MCL_Contra

In my humble opinion most of the corps that are outside the NE are at a disadvantage throughout the season. Here's why.... There are not as many shows (DCA or DCI) in the South, Mid-West or West to allow these corps the opportunity to perform each weekend. We all know that every time you compete, unless a corps has a disatrous show, your score is going to improve. Well when your corps doesn't have a show for several weeks and the NE corps are at it each week the spread gets to be so large that it's almost impossible to catch up. I'm not saying anyone is to blame for this it's just the way it is. But until this can change then corps from outside the NE will always have a harder road to go to get into finals.

Another slight edit for ya. Music City Legend "They're Playing our Song" Moon River (from Breakfast at Tiffany's) by Mancini, Henry They're Playing Our Song by Hamlisch, Marvin Assassins Tango by Powell, John A Mis Abuelos by Sandoval, Arturo Overture (from Dancer In The dark) by Bjork Dear Old Shiz (from Wicked) by Schwartz, Stephen Rock This Town by Setzer, Brian

While not on the field MCL played at my wedding. Since MCL is where Laurie and I met we thought it was appropriate. Thank you MCL.

It would be awesome if they would participate but my guess is they will hit the road just like most DCI corps do. I guess they just don't feel they have the time. I hope I'm wrong tho. It would be cool to have they added to the mix.

Come stand in front of ours!!!!

Those pics are almost enough to make some cry. Those of us who were there from the beginning and who know how much hard work and sweat has gone into getting us where we are. And to know that the group that is in the last picture will never be again. Ahh....memories......

Shelliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii........... Long time no see! How ya been?

I'm loving it. How about a little love for MCL?

I'm hoping we can find the time for underwater cigarette rolling in the near future!

Wait! You guys did macaroni art? Nobody told me that! And to think I went to a NASCAR race instead of THIS camp!!!!

Bumparooneo. Sadly I will not be there this weekend. But don't let that stop you from coming out and being a part of a fantastic organization.

Actually DCAS has decided not to have a "Championships" show for now. There were too few corps at the time that had actually been able to get to other shows. Kind of lame to have a championship where that show had been the only show for some of the corps. It may return once more shows are available to the southern corps. The Nashville show was a huge success last year and looks to be even better this year. There is a great DC fan base in this area with a number of college music programs and a very active HS band program. There are quite a few kids from this area that either do or have marched in DCI. If you are in the area on Aug. 2 come on out and check out the show. I think you will be surprised.

I don't see where anyone here has really contradicted you there. No one has said that these corps SHOULD move over to DCA. Rather that it MAY be a viable option open to them should they decide it's in their best interest to do so.

It is perfectly acceptable for DCA corps to compete at DCI shows if they are also Affiliate members of DCI. I also believe that DCI corps can be judged at DCA shows on DCI sheets. However, in either case DCA corps are not competing against DCI corps and vice versa. I know that the Nashville DCA show has at least 4 DCI Open Class corps that are supposed to be performing.

Tom, I don't think anyone was originally trying to MAKE you like DCA. Most of us are DCI fans as well. We may not like the direction that DCI is moving but we don't blame most of the individual corps or their membership for that. IMHO it is going to be increasingly difficult for all corps in either organization to travel. But the schedule is much easier to handle in DCA. You go to the shows you want to go to and you do what you can to provide a meaningful, competitive season to your members. In most cases it's up to the members themselves to decide if the corps can do the schedule it wants to do. In other words, because of the nature of DCA there is much more input from the membership than in DCI. With this said it is my opinion that DCA could be a good alternative for a struggling DCI corps. I think they could find financial savings and still provide their members with good competitions over the summer as well as a fantastic Championships weekend.

Where is it written that this activity is ONLY for the young. I happen to know a few "old timers" that can march and play circles around most DCI members. I think if you love the activity and can physically do it.......then go for it.

Speaking from my own experience only (some corps leaderships may disagree with me on this) but unlike most, if not all, DCI corps, DCA corps are not in it just to get a paycheck at the end of the season. Yes, that is nice to get and yes, the more the better. However, most DCA corps are in it for the fun, competition and bragging rights. Almost every member of a DCA corps marches because it's what they love to do. They don't do it to get a better job, or a scholarship or anything like that. They do it for the sheer exhilaration of performing and hearing the crowd and watching the competition. While we do aspire to perform to our best we are not and never will be perfect. We simply do not have that kind of time. Therefore, we instead focus on the enjoyment aspects of the sport.

I think they do. More corps mean more available shows means more competition means more corps at Championships means more fans in the seats means more members for more corps. See the beauty of the cycle. Also the fact that DCA has held on to most of the Drum Corps traditions means that HS kids who wish to perform in a DCA corps can be a part of something that is NOT just another form of thier marching bands. Has DCA evolved....yes. Has DCA changed.....yes. Has DCA become just like BOA bands.....no way! Does this make DCA a bad thing..........not on your life!!

I think you need to look again at where DCA is these days. It's not just the East Coast any more. There are now corps in Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, Kansas, California and Florida. Does that put enough corps around you to get you interested or to make it worth a look? P.S. If I left out someones state...my apologies. DCA is growing every day. It's hard to keep up.

The Nashville, TN show on Aug. 2 is Music City Legends Home show and is a DCA show.

You've missed us. Although I believe we have changed the ballad to Dancer In The Dark.

I've played on Kanstul and DEG contras and I will take a DEG any day over the Kanstul. The DEG is much more free breathing to play and produces a bigger sound. Now high brass is a different story (from what I've heard).

My guess is you are wrong! It takes some real talent to march AND play well. Just go ask some DCA members.

Hey, Legend has had members from Ohio before. Wouldn't mind having another. Come give us a try.

Probably not since he's the creator of the video and we don't have a problem with this clip.