ashyUechi

I think the over yelling should go for the audience members as well. At the 2007 championships I heard quite the number of audience members yelling inappropriate comments at the Cadets. I remember being quite taken back by this. These people were yelling at hard working, amazing kids and what turned out to be a really good drum corps! I think we in the drum corps are very, very passionate. I believe that it is out greatest strength and our biggest weakness. Staff members are in the heat, on the bus and living the drum corps life with these kids 24/7. They have the right to get over excited because a great performance is also the payoff at the end of the day for them. Should they be screaming too much? No, but nobody is perfect. Crowds have been foolish at times and so have drum corps staffs. Just a few ideas to throw into the pot. - Most staff members who are with a corps day to day are of an average age of 25. How many of you never made a mistake at the age of 25? - Most staff members who are with a corps day to day are still in college themselves. How many of you never made a dumb decision in College? - Most staff members who are with a corps day to day make an average of $2,000 for 3 months of work. They are there for their passion not the $$$ We all think about the super stars who teach drum corps. Scott Johnson, Tom August, Scoot Chandler etc... Under each one of these superstars is a kid, under the age of 30, who is in front of that section everyday. Let's be a little less hard on these kids who are teaching these drum corps. Most are the kids you were cheering on just a couple of years earlier. So Ashy!!

I don't think this is true. When a world class corps shows up in 2004 with 60 brass and 2005 with less than 30, as a show sponsor you don't know this is going to happen nor have any control over it. Contracts for the summer shows get signed in the winter. Also, the bottom World corps are going to get beaten by the top open corps. Being in a certain class does not determine a certain level of quality. This is why the Kiwanis Kavaliers had the rules changed years ago. No, Division 2/3 corps could compete during quarterfinals. The Kavaliers were tired of being beaten by Div. 2/3 corps and then they would lose div 1 money, money they very badly needed. So Ashy!

Should World Class corps have a minimum amount of membership to remain in World Class? Let's say I'm a show sponsor and I pay a drum corps the World Class fee to come to my contest. They arrive and they have only 25 brass. Meanwhile the Open class corps that came to my contest has 60 brass and receives the Open class fee, which is less, is this right? Show DCI have rules to protect show sponsors so they're getting what they're paying for? So Ashy!

I thought Crown was the cheese?

If it were "sharp and clean" wouldn't that benefit them now when everyone else is still dirty? Just Sayin' So Ashy!

The West Coast always has higher early season scores that other regions.

Blue Devils hype the number more than anyone else. Even in years when they have no chance (2005) they still had the number worked into their program. I never said hyping the number is a bad thing. It's just their thing and I commented that I think it stops them from getting that 3 peat. Here's a question! When was the last time that Blue Devils lost in the beginning of the season and won at the end? So Ashy!!

The Blue Devils have had back to back championships more than any other group in the activity. Why can't they get three in a row? I believe that the corps culture which is a total focus on winning the next championship puts too much pressure on the membership and is the reason why they can't get that third in a row. 15?!? So Ashy!

The placements will be exactly what they were at finals. That's how they slot at the beginning of the season until they figure things out.

Phantom Regiment. Every year. I just don't get it. So AShy

If you watch the guard mirrors itself for the most of the ballad as they play chess. At the end the two queens fight it out until the white queen wins. So Ashy!

The Cadets don't pay for their uniforms. They have a sponsor who gives the Cadets what they need uniform wise and in return they get to advertise to the largest marching band circuit in the United States (USSBA).

How?

I think the issue is that you cannot push your production theme without a strong costume to re enforce the concept. I love the Cadets uniform but it could be something that holds them back competitively. The Cadets have proven that you can be the best technical drum corps out there and still come in second (2007). You could say, "I'd rather see them come third in the old uniform rather then winning in a new uniform" but that doesn't bring talented kids out to your corps. Let's be honest talented kids show up at the Blue Devils because they want to win. I think the best thing is to have a performance costume and wear the uniform for other functions ie. a performance for donors, alumni, doing a parade etc... So Ashy!

What percentage of fans are 1) Parents and/or family members who are supporting ticket and souvie sales only for the years their loved one(s) is a member of a certain drum corps. 2) Alumni of a certain drum corps who will support their corps regardless. 3) Band kids that are on a school trip 4) Someone who refers to themselves as a fan These fours cohorts cannot all want the same thing from a drum corps contest. I would think it is fair to say that at least two of these fan groups are interested in the kids in the corps. These drum corps are non profit youth organizations. Serve them because they serve youth. I am involved in drum corps for the experience it gave me and that I allow others that experience.

I don't believe that fans are "allowing kids" to march as much as you think they are. These drum corps are full of kids. Don't support drum corps because you're looking at it as a business client model. Support drum corps because it was an important part of your development as a young person and you believe that others should also have that opportunity.

I think it's about the kids marching in the corps and the experience they are having. It's not about the fans or the judges.

...or maybe he just uploaded something quickly off his iphone at camp? Why so spiteful? Wait, don't answer that. So Ashy!

DITTO I would like to ask the ADMINS or MODS or please rename this thread to "Cadets Looking for a singer for 2011" because this thread is only likely to attract negative attention due to is flaim-baited false title. Thanks

Thank Goodness!!

A huge part of the equation is that the United States is a football culture and Canada is a hockey culture. Marching band goes with football.

But that's not marching technique. Visual GE is the design side of the visual score. On these template there is no where for marching technique to be judged.

How do you judge marching?

It has more of a New Orleans vibe then a drum corps one. Maybe one of them was in a drum corps?

Also, the average staff member is not making very much money. Usually they are being paid for "casual labor" which is a volunteer pay scale. Ashy