RKF

Probably depends on what types of "DCI things" they incorporated in their shows. When the Southern Knights, from the UK, came to DCA in 1990 I believe they were using multi key brass. This was a decade before multi key was approved in DCI. The massive electronic DCI pits would certainly be an issue and would, as a minimum, result in penalties. From the start DCI has made allowances for age and some instrumentation in non North American Corps.

I would say that the economy was the big factor. Everyone took a beating including the established NE corps. Another factor is distances. Everyone out there is just so far away from each other and the rest of DCA.

I think that too many folks forget that these stadiums are sports venues first. Just because a particular city has a stadium doesn't mean that it will be available for 2 days and nights of drum corps. One of the issues with DCA trying to find a venue, for the Labor Day weekend, is the possibility of a scheduling conflict with the local football or soccer team.

Since the late 90's DCA has seen most of it's growth outside of the NE U.S/Eastern Canada region which, for years, was it's main power base.

You cannot just compare similar sized hornlines, you have to take into account the types of charts being played and drill movements. The corps playing Chicago or Earth, Wind and Fire will always be louder than the corps play Stravinsky or Grieg, regardless of instrumentation. Also the corps whose drill concentrates the bulk of the hornline near the 50 and close to the front sideline will be louder from an audience perspective.

Actually DCA started off fairly small in numbers. There were only six corps at the first DCA championship in 1965. Most seniors remained outside of DCA during the 64 and 65 seasons.

Corps photos from the 2013 DCI Eastern Classic may be viewedat the following links; The Academy http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9438009385 The Mandarins http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9438608375 Casper Troopers http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9443973724 The Colts http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9445338184 Spirit of Atlanta http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9447113654 Blue Stars http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9447692910 Santa Clara Vanguard http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9445272455 Phantom Regiment http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9446518209 Bluecoats http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9450669083 The Cadets http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9452690655 Pioneer http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9455561091 Cascades http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9459113326 Oregon Crusaders http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9456601983 Jersey Surf http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9460990998 Pacific Crest http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9459932493 Crossmen http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9463464718 Blue Knights http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9465433520 Madison Scouts http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9463923281 The Cavaliers http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9470754932 Boston Crusaders http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9469493925 Carolina Crown http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9473239876 Blue Devils http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9471298171

Photos of the Bridgemen Alumni's performance at DCI Allentown can be view at this link, http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9476355235

Kodak is only a fraction of the size it used to be. It has spun off a number of it's key product lines and a lot of the remaining jobs are outside of Rochester.

If someone wants to start a corps in Rochester their smartest move would be to start completely fresh with a new corps, new name and new identity. Trying to resurect an old corps is like trying to walk through a minefield blindfolded. Too many old wounds, bad blood and grudges. All you have to do is read some the post here on DCP and the now defunct RAMD to see how many individuals are still carrying on with personal vendettas that go back decades.

Great photos. I remember seeing AAG perform at the 74 World Cup in Munich Germany.

69 World Open. Great show.

Looks like Kennedy Stadium in Bridgeport. That old concession truck was always parked in the same spot for every show.

Army Field Manual 22-5

That's the one and only Tom Peashey front and center with the Brigs. 67 A.L. Nationals at Fenway Park in Boston. What a night that was.

No chance of either happening. Cru was broke, sold off all of their assets and members and staff have scattered to the four winds. Pheonix has been gone for 35 years.

I don't see Sun placing above Cadets2. Just looking at how Cadets2 have cleaned up and improved their performance they could edge out Fusion for 3rd. Sun could be a spoiler later in the season as their show comes together.

Both Scout House and Cabs Alumni gave excellent performances in spite of the heat and humidity.

Corps photos can be viewed at the following links. Saints Brigade http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9237598118 Scout House http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9236691293 Windsor Regiment http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9239738128 Bushwackers http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9237855313 Sunrisers http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9240211445 Empire Statesmen http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9241740165 Caballeros http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9245799762 Caballeros Alumni http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9248875654 Retreat http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9247129499 Caballeros Encore http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/9249367501 Enjoy.

Not all that rare. During the mid to late 60's a number of all male Jr. corps began bringing in female members, usually in the guard. One major corps, St. Lucy's Cadets, went in the opposite direction and became an all male corps.

Sun came on after Westshore in 80. I remember one member of their National Section stepping on one of the birds.

I was really excited about Archie when they returned to competition in the early 80's. They seemed to be making progress from 81-83 but the 84 corps, in spite of new uni's and better brass charts, just seemed to lack the inner fire needed to move up in DCA. As for getting some of these old corps back on the competition field, that's a tough problem to solve. In the northeast U.S. junior corps are nearly extinct. There seems to be fewer people who want to come into the activity and the drumcorps veteran population is aging.

It seems like every time something changes in our activity we hear the same shrill voices proclaiming the collapse of Western Civilization as we know it. Could someone please explain to the congregation, just what is or was "real drumcorps" and when did it cease to exist?