ttrevan Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Les Eclipse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie1223 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 (edited) I first stepped onto the field in uniform for DCI competition in 1994. That was 18 years ago. Since that time, I've watched as a large number of TOURING corps fall by the wayside. I know that since the 70's, the vast majority of active corps have folded. It was pointed out by MikeD in another thread that most of those (up to 85-90%) were local, non-touring groups. With the folding of 3 corps this season alone, it's pretty alarming to see what we've lost in the last 15-20 years. My intent in this thread is to enlist the help of others to compile a comprehensive list of corps that were touring and competing in shows in the last 15 or so years that are not today. I think to show what has disappeared in just that short amount of time might open some eyes to just how much the product has truly diminshed. Here goes...starting with the 3 this year: Forte/Memphis Sound Teal Sound Racine Scouts Bandettes Capitol Sound (Madison Jr Scouts & Capitolaires) Capital Regiment Americanos Les Etoiles North Force Southwind Magic of Orlando Freelancers Sunrisers Academie Musicale Dutch Boy Delta Brigade Sky Riders (not sure when they folded) Suncoast Sound Florida Wave Northmen Northern Aurora Nite Express Emerald Knights Esperanza East Coast Jazz Tarheel Sun Patriots Coachmen Railmen L' Insolite Kiwanis Kavaliers Quad City Knights Golden Knights Allegiance Elite Cardinals St. Johns Spectrum Black Gold Lake Erie Regiment Star of Indiana Quest H.Y.P.E Fever Citations Vision Elite Targets Yamato Mystikal Jester Pride of the Lions Cadets of New York Cincinnati Glory Marion Glory Cadets General Butler Vagabonds Les Senateurs Knight Storm West Coast Sound Phoenix Legend of Texas Edmonton Strutters Sentinelles Kips Bay Crusaders Silver Knights Decorah Kilties Joliet Kingsmen Scenic City Royal Knights Pride of Soka Incognito Mauraders Ventures Cadets of Dutch Boy Kips Bay Knight Club PRC/Phantom Legion Limited Edition Golden Lancers Drawing a blank on several, but there's a good start. Add yours and I'll continue updating the list. If you are going to do this list is should accompany a list of all the highschool marching band programs that have grown and TAKEN THE PLACE of what these corps used to offer to younger kids. The number of great marching bands that have sprouted up has an inverse relationship to the number of corps that went bust imo. But obviously your point isn't lost... Edited July 26, 2012 by charlie1223 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Flores Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I think 2003 was the last year for DCM, I'm not sure about DCE and DCW? DCE dissolved in 95 or 96 I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUARDLING Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I first stepped onto the field in uniform for DCI competition in 1994. That was 18 years ago. Since that time, I've watched as a large number of TOURING corps fall by the wayside. I know that since the 70's, the vast majority of active corps have folded. It was pointed out by MikeD in another thread that most of those (up to 85-90%) were local, non-touring groups. With the folding of 3 corps this season alone, it's pretty alarming to see what we've lost in the last 15-20 years. My intent in this thread is to enlist the help of others to compile a comprehensive list of corps that were touring and competing in shows in the last 15 or so years that are not today. I think to show what has disappeared in just that short amount of time might open some eyes to just how much the product has truly diminshed. Here goes...starting with the 3 this year: Forte/Memphis Sound Teal Sound Racine Scouts Bandettes Capitol Sound (Madison Jr Scouts & Capitolaires) Capital Regiment Americanos Les Etoiles North Force Southwind Magic of Orlando Freelancers Sunrisers Academie Musicale Dutch Boy Delta Brigade Sky Riders (not sure when they folded) Suncoast Sound Florida Wave Northmen Northern Aurora Nite Express Emerald Knights Esperanza East Coast Jazz Tarheel Sun Patriots Coachmen Railmen L' Insolite Kiwanis Kavaliers Quad City Knights Golden Knights Allegiance Elite Cardinals St. Johns Spectrum Black Gold Lake Erie Regiment Star of Indiana Quest H.Y.P.E Fever Citations Vision Elite Targets Yamato Mystikal Jester Pride of the Lions Cadets of New York Cincinnati Glory Marion Glory Cadets General Butler Vagabonds Les Senateurs Knight Storm West Coast Sound Phoenix Legend of Texas Edmonton Strutters Sentinelles Kips Bay Crusaders Silver Knights Decorah Kilties Joliet Kingsmen Scenic City Royal Knights Pride of Soka Incognito Mauraders Ventures Cadets of Dutch Boy Kips Bay Knight Club PRC/Phantom Legion Limited Edition Golden Lancers Drawing a blank on several, but there's a good start. Add yours and I'll continue updating the list. far more corps dissapeared BEFORE you stepped on the field in 1994....even when there were regional areas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBadMadMan Posted July 26, 2012 Author Share Posted July 26, 2012 If you are going to do this list is should accompany a list of all the highschool marching band programs that have grown and TAKEN THE PLACE of what these corps used to offer to younger kids. The number of great marching bands that have sprouted up has an inverse relationship to the number of corps that went bust imo. But obviously your point isn't lost... In the region I live in (Missouri), there is no summer band circuit or anything resembling it. I like the idea of both being a compliment to one another rather than competing with one another. It's about providing kids MORE opportunities to grow and improve rather than less. I'd hate for drum corps to be the only source of music education to kids in the same way that I'd hate band being the only way as well. The two don't have to compete with one another. They can coexist as an extension of each. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBadMadMan Posted July 26, 2012 Author Share Posted July 26, 2012 far more corps dissapeared BEFORE you stepped on the field in 1994....even when there were regional areas That's not the point. I'm illustrating what has happened just in the last 15 or so years. If it's true that 193 corps have folded or gone inactive since '96, that's a purely mind-boggling number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUARDLING Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 That's not the point. I'm illustrating what has happened just in the last 15 or so years. If it's true that 193 corps have folded or gone inactive since '96, that's a purely mind-boggling number. yes this is true..im just pointing out that before 94 from 72-94 many hundreds of corps folded....some tiny north east states had in excess of 100 corps some towns had more than 1 corps and they are all gone...my point is your post will soon start blaming the tour etc etc, my point is it started long before that and had more to do with changing times as well as poor management amoung other reasons. Expansion of the activity Did play a part as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skajerk Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 (edited) A bit longer- I remember going to their practices when I was VERY little. My dad knew all the staff and I think helped to some degree also Who was your dad? I marched with them in '85. Since we went back that far, might as well add Valley Fever, Alliance, Geneseo Knights and Avant Garde. Edited July 26, 2012 by skajerk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdlykdad Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 In the region I live in (Missouri), there is no summer band circuit or anything resembling it. I like the idea of both being a compliment to one another rather than competing with one another. It's about providing kids MORE opportunities to grow and improve rather than less. I'd hate for drum corps to be the only source of music education to kids in the same way that I'd hate band being the only way as well. The two don't have to compete with one another. They can coexist as an extension of each. They don't have to compete with each other, but financially they do. In some competitive MB organizations, the dues can be several hundred dollars. These groups probably travel more, pay for better design of their show, and pay more staff members ...... raising their dues to do so. Guards and percussion who participate in WGI have to pay those dues also. It's just gotten more expensive to be active. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skajerk Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 (edited) Same with PC, who moved up awhile ago. Maybe it's just good, conservative fiscal management? Never over-extend their corps, and maybe a well connected donation network? I'd say doing the limited tour, which so many complained about (until this year), that PC, Mandarins, and Academy did/do helped out quite a bit. Edited July 26, 2012 by skajerk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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