Triple Forte

Hi All, I have never been comfortable with the words graduation and faculty being used in drum corps. Sorry to the folks and corps who like using these words. According to Webster's Dictionary, there use in today's DCI drum corps doesn't make sense. Websters.....not me Faculty: All the teachers of a school, college, or university or of one of its departments or divisions. Maybe Spirit can use this word but they would be the only one. Graduation: A graduating or being graduated from a school or college.

I would like to see the numbers for the small town local shows. Not just the major event shows. Are those numbers ever recorded?

For years I have said YES. I realize DCI week is jam packed already, but I always thought it would be great if DCI and the Board of Directors hosted a DCI/Fan conference. It is the Super Bowl of DCI, why not have an open discussion (open mic) for fans and the BOD's to share their thoughts? BTW......I have read enough information and announcements through the years to know that DCI always knows whats best for the activity.

It is pretty amazing when you thing about it. Corps do incredible things with marching these days and yet just about every attempt at a company front is kind of sloppy........

Starting back in 1994 Madison started entering the field in a company front and then forming the fleur de le (Spelling?). They always received a great response for this and it became a staple of theirs for a while. So......I think it can sort of be considered a Madison classic. Even the Madison reunion corps did this. BTW.....I realize corps have been doing all sorts of company fronts from the beginning of time....and that a company front from the left goal line was actually a requirement.

I want to expand a tad on my comment "True Drum Corps". Perhaps I could have worded it a bit better but, "True Drum Corps" is an opinion (Preference) a label if you will of what I like to see and hear from a drum corps. The definition is going to be as varied as the people who follow the activity. I have mine.....and you have yours. Fairly simple..... My Definition: Raw energy, power, showmanship and aggresion. Its a corps approach to "presentation". I don't like corps who approach a show in a sterile and controlled fashion (Which seems to have become a trend). Couple things. One, this post is/was not intended to address amplification. Two I am by no means the only person on DCP who disagrees with the use amplification and I doubt I am leading the crusade. If you want to know my feelings about Madison using amps....it is no different than my feeling towards other corps who use amps. I feel they are totally unecessary and should not be used.....PERIOD. Regarding the opening of the show. It was innovative yet incredibly woven in to a classic Madison drill move (Straight line off the end zone). I feel that many folks don't give Madison enough credit for being innovative. They have brought some incredible ideas to the field for many, many years and the opening of their 2007 shows meshed tradition with innovation perfectly. Sorry if this disappoints you but I have not abandoned any of my beliefs. I believe that drum corps instrumentation should remain brass and percussion. No addition of electronics and Amps and narration should be removed and heavily penalized if used in a drum corps show. DCI = I follow it for its unmatched level of achievement/execution in the marching music activity. DCA = For great execution, incredible variety and showmanship Alumni = For pure enjoyment, education on drum corps of the past and to support a bunch of folks who are achieving amazing things.

Just watched the 2007 Madison Scouts on DVD. Just as I remembered it back when I saw ya in Allentown and Pasadena.....awesome. I want to thank Madison for bringing back the sizzle and attitude that represents Madison and "True Drum Corps". The soloists in particular acted and played with a "take no prisoners" approach that is seen very little (If at all) anymore. It was refreshing to say the least. I am sure you will be stronger and more aggressive than ever in 2008....... 2007 Madison Scouts; one of (If not the most) unique and effective openings to a show.

Drum corps have done this a million times as well. But the Colts will do it with kick butt, toe tapping MUSIC........ Keep it up Colts........love the stuff you have been doing lately.........

I say that when you reach 18 you are an adult. Maybe a young adult....but an adult none the less. You will not see me refer to the participants of DCI corps as kids.......I call them members.

Some of these ideas can probably be instituted. My suggestion. Review the realationship with DCI sponsors. You know.....everyone would like to play with the "Big Boys". Small companies are trying to match mid-size companies and mid-size companies are trying to match large companies. Problem is......many companies try to play a game that is over their head.....and they end up going out of business. What do the DCI sponsors (At every level, Leadership...etc) receive? Is it to much ? I would bet that DCI is spending a bit to much money trying to please (Wine and dine) the sponsors. Sponsors are CRITICAL...don't get me wrong. But I think sponsors should consider things differently when working with a non for profit organization. Maybe they do.....but I must tell you I am not getting that vibe. Shouldn't a non for profit organization constantly look at ways to save money around every corner? I don't think the DCI headquarter hotels (At the major events) need to be 4.5 - 5 star resorts. If I were running a non for profit.....I would use Motel Six where possible. Ok....may that last example is a tad extreme....but I think you get my point.....I hope.

It is obvious that many corps have no idea how to successfully maintain financial stability. At some point DCI needs to make some meaningful "adjustments". Oherwise, more corps will be lost. I actually overheard someone who was involved with a pretty significant Div II corps say......"I took out a second mortgage so that we could get two new contra's"

Havent seen this yet. Pits are bigger than ever......

My favorite show from BK goes back to when they first cracked in to the top 12 in 1991. Second favorite has to be 2001.....Blue Tunes. I thought they did a great job with a jazzy edge. OH.....and I loved "Some Enchanted Evening" from 2005 And finally......they should bring back the DOTS......there I said it.....

We can only hope....... I say WW will be allowed in the next five years.....ten at the latest They are already allowed for I & E.......

I would say a LOT of fans would consider WW the last straw.....thats for sure.

Agreed. If prices keep rising, I think DCI will have no choice but to trim down the schedule or create more of a region thing. Having Student debt and debt from drum corps...tough way to start your life after school.....

I have no reason to hope this Indy decision fails. Like another poster explained "I go to DCI Championships for drum corps". Any additional site seeing is bonus. I always thought the three or four rotating DCI Champs sites was/is a good idea. Another hobby of mine does this with their national convention. They started on the East and move the show accross the country. After three years the show/convention is back on the east coast again. Works well..... I am sure the band directors are thrilled at the opportunities of DCI being in their hometown for many years. But how does the sports organizations feel about this? Did DCI talk to them? I don't know what its like in Indy, but where I live the music/arts programs always have to bow to the sports organizations. The sports org's have the power. Parting thoughts..... 1. I don't automatically cheer and rah rah for all choices/decisions DCI makes. I guess I am not their model fan. (AND DCPer). 2. I am a realist by nature. Unfortunately that sometimes comes off as being "negative". Sorry for any typos :)

Ditto here.... Colts performed one my favorite shows in 2007. Keep the good times rolling......

Believe it or not it is quite possible that DCI is going to wear out its welcome with the local schools. A bunch of us drum corps fans discussed the "10 years at Indy" quite a bit while waiting for our plane after DCI in Madison 2006. Someone familar with that area (And drum corps overall) said the practice facilities will get harder and harder to lock down with each passing season. HS/college football teams will be upset about having there facilities used up by a drum corps. We all know the wear and tear a field takes after a drum corps has bee on it....... Curious to see what happens....... Every now and again when I am watching my 2004 (Denver) or Madison (2006) dvd's it hits me pretty hard that we are not going to see DCI finals at either one of those GREAT locations for many many seasons.....if at all.... :(

Spirit 2003 will always be a special show for me. There was nothing better (Or more exciting) that week than to see Spirit jump two spots in the semis to land themselves in to the big Saturday night show. That show had something for everyone. opener...modern approach.. ballad...solid old school....yup. good choices overall......

First....I did not call anyone names so please don't call me names...... >>USSBA is run by YEA! and the USSBA circuit is a major fundraiser for that orgainzation. >>YEA! is also the parent organization of The Cadets. >>DCI is helping one of its member organizations promote its activity. >>I see a connection. Also Tom.....I was responding to the above comments from poster BOBSYMTH. As far as I know, neither he or I know the details regarding the YEA organization. We are sharing opinions. I have no reason to believe (At all) that YEA is running a shady operation. Nor did I accuse them of anything of the kind. BOB mentioned (As you can see) that YEA is the parent organization of the Cadets and the USSBA and by DCI posting a note on their webpage it is helping one of its MEMBER organizations...USSBA. We are posting "opinions"......Please relax a tad :) :) People make death threats to radio talk show hosts. For what.......for what a radio talk show hosts opinions are?? Crazy.....if you ask me.

I disagree. If I were a member of the Cadets and found out my corps dues were funding a marching band circuit that I had no involvement with, I would be a tad upset. It works the other way around to. If I were part of the band circuit and found out monies pouring in to the circuit were funneling in to a drum corps budget instead....I would probably not like that either. BTW......I have been to both YEA drum corps and YEA USSBA events many many times. I think of them as separate entities. Band is band....drum corps is drum corps. Unlike YEA....I like two "separate" types of performing groups.

Does the news headline below have anything to do with DCI and drum corps? "USSBA set for National Championships"

And I think we can all make a pretty good guess who the man behind the curtain is :P :P

So......its the off season and drum corps news is a bit slow. But even though things are slow.....should two news items be posted on the dci.org web page discussing the marching band activity? I like drum corps for what it is and marching band for what it is. I don't like mixing them together. What do you all think?