PopcornEater1963

Why would you assume a restart means slipping back into the dark ages of show design? I’ll be the first to admit that it’s going to be a challenge in 2021 for DCI, but modern day MM’s aren’t going for this plan at all. At all.

Very true. And if there’s a season that’s exactly what he’ll do. I’m just hopeful DCI won’t drag out a “shortened season” decision too long. And at least consider the MM’s whims also considering the member corps and DCI itself as an organization.

Summer classes? Working as a brass/visual tech for HS band programs? That’s what my MM is already lining up just in case. But at some point he’ll have to commit.

Also, individual state governments can shut down “gatherings over x” at any time at any venue.

Yes... when the announcement came last year, there was a good bit of debate about whether Madison talent that might have stayed home would leave.

Last year when the announcement was made that Madison was going co-ed, there was a discussion either here or on FB that Madison members might move at a higher rate to the only all male corps left. I think by seeing the actual numbers that is happening. As a long time DCI fan I feel like Madison made a mistake. And only time will bear that out. And I hope I’m wrong. I’ve been a Madison fan since I was 12 years old ( 1975). Still watch that show once or twice per year.

Yes. I realize this. I’ve toured with the Cavaliers as a volunteer and have gotten to know a lot of the guys pretty well. That said, in a 76-member brass line, unless I’m reading the tea leaves ( new parents posts) 5-6 came from Madison this year. That’s not counting percussion or guard. Seemed a little high for a single year.

From watching posts after the last camps/contracts...it looks like the Cavaliers have had several members from the Madison Scouts audition and earn contracts. I had a feeling that this might happen. And don't mean anything more than that....I had a feeling that this might happen.

I'm obviously a Cavaliers homer, but I do believe that two things will have their numbers up this year. You already mentioned Don Warren. But added to the equation is the Cavaliers touring California last year, and getting amazing crowd reaction throughout that tour. I don't think it's accidental that Cavaliers have a Los Angeles audition this year that they haven't had since my son got involved 3 years ago. I also think them closing out the year 3rd in brass will pay some dividends. I haven't talked to my kid about this...I have no idea what kind of registration they are doing. I do know that he will be at BOA Grand Nationals in Indy recruiting...something else I'm not sure they've done regularly in the past ( but could definitely be wrong about).

Sponsorship from Peanut Butter Companies. Sponsorship from Jelly Companies. Athletic Shoe Deals. Sports Drink Sponsorships. Performance Wear Sponsorships. I went through the formal process with JIF trying to get a sponsorship for my Son's corps after he showed me a log that he ate over 950 Peanut Butter sandwiches on tour. I contacted the powers that be and tracked down the total amount of Peanut Butter that the Corps bought and consumed from Spring Training til Finals. I thought it was a pretty impressive case for sponsorship. And I got shot down. But that doesn't mean that DCI couldn't do that in aggregate.

Go sixth and conquest. 🙂

Well...the kid patched together enough academic, music, and ensemble scholarships that I'm technically not paying for him to go to college ( very little anyway). He paid his first year of tour fees. I figured for the education he's getting tour fees can be classified as "tuition". If he keeps his current educational trajectory ( i.e. grades) and graduates with 6 years of competitive drum corps, 4 with the Cavaliers and 2 as a Drum Major, I figure he's done about all he can do to get ready to go work in this crazy field.

I'm in the process of cleaning our music studio in the basement right now while both of my kids are gone. They're gonna be shocked at how lean and mean it is when they return for the holidays. And I'm buying their Christmas presents with the proceeds. 🙂

"A Beautiful Mind" is where the Cavaliers Tarps design came from in 2018, and was also the music for their ballad. The tarps were to represent the scene in "A Beautiful Mind" where Dr. Nash's wife found a shed with a bulletin board like the one pictured above with red yarn connecting people, events, etc.

Thankful that there is really no breaking news out of Rosemont. Got to witness that team for 11 days in California and another 4 in Indy. Stability is the order of the day. Cavaliers will only get better. That swing out west this year was great for recruiting for 2020...and they have so much to build on.