How many think Cadets 2 will be the death of other corps

[Gary Matczak]

Staff and recruiting base.

I would venture to guess a larger budget too will benefit them.

They will recruit many of the cuts from Cadets and many of them are probably better than the average recruiting base that other corps don't neccecarly have or draw.

Also if they cap the age they will be able to do some crazy fast drill without having the age outs slowing them down.

do you think Yea is flush with cash?,...............people come from all over the world to audition for Allentown Cadets, I don't see them hanging around for weekend only,.............the corps will be relatively inexperienced as Jim points out, and that won't change until they lift the age limit,...............all IMO

[cabalumnidrummer]

. . . people come from all over the world to audition for Allentown Cadets, I don't see them hanging around for weekend only . . .

And there is also the long-standing attitude of many young, DCI-aspirants that a 'senior' corps (pardon me -- all-age corps), a.k.a. a DCA corps, is just not something they want to do or be a part of. I've known several over the years. Perhaps the Cadets name will be a draw, with the hope of making the 'big corps' in DCI the next year.

I can't help but feel that the bulk of the membership of this corps will turn over rapidly and constantly. Heck, I imagine it might even be used like a 'minor league' farm team from which they could call-up a member if needed to fill a spot that opens in the Cadets during the season. Not impossible, unless there are rules to prevent it.

[MelloHorn13]

So this thread again, huh?

So I'll ask the same question: What's wrong with an organization branching out and tring new things? Why should they have to put a hold on their growth to accomodate a drum corps, esp when it's not really that big of a deal.

As I mentioned before Cadets have members from all over. The purpose of Cadets2 is to build a local base, it'll help out the local band programs if anything.

[VOReason]

All discussions of finances and membership aside, I have a rather different question.

Both in this thread and in an earlier one, a number of folks have pretty much ceded Cadets - Part Deux a spot in the top five. What would be the basis for granting a (so far non-existent) corps this lofty status?

Just asking....

While is is true that it is a tad early to be speculating on the competitive success of a corps that does not yet exist, one certainly has to hope that Cadets2 will break the competitive inertia that has overtaken the circuit.

[The Oz]

I think a more interesting question is the possible affect on other DCI corps. What if C2 enjoys some quick success? Let’s say they easily make the top 10 and land on the DCA board. Young ‘uns show up in droves for C2. The low-cost, work-while-you-play model proves attractive.

Now let’s look at another East Coast corps, say the Garden State Sand Dunes. They see the success of C2. They are tired of being an also-ran in DCI. They make the switch to DCA.

DCP has several threads discussing this DCI corps or that moving to DCA. C2 could show the way. Why not?

[Gary Matczak]

I think a more interesting question is the possible affect on other DCI corps. What if C2 enjoys some quick success? Let’s say they easily make the top 10 and land on the DCA board. Young ‘uns show up in droves for C2. The low-cost, work-while-you-play model proves attractive.

Now let’s look at another East Coast corps, say the Garden State Sand Dunes. They see the success of C2. They are tired of being an also-ran in DCI. They make the switch to DCA.

DCP has several threads discussing this DCI corps or that moving to DCA. C2 could show the way. Why not?

Right on!

[The Oz]

Right on!

Every once in a while I get a good idea, Gary.

[irishbugle]

I see this move by YEA becoming a template for other DCI organizations looking to keep their programs alive but operate within a better budget. With DCI Open Class on the decline, I'm wondering if some of those corps are starting to look at DCA for a more flexible, but still competitive arena.

As far as Cadets2- I think it boils down to a small level of jealousy among the other corps (only a slight bit.) Programs like Fusion, Hurcs, Empire, and Cabs put a lot of effort every off season and in the winter months to bring new bodies into the corps and condition those new bodies for the summer. They also put a lot of effort into bringing in quality staff.

Now here comes a YEA sponsored DCA corps with decent (not never ending) financial backing, an abundant world class staff list, and 400+ young adults foaming at the chance to be apart of Cadets 2012. Now I'm sure plenty will be turned off by the "Please march here for a year and than we will look to bring you into Cadets in 2013" speech, but also an equal number will likely accept the offer and spend their summer in Cadets2.

As for the age restriction- I agree I would rather the corps be open to all ages so that Cadets2 is on the same level as the other corps. But at the same time- The Cadets, like most other World Class DCI corps, have a very strong Alumni. I can only image if those age restrictions weren't in place, the fight for membership in Cadets2. Maybe the age restriction will in fact keep things even?

I'm on record for not being entirely supportive of this new effort by YEA. For me- its because I really do believe they will come out in 2012 with a very strong program and be a competitive force. I would have liked to see them start small and work their way up to being a powerhouse like most other DCA corps had to instead of coming out in year 1 and dominating. I think there is more evidence to support that this will happen more than it wont.

Either way, anything that continues to support the circuit and help it flourish I welcome. If nothing else, the Top 5 will finally change in 2012.

[Kamarag]

I think a more interesting question is the possible affect on other DCI corps. What if C2 enjoys some quick success? Let’s say they easily make the top 10 and land on the DCA board. Young ‘uns show up in droves for C2. The low-cost, work-while-you-play model proves attractive.

Now let’s look at another East Coast corps, say the Garden State Sand Dunes. They see the success of C2. They are tired of being an also-ran in DCI. They make the switch to DCA.

DCP has several threads discussing this DCI corps or that moving to DCA. C2 could show the way. Why not?

I've been talking about this happening for the last couple of years. DCA makes a very viable alternative for DCI Open Class corps, even if they do not attend DCA Championships. There are a couple of things DCA could do right now to make themselves even more friendly to DCI Open corps than they are now (inviting them to perform in exhibition).

1. Judge DCI Open Class corps in 2012. Use DCI Open sheets and give them a number. DCI judges DCA corps on DCA sheets, why not the reverse? It's a no brainer now that the two systems are so similar.

2. Consider (for the future, but not necessarily 2012), dropping the "you can only compete for score in DCA rule". Create an age-restricted division (B Class, for sake of argument) that uses the same rules DCI does. It's not a replacement for DCI, but rather an avenue for east coast DCI Open Class corps to compete without traveling so far, especially early in the season. It's win-win for DCI and DCA. It also helps fill out shows with more corps. B Class would have little to no competitive impact on existing DCA Open and A corps.

DCI and DCA have a well publicized partnership. Let's take it beyond marketing and make it really work to everyone's benefit.

[dbriggs]

just had a thought about the C2 participants. assuming they're from all over the country like all other top8 corps, what do they do for transportation/living during the season? fly back and forth every weekend? get a room/apt near YEA (wherever) and flip burgers during the week? the logistics may not be so easy