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How to encourage the development of Open Class Corps


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What ideas does everyone have that could spur the development of more Open Class Corps.

I think we all agree that this is something that needs to be done

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Encourage DCI to keep making rule changes? :tongue:

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Good question Joe....

Most of the full or nearly full open class corps are from the North East. I think it would be great to see some of these corps do at least one trip a year south to shows and then invite not only college but high school musicians and guard members with free or discounted tickets.

I am sure when these prospective musicians/guard see what Open Class corps can do, they might look at them as an alternative to DCI. I have never been to a southern DCA show being from Canada but my image of these shows are that they are mainly represented by the Class A corps. It would be great to see thes Class A corps fill their ranks and possibly move into Open Class. Having a Open Class Corps perform in the South would be the perfect recruiting tool for local Class A units.

Also corps from upper NY state have enjoyed many Canadians over the years filling their ranks. I know many of them who have played in Cru, Brigs & Empire and have had a great time doing so. Southern Ontario and Quebec is an untapped region full of great musicians and many have gone south to march DCI not always aware of DCA.

I know gas is the biggest concern currently but to encourage the development of Class A to Open Class will only happen with recruitment and showcasing what smaller local corps can be like.

Just my thoughts...

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Very good points, Cru was fortunate enough to get down to Virginia last year!

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Good question Joe....

Most of the full or nearly full open class corps are from the North East. I think it would be great to see some of these corps do at least one trip a year south to shows and then invite not only college but high school musicians and guard members with free or discounted tickets.

I am sure when these prospective musicians/guard see what Open Class corps can do, they might look at them as an alternative to DCI. I have never been to a southern DCA show being from Canada but my image of these shows are that they are mainly represented by the Class A corps. It would be great to see thes Class A corps fill their ranks and possibly move into Open Class. Having a Open Class Corps perform in the South would be the perfect recruiting tool for local Class A units.

Also corps from upper NY state have enjoyed many Canadians over the years filling their ranks. I know many of them who have played in Cru, Brigs & Empire and have had a great time doing so. Southern Ontario and Quebec is an untapped region full of great musicians and many have gone south to march DCI not always aware of DCA.

I know gas is the biggest concern currently but to encourage the development of Class A to Open Class will only happen with recruitment and showcasing what smaller local corps can be like.

Just my thoughts...

Good points on the southern thought, here are some thoughts "which will probably cause a heart attack with some of the responders on this site" Less Demanding Competitive Venues" which is tailored for the entry level organizations that is financially freindly for members and star up organizations, have some regional competitions without the touring aspect attached to it. It's not just "How we encourage" (as we should do) but rather "How do we keep them once they have started". New York hasn't had a competitive unit on any level (junior) since around 2004, inwhich hopefully the process is about to change.

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Good points on the southern thought, here are some thoughts "which will probably cause a heart attack with some of the responders on this site" Less Demanding Competitive Venues" which is tailored for the entry level organizations that is financially freindly for members and star up organizations, have some regional competitions without the touring aspect attached to it. It's not just "How we encourage" (as we should do) but rather "How do we keep them once they have started". New York hasn't had a competitive unit on any level (junior) since around 2004, inwhich hopefully the process is about to change.

I think you're on the right track as far as your thought process is concerned. Only problem is that regional shows that feature lower tier competitive corps can wind up operating at loss, financially speaking. We need to find a way to get dollars that can be translated into a sort of research & development budget, funding these initial regions and shows until the activity can take hold there and support itself a little more. But, how do we do it?

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Stea...I mean, borrow some DCI open class corps. :tongue:

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Methinks Class A will evolve to open class as intended.... with dedication. Other than that there is........

MINICORPS :tongue:

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Good points on the southern thought, here are some thoughts "which will probably cause a heart attack with some of the responders on this site" Less Demanding Competitive Venues" which is tailored for the entry level organizations that is financially freindly for members and star up organizations, have some regional competitions without the touring aspect attached to it. It's not just "How we encourage" (as we should do) but rather "How do we keep them once they have started". New York hasn't had a competitive unit on any level (junior) since around 2004, inwhich hopefully the process is about to change.

So you mean like the Small Drum Corps Association.

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