Trask

I don't think we'll be seeing any corps make the jump for the 2019 season and that's a good thing imo. If any corps has the ability to make the jump I think it'd be Spartans. Legends is just a year removed from their folding scare and Gold will likely stay to try and continue building on this season's success as a medalist.

As much as I love the Blue Stars, claiming that World class is the only way to go is straight insulting. I'm going into my fourth and final year with my OC corps, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've had every chance to jump to WC but have chosen year after year to stick with my home team. To the original poster: Check out the staff at the corps you want to audition for and determine who provides what you're most looking for as a whole. Audition where you feel is most appropriate fitting your goals, but whatever that audition outcome you should still march. A summer's worth of experience is a definite plus in future auditions at any other ensemble.

One thing beyond placement DCI may be evaluating may be the fans a corps would bring to shows. My friends who watched Oregon make the jump to WC said that they've got a die hard fan base out on the west coast. Revenue sharing isn't as much of an issue when a corps moving up results in more ticket sales and profit across the board.

I had friends who marched corps in high school who came back and absolutely hated the band. They were essentially made to be junior staff and spent our rehearsals yelling at people more than teaching / learning the show. That kind of example is why my corps talks to us at the end of the season about returning to home programs and how to make a positive impact rather than be "the jerk who did drum corps"

Any of the corps mentioned are great programs, but I'm going to recommend Coastal Surge. Their members were always nice and showed nothing but class whenever we met after shows!

Having seen Blue Knights at two shows last season (Minneapolis and World Finals) I can most definitely say that they were a favorite of mine. I was wowed at Minnie and truly became a fan after seeing them at finals. When the 10th place corps on finals night wows me and I fall asleep during the 5th and 3rd place shows, I'm leaning towards the opinion that scores are just a load of malarkey.

I absolutely loved BD 2006. If I knew they were doing that show again I'd be on the first plane to California.

I feel that an attempt to label some corps as beginner friendly may come off only to fix an idea that some corps are lesser places to march. At that point there could be a situation where the person simply doesn't march and practices to get into the top 12 corps. Seeing as open class corps are already labeled as less valuable by many folks, that added label would just do more harm than good.

JB, I'm in the same boat. I've found a family with my corps and I'm intent on sticking around. The crowd in Michigan City goes wild for us even though we wear the blue patch instead of the red one. I made this post after hearing a lot of rookies coming in saying their aim was to jump ship after a season. My hope is that they find what I did at my corps.

I can see where you're coming from. Personally, I'd like to help build my corps to a world class level rather than join a world class corps. Most people who would not value the opinions of open class members likely haven't marched at all - having talked to members of Blue Stars, Phantom Regiment, and Cavaliers, there is a respect for corps at least among the members. Among aspiring members? Not so much.

Having marched an open class corps myself I can definitely agree that there's not much coverage. I certainly remember performing for empty stands quite a few times and comments from folks telling me to "march a real corps" both during the season and off season. It sure does make performing for crowds that much more special. It seems at any show with a world class corps more folks will want to watch them in the lot and then go to the stands instead of watching the open class group. I'm sure people will pay attention as more corps make the jump from Open to World.

Seeing as the Open Class forum has about as much activity as Enron, I'm wondering what people here think about the sort of open class stigma that seems to exist in the drum corps world - particularly among younger marching band members looking to join DCI at some point. When I ask folks about their favorite corps or where they'd like to audition similar names show up consistently: Phantom Regiment, Cavaliers, Bluecoats, and so on. While I understand that people want to join their dream corps there are many who get cut and do not march that season at all. As such, open class corps can often find difficulty in filling their ranks (let alone reaching the member limit). The same can apply to the "lower" world class corps. On top of that, high turnover rates often keep said corps from really climbing and finding a spotlight. With that said, I'm wondering what people think about the open class stigma. Is it because DCI doesn't really market open class? Or do people view open class only as a stepping stone to other groups? Or is there no open class stigma at all? Tell me what you think!

I'd say any open class corps or in world class Pioneer or Cascades. The so called 'lower corps' not only aim to put a great show on the field but they also start at square 1 with a lot of members whereas the top groups often already have the best of the best. They won't need to teach Hornline Bob to play a baritone or mellophone. All corps work hard. Some just have to work at more things.

I swear that DCP has become more insane in the past month than the entire year before it... On the selfie note, I could picture Surf doing it. They're all about entertainment and I remember laughing quite a few times when I watched their 2012 performance (no fan network means no 2013 perspective).

I'm still of marching age so my story's still going. I first got introduced to drum corps when I watched the Cavaliers in a YouTube clip at my freshman year of high school band camp. We watched the ESPN clip that showed their 2006 program, The Machine, and I was instantly hooked. I told folks I would join them at some point even though I didn't know where they were from. I went all through high school unable to march and I thought I'd never be able to do it. Then I got a lucky break my freshman year of college and was able to take a trip to Legends out of Kalamazoo. Currently gearing up to march with them another round. I don't think I'll ever take that trip to Rosemont because I've found a home in the Mitten state. I may not be joining a world famous championship corps, but I know that the folks sticking around are building one.

It's a shame you feel that way but it's truly your loss. The best is yet to come, I'm sure. The bar is being set higher and higher by corps and shows keep me entertained as always. I'm sure we'll see you back soon.

Truth be told, I can't say. All individual payment plans are done with express permission of the corps director. I'm not in charge of finances and can't say anything specific (especially on topics such as tuition payment) but the best source is always the administrative team. Sending an email with a couple questions is the smartest route for that answer.

In all, the takeaway should be that the corps is expensive, yes. The corps travels a lot (especially compared to most Open Class corps) and naturally has expenses to pay. Those who choose payment plans have to commit to paying the corps and those who have outstanding debts to pay but leave for another corps must first pay their "home team" their balance or risk being removed from their new corps. The staff will still be top notch because while some staff members have left, there are still quite a few familiar faces teaching a dedicated group of students.

Derek, I am talking about the corps you're thinking of. Based on what we're looking at this year I've heard estimates that we'll be pushing 100 members if things continue the way they are. I have faith things will work out.

The biggest surprise to me is how many folks are acting like five corps just up and folded at the same time. Adding instrumentation is not going to destroy the activity. You'll still have the Blue Devils, Cavaliers, Cadets, Bluecoats, Madison Scouts, Boston Crusaders, etc. I'll still have my corps in 2014 and beyond. The brass instrumentation will generally stay the same until a corps showcases how good new brass instruments can be on the field. If the Blue Devils show me an amazing product that proves trombones belong on the field they can have them. If the Cavaliers don't want to put trombones on the field then they don't have to. Instrumentation is entirely up to the corps themselves. tl;dr, corps are still corps. All the members will still be running around during move-ins and touring in buses.

Pretty much. If a corps decided to make a trombone line or a sousaphone line there would be a huge uproar from their alumni base. I feel that the only real use for the new instrumentation would be a sideline solo or for groups trying to move from Soundsport to DCI Open Class where the groups would likely try to get a standard line as soon as they could.

Folks come by open class corps thinking of them solely as a stepping stone more often than not. If you want a world class experience from an open class group, no other corps comes as close. Remember that if the guys in green shirts and khakis were the only ones who could determine a corps value there would only be 12 groups.

That "lower corps" you're talking about also has 19 shows this summer including finals. 20 if they make world semis. The tour fees reflect how much touring the corps does and if you've ever heard the corps live, you'd know they won't be considered a lower group for long.