What makes a successful drum corps?

[edmeister76]

Everyone seems to like to cite that statistic, "there were 442 corps in 1972 and now there are only 53." What is it that's made for such a dramatic drop in the number of DCI corps? With so many corps that have folded, what is it that has made the remaining ones so successful?

I'm writing an article for Halftime Magazine on new drum corps, and how they can survive and thrive in today's DCI climate, so I'd love any input you give.

[CSGreen]

There have been many good discussions about this on DCP over the years, so I am sure you will find some great material.

Also, one thing to think about as well as the changing of the climate in regards to touring (full touring vs weekend only) and the rise of the all-age activity as a possible alternate to the touring models of the DCI touring youth-only corps

[ouooga]

What keeps a drum corps alive? Money and members

What makes a drum corps successful? Being good at getting both of those.

So how do most corps do it? Well, generally, if you can take care of one the other is easy. A lot of corps have become very good at marketing, and especially with the availability of shows on YouTube and many many other venues, the corps with a larger presence definitely win. Cavaliers became much more popular around the same time that their 2000 show was put on Morpheus and KaZaA, and Boston saw a lot of growth for a few years after Red was put there too.

But as far as success goes, many would say it has to do with the fans, and having the ability to get the crowd on your side. There's some corps that excel at this, and some corps that people would rather get a hot dog than see.

Hope the article works out!

[Tom Brace]

Here's my take...

In the 1970s (almost 40 years ago now) many of these 400+ youth organizations were tied to local institutions and businesses and were parade fixtures, concert performers and would host a summer competition where people could go to enjoy some good old American youth working hard and loving America (what was being sold by the stadium announcer usually).

Reality didn't always match the sales effort. Money was tight and during new challenges facing the activity, fuel shortages, inflation, competition from other (seemingly more worthwhile) youth organizations. What actually happened more often than not was the business side of this activity had its foundation in the competitive aspecs of drum corps as well. So, when another corps faltered, it wasn't as much early on as "Wow, we lost another one." It was "Wow, let's get some of those kids."

So, the better business managers of not-for-profit youth organizations prevailed against more of the obstacles and here's where we end up today...50 some drum corps.

There's a whole other side as well. Read research literature on video games, childhood obesity and the drop in membership of other youth orgs (Boy's and Girl's Clubs, Kiwanis Youth, Community Center team activites, etc., and you'll quickly realize the other causes.

So the question....what makes a successful drum corps? Pretty much the same formula as always....access to revenue, a solid volunteer base....ties to local institutions and businesses and smart adaptable management.

I guess one more thing to mention...the organization must also do a great job of being seen...marketing, PR and just plain old, becoming part of the civic pride. I believe a corps I was formerly associated with would be DOA right now...absolutely folded, if it wasn't for the years and years of developing the community pride in this drum corps. It's really part of their community and they recognize it and support it. That's with very few members actually coming from the local community.

[lindap]

I agree in that marketing and promotion are key. Do a parade and maybe an issue happens in the parade. Well, it's in news. Then write editorials.

Get sponsors. Our uniforms were orange and white (back in the 70's this was in). We got cheese, pop and orange drums. heh.

Get lots of exposure, no matter how obscure the show, then sell souvenirs and yourself.

Once the momemtun has started, wow, word of mouth. You can then do drum corps with your heart and play like want it.

Make sure you have people around you that have seen what you've done and are willing to support you. :big hug:

[MikeD]

Everyone seems to like to cite that statistic, "there were 442 corps in 1972 and now there are only 53." What is it that's made for such a dramatic drop in the number of DCI corps? With so many corps that have folded, what is it that has made the remaining ones so successful?

Don't forget that of the 442 number for 1972, only a handful were 'DCI corps'; 430 of them were not.

Changes in society and the economy were the two biggest causes, IMO. AL/VFW sponsorships were on the wane as the membership grew older with fewer replacements. The children of the WWII and Korean vets wera aging out by the early 70's, and with fewer new post members coming along, the impetus to continue to fund an expensive activity like drum corps just wasn't there anymore. The CYO sponsorships were also drying up as the Catholic Church started to lose it's status, esp in urban areas. Ditto PAL...just look at Newark before the riots of the late 60's and after the riots...a VERY different city.

Corps were always failing...esp the hundreds of small corps...fewer and fewer were starting up to take their place.

Add the first oil crisis...remember odd/even fill-up days?...and 18+% inflation of the Carter years?

These IMO are the drivig factors that led to the decrease in the numbers. OTOH...the rise of the competitive HS MB activity far more than compensated for the dropoff in corps, looking at marching/music in total.