Keith Hall

August 9, 1972 Marion Cadets--78.20 Cardinals--69.40 Grenadiers--62.45 Mello-Dears--59.60 Royal Coachmen--49.20

I remember seeing Marion in 1972 at a show in Bellefountaine, OH. I remember Beverly Cardinals, Buckeyes, Marion Cadets, and Mello Dears there. Not sure who else was there

Will there be a Drum Corps TMZ soon?

Whatever happened to this show in Buffalo? I thought attendance was great! Jack Gaylord did a super job in making this event happen and now NOTHING! Did DCI pull away from Buffalo?

The End Times

I have 1969 NYS AL with St. Joe's, Albion Grenadiers and 2 other corps I can't remember Plus 1975 World Open Vol 1, 2 and 3

With the small amount of corps in DCI and the addition of DCA level corps....why not make a fresh start and changed the name to DCofNA. Drum Corps of North America? Assuming there is at least one Canadian corps. If not then remove the N. Use one set of judging sheets so that the judges don't have to think to much from corps to corps. Also mix up the performance order each show. That way judges don't rank and rate based on where they perform in the contest.

Who says SCV will be back in top 12?

If one tries this so will the rest. Do you think there is enough interest to save them all? The screwed up their finances. Besides that, all of the people who hate props, electronics, massive staff, etc.......who will support? Just saying

A LOT I could say but it would just do no good. Continue to rant BUT the end is nigh! My guess would be that some corps will go the way of blast. It won't be competitive any more because MONEY talks! The people who are making much dinero will find a way to make more and it won't be through the corps fees of members but by corporations who will sponsor them. Now spew your hate for me!

How many more will follow the Cadets? If more follow, should directors and DCI meet to discuss a solution? Even with SCV coming back, will they be in top 12 again? This is a serious situation and directors have to be honest to themselves and the MM's (and their parents). The touring model (and we all knew YEARS ago that it forced many corps to fold up), has to be revamped. The season is already shorter than 30 - 50 years ago. I remember doing 3 contests in May plus several shows in June. We went into September. Today it starts in July and ends 6 weeks later. The huge expense for transportation, the continuous changing of uniforms year to year, the loss of IDENTITY, purchasing new percussion and horns.....! No wonder corps have financial issues. How much does a kid pay to be in a corps? $5,000.? Speaking of the touring model....Did the 1970's and 1980's DCI brain trust and corps directors ever think about the smaller corps? I think they thought of only themselves. Popular corps like 27th, Bridgemen, Velvet Knights, Guardsmen, etc gone

Sadly, more will happen as time goes on. Our children are not being taught what is right or wrong. I see it it changing for the worse every year I teach. They think they can press RESET and all will be well!

I am the OP and it was an idea. DCI can take the ball and run with it or toss the ball towards the sideline. I have no affiliations with any corps as all mine are gone. Maybe the person or persons are hired by DCI and assigned a corps for the summer (and camps). The corps pay DCI so DCI would pay these "compliance officers." If DCI and the corps openly show that they care for their members and want to ensure a safe experience, it has to be worth it. The members know they can talk to someone.

Have DCI Hire and assign to a corps. The corps would pay the salary for the summer to include transportation, food, lodging.

Safety and Security Team for each corps! Each corps hire a team to keep watch over corps members as well as staff. One on one meetings with adult and MM should only happen with a Safety and Security team member present. Kind of like, member doesn't meet one on one with a staff member without representation. Also making sure MM's are safe on tour from outside issues.

So happy I got out of this activity!

Lets talk mergers..... Crossmen North Star (MA) Northstar (Ontario) Northmen (Rochester, NY) Renegades (NY) The Thing/Pioneer Arabella Seneca Optimists Oakland Crusaders Plenty more I am sure. So what can you say about all of these corps? Obviously the MOST successful and longest has been Crossmen by far. I was hoping that my corps (Royal Coachmen) would merge with Imperial Regiment because I felt that we would have been very successful.

They became Pioneer. Saw them in either 1974 or 1975 at the NT Open. I remembered they played "Hummingbird (Seals and Croft).

A corps needs to do an experiment.... Do a show with brass, percussion and guard. NO electronics (mics, keyboards, guitar and bass guitar, amps, etc), NO props for an entire year. Compare finances (from previous year or another corps). Also, cut back on staff for the year.

Nowadays it is "thee" thing to use words like diversity. Why is drum corps more expensive today? Look at the payroll for the staff! How many consultants does a corps need? How many trumpet techs or snare techs does a corps need? That's the first thing to look at from a money point of view. Why is it necessary to clutter the field with props? Is it because the drill designers are not as good as a Steve Brubaker or George Zingali? Oh darn I did what others did......change the subject of the OP. The next director? Does the Director of DCI really direct? It seems that the corps directors and caption heads decide what happens from year to year. The DCI director just sits on a throne, much like King Charles as England is run by Parliament and a PM. So is it really a big deal who the director is? Get back to entertaining the audience/fans!

Years ago we chatted about meeting when he was in the Charioteers and at the NT Open. I remembered I talked to a soprano player at a break while they rehearsed at North Tonawanda HS. I distinctly remember they were working on "Just You and Me."

Nice knowing you SCV!

Has judging ever been fair? Consistent? Well maybe from a number standpoint. As long as scores go up X amount from week to week and certain corps get placed where they are meant to be placed....

Is there incentive to march All-Age after this year? How will finals look in the afternoon? Now the good thing is....everyone can get tickets to the big DCI finals Saturday night.

1st was 1976 sitting on the 50 yard line and could see Gene Rayburn and his wife. Greatest seats ever (in the Phantom Regiment block). 1981 and 1982 as well as all the finals in Buffalo.