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CVQuesty

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    Why Isn't There a Competitive DCA Corps in the Tri-State(Ohio,Indi

    in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by CVQuesty

    Has anyone considered the fact that the tri state area is on the fringe of all three circuts? If Cincinnati Tradition wanted to compete against a dca corp we would have to travel the farthest to DCA east, DCA south or DCA Midwest.

    Ok, I was being a good boy until I read this one...

    When you open up a new circuit, you have to KNOW you're it... you're all there is. There's no local shows, and if you want to build a new circuit and be viable, you have to be prepared to eat the cost of the startup for some period of time. It takes TIME and it takes SACRIFICE and no amount of coming on here and whining in every direction but at yourself will do absolutely any good.

    The funniest part of this whole conversation is the "make this one perform over here" component. Further, our biggest complainer has his head tied up in the NE alone, ignoring the fact that were that sort of thing to start, PRECISELY the same way outliers are expected to make it all the way up to Rochester for a finals competition, regular corps would be expected to travel all over the country for regular season shows. So, get your plane tickets, Cabs. You're going to California for the Renegade's show. Austin Stars! You're going to MBI's show.

    This isn't a NE-only thing. Quit thinking of yourself, and consider the WHOLE of DCA.

    The ONLY way you'll get corps to travel is if it's financially feasible for them to do so. The only way it will be financially feasible for them to do so will be if there is sufficient audience to have sufficient income to pay sufficient appearance fees.

    The far flung shows aren't quite there yet, but some of the regional shows are starting to break even now.

    Now, in the case of CV, we plan that budget out early in the season and do without more staff to get as many reads against NE corps in NE venues to have a better read of our progress.

    (Unlike when I was making a similar argument a few years ago, DCI's judging of DCA corps on DCA sheets (at least in our experience) has been right on par of late...it has helped quite a bit in reducing our overall travel burden)

    It sounds like those that are the most adversary to the way things are have never started a drum corps, so I'll give you a little help.

    First, don't hack everyone off in the circuit. You will need the positive talk of everyone you can get. Be their friends, get their advice, and consider every bit you get carefully.

    Second, even if you start with 5 guys that have pulled their horns out of the closet after 30 years inactivity. DO IT. Even if your first year or two is just a few folks getting together to play, do that.

    Third, once you've got a nice little package product, go play the national anthem at a DCI-sanctioned event. I hear you have a couple big ones in your area. It's generally easy to get into that role unless you've >cough< hacked somebody important off.

    Recruit, recruit, recruit. Fundraise, fundraise, fundraise. (1$ to David Stollberg, Director of CV)

    You'll need every bit of recruiting and fundraising you can get. Next thing you know, you'll probably want to visit minicorps championships as a road trip. Then, as you grow you'll eventually have battery and then guard, and then wow... we have a Drum Corps!

    The rate of growth ENTIRELY depends on you and your efforts. There is NO reason why Columbus couldn't support a winter line and then a brass line and then a full-blown field corps. The only thing stopping that from happening is you. Quit making excuses and blaming in every direction why something isn't happening, and DO something about it.

    ok, back into hiding.

    Atlanta CorpsVets Tuition Reduction

    in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I can see it now - "I remember playing on a horn hand carved out of a single block of brass, no stinkin' pistons or rotors, and no spitvalves either, marching a hot July parade, snow piled up to my waist, uphill all the way".

    I think I'd throw myself out of my car too.

    :thumbup:

    It's gotta be better than riding with Colgan. 30 hours of old corps from the 60's at top volume until you can't see straight...

    They're Here !

    in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I can't answer for the big bores, but I can answer for the little ones.

    I unboxed/oiled/checked out quite a number of the trumpets, and played each one to make sure everything was a "go" for this morning's rehearsal.

    I'm somewhat a downstream player, so consider that.

    The full practical range is quite nice. It slots extremely well, and has fewer intonation issues that I would've expected. As with any trumpet, the low D is high, but I found myself having to adjust less than with my XL bore Bach.

    Above high C, the horns seem to slot lower of pitch center than I would've expected, and required a slight adjustment higher on pitches through G above high C.

    The weight is nice and the horn is easy to move from standby/parade rest to carry to horns up. I find them weighted a little to the far side of the valve casing for my tastes, but it as close to center as any other manufacture.

    The leadpipes are slanted down into the horn, giving a natural elevation to the bell when playing right down the leadpipe to the tune of about 5 degrees. The valve action is silky-smooth, although we had a few have a bur or two in the second valve (I wonder why only the second valve?) but were easily buffed out. It was easy to tell which ones had been play tested when you came to one because the horn played nearly flawlessly and had obviously been "looked at and adjusted".

    One thing I can offer regarding the tubas... I recall the big bore players saying they were weighted on the front a little, and it took some getting used to, but all in all the horn is lighter than those big G contras.

    That's all I can thnk of right now. I'll tell you more after today's camp!

    Michael "Cozy" Baker Passes Away

    in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I'll never forget the parade in Bridgeport last year... There was Cozy, hangin' with us, waiting to step off... Wearing that hat with some piece of palm tree or something hanging out the back. He looks past me at something, and I can tell it's got his attention, and he's not talking to me any more. He says "I'll be right back."

    I turn around to see him making a bee-line for a couple of active duty Marines, and... yep. You guessed it ... the flag was out of place. He proceeds to the flag bearer, and I can't hear what he's saying, but he's looking up into this Marine's face and poking him on his chest. The commander walked over and Cozy turns to him and gives him the exact same treatment.

    (I don't know whether to feel better for Cozy they didn't shoot him right there, or to feel better for them that he didn't tear them apart with his bare hands)

    I could see him getting really animated and pointing at the flag and then the guard, and telling them to change places. The Marines were looking at their commander, and they were ignoring him. He wouldn't move out of their way even thought the marshall was calling for them to line up. Finally, they relented and changed places and then he let them line up for the parade.

    He saunters back on over to where we're about to take off and told me the story that they weren't going to change it and were ignoring him. He told them that he served in 'Nam, and he wasn't about to let them step off without correcting the place of the flag.

    That's the last flag violation I remember seeing him police personally. He told me about a couple from DCI finals, but this will always epitomize in my heart and mind the patriot Cozy was, and not afraid to stand up to anyone for the flag he loved and served.

    I'll miss Cozy greatly.

    Thoughts and Prayers Please - Cozy Baker Hospitalized

    in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Not a good update this morning on the CaringBridge page:

    We got into see Mike around 11 PM this evening and spoke to the Doctor.

    After trying 4 times, they were successful in getting a blood platelet count of around 100 which was much higher than zero but still a decrease from previous readings. Mike may have brightened one eye while we were there. One eye was partially closed. We’re not sure what this indicates but a stroke may have occurred last night. Mike was breathing quick shallow breaths.

    We chatted with Mike but are not sure he knew we were there. One time his good eye brightened as if he knew we had returned. We said a prayer with him and told him we would be back in the morning.

    Everyone pray a little extra for Cozy.

    Blue Devils Reaction to Finals

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    ... I mean if i had a chance to play with something like the Chicago Symphony I would but I bet there are a Prima Donna or two in that group, so what you deal...

    You know what, though? The peincipal Trumpet Player is Chris Martin, a former Spirit Alum and son of hall-of-famer Freddy Martin. He's learned what it means to win **AND LOSE** with Spirit, and it got him to where he is today...he says that himself. I think in the long run, he's a more worthy successor to Bud Herseth than anyone else could've been because his worldview is tempered by knowing how to both win and lose with grace.

    Everyone needs to lose sometimes. It's part of the game.

    Thoughts and Prayers Please - Cozy Baker Hospitalized

    in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions

    Posted

    My first meeting with Cozy was his attendance at a CV Open House. We were in the Rockmart cafeteria, and I was running around as a newer section leader "like a chicken with it's head cut off". Cozy came in (I'm sure) just to hang out and play, but somehow I convinced him to stick around the season.

    I'm only 42, but Cozy figured out a way to make me feel old pretty much right away. Never at a lack for energy, vibrance, and a great attitude, he was always at rehearsal on time (unless DCW had him otherwise tasked) and he always let us know in advance. He was the epitome of a section player, a pleasure to have in my section.

    Since, I've known Cozy as journalist, traveling companion, fellow Flag Code aficionado, patriot, and (albeit distant) friend.

    Usually when I hear from him, he's doing what he can to get housing for corps, or trying to get equipment to help replace bad or lost/stolen equipment; Trying to get judges to judge on DCA sheets in DCI exhibitions, and working for the general welfare of Drum Corps everywhere.

    Sure, our beloved Cozy is and can be a character to be sure, but his blood runs hot red with the love of drum corps, the life it can provide for young people, joy it can provide for us all-agers, and the nostalgia it serves to it's Alumni. Never have I seen passion so strong for and directed toward the activity from one person as I have Cozy Baker.

    I count it an honor to call him friend.

    Get well soon, brother. "105".

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