corps8294

So, is "Santa Clara Vanguard 2024" going to be performing a HBCU Bridgemen style show and eat Twix bars for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

The world went on when corps were folding years ago. The world went on when there was no drum corps in 2020. If a corps folds; let it go. Good grief. If if gets to the point where there's only a handful of corps left; WGI will take over what remains of DCI or the remaining corps will be creative and evolve into some other type of performance group. As I stated a few weeks ago; corps have been folding for decades. The only difference is that there aren't too many left to fill in the gaps, now. If it's the fate of DCI and its corps to eventually fade away; so be it. This constant b******t about saving corps that get themselves into trouble has gotten way past the irritating point.

'88 Marauders Dracula show!

Yeah, the drum corps activity isn't thriving; it's surviving. It's a victim of the times and itself. At this point, if a corps folds; let it go. The members and staff can always move on to another organization. Corps have been folding for decades. It's nothing new. It's definitely unfortunate for those who love and follow a certain corps; but it has gotten to the stage where trying to save a severely struggling, borderline folding, or recently folded corps isn't the best thing to do; especially for those corps whom have folded, returned, and folded, again. It's just a waste of resources with little learned from past mistakes and misfortunes. When there are only a handful of corps remaining; they will probably evolve into something else, anyway. To be honest; I could see what remains of DCI being absorbed by WGI.

What does "suss" mean?

A Tarpon Springs, Florida color guard audition? That's Michael Shapiro territory.

Organizations like Capital Regiment and Pioneer don't deserve second or third chances.

That corps should never take the field, again.

After recent announcements, etc... 1. Blue Devils 2. Bluecoats 3. Boston Crusaders 4. Carolina Crown 5. Mandarins 6. Phantom Regiment 7. Cavaliers 8. Troopers 9. Colts 10. Blue Stars 11. Blue Knights 12. Pacific Crest 13. Crossmen 14. Spirit of Atlanta 15. Madison Scouts/Music City 16. Madison Scouts/Music City 17. Academy 18. Genesis 19. Jersey Surf 20. Seattle Cascades *I haven't read anything that gives me any hope about SCV taking the field in '24.

The days of "keep the kids off the streets" drum corps have been gone for decades, now. I'd even venture to guess that a majority of the membership of the the top corps are all music, performance, and dance majors. I don't think you would find anyone who is marching in the Blue Devils who is going into a career outside of music, dance, and the like. It has become a niche activity that caters to a specific group of individuals.

Gone are the years of DCI influencing BOA and WGI. It's the other way around, now; and that's whereupon the financial issues come into play. It's no secret that WGI and winter drumline are the most popular and largest of the competitive marching arts, now. DCI and BOA recognize this and to stay relevant and attractive to the young men and women who perform and instruct WGI and winter drumline organizations; drum corps and marching bands had to adapt. That came with a huge financial cost. With everything including the kitchen sink in a WGI and winter drumline show; a drum corps has to include all that on a much larger scale. A 30 member group vs. a 175+ member group is a vast difference. A box truck for equipment and props and a single charter bus for members vs. an entire fleet that would rival some touring rocks bands is also a huge cost. There's also this huge inflation thing that has taken a pretty big toll on everybody that is also affecting operational budgets. This is not a knock on the shows being put on the field; it's the reality of the cost to put those shows the field. The drum corps activity has chosen to put WGI style shows on the football field and it has come with a huge price tag.

With the number of corps currently competing in World Class and Open Class, it might be time for DCI to consider combining all the classes. There are a number of Open Class corps who are already very competitive with some of the World Class Corps. The corps that can't afford a full on World Class tour and all regional appearances can opt to have a tour the likes of Jersey Surf this past season. And, with the all the corps competing in the same class; all competing units will receive a payment unlike the current pay structure whereupon the Open Class corps lose out. DCI Week would be similar with all corps beginning finals competition on Thursday. Wednesday would be reserved for the DCA Corps to compete in a one night finals competition. Soundsport would take place during the morning or early afternoon on Wednesday. That would leave Monday and Tuesday for all the competing corps of the combined World and Open along with the DCA corps to rehearse and prepare.

I hope I'm proved wrong and history doesn't repeat itself; but the last time the Blue Stars placed 11th they ended up in 13th the following year. For a corps that's solid financially and is doing all the right things; there just isn't any major hype with them. They have become a place holder corps in the Top 12. I know a lot of corps would love to trade places with them; however, it seems like whenever they are on the cusp of moving up the ranks, they stumble backwards. There are a lot of corps that placed ahead of them, in '23, that are riding the hype train and are going to be destination corps. That fall from 7th to 11th isn't going to look too promising to a potential, talent filled, recruit. I think they will end up placing 11th, again, tops or, 13th, at the lowest.

Might have to shuffle the prediction thread guesses in regards to Carolina Crown.

Who is the brass instructor at Crown who always gets over-the-top animated when he directs the hornline? The guy has been there for a long time.

I still think the Blue Stars brass from '87, '88, and '89 were some of the their best from the CCI, A/A-60, and Div II & III years. A lot those members were there when the cadet corps was restarted in '82 and a lot of the members also had some connection to the corps from the '70s via family and friends.

We did the same thing after Class A/A-60 finals in Kansas City.

Back in '89 there were three corps performing Carmina Burana. Blue Stars, Sky Ryders, and Limited Edition.

Their first Div III championship was in '89. They won with Carmina Burana that year. They also won in '93, '01, and '03. There are also a lot of "should have won" years in there, too.

I think we've all learned that SCV has a lot more to get in order than just their financial situation. ...now back to the Mandarins 2024.

One can only imagine what they are Conjuring up, next.

I'm not one of those who believed that all of SCV moved to Sacramento. The Mandarins had a very talented and strong corps this past summer and rightfully earned that spot they got at finals. It was mentioned that a lot of SCVC and Gold members were in the Mandarins and I wouldn't be surprised if those members contributed to their success. SCVC and Gold produce talented members. My ranking is just speculation and not based on homerism, bias, like, or dislike for certain corps.

With the announcement that SCV will be back; time for some 2024 Top 12 guesses. 1. Blue Devils 2. Bluecoats 3. Carolina Crown 4. Boston Crusaders 5. Cadets 6. Phantom Regiment 7. Cavaliers *8. Santa Clara Vanguard 9. Mandarins 10. Troopers 11. Colts 12. Blue Stars * = If they do a full tour and attend DCI finals.

Ugh! Did you have to bring up his name? 🙄 '82 was a very rough year.

A Jimmy Buffett tribute show would be perfect for Jersey Surf. Their shows have that fun vibe that captures the spirit of Jimmy Buffett.