Dan Detweiler

Fred, just so everyone understands, C2 isn't the only all age corps out there with direct junior corps ties, both in resources and staff. We'll see how it all plays out this summer I guess. No matter what, it should prove to be an interesting, competative summer. Dan

I think perhaps we are seeing DCA go down the same road as DCI in that we may see the top 8-10 corps grow stronger and stronger over the next several years and the smaller corps struggle for membership. This has definitely happened in the junior circuit as you see perhaps the top 15 or so continue to progress and grow while the other, more locally based, corps fade into irrelevence. The strong get stronger while the others watch their membership go off to vie for a title. I don't think you see the corps loyalty like you did 20 or so years ago. I think we may be seeing the beginnings of this with the senior circuit as well. Of course there are numerous reasons for this. Finances, other activities fighting for the attention of young members, etc. I think that as DCA reaches out for the younger members, as seems to be the case, we may run into these same issues. I know in our case (Atlanta CV) we are actively marketing to the younger set as an introduction to the activity. Let them experience the activity with us, give them a great experience, then wish them well as they go off seeking the glory, if you will, of the junior circuit. We are banking on these people coming back to the CV fold after their junior days are done. So far we are beginning to see the fruits of this thinking as the numbers continue to go up and these people come back to us with their Spirit, Cadets, Phantom and other top junior corps jackets in tow. Time will tell if this is a long term healthy approach, but so far it seems to be paying off. As always, just my two cents. Dan

Tyler, interesting idea although I am not sure if the placement of the judge would make much difference. Where I think the issue lies is with judge training. We are faced with that very issue in the band world where electronics and amplification are being applied on a much grander scale. I have had this conversation with many in the judging community here in the Southeast and I think it is becoming very clear that the designers, instructors and judges all need to sit down and decide what is going to be rewarded and how much it is going to be rewarded. Show design has progressed at a breakneck speed and the methodology and implementation of scores and competative placement are lagging behind. As is always the case, the judges are the last ones to know/understand the developments within the activity but it is their responsibility to get the numbers right. Be patient folks, it takes just as much time and effort figuring out what to do with all this stuff competatively as it does putting it on the field in the first place! (Maybe more) Dan

I have to say that I am more than a bit affled by all of the concerns being raised about amplification being the economic ruin of drum corps. You can easily mic an entire pit for no more than the cost of a new tuba. Sure, you can go out and spend as much as you want, but the amplification can easily be done for very little cost...and that's if you choose to amplify. Seems like that is an awful big bang for the buck. Making an entire grouup of 8-12 people audible for the price of making one tuba player audible. I really think we are making a mountain out of a mole hill and just looking for reasons to shoot it down. Dan

Believe it or not, the Falcons are forking over 700 million of the one billion. The other 300 millon is coming from a hotel/motel tax. I guess Arthur Blank really wants a new stadium.

Hey, this is the NFL we're talking about!

Certainly looks like we are headed the right direction at least. Thanks for the kind words. Dan

As a staff alum from the late 80s, and as the husband of a 1980 - '81 guard member, I could not be more excited for them. Really enjoyed last year's show. Can't wait to see what they come up with this year. I know they had a crazy good audition weekend (350+). That has to bode well for them this summer. At almost 50, I am still wearing my deltas for you guys! Dan

My understanding is that the current Georgia Dome will remain in use through the construction of the new stadium. I believe the new stadium is set for openning in time for the 2017 Falcons season. We've got a while. Dan

With something like 250 pre-registrants, it looks like it is going to be a record setting open house this weekend. Can't wait! If you're in the neighborhood, come check it out. Dan

Didn't they just finish serenading the crowd for the last 10 minutes? Dan

You know, I think that I would probably go with the pre recorded stuff. I have no problem with electronics or amplification in general, but I feel that it all needs to be live performer generated. In other words if it is prerecorded or sampled (voice overs, pre recorded music or sounds) I would do away with it. I think it opens up too big of a Pandora's Box of potential problems down the road. Dan

Here is a little tease as to the show for the 2013 version of Atlanta CV. We are all really excited to get started. Open house is on December 15th & 16th. For more info, visit www.atlantacv.org. Dan

I would love to make that trip. As with all things drum corps, I am sure it will come down to finances. Either way, see you on the road! Dan

Good luck guys in your upcoming season. All of us at Atlanta CV wish you, as well as all the DCA South representative corps, all the best in your endeavors. Good solid competition is always a good thing and can only strengthen all of us. See you on the field! Dan

Good luck to all of you at Carolina Gold from your DCA South brethren at Atlanta CV! We look forward to seeing what you bring to the field for 2013 and wish you all the best in your endeavors. Dan

Hi Ryan, My name is Dan Detweiler and I was one of the drum majors for Atlanta CV last year. Congratulations on your appointment as DM! From all of your fellow competitors at CV, best of luck to you and TB Thunder. We really enjoyed having you at our show last year and hope that you can make it up again this year. Go DCA South!!! Dan

Looks to be a great weekend. Based on early registration and recruiting efforts thusfar, should be a packed house. Can't wait! Dan

It is still humans producing the sounds, whether they play them on a tuba or on a synth or guitar. Gotta call you on this one. It depends of course on the original source but playing sampled, pre recorded sound bites is definitely not a human produced sound. These are issues the judging community is going to have to come to terms with in the band world very soon. It is becoming very prevelant in the upper levels of the high school scene. Are judges going to reward well produced and staged Broadway type shows where the students actually play for 70 to 80 percent of the time and the rest is filled in with sound bites and sampled recordings? Are they going to reward designer achievement or student achievement? Perhaps there is a happy balance somewhere but as of yet, they have not found it. Dan

Another aspect to consider here is the design element of how the pit has evolved as a member of the overall musical ensemble. The pit is being cast in the role of transition from one idea to the next more and more in the flow of the overall show. No longer do shows have intermissions between program ideas. The curtain never comes down on a drum corps or marching band show. The flow and continuity of the program should transition seemlessly from one thought to the next and the pit is being relied upon more and more to aid in those transitions. While I am on the fence regarding amplification in general, I do see this as a plus for smaller front ensembles. They can carry this role out without having to beat the tar out of the instruments as was stated in the above post. Believe me, I was a member of a pit in one of the loudest drum corps around, namely Blue Devils in 1984. Yes, we had to pretty much play with some pretty uncharacteristic sounds in order to contribute musically (although a lot of this was dealt with by the arrangements as well). I think amplification of the pit could actually work to the advantage of the smaller drum corps out there. As to cost, I wonder if someone could enlighten us as to some real world costs that might be involved. I am totally ignorant on this front and would be interested to see how it is being done in the DCI and marching band world. Dan

I think perhaps you are reading more into the original question then what was intended (or perhaps I am looking at it too simply). I think the only point that was being made was that at the highest and most competative levels of the activity, show designs are requiring more and more physical demands from their members. As I stated above, these demands can take their toll on the more senior members of the activity at a quicker rate than our younger counterparts. As the physical demands continue to increase, this could pose a roadblock for people who's physical limitations might restrict their ability to succeed. Not saying anything should change, just pointing out a fact. Dan

I think you just need to hit the DCA sight and then inquire the different corps that interest you. I am sure each corps handles the role of Drum Major differently. Some may only promote from within existing ranks, some may audition for the position from any and all interested. At Atlanta CV it was an open audition for me and the other candidates. I would just start making contacts with those that peak your interest. Good Luck, Dan

Interesting topic. I know that with us in Atlanta CV, the average age has been steadily falling. I think I remember Dave Stollberg, our executive director, mention that as recently as 5 or so years ago, the average age of the corps was around 30. That number has been going down every year I know and I believe he said the average age last year was about 19 or 20. I do think the limiting factor will be physical demands on the body. We had two members of the hornline that were near 50, one was 57. They were both animal players but after a summer of running around the field they definitely were major stock holders in Ibuprophen. We also had a few +35 members of the colorguard, but again this was the vast minority. In less physically demanding roles (pit, drum majors) there was a larger percentage of 40-50 year olds represented. I would guess this would be pretty typical with most corps. I hope that there will always be room for, let's call it, "more experienced" members within the ranks of competative DCA corps, but in order to be competative any more there is no doubt that the physical demands placed on the marching members will continue to rise. I think putting age limits out there is going to be completely up to the individual corps based on their goals for the organization. It is certainly not something DCA should, or would, ever consider. Just me two cents. Dan

Not sure about that. As I understand it, Spirit, which is a bottom of the finals list corps, has 850 people registered to audition. I don't think numbers is the problem. I think quality breeds quantity. If people feel like their experience will be a positive one and evidence proves that this is the case, people will come out. Sure seems that way for Spirit at least. Dan

It really sounds to me like you are answering your own questions for yourself. While marching your age out year might be great, if you don't see it as a viable option and in doing so, you would put yourself in serious financial dificulty with school, etc., perhaps it is not the best choice. Bottom line, nobody can make the choice for you. From your responses, it seems like you already know what the prudent answer is. Dan