Has Drum Corps Lost Its Soul

[Jeff Ream]

DCA continues to throw out the regional growth, but it is and has always been an East Coast centric activity. I remember the hub and bub when it was suggested DCA finals could come to North Carolina for a year...ah the blasphemy of such a suggestion.

DCA's fan base is showing no evidence of growth. It is stagnant. And for that matter, so is DCI's. Stagnant at best.

hmmm all East Coast right. let's see Open Class finalists. they took 10

Minnesota Brass. nope not East Coast

Kidsgrove Scouts. Guess you count England as East Coast

Alliance..Atlanta. well it's in the East tho it's really the South

Corpsvets...see Alliance

Renegades...Calfiornia

that's 5 of 10. oh and add in Kilties in 11th...Wisconsion aint the East

now Open class.....12 corps at prelims

Carolina Gold...south

Governaires....Minnesota

Vigilantes...Texas

Sun Devils...Florida

SoCal Dream...Cali

High Country Brass...Denver

Cinnciantti Tradtion...not really East Coast

hmm 7 outta 12. yeah DCA is so East Coast these days

[Jeff Ream]

You are missing the point, IMO, of what he was saying. It's not the 'hardware' he is talking about; it's the 'software'...the programs...these can be made, according to George, more relevant to draw in more young people as audience and members. IMO that is what he was saying. He NEVER said a piece of hardware (i.e. electronics) equals more people. He spoke about the USE made of things like electronics to create programs geared to attract the young audience.

ok so why then is the guy crying about playing the music of dead white guys...playing the music of dead white guys?

[mgarside83]

You are missing the point, IMO, of what he was saying. It's not the 'hardware' he is talking about; it's the 'software'...the programs...these can be made, according to George, more relevant to draw in more young people as audience and members. IMO that is what he was saying. He NEVER said a piece of hardware (i.e. electronics) equals more people. He spoke about the USE made of things like electronics to create programs geared to attract the young audience.

So Little Geoffrey, Toy Soldiers, Alice in Wonderland, Opra.......................these "software" or programs are more relevant to the young audience? In order to pull off these relevant programs, they needed a lot of electronics to amplify voice, play string ensemble recordings and amplify baby sounds. You don't see a connection????

[Jeff Ream]

So Little Geoffrey, Toy Soldiers, Alice in Wonderland, Opra.......................these "software" or programs are more relevant to the young audience? In order to pull off these relevant programs, they needed a lot of electronics to amplify voice, play string ensemble recordings and amplify baby sounds. You don't see a connection????

no he won't LOL

[HockeyDad]

I have read his blog...and the posted links. NO place did he say that adding an electronic instrument = more audience.

Heh, only you.

Well, most of the rest of us got the idea... which is....add all this cool stuff we need...including electronics...and we'll get more audience.

A few years later, and he now says.... it's still broken.

Maybe it's time for someone else to step forward with ideas

[Barifonium]

Maybe it's time for someone else of influence to step forward with ideas

there, fixed it

[Jeff Ream]

good fix.

[Mellofello01]

Here's an idea. Let's all get together in Annapolis, MD at the DCA Championships in 2012. We can discuss ad nauseum the presence or absence of electronics. Of course, everyone will have to attend DCI as well to have a direct comparison.

Perhaps we could rent a box and discuss over drinks.

9/11 NEVER FORGET

Edited September 11, 2010 by Mellofello01

[Jeff Ream]

wy wait til 2012. DCA Finals will be in Rochester next year

Here's an idea. Let's all get together in Annapolis, MD at the DCA Championships in 2012. We can discuss ad nauseum the presence or absence of electronics. Of course, everyone will have to attend DCI as well to have a direct comparison.

Perhaps we could rent a box and discuss over drinks.

9/11 NEVER FORGET

[Stu]

hmmm all East Coast right. let's see Open Class finalists. they took 10

Minnesota Brass. nope not East Coast

Kidsgrove Scouts. Guess you count England as East Coast

Alliance..Atlanta. well it's in the East tho it's really the South

Corpsvets...see Alliance

Renegades...Calfiornia

that's 5 of 10. oh and add in Kilties in 11th...Wisconsion aint the East

now Open class.....12 corps at prelims

Carolina Gold...south

Governaires....Minnesota

Vigilantes...Texas

Sun Devils...Florida

SoCal Dream...Cali

High Country Brass...Denver

Cinnciantti Tradtion...not really East Coast

hmm 7 outta 12. yeah DCA is so East Coast these days

Your list applies to individual corps who 'always' have to travel northeast to DCA Championships; supporting the point that the DCA organization itself is still East Coast centric. I mean really, moving DCA Championships to Annapolis is really moving way far South I tell ya!!!! It is a few miles down the eastern coastline yeah; but a real move to the south??? South would be moving Championships to Atlanta or Dallas; West would be Colorado or California. You even said it yourself in a previous thread that the people in charge of DCA hate the idea of looking out west to sanction events! So, try all you can to show that there are some DCA Corps developing outside the northeast, but it does not alter the fact that the DCA administration is still glued to that part of the nation.