KingDubya Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Actually, they kinda did wake up being the Blue Devils. Their first year fielding a corps was 1971. Five years later they won DCI.Not saying I disagree with your point. Just saying it's not the best example. :) I was thinking about BAC. Didn't make Finals until '99, despite being part of DCI since the beginning, then immediately jumped to 5th the following year. Also, the organization has one of the most dedicated alumni organizations I've seen, not to mention parents (the break from MPB parish, their European tour in '82, the Boston Drum & Bugle Corps). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drumno5 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Fans of the activity getting together to support it is welfare?? Sure, I'm all for supporting the activity, by all means. But I don't think that trying to "level the field" by providing a handout to corps based on the assumption that because they haven't finished as well competitively, they must need money more than some other group that has been more successful on the field, is a good idea. How do we know, for example, that Corps A in 15th place is any more or less solvent than Corps B in 4th place, or whatever? It just seems kinda pie-in-the-sky to me: give that little guy a hand, and watch him swell with pride as he... well, you get the idea. Maybe it's got to be thought through a little more carefully. peace, (no personal disrespect intended), Fred O. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlooContraGuy Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 A good Alumni Association is a great field leveler! this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiodb Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 (edited) Just what we need - the Great Society comes to drum corps; DCI as welfare state. Sorry, thumbs down on this one. How would voluntary donations from individuals equate to "DCI as welfare state"? (sorry, didn't see that this question had already been asked and answered....) Sure, I'm all for supporting the activity, by all means. But I don't think that trying to "level the field" by providing a handout to corps based on the assumption that because they haven't finished as well competitively, they must need money more than some other group that has been more successful on the field, is a good idea. How do we know, for example, that Corps A in 15th place is any more or less solvent than Corps B in 4th place, or whatever? It just seems kinda pie-in-the-sky to me: give that little guy a hand, and watch him swell with pride as he... well, you get the idea. Maybe it's got to be thought through a little more carefully. True, placement is not a barometer for financial health, but I don't think that completely invalidates the concept of supporting the corps of your choice. Meanwhile, I wonder if you are equally analytical towards the idea of donating to top corps.... Edited December 8, 2009 by audiodb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I think you would be surprised at the financial stability of some of the lower-placing corps. I know of a corps that's more financially sound than many of the Top 12 and wasn't able to break Finals in 2009. exactly. financially stable and competitive success aren't always hand in hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tito John Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 All corps have to have the funds to keep moving down the road. Isn't it the amount of money they have left over after those expenses are covered that allows them to attract or not attract design, composition, and teaching talent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suviduvi Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Money may not be the solution. The top corps will always get the better people, (staff and members) the best kids will always migrate to the top 6 7 corps. Until you get "better" qualified kids into all the coprs, it will be difficult for a corps to go from 15 to 8 in the standings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drumno5 Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 How would voluntary donations from individuals equate to "DCI as welfare state"? ...True, placement is not a barometer for financial health, but I don't think that completely invalidates the concept of supporting the corps of your choice. Meanwhile, I wonder if you are equally analytical towards the idea of donating to top corps.... I didn't say that folks shouldn't be encouraged/permitted to support the corps of their choice, be it top 5, bottom 5, or anywhere in between. It was the o.p. who placed the condition that donations be limited to corps placing 9th or lower, which seems to imply (at least as I'm reading it) that those groups are needier, or somehow worthier of support. That's the "welfare state" frame of mind to which my first reply alluded: the implication that the drum corps "public" has some kind of responsibility/obligation to provide a handout to lower tier groups because they are at some inherent disadvantage. I still don't think it's a good suggestion to pass the hat, but only for groups perceived as "needy" based on the fact that they haven't been able to crack the top 8. thanks for the discussion, Fred O. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paralda Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 If I were incredibly rich, I would travel the country founding Corps, and trying to make tuition affordable for members. But that's just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glory Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 I don't think this effort can succeed. Most fields are built with a gentle slope to assist drainage. Giving more money to certain corps won't change that. HH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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