UNCGQ

+1 Nobody knows exactly what 2014 or 2015 will look like, not even the G7 leaders. Anybody suggesting otherwise is grossly misinformed.

Fort Mill, SC. North Carolina is a pristine image of what a state should be. South Carolina is a hole and should be eliminated from existence. (nevermind that Fort Mill is 10 minutes from the NC border)

It's def a better use of time than the 'usual off-season' threads. Which corps with green as a primary color will have the loudest impact moment in 2013?, etc. I would suggest that the G7 is happy to keep going down the same path as long as they continue to get whatever they want since it appears they are currently allowed to mug Dan and DCI. (Why take the risk of killing off your neighbor if you can instead continue to rifle through his wallet and house and take whatever you want?) The open discussion of things we know to be true is the only way 'something' gets resolved. Anybody not looking for a true, open discussion has something to hide.

Because if you can have one corps that's profitable, then you can have multiple corps that are profitable, and the larger you can scale your organization, the more efficient it can become. Do you think there's a Cadets2 because Hop wants to better train future Cadets??? Riiiiight.

You can repeat this exercise for all of the bands listed . . . how much of the total operating budget of the 'marching band' is paid via school board funds versus other means (booster org, student fees, etc.)? You mean to tell me that if polled, the school board representing Broken Arrow would say they're a lot more proud of the band's presence at football games than winning a title at Grand Nats? Would they be okay with a band like that missing a football game, missing that great riling up of the football fans, if the band traveled to an away competition such as, I dunno, Grand Nationals? What groups like LD Bell and the like do is a lot more at home on a stage than it is on a football field on a Friday night at halftime. Its surreal to see it at a HS football game. I know there's a sacred purity of absolutely anything with the name DCI attached to it and anybody who mentions 'band' here can go jump off a bridge so its as futile a process as debating politics. "If you go to Grand Nationals you're a kid on a school trip. If you're in a drum corps you're pretty much a grown up, and will be treated pretty much the same as if you were a paid employee." That's such a disparaging, over-generalized comment. Having been around a huge sampling of both groups of people, I know plenty of aged-out vets I wouldn't trust to watch my cat and plenty of 'kids on a school trip' I'd trust with my life. If it weren't for the sizable budgets of many of the HS programs around the country, many of the rock star staffs of DCI corps would be homeless. They don't make a living by being the 'X Caption Head/Drill Writer/Music Arranger' for a Top 12 corps. That great Crown brass sound? Matt Harloff is their Brass Caption Head. What does he do as a real job? Asst. Director at Avon. The list is endless.

"What??? L.D. Bell, Avon, Marcus, Carmel, Broken Arrow, Union, Owasso, etc. Constrained compared to DCI? Exist to fire up sports fans? What sports exactly? Yet another wonderfully informed opinion of the 'band world' found on DCP." Fixed it. It was an attempt at humor, swing and a miss. No harm intended to the 'founding bands' of what later became BoA.

What??? L.D. Bell, Avon, Marcus, Carmel, Broken Arrow, Union, Owasso, etc. Constrained compared to DCI? Exist to fire up sports fans? What sports exactly? You know we're not talk about the Marching Bands of America Summer Nationals in Whitewater right? Yet another wonderfully informed opinion of the 'band world' found on DCP.

Can't speak to specifics of every ToC event, but the structure of the events were similar to other 'Non-ToC' tour events hosted by corps'. A corps paid X fee to DCI to have the show (obviously significantly more because of the show line-up) and kept gate minus expenses (stadium, judge's hotels, corps housing, etc.). DCI wouldn't have 'lost' money on them per se since there's no way that paying their end of the agreement would come close to the fees they charge for the show (judges, travel, etc.), but it would have been a 'loss' (less total income) compared to if DCI ran the show the New Meadowlands, etc.

Just looking at both those numbers, I'm going to suggest that neither organization is including anything other than 'full/part time employees who work in and around the home office' (i.e. not judges, event staff, etc. as those costs would be buried in event production expenses).

Let the G7 go to pursue their own plans. Assimilate the remaining DCI corps and DCA corps under a single roof with multiple divisions (Junior Open, Junior World, All-Age Open, All-Age World, etc.) and have a more regional (East/Mid-West/West Coast) touring schedule culminating with a year-end championships. Keep in mind of all the 'affiliated' groups held up by the G7 such as BDB, SCV Cadets, etc. Where do you think they'll end up once the G7 breaks free? DCI? I imagine not. There could be some 'cross-touring' for the junior corps running up to champs but the end result could be more shows which would have a more 'local/circuit' interest than sending everybody across the country all summer. I'd still pay money to see a show with Bucs, Cabs, Spirit of Atlanta, Jersey Surf and Boston all in one place. You would cut the number of shows yes, but you'd cut down the number of shows which lose money and draw no fans on Wednesday nights as well as travel. Use the corps as educational vehicles for the local schools they stay at more than currently is done. Lots of logistics to be sure, and a change in the way of life, but is really anybody better served by seeing 'lower-tier' corps stretched beyond their means on a regular basis? Have fewer, but better shows. Enough rambling without any homework into the logistics of it all ;)

E-mail sent. ;)

The 'end game' for any discussion of the use of electronics reaches well past simple amplification of front ensemble instrumentation. We've seen it in every activity that embraces 'plugging in'. New and different interpretations of the rules are always being created and argued by corps / bands / units, because hundreds of smart design folks will always be three steps ahead of people writing the rules and the ability for a sanctioning body to address situations which are ever-arising and evolving. I don't see the value of having 'stop-gap electronics use'. If you're going to allow anything, allow it all. Otherwise you're just asking for unnecessary complication. Electronics use is 'for' the designers. It is. I will be dead and buried before I change my position on that theory. It allows designers to more easily (and more 'literally') tell stories and explain design choices and concepts. It allows for a public illustration of how 'brilliant' the design team can be when developing an idea and taking it to its nth degree of interpretation. Is it more content for the audience to take in? Sure. Maybe I'm just a slack-jawed dullard at this 'marching-arts stuff', but I think there's more going on in a well-designed show than I can already fully comprehend and evaluate (especially in one sitting). Are electronics used in all the other 'marching-arts' activities? Yes. Since its introduction, has it been that silver bullet in drawing new people 'into the tent' for DCI? No. It it what's holding back the next great era of drum corps? No. Also, in terms of cost, if it costs more than $1,000, then it costs an amount of money that is significant to a fair number of corps. If a lot of the larger corps don't find a few thousand dollars to be significant, then they should have no issue with travelling outside of their geographic area for shows, filling hotel rooms at DCA Championships or any other 'latest crisis which must be dealt with in order to save X, Y, or Z drum corps'. In addition to the cost, how many corps have the experience within their staff to know how to smartly make the conversion to the electric age? I imagine a fair number do, but its yet another way to illustrate the difference between the 'haves and have nots'. If in the Press Box of Annapolis I can hear the Governaires Drum Major, well, that tells me that if you want to get your point across bad enough, there's a way. - Larry Harper, Jr.

And to follow up on Bob's post, for those who may be out there lurking 'in the shadows', or may not be able to see us at an event this fall, here is Carolina Gold's latest 'digital media' effort . . .

Carolina Crown and Carolina Gold say "hi", and between the two they average 60 miles from Winston-Salem which is more than I can say for Annapolis. Granted, the Carolinas haven't been the sacred home of drum corps since 1934 like some other places, but I'd suggest some people in the area have heard of it.

It has to do with the metric system. Duh.

Seems to be the theme of the day (and I'll jump in front of our master of PR since I have the info in front of me ;) ) . . . Carolina Gold is excited to be attending the following events this fall! Come stop by the booth and chat up some 'marching-arts' with us! September 29th Panther Creek Invitational Panther Creek High School Cary, NC Providence Grove Battle of the Bands Providence Grove High School Climax, NC Ledford Festival of Bands Ledford High School Thomasville, NC October 6th Providence Cup Providence High School Charlotte, NC Heart of Carolina Marching Band Invitational Wakefield HS Raleigh, NC October 13th Appalachian Marching Band Festival Appalachian State University Boone, NC West Johnston High School Marching Band Invitational West Johnston High School Benson, NC Catawba Pride Marching Band Classic Catawba College Salisbury, NC Wildcat Classic Eastern Randolph High School Ramseur, NC October 20th Tournament of Champions Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC Festival of Bands Fuquay-Varina High School Fuquay-Varina, NC Northwest Viking Fall Festival Northwest Guilford High School Greensboro, NC October 27th Capital City Band Expo and Capital Cup Sanderson High School Raleigh, NC Viking Classic Union Pines High School Cameron, NC Ragsdale Band Festival Ragsdale High School Jamestown, NC Lumberton Band Day Lumberton High School Lumberton, NC November 3rd Fall Festival of Bands North Davidson High School Lexington, NC Cary Band Day Cary High School Cary, NC __________________ -Larry Harper, Jr. Executive Director Carolina Gold Carolina Gold Drum & Bugle Corps Carolina Gold Independent Winter Guard www.carolinagold.org

I don’t take to the interwebs often to ramble about my thoughts, but I did want to take this opportunity to use a few different outlets to publicly congratulate Carolina Gold Drum & Bugle Corps on their first DCA World Championship. As with every great achievement, this process has been many years in the making and those who are most to credit, are not those who are the most visible to be thanked. The corps was formed in the fall of 2000 and it has been a long journey to this point. Without those who came before, and sacrificed mightily, the corps would have not survived its darkest days to see this 'Golden' day. To all Carolina Gold alumni, former educational, administrative and support staff, this one’s for you! Thank you beyond words. You were in our thoughts this weekend and I hope you feel as happy and proud of this edition of the corps as the ones you were a directly involved in. To the 2012 ‘edition’ of the corps, words can’t express this ride. From the members to the educational and support staff to the administration, this season was by no means easy, or the result assured. It was only because of the tremendous efforts of all those involved to sacrifice and fight for the greater good of the corps, that we can call ourselves DCA World Champions. It would have been very easy to check-out on the season and coast to the end; instead, the corps took us all on a magical ride starting with their performance in Reading and simply rode the wave of energy through Championships weekend. I don’t think any of us involved can pinpoint what it was that was responsible for the energy in Reading that night, but it was the moment where a corps came together and luckily, we all got to watch it together, on the field, in front of an amazing drum corps crowd. The corps came off the field that night and rode that RUSH all the way through re-writing the end of the show on Saturday, a rained out rehearsal and the ridiculous weather that was present all weekend. They took everything thrown at them this season, said ‘we got this’, and came out the other side to something magical and memorable. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all those other competing corps’ who made this an amazing weekend. It was perhaps the actions and congratulations of our peers that made the weekend complete. From being able to split the end zone with Windsor Regiment, who are an amazing groups of folks who made some great improvements over the course of the season, to Fusion Core who went out of their way to congratulate our members as we came off the field at Finals. It’s the support and congratulations of directors and corps’ like that that make this activity strong and a worthwhile endeavor. We make a lot out of ‘competition’, but it makes it all the more sweet to look across the end zone or tunnel and to have a great respect and admiration for those who we compete against and those we hope to one day be. Before I conclude, let me not forget to congratulate the Reading Buccaneers. Yours is an organization that inspires us and serves the marker for what we all hope and aim to someday be. Your organization is a class act on every level, and we were beyond pleased just to be able to share the field with you in celebration Sunday night! In conclusion, it’s been an amazing ride and I wake up every day incredibly lucky to be surrounded by this amazing group of people. To all of you, it was a night we'll remember for the rest of our lives, thank you for allowing me to be a part of it. Larry Harper, Jr. Executive Director Carolina Gold Drum & Bugle Corps

Western Carolina or West Chester? I hear JMU and this year is a definite issue.

It's not just HS kids, its college kids as well. Those enrolled in schools where football is big (and/or the band is big, such as JMU, WCU, etc.) and for whom Labor Day Saturday happens to be the first football game, this is also an issue.

The amount that a lot of the non-NE corps have spent on a travel weekend just to get a number and tapes is twice a panel full of plane tickets. And they do it multiple times a season.

I did the exact same the day the venue change was officially announced. Found the closest hotel, didn't care about amenities and snagged one. DCI Finals are one of the times that I'd sacrifice 'overall hotel ambiance' for location. For me, being as close to the location as possible (walking distance, heck yeah) is my first priority. I'm in Indy a few other times a year so although I enjoy the city, I'd be too tired after making the journey back (and it'd be too late) to go out.

Raleigh, NC (and hello to a fellow 'former MTH'er') -Larry

exactly. On an individual basis it's hit or miss whether it's cheaper than a plane ticket. I can't imagine that it would be cheaper than chartering a bus except in certain circumstances (since you'll need transport once you're at the arrival city). Travelling on AMTRAK and planning on arriving on time is an absolute recipe for disaster. You're due in at 8pm? Great, you'll get there sometime between 7pm and midnight. It is however great for an 'alternative travel experience'. I'm the type to just go to the dining car to hang out and chat with people. Alternatively I imagine it's a great way to see the west. Also, it's not like flying where there is a fight leaving every 3 minutes. A 'regional' city might see two trains a day. Who knows if those are going where you want to go, and at a time that is convenient for you to leave.

I'll use this space to again give props to all those doing the "media marketing" for BD. BD is a corps that def top notch in terms of providing products and services that people want, and are willing to pay for. Blue Smoke a Finals encore video in HD soon after it was over . . . (and Media Box in general) The Finals Blog . . . the list goes on and on. BD does electronic media and as somebody on the East Coast I say 'thank you' ;)

Father Ryan down in 3rd place in PSW last year in Finals. These scores from Prelims and Finals in the "Performance" caption. Performance 1 Judge -- (Julie Davila) Cmp --> 1st (Prelim), 1st (Finals) Prf --> 1st (P), 3rd (F) Overall --> 1st (P), 3rd (F) Performance 2 Judge -- Cmp --> 7th (P), 5th (F) Prf --> 3rd (P), 6th (F) Overall --> 4th (P), (6th) (no affil)