FloridaTubakid

Ok, thank you all very much, I hope to be out there as well!

Ok, thanks for the ideas! Both of those are really good ideas, thank you tremendously!

I've applied with no luck anywhere..I also live in a pretty small town that HEAVILY relies on tourism, so that doesn't help matters. I'm not trying to make excuses, I'm just saying it's tough. The McDonald's in town has almost exclusively adults working there as second, third or even fourth jobs..I'm still trying. I'm really going to be relying on business' generosity when it comes to this upcoming season..

I compare this evolving to when corps were switching from G to Bb..or when they were doing away with symmetrical forms..or adding tubas..sure, it was all change and I know people complained about the first two things, but with every additional instrument, every new form of marching/drill writing, the different key of the instruments, it's all part of an evolution and revolution known as Drum Corps

I know that, but my family isn't very well off at all, and more likely than not I'm going to community college before university anyways, so that isn't really a sacrifice for me. I'm job hunting anywhere I can work, but no one is hiring an unexperianced HS kid, especially once I tell them the hours I can work due to marching band and other school commitments

Lol sorry, I forgot to say I've scoured their website as well as DCI and googled tons of different phrases, but I can't find a cost layout anywhere. I know as far as spending money goes, I can survive on $200. But I need to know overall..sorry for that

I'm trying out (well, plan on it) for the Blue Stars contra line this upcoming year. I'll be 18 then (17 now), but I was wondering how much dues and such are there? Anything else about them would be helpful. I marched Pioneer in 2008 and Sun Devils this year, so I have experiance, I'm kind of nervous about the whole thing, truth be told. I'm a senior in HS right now, and if I don't make Blue Stars I'll most likely go back to Pioneer. I just really want to go Blue Stars. I love their sound and music

I certainly understand that and I know it's cheap for what it is, but it still keeps the activity from growing and gaining membership still. How many corps have had to fold due to lack of membership/money?

For me personally and my friends who do and wish to march DCI, it isn't the strange music or anything of the sort. We all love playing new and foreign music as much as the classics we've all heard numerous times. Sure for others it may not be as enjoyable to listen to, but it sure is fun to play! The main factor keeping us from marching DCI is money. It's flat-out expensive. The money thing is what's keeping people from both participating and watching. It was $18 for me to go see DCI in the theatres this year. The cheapest DCI World Class corps are $1800 for DUES for rookies, with $100 discount for returning members. Also, from what I understand most corps give additional discounts for rookies who give the name of a returning member who referred them to that specific corps. But regardless of the discounts and sponsorship forms that corps offer..it's overpriced. I know with gas prices and such the way they are today it has to be, but still. Can't DCI and its corps be a bit more accommodating to those of us who are participating and performing in this activity? I heard the for Phantom you end up paying around $3000 if you spend smart the entire summer. I don't know anyone who can easily come up with that sort of money..and PR isn't even the worst. When I did Pioneer I spent around $2000 without counting the plane tickets and a trip to the ER..(asthma..it was awful). Just in my opinion, it isn't the marketing and availability, it's the cost. With fewer kids able to participate in it because of money, there will be a smaller audience as most people find out about it from friends/family who participate in the activity. Not arbitrarily 'discover' it and realize "hey, this is cool. I want to spend x amount to go see y show!

I'm young, only 17 and I've marched with Pioneer in 2008, Sun Devils (DCA) this year and am trying out for Blue Stars this upcoming year, but my own personal opinion is that the "dinosaurs" don't like where DCI is headed. It's headed away from the classic, blast-your-face-off shows and before that, gate turns and..well Mighty St. Joes-esque. DCI is headed in a direction that is decidedly uncomfortable for them, and they just don't like it. This isn't meant as a bash for the old shows, "dinosaurs" or anything at all. Heck, one of my favourite all-time shows is 1980 Spirit. I love the old stuff. But at the same time, this is a performing art. It evolves with time. Look at the history of music itself. It goes from hitting rocks and wood and chanting, to gregorian chants, to operas and symphonies, to jazz, rock, metal, reggae, country, blues, etc. Yeah, sure, not everyone likes all that music. Yeah, sure you can't really compare that to DCI for whatever reasons. But at the same time, music evolved and with it, humanity and without the evolution of music into what it was fifty years ago or five days ago, Drum Corps wouldn't be here. Not now, not ever. So, in a nutshell, I think the amplification of the pit is okay. Voice-overs are awful. Synths are terrible. Mic the soloist? Never..unless you do what Bluecoats did for the added effect. What the Cavaliers did with the trumpet trio? Unacceptable. But...I'm just a young kid who knows not of what I speak