koldsilver

I hope all of the DCI open class corps follow the CADETS 2,and move over to DCA.I can't stand the fact that the open class corps in DCI are pretty much ignored by most of the fans of junior corps.Those kids and staff members bust there you know what's, to put on show's for the fans every year,just to be under appreciated.But i can tell you this.If DCI's open class corps were doing show's in DCA instead of DCI.You would be accepted and more than appreciated by all of the DCA corps and the fans.And that's a fact !!!.I love the DCI open class corps.I just feel that they don't get the respect that they should be getting from most of the junior corps fans.Come on over !!! DCA would love to have you.And i apologize if i offended anyone with this post.That was not my intention.

[quote name='hardcoremello' timestamp='1323834902' post='3105117' Ok, I tried to stay away from this one but I just can't. SO, we have: DCI B Corps which seems to be for members who aren't quite in their "prime" yet. They're young or just starting out but they get a great education getting them ready for the DCI corps. DCI which is for members who are, what I would consider "in their prime" for HIGHLY ATHLETIC formatted drum corps and more importantly for members who can dedicate a whole summer for conditioning and touring. "All Age" for those who love the sport of Drum corps but can only do it on weekends or who are over age. Alumni corps for those who can't commit to every weekend but who still want to be involved in some capacity Parade and Mini corps for those who have even less time to commit but love to play THANK GOD for all those categories. There's something for everyone. Just because your in your 40s (or above for some very few but very dedicated individuals) does not mean you should hang up your uniform. It's not, for the most part anyway, about age. It's about dedication and commitment. If you are 45 and you're willing to put in the time at home that's needed to ge the job done, you WILL be successful. If you're 25 and lazy as all heck and not committed or dedicated to what you're doing and you just think you can show up on weekends and do your thing........guess what.........that 45 year old that's marching next to you is going to march circles around you..........probably literally.......ever womder why you're always the one who is gets the spot that everyone else rotates around........that's probably why........hahahaha.....j/k, but you know what I mean. Now, do we have to work harder.......yes.......PHYSICALLY!! Mid age bulge gets in the way and its harder to lose which may hinder our abilities a bit but our 30+ YEARS of playing can REALLY help out a line. For the past five years I've been marching in the mello line with two girls who I consider my best friends and who I love like sisters. Every year I remind them and myself that I'm old enough to be their mom!!! I hurt more at the end of the day...I may not be able to get down on my knees as much, maybe I don't play as good as I did when I had more time to practice but I'm no slouch and I may not be able to do a handstand and play my horn upside down but hell...I couldn't do that at 20 either but if they were doing that when I was 20 you bet your behind I'd have figured it out!!! Yes, I agree, some people should not be on the field, but not just a select group of people in their 40s, I actually can think of more young people than old that shouldnt be on the field. On the flip side, there are some people that I believe could do DCI if they were able to go on tour and be on the field every day practicing and training. Grant it, they'd have to be healthy BUT it would not be impossible for the right person. Now aside from just playing and marching, the experiences that younger members have from marching with members who are older than them are probably some of the greatest experiences they'll ever have. My kids for instance are, in my opinion, great, well rounded kids and I attribute that to all the people who have been a part of their lives from drum corps. Lily Woo, Don Derisi, Lauren Kulich, Cyrus Maddockse, Tommy Martin, the Sky ladies...........just to name a few. They learned so much (life lesson type stuff as well) from these people but most importantly they learned how to work TOGETHER towards one common goal. We compliment each other. I've learned so much from our younger members and I LOVE THEM!! IN LEARNING YOU WILL TEACH AND IN TEACHING YOU WILL LEARN!! The beauty of all age.......multi generations working together towards one common goal!! Ok, off my soapbox.........thanks for bringing up this topic!! YOU are very very welcome!!!! I felt that it was a topic needed to boost the morale of DCAs older/mature members. I also wanted to let the newer and younger members know that we are with them and not against them. I love all the feedback I'm getting on this topic, Responses are great!!! It lets anyone reading those words "THIS IS DCA"know what they truly mean..Way to represent all age corps!!! Keep It up dcp family....

I never thought the day would come, when I would have to post something like this on the DCA/ALL AGE forum.The assumption that a person is at a physical disadvantage, just because they are over the age of 40 is nonsense.I live in the Western United States, I see cyclist, and triathletes that are in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and some even in their 70s all the time. Physical fitness is a personal choice. The level of fitness that one chooses to achieve is up to that individual. You can not clump everyone in the same catagory, just because they happen to be over 40.The talent and experience level of performers in DCA that are over 40 is off the charts. And that's just a fact!!! The old fart statements are inapropriate, and unacceptable.Remember, It's been the passion and dedication of those so-called old farts that has kept DCA up and running since It's beginning. DCA Is senior corps,whether you want to accept It or not. If you like age caps, or only seeing performers that are 25 or younger, maybe u should stick to DCI. No one is forcing you to be a DCA fan!! To those making negative and disrespectful remarks about DCAs older performers, you're just showing your ignorance.I almost regret that DCA starting using the all-age concept instead of senior corps. It should be a good thing that younger people are interested in DCA, but instead, It seems like the feelings of some of DCAs older members/performers are starting to sound more negative then positive, about the direction that DCA is headed in. More and more of us are starting to feel like we are being sidelined, and may not have a place to march in the near future.And yes we all know the alumni corps are there, but just because we are over the age of 40, doesn't automatically mean we are ready to leave the competition field.It's getting harder and harder to tell whether DCA wants the term all-age to really mean people of all-ages. Everyone's input would be really appreciated.

Are you happy now Olive ????

If you really want to learn the Cadet way,you should give the new Cadets 2 a try.There a new junior corps that will be competing in DCA in 2012.I think this would be a better road for you to take.After doing a season or two,with the Cadets 2 corps,moving to the Cadets 1 corps will be no problem for you.All the information you need is over on the DCA side.Check it out.I really think you'll like it.Gino is teaching both corps.Good luck youngster !!!!

You got me there.I didn't think about all that.

I never said anything about DCA trying to be DCI.Where did you see that in my post ?

I'll say it one more time.I don't think DCA wants to push people away.I don't think corps like turning people away either.But,a corps has the right to be competitive.And if the Cadets 2 have the right to only take members between ages 16-25,Then other corps have that right as well.Now some corps may go that route and some may not.But if it makes DCA Better, i'm all for it.i'm just saying if that were to happen,there would be less corps if any left at all for people over 25 to join.And this could happen. People are always talking about how young DCA is getting.And the Cadets 2 are going to bring alot of youngsters to DCA.That's why the cadets 2 is a good idea.I can't wait to see them.So yes,DCA is getting younger.I'm just saying that there is room for everybody should we have a huge explosion of youth after 2012.And i hope we do.That wold be a win for drum corps period.

OK.Now that the DCA open and A class want to be this new 16-25 junior corps division.And on the other hand,we have the alumni corps who don't want to compete or change the style of shows they do.Where does that put the 26-54 year olds? At this point we may as well use a real life age range,Because that is where this has gone.Middle age people are being turned away from some of the open class corps for being to old.And on the other side,your hearing things like ,you don't have to march with us if you don't like our style of show by alumni corps.In other words, your not old enough to understand or appreciate that style of marching.If you marched in the 80's and 90's,you may never appreciate, or want to do that style of show.Not that there is anything wrong with it.But,it was before your time.There is nothing all-age about what is happening hear.And please don't talk about how corps can set there age range to where ever they want it.I already know that.And because i know that,it looks as if DCA is going to need a new division.The current competing corps are quickly becoming junior corps. The alumni/senior corps really do have alot of seniors members.They have every right to want to take it easy.And they put on great shows,while doing so.But i'm only 41,and want to compete.When is DCA going to start the middle age division for the 26-54 year olds.It really doesn't feel good when your getting pushed out of DCA.If DCA really wants to bring in younger members,then start a real junior corps division for 16-25 year olds.And any DCA corps that feels it competes better with younger members can be in that division.Then create a true senior corps division for adults 26 and up.It wouldn't hurt DCI being that there cut off is age 22.And with the Cadets 2 starting up this year, along with DCI and DCA working together. This is the perfect time to make something like this happen.The current DCA rule wouldn't have to change at all. Corps would just have to pick a division to compete in.But nobody should have to feel that they are being pushed out drum corps.And i really don't think DCA wants to push people away.Does anyone else out there think that DCA may need to have a junior and senior division ?

I sure hope all of the Alumni corp's are hearing whats's being said.If Alumni corps don't start doing 80's and 90's / modern style shows.You guy's will not be around very long.There are so many ex drum corps members that marched in the 80's and 90's that want to march in an Alumni corps right now,but don't due to the current style of show the corps are putting on the field.It also wouldn't hurt to compete for scores and a championship.There are more of us out there,that are waiting for this to happen than you think.I talk to them all the time.this would be a win win !! for DCA and Alumni corps as well.And that's the truth.Hope you guy's are listening.

I do believe that what you said happened to your sister is true. The same thing happened to me when I went to audition for a top 5 corps. I was only 38 at the time.Just as you said, they don't come out and verbally say they don't want you there but, you definitely get that cold shoulder type of feeling. I guess I didn't want to believe that what I was feeling was really happening.But when u talk about your sisters experience, you validate what i felt in my own experience, in that same situation. So I wasn't saying it was hard to believe you, I was saying that i'm in disbelief that there is age discrimination in what's susposed to be an all age drum and bugle corps association. I'm sorry if I did not clarify myself better.The reason i wanted input from staff members Is because, I was planning on making a comeback myself in 2012 but, if me being in my early 40s is going to cause me to get rejected by a competing corps, I won't even waste my time..I just hope that there are corps out there that are honest enough to say that they perfer younger members.DCA Corps have evolved. If having younger membership is what corps feel they need to be competitive, they have every right to move in that direction. I'm certainly not going to knock them for that. But don't fly under the all-age banner if, u don't really want people of all ages. That is very misleading.With that being said, instead of me returning to DCA in 2012, I will just continue cycling and enjoying motorsports on the weekends...Whatever direction DCA is going in, I wish all the corps the best in the future.."GOOD LUCK DCA"

The one thing that i can say is that,MBI and the RENEGADES keep it real when it comes to age.They are two of DCA'S best corps,and Their age ranges represents DCA well.The reason so many new corps are popping up all over the country,is because people are learning that drum corps doesn't end at age 22.and that's just the truth.I really don't think competing corps should walk the path of limiting it's members to a certain age. To the RENEGADES and MBI,you guys keep up the good work.

Some input from staff members of competing corps would be nice.It's not the first time i'v heard someone say that they went to a top DCA corps and,felt very unwelcomed, because of their age..If there are really top DCA corps out there who, don't want older members,please let us know who you are.and that's a big "IF".It's hard for me to believe that any DCA corps would turn someone away just because they are over age 40.And if you are doing that,you are only hurting your corps,and the future of DCA.

Where is everyone? I'm talking to the 30,40,50 and 60 something age rangers.Where has the true DCA age range gone? What is happening to our DCA? 21 should not be the average age of DCA members.And I'm not saying i don't like marching with people in their teens and 20s,because i do.But notice i said marching "with",not being replaced by.If the people in the age range that i'm talking to, don't step to the plate ,DCA is finished.I can go to a DCI show,if I want to see a bunch of 21 year old's marching around.And what's really scary is,it seems like alot of the DCA corps from the east coast are starting to look for members that are still young enough to march DCI, to fill the ranks of their DCA corps. But,is this because older members don't want to march anymore? Or do these corps really want to have a cadets2,or DCI age members only. DCA is for all ages.and we need people of all ages to keep it alive.I would like to see the average age range of DCA go back up in 2012. I just hope I'm not the only one who feels this way.

I agree with you 100%.Those are my feelings too.Well said!!!!

That's true,but bringin it at age 40 vs age 18 is a heck of alot more work.

I agree.As fun as it may be,it is still a competition.You have made some good points.DCA corps are getting better every year.I guess the only thing i can say at this point is .Can't hate the players.Hate the game.If you want to play,your gonna have to bring it.

The one thing i do know is that,the Cadets2 will make all the other corps up their game.2012 is gonna be off the chain!!!!

I don't remember saying anything about rules being broken.And i didn't say corps should be forced to take older members or, any member for that matter that could hurt them competitively.All i said was, if all corps were to go with the age range of 16-22,just to be competitive with the Cadets2,there would be no place in DCA or DCI for anyone over the age of 22 years.And i don't care what some rule book says.This would flat out be unfair to older people who love drum and bugle corps,and still want to march.

I don't have a problem with corps setting their own limits and guidelines for age or gender. DCA rules say they can.That's the freedom of DCA.However,if all corps were to use that freedom,and decide to only accept members in the 16-22 year old age range,DCA would know longer be an all age drum and bugle corps organization.You would age out at age 22.There is no other way of looking at it.And all DCA corps can do this if they really want to.And they would be within DCA rules.So,you would no longer have to worry about not being able to march in some corps, vs others.If you are 23 years of age or older,you wounldn't be able to march in any corps in DCA or DCI.That was the point i was trying to make.

If your age 30 or older,the answer would be "yes".I guess an even bigger question would be,is this the direction DCA wants to go in.The 16-22 year olds,already have DCI.For us older corps members,DCA is all we have.That is why it needs to remain all age,which i thought meant members of all ages,young to mature.Why would 16-22 years olds need DCA and DCI all to themselves? I Think that would be pointless an silly.All age should mean just that"ALL AGE".

The Cadets2 thing sounds really cool.I am looking foward to seeing them in 2012.However,if they start dominating DCA competition,other corps may put age caps on their membership as well,just to be competitive.If that happens,( and it could,according to the current DCA rules )those of us in our 30s,40s,50s,and 60s+ could be forced out of the very thing that we love to do so much.I hate to sound so negative,but this could backfire on the older members of DCA.I hope that day never comes.Nothing against Cadets2 or GH,but definitely something to think about.

I can't return to the field in 2011 because of work obligations.I'v been trying to return to DCA since 2006.Balancing a job and drum corps is no easy task.I live in the western half of the country. DREAM,HIGH COUNTRY BRASS and, the RENEGADES,are my options right now but,that could change.I am originally from New York City.The family has been talking about possibly moving back to the east coast.No plan is set in stone.I started marching drum corps when i was 10 years old,and marched for 10 years before adult life kicked in.I play snare,and i'm ready to slam!!!! some notes with a drumline.Once you do drum corps"your hooked for life".It is definitely in the water.You guys know the feeling.

I will definitely be hitting the gym before the 2012 season starts.DCA shows these days are high energy.