marchlikegods

From the Cascades site Kary http://seattlecascades.org/

Hey Jon, Bingo still pulls in that much? I am so gullible, I just believed the line I was given, "the game isn't pulling in like it used to". SC has expenses of ~$1.2 million and Cascades have ~$4 million over the period of three years. Wow! Kary

Hello All, Quality drum corps in the northwest have been around for a while, but top 15 and higher placements have been elusive. The challenges the corps face are the following (in my opinion). The University of Washington effect Northwest corps have struggled with recruiting members and staff for as long as I can remember. There was a hex attached to drum corps by the band directors in the area ^0^ . The ways of the old UW program were the model for their programs, a new show each week, high step style, Tequila, Louis Louis, etc. However, I think that that era has passed and the new band directors are more competitive marching band (drum corps style) friendly. The public school calendar Scheduling is very difficult for northwest corps because of the public schools letting out for summer in late June. Members are still in class and most of the rehearsal facilities are not available. As the Cascades and other corps grow in maturity and age, they can begin their spring training earlier as long as they have a place to rehearse. Parents around here are actually starting to speak up about the late release dates and school year calendar might actually change! One dimensional funding Face it, drum corps is expensive and if you live by bingo, you die by bingo. Casinos have eliminated bingo games here. I don’t know how corps around here are funded anymore (maybe someone can fill me in). I do know that tour fees are pretty high and corps are operating on very limited budgets. I don’t think any of the local corps have bought new equipment trailers or other rolling stock recently. IF the corps can find consistent money streams, hold on to quality staff, and the shifting moods of band directors turn in their favor, maybe a lasting successful, high placing drum corps will emerge from the moss and rain. Cheers, Kary Etherington Vis. guy