drussum

What a great post and a good question. I watched the videos of the marching bands and they were great for marching bands. Is this the way DCI is headed? I believe it is. It saddens me somewhat, but it is what it is. On the other hand, I was talking with a REALLY old drum corps guy (I'm just an old drum corps guy) over the Memorial Day weekend (he marched in the '50s whereas I marched in the late '70s) and he told me something that got me to thinking. He said that he stopped going to drum corps shows in the mid- to late-70s because they were using 2-valve bugles. This really blew me away. I said to him, "Buster (that's his nickname), I can't believe you just said that." He said that he didn't like the direction that drum corps was going, so he stopped supporting the activity. Then I thought some more, and my feelings about today's drum corps (note how I'm not saying DCI, as DCI IS its member corps), and the fact that I no longer go to shows or actively participate in the activity other than occasionally lurking here on DCP (you can tell I'm a lurker because I messed up on my first reply to this thread). These discussions and reflections have led me to the following conclusions: drum corps is for the generation that is currently marching in the activity. It's not for the fans (although I have other thoughts on that as well, but those thoughts are not germane to this topic). So, if this is where this generation wants to take the activity, then so be it and I wish them "fair winds and following seas." Drum corps always has been, and if it is to remain drum corps, always should remain a niche activity IMHO.

As I understand things now, Proposals 3 & 4 passed. Please correct me if I'm wrong. So, if my assumption is correct I have a "tongue firmly planted in cheek" proposal. Why not have each "corps" go into a recording studio, where conditions are acoustically "optimal," and record their music. Then at each show, just play the recording over the facility's PA system. The students would then just march the drill. This provides some advantages: 1) the kids don't have to carry those heavy instruments; 2) think of the money you would save not having to transport the instruments, heck you could carry the flags and rifles in the aisles of the buses and the uniforms could be hung up somewhere in the buses, you'd only need a food truck; and, 3) the sound would be consistent from one corps to another. Why not go down the crazy road a little further, just set up a really big TV screen and play a DVD of the corps doing their drill, then the audience could just vote to determine who they think is the best corps. Wow, the advantages here are quite clear: 1) think of the money savings, you just send a copy of your corps' DVD to each show venue so the travel costs are now zero, you only have postage costs --- but alas, you'd no longer have drum corps. Oh, but that's what we have already. OK, back to being a lurker.

Great post! A short little story for everyone: For my family and friends, I was the driving force behind going to drum corps shows. I'd set up the trips, buy the tickets (they'd pay me back, I'm not wealthy, rich in family and friends, but by no means wealthy), distribute the tickets, etc. A couple of years ago, I couldn't tolerate the changes, read innovation and my perceived lack of respect for the past, anymore, so I decided not to go to any more shows. My friends and family picked up the baton (pun intended) and went without me, which I thought was great. But last year, no one went because they were bored at the previous year's events - I don't know any of the shows from 2005, so I'm not making any judgment calls or anything - I'm simply taking people I've known and loved for years at their word. So, that being said, there are now more than 10 people from just my family and circle of immediate friends that are no longer going to ANY shows at all - and I don't know if this is good or bad (maybe they weren't all that die-hard of fans to begin with, and they were just humoring me), it's simply a fact. And sadly, none of them are going to any shows this year either. On a personal note, I went through a long mourning period, but I think I'm finally over it and over drum corps. And as has been said on this board in the very recent past - try not to take yourselves too seriously. Enjoy life and everything you do. And please, before anyone flames me and says that I was not a true fan either, here's my drum corps pedigree: Junior corps - marched and taught; Senior corps - marched, taught, on board of directors. Needless to say, I spent many years of my life in and around drum corps, so yes, I was a true fan. The Chief

Holy cow, a guy can't even make a legitimate suggestion. OK, so corps were not playing "bugles," but now you're splitting hairs. By bugles I meant brass instruments in the key of G, but I didn't want to say that for fear there would be another G vs. B-flat argument, which was not the point of my original post. The point was - be proud of what you are and where you have come from - but market so that people can understand what you're all about. The fact of the matter is, is that people know marching bands, and the somewhat esoteric distinctions that are now being made are more than likely lost on the average fan of marching music. The replies thus far are further evidence of why people with any sort of counter viewpoint are unable to post anything on this forum. If there is even the appearance of going against those who have consumed the "cool aid," you get shouted down, called stupid, silly, ########, etc. Thanks so much for not disappointing me, and thank you for acting just as I anticipated you would act - like spoiled children. :( Da Chief

You might want to look at spell checking your next post. ######## is spelled with a "d" and not a "t." Now who's ########?

This is not a blast anything post, it's just a suggestion to increase the fan base. I saw a taped version of the ESPN2 broadcast of finals over the weekend, and it got me to thinking about how the activity can be grown regarding the fan base. Although I haven't seen any numbers about fan attendance, whether it be up or down, I don't know; it's always a good thing to increase the fan base. So here's my suggestion. Why not change the name of DCI to DBI - Drum Corps International to Drum Band International. This I say for the following reasons: 1. The original name of DCI was a shortening of the Drum & Bugle Corps name, and seeing as how there are no bugles in the vast majority of the units any longer, it seems to me to be a little bit of a misnomer. 2. Most of the units I saw, at least instrument wise, more resembled a marching band. 3. There may be some marching band fans that don't understand that the units on the show are more like "marching bands on steroids", and they might get a lot of enjoyment out of watching these "marching bands on steroids". I say, call these units what they are - for better or worse - they are what they are. :) Da Chief

Here's mine in no particular order and leaving out a BUNCH: Kilties Jr Guardsmen Bridgemen VK and my old corps: Wausau Story The Chief