mjoakes

I have seat assignments, BTW. Last row in 140. Same seats I've had before.

Glad to see the corps and leadership embracing the coed model. Really young-looking. This glimpse at a show and music makes me curious about what kind of quality will be apparent overall in Indianapolis.

I'm sure this is frustrating for a lot of fans, members, and family. It isn't a bad policy, however. And it seems like an easy one to follow.

FWIW, I am finding none of the usual hotel rooms available for Saturday night. Maybe that's a sign of okay demand for that final night.

Just ordered tickets through DCI for the 3-day event in August. An email was distributed yesterday to Friends of DCI. Tickets are $265 per person (covering all three days). Maybe that's based on my Friends level (Bronze, lowest, I think). Of course, no idea about the format or number of performances. For me, I think it's worthwhile to get in the queue for seat preferences. I'll decide later just what I'll attend.

I'm pretty tolerant of those who don't want the vaccine - or any vaccine - even though I have a strong preference for vaccines. The tracking and control explanations seem kind of silly (not the people, but their explanations) since so many people allow themselves and their activities to be tracked widely already. And in a not quite literal way, a lot of people appear to be controlled by something other than their own good thinking. If I have to choose between control by Bill Gates or partisan news networks, I think I'd go with Gates.

I'm not big on the idea of solidarity of any kind. It usually leads to conformity and, for some, an absence of critical thinking. (Sometimes, too, a stifling of alternative voices.) Seems like there are plenty of current events examples of this. If DCI has serious problems after the Indianapolis events, it won't be because BD, Crown, and SCV decided not to participate.

Yes, I think they're doing what they think is best for them. I only meant that I think that folks worried about them not somehow contributing to DCI or the activity at this important moment should give them a break here.

A lot has changed since November. I don't feel any angst over this issue. Seems like the corps and DCI will work this out as needed.

I'll support corps leaders doing what they conclude is in their groups' best interests. BD and SCV have done plenty in their histories to support DCI and enhance the activity. They should have some credit to trade on for doing something different this year.

Wasn't sure what to expect. But glad to see so many user names I recognize responding that they follow DCW.

And the others here who write reviews: I'm impressed with those. They often bring in much more background and context, making for a rich read.

I'm always impressed when I browse through Drum Corps World magazine. Lengthy articles, extensive interviews, deep knowledge of drum corps, and overall a lot of work by Steve Vickers and a long list of contributors. I'm also impressed (and surprised) it survives, especially in the same basic format and design for so many years. Just curious about its relevance. How many here on DCP read it, at least somewhat? Does it have a readership base among current corps members and recent alumni?

I'll likely be there. But it's a 50-minute drive. Will be fun to see some drum corps again. But will also be interesting to see what DCI puts together and how they execute it.

How well the NCAA tournaments go might shed some light on multiple day events in Indianapolis. Basketball is not drum corps, obviously. But could still be some intelligence gained from the tournaments.

You're right (bold section). I teach a lot of university students and travel annually with groups of 20 year-olds to Hong Kong and Japan. They have a much more rooted sense of equality. I don't think they are especially virtuous or noble. They have just grown up not focusing on someone's race, gender, and sexual orientation.

I wonder if the current model of running a drum corps is simply not up to the challenges of our awareness and intolerance of the kinds of behaviors being reported. Surely the behaviors are not altogether new. But has hiring and managing staff and volunteers changed all that much over the past several decades? Other organizations, like many businesses, have changed a lot. They have invested in people and infrastructure in response to the changing cultural and legal environment surrounding harassment and abuse. It's required genuine changes in mindsets and much money. For the better. What about drum corps? I think this is arguable. But geeze, members are still sleeping en masse in gyms, cramming onto busses, 150+ hanging out together for weeks in a very intense environment. Has that changed much since 1975 (Yay Scouts)? Staff sizes are much larger. Has hiring processes and the tools available to managers of the corps and staffs kept up with what's required to maintain safety? Do most corps have the financial resources to offer the kinds of training, professional development, and infrastructure to support safe environments?

I'm hopeful we'll look back on 2020 as a prompt for serious rethinking regarding the financial models and management of the musical arts nonprofits sponsoring drum corps.

Me, too. On the trusting. It's hard for me to grapple with all the factors and details involved and how they might play out for each corps. Why BD and SCV leaders don't deserve the benefit of the doubt here - that they are likely making smart decisions on behalf of their organizations - is puzzling.

Some of the humor on DCP doesn't align well with my tastes. But it doesn't have to. It is a social media platform, a forum for all kinds of commentary related to drum corps (except political stuff). Some posters are really thoughtful, @N.E. Brigand usually among them, others not so much. Many posts require a background in the subject I don't have. And that's fine, too. I sometimes dig more deeply on my own. No one is required to educated me about the experiences or knowledge framing the context for their posts, however. That's for college term papers, not an online forum. I'd quickly go nuts demanding good critical thinking in everything I read on DCP. Or bothering to point out every instance where I think critical thinking is lacking. And I am glad others are not constantly pointing out my own flaws. (Assuming I had some.)

Thanks @garfield, and these details are not surprising. A few things: First, I'm clearly suggesting a different model, and any new model will challenge DCI and old ways of operating. If right now DCI has some specific requirements for hosting shows, fine. But what if an organization was able to set up the shows in ways that meet or surpass any currently-set DCI stipulations? I don't particularly care that DCI right now doesn't want member corps to compete outside its circus ring. I'm wondering what would happen if there was an attractive alternative. Second, if successful – and if corps really could be offered appropriate performance fees and also relieved of much of the logistical pain points – maybe a few bold corps leaders out there might take up the offer? The context for this proposition, after all, is that DCI and the current touring model will likely have problems in 2021 and beyond. (Plenty of subtext is that DCI and the touring model already have problems.) There is some level of fees and convenience – or there is some kind of overall package – offered to corps that will prompt different thinking about the role of DCI. Third, if most of what I read and hear about DCI is true, then the current model stymies innovative thinking. One really good way to bring about needed change is a challenge from the outside. I can't imagine a successful challenge to DCI isn't very difficult. But if the leadership there isn't naturally, or incentivized to be, bold and innovative, then there are ways to defeat that leadership. And I say this generally, as a point of discussion, not knowing enough about the individuals involved to judge them here.

Haha. I get it. But I'm in Bloomington. Some of us dream of big things, even if the surname isn't Cook.

Say I am a nonprofit arts/education organization and I have the resources. I'm not DCI. I organize 3-5 shows, set up the venues, invite 7-9 corps to perform, arrange for housing and rehearsal sites (and pay for any associated expenses). I manage all other logistics, marketing, ticket sales. All the relevant cash (such as it might be) comes to me. I pay the corps performance fees and prizes. The geography of the shows obviously matters, but ignore that issue for now. Can I do this? That's mostly asking, can corps that are members of DCI accept my invitations and perform? If allowed, would corps have an interest in participating in my shows? But also, is there a meaningful difference to how corps operate if my nonprofit demonstrates it can effectively manage everything about the shows, and the corps simply need to show up, do their thing, and collect their money?

Thanks @N.E. Brigand. I picked up a new word, anodyne. I like how it looks.

Oh. It’s Wednesday. But there is a super double secret preview of all shows for those select few who pay to... I can’t think of anything clever. I have Wed Omni on the calendar because I was going up a day early to have dinner up with good friends who live downtown. Can never do much for dinners during the three days. Without missing good shows, anyway.