Unconvinced and Waiting

[BRASSO]

Ah, but "Granny" you missed the main point of that post, I think. I don't believe the author was trying to imply that those who are against the change to electronics should be against all changes. I agree that would be a non-starter. However, I believe it's still worthwhile to point out all the changes that have occurred in the past, and recognize that what we consider to be drum corps has been different in every era. It's important because it provides perspective. While electronics might be the line in the sand for some, the fact is that many, many lines have been drawn in the sand over the years. Each time, the fans that stayed have erased that line, while some of those that stayed through previous changes have drawn a new line later on. As legitimate as you believe your complaint to be, the fact is that any fan of drum corps in the 21st century has already stuck around despite many complaints that others before them felt were just as legitimate.

So here it's happening again. And the arguments both for and against electronics really come down to whether you like it or not. We can get huffy and claim "that's not drum corps!" but as you pointed out, without an agreed-upon definition of what exactly drum corps is those cries can't carry much weight. In the end, these changes will be successful if enough people continue to enjoy what they see on the field. For all the pages and pages that have been written on DCP about both amplification and electronics (and Bb horns, and 150 members, and anything else you could possibly thing of) there's really not much more to say about it. If you like what you see, keep going to shows, keep buying merchandise, keep cheering for something you enjoy. If you don't like it, then I would encourage you and anyone else to spend your time and money on something you do enjoy.

That's the only question any of us need to ask ourselves. If enough people say yes, then the changes will work. If enough people say no, then the changes won't work. Same as it always was.

The Drum Corps fans that went to shows in previous decades have, by and large, left. Not all. But most. This is not true in most other sports. Fans of baseball, football, etc that were fans in the 70's and 80's still by and large go to the games. And newer fans have come in and joined them. Thus, although in some years attendance overall might be down, the fan attendance trajectory in sports has been up over the last 3 decades. Unfortunately, Drum Corps can not say the same. Despite wholesale ' creative " changes in the activity, many fans have left the activity around the country and have only marginally been replaced by newer fans. As such, more fans attended a Drum Corps show across the country the year before the inception of DCI than attended DCI shows in the summer of 2008. When we talk about the need for " change ", DCI has always been in the forefront of allowing massive " change ". And quite a few once loyal and faithful fans have responded .....with their feet..... ALREADY.

Edited June 22, 2009 by BRASSO

[sblez]

Of course, if DCI sees itself more as simply a producer of "entertaining" shows, then sure, go ahead--bring in electronics, woodwinds, actors, singers, dancing bears.... But don't fool yourself by thinking that the scores attached to those shows have any legitimacy.

Did you by chance see Cadets, Phantom's or Bluecoats shows the last year or so. They may not have had dancing bears but the actor part certainly fits.

[jordsterr]

As I see it, the major difference is that most of these sports began as competitive activities where the scoring of points or whatever was desired in order to win over some other person or team.

Drum and Bugle Corps began as a civic association for youth or adults based out of a church or veteran association. The competitve aspect was added later. The adults had probably played a bugle or drum (or fife! how about that for woodwinds) in a military unit. The bugle had no valves but might have been in any number of keys.