Canadacorps

Just a question - Does any place still sell new G keyed horns? Just curious.

We're working on it, Thanks!

East Coast Jazz!!? Please tell me that this is the start of something new for them.. I'd love to see them back in action!

I agree with Chris. I'm not trying to 'gang'-up on you Dean, but the leaders of the OC Division are not some big, corporate board - meeting in a high-rise tower board room somewhere, with a massive budget to work with. "OC Div. leaders" ARE the Corps Directors themselves, and they work within the budgets of each of their individual organizations, which we have already established are fairly limited. Again - would you rather they spend their energies and budgets reaching out to the Legacy fans? Or have them use their budgets and energy ensuring there is a quality experience for their kids, and through the health of their respective organizations, continue to offer an OC division today, tomorrow and into the future? Maybe this is a better question - In what ways do you think the OC Division has failed in reaching out to Legacy fans?..., and what would you see them do instead?

This is where groups like DCNA, and the SDCA have their place - a starting ground where newly "spawned" corps can gain their footing, collaborate with others who are building, support and encourage each other, share knowledge and experience, and begin creating more stable corps for this activity who will eventually take the field. As these new corps grow, they can join the shows in their area/help create new ones. In short - are we able to go back to a TRULY regional approach tomorrow? No, - but Maybe West, Midwest/Central and East for now, with Corps who can afford it crossing over occasionally to make appearances. More Corps = More opportunities for everyone, and then we can expand into a fully regional approach, with people going to the "World" championships if and when they can afford it. This would give the big boys a chance to mix it up ocassionally with Corps they don't see everyday on the tour, and give the audiences a (potentially) different experience each year at Championships.

GREAT! Court of Honor was an excellent Corps, I'd love to see them re-form.

I honestly do not see how you can come up with the conclusion that OC corps do not care about Legacy fans. Of course they do. The hard truth is, Many OC Corps are busy trying to ensure their SURVIVAL, so they are focusing most of their effort there. You will have no OC Corps to be a fan of, if they do not focus the Lion's share of their attention on the growth and health of their own organizations. Many OC Corps operate on a 100,000 or less operating budget (and even some presently active touring OC corps on much, MUCH less). They also have vastly less of the most important resource: PEOPLE. (think: Volunteers. Afterall, Charity Golf Tournaments, Poker Tourny's, Silent Auctions don't run themselves, Grants don't write themselves, and the bigger the Corps, the more parents you have to help. Volunteers are the essential lifeblood from which all good, healthy non-profit organizations come.) (ASIDE:) How do these OC Corps grow? By ensuring they focus all their attention on creating a FABULOUS member experience. Happy members stay in the Corps, and bring their FRIENDS! as the corps grows, so does the level of support. It's all connected, but back to my original line of thinking: Now, compare the OC Budgets to the operating budget of some of the WC corps. - Some have as much as up to 5 million per annum to work with, (I kid you NOT) Big Corporate Sponsors, Huge fan bases, huge support teams, Merch sales, advertising support, appearance fees, enough funding to spawn companies dedicated to earning money for their Corps' continued operations, etc. etc. They are models of success. But with that kind of contrast - suddenly, you can see why there isn't a nationwide movement of OC Corps trying to win back the Legacy fans. They are busy focusing on operations, and trying to ensure that there IS an OC here to serve the kids we care so much about. It's about the KIDS. OC loves and values their fans too, and realize they are important, but many of these corps play to small crowds day-in and day-out, and aren't reliant on the merch sales, DVD sales, crowd attendances and appearance fees to make the clock tick in the same way that the WC corps are. They are simply trying to ensure that their valuable segment of the activity is here to continue enriching the lives of young people throughout North America for years to come. It's a question of economics, really.

Rather than challenges, I want to offer what I think, in my opinion would be the start of a possible solution: In my (flawed, I'm sure) opinion, the best way forward is to go back to a regional model, find ways to make the shows entertaining and accessible but still creative and satisfying to the designers, approach and engage the legacy fans, stop with the "best of the best of the best" approach, and return to the primary focus of serving the kids and growing the activity. Would this solve all problems or be an easy answer? No. but I think it's a step in the right direction, after all.

I agree with Mark, In the West - there's a new Corps forming in Edmonton. :AHEM: . I also hear rumor that a Edm. Strutters/Santa Clara Vanguard Alumni might be starting something up in B.C....

We're looking forward to sharing some good news from Edmonton with the Drum Corps community very soon!

Wishing you all the best. Upped my pledge to 100+. Who's going to step up to the plate and match it?

And it's that dedication and tenacity that will see you through. All else aside, it takes a REALLY hard head to stick with it. Kudos, and all the best to your new organization! - @ the topic, I agree. Sounds like the schedule is just not completed yet.

Thanks, will do :) All the best at your first rehearsal. it looks like you're off to a great start!

Best wishes to you and your new organization.