Saving Drum Corps part I: Defining the problem

[WildWilly55]

Wow where to start on this topic. I was in Ajax sea Cadets back in 1971--watched Opti-Knights win the 1971 Jr. B Canadian Championship----left Ajax in the fall of 72 to march Opti-Knights in 73--along with 3 other drummers and 4 horn players which almost totally collapsed Ajax as a Drum Corp. Marched 72 Opti-knights to second in CDCA finals---all of a sudden most of the Opti-Knights where either leaving for De La Salle or Toronto Optimist---73 I started to march Del--but had some issues at home and moved to Listowel---back marching Opti-knights for the remainder of 73--73. In 74 we saw a huge influx of corps people to Toronto Optimist and Del. Which almost totally collapsed the Opti-knight organization. 1974 saw a lot of traditional Toronto Optimist members (bitter rivalries thoughtout the 60-70's) move to Del--which crippled the Toronto Optimist who then a year later merged with Scarborough Firefighters to become Senca Optimist. Del a year later also merged with the Etobicoke Crusaders. There where at the time lots of bickering between the corps about stolen members etc--I am sure a very similar story in the US of A. I remember my younger sister who marched Opti-Knight in 74 was not allowed to come see or talk to me (marching Del) at the US open for fear of reprisal from the corps at the time--SAD. So the fall of 1974 comes along and myself, Bob Ferris and Chris Taylor decide to bus down to Anaheim and join the Kingsmen. So we quit our jobs , cashed in our life savings and headed to Kmen. We arrived in Califonia in October of 1974. Al Murray and Johnny Flores had an apartment at the corner of Knot and Ball. So we bails in there to assume life in California. Met lots of great people there--Tom Float, Brenda Marksam, Denise Berg, Greg Wilson. We went to practice and I remember dressing in uniform to do a show for Chrysler--as rumour had it we would be applying for sponsorship as the "Chrysler Kingsmen" We went to practice every week till late January. We where aware that Don Wells was losing his house---imagine putting your house on the line for a drum corps--weather it was all corps related--who knows. Late January the writing was on the wall for the Kingsmen---myself , Robert and Chris--flew back to Canada. Myself and Robert never marched again. Chris Taylor went on to become a great quad player with Crusaders and then the Guelph Royalaires. So in retrospect I was in Canadian Drum Corps at the start of the end. It was a great activity--saw lots of the country as most parents used the corps as a babysitting service for their out of control kids that needed something to do in the summer. Sorry for the long winded rant---"but I am just say'n!!"

[drumlaw80]

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.

Problem? The activity has become homogenous.

[Mucs75]

Heres a solution. End it all now. Shows dont connect with people. Most people stand up because their kid is in it, or they remember seeing how crowds USE to go crazy at shows and its an automatic response. When u need bull horns and microphones to explain what a show is about, or 10 trucks coming onto the field to set up the endless uneeded junk, or most people in the stands scratching tgeir heads wondering what the show was about, along with atleads a hundred more things i can think of that have adversely affected the activity, i say its time to bury it and have ur memories of better times to sustain you

[drumno5]

Heres a solution. End it all now. Shows dont connect with people. Most people stand up because their kid is in it, or they remember seeing how crowds USE to go crazy at shows and its an automatic response. When u need bull horns and microphones to explain what a show is about, or 10 trucks coming onto the field to set up the endless uneeded junk, or most people in the stands scratching tgeir heads wondering what the show was about, along with atleads a hundred more things i can think of that have adversely affected the activity, i say its time to bury it and have ur memories of better times to sustain you

C'mon, take it easy with that time-to-fold-up-the-tent-'cause-nothing-can-compare-to-the-good-old-days stuff, Muc'. We had our fun; let someone else have a chance.

Peace,

Fred O.

[BRASSO]

C'mon, take it easy with that time-to-fold-up-the-tent-'cause-nothing-can-compare-to-the-good-old-days stuff, Muc'. We had our fun; let someone else have a chance.

Peace,

Fred O.

I met a guy at a family picnic out of state about 30-35 years ago in the state of Connecticut, and we got around to chatting, and somehow we started talking about our interests and I mentioned something about Drum Corps. His eyes and ears perked up with that and he said that " I march in Drum Corps too " I said "thats great to hear" and asked him what he played in his Corps.... " snare drum" he tells me. I got a kick out of that. Knowing that he was from Connecticut, I asked him if he heard of the Connecticut Hurricanes. " Yes ", he tells me. But then his demeanor changes and he tells me right off.... " Thats not real " Drum Corps ". I asked him what he meant. He tells me... " REAL Drum Corps don't have bugles". I responded... " come again ? "... He goes on... " Real Drum Corps don't have bugles. They have fifes ". I repeated what he said... " Real Drum Corps don't have bugles, they have fifes ? ". He responds... and emphatically too... " Thats right, no bugles. Just fifes. They should have never replaced the fife with the bugle. I'm in a REAL Drum Corps ", he says and he tells me the unit ( name escapes me at the moment ).

I saw no point in arguing with the guy as it was a family picnic and this guy had already made up his mind that Drum Corps went off the rails... and for him it went off the track not in 1960, 1970, 1980, etc.... but around 1798. ( haha ) For him, if you used a bugle in your Drum Corps days, you wern't in REAL Drum Corps, and YOU were part of the problem. ( lol! )

Fast forward to today, and there are more "REAL Drum Corps" ( Fife and Drum Corps) in the state of Connecticut than the Drum and Bugle Corps. And with some people calling for the introduction of woodwinds into Drum Corps ( and a fife being a woodwind ), who knows, maybe after we're dead and gone, the activity will come full circle and the last thing standing will be this guys version of " REAL Drum Corps ". ( haha! )

Edited March 2, 2013 by BRASSO

[drumno5]

I met a guy at a family picnic out of state about 30-35 years ago... and he tells me right off.... " Thats not real " Drum Corps "...

Same as it ever was, eh BRASS? Great story!

Regards,

Fred O.

Edited March 2, 2013 by drumno5

[MikeD]

Fast forward to today, and there are more "REAL Drum Corps" ( Fife and Drum Corps) in the state of Connecticut than the Drum and Bugle Corps. And with some people calling for the introduction of woodwinds into Drum Corps ( and a fife being a woodwind ), who knows, maybe after we're dead and gone, the activity will come full circle and the last thing standing will be this guys version of " REAL Drum Corps ". ( haha! )

Not sure it is still there, but the fife and drum corps museum is in CT. Stopped there once years ago on the way to judge a band show in CT.

[reallyoldfrt]

Not sure it is still there, but the fife and drum corps museum is in CT. Stopped there once years ago on the way to judge a band show in CT.

Fife and Drum Corps were HUGE in CT BITD. ( 1950s) Even then they also called themselves "Ancients". We drummers in the "Real" corps never even considered them. In my first I&E competition, one in which All the big names in D&BC drumming were entered, I was shocked that they ALL got their ###es kicked by the Ancients drummers.

Decades later, as an old man, I played with the Legends of Drum Corps with many of the guys I grew up with. There were several guys in the line from the Middlesex Volunteers Fife and Drum Corps, and let me tell you, these cats could flat out play.

In between, when I was judging, I had an opportunity to judge an Ancients competition. They were not impressed with my D&BC background. As I went out on the field, clipboard in hand, the Contest Coordinator gave me one piece of advice. Remember, a fife will fit right up your ---!"

Those guys were, and ARE very serious about their drumming.

[alankarls]

For me, the decline started in 1979 or 1980 (I'm old and the years are merging together) when I was judging DCM. Phantom had the Spartacus show, I believe, and no one could figure out what they were doing and they were getting killed in GE. I was at a show, I believe it was in Rockford, when the Phantom staff came in and handed us judges a booklet to explain what they were doing so we could understand it. I told them if you need a book to explain it, it isn't working. If people don't know what you're doing, its simply bad design.

Anyhow, the "print a booklet to explain what you're seeing" crowd won out and I've been out of the activity for 25 years. So I guess I was wrong, huh?

[CaballarosJr.]

For me, the decline started in 1979 or 1980 (I'm old and the years are merging together) when I was judging DCM. Phantom had the Spartacus show, I believe, and no one could figure out what they were doing and they were getting killed in GE. I was at a show, I believe it was in Rockford, when the Phantom staff came in and handed us judges a booklet to explain what they were doing so we could understand it. I told them if you need a book to explain it, it isn't working. If people don't know what you're doing, its simply bad design.

Anyhow, the "print a booklet to explain what you're seeing" crowd won out and I've been out of the activity for 25 years. So I guess I was wrong, huh?

Spartucus version 1 was in 1981 and 1982. The decline didn't start in Birmingham's 1979 and 1980. Those were the best years. I do though agree with the rest of your posting. I remember Phantom having to hand out librettos to the crowds. Too bad every show since about the Star of Indiana 1990 needs a libretto now. The 2008 Spartacus didn't need explaining due to rule changes that made it more possible for theatrical shows. 1981 and 1982 were not horrible shows. Just a quarter century ahead of their time, with rules that just didn't allow for proper presentation.