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Save the Glassmen


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... before bad things happen...

This is not 'before' bad things happen; it is before folding or dumping on the performers while on tour that is true; but they are in debt because of those loans and apparently cannot sustain a tour and pay on the loans; so this is either 'during' or 'after' a bad thing has already happened.

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An $850,000 operating budget. Wow. And I bet Glassmen's operating budget is lower than a lot of others, too. For example, the California corps, and the corps at and near the top of the top 12.

There's something seriously wrong with the business model of DCI. If they even have a business model. Every time we get into this someone chimes in with, why should corps "A" help corps "B", it's every corps for themselves. If that's how it goes, and corps bingo operations are drying up all over the nation (due to competition from the growth of casinos, or unfavorable state laws, or both?), then the only possible result of this drum corps arms race is you'll have only 6 or 8 corps around no too far in the future.

Sad. The plea for money addresses the symptoms, not the causes. It's not sustainable, even if 300k is raised for this year. Next year it will be 400k, and so on. Don't mean to be a downer but, wow, this is sad.

Yes, there is something seriously wrong with the business model of DCI; it is a situation where some corps want to be considered Major League in Touring and Performance but the activity itself cannot generate a Major League Fan Base and therefore cannot generate any Major League Revenue Sources.

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Unless some corps administrators drop their egos... it's just gonna go downhill from here...

Good luck to the Glassmen in raising money...

If I had it... I would help out.

And unfortunately I'm sure that's te story with quite a few potential donors.

And the donor bank is gonna dry up sometime...

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Te current DCI Drum Corp model must change, or this will be an annual plea from numerous corps. Drum Corp must refocus itself on local membership, more local & regional shows, & less touring.

well unless you're in the G7

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I think that the Glassmen should try and court the brand new " Hollywood Casino " in Toledo ! Just a thought ?

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The issue here is an ongoing problem with corps that are below the 6th place level that are trying despairingly to keep up with those organizations above them through what any means necessary. Having been first hand involved from 2006-2011 working to move a corps into that level, the outlook of accumulating more debt became greater with each step we took forward. So much to the point that the "we can do this" vs. the "we really need to step back and look at this more closely before moving on" scenario should have come into play. Some of the poster's original point about the business model that DCI has does not conform well with what we are attempting to do in today's market is exactly correct....IT Doesn't work to all the corps that are in the activity and just trying to make it on a day to day, month to month operation. There needs to be a more realistic and achievable method where all corps can prosper within their own guidelines and budgets in order for the activity to continue to strengthen. With the costs of fuel, food, transportation, staff, insurance, etc.... continuing to rise every year....the back side of the income does not increase, not does it make sense to only be receiving a mere 1/4 - 1/3 of the cost in performance fees to the individual corps, while looking at the costs to bring them(travel) to a show can run nearly 3 - 4 times that amount. It is definitely time to start looking at how the organization can help build the corps strengths and utilize those corps into the elite Marching Major League Division one day. Look at the other sports series, NFL with the UFl and the European League, NBA and the D-League teams, NHL and the AHL and lower leagues, MLB amd the farm teams. Sports teams are learning each year to make it work, even though it is on a different level, but we can use this same philosophy if we would only sit down and be honest with each other on what our true books and records look like so that we can develop a stronger DCI that will benefit all who choose to compete within the auspices of said organization.

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Does this announcement doom the Glassmen??

If I were a prospective member, would I seriously consider joining a corps that may not make it through the winter? I would rethink my audition preferences and go somewhere else. IF, and that is a big IF, Glassmen cannot meet their 150 member requirement, then the gap between income and budget gets larger, much larger. How will they make up that difference?

Trying to raise $300,000 in 30 days is quite a feat. $10,000 per day.

I wish them the best and hope that they succeed.

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I do not believe this announcement in any way dooms the corps. In fact, for some jt should serve as a sign of the corps truthfulness and make people want to be a part of be fix. Many corps over the past few years have undergone a very successful regroup and it's merely the Glassmens turn. They opted to be forward with their need for assistance though as opposed to keeping it internal and failing its members mid season. By doing it now, there's time to find financial stability. The corps will be fielding this summer. I have little doubt of that.

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Does this announcement doom the Glassmen??

If I were a prospective member, would I seriously consider joining a corps that may not make it through the winter? I would rethink my audition preferences and go somewhere else. IF, and that is a big IF, Glassmen cannot meet their 150 member requirement, then the gap between income and budget gets larger, much larger. How will they make up that difference?

Trying to raise $300,000 in 30 days is quite a feat. $10,000 per day.

I wish them the best and hope that they succeed.

Exactly. Good points all. The cost to audition not only includes audition fees but travel costs which can easily be $300 to $500.

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