A Hunch; A Question

[Stu]

Retracted; DCI has changed all of the Music in Motion Shows to TOC.

Edited February 19, 2013 by Stu

[kickhaltsforlife]

.

Edited February 19, 2013 by kickhaltsforlife

[kickhaltsforlife]

Retracted; DCI has changed all of the Music in Motion Shows to TOC.

Yeah...it wasn't like that yesterday.

[kickhaltsforlife]

So I guess there has been a change? MIM is on hold for the time being?

[Stu]

So I guess there has been a change? MIM is on hold for the time being?

... for the time being...

[cixelsyd]

No. Most fans don't care who hosts a show or why. They care about two things (not counting ancillary issues like ticket cost): City/venue, and what corps are in the show. That's it. None of the rest really matters.

I agree. For fun I asked a few of my HS students who follow drum corps a little bit if they knew anything about the MiM/'the 7' thing. They didn't, asked what I meant, and as I started explaining they got glassy-eyed and stopped listening, really. They stated pretty much what you say above: they care about how close a show is to them, what the probability is of them traveling to get to the show (i.e. is the show 'in town' with a short drive, do they have to drive outside the county to get to the show, outside the state, etc), and who is at the show. I was told by most/all of the kids that if corps they "like" or "know are real good" are at the show, they will try to go. If the line-up isn't as appealing, they won't try to go. Pretty simple.

On that same note, I consider my parents as the "average fan." They go to some local shows, but don't really follow who's winning nationally, who's playing what, etc. let alone any politics. If the local show has a line-up of corps they like, they might go to the show. If it has corps they're not interested in, they won't go.

Those folks, and, I suspect, the average fan, don't care about politics, or show name, or anything like that. They only know, "I like the corps line-up in the show close to me so I'm going." Or maybe even, "I like drum corps so I'm supporting the local show." Only us ding dongs care about the nitty gritty and goofy politics of summer marching band :tongue:/>

To be honest, I'm versed in the MiM/DCI stuff up to my eyeballs - and I *still* pick the shows I want to go to based only on ticket price and lineup.

So based on the unanimity of these responses, are we to conclude that the G7 were wrong in their assertion that changes to the event format (pre-show I&E performers, instant encores, NASCAR interaction area, etc.) matter?

[Stu]

So based on the unanimity of these responses, are we to conclude that the G7 were wrong in their assertion that changes to the event format (pre-show I&E performers, instant encores, NASCAR interaction area, etc.) matter?

New hunch: With the advent of the recent designation change it appears that the branding 'DCI' is what really matters; and the corps lineup along with the show designation (toc, mim, brass impact, ...), while important, is secondary to the DCI association.

Edited February 19, 2013 by Stu

[Quad Aces]

New hunch: With the advent of the recent designation change it appears that the branding 'DCI' is what really matters; and the corps lineup along with the show designation (toc, mim, brass impact, ...), while important, is secondary to the DCI association.

I don't believe you can make this assumption based purely on the recent designation change. From this development, the only thing that changed was the "subtitle" of the shows. Instead of the shows being called "Drums Across Kansas", or "Music on the Move", or "Drums of Summer", or "Music in Motion", etc., etc. the subtitle is now called "Tour of Champions".

I understand the whole G7/MIM thing, but based on the show designation change alone, I don't see how you can make the conclusion that the DCI brand is what really matters.

[craiga]

DCI, per se, does not actually perform on the field.

The corps members do. And regardless of the sponsor, people go to see shows with their high school students for several reasons:

1. To expose their students to a higher standard of performance

2. To show their students what is possible after school

3. To raise standards in their own performances

4. To share the joy of music/marching/colorguard

5. Because many directors have past experience as drum corps performers, and want to share that experience.

6. Because many directors inherit programs that have "nowhere to go but up" and want to excite the students.

7. Because they are asking their students to pay attention with a critical ear/eye to higher level performances.

8. Because they are teaching their students to be active in support of the arts.

I'm sure there are more reasons to attend with high school students -- but you get the picture.

The adults involved care about the politics.

The non-"7" would do well to come out prepared, raise their standards, and understand that the idea of "amateur" performance is far less sustainable than it was when we were a neighborhood and community hobby/activity. The "7" would do well to extend a hand to allow the entire activity to move forward rather than small segments of the activity. This was a wake-up call for all sides... and while it was presented rather petulantly at times, there is a very real concern about the viability of our beloved drum corps pass time that needs addressing.

But... back to the kids: Drum corps is a spectacle that comes to their town maybe once a summer, and is nothing more and nothing less than that to non-participants. We who tour, perform, attend more than one show a year, create, teach, judge, administrate and give a portion of our lives to drum corps should not be shocked that our audience is far more casual in their fandom.

Bottom line: Great Performances are Great Performances -- whether it's STOMP, Broadway, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Mumford & Sons, Lady Gaga, or any of a thousand other opportunities to see/hear/witness great performances -- the sponsor does not matter. The performance level, the ability to completely engage their fands, and the unique and thrilling experience matter. Those who perform at the highest levels will draw fans. Those who perform at lesser levels will struggle.

I support a unified drum corps activity -- but I'd be less-than-honest with myself if I didn't acknowledge that the "7" do have certain legitimate concerns, and that the "Non 7" have certain hurdles to overcome as they come to terms with the reality of the performance/competitive/financial climate of 2013.

Back to writing -- thank you for your time.

Chuck

Chuck, I do not know you but have always thought your posts here were well-reasoned and thoughtful. In that spirit, I would ask you two questions:

1. Are the Boston Crusaders a "7" corps or a "non-7" in your mind? Your implication is that the "non-7" corps need to up their game, but I believe that Boston has, and is, in fact, only a "non-7" in the minds of the other 7 corps directors.

2. What WOULD happen, if Boston placed 5th or 6th this summer? Perhaps 3rd or 4th in a future year? At what point does the arbitrary "7" designation get called into question, if ever?

Thank you for your time.

Craig

[Stu]

I don't believe you can make this assumption based purely on the recent designation change. From this development, the only thing that changed was the "subtitle" of the shows. Instead of the shows being called "Drums Across Kansas", or "Music on the Move", or "Drums of Summer", or "Music in Motion", etc., etc. the subtitle is now called "Tour of Champions".

I understand the whole G7/MIM thing, but based on the show designation change alone, I don't see how you can make the conclusion that the DCI brand is what really matters.

This is not based on show designation alone; it is a conclusion drawn from a plethora of combined issues not least of which MiM is an actual Corporation which is ready to be self-sufficient yet it could not be effectively promoted except through the DCI website using DCI resources. Ergo, the brand DCI is the key!