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brassboy62

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Posts posted by brassboy62

  1. I really wanted to go to Finals, this year. The plane fare is just too high. I really wish they would hold the finals somewhere else. Indianapolis is not really a vacation destination. I have been there many times and other than DCI, there is nothing of interest to me. Hard to justify the trip for such a price, not including the DCI tickets

    • Like 4
  2. 17 minutes ago, xandandl said:

    Actually, the uniform/costume/garment manufacturers of the "marching" activity haven't all been that forthcoming that their vesture is American made or by American labor standards for the treatment of workers, no sweatshop conditions in overseas factories, no environmentally dangerous materials or sources of the same, etc., etc.

    As the age cohort for participants in DCI, WGI, BOA, USBands, TOB, Western Bands, UIL, etc. is often described as a demographic with idealism as its charism and environmental protection as its arena, I wonder how long before the marching activity sees any protests for such working conditions or possible problems if the industry continues not to be pro-actively transparent  and the corps administrations merely budget conscious. Who knows the show-designers' mindset or embrace of reality? I think we are sitting on a land-mine yet to erupt.

    The same could be said for instrument manufactures as well.

    • Like 1
  3. If the corps have a generic uniform, that all corps use, than there will be no uniform advantage.  I think the same concept could be used for instruments, as well. If all the corps are using the same brand of instruments, this will also level out the playing field. Imagine how much money could be saved, if the corps could buy all their instruments together in bulk. The same could be done with uniforms. It would also be possible that multiple corps could use the same uniforms, exchanging them between shows.

  4. Just a couple updates to this topic

    1. The Color Karma Corp. has been investigated by the justice department. This is not drum corps related. It is related to uniform designs associate with the Hotdog on a Stick restaurant chain, found mostly in malls. The Color Karma Corp. has recently closed its north American operations and no longer has a website

    2. Soviet Block Designs *TM is currently under reconstruction. It is rumored that a major accident occurred in their research and development laboratories, but no information has been released.

    3. Fans Against Untested Fabrics is a relatively small organization.  Due to increasing interest in the group, resulting from a fan lawsuit against uniforms used by a professional curling team. The have closed their membership to new members and have deleted their Facebook page

    • Haha 1
  5. Started in 1974. Marched for six years. Enjoyed every minute of it. Have not agreed with many of the rule changes, but have to admit, I was wrong on a few. I think drum corps shows are better then the every have been. There is nothing more exciting then sitting in good seats at the finals. Although I absolutely hate Indianapolis, I do enjoy the shows. I attended my last DCI final, two years ago. I will not spend the money to travel to Indianapolis. I have only missed two DCI finals, since 74. If they ever decide to move the finals to a different city, I would happily  attend. Indianapolis has nothing to offer and my family and drum corps friends are not interested in returning. I said goodbye to finals two years ago. :(

     

  6. Now that corps feel they must change their uniform every year, it has become increasingly expensive. It used to be rare, that a corps changed their uniform design. When a corps entered the field, for the first time that year, you would instantly know who they are. Now you often must wait for the announcer to identify the group, to know. Fans and judges have their favorites. Judges are more likely to have a favorable opinion of corps of which they are already a fan. If everyone has the same uniform, this would make it harder for judges to be influenced by fan loyalty.  Obviously, judges would learn, who is who, by the end of the season. This would, at least, level the playing field at the beginning of the year.

  7. 2021 Proposed Rule Change.

    TITLE OF PROPOSED CHANGE: Uniform Uniformity

    DESCRIPTION:

    All competitive drum corps will use the same uniform during competition. Each corps will have their own uniforms, but they will be of the same design. The same style and construction, color and fabric. This includes hats, shako’s or any type of head cover. The same style shoes and socks. The only style and construction differential would be for different sections of the drum corps. Color guard, Percussion and Brass may need special accommodations. These accommodations will only be acceptable, if they are dictated by the needs of the section. These accommodations will be the adopted by all competing corps. No individual drum corps will be allowed to have a special accommodation. Members with disabilities, will be able to appeal the to governing body, to make accommodations. Such accommodations will not be granted if they appear to be requested only to provide a competitive advantage.

    Drum Corps is a competitive activity. Corps compete with the goal of becoming the best drum corps in the world. Competitive activities require rules. Rules set parameters, rooting out opportunities to cheat or to gain an unfair advantage. With the advancements made in uniform design, corps have sought to use these technical advancements to edge out their competition. Many of these competitors would find themselves with much lower scores, without these technically sophisticated uniforms. It also should be noted that some of these uniforms contain technology that has not been tested, or in some cases, not licensed in the United States. The Color Karma Corp., based in Moscow and funded by the Russian Federation, has worked with companies supplying uniforms to top rated drum corps. The Color Karma Corp. is known for designing uniforms that strategically blend color. Using color blending technics, created by the Russian Army, these color blends are designed to subconsciously alter the perception of those who look upon these fabrics. Spectators emotions can be changed with a simple costuming change, causing one to feel happy, sad, enthusiastic or even confused. In recent years, some corps have sought to create exclusive contracts with such uniform companies, to exclude other corps from this technology.

    PURPOSE:

    Drum corps will be judged by the quality of their performance and not by the fabric of their uniform.

    EDUCATIONAL IMPACT:

    The focus of the uniform design will not distract from the content of the show design. Show designers will be forced to focus on the content of the shows and not the uniforms strategic design. Corp members will need to focus on their performance and advance their competitive skills in the activity.

    CREATIVE IMPACT:

    Show designers will be forced to focus their writing on shows that capture the imagination of the spectators. They will be forced to write shows that challenge the competing members, focusing on outwriting and performing the competition. No longer will they be able to fall back on the uniform design to deliver scores.

    FISCAL IMPACT:

    With all corps wearing the exact uniform, they could be purchased in bulk, bringing the cost down. Standard fabrics would be used, which are considerably cheaper than unregulated technical performance enhancing fabric.

    AUDIENCE IMPACT:

    Audiences will be able to enjoy a pure drum corps performance. They will not be subjected to unregulated, untested and potentially harmful Soviet Block Fabrics. (*TM)

    SHOW PROMOTER IMPACT:

    There would be no impact to show promoters

    LOGISTICTS IMPACT

    None

    JUDGING IMPACT

    Judges will not be exposed to unsafe color blends.

    Submitted by : Fans Against Untested Fabrics

     

     

     

    • Haha 5
  8. I have not seen any shows this year. In previous years I have downloaded most of the shows to listen to prior to the championships. This is the first time I will attend without knowing anyones music. Are there any available to download anywhere? Its a lot more fun to watch the shows with a little knowledge of the music.

  9. I don’t know what percentages of vets get cut, but they do have a good idea what they are getting with a veteran. When I marched, there was a trumpet player that caused lots of conflict on and off the field. He played great and marched very well, but did not get along with the other members or the staff. He even had a physical confutation with one of the cooking volunteers. He was allowed to audition the next year, but was not asked back. The brass staff was willing to take him back, but the support staff intervened. In the six years that I marched, I don’t know of any other veteran that wasn’t allowed to return. If you worked hard and pulled your weight, I would think that you would have a better chance. It would be interesting to hear from other vets that got cut, trying out for the next year, and why.

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