mlubandgroupie

After reading the many posts on DCP over the last year about needing to grow the audience...I've begin to wonder what kind of audience do DCP posters want to grow? Bring back the older alumni, bring in new kids, or bring in people like me (neither an alumni or kid)?

As a noobie, my first show to attend was in 2005, to Drum Corps, I consider the current style a "hot fudge sundae". I'll never have the chance to march, I'm too old, 36. But, I wonder how the current marching members feel when the style that they might love is considered yogurt compaired to the good ole "hot fudge sundae" style of years ago. I understand the "it was better back in the day" mentality. For instance, the current style of music my church sings is not the style sung during my formative years. That being said, I really don't like the current style. I promised myself, when I was a teen, that I would not become one of those old farts who always complaind about everything. So, I just keep my mouth shut and attempt to learn to enjoy some of the current music. As much as I hate to admitt it, I actually enjoy some of the current church music. I know DC and church are a bit different, but some of the same arguments apply. It is hard to let go of the past. It is getting harder every year. But, do we really want to be like those old bitter farts we use to dread being around? Long live DC and may I continue to enjoy DC long after the current style is no longer new.

When I say, "I'm going to watch a Drum Corps show", the response usually is "Oh, like the movie Drum Line." My response, "They (Drumline movie) wished they were that good."

I have no dog in this discussion...so to speak. BUT, according to the Federal Department of Justice (DOJ), requiring a kid to do push-ups, run, etc. is considered corporal punishment. I work in a "center for youth" aka juvenile prison. Several states have been sued by the DOJ for using push-ups, running, etc as a form of punishment. Now, back to the discussion.

I learned about DCI and became a big fan. Can't wait till 2011. Geaux ALL the corps. After reading DCP this year I've learned: That drum corps is going to hell in a hand basket. That in aprox. 20 years I will think drum corps is going to hell in a hand basket. That one is not allowed to dislike a corps show if one does they are hater/etc. That even band geeks can be quite the "opera snobs" or should I say "drum corps" snobs at times. But most of all I love drum corps long may they march and toot.

Madison. Reading all the great reviews on here, I just didn't get what all the "throwing babies" was about after watching on FN. I understand the corps has a great hx or so I've read, but as a noobie that really doesn't mean anything to me. BUT, watching the show live, WOW, it made me smile a big cheesey grin on the inside.

I would never boo a corps, but to say booing is classless? In September of 2009 at the first performance of Tosca, at the Met the crowd booed the director so loudly that the Met closed the curtain. So even the haute art goers boo. Having said that, we are dealing with amateurs vs. professionals. Maybe each designer, director, judge, etc should be recognized after the performance so they can be booed.

Only applause in the theater I attended was a nice golf clap for the "Hell...guys" aka the guys from West Point. Quite a few laughs during SCV. And a snarky comment about the quality of the announcers.

Why is the Blue Devil show considered so groundbreaking? I'm a newbie to the DCI world. I understand that the music may not be considered as listener friendly to some viewers as some of the other corps shows. But, other than that, why was it mentioned several times tonight as being groundbreaking, chance taking, etc? Having only been "exposed" to DCI for six years, IMHO, SCV drill and music is quite different from most corps. I'm not asking for a discussion of how clean, powerful, etc. BD is, but what is so groundbreakingly (is that even a word?) different between the two corps shows. Once again, not asking who is performing better, who should win, who is the crowd favorite, etc. Thanks. No dissing corps please...they are all awesome. I found bits in each show tonight that I liked. Long live drum corps!!!

Were the guys wearing dresses, or was the designer attempting to portray costumes associated with certain religions, ethnicities, and/or cultures? I did not take it as males wearing dresses. I guess most of us have a hard time getting past our North American culture of men "wearing the pants." So thinks some one from Louisiana who has walked the streets of many a MS town.

I'm excited. My 1st regional. And, I'll be riding the MARTA.

I have one ticket to give away for the Hattiesburg, MS show and one ticket for the Gadsden, AL show. Have no way of controlling this but....I would prefer they be used to carry someone who has never been to a drum corp show. Hattiesburg: Section E, Row 34, Seat 11 Gadsden: Section D, Row 16, Seat 6