As long as we're stirring pots...Why so many camps?

[Jeff Ream]

Let's add this into the discussion.

In 1981, when 98 corps showed up in Montreal in three divisions (and many, many more competed but didn't go to Championships), the conversion from picture shows to corps-style shows in marching band was well underway. People like you and me, Mike, were already sharing the skills we learned in drum corps with our local bands. Many times we started with our alma mater (because our band directors were still there, trusted us, and we worked cheap or for free), and then we slowly branched out as the movement spread.

The growth of band programs was guaranteed at that point because, 1) there were more and more corps alumni teaching advanced techniques, and 2) the population grew, therefore there were just more schools being built and more programs being established. Yet, at the same time the numbers of corps were shrinking due to many reasons, including but not limited to the economy, loss of sponsor, poor management, etc.

Given the comments above, though, wouldn't it be a perfect world if we could have thousands of bands AND hundreds of drum corps? And considering the numbers of school-age (middle/high schools and college) musicians, it's not unthinkable that it could happen with the right organization in place to foster that growth.

Given the current state of DCI and the organization as it exists with each member corps competing with the rest for members, placement and sponsorships (closely related to placement, and very self-serving), wouldn't an independent organization that looked out for the interest of ALL corps be more conducive to the success of all instead of just the powers that be?

Garry in Vegas

logic says yes Garry, but as we all know, logic and the business of drum corps do not always go hand in hand

[MikeD]

Let's add this into the discussion.

In 1981, when 98 corps showed up in Montreal in three divisions (and many, many more competed but didn't go to Championships), the conversion from picture shows to corps-style shows in marching band was well underway. People like you and me, Mike, were already sharing the skills we learned in drum corps with our local bands. Many times we started with our alma mater (because our band directors were still there, trusted us, and we worked cheap or for free), and then we slowly branched out as the movement spread.

The growth of band programs was guaranteed at that point because, 1) there were more and more corps alumni teaching advanced techniques, and 2) the population grew, therefore there were just more schools being built and more programs being established. Yet, at the same time the numbers of corps were shrinking due to many reasons, including but not limited to the economy, loss of sponsor, poor management, etc.

Yup...no disagreement there.

Given the comments above, though, wouldn't it be a perfect world if we could have thousands of bands AND hundreds of drum corps? And considering the numbers of school-age (middle/high schools and college) musicians, it's not unthinkable that it could happen with the right organization in place to foster that growth.

Absolutely agree on the first...sure having both would be great.

IMO it is 'unthinkable' that it can happen in the real world, to use the reverse of your phrase. It has nothing to do with having the 'right organization', unless you are talking about a billionaire with enough $$$ to fund the whole thing. It's financial...and it's also about having sufficient people to create the corps from an admin perspective, having enough kids be able...and want...to march drum corps, and finally, enough show sponsors to fund shows all over the country, 3 or 4 times the number of current shows. It's not 1971 anymore; HS MB competitions are the main place, numerically speaking, for kids to march at the 'local corps level', so to speak.

Given the current state of DCI and the organization as it exists with each member corps competing with the rest for members, placement and sponsorships (closely related to placement, and very self-serving), wouldn't an independent organization that looked out for the interest of ALL corps be more conducive to the success of all instead of just the powers that be?

Whether it would or wouldn't is something we'll never know, as IMO it is not....really can not...happen in this day and age. DCI is made up of the corps, and IMO they are really the main reason ANY competitive junior corps activity still exists, given the failure of the non-DCI organizations of the past, sponsoring organizations of the corps themselves and the circuits the corps competed in.