bill Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 The season should be about drumming up fan interest (read that: ticket/merchandise sales) for ALL shows, not just one weekend in late August/early September. Bingo!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyroo Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 I agree. I think the issue of "visual demand" is more of a time factor, than an age factor. Unless someone invents a seven-day weekend that allows members of all-age corps to focus entirely on drum corps, then all-age corps will be limited in what they can do, from a physical-demand standpoint. Plus... from what I've seen over the years, all-age shows with too much physical demand tend not to get clean/achievable until late August/Labor Day weekend. That makes for a solid championship-weekend product, but the June-July product could be better. The season should be about drumming up fan interest (read that: ticket/merchandise sales) for ALL shows, not just one weekend in late August/early September. Amen Brother!!! The dollars shelled out by the audience in Wildwood on the third weekend in June are no less valuable than the money received on Labor Day weekend. And if we're trying to generate fan interest, aren't the locals of Bridgeport, Clifton, Bayonne, and Lewisburg just as important as those at the later shows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camel lips Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Plus... from what I've seen over the years, all-age shows with too much physical demand tend not to get clean/achievable until late August/Labor Day weekend. That makes for a solid championship-weekend product, but the June-July product could be better. The season should be about drumming up fan interest (read that: ticket/merchandise sales) for ALL shows, not just one weekend in late August/early September. Great post. I saw some shows last summer in late July that were almost a train wreck with members dropping out because they could not keep up with the drill demand or did not know the book. At times members were slamming and tripping over each other. while vets understand the early DCA shows/schedule,,, the popcorn eaters may not and walk away from the experience with something less than a positive experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Great post. I saw some shows last summer in late July that were almost a train wreck with members dropping out because they could not keep up with the drill demand or did not know the book. At times members were slamming and tripping over each other. while vets understand the early DCA shows/schedule,,, the popcorn eaters may not and walk away from the experience with something less than a positive experience. then maybe the corps are trying too much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camel lips Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 then maybe the corps are trying too much? I would think so. But itnismall about the visual sheets now days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anokaflash Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 With all this talk of physical demand of older marchers, I'll repeat what I say when anyone asks 'How can you keep up with those kids being that you're over 50' My reply: 'It's not the physical as much as it is the mental game. Memory isn't as good as it once was. Brain farts on the field mid season happen, and it is key to stay more focused and eliminate as many distractions as possible. I can't gaze up into the crowd during a show without risking missing a step off or a visual. I must remain completely in the game and fully engaged in the performance or I am asking for trouble.' Now, there is sure physical issues. I marched in 2003 and blew out my ACL 3 weeks before DCAs. I re-habbed my way to Prelims and Finals, but had surgery later that fall. Although I didn't have any issues during the season this year, that knee is acting up again. God may just decid when I am done with marching, rather than me. 20 years on the field between 1978 and 2011 with at least one more year left in me, God Willing. Flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FPonzo Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 no lawn chair king were you sir! E-Hem.......I hope you're not implying what I THINK you're implying Jeff!!! I was one of those "over 40" people....not in the 50+ range, but in the 45+ range. After not marching competitively for 11 years (2000 was my "retirement" year), I can honestly say for me it wasn't about the physical demand. It was more about my mental approach to that demand. By no means was I in any kind of physical shape to do competitive year (just ask Doc!), but my mental approach was a different story. Going to bed early, waking up full rested for the new day, eating right, drinking plenty of fluids, resting when they gave us rest. And I can honestly say, our drill was one of the most demanding drills in 2011. I was not a "pit soloist" either (Or a "lawn chair king")...I played my share of solos, BUT....I marched the FULL SHOW. AND...I'm gonna attempt it again in 2012!!!! All I am saying, is if you approach it the correct way, anything is possible for the "over 40's". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FPonzo Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 'It's not the physical as much as it is the mental game. Memory isn't as good as it once was. Brain farts on the field mid season happen, and it is key to stay more focused and eliminate as many distractions as possible. I can't gaze up into the crowd during a show without risking missing a step off or a visual. I must remain completely in the game and fully engaged in the performance or I am asking for trouble.' I agree 110% Flash!!! Good for you!!! Just more proof that IT CAN BE DONE!!!! (Us old f**ks have to stick together! LOL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardcoremello Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Ok, I tried to stay away from this one but I just can't. SO, we have: DCI B Corps which seems to be for members who aren't quite in their "prime" yet. They're young or just starting out but they get a great education getting them ready for the DCI corps. DCI which is for members who are, what I would consider "in their prime" for HIGHLY ATHLETIC formatted drum corps and more importantly for members who can dedicate a whole summer for conditioning and touring. "All Age" for those who love the sport of Drum corps but can only do it on weekends or who are over age. Alumni corps for those who can't commit to every weekend but who still want to be involved in some capacity Parade and Mini corps for those who have even less time to commit but love to play THANK GOD for all those categories. There's something for everyone. Just because your in your 40s (or above for some very few but very dedicated individuals) does not mean you should hang up your uniform. It's not, for the most part anyway, about age. It's about dedication and commitment. If you are 45 and you're willing to put in the time at home that's needed to ge the job done, you WILL be successful. If you're 25 and lazy as all heck and not committed or dedicated to what you're doing and you just think you can show up on weekends and do your thing........guess what.........that 45 year old that's marching next to you is going to march circles around you..........probably literally.......ever womder why you're always the one who is gets the spot that everyone else rotates around........that's probably why........hahahaha.....j/k, but you know what I mean. Now, do we have to work harder.......yes.......PHYSICALLY!! Mid age bulge gets in the way and its harder to lose which may hinder our abilities a bit but our 30+ YEARS of playing can REALLY help out a line. For the past five years I've been marching in the mello line with two girls who I consider my best friends and who I love like sisters. Every year I remind them and myself that I'm old enough to be their mom!!! I hurt more at the end of the day...I may not be able to get down on my knees as much, maybe I don't play as good as I did when I had more time to practice but I'm no slouch and I may not be able to do a handstand and play my horn upside down but hell...I couldn't do that at 20 either but if they were doing that when I was 20 you bet your behind I'd have figured it out!!! Yes, I agree, some people should not be on the field, but not just a select group of people in their 40s, I actually can think of more young people than old that shouldnt be on the field. On the flip side, there are some people that I believe could do DCI if they were able to go on tour and be on the field every day practicing and training. Grant it, they'd have to be healthy BUT it would not be impossible for the right person. Now aside from just playing and marching, the experiences that younger members have from marching with members who are older than them are probably some of the greatest experiences they'll ever have. My kids for instance are, in my opinion, great, well rounded kids and I attribute that to all the people who have been a part of their lives from drum corps. Lily Woo, Don Derisi, Lauren Kulich, Cyrus Maddockse, Tommy Martin, the Sky ladies...........just to name a few. They learned so much (life lesson type stuff as well) from these people but most importantly they learned how to work TOGETHER towards one common goal. We compliment each other. I've learned so much from our younger members and I LOVE THEM!! IN LEARNING YOU WILL TEACH AND IN TEACHING YOU WILL LEARN!! The beauty of all age.......multi generations working together towards one common goal!! Ok, off my soapbox.........thanks for bringing up this topic!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piper Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 I've done both DCI and DCA. It really doesn't matter how old you are. It all comes down to whether or not your head is packing the proper gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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