lcarlton

No sir. They did all DCI shows and came into Finals seeded last.

I'd argue it's location first, and then other groups with overlapping schedules and limited time. Racine, WI is a very affordable city with a median household income of like $50K. You have 4 groups in the area that are technically recruiting from some of the same base that all are active during the same time: Lighthouse Brigade of Racine - MACBDA (HS Students) - Season ends mid-July Lighthouse Brigade Junior of Racine - Exhibition (Jr High Students) - Season ends mid-July Racine Scouts - DCI (21 Age Limit) - Season ends early August Racine Kilties - DCA (No Age Limit) - Season ends labor day The issue I see is that it's pretty easy for kids to participate and grow in Lighthouse Brigade, and they've won a few titles along with having staff from Phantom Regiment, Pioneer, Cavaliers and other corps. From an external perspective; it'd be great to see if there is a chance for synergy where kids "age out" of each program and maybe move on to the next... as in after you been with Lighthouse Brigade and graduate; then go to Scouts; then to Kilties. The other thing is Shadow which is about 2 hours away (plus the rest of the MACBDA units), and has been really strong since they moved from MACBDA to DCI Open Class. I don't know about the Scouts or Kilties when it comes to marketing and product, but for an area that has limited resources; multiple options; and large variance in cost, it's a difficult situation. There used to be lots of cooperation back in the 1990s with overlapping performances etc from all the groups but don't know the dynamics or levels of cooperation today or if the decline in Racine economy, and loss of population further excaberates the situation.

Tradition has a member in his 60s and plenty of 40 years olds. I don't disagree with the athleticism aspect, but I think it could also be in messaging and shifting to promote drum corps as a great way to get in shape especially at that age. Is there a happy medium between the two?

Come out and join us for our Spring Open House Apr 28th & 29th! As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we're growing our corps as we prepare for the 2018 season! Recruiting: All Brass, & Guard. One position on Marimba, Vibes, Drum Set, Bass 1, and Tenors. Learn more: http://columbussaints.org/drumcorps

Lots of good news coming out of Columbus!

Sorry, Dublin, OH. It's the largest parade in the area and is a lot of fun!

Columbus Saints will be marching in the Dublin St Patrick's Day Parade March 10th.

This summer, the Columbus Saints visited the home of the corps St. Andrew's Hornets at the Major Adams Community Center in the West Side of Chicago. The Major Adams Center hosted the corps for 3 nights on tour, plus a nice cookout while the Saints performed a clinic and community event for locals being one of the first corps to visit this area in nearly 40 years! Here is Part 1 of our trip showcasing an indoor rehearsal:

Well you have some new corps going through evaluation too. Rocketeers Columbus Saints Highland Regiment plus Cadence is coming across the pond to mix things up :)

Vessel is looking really good. Hub City makes sense as an expansion of the Guardians. Horizon is inactive this year and who knows if they'll come back to DCI or just focus on their Winterguard, or WGI Winds. Is Arbella switching to the Jr Division? I thought they are all-age now. Appalachian Sound is working to come back after a year of inactivity. Atlanta could be the new Southern Drum Corps Hub with 4 corps in one area like Philly/NJ. Tall City... I'll just refer to this thread:

Very sad. I enjoyed their 2015 show, and shows in the past.

Go Lakeshoremen!

I'm at home sadly. Working :(

The tune is "James Brown in the Twilight Zone" by Chris Brubeck :D

The Columbus Saints Drum & Bugle Corps held April Auditions for Guard & Brass this past weekend. With the addition of two new guard staff members Brittany Giles (Bluecoats 12-13) and Justin Maniaci (O2 World), the Guard is off to a great start! Brass auditions were led by Brass Caption Head Bryen Warfield (Bluecoats Alum 09; SCV staff 12-16; Bluecoats Staff 17), and Brass Tech Brad Thomas (Cincinnati Tradition 09-12 & DCA I&E Tuba Soloist Winner). We're looking forward to our May Auditions for All Sections as we lead into our 10 SHOW Summer Tour in DCI SoundSport! Learn more at http://columbussaints.org/

I believe the Scouts are partnered with a college in Iowa for this year so that might not be an issue. The Columbus Saints, and Lakeshoremen participated in MACBDA through SoundSport, last year and had a great time at their Finals in Whitewater. It's a great circuit that is growing again and I'd recommend it for any drum corps, SoundSport, or DCA corps who wants to add more shows to their schedule at a low cost, and get an appreciative built in audience. Who knows... if more corp get involved they might just create a class just for them :O

The Columbus Saints are a Jr. drum & bugle corps based in Columbus, OH ; current applicant Drum Corps International Open Class (PENDING EVALUATION COMPLETION). We provide a competitive program found in modern drum corps blended with a community and educational focused experience found in classic drum corps. Our 2017 season includes tentative plans to travel to local competitions in greater Ohio area. Building on the success of our SoundSport Corps winning multiple Silver Medals and and our first Gold in 2016 at DCI Southeastern Championships; this is a great year to become a Saint! Join us for 2017 as we continue to grow and experience drum corps in Central Ohio! Learn More: http://columbussaints.org/

We are planning on starting a smaller all-age SoundSport team of 20-25 people to fill the gap of members who don't want to commit to the Open Class season, cost, or may be over age or need more development time before jumping to Open Class.

Out of 47 members this year, there was only that was overage. The median age of the corps is 18 years old.

The Columbus Saints traveled to Dubois, PA in June to compete in the SDCA competition, and perform for the people of DuBois! Here is a recap video produced by me for the Columbus Saints and a festival video released by the city of DuBois of all corps performances including numerous alumni corps, and DCA Corps Erie Thunderbirds. Columbus Saints Recap City of DuBois SDCA Standstill Video

The Saints closed out their 3rd season competing in Drum Corps International SoundSport in Indianapolis, August 13th, the morning of DCI World Championships. After an amazing season fielding the largest ensemble in corps history, our first Gold Medal and Best In Show, along with multiple Gold Medal wins in SDCA, the Saints took a Silver Medal in competition presenting their 2016 program "The Elements of Funk". Read the Full Article: [/size]http://www.columbussaints.org/saints-close-2016-indianapolis/ Read the Full Article: http://www.columbussaints.org/saints-close-2016-indianapolis/

For the Columbus Saints, we actually do meet the age limit save 1 person out of our near 50 members. Average age this year was 18 years old.

No, the organization is continuing in SoundSport this year, and plan on submitting for Open Class evaluation next year while maintaining a smaller SoundSport ensemble as well. We also will be sending a mini-corps to DCA Finals this year.

Glad to see Ignition growing! We had a great time in competition last year at Bowling Green!