cdm

Very cool to see more organizations starting up.

It is good to hear other people are also trying to expand the activity.

This is exactly what the activity needs. More introductory, grass roots organizations like this, where kids can join with low overhead, and have fun.

Does anyone have any experience with Trixon Marching percussion, or their products in general.? Any opinions, and expereinces, would be greatly appreciated.

I may be interested. Is it still for sale?

What kind of deal can I get for the entire package?

No, I was never associated with either organization.

Four days after posting the announcement that I am starting a new foundation for small drum corps, and I have already been contacted by people who want to donate instruments, and uniforms.

No, that is not what I am admitting. What I am admitting is that I needed to see what the tone of the resistance to my ideas might be, and maybe pick up some ideas, tips, and get some things formulated. If you feel that what I posted was "trolling to seek a war.", Then that is your own misguided opinion,(just like everyone has the right to one), and you felt you needed to label it as "trolling to seek a war". So be it.

Actually, I am starting a foundation to help small drum corps, and I have already received a donation of equipment, and a pledge for 100 uniforms. This is even before I have been able to file the forms to start the organization.

"This thread is dying out with the usual one-liners that signal that interest is waning." Maybe it is, but it has served the exact purpose that I wanted it to serve. It has been interesting to see the different veiwpoints, and also see that some people seemed to have had their creative juices stirred.

LOL! I like it!!!!!!! Instead of annouNcing corps into competition, just ring a bell!! Ding! Ding! LET'S GET IT ON FOR THE BLUE DEVILS!!!!!!!!!

SCDA is the Small Drum Corps Association DCNA is Drum Corps North America Both are organizations that support small regional Drum and Bugle corps

I remember that year, and felt the same way.I wished he would shut up so I could hear the corps.

Your blanket statement said that play by play didn't work in drum and Bugle corps, when actually it did. You did not qualify your statement by saying " like Stu and I are talking about".

Actually you are wrong about the play by play announcers. It was a failure because the wrong people were the announcers. When Rita Moreno was one of the play by play announcers for DCI world championships in 1979-1980(along with Steve Rondinaro), the broadcast was very well received, and brought in many viewers for the next year. (She brought excitement, and compared the corps performances to some of her experiences on Broadway.) 40,000+/- were in attendance for finals!!! However, I believe the next year, Chuck Mangione was one of the play by play announcers, and he sat on screen like a lump on a log. Maynard Ferguson was a pretty good announcer, I believe. It would depend on the personality of the announcer, as to whether play by play commentary would work.

After reading some of the posts, it shows that there are still people out there who REALLY care about Drum Corps, and summer music programs. It gives me hope, since I am trying to start a small drum corps foundation to get more Drum Corps started. On a aside, One thing I have noticed recently is that Drum and Bugle Corps has become BORING! to the average casual observer. Marching music already has a stigma of being geeky, and now, when a new person sees a Drum Corps,(if they ever get to see one, because in a large part of the country, corps do not do parades anymore, except in the northeast. The potential new corps fan would not know a show is going on in their home town.) they become bored, because they do not hear anything exciting, and the visuals are not exciting to them, because of not having anything to got with the visuals. Looks like some of the problems are perception, marketing, and people not wanting to do what it takes. (IE: I hate the tv talent shows, because most of the people performing on them have not "paid their dues", and do not really know what it is like to be a real "STARVING ARTIST". I cannot appreciate someone performing blues, and they not having REALLY lived it!)

Possibly, for the first pro corps. We will see....... But the thread is doing exactly what I wanted. Bringing out possible objections/hurdles/resistance that such a league might face.

Who knows? One can only try, and see what happens.... I would much rather try, and fail, than not do anything, and see Drum Corps wither on the vine.

I am the OP of the Pro Drum Corps thread, and I feel the same way as Sayre Culp. Nothing worth doing is easy. I am starting a foundation in Texas to help get more local corps off the ground in Texas, and also even considering/examining how to make a Pro Drum Corps work long term. (even if it is the only one) I am the type person who will do everything I can to make something happen, once I decide to proceed.(no matter what anyone says, although I will hear what they say, and take what I need from comments, in order to be successful) One of the problems I see is that Drum Corps isn't exciting anymore(not like it was before the mid 90's, or so...). It will take a different way of thinking, in order to save/grow the activity.

I was in Montreal for the championships in 1981, and 1982. The crowd was huge! Maybe it was bigger than Birmingham, but Birmingham had large crowds also in 1979, and 1980.

I meant to mention/cite the USMC "8th & I" the "Commandants Own" Drum & Bugle Corps.(but got distracted) It shows what professional corps could look like, or even be better than. Just would have to work out the details. Thanks for mentioning the USMC "8th & I" the "Commandants Own" Drum & Bugle Corps.

You all are totally missing the point of what I am saying. I was implying (and spelling out as plainly as possible) starting small, using the fan base that is there, and build from it. (just like Pro sports did.) After a while, there could be built up enough fan base/interest to make a Pro league big enough to bring in enough interest to justify larger salaries. To start, the league would have to have a long term plan for existence. (planning for 25 years plus, using the history of professional sports as a guideline). And I did say factor in cost of business,( including benefits, etc.), in the model example.This would be a FOR PROFIT business, and the market forces(including unions) would determine the direction of the league.(although some pro sports team are non-profits, The Green Bay Packers, come to mind)