skeptic Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Just wondering which DCA groups have winter guards and drumlines. How much of an advantage might this be to the summer corps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John H Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Minnesota Brass has both a winter guard and a winter drumline. These are separate selection and separate membership from the full summer corps roster, although there is overlap for sure. This past weekend Feb 18-19 both groups performed in WGI regionals. The MBI Winter Guard won first place in Independent Open at the Kansas City regional, and the Minnesota Brass Indoor Drumline won first place in Independent Open at the Indianapolis regional. Winter Guard Facebook Indoor Drumline Facebook We are very proud of these groups! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Priester Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I know you are talking about guard and indoor drumline ensembles, but don't forget, the Skyliners Alumni/ Bugler's Hall of Fame I&E show this coming Saturday, February 25 at Hasbrouck Heights VFW, 513 Veteran's Place, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ is open to ALL DCA and Alumni individuals, quartets, and ensembles who would like to show off their stuff. The doors open at noon and the show starts at 1PM. Uniforms are NOT required. A great opportunity to get together with many drum corps folks for a wonderful and entertaining afternoon. Admission is $10 at the door and walk-in competitors are welcome to register there and then ($10 entry fee, to BHOF). If you are a paid entrant, there is NO separate admission charge. Hopefully a bunch of folks from the current DCA corps will have a representation at the show. We look forward to seeing you there. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Just wondering which DCA groups have winter guards and drumlines. How much of an advantage might this be to the summer corps? I know several members of the Bucs perform with "The Guard" a Sr guard that competes in TIA. I'd imagine it can't help but help the groups as it keeps hands, feet etc sharp.now for any percussion in WGI, there is an age cap, so not everyone in MBI for example may be able to participate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidwestGiant Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Just wondering which DCA groups have winter guards and drumlines. How much of an advantage might this be to the summer corps? MBI is in our 5th year of competition with the Winter Drumline. We have placed as high as 5th in the Percussion Independent Open Class at WGI. It largely a separate group from the Drum Corps other than we share equipment and much of the staff. The DL has its own schedule that works around the summer group. The age range for the Winter group is 16-22. We have about 10-12 of the winter group kids that also do the summer corps. The reason that isn't higher is that some of the other WDL kids march juniors, have schedule issues with the summer, or don't make the Drum Corps. We started the WDL 5 years ago to have a next level winter ensemble from Minnesota and train teachers for our local circuit. There weren't too many good local Independent groups at the time. The benefits for us have been: Better training of percussion overall in the state. The kids come to us better than ever. Increased local and national exposure for the corps. A solid recruiting vehicle to present at winter shows. More of a youth focused activity to build bridges with local schools and performance/money opportunities. We have turned over our talent much faster for the summer because the kids in the winter drum more. We haven't had have huge lulls in our talent pool for the summer DL. The guard is in their second year of competing nationally. They have had guards in the past that were senior guards, but now it is a Independent Open ensemble in the same vein as the WDL. The results for the guard and corps have been very positive as well. It isn't easy though. It is a challenge for the organization to support 4 performing ensembles (including the mini corps). Financially and schedule wise there are always glitches. But overall it has been a great thing for the organization IMO. Joel MBI Program Coordinator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISP Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Do Brigs still have a winter guard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senagod Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 I know several members of the Bucs perform with "The Guard" a Sr guard that competes in TIA. I'd imagine it can't help but help the groups as it keeps hands, feet etc sharp.now for any percussion in WGI, there is an age cap, so not everyone in MBI for example may be able to participate And you also get to learn from the Bucs guard caption head when you march The Guard. He writes all the drill, writes all the work, teaches the work and also performs. Stevie's pretty much Superman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmlah Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Do Brigs still have a winter guard? Yep! Last year was their first year back in awhile, they were Independent A and this year they're Independent Open Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron H Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 (edited) MBI is in our 5th year of competition with the Winter Drumline. ... The benefits for us have been: Better training of percussion overall in the state. The kids come to us better than ever. Increased local and national exposure for the corps. A solid recruiting vehicle to present at winter shows. More of a youth focused activity to build bridges with local schools and performance/money opportunities. We have turned over our talent much faster for the summer because the kids in the winter drum more. We haven't had have huge lulls in our talent pool for the summer DL. The guard is in their second year of competing nationally. They have had guards in the past that were senior guards, but now it is a Independent Open ensemble in the same vein as the WDL. The results for the guard and corps have been very positive as well... MBI Program Coordinator Thanks Joel! In addition to the points you noted, I think Minnesota Brass' integration with WGI's programs are critical to the long-term success of the corps. In terms of annual revenue, WGI is roughly 10 times larger than DCA, with at least 10 times the number of participants. Linking into WGI and DCI programs can only benefit the much smaller All-Age drum corps activity. Every DCA corps needs to take this into consideration in their planning for the future. Inactive corps like the Brigadiers have tapped into that synergy of organizations. That's what helps them stay alive. Increased connections among all the marching arts programs (WGI, DCA, DCI, BOA, etc.) will benefit all of them. Few of these organizations can exist in isolation. The more synergy created among them the better. I would LOVE to see a Caballero Winter Guard or Winter Drum Line! Same with Empire or Alliance or Renegades. Creating these sub-groups will help stabilize the corps. After all, we're in a weird little world where we get off on seeing beautifully choreographed movement in a competitive arena loudly cheered by rabid fans. That's really strange to most of the world. :) Edited February 22, 2012 by Ron H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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