rwrice
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Posts posted by rwrice
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Well, kids, there's another new corps way up here in the Northwest.
The great organization, The Seattle Cascades, and their Parent Organization have announced the formation of a new corps in the Vancouver, WA area. Yes, that's the area of the old Vancouver Spartans! With a rich history of Drum Corps ahead of it, the NYMA is helping bring drum corps back. Following is from their webpage: http://www.nwyouthmusic.org/
Please wish them good luck! We need all of the new Drum Corps we can, especially here in the Northwest!!
*** New Drum Corps in Vancouver, WA! ***
We are starting a new Drum Corps in Vancouver, Washington.
We will be having our first Walk On Weekends (W.O.W.) on November 19th and December 3rd. We are finalizing the location of the WOW and will be announcing it shortly. The WOW is tentatively scheduled from 9am-9pm with a lunch break at 12pm and dinner break at 4pm. Can't attend our WOW on the 19th, that's OK! We will have our second opportunity on the 3rd of December. Stay tuned...
What is a W.O.W.? It's your opportunity to experience drum corps in the Northwest! We will be going over exercises and techniques in both marching and playing, and will start to dive in to our 2012 show.
This new Drum Corps will be competing in Drum Corps International's Northwest tour and at the Califoria Open Class Championships, as well as performing at events in the Vancouver-Portland area.
Tuition and fees will be kept to an economic level.
Students are welcome from middle schools, high schools, and college.
There will be a $20 fee charged for the WOW to help cover admin costs.
We will also be holding a parent Q&A after introductions on Saturday morning and will also have a show and tell at the end of the night about 7:30pm
We will be updating this website with exercises and items you will need to prepare yourself for a productive WOW. We will not be doing a formal audition or one-on-one auditions and the WOW will be in a full ensemble format. Keep checking the website for updates all the way until the 19th!
If any immediate questions, please contact Dan Perry at danp8161@yahoo.com or 971-998-5234.
What to bring
* Lunch & Dinner - we will not be able to provide food for this event
* Instrument - please bring an instrument as we will have some, but won't have 14 snare drums to go around
* $20.00 - there will be a $20 fee charged for the W.O.W. to help cover admin costs
* Bring a friend. Ot two! The more that are here, the better the experience
* We will be doing some marching basics so plan to bring athletic clothes that you can march in
RedHeadedSop:
This is big news! Please consider posting this as a New Topic to help attract more attention to Dan's efforts.
Thanks,
Rice
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Ray Feller is a good friend and marched Crusaders with me a number of years. Garth Stubbs I had the good fortune to meet while I was in Seattle. He definitely keeps his fingers in the Northwest Youth Music Organization... parent organization of Seattle Cascades. I was fortunate enough to meet his dad and was in Seattle when he passed on. Great man...
Thanks Tom for mentioning Garth's father, Roderick Stubbs. Truly a "Great Man" for sure.
http://www.seattlecascades.org/alumni/founderLetter.htm
Rice
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I saw the DCA Back from the Brink thread and thought I just might let everyone know what is going on in the Drum Corps Black Hole of Kansas.
We got hit really hard by the economy around Winter and Spring of 2009. Kansas City usually doesn't get hit as hard when the National economy takes a hit but we did start suffering about 6 months after everyone else.
Anyway, we dropped from 25 to 10 people, losing all outside the metro members. We decided to purposley recruit closer to home. We have been hovering at around 10 members for two years.
We got lucky this year with a DCI show smack dab on our home turf of Olathe, KS where we had a recruiting table.
The number of interested people contacting us has jumped and we hope to take advantage of the upswing by filling all our mini corps spots for 2012.
Our 6 horn Soprano Section is starting to fill up which never happens to us.
Also an Argone Rebel Drummer contacted us and may come out of retirement.
I look at this as a good sign that we may revive Drum Corps in Kansas yet.
We are recruiting local people for our Mini Corps who don't mind a road trip or two. We'll be rehearsing this fall and will get a better idea as we go along as to what performances we will be able to commit to. We want to get our show in good enough shape to perform at the local DCI show in 2012 and possibly make a road trip to a DCA show in or close to our region.
We wish everyone the best at Rochester this year.
Thanks,
Jeff Dancinger,
Prairie Sound!!!
Great news, Jeff! Good to hear things are looking up for you guys.
Thanks for mentioning that by having a show held locally it actually worked to help you with recruiting for your corps. Additionally, in my opinion, it also brought the fact that DCA exists to the ticket buying publics attention. A win-win situation for both.
Rice
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And don'r forget Ray Feller, the impetus behind Northwest Venture ... started out the same year as the Renegades ... even beat them in one early contest (I may be wrong here) ... forged the accociation (along with the Renegades) with DCA and DCI for Srs on the left coast ... I believe he marched in both Rochester and Reading before moving to Seattle ... a true fan of Mike Duffy ... even got him to arrange for NWV ... I met with him, Steve Spang and Jim Nevermann when I was out in Seattle in 1999 or 2000 when they were just starting up ...
:-)
Steve Spang, huh? All kinds of old Sentinel names in this thread. Very cool.
Rice
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Thanks for the info, at least I have a starting point. I wonder if Garth Stubbs has anything going?
And Seattle is far away from just about everything - that is until you hit Alaska. My wife was stationed there in the coast guard and boy does it bring the greater Seattle area closer to the rest of the world.
Wow! Garth Stubbs? Now there's a name from the past. I know he still volunteers time to the Cascades if that will help.
Here's the link: http://www.seattlecascades.org/
Rice
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Is the Sounders Brass Band still active? I think Troopers staff used to run it.
Sorry Heather, but I don't know. I'm not familiar with them. Perhaps Steve Baretich of Brass Attack would know.
Rice
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Neverman?
You guys have several different groups confused with each other.
Northwest Venture was a DCA styled All Age corps that existed roughly between 1998 and 2004. They have since folded.
There is a drum line called Pacific Alliance run by Kevin Nordeen. They do parades and some exhibitions. Good line. I'm pretty sure Kevin still has their webpage up. Try googling Pacific Alliance. Here's a video clip:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQkxv_64EYc
There is another drum line run by Jim Nevermann called 2nd Wind. They do parades only. A little less active than Pacific Alliance. You can reach Jim through the Bellevue Sentinels webpage at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/114008055728/
There is also a horn line run by Steve Baretich called Brass Attack. They have a Facebook page located here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Seattle-Brass-Attack/113688585314298
I myself would love to see a DCA styled, field competitive corps be established in the Seattle area. With all the buzz going on in the Sacramento area right now with the Freelancers perhaps a west coast DCA circuit could be a reality again. Five corps: Renegades, SoCal Dream, Velvet Knights, Freelancers and a corps from the Seattle area.
Rice
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no offense, but there are some hauls up here. Why do you think Empire didn't come to Scranton? Thats 4 plus hours not to mention tolls on top of gas. When dealing with NY, PA and NJ, you MUST factor in tolls. aint exactly cheap for busses or trucks either.
I know travel is an issue for the corps in other regions. But just because we look all tight on the map up here doesn't mean it is.
4 hours, Jeff?
Trying to make a short 4 hour ride sound like a marathon to someone living outside of the NE isn't going to work.
Rice
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I believe the next step is going to be having more corps from the NE region traveling to shows outside their normal territory.
How about a show in Virginia in August to get together the NE and South regions? Maybe a show in the Ohio-Indiana area mid season to bring together MBI and the Govies with the NE region without them having to travel 26 hours. It would be exciting to have 2 major shows mid way between regions throughout the year that can connect corps together that normally wouldn't see each other until Prelims
I believe the fans in the NE region are starting to tap out also. There are more smaller shows with smaller crowds now than there used to be. Scranton still had open seats on the 50 this year! Toms River and Secaucus couldn't have had more than 300 people each, and half of those were traveling with the competing corps that night.
How about the possibility of a DCA contest in Lucas Oil Stadium during DCI finals week? The crowds are already there, the venue is already established. The problem with that unfortunately is scheduling. Not only would that intrude into the work week for the DCA Corps but when would there be time at the Stadium for that show? Saturday afternoon maybe, or Sunday? And DCI and DCA could offer fans the option to purchase a combo ticket package for both circuits and focus on getting some butts in the seats for that show. I think that would be an awesome experience for the drum corps community as a whole if the logistics could be worked out.
Bump
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Well OK then !!!
Let me make a formal announcement:
Let it be known that the Freelancers Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps is here to stay and is actively recruiting Color Guard, Drums and Horns. To any and all who would like to participate in our style of Drum and Bugle Corps, go to our web site and get to rehearsal !!!
On top of participating in DCA and DCI events we also perform community service performances throughout the year such as, Wounded Warrior events, Welcome Troops Home, Memorial Services, Annual special events, Christmas Parades etc, etc...
Don't wait to see what happens, it's happening RIGHT NOW !!! We even have events lined up the week after DCA ! Were busy and in demand.
Come on out and enjoy the fun, the music and the life long friendships that make this activity so special to us all.
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You're right, sorry. I'll be more specific:
Outside of DCA Weekend, none have occurred - anywhere.
(Of course, that also includes the NE!)
But it has nothing to do with trying to be proactive or not.
DCA simply has no money.
As I'm sure you know, there's a huge difference between sanctioning a show and sponsoring one.
Please re-read my response (#3) below.
You can LOL all you want - but it doesn't change the facts.
Unless, of course, you have evidence to the contrary?
If so, please provide it. I'll be more than happy to change my position.
In the meantime, I contend that NE corps are no better off financially than corps anywhere else.
And it isn't any cheaper to travel from Ct to Ga than it is to travel from Ga to Ct.
You'd be wrong...
Finances were the #1 cause.
(Although Mgt decisions certainly may have negatively affected the financial situation.)
Look at Brigs, as just one example. They went from Best to Gone shortly after their Bingo money dried up...
1. Kamarag does not represent DCA in any official capacity, nor is his opinion "what it all comes down to".
This is just too complex an issue to be handled with one simple answer.
(Just my opinion, of course...)
2. Everyone, including you, is entitled to his opinion - and each deserves the same respect.
All that's asked is that one back up/defend their claims, be open-minded enough to read and consider opposing opinions and rebuttals - and not get so frustrated that one uses words like "spew".
Seems simple enough...
(Shrug)
Thanks for the reply, Diceman.
Yes, I was frustrated. Still am. Probably always will be. I'm passionate about this activity. It frustrates me when people who in my opinion, talk out of both sides of their mouth about it.
Either you're for expansion and will do anything within your power to help accomplish it or you're against it.
Claiming you're for expansion but won't spend a dime to help see it become a reality doesn't make sense either and it's hypocritical to say the very least.
Rice
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DCA has made GIANT strides in branding and marketing its product in the last few years, and this forums is another method of doing so..but it's only part of the project. Regardless of who has the title, it behooves one or more of the established "name" DCA corps that remain to give consideration to a trip to a show outside the NE on some kind of basis that will help to SELL the product in those new markets. I'm not saying that anyone should put themselves in any amount of financial staits or risks in order to do it, just that put some heads together to see about having a show in Georgia, North Carolina, Florida or one of any number of venues in the Midwest.
Pat
This is spot on and exactly what I've been trying convey!
Thank you for posting it.
Rice
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I'll answer your question with a question.
While you claim the NE corps should travel to prove they want growth, I'll ask you why they should travel? I mean...gasp...is a name really going to draw more fans in in an area where DCA in general is unkown?
In the case of shows in the mid-west it would help to boost the lineup for the show and help to sell tickets to those people who want to see more than three corps.
Look at the NC show. CVand Gold were there, as was Heatwave. Hurcs, Bucs and Bush came down.
You had 3 major players from the NE there. You were not going to draw a lot of walkup interest in an area where there is no corps at $40 a ticket. They were charging less for the monster truck rally across the street that sold out.
The venue was the problem. It should have never been scheduled in such a huge stadium or at premium prices. A local college or small university would have done just fine and saved everyone money as well.
so, by having those 3 corps, in an area DCA and really DCI isn't a hot bed in, how would they draw?
Fans in the upper midwest know MBI, Govies, Kilties etc. Are they drawing 5000 fans to their shows yet?
no. it takes time.
C'mon, Jeff. Are you seriously going to try and get me to believe there are 5000 fans attending every NE drum corps show throughout the entire season?
Sorry, not buying that one.
No one forced MBI to come in. Theywanted to, Lewisburg gladly took them in. Same with Scranton in the past. my first year I traveled to Chicago along with Steel City. we had more people on the field than there were in the stands.
Now tell me, playing to 100 people, how does thatmake DCA look? Not good. Think on that
NE DCA corps and shows are dying, Jeff. It's a fact. It's either expansion or demise.
Which do you prefer?
Rice
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let's see...GA has been having them, MN has been havin some, I think MCL had one, Florida had some this year,
And how many NE corps attended those shows in GA., MN., or FL?
I mean dude, this isn't gonna happen overnight. Even the corps agree on this. Trustme, if this power play was as insidious as you say, we would have heardfrom more than people tied to one corps claiming it.
I'm not the only person trying to get the NE corps to get more involved outside of their region, Jeff. You know that.
Rice
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shh. we cant have that. Not like any corps got special deals to come to NC or DeKalb
Why would anyone want to pay you to do what you should be doing anyway?
Rice
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this has to be among the most laughable thing I've seen on here in the 9 years DCP has been running.
You think DCA wasn't thrilled when Renegades first came in? They brought a buzz to DCA not seen in years. Then look how their growth fostered more growth to where 26 corps showed up in 2005!! Hell, one year Renegades were a penalty away from top 4.
You just killed your own argument inside your argument
What does this statement have to do with getting the NE corps to travel outside of the NE region in order to help with the growth of DCA?
Rice
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you do realize DCA makes provisions for some of those shows to be counted when at DCI shows right?I mean otherwise Gades would be screwed.
What you want is, IMO, unrealistic, because if a corps budget does not allow for said travel, it takes them out of championships. In fact, what you;'re suggesting is akin to, ain a small way, what many say DCI used to kill off smaller corps...the demand to travel.
Please re-read my post: "Require that all DCA corps participate in at least one show outside of their region in order to be "allowed" to participate in the championship show. This would help grow the organization on a nationwide scale and establish a fan base outside of the NE. Unfortunately, this puts additional travel requirements on some non-NE corps (California) and further aggravates an already unfair financial arrangement."
"Or, DCA could single out the NE corps as a group and require that only they travel outside of their region for at least one show per year due to the fact that all other DCA corps have to travel to their region once a year for the championships. However, I think I already know how that would be received."
I've clearly pointed out two options here. I'll admit neither one is the perfect fix for the problem, but at least I'm trying to comeup with something, anything for Christ's sake to get the NE corps to put out an effort at least to meet the other corps halfway.
Replies like, "The onus here isn't on the Northeast corps, it's on the rest. You want them at your show? Make it happen. Money talks, and bullcrap walks. Make the NE corps WANT to come to your show," simply isn't helping anything other than continuing to make the NE corps look uninterested in lifting a finger to help improve anything.
In case you haven't noticed, some DCA corps have traveled out of their region from time to time. But, I think the NC fiasco of 2005 may have scared them off,and in this economy, I do not blame them.
How often though, Jeff?
See...what you demand as proof is actually quite opposite asto what DCA and the corps have decided needs to be done. Why? Unlikeyou, they actuallyunderstand the economicsof what it takes to keep their corps feasible and running.
I already addressed this above.
Maybe, just maybe, DCA knows what it's doing in this regard. Why?
I went down to the NC show. despite all the hype, and God knows there was hype, the show ####### bombed. at $40 a ticket, you aren't going to draw in the casual fan. Then add in the cost of a major university stadium. Um....anyone make money on the deal??
Not even close. And if you lose money, youdon't have funds to try again.
So sure, have your demands. They are financially unrealistic in todays environment. After all, MBI was cracking the top 5 long before they came in to shows during the regular season. Govies have won how many A titles without ever coming in before Labor Day? Renegades made a serious run at the top for a few years despite having nothing out there?
That's great stuff, Jeff but what does this have to do with getting the NE corps to travel outside of their region?
All I'm reading in this is again more proof that the corps outside of the NE region are trying as hard as they can to help you guys build up your organization.
How about writing something up about all those NE corps who in the last ten years have traveled outside the NE region?
The need to travel is, IMO far over rated today. DCA has done a lot to work withand help the regions. Remember DCA isn't some corporation with an office and support staff....after modest expenses, all money goesback to the corps themselves.
I agree. A mandate for corps to travel is not the answer as I've already pointed out above. However, when a show is only three hundred miles away from you and you post on DCP pubicly that you are interested in helping DCA to grow on a national scale, don't you think you owe it to the organization to attend that show?
I don't see how anyone could argue this.
Rice
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1. How many shows has DCA sponsored - period - in the past 10 years?
You seem to be under the impression that DCA sponsors all the NE shows during the season.
That's... not factual...
The question was, "How many DCA sponsored shows have taken place outside of the NE in the last ten years"?
The answer is none. Doesn't sound very proactive to me for an organization that wants to grow on a national scale.
2. NE shows usually have NE corps in them.
SE shows usually have SE corps, same with Midwest shows, California shows, etc.
What's your point?
If the NE corps are interested in seeing DCA grow as they say they are, why can't they travel, Diceman? The other corps do. It makes their words sound kind of like lip service to me.
3. NE corps would LOVE to go to more shows (more paydays), but they simply can't afford the travel costs.
Do you really think NE corps are better off financially than corps in other areas?
That's what most people from back there would like me to believe. LOL
Why do *you* think the NE recently lost so many?
Poor managment decisions would be my first guess.
And what's so all-fired important about having a NE corps at a show anyway?
Absolutely nothing. Other than they would be putting their money where their mouths are for a change. Want to grow DCA? Try being a part of the effort.
Do you think they're going to bring busloads of paying fans with them?
No, the idea is that expend a little effort to help grow the organization through participation outside of their region. I don't see why this is such a big hurdle for the NE corps when all the other corps can do it.
Heck, most NE fans won't travel a hundred miles for a show - and then it better be a big one...
There. See. You agree with me!!! LOL Not much to rely on there for organizational support is there?
IMO, local corps need to promote themselves locally - and get so good that people flock to see 'em.
Having a corps like the Bucs perform at a Texas show is not going to help Texas corps be any more successful.
No, but it would build up the line up for a show and help to attact locals who would like to see more than three corps perform. It could also eventually help to build up a circuit in that area.
It's like, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?"
Heh...
It all comes down to what Kamarag spewed: "The onus here isn't on the Northeast corps, it's on the rest. You want them at your show? Make it happen. Money talks, and bullcrap walks. Make the NE corps WANT to come to your show."
Yeah, real nice attitude towards those poeple you are trying so hard to help, Kamarag!
Rice
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Looks like I realy hit a nerve. All the sock puppets are out today.
Rice
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Anyone?
How many DCA sponsored shows have taken place outside of the NE in the last ten years?
How many of those shows had NE corps performing in them?
How many more years will it take before east coast corps make an effort to travel to a show outside of their region in an effort to help the expansion of DCA?
Rice
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I already answered 'em.
No, you didn't.
How about you give it try?
Rice
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You seem to want to be handed a NE corps at your out of area show. Doesn't work that way. If you really want one, MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Wow. You really seem to have an inflated sense of importance in this world.
Believe it or not, I'll probably survive not seeing your corps at any show for the rest of my life. You're simply not that important to me.
Remember, it's the corps and shows in the NE that are dying out. You need us more than we need you.
Sounds harsh? Maybe it is, but it's true.
Rice
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(snip)
I'm not saying NE corps shouldn't travel if they want to. I am saying they shouldn't compromise their financial stability to do it.
Agreed.
However, as you say, if they want to travel they should do it. If not for the competition at least do it for the common good of the organization.
How about those questions in the post, Kamarag?
How many DCA sponsored shows have taken place outside of the NE in the last ten years?
How many of those shows had NE corps performing in them?
How many more years will it take before east coast corps make an effort to travel to a show outside of their region in an effort to help the expansion of DCA?
Rice
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How many east coast corps have subsidized travel for an out of area corps? Probably none
Exactly.
But if you want the big boys to come to your area, open the wallet. They'll come. Just ask Winston-Salem.
Someone has to pay you people to do the right thing? If you people are truly interested in seeing DCA expand as you say then I think it's your wallets that needs to be opened for a change. We've had ours opened for a long time now with travel expenses, remember?
The onus here isn't on the Northeast corps, it's on the rest. You want them at your show? Make it happen. Money talks, and bullcrap walks. Make the NE corps WANT to come to your show.
If the east coast corps were truly interested in the expansion of DCA as they claim they are, they would do it willingly. They shouldn't have to be "paid off" to assist in helping the development of an organization they claim to care so much about.
Your comments only further my beliefs that I'm correct about who truly wants to see DCA expand nationwide.
Rice
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some old corps photos
in Historical Junior Corps Discussions
Posted
Dee,
You're probably the Deanna that's already listed on the Corpsreps.com page under Members but, just in case your not, here is the link to your corps page:
http://www.corpsreps.com/corpsreps.cfm?view=memberlist&corpsid=291&corpstype=Junior