Kansan

What you are saying sounds reasonable. The main reason Corps are in Open Class is because of their smaller budget and possible instability. I wouldn't think DCI would force a Corps to go on a tour that would break their financial back.

I think they started getting out of hand big after 2000. I really noticed the hugeness on the pits in 2004 to now. I can't believer the money the different Corps have wrapped up in this stuff. I can't believe the amount of Tubas many of the Corps have either. If I see 20 Tubas performing there should be no stadium left but that's not the case. Seems many are props to give the allusion of Tuba Playing. Sky Ryders had a modest pit and 8 Contra Basses aka Tubas and they could be heard without help from sound systems or electronics. Sorry, off Subject a little.

From Videos, 1979 looks like the last year for carried Mallet Instruments. You can see Corps using the old marching mallet instruments in 80, 81, 82. By 1984 everyone looked to be onboard with Indoor type mallet instruments. Did Corps actually own these expensive instruments at 1st or or they borrow from Schools? I don't know.

Help us out financially with your vote for Prairie Sound in the Arts & Music Go to: http://www.refresheverything.com/categories/arts-and-music$10,000 dollar catagory. If we win we will use the money for a recruiting and advertisement campaign, a couple three, new to us, 3 valve bugles to round out our line, pay for our Pit Percussion carts that are being built and buy a new trailer to haul our gear. In a nutshell we would be able to finish a lot of stuff we have half finished. $10,000 dollars isn't much to many of you but out here in the Drum Corps Black Hole, it can do a lot in helping our Corps Grow and getting Prairie Sound to some Contests. Add a Corps to DCA and DCI All Age catagory by voting for us on Pepsi Refresh website. Thanks, Jeff Dancinger, Prairie Sound!!!

If Revolution is really tight on funds? I would think they would go with a more regional tour until they beome more financially stable. They could compete in probably all of the Texas shows, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri then Indiana and have enough shows to make the Summer worthwhile for the kids. An Open Class corps shouldn't be expected to keep up with the World Class tour model.

I always thought, if you had to run to your next set, the drill wasn't written correctly.

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 Argonne 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!!!

A couple via PM.

Smaller venues for start up and samller groups? Why not? Maybe in smaller towns where there isn't a lot to do these could be successful. Sure seems like a good way to start out at the grass roots level where the community is involved from the start.

Still selling the Dynasty II Two valve Soprano Bugle. The Finish is silver with the expected wear marks from years of play. Comes with a case that in pretty good shape. $75.00 dollars plus $15.00 for shipping. Pay Pal is the preferred mode for payment but I can also work with a U.S. Postal Service Money Order as well. email me at directorprairiesound@gmail.com We also have an Olds Ultratone II Baritone Bugle with Chrome finish that is in good shape with a case for $200.00 plus 30.00 dollars shipping. Thanks, Jeff Dancinger, Prairie Sound!!!

We are appealing to any Corps out there that are willing to share their Patriotic Files with us. Prairie Sound is looking for Some Patriotic Tunes so we can put together a Patriotic Bugle Book. Drum music would also help if you have any to go with the Bugle music. We could use some Sousa pieces, a good "America the Beautiful", a good "Star Spangled Banner" and anything else anyone is willing to share. We have a good arraingement of the Armed Forces Medley minuse the Coast Guard Song. We have been invited to play at some Military Funerals with the Patriot Guard in the Future. We could also use the tunes for Veterans Day and Independence Day. Any Help with music is appreciated. Thanks, Jeff Dancinger, Prairie Sound!!!

I heard the show once but didn't get to see it. I'll have to buy the DVD. I was not happy there was no Crossmen Coverage at the Theatre.

I have not liked the Blue Stars shows the last couple years due to too many props. It's funny I like this years show due to the giant ramp/bridge looking thing in the middle of the field. It was cool when the tenors were standing up there playing.

I'm pleased to see the Corps look and sound much stronger than last year. My kids love the Scouts. If my boy decides to march Corps I bet he will try out for The Madison Scouts.

How about a couple drum corps a year are issued G bugles then see how they do ove the season. Include Scores and Fan reaction as a guage to the difference.

I know Olathe has a couple Band Directors who encourage their kids to go the the KC Drum Corps Show which was held in Olathe, KS this year. Yea, maybe the band directors would rather their kids go to drum corps after graduation. The Summer between High School and College is a good time to do Drum Corps. I think the fear of the Band Directors is Drum Corps will ruin their kids enthusiasm for High School Band. It probably would as I've seen that happen. It's hard marching in Band after marching Drum Corps. The theatre last night had a lot of High School kids. I saw the most of the Blue Valley North West band there enjoying the show with their Band Director. Most of the Bands in the area finished Band Camp this week so Drum Corps would not be conducive to band participation.

They could move to Kansas City and have access to Kansas City Missouri Metro Area with a population of 1 million and the Kansas City Kansas/Johnson County, KS side with a population of over 500,000. They could Draw from Nebraska and Oklahoma as well.

In '08 the DCI fee was $15,000 to Host a World Class Show and $7,000 to host an Open Class Show.

You'll be better off emailing me at directorprairiesound@gmail.com

Very happy to see the improvement of The Madison Scouts from 2010 to 2011. They look really strong now and if things keep goin the way they are we are going to see Madison and the Cavaliers battle it out like they used to back in the day.

Sky Ryders 1985 started telling stories through Music and Color Guard with the 1st Wizard of OZ themed Show. They marched the same show in '86 and shot up from 15th in '85 to 9th in '86. They did West Side Story like no other in '87 and came in 12th. Sound of Music in '88 and took 12th again...

One Soprano and one Baritone left bump.

There needs to be some Mom and Pop operations out there that also seek local business and community backing from their local areas. All age or Junior Corps are fine. Starting out as a Parade Corps is OK too.

A Corps should know they have a good show when the crowd goes crazy and the Judges say on the tapes, "I just don't get what your doing".