[Jersey Surf goes world]

Will they stll be announced as THE Jersey Surf?

What else would they be announced as?

[What are some Drum Corps only Jargon]

Was talking about company jargon with someone at work the other day and I wondered what are some of the "Drum Corps" only things people not within the activity would not understand.

For Ex: Where did you march?-anyone in the activity would know exactly what you were talking about but someone outside would have no clue what that meant

[Has DCI lost the blue collar fan?]

The real question should be, "has DCI lost the blue collar fan's children"? Probably aren't to many regular Joes out there who can afford to give their child the opportunity, especially in this economy. As DCI becomes more elitist, yes they will, and likely ARE losing the blue collar fan.

I dont think that it's DCI fault for losing people inthe activity. Its that Kids have way more to do now thatn they did 20 years ago.

I started marching way back in the day and have continued to teach in the activity for numerous years including this past year.

DCI is no more expensive or elitest than say a cheerleading camp, or a basketball camp, or Ice Hockey lessons,or gymnastics.

Being in a Drum Corps is way less expensive than all of these activities. My niece went to a cheeleading camp this summer for 5 days. 5 days cost 1000 dollars. 200 dollars per day. Lets say that a drum corps today cost 2500 they are on the road for 60 days that measures out to 41 dollars per day. That includes all transportation, meals, uniform, and everything.

When my niece went to camp she also had to pay for the correct shoes, the correct leotard,the correct tshirt, also costing upwards of 200 dollars.

My brother who is a UPS driver ( I would consider this Blue Collar) Paid oll this for his daughter for one week. And I guarantee you she will not last in cheerleading.

My point is that Kids have way more stuff to do no adays. Especially in the Urban areas where Blue Collar families are so prevalent. And kids are taught the more you do the better it looks on yor college application. The drop in Blue collar fans has nothing to do with DCI, it has to do with the economy and the fact that kids just dont have time to fit Drum Corps in their schedules.

[Worst stadiums ever]

The worst stadium was I think at the Illinois State Fair. The show was done on a Horse Track I think. There was no grass and te field only went to the back hash. Can someone else confirm

[The Official 2008 Teal Sound discussion thread!]

Unfortunately, open class corps get paid almost zero money for doing shows. Teal goes to these world class shows and makes next to nothing for appearing. Yet the lower tier world class corps get paid exactly what corps like Blue Devils and Cadets get paid. There is a big disparity on the behalf of DCI when it comes to paying these corps for their appearances. Sad.

dont balme DCI for the plight of the open class. Every single Open clascorps knew exactly what they were getting into when they decided to start a new Drum Corps. Its not just DCI its life. The better you are at what you do the more you get paid. plain and simple. If you are a star pitcher in the minor leagues of baseball you are certainly not going to make as much money as the starting pitcher for the Red Sox.

[Could Crown win the Championship?]

Not many people will deny that Crown and PR have good (superior?) music arrangements/programs.

But unfortunately, that really doesn't count as much in DCI as it used to. If you don't have an "out-of-this-world" visual program or color guard, you won't win.

It's too bad the same bias doesn't apply if you don't have an "out-of-this-world" brass/percussion program.

yes Crown does have superior music programs, but they could have possibly the best color guard on the field this year. So thats one more for the Crown.

[The Official 2008 Teal Sound discussion thread!]

I wouldn't be surprised if Teal got like a 6 or point jump. We had a few of those last year.

and silence