LyricalCoder

Aussie Aussie Aussie!

Yahtzee! The fact that they've kept the same core (not corps) instructional/design staff for DECADES is a testament to their consistent success. Jay Murphy has been on staff since 81. TJ since 86. Downey, though not as hands on these days, since 74. Brass, Perc & Vis caption heads for over 25 years. Sure they've had numerous techs come and go, but those key players are what keep the ship sailing strong. I'm not as familiar with other corps' staffs ... Are there other staffers who have been with their corps for 20+ years? 30? 40??? I'm not counting directors or support staff. Just instructors/designers/arrangers/etc.

I can see the future with my 20/20 vision.

This never happened when DCI was on PBS. Just sayin. 😉

Completely understood. I marched in the 90's when the bulk of the corps I marched with were locals. Rehearsals every weekend plus one night a week, so you kinda had to be close-ish. Only a small handful of members were out-of-towners. Now days many members of say the Blue Devils or Vanguard are from out of state and audition/clinics are held in several places (including Concord) throughout the country. I have no problem with that. There's great talent all over and they are making themselves accessible to such. My kid is attending UW-Madison this fall and I was sort of excited at the idea of having a Madison Scout in the family. The convenience of having not just any corps but THE Madison Scouts right in your backyard is hard to pass up. That is until I found out they don't actually rehearse anywhere near their home city (Madison peeps, please enlighten me if I'm incorrect about this). Without a vehicle to drive to Indy, it's a tough call if auditioning is even worth it. I guess there's always the Mega Bus? If one is having to travel that far to march a "local" drum corps, then they might as well travel a little further to join a different corps, perhaps one that has a better chance of making Finals. This refers back to the OP's statement about growing the organization, retaining membership, attracting more talent, tapping into LOCAL resources, etc. I would love nothing more than to see Scouts return to their former glory. I can't imagine there's anyone on this board who would disagree.

Perhaps Madison Scouts could once again hold rehearsals in, oh I dunno... Madison rather than 5 hours away in Indy?

Yes! Do it before a disembowelment rule is created to penalize them!

Still trying to get used to all this BD love. The last time I frequented DCP (and the main reason I left) this place was a cesspool of BD haters. Glad to see clarity has been achieved. The kids of ANY corps don't deserve the kind of hatred that used to be spewed on this board back then.

*gasp* not the R word!

BD will never cash in their integrity for a ticket on the popularity boat.

I would think drum corps are putting Sousaphones on the field. Which sin is less forgiving? (p.s. I sorta dig the Sousa soloists. Shhh...) 🤫

Participation ribbons for everybody!

Agreed. I spend a good deal of time trying to locate horn soloists on the field. My eyes go to what my ears hear, but then all I see is a big black box.

A little-known secret, in 95 during Finals, half the BD hornline missed the step-off at the start of the show because they couldn't hear the chimes over the initial noise of the crowd. You wouldn't know it watching the video. Kings & Queens of Recovery.

My guess would be because the lineup consists of only a handful of corps, none of which are in Top 12 contention (as it sits right now). They have to stretch it out a bit between corps to keep audience anticipations high, and so they feel their $25-$38 ticket prices are justified. And, you're right, probably to make room for more commercials. 😉

You're not alone. I have two DCI rings from the 90's, yet I'm having trouble playing my son's 3rd trumpet book for his high school marching band. Talk about humility!

A blue ball moment for sure.

um, yes. I know. If I have to explain the crocodile reference... oh forget it lol

Everyone: Tone down some of the body movement. It's gratuitous and can (and often does) distract from some really great musical moments. Sometimes less is more. If it must be done, then it's time to evolve to something other than the inward knee bends and leaning your torso one way or the other. Make it matter. Movement for the sake of movement is silly.

Spoken like a true developer 😂

It ain't over til the fat lady gets eaten by a "crocodile."

Humans have the ability to start raging fires at the bottom of oceans.

Anybody want to buy some plasma? A kidney, perhaps?

Good point. And cost of housing during all-days if your corps doesn't provide it as part of the package. I guess I can understand why it's so much more expensive these days, with many programs losing their bingo operations, etc. But that doesn't change the fact that it's still outrageous. I would love for my son to march this next season, but not sure we can swing the costs.

I just threw up in my mouth a little when I saw how much it cost to march a corps these days. Around $3500, not including spending cash. I recall several people struggling just to pay the $600 tour fees of the mid-90's, myself included. Not sure how kids are doing it these days, especially those too young to work part-time jobs.