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Thanks, Bill! Just going by what I had heard, didn't know the Kilties had done it.

Clearly you are an alum of the corps, as am I,and it upsets me to see a brother this upset about something. But let me ask you this, In 1971 and 2005 when ladies were part of the corps program, did that no upset you like this? Whe Scott Stewart suggested, before he was thrown out, that to make the guard more competitive in the 2000-2002 era, there should be girls allowed only in the guard, would you have felt how you do now? When Scott Boerma first said that he didn't like the idea of multi-key instruments in 2000, but then in a 2004 interview said it was important to add the Bb horns, were you this upset? When the corps started using electronics, and in 2013 narration, again, were you this upset? In 1997, after 3 years of great Latin jazz inspired shows, did you join the ranks of the many corps alums that thought the show I was marching as a rookie wouldn't work because it was more symphonic, and about pirates? I think you're taking things too far, and to be honest, they're still brass instruments. Furthermore, the activity hasn't truly been "drum and bugle corps" since the old days of no valves, as a true bugle has no valves. Oh, and don't forget in 1978 the brass staff introduced new instruments that were hardly bugles. Oh, and that the Scouts were one of the first, if not the first to have a "pit" and not march all instruments, circa 1980. Scouts have always been progressive, we just forget that sometimes, IMHO.

1999 Southwind

No, I auditioned for one corps, and one corps only for the 1997 season, and made it, marched there all three years I was eligible. Never cut from the corps from Canton. No hate for the Bluecoats, just calling it like I see it with them. Where did you march, homie?

So who's fault is it that they can't move further up? Let me guess, the judges. It can't be their show design, no, that's flawless, right?

If the poster you're referring to is so wrong, then at what point are the Bluecoats going to become elite? Hovering between 5-7 for that long doesn't put them in the same league as Blue Devils, Cadets, or Cavaliers(until recently). Are you sure that you're not the one spouting off with the gibberish(that's how it's spelled by the way). lol rofl lmao

I'll just edit out what I wrote. Not worth the battle of wit. Anyway, maybe the Bluecoats won't peak way too early this year. Oh no, did I disrespect them.

Who are you to tell people not to give their OPINION on a corps. Especially when they're correct, and fully entitled to their opinion. Who are you to tell people what to do.

Don't make assumptions based on the announcement. They're simply looking to make sure they have all they need. Nothing wrong with a little insurance and an incentive. Drum corps isn't $500 for member dues like it was with the corps when I started in 1997.

Right on!

I don't think there are quite as many elitists in the band world. Drum corps definitely has more of those, so that's nice.

This may be one of the most logical statements on this whole thread.

Your argument would be relevant if someone is either educated in the differences between the cruise ship and car, or have a script as NPH did.

Clearly you aren't an elitist armchair director, which is a good thing.

But a corps is also defined as: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/corps Also, you are saying you don't want D&BC corps to be referred to as bands, yet you use wikipedia's definitions of a "marching band" not a band, as you put in your first line. I do hope we realize that anyone can post on wikipedia and it is one of the least credible sources on the internet.

And if we don't like how Disney did things, then let's not watch. They produced it, it wasn't meant to be a parade down some street in some town, it's Disney's holiday celebration. If it's a glorified commercial, so be it, it's their program. We weren't watching Macy's. Which, btw the way, does the same type of thing, will we all complain at the way Madison is portrayed next year?

Why is it a big deal that they were called a band by Nick Cannon, he doesn't know the activity. Someone clearly had given NPH a script where he talked about them as being a drum and bugle corps. We've called it drum and bugle corps for many years, and there haven't been bugles on the field in years. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bugles If we are using bugles, why do we have valves? Aren't there pit instruments, a marimba is not a drum, and where is our mention of flags, rifles, sabers, etc. in our description. I'm sorry, but exposure is exposure in my opinion.

Here's a thought, let's just be happy that a corps is on live national television. Maybe? I mean, I guess we should all spout off about how terrible DIsney is, and how little air time they'll get, let's ignore the fact that they're on TV and that people who know nothing about drum corps might google or search in some way and find out about this activity. Yeah, it's much better this way with people upset about the number of seconds they get, or what color pants they're wearing. Exposure less than what we want isn't good. I agree.

So…this show is going to be awesome. Just saying. Oh, and in case there are haters already that haven't heard the corps yet, I'm basing my thoughts on true samples of the program. Not just hearsay.

If anyone wants to read this, it was done in 1997, and can be found very easily on a search.

Here's what I wrote originally: Simple question. Do the directors of corps take into consideration the viewpoints of their alumni, history, etc. when making their decision. I was thinking about the whole Hopkins thing, and I wonder if it is simply his view, or that of the people that elevated him to ED of Yea! For example, since 2007, the Madison organization has been very forthcoming with choices and ideas, and have been very receptive to listening to other views. There was a post in the Madison Stan Kenton/Don Ellis show where someone asked if the choice to not participate in the Tour of Champions show was a "Stewart era" middle finger to the activity. Chris Komnick sent a note to alums explaining why that decision was made, and as an alum the viewpoint makes sense and I fully support it. So back to my question, what do the supporters of the various corps feel about their particulars corps leadership and their decisions. I'm sure every director is different, but I just hope that all of the decision made for each organization are not left up to one person, although it does seem as though some go rogue from their corps' philosophies, histories, and values. Please show me where you're taking your Psychology 101 analysis of what I said from.

Your signature says you're keeping it real on DCP, then why are your comments that you direct at me so wrong? The bulk of my post was about the way the corps I marched with keeps information to its alum, and the only time I mention Mr. Hopkins is when I state that the other thread that is bashing him got me thinking. If you want to call me out, do it, but please be correct in your assumptions, otherwise, write me personally and we can talk about it. But if you're, "keeping it real" then know what you're talking when it comes to my questions.

I didn't see a thread on this, but just wanted to let everyone know that longtime judge and designer Gary Czapinski has passed away.

I was thinking the same thing. To be honest though, I could see him threatening to do it so that people try and talk him out of it, and then he'll come back and be even more off his rocker.

Good point.