84BDsop Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 Honestly, I was basing it off of the West Coast and major regional shows I went to last year, and the West Coast shows I've been to this year. I'm no expert by any means, so I could be way off in my assumptions too. Last year may not have been a good indicator....we were seeing corps out here we NEVER see ('Coats, Crown, Spirit, Colts, Teal, Spartans, etc), so there's going to be a curiosoty factor....any other year but 07 would be more accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
84skyrydr Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 Personally I hope my shows were an anomoly. I would love to be one of those people who was proven wrong about fans coming into DCI. I don't like all the changes, but I really don't like the thought of NO DCI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob984 Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 We all know that DCI's name is getting out there much much more than it was a few years ago. Shows are online and very easy to find (between FanNetwork and YouTube), there's the Cinecast, OnQ educational stuff, and in general I think DCI is doing a very good job of reaching its audience, ESPECIALLY the marching band population.What I'm wondering is, is DCI's marketing department making kids who are of age to march want to be fans rather than corps members? I know DCI tries to show life on the road and tell how awesome it is to march, but in general it just always feels like DCI is pushing its audience to be fans rather than participants. We're losing corps every year, and a huge reason for that is membership numbers. Ya, the guys at the top are doing pretty good, but there's been declines in numbers at the lower tiered corps, all while attendance at events (including the Cinecast) seems to keep going up. Every show I've ever been to is filled with kids who are all very clearly of age to march, and yet they are sitting in the stands of a show watching corps with holes. Ten years ago the easiest way for a kid to see drum corps was to march. Now it's as easy as going online or buying a $15 movie ticket. So does anyone think DCI might have not thought out their current marketing approaches? And do you think they should push for kids to march, or just push the attendance and let the corps get kids to march? Just an observation on my part, and as always not meant to offend or discredit anyone, especially DCI! I do think that many average high school band members who see a top corps are in awe, and many have the attitude that they can not make the cut at a corps, or they do not wish to spend the time necessary to be good enough. I do think that DCI can make it be known that there is also quality in the open class corps and room for every level of performer. Money is even a bigger factor.........however, kids who really want to march are going to march somewhere, sometime. All that said, most corps had a decent recruiting year, and finances and the location of the corps have way more to do with it than anything. The financial stability of drum corps, as an expensive activity, is by far more serious than membership at the moment....Hopefully, a few of the open corps will become world class, and hopefully some new open corps will appear as well.....most importantly is that we can hope that the corps that we have can hold on. GB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimF-LowBari Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 (edited) I still stand by what I told people when I was marching...."Ya, it's almost two grand, but that's my entire summer! For ONLY two grand! How much money do you think I'd spend over the summer if I wasn't marching?!" Don't forget that summer is getting shorter and shorter. I'm wondering how many potential marchers are looking at x amount of $$$ for y number of weeks/z number of shows = Years ago I saw members post that joining a non-top corps wasn't worth the $$$. Perhaps that "ain't worth the cost" is working its way up. Edited July 26, 2008 by JimF-3rdBari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbandguy Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 We're losing corps every year, and a huge reason for that is membership numbers. Ya, the guys at the top are doing pretty good, but there's been declines in numbers at the lower tiered corps, all while attendance at events (including the Cinecast) seems to keep going up. I don't think it's accurate to say corps are folding every year due to lack of numbers. That certainly had nothing to do with Capital Regiment, Southwind, and Cascades folding. The primary reason a corps folds is simply a matter of MONEY...the lack of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27/soa Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 Not to rain on your parade, but I have been to 15 shows this summer and only the Normal Il show was even close to full. So where were all these new fans you talk about? Apparently they're coming to NightBEAT in Charlotte Sunday night.....ticket manifest shows (as of this writing) 5,237 tickets SOLD....with two full days left to purchase! And it's not even a DCI show! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Plays Music Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 Apparently they're coming to NightBEAT in Charlotte Sunday night.....ticket manifest shows (as of this writing) 5,237 tickets SOLD....with two full days left to purchase! And it's not even a DCI show! NightBEAT is a great show, and crown does a great job of reaching out to the folks down there, remember they also run BandBEAT, and FirstBEAT. Crown has a major hold on the Carolinas and is at almost every event in the two states. Then again NightBEAT could be a rain out stand still, have everyone playing on kazoos and they would still sell the joint out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeybabay Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 But if you look at the number of clinics DCI continues to sponsor; which I believe are free and give countless high school students great exposure to both the Big corps as well as the activity - you can't justify it is a fan push and big bucks mentality. They are definitely attempting to feed the membership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csugrad Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 Lets also add the fact that many bands (high school) have astronomical fees for their own marching programs that prohibit many kids from being able to participate in drum corps. Many of them find themselves working during the summer just to pay for the fall marching band. Yes this does not apply to ALL marching bands but the number is rising each year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louderisbetter Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 Building the fan base is building the membership; if you don't attract kids to go to shows first, to get the first-hand experience, they're not going to go to camps and put their John Hancock on a contract. They'll watch the videos and think, "wow, that's cool... but not nearly as much fun as sitting on my can and playing Wii all summer long." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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