dannyboy

I'd like to build a library of sample corps communications, such as recruiting, donation solicitation, etc. I've researched books of form letters, and they can be tailored to this activity, but I'd think we have many decades of "successful" stuff right here among us. The first one is RECRUITING, but in two groups: 1. General junior corps recruiting letter 2. All-age/Senior corps letter I'm looking for any variety: first contact, follow-up, to alumni, etc. We could share them here for the whole DCP community, or you can email to me at dcm_webmaster@yahoo.com Thanks!

DCM did not "split" from DCI. They are/were two different circuits. Corps participated in both the DCI and DCM circuits. All but one Division I corps LEFT DCM after a vote in the fall of 2002 on merging DCM into DCI after a "trial merger" experimental year in 2002. Pretty much the Div I corps wanted the merger, but the smaller corps and seniors voted not to merge and to maintain the DCM circuit. The Division I corps and a few others resigned from DCM after the vote did not go their way. Those corps left DCM; the remaining DCM corps did not leave DCI. That is significant. With so few corps remaining in DCM, we could not even afford adjudication at every show the last two years. Several of the traditional DCM shows in Minnesota were already co-sanctioned DCM/DCA-Central events last year, after the creation of DCA-Central. In 2006, those shows, hosted by MBI, Govies, and Chops are either DCA-C or DCI shows. Not DCM. Perhaps in the coming months, those that care to provide time and energy to DCM might contribute to re-purpose DCM? I'm accepting thoughts, ideas, whatever, at dcm_webmaster@yahoo.com Dan Landbo DCM Vice Chairman

And you get a fuzzy line with some "all-age" corps (but still called "senior") where there is a range of age from perhaps 14 to ?? In Kilties, we've had members as young as 14 or 15 that march with their parents or a guardian. Quite a few of our guard are late H.S./early college. I don't like the "senior" brand -- I think "all-age" is better. We market ourselves as an "all-age, weekend-warrior" drum and bugle corps.

They would be DCI-Central all-age/seniors. I guess that would be Kilties, Minnesota Brass, Govies, Chops, and I assume also Royal Airs, though they are alumni/exhibition.

No thoughts at all?

I'm excited and encouraged that DCI-C is going to have II/III and Senior/All-age corps included in the Indianapolis show. Thoughts?

Ah!!! But what IS "Quality?" (Don't worry, this ends "on topic.") Robert Piersig, in his classic book ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE, basically presents a Metaphysics of Quality as a dichotomy of Classical Quality and Romantic Quality. He uses the metaphor of a motorcycle -- precision parts and engineering are the Classical Quality; the whole/performance/experience is Romantic Quality. Both combine for True Quality. So, maybe in Drumcorpsdom... Classical "Quality" (Technical Mastery?) of drum corps (DCI bias) vs. Romantic "Quality" (Art/Entertainment?) of drum corps (DCA bias) Differences in adjudication sheets demonstrate that there is bias for technical mastery in DCI, and bias for entertainment value in DCA. They are measured differently. The two circuits reward a different combination of Classical and Romantic Quality, differently. They are different animals not just because of age groups, but by how they are rewarded. But of course Quality, by it's own nature, is subjective... which opens THAT old can of adjudication worms. Edited for spelling.

This is Joel's picture.

He had told my wife, Beth (also mellophone), that he was not feeling well today. Before the show, he told her that he was feeling "better" -- but still not well. Kilties got word of his passing after corps photos were taken. I don't think there will be any more news tonight. - Dan

Joel "Lothar", mellophone with the Kilties, passed away this evening either on the way to, or at the hospital, after falling during the beginning of the show. The Kilties returned to the field to re-start the show, not sure of his condition. Joel mentioned to my wife (fellow mellophone) earlier today that he was not feeling well. Our prayers are with Joel and his family.

Midwestern seniors start their competitive season many weeks before Eastern corps, and even have a longer season than junior corps. You can't beat them into the ground and make them do this EVERY weekend for three months. Membership demands SOME time off for family. If you remember, Aldo, we also traditionally take the weekend of DCI off -- but did not this year -- to have a camp. We also had a weekend in Hastings and St. Peter, MN following DeKalb. All winter, Kilties had camps twice each month. 2005 was the most aggressive practice and performance schedule the senior Kilties have ever attempted. Sorry to go off-topic.

We were hurt on the visual score. Expected. Lots of holes because of people that had work conflicts and could not make the trip this weekend. A judge's comment on a tape, I was told this morning, was that with so many holes, it was difficult at times to read some forms. With the more complex drill we have this year, I can totally understand that. Take five people out of an eight-person shape -- and there is no shape. But that's fine. Everyone will be there in Scranton. Music -- the judge on the tape, I am told, was "gushing" about the blend, intonation and the ballance between horns and drums. I'm proud of how much more "musical" the Kilties are this year. Mr. Kelsey has done amazing things with the horns, and the members stepped-it-up this season. And it will keep getting better. Aldo: More time to practice in August? Wow. They had camp last weekend, made the trec to Syracuse this weekend, and they have camp next weekend. Then Scranton. Would you have them quit their jobs and practice during the week, too? Or stay home every weekend for camps and not make trips, like to Syracuse, to perform? Is that why you left Kilties? Miss ya. Best wishes to all the All-Age/Senior/Alumni corps in the next few weeks. I wish I could go to Scranton, but I have to work. I was looking forward to seeing friends made last year. And...Congrats to all the juniors on THEIR season. We had a wonderful time in Boston. 1000% better venue than Orlando and maybe even better than Denver...because of the seafood! Lobster pie, clams and Samual Adams before Finals. Heaven. REALLY looking forward to next year, since we live just 45 minutes from Madison! Best, Dan Landbo

I saw this auction too. Willson 2950S Professional. You can't get a much better horn. That is the horn of choice for most euphs in the U.S. armed forces bands. It is .591-.670 bore and has a huge 12.25-inch bell. The list price is $6,790 TheBrasswind's retail (one of the lowest) is $5,399 It will be interresting, with a starting bid of $1999 and NO RESERVE what it actually sells for. That auction's "buy now" of $4200 for a "nearly new" "mint" horn is a killer deal in/of itself. [[update - seller ended the auction early]]

Okay. For years we've emptied our horns just about anywhere -- just like you. Usually right on the floor. Maybe in the waste basket or on a newspaper (if mom was looking.) Do you feel a little funny at a wedding, church or other formal gig when you empty out the water on the floor? (And the mother of the bride or the congregation gives you THE LOOK.) Some of us at least have an old rag to dribble on. Not very professional, eh? "C'mon, it's just condensation! Well, sure... WE know that! But like many professions, image is everything. And in our case, as horn players, "they" see it as "spit." Their perception is reality. Well, we have a solution. Our good friend, Jim, invented the SPIT-SPOT and has patents pending on it. At a young age, Jim studied trumpet under Harry D. O'Neil, of the Milwaukee Symphony. Then, while stationed in Chicago with the Army Band, Jim was feature soloist on both WGN Radio and Television's weekly "This is the Army Band" program, and continued studies under Mr. Schilke. Jim took a few years off from his horn to build a successful printing company (Jim printed/sponsored last summer's full-color DCM program). But the playing bug came back, and the modest virtuoso was back on the scene. With all this new playing, Jim's wife wasn't too crazy about him emptying his horn on her fine Persian rug. So, Jim set to work to find a better way, spending a year investigating materials and experimenting. Finally, he was happy with his SPIT-SPOT. Patents are pending. You can order Spit-Spots online at www.spit-spot.com. If you need LOTS of them, we can print your corps or band logo or marketing message on Spit-Spots. Spit-Spot, still just a "moonlight" venture, already helps support the corps and brass band activities. - Dan Landbo North American Sales info@metapromo.com

Don Daber did drum corps illustrations for album covers, programs, and publications. Anybody know how to contact him? Thanks!

Think of baritone as similar to tenor trombone -- and so for a beginner I'd point them to a 12C if they have undeveloped chops, but try to get them on a 6 1/2 AL. Also, Bach 6 1/2AL is your basic starter euphonium and bass trombone mouthpiece. Also Schilke 51D. As chops get developed, euphonium players should probably move to 5G or a Schilke 52D -- or bigger if they have the mature chops. I even tried as far as a Schilke 58 on the euph, but it was really flat in the upper range. But that's me. In 2003 I played a DEG-distributed Brian Bowman model euphonium mouthpiece on my Willson/DEG euph. That horn took the Willson/"Euro" medium-shank. The Brian Bowman comes in all three euphonium shanks. The Brian Bowman has a VERY deep, "V" cup -- kind of like a small version of a Helleberg tuba mouthpiece. Huge throat. Takes a LOT of air. In 2004, I played on a current-model DEG euphonium (large shank) with a Schilke 52D. I missed the Brian Bowman. I'm a distributor for my friend, Jim Kelly's polycarbonate mouthpieces (he's 10 -minutes up the road, and I'm re-photographing his mouthpieces next week). He has these Bach/Schilke clones for bari/euph in typical sizes. And they don't cost much and to many professionals sound the same. Polycarbonate is the stuff eyeglass lenses are made of. Very nice flexibility with them. Bluestars mellos play em. I have an inventory of them. Lots of colors and even glow-in-the-dark. :)

Mello 6V is similar to a deep cup trumpet MP. Wide rim and round cup. F-horn is a conical cup, and tends to go narrow rim for flexibility, though there are "beginner" cushion-rim F-horn pieces. F-horn MP also has a smaller shank and an adapter bit is used to work on a mello. One Kiltie mello is using an F-horn mouthpiece so she doesn't mess up her clasical F-horn playing. Interrestingly, another low mello in Kilties is using a Dennis Wick Alto Horn mouthpiece. Wide rim like a trumpet, but total V-cup like a Frnch horn -- gives them a distinctive warm/dark sound. I just switched to a Schilke 59 on a DEG Euph.