Corps Directors

[Jeff Ream]

because kids from poor high schools are not the demographic that DCI targets. This is why I brought up socio-economic diversity earlier in the thread, as I feel it is more important than racial diversity. No one liked (or responded to) my idea that if a corps charges rich kids more, then they can use those tour fees to subsidize others.

Perhaps we charge $5000, and offer scholarships to those with family incomes under $40000/year. This way, the family that makes less than $40000 only has to pay $1000 for tour fees, b/c the $5000 + $1000 = $6000, the same that a corps will get from 2 students paying $3000. This would add socio-economic diversity to the drum corps.

no offense, but if my future kids are to march, I'm not paying good money to help fund someone else's marching experience too. What will happen with the forced socialistic approach is chase kids who can afford it away.

[Stu]

No one liked (or responded to) my idea that if a corps charges rich kids more, then they can use those tour fees to subsidize others.

I was raised in a lower middle class family and we could not afford to pay for my transportation to and from camps 'and' my corps dues. I never paid any of my dues, my family never paid any of my dues, and no 'rich' family paid any of my dues, but still marched! How was that possible? I got off my a** and sought my own sponsorships; I helped a guy dig a trench for his sewer system in exchange for a dues payment; I walked and fed a lady's two dogs in exchange for a dues payment. So to see someone say in essence, "Sock it to the Rich because they have way too much money" just really p***** me off! If a kid, any kid, no matter the family income level wants to march, they can find an honorable way to do so without punishing the family of a rich kid!!!!

Edited September 14, 2010 by Stu

[shostahoosier]

because kids from poor high schools are not the demographic that DCI targets. This is why I brought up socio-economic diversity earlier in the thread, as I feel it is more important than racial diversity. No one liked (or responded to) my idea that if a corps charges rich kids more, then they can use those tour fees to subsidize others.

Perhaps we charge $5000, and offer scholarships to those with family incomes under $40000/year. This way, the family that makes less than $40000 only has to pay $1000 for tour fees, b/c the $5000 + $1000 = $6000, the same that a corps will get from 2 students paying $3000. This would add socio-economic diversity to the drum corps.

Ok, in that case I think you're totally right. DCI should make a serious attempt to widen its audience. I think helping with socio-economic diversity would help with some of the other concerns brought up in this thread.

As for subsidizing, thats more "unfair" than regulating membership for the point of diversity. Kids should definitely work to contribute if they want to be a part of drum corps, I just wish the costs associated with joining a corps werent so relatively prohibitive these days.

[shostahoosier]

I was raised in a lower middle class family and we could not afford to pay for my transportation to and from camps 'and' my corps dues. I never paid any of my dues, my family never paid any of my dues, and no 'rich' family paid any of my dues, but still marched! How was that possible? I got off my a** and sought my own sponsorships; I helped a guy dig a trench for his sewer system in exchange for a dues payment; I walked and fed a lady's two dogs in exchange for a dues payment. So to see someone say in essence, "Sock it to the Rich because they have way too much money" just really p***** me off! If a kid, any kid, no matter the family income level wants to march, they can find an honorable way to do so without punishing the family of a rich kid!!!!

I agree with you that kids should work, find sponsors, etc. But keep in mind that corps cost so much more these days then they did even 10 years ago. Yeah you can talk about inflation and what not, but corps fees (and traveling to camp since there are fewer local options) are absolutely brutal now.

[tomgolf8]

because kids from poor high schools are not the demographic that DCI targets. This is why I brought up socio-economic diversity earlier in the thread, as I feel it is more important than racial diversity. No one liked (or responded to) my idea that if a corps charges rich kids more, then they can use those tour fees to subsidize others.

Perhaps we charge $5000, and offer scholarships to those with family incomes under $40000/year. This way, the family that makes less than $40000 only has to pay $1000 for tour fees, b/c the $5000 + $1000 = $6000, the same that a corps will get from 2 students paying $3000. This would add socio-economic diversity to the drum corps.

You have GOT to be kidding. What do you think that will do to membership of corps. I would be willing to bet the first year you try that, every corps goes under. Tax the rich so the poor can march. Great idea.

Pehaps we should petition President Obama to create a Drum Corps Czar. He can then use stimulus money to pay for lower income kids to march.

Do we see where this has gone? Now we're trying to figure out a way to get more minorities into drum corps so at some point they could want to maybe become a Corps Director. Then if the establishment holds them back, we'll have something to argue about some time off in the distant future. Great idea.

[Jeff Ream]

I'm going to throw this out there:

if we see a move to force diversity in DCI....imagine the effects on Madison or cavies in the long run. You open the can of worms to force them to take female staffers or directors, before you know it, there may be a move to force them to take female members.

[garfield]

And this is the major issue that this whole thread conveniently forgets: Drum Corps is a private activity that accepts no public funds. Therefor it cannot be forced, sued, or connived into doing anything it doesn't want to. Much like private golf clubs the Cavies, Madison, and the whole activity is shielded from such forceful change. Only if charitable contributors and fans revolt will there be change, and there's apparently not enough belief in the premise of this thread to bring about that kind of demand.

I'm going to throw this out there:

if we see a move to force diversity in DCI....imagine the effects on Madison or cavies in the long run. You open the can of worms to force them to take female staffers or directors, before you know it, there may be a move to force them to take female members.

Edited September 14, 2010 by garfield

[soccerguy315]

Ok, in that case I think you're totally right. DCI should make a serious attempt to widen its audience. I think helping with socio-economic diversity would help with some of the other concerns brought up in this thread.

As for subsidizing, thats more "unfair" than regulating membership for the point of diversity. Kids should definitely work to contribute if they want to be a part of drum corps, I just wish the costs associated with joining a corps werent so relatively prohibitive these days.

You have GOT to be kidding. What do you think that will do to membership of corps. I would be willing to bet the first year you try that, every corps goes under. Tax the rich so the poor can march. Great idea.

Pehaps we should petition President Obama to create a Drum Corps Czar. He can then use stimulus money to pay for lower income kids to march.

Do we see where this has gone? Now we're trying to figure out a way to get more minorities into drum corps so at some point they could want to maybe become a Corps Director. Then if the establishment holds them back, we'll have something to argue about some time off in the distant future. Great idea.

I was raised in a lower middle class family and we could not afford to pay for my transportation to and from camps 'and' my corps dues. I never paid any of my dues, my family never paid any of my dues, and no 'rich' family paid any of my dues, but still marched! How was that possible? I got off my a** and sought my own sponsorships; I helped a guy dig a trench for his sewer system in exchange for a dues payment; I walked and fed a lady's two dogs in exchange for a dues payment. So to see someone say in essence, "Sock it to the Rich because they have way too much money" just really p***** me off! If a kid, any kid, no matter the family income level wants to march, they can find an honorable way to do so without punishing the family of a rich kid!!!!

no offense, but if my future kids are to march, I'm not paying good money to help fund someone else's marching experience too. What will happen with the forced socialistic approach is chase kids who can afford it away.

I agree with all of you; my idea would not work well. That said, my idea is a typical idea that would come down from the top of an organization looking to improve diversity. In fact, the very idea I suggested is employed by thousands of colleges and universities around the country every semester. They raise their prices, and then provide scholarships to those that can't afford it.

[soccerguy315]

we see a drum corps looking for staff with a post here on the first page of DCP... these are posted drum corps openings. Anyone can apply. I wonder what the breakdown of their applicants will be...

[Jeff Ream]

I agree with all of you; my idea would not work well. That said, my idea is a typical idea that would come down from the top of an organization looking to improve diversity. In fact, the very idea I suggested is employed by thousands of colleges and universities around the country every semester. They raise their prices, and then provide scholarships to those that can't afford it.

drum corps is not a college or any kind of tax payer funded activity.