greg_orangecounty

On a related note, I have noticed modern drum corps now involves running around and climbing/hanging on props such as scaffolds, ladders, see-saws, impromptu mini-stages, and various other OSHA nightmares. I assume members now sign wavers and corps have liability insurance?

I understand why DCI does it (better price with long term contract, centrally located, etc.), but it was more interesting when finals were held in various cities. Indianapolis could not be a more boring place.

Bingo!! It was Phantom at least in the eyes of Bayonne at the time - and to this day. But after 42 years......meh.

Nope. Close, but no cigar.

As a side note.......ask someone who marched with Bayonne in 1977 how they feel about a certain corps from the mid-west who they feel ratted them out to DCI.

Will never forget how empty and silent the streets and skies were above downtown Los Angeles except for the roar of the F-16’s patrolling.

Amen.

I hope it's not the future, at least entirely. Drum Corps couldn’t be any more of a niche activity than it already is, and from what I can tell the niche is getting even smaller. Give the crowd something they can at least recognize and maybe tap their toe to. Isn’t that what helped the Blue Coats? People knew the music and could relate in a positive way. Give the people/crowd what they want, not “show designers” and wannabe composers.

"Cause the players tried to take the field. The marching band refused to yield!!!" "American Pie" by Don McClean Our high school band director had us sing the above at the end of each field show practice. Helped us nerdy kids believe we were just as important.

Hmmmm....Sorry....I don't understand your reference. I took a few decades off from Drum Corps and the 90's were one of them.

I will see shows that will take me until 2025 to be able to appreciate.

I’m a very long time admirer of Santa Clara and I hope they ditch the gray uniforms pronto. It just looked like fog rolling in and out.

May I take this opportunity to say something about Garfield......? I will always appreciate their 2002 show. It was the summer after 09/11 and I loved the patriotic theme and unity as a country. Hope they return into the top three soon.

Doesn’t have to be “hate” rivalry stories will do.

We had the O.G. Bobby Hoffman. Sooooo..... I know......Santa Clara deserved it that year. Had we been a bigger corps things might have been different.

The Kingsmen and Velvet Knights came from the same Boy Scout troop, so it was like a big brother vs. little brother thing. We folded and then they got good in the 80’s. I remember the Black Knights. Their uniforms were awesome!!

Much respect to an organization that has been able to keep it going for that long - and at a high level too. Congratulations!

Awesome, we had former rivals in our alumni corps too. Never knew back in the day they referred to us as (too filthy to say here). All in good fun - now!

Thank you! I gave you a participation prize.

Spill the tea. I know there was genuine dislike if not down-right hatred. Let’s hear your stories. Although THEY thought they were our “rival” we just considered them annoying, especially when they shouted “VK ALL THE WAY”! during the middle of our shows. To retaliate (later) we would sing them a song with alternate lyrics from Westside Story; “There’s a place for usssss, a SECOND place for us....” I don’t like the Velvet Knights to this day.

This place needs a dislike button STAT!

1974 - Anaheim Kingsmen should have won DCI. Bottle Dance, Shmottle Dance.

You’re going to make it, have the time of your life, and make great friends along the way you’ll have for the rest of your life.

I'll let someone else lead that charge as it didn't happen to me and it wasn't even my corps. The kids, now adults, are the ones that would need to speak out - if they want to. I understand if they don't.

I understand removing George Hopkins. It’s a “Me Too” moment for Drum Corps and I’m glad. However, if DCI is really serious about this there’s another name that needs to be removed too. I doubt they've forgotten about it but I'm sure the victims haven't.