If DCI were to allow woodwinds, would you continue to support the acti

[GMichael1230]

No way, not even a chance...buh-bye...

G

[ouooga]

I don't know what everyone's talking about. Woodwinds would be awesome!

[PepsiTwist]

I wonder how similar the poll results would be if this were asked 10 years before amps, 10 years before the switch to Bb, etc ;)

There are too many positive things about the activity to remove my support bc of WWs. To me, it's actually a little selfish to think you'd stop supporting something that was of value to you when you were young...simply because you don't like the different sound. The activity is more important than a brass only sound vs. combined sound.

Point taken, but I believe that the uniqueness of dci from the rest of the marching activities around the world is what distinguishes it as DCI.

I don't particularly like the use of amps... and had there been a poll created 10 years ago asking if I would support dci if amps were used, I would vote the same way I did today - depends on how the rule is written. I was always for Bb horns. I absolutely hated my 2-valve euph and would have loved to run over it with my pickup truck in hopes I could make it sound better afterwards. I sang a joyous praise when the Bb rule passed and welcomed in with open ears at the 2000 championships.

But getting back to your post - I think you're right in talking about not giving up because of WWs alone, however as I suggested, maybe there can be a separate division just for those corps. It seems that we are resorting to woodwinds just to add the next obvious thing but also the least interesting. What happens 10 years after that? electric guitars? tarps that light up and play certain tones when you step on it? Didgeridoos? Fireworks?

In speaking of innovation - more does not always mean better. Or, in other words, quantity over quality.

There will always be a question floating around every activity asking "what can we do to make this activity better?" Unfortunately we are now having the "Star Wars" effect, where George Lucas and company clearly felt that adding all that garbage to the new trilogy would make it better, as well as those special additions to the originals. Not trying to go off topic here, but this is what I kind of see happening in drum corps.

There are many Star Wars fans out there that either love or hate the use of the CGI in the movies... as it is the same with some of us fans who loved the way dci was in the 80's... but now, it's just not all that special anymore. Yeah, it's still cool, there's a lot of stuff happening on the field... But this is a case where I say that more is not necessarily better. More is just that... more! But we don't need more. We just need high quality, high paced and... well, just HIGH playing!

By the way... has anyone here ever seen or heard the European British Brass Band competitions? If so... how would you feel if they decided to start adding woodwinds? But before you answer that question - first ask yourself, why would you even ask that question when you're talking about brass band groups?

[garfield]

I wonder how similar the poll results would be if this were asked 10 years before amps, 10 years before the switch to Bb, etc ;)

There are too many positive things about the activity to remove my support bc of WWs. To me, it's actually a little selfish to think you'd stop supporting something that was of value to you when you were young...simply because you don't like the different sound. The activity is more important than a brass only sound vs. combined sound.

Oh, here it comes - you can't just disagree. No, you're "selfish".

So many posters here suggest "Then Just Leave!" if we can't deal with the change.

So we will.

Do you have to yell "Selfish!" as we're walking out the door?

Really?

[JonW]

I wonder how similar the poll results would be if this were asked 10 years before amps, 10 years before the switch to Bb, etc ;)

There are too many positive things about the activity to remove my support bc of WWs. To me, it's actually a little selfish to think you'd stop supporting something that was of value to you when you were young...simply because you don't like the different sound. The activity is more important than a brass only sound vs. combined sound.

For me, the sound is precisely why I love drum corp.

I greatly enjoy symphonies, orchestras, some marching bands, rock bands, bluegrass, polka and even barbershop!

Drum Corps is different... I love the pure power of a solid brass line, the heart-stopping percussion, the sheer magnificence that only drum corp is able to provide. No other musical venue is able to provide what is at these shows.

I may still attend some shows if WW were added, but it sure would pain my heart to see it. Next stop, strings!

[blue_devil_fan9903]

DCI would be dead to me.

[byline]

I have to say that for me, adding woodwinds would be the last straw. I would support any corps that didn't have them, but that's it. For me, the whole excitement about drum corps was hearing the power of that all-brass and percussion sound. If I want to hear woodwinds on the field, then I'll go to a marching band contest.

And this is coming from a woodwind player.

Edited September 3, 2010 by byline

[Gold_Bond]

Oh, here it comes - you can't just disagree. No, you're "selfish".

So many posters here suggest "Then Just Leave!" if we can't deal with the change.

So we will.

Do you have to yell "Selfish!" as we're walking out the door?

Really?

The only thing they left out was "but think of the chilllldrennnn!"

[RetiredJedi]

Drum Corps is in a self induced coma to me at this point.

If WW's are added... I pull the plug and let it slip away. Rest in peace. I have to let you go to honor your memory.

[supersop]

I'll go back and change my statement.

Here's what I'll do.

I'll go to the lot at the first show after WW are brought into the fold.

I'll see which corps are using them and which aren't.

If I find a show on the schedule that has enough corps that I want to see who don't use WW, I'll go.

If a corps at that show uses them, I will wait until the opening note and then stand up and walk out.

I will then go to their souvie booth and pull out a $100 bill and set it on the counter.

I will then tell them, "Oh I'm sorry, you're not a drum corps." and then remove my money and walk away.

Better yet, maybe I'll bring monopoly money and demand them to let me purchase souvies with it.

I'll go a step further ... I'll demand a refund from the corps for their portion of my ticket price.

If there were ever reason for drum corps fan$ to bring forward a class action lawsuit in seeking an injunction against the voting membership for changing our beloved activity beyond the point of recognition ......... this would be one of those times.

Edited September 3, 2010 by supersop