How can the drum corps we love be brought back to the people? The answer is multi fold but has some obvious things that will make it more credible.
First and foremost get the excessive influence of WGI out of the activity. (BOA could benefit from the same thing) What has WGI brought us? A lack of understandable and accessible drill in favor of the whims of a designer’s imagination which often looks like I wrote myself in to a corner so I’ll just run to get out. WGI has also brought us far-fetched “concepts” that only mean something to the person coming up with them based on their troubled childhood! It has also brought us drum lines that dance (whether it fits or not), giant lampshade props, mirrors and coatracks. Uniforms that are ghastly, music that most of the PAYING audience does not want to hear.
Frequent change at the caption and the overall leadership levels would help to eliminate the status quo and indicate a more transparent situation. The entire visual side is lead by WGI guard judges either current or past. Music is lead by elitists that are out of touch with the majority of the audience tastes. Most big shows are judged by people you also see on the WGI shows. In addition the same names over and over. The Artistic Director sells uniforms to half of the DCI corps. Creates a bit of a conflict of interest if he has influence on judges.
Music has moved away from the traditional instruments. Percussion has added electronics and amplification, we have as much singing and talking as we do music in some shows.
Perhaps it is time for a traditional and a new age class. Perhaps a wholesale change at the judge leadership level. Maybe the winter and the summer should be different! The leadership of the elite corps need to look at what is good for the entire activity, not how they can make more money and satisfy their egos.