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It was worth a quick chat/commercial break. Now back to the main program (Drum Corps). I am impressed with the level Guardians has achieved, especially since the director is so young. He has a vision, and is making it happen. Good luck to them.

But for some reason, Corps in Texas can't seem to survive and thrive. Especially since Texas is the second largest state in population, and size. Crossmen has been the most successful, but it is a import, not started here in Texas. Texas Mindset?

I see BD taking it all tonight. I am liking what I am seeing with the smaller corps, however. They all seem to have a lot of potential. I am a little dissappointed to see Texas so poorly represented. That will change, however.

I found out that the pro sports stadiums in Texas are not privately owned. They are all owned by the county they are in, and therefore are municipal buildings(under the same consideration as courthouses.). That means that it is illegal under Texas law, to conceal carry inside them, or on the property. The AlamoDome is owned by the city of San Antonio, and the county.

You are correct. Also, in Texas, a facility can decide if it will allow concealed carry inside a building. All of the municipal buildings, including the large stadiums in Texas, forbid concealed carry inside of them, and usually on the property. Update:Actually, I am incorrect to some extent. Under Texas state law: : Public sporting events - It is a Class A misdemeanor to carry while inside a building currently being used for an interscholastic or professional sporting event, unless the person carrying is a participant in the sporting event and said sporting event requires the use of the firearm (i.e. a target shooting competition). I am assuming a DCI competition could be considered a professional event?

No you cannot, if it is a stadium affiliated with a school. Other non-school stadiums in Texas, like the Alamodome, have the discretion to allow guns in, but all of them post a disclaimer/warning saying that weapons are prohibited from the premises.(which is common sense, and allowed under state law..) Texas isn't as cowboy as one would expect. (however, it isn't strange to see people riding horses in downtown Houston/Fort .Worth/Dallas. There was even a guy who commuted to work on his horse everyday to downtown Houston.)

Are there any independent, NON DCI/DCA shows in existence anymore? There used to be a number of them, but now I don't hear about any. I remember the Blue Buddha Show in California, that was so much fun.(the trophies were statues of Buddha, with the winner getting a Blue three foot tall statue of Buddha.) Anyone know of any current independent shows?

Are there any independent, NON DCI/DCA shows in existence anymore? There used to be a number of them, but now I don't hear about any. I remember the Blue Buddha Show in California, that was so much fun.(the trophies were statues of Buddha, with the winner getting a Blue three foot tall statue of Buddha.) Anyone know of any current independent shows?

It may be true that there were a lot of new inexperienced brass players in the past. However, one of the great things about Drum corps in the past was that the opportunity WAS there for non-brass players to join a community corps, and learn how to play a brass instrument. Many times it was at no expense. Plus, having a large number of smaller, non world class corps, gave many players a way to compete, while helping prepare them for higher level corps. Not every current, high level player has the resources to join a top level corps, and currently there are not enough community corps to fill in the void.(partially from the "perceived" cost of running a corps. However, it seems Guardians from Tx, and a few others, are doing it in a community based mindset.)

The 60 pounds for the 24 J, is the number that was quoted by the article. I don't have first hand experience with holding/carrying one. I have seen/heard JSU playing the 20J first hand, and they are very effective.

DCI probably got zero consideration to move the show. I bet the most that was offered was the chance to have a show there in the future, if the facility management is in a good mood that day, and a quilting convention didn't want to rent the facility at the same time.

Very cool!

JSU uses the bellfront recording 20J, and you can definitely hear them in the stands. Check out this video of the JSU Conn 20J in action. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIF1tBB6TOM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW-aRMSkoGg My big issue is the weight. A 52 pound horn is a monster to try to march with.

Since any type of brass is legal in DCI, what are the opinions on the use of concert tubas for Marching Band/Drum Corps. I do know that Jacksonville State University marching band (where many members of Spirit of Atlanta Drum corps hail from), use the Conn 20j, and the Conn 24j for their low brass. From the Jacksonville State Marching Southerners website: "A concert instrument by design, the 20J produces a deep, sonorous tone. The bore size (diameter of the tubing) is larger than all others tubas created at the time. The horn has thick silver plating, making it not only heavy and cumbersome, but also strong, durable and resonant. The 20J has three upright valves and a 24-inch recording style bell. They weigh approximately 52 lbs. each. We also have in our possession two 24J's. They have an added fourth valve (for those beasts who love to take everything down an octave). These horns weigh about 60lbs..." JSU has been using these since the 1950's, and have some that are almost 100 years old. JSU marches/owns up to 32 of them. Their Band is built around the Conn 20J concert horn. JSU repairs them over and over again, and instead of replating the tubing/valves, they PAINT it silver automotive paint(leaving the bell silver plated.), which supposedly gives the Conn 20j a darker sound! What are the opinions on the use of concert tubas on the field?

27th Lancer also performed at the Winter Olympics in 1980 (Lake Placid)

What is your opinion on the best marching surface? Grass, synthetic turf, concrete, flat, or crowned football field? Let me know what you think.

The key to getting a person interested in anything is to MARKET to them. MARKETING is the major thing that gets people interested in something. Marketing is probably the major problem with Drum Corps.

I totally agree. I would be hesitant to include the major manufacturers, unless they are willing to participate no strings attached. (my personal opinion, Past experience has shown me to be skeptical of who is offering money.)

I am interested. Where are you located?

SDCA is having the SOCAL regional meeting this weekend. Maybe you can check it out. The meeting will be in Huntingdon beach. From the SDCA website(http://www.thesdca.org/): SDCA Southern California Meeting DATE: January 26 2014 TIME: 11:00 AM LOCATION: Golden West College 15774 Goldenwest St Huntington Beach, California 92647 Recreation Education Building Room 218 PARK: Parking Lot “J” on Gothard St

Maybe you haven't had a good pulse on the drum corps activity. I knew about SDCA almost as soon as it was formed. Same for DCNA. There have been a lot of posts about them here, and in other places in cyberspace.

That is a highly isolated case that you use as a example, and most SALES of surplus school buildings(99.9%) do not have these issues. Right now, the Philadelphia school district is selling 28 schools, and the only issue concerning the sale is whether the buildings will sell for enough money. The public does not have much say in whether the sale goes through, in most of the cases of surplus school property. A Drum corps museum could BUY a similar property, and convert it, and not really have to ask for permission. http://www.schoolpropertylocator.com has school properties for sale all the time, and so does EBAY. Most of them are outright sales, with no approval needed from anyone as to how they are used.(as long as the building meets code, usually.)

I still do not see where if the facility was sold to a independent entity, how the neighbors would have much to say that would influence how it was used. Anyone can gripe and moan, but there is nothing they can do. Being the "right" entity would mean nothing, in my book.

Those issues would not have any bearing, if the building is sold to a independent entity. This case you reference seems to be a specialized instance of hubris, and attitude/drama, on the part of the person donating the money in that case. Those problems would not arise in a outright sale of the property, because once the new owner owns it, and gets the proper permits in place, there is not a whole lot anyone can say about it. I do know, here in Texas, that the state heavily frowns on people trying to tell property owners what they can and cannot do. (And if the people who sent their kids there really cared about the building, they should have joined together, and purchased the property themselves.) I do like the idea of the rest of the space being used as a arts center. Plenty of other arts programs are looking for low cost performance space. A decent sized auditorium in a school would be great for that.

The Texas region of the SDCA (Small Drum Corps Association) is having a open meeting next week on Saturday the 18th, in Austin Tx. The SDCA is expanding into the Texas Region, and is looking for small corps to compete in the Texas curcuit, and the National circuit. If you are interested, contact me, or Chris Ferrara of the national SDCA organization.