OMH Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I was at a parent's orientation for a Cadets camp two years ago. The did a very good job of explaining drum corps (which most of the parent's were clueless about - another topic) and offered many alternatives. The had contact infomation for all of the "local" corps (Surf, Bucs, Raiders, etc...). I am far from being a Cadets lover, but it DID seem to me they have the kid's best intentions at heart at that meeting. NOT $200.00 worth of good intentions, but at least they mentioned other outlets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HockeyDad Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 (edited) Of course there are open class corps looking for members...and some world class corps too.A LOT of things have changed since 1958. So what if present day world class corps require an audition and are selective. There are fewer corps around, but there are thousands more kids competing these days than in 1958. Whoa, what? There are thousands more kids competing these days than in 1958? What's the basis for this claim? If there are 1/100th of the corps today compared to 1958, then the average corps size in 1958 would have to be....1.5.... to be equal to today. I know the corps sizes were smaller then, but not that small. Edited November 11, 2009 by HockeyDad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HockeyDad Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 (edited) Pay for play is nothing unique to drum corps these days. Try hockey......just for instance. You think the elite teams are full of the elite players? Well, certainly there are elite players on elite teams. But there are also players who show up willing to pay the $$ to fill out the team Edited November 11, 2009 by HockeyDad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elphaba01 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 (edited) Of course there are open class corps looking for members...and some world class corps too.A LOT of things have changed since 1958. So what if present day world class corps require an audition and are selective. There are fewer corps around, but there are thousands more kids competing these days than in 1958. "THOUSANDS More!!!!????": I don't think so. In New Jersey ALONE (With all three Junior National Champions St Vincents Cadets, Blessed Sacrament & Holy Name /Garfield Cadets within spitting distance of each other)there were a LOT more corps & marching members (Although none nearly as HUGE (Or EXPENSIVE) as the dreadnaughts of today The old CYO Circuit in MA had enough corps to require an entire weekend to run their three claases, and the old Legion and VFW (Later the World Open) had to use "Abreviated" prelim shows to get all the corps qualified for their respective Finals. "Northern Thunder" would be the "Deciding Authority" for this one, but from my memory the numbers of corps in existance at that time easily fielded MORE kids "On the Field" than "DCI" does today. Elphaba WWW Edited November 11, 2009 by elphaba01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsOnTheField Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Whoa, what? There are thousands more kids competing these days than in 1958? What's the basis for this claim? If there are 1/100th of the corps today compared to 1958, then the average corps size in 1958 would have to be....1.5.... to be equal to today. I know the corps sizes were smaller then, but not that small. I think the pool of talent and potential members is higher now. Especially with the higher number of high school programs across the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euponitone Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I think more people are involved in well run marching music programs today, than 50 years ago. I dont have proof, and it would be hard to prove it either way, but between HS band, WGI, and DC, i think more are involved, and thats what matters to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 "THOUSANDS More!!!!????":I don't think so. In New Jersey ALONE (With all three Junior National Champions St Vincents Cadets, Blessed Sacrament & Holy Name /Garfield Cadets within spitting distance of each other)there were a LOT more corps & marching members (Although none nearly as HUGE (Or EXPENSIVE) as the dreadnaughts of today The old CYO Circuit in MA had enough corps to require an entire weekend to run their three claases, and the old Legion and VFW (Later the World Open) had to use "Abreviated" prelim shows to get all the corps qualified for their respective Finals. "Northern Thunder" would be the "Deciding Authority" for this one, but from my memory the numbers of corps in existance at that time easily fielded MORE kids "On the Field" than "DCI" does today. Elphaba WWW You are looking at only drum corps...note that I said "There are fewer corps around, but there are thousands more kids competing these days than in 1958." Competitive HS band has replaced those corps...in far larger number, hence my comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifer Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 You are looking at only drum corps...note that I said "There are fewer corps around, but there are thousands more kids competing these days than in 1958."Competitive HS band has replaced those corps...in far larger number, hence my comment. And a good point as to why we should be more supportive of marching bands in the drum corps community. The local communities decided with their money to invest in school music programs rather than community programs. So the money that your neighborhood would have donated to the local CYO drum corps is now going to the town as taxes to support school music programs. While it hurt drum corps big time, it's the best way to reach the broadest audience for drum corps members to corps of all sizes, divisions, etc. and, more importantly, to expose as many kids in this country to music as possible. Support your local school music programs, PLEASE!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 And a good point as to why we should be more supportive of marching bands in the drum corps community. The local communities decided with their money to invest in school music programs rather than community programs. So the money that your neighborhood would have donated to the local CYO drum corps is now going to the town as taxes to support school music programs. While it hurt drum corps big time, it's the best way to reach the broadest audience for drum corps members to corps of all sizes, divisions, etc. and, more importantly, to expose as many kids in this country to music as possible. Support your local school music programs, PLEASE!!! Great post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbevillekid26 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I definitely see what HasBeen is saying and agree with it, even sort of encouraged to do the same by my instructors. $200 is roughly a tenth of a tour fee and with low chances of getting in I'd rather audition at a corps I like just as much but think I have a better shot at getting in. Maybe if things don't work out or after improving some I could try at the Cadets but I see how he sees it's a waste of money when you don't have the abilities to have a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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