OldStyleCorps

You can Ignor my "Band Corps" all all you want. BUT, TRUTH IS. It is the most accurate. It Blends what is done NOW, " Band". With the History of, where it came from, Drum and Bugle "Corps" "Band Corp" is what they are. and "Band Corps International" should be the name of the group " B C I "

Keep History and add Truth. " BAND CORPS " (And call it "Band Corps International".

NO ONE. There is no such Award in DCA. No Silver either. (Just to save you some time)

I believe the DCA Medal is for "CHAMPION". I don't know when it started. The Gold, Silver, Bronze, is a DCI thing. (a not needed one IMO) We were always told. "No one paints 2nd place on the Bass Drum". Hope I it stays that way. You are either CHAMPION or you are not.

No I will not! SSI or BCI (Band Corps International) or BCFT (Band Corps Field Theater) no matter what you call it.

Just ANOTHER reason to use the term BCI = "Band Corps International". It really does fit with what is being done, and will allow the groups that are members to remember their ROOTS, in BOTH "Band" and "Drum Corps" And tells the TRUTH of what they ARE. "BAND CORPS"

I always thought the "Sunrisers" Unies looked good on the field. The way they combined the Orange, White and Blue. (that can be very ugly if not done right.) But "Sun's" was in just the right combination. AND, they must have taken Very Good care of them. they alway's looked like NEW. Satin or Cadet - Aussie or Shako. (Boy. I remember when they opened that Curtain at Carnigie Hall. No doubt who it wa that night.)

I still say just make the ONE "CHANGE" that has been needed for some time now. (Woodwinds are just the newest reason to do so.) "Band Corps International" ----- solves the problem now, and for whatever "Changes" of the future. You tell people WHAT you are (Band) and get to keep your Historicly correct CORPS. This leave you OPEN to do almost anything change wise you like. Without loosing the Sight, Sound, and Quality, of what you have. BUT<> PLEASE, please, please. Take "Drum and Bugle Corps" off the bus', trucks and what not. They may have been at one time. BUT they are NOT now. (don't give me the "Brand Name Change" thing. can you say "Brinks" - "Broadview". So it is done.) The Quality and the Talent of the units should be able to keep everything the same as thy have now. Stand Up, and be PROUD, of your NEW product. But just as ALL major sports have gone through "Changes" None have almost completely "Changed" what they are. They do not use Baseballs in Ice Hockey. No Major Sport has added a NEW position. Still 9 positions in Baseball - still 5 spots in Basketbal, still 11 in American Football etc. (DCI - added Pit for one example) Opera has NOT added Electric Gitars. CD's are NOT 33 rpm Records. Ice Box / Refridgerator (although I must admitt I still say "Ice Box). Rodeo does not use Elephants, Camels, or Dolphins.

Another "Big Time Stadium" memory. The New York Skyliners had an expense paid trip to Montreal. It seems someone thought it would make for a nice 1/2 time show at the First Canadian Football game in the "New Olympic Stadium". I understand whoever it was, that Paid did both , Bus' and Hotel. The Canadian Olympic people took care of the Pre game show. Turning the Stadium over to the City and the "Montreal Alouettes". Then The N.Y.C. Skyliners did the 1/2 time. Boy the stories I could tell about that trip. HINT: That Huge field (the two 50 yard lines) - Border Crossing Paper - Hotel "Suvies" - The Taxidermy animals(Lake George) and many more. But, OH, what a week end. (Including an exhibition at a Rodeo Stadium with a BIG pole in the center of the field.) Great Fun, Great Memories.

Fran; Interesting. Because in 1962. Our VFW Post took our whole Corps to the "Preview of Champions" (Also at Roosevelt Stadium each year.) It was in late May. We were going to be a Field Corps for the first time. So they took us to the "Preview" to show many who had joined, what a "Contest" was like. Before we were in one. (about two weeks later) But that was the show that I desided I wanted to be a "NYC Skyliner" one day. Even though most of our instructors were from "Hawthorne". I wanted to be a Skyliner. So although I never got to march in the "Preview" I did march in the "Dream" as a member of the "New York Skyliners". I got to march with "St. Lucy's Cadets" in the mid'60s Junior part of the "Dream" Then years later, mid'70s with "NYC Skyliners" in the Senior part. AND did an Exhibition once, with the (BS) "Golden Knights" Sr. Corps. To you others. Who may not have had the oppertunity to either go to, or Compete in the "Dream" I am just saying the "Dream" and "Roosevelt Stadium" was Special to a very large amount of people. But, I have attended some GREAT shows other places. Some being; "CYO Nats" at BC in Boston, The "U.S. Open" in Marion, Ohio, "World Open" in Bridgeport,CT, "The Nationals" in Lexington, KY, and the "DCI Championships" in Philly. Had a Great time seeing and hearing some of the best Drum Corps you could ever want. Memories that will last forever also. Here is a memory NOT from the "Dream" Drove all the way from Pensacola, FL. to Lexington, KY. Got there real late. Parked in a lot at U.K. In the morning. I was woke up by the "Madison Scouts", Playing a warm up. "You'll Never Walk Alone" not 50 yards away!!!!!!!. Who could ever forget that!!!!!

Legal/Fran But to me. As great as it was to be "in" shows at places like Giants Stadium, Shea Stadium, RFK Stadium. Yes, I did. But that was different. A Big time location, Yes they were. But, Just that. A "Location" for the show. I also got the Oppertunity to do Carnigie Hall, Madison Square Garden, and. Old Yankee Stadium, in New York City. All also have Great memories. How ever the "Dream" at Roosevelt Stadium, was special to "Drum and Bugle Corps" in a way un-matched anywhere at all. Funny the things you remember. Like Scout House. Their unique Sight and Sound. To this day when I see them I alway's also think of the "Dream" and Roosevelt Stadium. Like the year the CT. Hurricanes were about to start their show and a Big Lighting Bolt came down out of the sky on the horizon of the city. Like the year a girl from St. Kevin's sat in an empty seat next to me and a I melted into a pool of stupidity. Da Ah Da ah da ....... (years before I would ever get to march in a "Dream") ETC,ETC

The "Dream" was more than attendance. Although I also saw the Hundred's of Clergy in much of the Best seating. I do Not believe that if they were not there it would make a Sigificnt difference in TOTAL attendance. I also for some reason (that I can not explain) never sat in that area (The uncovered area). Even though as you say it was just as good as the other area. I DO KNOW that the First time I competed in the "Dream" the Largeness of the crowd (as opposed to being a fan in the stands) put the fear of God in me. (Well, till we started our show. then the crowd size mattered a lot less). I had been to the "Dream" many times. -- BUT, Then -- there I was,.... standing there,.......... ready to go,........ IN the show,...... IN Roosevelt Stadium. It was a moment I will Always remember. Much more so than the VFW and AL Nats. Etc. The "Dream" was more af a Total Experience. Either way. As a Fan or as a Competitor. It was a Total, Sight - Sound - and yes Smell. It was also more like a reunion in many way's. The Charter bus' that filled almost an entire lot of Corps that came in mass just to see it. Reading the Jackets of people at food and suvie area under stadium. AND the people in the stands Knew Drum Corps. They made better judges than the ones on the field often. Those people (over all) did not care if your corps was from Newark, Boston, Chicago or Wyoming. They let you know how they felt. I know that CYO Nats, Barnum, and Hershey and others were big. But the "Dream" was a thing of it's own. I doubt could ever happen again in the same way. Times have changed but the Memories of the "Dream", will last in each of us, in our own way. "Like sand in an Hour Glass. These were the Days of Our Life" I know "SoCal Dream" will be holding a show this year in Calif. Called The "Dream Invatational" and would you believe at a stadium named after a "Roosevelt". Is that Great or what. I hope their's grows as big and Memorable, as ours of the past.

Giants Statium meant little to Senior or All Age Corps. Yes, there were a FEW things there, BUT, most of what is called Drum Corps was JUNIOR or "DCI". (and the H. Cab. "Grand Prix") "Some have compared losing Giants Stadium to losing Roosevelt Stadium, site of the Dream, the Preview of Champions," ......... To which I would add YEAR after YEAR, for a LONG TIME. Both Jr and Sr, and almost aways included a Canadian Corps or so. With Huge crowds. Crowds that FAR exceeded any show ever held at Giants Stadium. ...."the First World Open and the 1966 VFW Nationals." ( and DCA Championships ) "While I understand, I still think losing Roosevelt has left a bigger 'hole' in our collective drum corps memories." Heck, Newark Schools Stadium has more of a History(than Giant's Stadium), at least 4 or more contests EVERY year (season) in it. With names like Blessed Sacrament, Garfield, St. Lucy's, St. Vincent's, Muchachoes, Bridgemen, Selden, Queensmen, Bridgeport PAL, St. Raph. Buc's, Audubon, Vesella Muskateers and Many many more. We're not talking about little (although they did have some of us small Corps also) contests. We are talking BIG names both Nationaly and Regionaly, Jr and yes some Senior.

Kind of a neat side note. The "National Dream" or "The Dream" contest was one of the Best contests held in the East. Sponsored by "St. Vincent's Cadets". One of the most memerable held each year. With crowds of between 15 and 25,000 in the stands. Held at "Roosevelt Stadium" in Jersey City. Now we have "Dream Invatational" at (E) Roosevelt High School, sponsored by the "Dream" All Age Corps in California. Hope Yours, out there grows to be as Big and Memerable. Looks like a Great start. Good Luck!!!!!!! (by the way for you younger ones and West Coast people. "The Dream" was a Junior/Senior contest. Had 5 or 6 Junior Corps in first 1/2. Then 5 or 6 Senior Corps in 2nd 1/2. It was a great Sunday in August each year.)

See it is this. You can NOT change the name of DCI no matter how inaccurate it is. Calling it "Band Corps International" or "Band Corps Field Theater". IS much closer to what is done today. It would kill ticket sales. Comp. Band does not sell well and they know it. No matter how Great the units are, AND they are Great. The word Band seems to be a "turn off" to many for some reason. BUT, BCI is more and more of what DCI IS.

" Amboy Dukes " Perth Amboy, N.J. (and the Junior Corps "Jersey Cyclones" of that area of Keyport/Matawan/Perth Amboy had some connection to them) How about the "Jersey Devils"? Weren't they a Senior Corps. Remember the "Little Devils" the Jr Corps. and YES, The (B.S.)" Golden Knights " competed in the 1975 DCA Championships. Came in 13th. One spot out of Finals. (Same year Blue Rock competed as a Sr. Corps.) For some reason, I seem to think the Fort Edward, N.Y. "Vagabonds" also competed as a Sr Corps at some time.

The way I see it is, more like a Corporate HQ. For example: Headquarters for the "Cadets" IS Allentown, PA, - "Blue Devils" IS Concord, Calif. If like the the "Cavaliers" they chose to use Chicago, that would be fine. But let it be whatever they would like. (within reason)

I know it would be Very GOOD for as many groups of people from Non Competing "All Age" groups as possible to go to the COMPLETE Prelims (Start to Finish). Seeing DCA from Bottom to Top. Also it would be good for DCI groups and School Bands to go. The Prelims gives an Excelent education on what DCA is. If they just went to , "just that part" of things as groups. They will get a discount and they get to see there is "More" to DCA than they think, or have read / been told about. Then maybe those who take that Oppertunity, might also want to Expand on that. ADD in the "Mini Corps" contest that "includes Non DCA groups (which is FREE and not just "DCA Field Corps"). Giving yet MORE a look at things that tell That "Drum Corps" does not have to stop with just Field Contests. (Not to mention the "Alumni Classic" show. An Exhibition show that "includes" many groups even non DCA groups) Anyway. A Lot to pick and choose from. Trying to do it all will keep you Very Busy, and at a FAR better Price, than other Big "Drum Corps" events.

The problem with BCI (Band Corps International) as it should now more than ever be called is: 1 - "The Slippery Slope" has won the day. Each "NEW" thing seems to head one way. "Band/Symphony/Opera/Field Theater, with all the New playing equipment, dancers, and props, Etc. 2 - That they, "DCI" (who ever they are that approve things) is "BCI", and will NEVER admit they are wanting a Symphony / Opera type thing done on a Football field. 3 - That the "Fans in the Stands" is more and more becoming only Band people. People active in Band. Their families, their friends and such. Good Luck with that.

"Band Corps International" - B C I - There problem solved with ONE letter.

Do not know "Who" C. Frog might have been with. Maybe some Steel City - Rockets and more types. BUT. My understanding is C. Frog is made up "Alumni type people" of many Corps. Some old some new. More like a few Groups of the "Mini Corps" and the "Alumni Corps" type of units. Corps like "Park City Pride" of CT. - "Florida Brass" of Tampa/St. Pete - "Brooklyn United" out of LI NYC. "Mass Brass out of Boston area - Ghost Riders out of "Parts Unknown", ETC, Just to name a few.

Bill: Which Explains also why they are SO Great. Tom: Well although I may be the last person (anyone who counts - knows) on earth to find out. I meant Nothing Bad, and Did Not mean they did not belong. I just did not know IF, they had a particular group attachment. Just as The "Florida Brass Alumni" and "Brooklyn United" are a mix of Many different groups. (sad to be thought of as someone that does not "count" and ... "stupid" here ) I found Gary's Answer, to my 4 QUESTIONS to be what I was looking for Nothing more

4 Questions. 1 - It is my understanding that DCA "Does Not" have a "Mini Corps Division" (OP). They DO however, sponsor a "Mini Corps Contest" that takes place at the DCA Championship Weekend. Is that not correct? 2 - Do MCA and SCDA use any or all of DCA Rules (Score sheets etc)? 3 - ( and just because I do not know) Who is "Mass Brass" connected in some way with? 4 - Could, say a Hawthorne Cabs put TWO groups in the DCA "Mini Corps" contest then. One for the Alumni Corps, amd another for the Field Corps?

That reminds me of my first Corps. "1962" (I had seen the Jersey States the year before in 1961 in Asbury Park,NJ ) Well, About 1/3 of the Corps I joined had NEVER even seen a Drum and Bugle Corps contest. It would be their first year as a "Competing" Corps. The V.F.W. Post, came up with the idea to take us by charter bus to see the "Preview of Champions" at Roosevelt Stadium, in Jersey City. They wanted us to see how a contest went, and what a Corps looked like (other than in a Parade). Sunday, 2pm, June 3 1962, Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, NJ (in order of final score placement. As per a Program from the contest, "I STILL HAVE !") EXH's Les Grenadiers, Shawinigan, Que. St. Patrick's Cadets, Jersey City,NJ Juniors 1 Chicago Cavaliers 2 Garfield Cadets 3 Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights 4 Cambridge Caballeros Seniors 1 Hawthorne Caballeros 2 New York Skyliners 3 Archer-Epler Musketeers 4 Reading Buccaneers 5 Guelph Royalaires, Ontario ( In My first Contest, a few weeks later at N.J. VFW States in Wildwood, NJ)

Yes it is. So if that is a problem for You, just do not enter. There are many I&E contests now. Specialy in the Bad, Evil, Unworthy North East. Also Many "Mini Corps Shows" and "Alumni type" shows, which DO charge Fans to get in. (If that makes you feel better to know) The I&E and the "Mini Corps" Contets's are EXTRA's at DCA. DCA puts them on. No different than if a School Band Assoc. or any other Sponsor. (Darn nice of DCA, I Think) Something for the "FANS" at the DCA World Championships, AND, people in the groups that are competing in the Field Contest's.