Saving Drum Corps part I: Defining the problem

[FHdork]

You certainly do have it in for music majors. I have no facts, but I'm pretty darn certain that most corps are not exclusively made up of music majors.

So why would an engineering major do drum corps? That is a question for you, OP. What is it about today's drum corps - an activity you seem to loathe with every fiber of your being because it is not exactly what you came to know and love in 1978 - that attracts young people from as far away as 12,000 miles to do it? You say 'resume bullet point', and I say 'responsibility and leadership training not found anywhere in the world outside the military.'

Do you rant at Detroit because they don't make the Chevrolet Vega anymore? Do you rant at IBM because they canned the Selectric? Do you rave and riot at Hormel in Austin Minnesota because Spam is only available at Walmart?

[old skool drmmr]

Preface: This posting is being sent via e-mail to all available Drum Corps Directors and any other type of communication to George Hopkins who is most to blame for ruining Drum Corps. The next posting will deal with how Drum Corps artistically has been destroyed.

In 1977, The Phantom Regiment started the first of 4 years being the best but not being Champions. They were mostly high schoolers and a few college musicians from the Rockford Area that had no school district music programs. I fell in love with Phantom for who they were, not really what they played or marched.

In 2012, The Phantom Regiment will not likely care about avenging their parents', grandparents, aunts, uncles or siblings 35th anniversary injustice. Nor will more than a few have ever read The Rockford Register Star, for they don't live there. Instead of avenging injustice, 80% are music or performance majors seeking to add something to their resume to supposedly get a music or performance job- in the second lowest employment placement.

Thirty five years ago, I cried for the first of four times for 128 Rockford High Schoolers who were in a social service organization providing a NEED not fulfilled by local school districts. Now, DC is more of an educational activity engaged by college Performing Arts Majors in colleges with entire music schools and dozens of musical opportunities that could easily use their own resources to have a Illinois University (Rockford) Drum and Bugle Corps turning Elsa all intellectual.

Seriously, give 2008 rules to the 1977 Phantom's mostly high schoolers and they could easily have done "Spartacus" just as well. Could you modern DCers be able to produce anything with 1977 rules and equipment? Just a passive aggressive epiphany..

Thirty five years ago there was at least 450 historically archived(maybe 700 total) really good drum corps with mostly High Schoolers, playing music one could hear once yet remember until they start their Legacy Collection in 2011. Now there are music majors giving obscure, overly intellectual music theory lessons you can hear 20 times on youtube until DCI gets them taken down and not be able to remember after one brushes their teeth.

Note: There were so many shows(not just DCI Shows) on any given summer day that Drum Corps News despite devoting up to 9 pages could only report and thus archive maybe 40 to 60% of shows and thus corps. Shows the Cabs were in were omitted about 33% of the time. No one could with any validity come up with even an accurate number within a 20 count margin of error.

Thirty five years ago there was the 3rd of two decades of PBS DCI Broadcasts with up to 14 million viewers because everyone either was in a Corps or knew someone in a Drum Corps. No advertising was needed for their were so many Drum Corps Nuts in virtually every high school that word of mouth only was needed.

DCI's last national broadcast on ESPN2 in Prime Time drew only 835,000 viewers, with considerable advertising in a nation with only 45 active junior Drum Corps.

Thirty five years ago, there were tens of thousands of drum corps age outs but more frequently high school graduates upon leaving who would have become Jets or Sharks rumbling, learning life changing lessons leading to law schools, med schools, LISW etc.

Now DCI has 85% of age outs with music and performance arts masters degrees asking paper or plastic hoping to someday be like "Mr. Shuster" on Glee getting the ten or so music jobs in an entire school district or college. OOH another jab. Trying to be nice.

Thirty five years ago, on any given summer day, one could find their Drum Corps News and find a really good Drum Corps show within a few hours. Now there are many states that haven't hosted a Drum Corps since Autumn Leaves (at 3:14)-which didn't receive a single deduction because there aren't any for anything.

Thirty five years ago, a corps could compete in 40 shows against great corps without ever having to be more than a few hours from their hometown, where everyone in the corps lived. Now, drum corps have to travel days just to get to the next tour stop.

Thirty five years ago, a music or performance arts major wouldn't have to fly anywhere to get a great music education. If there wasn't a spot open in North Star, there would probably be one across town in 27 or Boston Crusader. A Stanford Major could choose between BD, SCV, Freelancers, Dons, et al all within the general Bay Area.

Thirty five years ago, there was the American International Open, U.S. Open, Key To The Sea which were outstanding community events filled with activities and revenue stimulation providing days' long exposure to DC. Now there are DCI tours with corps that probably haven't marched a parade, or done a local performance, to help provide fund raiser donators Drum Corps to see, since the Z-Pull, not the reverse.

Thirty five years ago, virtually every city or suburb had one to up to 6 really good corps. For example Boston courtesy of Father Gregg and ICR had 27th, NS,BC, Fitchburg Kingsmen and a few others I can't think of right now. Wyoming was the only state with only one corps. There were city championships. Now, only Ohio and California could have a contested state championship.

Thirty four years ago, Jerry Noonan solos in Ole could be heard far away in the parking lots. Now, if the $45,000 and up amplification equipment doesn't work, the crowd in the front row won't be able to hear anything because the drills are so complex that most brass players don't even play. Ooh. Why should they if a sound engineer can create the perfect sound. Maybe George Hopkins will get Drum Corps to perform to all recorded music with brass players doing a brass equivalent of lip sincing.

Thirty five years ago, most everyone knew of Drum Corps. Now Drum Corps has become totally disconnected from the public: no parades, few local performances no youtube allowed, few libraries with The Legacy Collection and about 90% of members don't even live in the corps publically announced city's state. And the first question I get when meeting former Caballaro is, "Is DCI and Drum Corps still alive?"

Thirty five years ago, Drum and Bugle Corps was part of the American landscape with a corps in virtually every parade, festival or other event. Now, DC's have disappeared like are Soap Operas Disappearing.

Thirty five years ago, a High Schooler would see a poster about a drum corps practice in their music room. They might have to take a public bus or their falling apart Gremlin and begin a youth to adult commitment to the corps that taught them self worth. Now, members fly around the country auditioning hoping to "just get in a corps" so they can enhance their education and life that 85% of parents are financially supporting. The flight about $400, audition fee about $200. Most apply online to all corps all at one time.

As corps went to music majors, the public disconnect made fund raising less successful. A few years ago I was thinking about volunteering at the Bluecoats bingo about 40 minutes down I-77. But I found all sorts of stuff about how very few if any members are under 19, nor live in Canton or even Ohio and audition in Tennessee having a family's income that can support them paying $3,000 in DC "tuition" to attend really expensive universities that have extensive music programs sacrificing 60 tour days not having a job to help pay for school. Triple ooh. I truly am trying to be nice.

If I and virtually all Americans want to go to a Bingo we are going to give money to needy causes-like AIDS, Homelessness, Pets, Domestic Abuse, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts etc. Thirty years ago, a Police Boys Club Bluecoats or Spirit TV telethon fund raiser would help someone under the age of 18 avoid a life of being a delinquent. Not a music student at Stark Sate or KSU Stark with parents that make $200K or more, I had to deal with in required classes for a Non Profit Administration Degree.

Seriously, let the parents of these members pay for the costs.

Many corps still fraudulently lists their mission statement as being a youth activity. Yet SCV and others expressly state, imply or govern members be at least 18 and not in High School. A youth is someone under 18.

If Secretary's of State had the time, they should order drum corps to state their misson statement to be sarcastically like, "A recreational activity for legal age collegiates who want to avoid getting a summer job to pay for college, getting a degree that has virtually no market value." Ooh another biting passive aggressive stab.

A donation to a college isn't tax deductible, why should Drum Corps ?

Drum Corps are Educational Institutions for music majors seeking better employment possibilities-thus more profitable lives. It could be legally argued that their 501 c3 status should be revoked for corps are no longer social service organizations and everyone is directly out for a profit. Star of Indiana might have had the honest approach and just gone with all corporate sponsorship and not engage in fund raising.

Although Star of Indiana's bizarrely overly intellectual not comprehendible shows of the 1990's started the "artistic disconnect from a marketable audience" they at least had the integrity to overtly seek individual profit, not falsely be part of a "Non Profit Organization."

Thirty five years ago, a corps could reach DCI Finals on a $80,000 budget entirely by fund raisers. Now, DCI won't even let a corps compete without a million dollars budget. Their site even uses financial stability as criteria to entry.

Thirty five years ago, George Hopkins was a frustrated director of The Garfield Cadets that couldn't make finals with traditional values and actual artistic rules while The Bridgemen were dqd for marching members over 21 and broke the rules.

Now George Hopkins influence has totally wiped out what was part of the American Landscape.

Steve Bayt

on Facebook.

Didn't read.

[Tone Quality Matters]

Clearly you didn't get it 35 years ago, and you don't get it now. Sorry, but your learning curve timeframe has expired.

Try focusing your energy on volunteering, donating, making a difference for your favorite corp(s). You have completely wasted our time and yours with this post.

IN the short term. The solution? Closing this thread.

Edited January 11, 2012 by Tone Quality Matters

[Jeff Ream]

I stopped reading after the factual error about Phantom being the best but not champion 4 years in a row.

they were 2nd in 77-79, not 77-80...and in 80 they weren't the best.

After that, well, sorry man,,,there's others to blame besides Hop.

[Barifonium]

You certainly do have it in for music majors. I have no facts, but I'm pretty darn certain that most corps are not exclusively made up of music majors.

So why would an engineering major do drum corps? That is a question for you, OP. What is it about today's drum corps - an activity you seem to loathe with every fiber of your being because it is not exactly what you came to know and love in 1978 - that attracts young people from as far away as 12,000 miles to do it? You say 'resume bullet point', and I say 'responsibility and leadership training not found anywhere in the world outside the military.'

^What he said. This coming from a going-to-be 4th year marcher and business administration major.

[Michael Boo]

I think I can summarize next week's "Part II: The Solution" in an easier-to-read, simplified, less obtuse format.

[GUARDLING]

isnt Caballaros,....spelled wrong?..lol...just askin ( Caballeros)

[Michael Boo]

isnt Caballaros,....spelled wrong?..lol...just askin ( Caballeros)

After all the factual errors, does it really matter?

[danielray]

Thirty five years ago there was the 3rd of two decades of PBS DCI Broadcasts with up to 14 million viewers because everyone either was in a Corps or knew someone in a Drum Corps. No advertising was needed for their were so many Drum Corps Nuts in virtually every high school that word of mouth only was needed.

Among all the other fantasy figures in this romantic historical fiction, this one is interesting. In 1977, 14 million viewers would mean it was one of the most successful prime time shows on major network television.

In the 1970's, Sesame Street was, by far, the top program shown on PBS.... by a factor of nearly 30% above the rest... and it only hit 9 million viewers.

Thirty five years ago, a music or performance arts major wouldn't have to fly anywhere to get a great music education. If there wasn't a spot open in North Star, there would probably be one across town in 27 or Boston Crusader. A Stanford Major could choose between BD, SCV, Freelancers, Dons, et al all within the general Bay Area.

In 1977, it would have taken you about an hour and 45 to get to Sacramento and almost 4 hours to Fresno. Not exactly local.

Thirty five years ago, most everyone knew of Drum Corps. Now Drum Corps has become totally disconnected from the public: no parades, few local performances no youtube allowed, few libraries with The Legacy Collection and about 90% of members don't even live in the corps publically announced city's state. And the first question I get when meeting former Caballaro is, "Is DCI and Drum Corps still alive?"

There are single drum corps videos on YouTube that have more viewers then were reached by live performances of every year of every corps in the entire history of DCI combined.

Thirty five years ago, a High Schooler would see a poster about a drum corps practice in their music room. They might have to take a public bus or their falling apart Gremlin and begin a youth to adult commitment to the corps that taught them self worth.

In 1977, a Gremlin would be new.

Thirty five years ago, a corps could reach DCI Finals on a $80,000 budget entirely by fund raisers. Now, DCI won't even let a corps compete without a million dollars budget. Their site even uses financial stability as criteria to entry.

$80,000 in 1977 is the same as $300,000 now. There are corps that go to finals that have budgets below this.

Thirty five years ago, George Hopkins was a frustrated director of The Garfield Cadets that couldn't make finals with traditional values and actual artistic rules while The Bridgemen were dqd for marching members over 21 and broke the rules.

No. He was marching then.

Edited January 11, 2012 by danielray

[Michael Boo]

Preface: This posting is being sent via e-mail to all available Drum Corps Directors and any other type of communication to George Hopkins who is most to blame for ruining Drum Corps.

Yeah…That should do the trick. Let us know how that works.

The next posting will deal with how Drum Corps artistically has been destroyed.

Why make us wait?

In 1977, The Phantom Regiment started the first of 4 years being the best but not being Champions. They were mostly high schoolers and a few college musicians from the Rockford Area that had no school district music programs.

Other than the factual error regarding the years, I’m curious what the real percentage of locals was in the corps, as I personally knew some who were not locals. But then, 63% of all statistics are made up.

In 2012, The Phantom Regiment will not likely care about avenging their parents’, grandparents, aunts, uncles or siblings 35th anniversary injustice.

Avenging? Will there be any arrests and possible Tazering?

Instead of avenging injustice, 80% are music or performance majors seeking to add something to their resume to supposedly get a music or performance job- in the second lowest employment placement.

Are we up to 80% now? I’d love to see your survey results. And are they marching just to pad their resume? Really? I’ll throw something at you I believe can’t be refuted: 100% of those music or performance majors are seeking fun and a great experience.

Now, DC is more of an educational activity engaged by college Performing Arts Majors in colleges with entire music schools and dozens of musical opportunities that could easily use their own resources to have a Illinois University (Rockford) Drum and Bugle Corps turning Elsa all intellectual.

I’m having trouble diagramming that sentence.

Seriously, give 2008 rules to the 1977 Phantom’s mostly high schoolers and they could easily have done “Spartacus” just as well.

Easily? That really takes a lot away from the great kids who put on that miraculous 2008 show.

Could you modern DCers be able to produce anything with 1977 rules and equipment? Just a passive aggressive epiphany.

I’m not much for passive-aggressive epiphanies. It doesn’t sit well with my vegetarianism.

Thirty five years ago there was at least 450 historically archived (maybe 700 total) really good drum corps…

Yeah, the top 450 drum corps back then were “really good.” The quality didn’t start to dissipate until one got down to around number 600 or so.

Now there are music majors giving obscure, overly intellectual music theory lessons you can hear 20 times on youtube until DCI gets them taken down and not be able to remember after one brushes their teeth.

The secret is to avoid brushing one’s teeth after watching drum corps.