3rd&10

As in Teal Sound Larry McCrobie? As in arrested for misusing funds Larry McCrobie?

As naive and off target as most of this post is, it does raise one good point, albeit unientionally. Why was Teal Sound a World Class corps in the first place? After passing the review by the slimmest of margins they were granted access to the WC tour and proceeded to spend the entire Summer on the road in 2010 - digging the corps into a deep financial bind. Trying to obtain all the trappings of a succesful WC corps ( big name staff, emphasis on electronics) just made things worse. Wasn't it just over a year go the corps incurred a serious economic setback when someone swiped their milk money? No, DCI has no obligation to keep a corps out on the road - but they do have one to prevent them from even trying to participate at a level they are ill prepared to be at.

You mean they are going to spend all of 2013 trying to get the 2012 drill "right"? Probably not a bad idea.

and your point is.....

They also never get any better. This corps has been stuck in the 14-17 range since 07.

Blue Devils will not change a thing Crown will try like hell to get the percussion and guard competitive with BD but not make any major staff changes Phantom will pick a show that keeps them out of the top 5 Cadets will swerve back to the right and play a more conservative program, after originally announcing they are doing a completely different show SCV will pick up Mike Gaines and break into top 3 Blue Coats will continue to squander some of the best talent (members) in DCI Boston will make some staff changes and ratchet up the creativity level Cavaliers will welcome Pete Weber back to the fold Scouts Greatest Hits Part Ocho will work well in June & July Blue Knights will realize a few staff changes in an attempt to break into the next tier. It wont work Spirit of Atlanta will have peaked in 2012 and be fighting tooth & nail for 12th in 2013 Crossmen will realize a more mature membership and increase the physical responsibilities of the show Blue Stars are in for major upheavals staff and membership wise. Glassmen will be the Glassmen Academy will finally get their act together and ake a concerted run for top 12 Pacific Crest - see Spirit of Atlanta and substitute 17th for 12th Colts will be the Iowa version of the Glassmen. Troopers will announce another program that is a slight variation of what they have done. Fans will proclaim "this isn't your grand fathers Troopers" Oregon Crusaders will continue their move upwards competitively, pushing Colts-PC-Troopers tier

and they will continue to beat Music City. As will all corps who have an experienced and qualified staff.

Hmmm, let's see.... NO NO WAY YES NOPE More likely scenarios..... Blue Stars finish out of top 12 Blue Knights catches Spirit Either SCV or Phantom finish 3rd 4 Open Class corps make top 25 (Oregon, BDB, SCVC, Spartans)

Better yet, how about corps stay in their regions for the first half of the season and become a bit more fiscally prudent? Build up the local shows, create a stronger base of shows for the smaller corps and enhance the financial well being of the activity.....

If a drum corps relies that heavily on member fees to get on the road they are destined to fail. FORTE'S management is either clueless or fraudulent. Or both. There is no way this could have been hidden in the accounting process in the Winter. DCI's evaluation process is at fault here as well. Wonder why Silvertrombone is being so quiet? He had soooooo much to say all Winter

Face it Maestro, you were called out....... You best not speak any more on this matter. VK has quite the sordid past when it comes to stuff like this. With any luck (and diligence from folks like Stu and me) they wont be able to perpetrate this type of fraud again and sell a bill of goods to the unsuspecting youth of Southern California.

Troy McClure? quote name='CrunchyTenor' timestamp='1343424203' post='3185727'] In before the close. Can't wait for Mayra, posing as Troy, to jump down your throat. Garry in Vegas

Right on Stu. This is indicative of the hype machine that is the VK Director. Problem is the machine is missing a part - its called honesty. (quote name='Stu' timestamp='1343307760' post='3184479'] This communication of yours does not make a good impression on VK considering that even as late as the end of April the VK director Mayra Iraheta posted this comment on DCP for a meeting to be held on April 22 which stated that the corps was certainly going to "...Tour to finals this summer": "The Velvet Knights Drum & Bugle corps is holding a rehearsal for all interested parties who want to TOUR to finals this summer with us, this Sunday April 22, 2012, Bell Gardens High School." link

Guess I was half right... Shame on DCI for approving a corps with obvious financial issues. Shame on the corps management for letting it get to this point. If you did not have enough funding to complete more than 4 shows, you knew it MONTHS ago. Members bear the brunt of the these "good intentioned" incompetent actions. Full refunds for members?

OK VK, you got me. I want to tour the country...when do we leave for tour?

Maybe the DCI evaluation should be less concerned with the "calibre of the staff" and more with the financials. Having 45 drill sets on the field means crap if the management is incapable of getting corps out of Texas. Lets hope there were no kids from Teal Sound or Racine Scouts who wound up in Forte.

It could not have been too early in the season if they were on the DCI website for Indianapolis. quote name='Jeremy Denzer' timestamp='1342803505' post='3178386'] Was VK up front with members early in the season about not attending finals? It would be awful to join a corps with the impression that you are going to Indy and then find out in the summer that you are not. Are other corps from California that are attending finals giving VK members the opportunity to end the season in Indy?

Who will be last? Will it be perennial doormat Pioneer or one-time finalist and now cellar dweller Cascades? Both are substantially smaller than the rest of the pack and clearly have distanced themselves from the top 21. My vote goes to Pioneer.

1. Crown 2. BD 3. Cadets 4. Phantom 5. Bluecoats 6. Boston 7. SCV 8. Cavaliers 9. Scouts 10. Spirit 11. Blue Stars 12. Crossmen 13. Blue Knights

Congratulations on learning what the phrase "straw man argument" means. Double congratulations for learning how to spell it correctly. Scouts are still not that good

Really? The President of the Board acting like a 17 year old fan boy? Throw the dart, don't aim it.....

That's what they get for hiring Ira Freedman as transportation manager

I cannot believe you believe DCI sets ticket prices. quote name='Elmo Blatch' timestamp='1340595672' post='3156174'] Does anyone know if more corps are getting added to this slate for Medford? So far, the lineup is this: Boston Crusaders Blue Knights Oregon Cascades I can't believe DCI is charging for this. (sorry Oregon folks about the mistake in spelling. I corrected it in the body)

M.R. in H.W. out. Good or bad?

Their behavior at retreats......such class. NOT