottom line- thousands never made it to the track and turned around. I don't know if it was the track, or a contractor hired by the track for parking services, but for the fan it doesn't matter. They either got there late if at all, or missed what they paid for. (DCI or LOS could have got in people quicker with working scanners or more workers. Whether DCI or LOS, it appears many did not get in the stadium until after the event started). This was a PR disaster. The track held Cup races for several years afterward but eventually lost the date, in part due to dwindling attendance. NASCAR as a whole has experienced attendance issues, but it exacerbated at this facility by the 2011 disaster. Many never came back. Moral of the story for DCI: Don't make your longtime fans mad. They may decide it's not worth it.

After years of being mid-pack, Int has decided to hire from within the judging ranks to bolster their chances of moving up. Accordingly, JMissing will be announced as Program Coordinator in the coming weeks.

After reading about the long lines, here's a two question survey: 1) What time did you get in line? 2) What time did you get into the stadium?

Was told bya friend only 3 or 4 staff showed up to work to scan tix. No confirmation, though.

A GE judge gets sick from the catered pre-Finals meal and has to withdraw. J Missing takes his place and sets a new record for most shows judged in a single year.

Point of order- Choosing a vegetarian or vegan diet is not a restriction, it is a personal preference. That doesn't mean it can't be accommodated, but imo it's a different animal (pun intended) than not being able to eat certain foods because of allergies, digestive issues, interactions with medications, etc. There are some foods that certain religious beliefs avoid also such as pork for Jewish or Muslim members. Avoiding peanuts because of a severe allergy is a medical restriction. Choosing to only drink soy or almond milk because of some issue with the dairy industry (in absence of a medical issue like lactose intolerance) is a choice. Back to your originally scheduled thread...

Someone goes the VK route and does a show inspired by "Manos: The Hands of Fate."

(Inspired by threads about Flo issues) Sometime in November DCI announces a switch to Box 5 for 2023. Discuss.

Just a thought- their next two shows are Winston Salem and Annapolis. To save costs, axe those, pick back up in Glassboro, NJ, Allentown, and to Indy. They scored over 69 tonight, which would still put them in strong contention for Semis (behind 19 other WC corps and likely BDB, Gold, Vanguard Cadets, and Spartans). They would still probably be in the top 25.

Back in the 1970s, there were two pro basketball leagues: NBA and ABA. The ABA ran into financial problems. The NBA grew by absorbing a few of the ABA franchises. The rest folded. Drum corps is a different animal, but instead of folding DCA into DCI using the all-age model, the DCA corps need to decide if it's more important to exist, or to exist as an all-age corps. The Buccaneers, as a junior corps, may not be able to do a full World Class tour, but it is not required to do one. Jersey Surf has survived. There is no rule saying a successful DCA corps couldn't rebrand as a DCI Open Class corps and perhaps develop to World Class, or thrive in Open class as the Spartans have done and continue to do if that better fits goals and budget. In 2020, before Covid, former DCA member Carolina Gold was coming out as a DCI Open Class corps. Unfortunately for them the pandemic happened at the worst possible time (not sure if there even is a Carolina Gold organization any longer).

Haven't seen the Snyder Cut of Justice League, but most reviews I've seen rate it as superior to the Josh Whedon original (for limited context, I understand Zach Snyder shot about 90% of the film, then was replaced for a reason I cannot recall, and Josh Whedon went in and redid it). The general context is a film that was meh, and now was reworked and is a much better product. Relating this to the field- Can you think of any shows which (in your opinion) had a wonderful concept, but the design just didn't get it right? Which corps/shows do you think could have been monsters if they could be reworked with a different design team? In other words, if a corps could do a metaphorical "Snyder Cut" of one of their prior shows? (OT bonus question- for those of you who have seen both versions of the film, which do you prefer and why?)

Since drum corps is a summer activity, the coldest many people have probably felt is if the AC at Lucas Oil Stadium is too cool for comfort. There have been plenty of shows where it was uncomfortably hot, but has anyone been to a show were you froze your backside off? In the old days when DCM had early season shows in Wisconsin, or perhaps in the northeast would be the most likely places for an early season cold front. Has anyone ever performed or spectated at a corps show where it was in the lower 40s or colder? Any early June temps in the 30s? Anyone? Anyone?

If delayed until 2022, how many of the 22 2019 WC corps do we guesstimate will make it to the field.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch.... Statewide Indiana is at a 3.9 % positivity rate. As of Saturday 9 /26, places can open at full capacity, including large gatherings. August 2021 is a long way away, but barring the unexpected there would be no state-mandated reason DCI couldn't happen. 2 caveats - 1) cities can set their own guidelines, though the Indy mayor just got sued by a bunch of business owners. It would not be in his interest to be on an island from surrounding communities, though that's been the situation; and 2) after the destruction of riots/protests in June, plus the aforementioned mayor allowing the homeless to crap in the streets like San Francisco, I'm not sure DCI really would want to have Finals back in Indy regardless of whatever sweetheart deal they have. The city of Indianapolis has changed since August 2019, and not in a good way.

To avoid any ambiguity, simple yes or no answer please: Will newly formed Independent Soundsport groups be allowed to compete?

This is related to the SoundSport announcement, but since it deals with one very important aspect of the Varsity Sports announcement that merits discussion without being interspersed with discussions regarding whether cheerleading is/is not a sport, it's getting it's own thread. The FAQ part of DCI's announcement says this: How does this partnership affect current participant SoundSport® teams? "This will not affect current summer tour DCI SoundSport events. The reimagined SoundSport® Scholastic events will expand performance opportunities to a wide variety of scholastic teams in addition to pre-existing independent teams. The goal with this partnership is to increase participation across multiple performing arts categories with new scholastic environments in mind." "emphasis mine The word "current" should send chills up drum corps fans' spines. How many corps have formed out of SoundSport? Even if only a few, that's a few that SoundSport fostered and those corps may not have formed had they not dipped their toes in the water with Soundsport. If someone wants to form a new independent group, the way this is worded, too bad, so sad. It seems as if one aspect of this side venture (SoundSport) that has aided the drum corps activity directly is being kneecapped, excepting those current groups who may form into a corps. In my little mind, especially given that some existing corps may not be around next year, DCI should do everything it can to foster growth of new corps, even if those corps perform locally at a few shows for the first few years. Even if DCI is on life support, if they are going to have a future, they need to find a way to make it feasible for more corps to form. SoundSport, at least as it formerly existed, allowed groups to start small and develop over a few years to the point where they could think about making the jump to an Open Class corps. High Schools may develop corps members, but they are not going to develop more corps.

Who mentioned August? The venue would be a good Finals stadium, but DCI has a multi-year agreement with Indy..... assuming DCI survives. I was thinking more of a large earlier season show with the west coast corps, Blue Knights, and perhaps an east coast corps or two. When this city was talked about in a thread a couple years back, someone who lives in Vegas mentioned the summer was a down time for conventions there, and the possibility of using unused convention halls as rehearsal space. Nobody wants kids rehearsing in 110 degree weather, but given that Las Vegas is a growing major metropolitan area, it would seem DCI (if DCI exists going forward) would want to have shows in large population centers. Even with a non-national, Regional tour model, a California or Arizona to Vegas drive isn't that big of an ask. I do think that, if adequate rehearsal space could be acquired indoors in some of those huge vacant convention halls, the city would be a nice Finals venue. More than adequate hotel space, and those complaining about not much to do in Indy would have ample options. It's not going to happen as long as Finals are in Indy.... if there is such a thing as Finals in years to come.

(Someday, perhaps the activity will again be in a place where discussions such as this topic can have real meaning again. Until then, we can hope and dream. Now onto the main topic) Story on ESPN about newly completed Las Vegas Raiders Stadium. Raiders play on grass, but the other tenant, UNLV, plays on field turf, which DCI would use. Looks like a great venue. The topic has been brought up before with pros and cons, but for the first time we can see a brief video of the view from the upper deck. Not sure how far out the Super Bowl is scheduled, but I'd bet they will get one of the next two yet to be scheduled, along with the new Rams stadium. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29712942/mark-davis-welcomes-raiders-newly-finished-allegiant-stadium

I added the word "hypothetical" because nothing has been announced by WGI, and I have heard no rumors about 2021. However, based on: 1) no 2021 calendar on the WGI website. Normally this is published sometime in June; and 2) a scan of websites for Independent World guards and percussion showed basically nothing. One guard had a video about 2021 auditions that turned out to be a reminder to wear masks and auditions TBD, and one drum line out west looks like they intend to have a line, even if it means they will stay local. (I did not look at every world class group and did not look on social media, only websites of many of the Finalist-caliber groups). In fact, the majority of websites had no real updates since Covid began. Many (most) of the Independent World guards would normally have auditions in September and have a complete audition schedule posted well before DCI Championship week. If there are no Independent World groups, I don't see how WGI can hold a season or Championships. WGI and DCI are separate entities, but if WGI is unable to hold a season, will DCI also be unable to have a season? Many members of DCI guards and lines are active in the indoor activity. Even if there is a 2021 DCI season without a 2021 WGI season preceding it, the performance level may not be what it has been since the percussionists and guard members have likely been honing their skills in indoor competition for months prior to summer corps season. At some point soon, if WGI intends to try and have a 2021 season, announcements will have to be made and independent groups will have to have auditions. Likewise, the corps are going to have to publish audition info soon. No members = no 2021 DCI season.

I don't have a dog in this fight regarding DCI ticket refunds, but it seems to me this was an example of an easily forseeable PR blunder. Given the economic situation many may find themselves in, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out a lot of people are going to want a refund as they may need those funds for basic living expenses. I'm glad they have a Refund Form for those that want/need a refund, but this should have been included in their initial offering of choices, not as something they make their paying customers go out of their way to find out. For naysayers: Yes, we are aware there were a lot of things DCI had to deal with in the last month, but common sense should have kicked in regarding messaging. Not offering the Refund Form in their communication about options was tone deaf. Did they have a lot to deal with, yes. Does that mean there weren't messaging issues that could have been anticipated when drafting the communication? Also, yes. Back to your regular scheduled thread.

Then neither is figure skating or gymnastics.

One factor that may work against the majority of bands and corps is that the Tresona ruling was about pop tunes with many different hands in the pot. I'd venture the majority of music performed by corps and competitive bands is from the concert band or symphonic realm. Only one composer. How many symphonic and concert band works have the layers of rights holders that a pop tune might? There is probably one publisher for that composition. This ruling may work in favor of bands who play pop music to the detriment of those who play symphonic or concert band literature. One way around this may be to shoehorn a show concept having nothing to do with the source material (commonplace these days) and cite fair use, but if a band wanted to do a show of Shostakovich 5th with no underlying unrelated theme, I'm not certain if they could claim fair use. Thoughts?