How Does DCI draw in a new fan base?

[funkjazzaxe]

The differences have very little to due with execution (practice time) and more to do with unique instrumentation and "brand". To the people on the street, at least the people on the street that I know, drum corps is cool and marching band is not. Getting back to the topic of increasing fan base, the more you make DCI a "summer band educational experience" marching band thing, the less cool it is to most people and the less relevant it becomes as an entertainment medium (IMO of course). I say capitalize on what makes it cool and captivating to the people on the street. I think drum corps should do what it can to build on its unique strengths, making it marching band simply takes away its appeal. In George Hopkins own words (which I totally disagree with as far as sustaining drum corps and building audience):

“I’m still a strong believer that really our salvation as anactivity is probably to align, as best we can, with the band movement. I mean,separating ourselves as we’re doing and struggling the way we’re doing and notjust embracing music education on every level, to me is absurd."

[Jeff Ream]

No one has left the activity because they don't like Bb or electronics. It is too addictive an activity to give up for things so trivial and selfish. Life changes, less shows and more travel, rising costs, other priorites get in the way. But it's an easy and popular front to put out when on DCP and feeling nostalgic for the 70s.

I will agree the music has not been in favor of the audience much lately. There are few melodies and coherent, easy to understand concepts out on the field and we do not have a system that rewards that.

I can't speak for Bb, but yes, people have left DCI because of electronics. I know several

[Jeff Ream]

No. My drum corps history is that I was very active as a member of drum corps fandom for the first few years after aging out. But, then I drifted off in the mid-80's as I started travelling in the Summer to places like Europe and focusing on my career. For about 20 years, I only attended on show a year and that was Allentown.

I drifted back a few years ago when people close to me got more involved in alumni activities and the internet made it more possible to follow the activity without attending shows.

Would DCI listen?

I'll pm you

[Jeff Ream]

I think Jeff may say yes that DCI will listen but I do know many who have sent letters on many subjects to the DCI office only to not get a response or a very generic stock thank you for your views letter...But hey worth a try

I went a round about way and contacted her. I think where i directed maybe a friendly voice

[Jeff Ream]

?? like everyone else? If it was about shutting out I wouldn't debate, nor read as I know I'm in the minority on this forum.

It's often a front on DCP. I should say, no one has left primarily due to electronics, though they may dislike their implementation. And if you do deprive the kids of the opportunity because you don't like the change in horns, yes I'm going to judge you.

on electronics, you'd be wrong.

Never assume

[Jeff Ream]

I mean, people don't have any clue what drum corps is. If you tell people you are watching golf they at least understand what that means before the WTF look. Going to a DCI show leads to reactions of 1. Clueless, 2. high school uncompetitive band, 3. college bands, 4. outdoor concert??

and you think adding woodwinds will change that?

[audiodb]

I should say, no one has left primarily due to electronics, though they may dislike their implementation. And if you do deprive the kids of the opportunity because you don't like the change in horns, yes I'm going to judge you.

You lost me there. What opportunity are kids being deprived of? And how do people who don't like the change in horns cause kids to be deprived?

[audiodb]

First, you say this:

The disappointing part for me is how few people have any clue what DCI is. The people who think golf are boring at least know the basics of the sport. Here, the perceptions are all over the place. Might as well be watching Drumline

And then, this:

All of the differences you are referring to, relate to the fact bands practice maybe 12 hours a week while corps can squeeze that into a day.

Apparently, you aren't aware of the difference between drum corps and marching band. (It's the instrumentation.)

Just so you know, there are drum corps that rehearse maybe 12 hours a week. And there are bands that rehearse more.

[audiodb]

The woodwinds argument that we need to add woodwinds to make fans out of woodwinds players makes absolutely no sense.

I don't have to be a piano player to enjoy a piano recital. I don't have to play the electric guitar to rock out at a rock concert. I don't have to be a ballet dancer to go to the ballet. I can be totally incapable of singing myself and yet appreciate the opera.

Drum corps offers a distinctive line-up of instrumentation that is its identity. Making it indistinguishable from marching bands removes the distinctiveness that is part of the brand.

You'll lose more fans than you would ever gain.

And that is one of the problems with the changes drum corps has made over the years. They have never been made with marketing or the audience in mind. Or if they have, its been stupid marketing ideas based on poor consumer insights.

It's as if when New Coke failed in the marketplace, Coca-cola kept messing with the formula and evolved it into something that tasted like 7-Up instead of going back instantly to the old Coke that people loved.

I've been meaning to ask....how do I join the barigirl78 Fan Club? And if there isn't one, can I start it?

Greatly enjoying the voice of reason you add to this board.

[Kamarag]

I can't speak for Bb, but yes, people have left DCI because of electronics. I know several

I do think in the long run the number of folks that have stopped spending money on DCI as a direct result of A&E is probably very low. A lot of people (still not any kind of majority) may whine about it, but they still attend shows.

Adding woodwinds would be a different ball of wax, and would drive fans away in droves, myself included. Frankly, I don't believe there is any danger of that happening though, as there's only one guy seemingly interested in doing it, and even if his reasoning wasn't tragically flawed (especially in financial terms), he has no support where it matters: in the instructor base.

Until you sell a majority of DCI instructors on your proposed rule change, you have absolutely no shot of getting it passed.