MarkHornGA

The side of the trailer says, "Defining the Standard"...apparently not for everything.

I agree with your main point about the importance of fundraising and community presence. I've noticed many corps engaging with their local communities through camps, workshops, special programs, and various initiatives. Some examples include: Bluecoats EN-RICH-MENT youth program Cavaliers King Cobra's Drumline and GearWORKS Phantom's Rockford Rhythm youth percussion and guard ensemble Blue Devils' special needs guard These are just a few examples. I don't believe the model itself is the main issue; rather, many people involved in managing corps struggle with fundraising or lack the capacity to do it effectively. All corps have a compelling story to tell about their impact on young musicians and leaders, and most can share how they positively influence their local communities, even if it’s just through a one-week summer camp. The challenge is that fundraising is a full-time, year-round job. I've been involved in fundraising full-time as a profession in one way or another for 15 years and it is not for the faint-of-heart. Lots of nonprofits have fundraising TEAMS...as in multiple people dedicated solely to that task. It's probably safe to assume that most corps don't have anybody with fundraising in their job description. It likely falls to the C-level folks and the Board.

They likely were still receiving some form of income and I suspect most corps took advantage of the PPP funding that would have provided a hefty bump.

That press release read like flowery damage control.

Well...I won't be sleeping much in early July.

I haven't listened to/watched any shows since finals. I usually need some time to cleanse my palette before I can jump back in. Not sure what I will revisit just yet.

High Cam. I danced with the multi cam devil once. You people must like to live life on the edge.

June 18, 2002 in Shelbyville, KY. Went with my high school drumline buddies and spent the entire day watching the Cavaliers rehearse and hit the show that night. Cavies, Scouts, Southwind, and a few others. I seem to remember the Cavaliers did alright that season...

I heard the Crossmen can't afford their citation for jaywalking.

Without innovation, I'm not a fan today. In fact, it was the innovation of the activity that brought me back and kept me after walking away for a while. The future of the activity is the marching members. When you listen to today's members describing their first exposure to drum corps, most of them are talking about shows from 2015 and on. The factors that have changed the drum corps landscape are too many to name, and many have nothing to do with the activity itself.

No, I let her sleep in.

You act like this is a new thing...

Give those folks lifetime contracts.

Maybe he'll hire me to rebuild his circa 1998 website. Sheesh.

I'll throw an idea in the ring. I've been considering a show concept related to tides and the relationship between moons, planets, and oceans. It could be called "Celestial Waltz," featuring lots of asymmetrical drills and curvilinear designs. I think Crown could do some amazing soundscaping with this concept.