2B or not 2B

Well Tom. Although 99% or More, of your reply's here are Accurate, Honest, and too the Point. Something many of us could, and still do, Depend on. I think your reply to this was weak and Not your best. "we will know a lot more after this weekend's dca draw for position" meeting" When I think of "Draw for Position" I think of: In what order groups will appear in a show. As far as I know. That is by your place at DCA Championships, and Class, or if you were a member last year. But if you meant they will be "Drawing" for which contest a group would be in. I think a lot of that has Been Done. Or so, the "Schedule" posted on DCA site of Show's seems to list. "I believe their evaluation (Sky and Sun) and several others are scheduled but have not yet occured." Well if that is the case. Should "they" have already been added to the Published List of groups to be in the shows. I can understand if changes to line ups of Members and Already approved groups may not work out. Very possible for sure. But Not ones that have Not. Heck, maybe they could be listed as a possible "Exhibition" Then if they are approved. They could just switch to "Contestant". I am sure the FANS won't mind an "Up Grade" in their status at a show. But, to list them as a Competitor then "Down Grade" or Not appear at all is not (IMO)the way to go. " Let's hope that someone putting them on the list for the NJ show is a very positive sign." BOY I AM with you on that. How Great it Would be, to see those TWO again. But, still it is more of a "HOPE 2B" more than a "Yes, ladies and gentalmen. On the field Again. The "Skyliners/Sunrisers" Let's all Welcome them back!"

I also ask about the above quote. AND Why - Did "Bushwackers", Not make the Anouncement? Why - "Skyliners" or "Sunrisers", Did Not make an Anouncement? AND The "RETURN to the "FIELD of Competition by TWO of "DCA's" Biggest Names surely is Big News! NO Official Anouncment from any of them. Is the adding of them to the "DCA Calender" list for that ONE show a: Hope to be. Or is it for real, and for sure, I would think other shows in New Jersey (Seacacus and Clifton are both just a bridge or so away from NYC) and, near by States would be Thrilled to showcase a come back of these TWO GREAT names. The "Ticket PAYING" public needs some answers. So is it 2B or HOPE 2B? Heck, "Windsor Regiment" (Which has passed a DCA review) is only listed in one show also. But that could change anyday I would think. They made a nice Anouncement about passing, and said they are trying to get into more shows.

Sorry if I added to any problem. I DID, start out saying "Back when ships were Wood and still used Sails". But I could Not prove Dates or Scores to prove anything. So if anyone proves me right. Fine. But at my age I tend to write off something I said, as Very Possibly Wrong due to a "Senior Moment". Though to be Honest the Point was NOT so much what may be done Then or NOW. We shall see how that works out. Like I also said. "I am not a TOC Fan." There were really TWO points I was making. 1 - "Be carefull what you ask for. You might get it", and it was NOT alway's be something you want. AND 2 - "Sometimes you don't know what you've got, Till it's GONE". (before, DCI and before TOC, Etc.) I know DCI has added some fine things. BUT! Also added some things that many, did Not like or want. Over all be Carefull.

I have removed Most of this post due to some miss information. (Thank you Brasso for your help correcting me.) BUT So just saying. Be carefull where all this "Super 7" or "Great 8" stuff goes. Just remember. They have a meeting Every Year, and Changes are made. Things could be "even worse". (guess you can tell I am Not a TOC fan)

With all its warts and smells. Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City will always be a part of our History. Never forget the First "Dream" I went to see. Never forget the First "Dream" I was in. OR all the ones in between, From "The First too the Last contest I was At or In. The huge Crowds, the Corps, the Food, The "Dream Experience". (Also home to the "Preview of Champions", "VFW Nationals", "World Open", and "DCA Championships".) Also I have said many times. DCA is more than just Scores. The Varaity and Quality is as great as ever. From Coast to Coast. From Canada to to the Gulf Coast. (AND lets not forget "Inspires" from Japan, and "Scouts" from England !!! BOTH making Finals) The People, The Memories, of a life time. But back on subject. Can someone explain why the "Buc's" will be at some dis-advantage with the New Score Sheets? I am not a "Buc's" fan. But they will be as Talented as ever. Their Leaders and entire Staff will be great as ever. Then the way they run things as a Corps. I just do not see where they will not be able to go on winning as ever. (Although I would prefer the one I like better win.)

Thanks Jim. The last few years I got to march (Competitive) DCA, & Alumni. Some of the Best people I met were in Corps like yours (MCL). Open, Friendly, and Interesting. People in groups like Shen. Sound VA, LakeShore MI, Gulf Coast TX and many many others. A special memory for me. I will never forget was Your Honor Guard, Inviting me to be in (" March") Yours. The year you had to go on at the Alumni Classic because they did not get to Vidio(Hurricane like wind and rain) you guy's at Prelims. What a nice thing to do. I could not do it for some reason I do not remember. A special Time a girl/young woman in Carolina Gold asked me how to do a present Arms just before going on for Retreat one year. The first year I could do nothing but watch, at a Alumni Classic and a group of LakeShore (MI) sat behind us and kept my spirits up, asking questions and such about The Alumni type Corps. I could go on and on with stories about about: So. Cal Dream, CorpsVets, Shen Sound, Wt. Sabs. and more. That's not to say that many great people in the Big ones did not matter. They do. Ones with people from Kilts, Cabs, Rens, Sky, Hurks, Empire and more. Drum Corps is a lot more than just Size, Talent, and Scores. Thank's again for the Info, on your Corps. AND. Like I said "DO whatever works" to keep yours up and going.

Mr Reed: I did not mention the name of a Particular Corps. The Important part, of my post was NOT about your Corps. There were 4 Questions to ALL DCA Corps. How they ALL operate in the "FEE" area of things. There are many reasons WHY different Corps do things in different ways. Size, Location, Economy, and Position, in year end Championships. No matter which area of DCA, Open or Class A. No I do not think your way, is like the Cabs from what I have read. Both the Cabs and the Kilts were VERY clear of how things are done. Although, I will say your post on the other discussion helps clear things up some. The one on here does not. In any case. If what ever you do, Works for YOU, Great. No problem. Do what ever helps KEEP your group going. That is what is important. It is very Important to keep the smaller groups as well as the larger ones on the field. The Newer ones seeing that all sizes and styles can make it in DCA. Looks like we will be getting some NEW groups out this year. Expanding coverage to New areas. We sure do not need to lose any of the ones we have NOW.

As ONE of the people in more than one of the Corps "Grant" came to see Many time's. I Thank You, and Him!!!! I agree with your ENTIRE post. Also, Attended the Dream starting as a FAN in the Early '60. I marched in both the Jr and the Sr parts of it also. I would also like to confirm that Thousands of people came Every Year that had NO connection to any Corps. They knew what was good and showed it. They showed it no matter if you were from Far away places bye hundreds or thousands of miles ( just ask Old, St Kevins, Chicago Cavies, or Troopers) or from across the Bayonne Bridge (St. Vincents, Garfield, BSGK and many more). They the "Fans In The Stands", Paying to be there. Take the 1966 Dream. I bet 75% of "the Fan's in the Stands' thought the "Chicago Cavaliers" were the winners. Not that "BS Golden Knights"(From across said bridge in Newark) weren't deserving. They were outstanding. One of the best shows they had done all year. Clearly it could have gone either way for the Top Two. (And I was marching with another more local Corps in that show.) BUT the FANS chose the "Cavies" . The Judges chose the "Golden Knights". BUT, the Fans in the Stands knew who Won. No matter which one it was. It was a Great day for all. Either in the Stands or on the Field.

Thank you, Cab's and Kilts. Both sound inoavtive, reasonable, and understandable.

Saw this (Audition Fee & Camp Fee) on another Post. So I was wondering? 1- Which DCA Corps have an Audition Fee? 2- Which DCA Corps have Camp Fee's? 3- Which have Both? 4- Are they in Addition to menbership Fee's?

"no $25 audition fee and no $50 camp fee" Does that mean you Usualy do charge those fee's?

The New York City - "Skyliners" All Age Corps, are an option. They have Very Open rehearsals. Just go watch,or Join . website. Rehearsals for the 2011 competitive season will be hosted throughout "The City", taking advantage of all New York City has to offer. Questions, to the New York Skyliners should be sent to: Executive Director, Angel Munoz, or Glade Keaney. New York Skyliners pr@nyskyliners.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - So with "Cabs", "Bush", "Fusion", "Sunrisers", and "Windsor Regiment", there is alot of DCA varity at "ALL" levels of size and quality. Then also with "Alumni Type" groups like: "Cabs", "NY Sky", "Bridgemen", "BS Golden Knights", "St. Rita's", "Selden", "Brooklyn United" and many, many, more. You could choose from. "BUT", If you absoluly have to have DCI . The DCI Open Class "Raiders" and "Spirit of Newark/NJ" are both just across the River, in New Jersey. To get to "Jersey Surf" or "Cadets". You will have to be more creative (and Costly for travel). That's " 17 " different groups. Mostly without any travel (ALL within "25", miles but mostly, "LESS", from ( Manhattan, the Heart of NYC), allowing you to use the Massive NYC and New Jersey mass transit system of Subway - Bus - Train - Cab). Then the 3 (Surf - Cadets - Windsor Regiment) will be some travel.

Well Gary perhaps so. BUT !!! The DCI Roundtable area has had "ONLY" had "138" posts since it started 7 Nov 2010. (and 41 of those are to "ONE" subject and 35 to one other. that's about 1/2 the posts) I believe that the " Moni Corps - Alumni Corps - Exhibition Corps - Parade Corps, could beat that, easy. Having the Mini and Alumni groups for sure would have people hopping back and forth with the Regular Competing DCA Open and A Class areas of the "All Age" area. May even pull in some DCI people, looking for Alternative's, that may not want to be in a Full Time DCA competing Corps.

Agree Gary. I think it depends more on a persons Heath and Talent, where one might fit in best. BUT, from Top to Bottom in Open or A Class. I do not think any DCA group would send someone away.

Heck, I left out New Jersey and PA for the for the Comp side of things. BUT adding NJ. and PA, that would add another 5 or 6 to the list I sent before. Then ADD "Alumni Type" units. Looks like he/she would have about 20 or more units to choose from. So no need to sit around. Check out ALL the things Possible!!!!!!!!

I was just wondering why the area for DCA could not be devided up as follows; DCA - Open and Class A Alumni - Mini Corps -Exhibition - Parade - SR Corps Sr - DCA - All Age - History Event Reviews Maybe this has been talked about before. I don't know. I know that DCI WC and Open interact at a lot of events. But they have seperate areas. So that can't be the reason. I know that Drum Corps Project area is little used. So Quanity can't be the reason. Thanks for all you do.

Well DCA looks like a good place for you. With your foot problem and all. They are "Weekends Only" travel wise. Then also maybe the pit area of the Drum Line might be a good fit. You can go by your car, car pool,, or Corps bus to all events. Looking at the name you use on here. You are surounded by. "Caralina Gold" NC - "Music City Legend" TN - "Cincinanti Tradition" OH - "Senandoah Sound" VA - "Atlanta CorpsVets" GA - "Alliance" GA. Go To: http://www.dcacorps.org for info on all them and others!!!!

Yes this is Excellant NEWS. Now I hope you in Brigsland can come up with a "MINI Corps" If only for a few times this year. (Can you say at DCA Championships). Maybe evn if you have to combine with some of the Alumni Corps. Call it "Brigs Combine" or "Brigs United". Surely 21 is a number you can get to.

THANKS Chris; ( " It'll be announced here when it's ready. I'm sure plenty of people in NJ and other states will get a chance to see NJ's newest competing drum corps " ) That's what I wanted to hear!!!! Still time to make things happen.

GOOD JOB, Well Done. Glad All are Excited! BUT !!! Have you been in Contact with , or has anyone from, ANY of the following shows. Contacted you? Wildwood - - - Wayne - - - Toms River - - - Seacaucus, ALL in NEW JERSY. You being in the Center of those 4 locations. I sure hope they will give you a shot at a spot. It seems it would be good for Both the "Corps" and the "Shows" to have someone from so near bye

I remember a few years ago that DCI put out that the Average age of a Top 12 group was 21. Remember you now CAN march at 22 if your Birthday falls after a certian date. But, if your talking about the entire "World Class" , It Might fall to 20. I am sure the groups in W.C.groups that come in 18th and lower have a Much Lower average age than 20.

Great News! Will they be in contact with the sponsors of the shows in: Wildwood - Wayne -Toms River and Seacaucus, ALL in NEW JERSY. Heck you would not even need a BUS for half of them. Maybe a couple of Vans and an Equipment truck. Easy on a buget shows. Keep up, the UP dates!

Other problems with a RE Start of Southwind would be more groups already in the Area/Region. A New "Mini" group "Rocketeers") forming in Alabama. (Just an "Ensemble" right now. But remember Spirit just moved back to Atlanta in the DCI group. AND Atlanta also has CorpsVets and Alliance (DCA) both doing Very Well) Cincy Tradition (DCA) starting to be more stable and growing well. Music City Legends (DCA All Age) going for a comeback this year Then one that should catch your eye BIG. Is that of the DCI Open Class(?) Music City. Heck they are reporting all over the place they will be "Fielding 150 members". With all that remember a lot go to the Big Names (Carolina Crown not all that far) not to mention how many go all over the USA to be in Other World Class units.

I think BOTH can be done. I was going to start a "New" Post, about "Theme Shows". But I think it would fit in here. (It is a bit of History and Opinion, on Then and Now.) The FIRST real "Theme Show", was done by the "Yankee Rebels SENIOR Drum and Bugle Corps of Baltimore, MD.Believe it or not it was done in " 1969 ". Called "Requiem for an ERA". I will never forget it. The first time I saw it at Roosevelt Stadium, in Jersey City, NJ.First thing after the Honor Guard came on the field was about 10 "Flash Flags"(as many of us called them). They wore Confederate Soldier Army uniforms and carried 10 what looked like Confederate flags (with no Stars). There was a bunch of Booing. Then came 10 more flags. They were "Navy Jacks" (a full Blue field with 50 Stars. No Stripes. Used by the navy on the Bow, when a ship is in port) dressed in Union Army uniforms. So a bunch of cheering started. Then the main body of the Corps came out, in the usual White, with Orange trimmings. The show started with "Dixie". which again brought out the Boo Birds (But not for long) Then "Waiting For The Robert E. Lee" - "I'm Alabama Bound" - Alexander's Rag Time Band" - "Am I Blue" - "Birth of the Blues - "Camptown Races" - "Requiem For An ERA" - "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" - Battle Hymn of the Republic". When they were done I think all of the about 20,000 fans were on there feet going NUTS. Black, White, Young and Old.I thought WOW that was Great. But, I wonder how it is going to go over at Legion Nationals in ATLANTA,GEORGIA. Well, I got my answer in Georgia Tech Stadium. It was just as Big as in New Jersey. So, "Theme Shows" are Not NEW. Some other favorite's of mine were Santa Clara Vanguard's "Phantom of the Opera" Wow what a show, and "Fiddler On The Roof". Then even more Modern. Cavaliers "Machine", as just some of what can be done, and still Win both, Judges and Crowd. What is NEW, is the writers, of today RE Write the music so much now you can hardly tell what they are playing. Whether it be Classical, Pop, Broadway or Original.