Music City Folds

[DonR]

Music City Drum and Bugle Corps is sad to make public the decision by the board of directors to no longer field a corps, following the end of the 2013 season. The challenge going forward is the money and effort required to sustain a corps in the current format. A million thanks go out to the staff, volunteers and supporters who worked to make the drum corps experience possible for the members of Music City.

[Northern Thunder]

This is a big surprise.

[Soprano Martin]

Very big surprise. They carried themselves well through the season, and finished well. I'm glad they didn't have an issue come up and fold mid season as we've seen before.

I'm sad to see them go, always enjoyed thier shows!

[Jeff Ream]

There has to be reasons why......did they outspend their means?

[hostrauser]

There has to be reasons why......did they outspend their means?

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with Music City and have no inside information.

That said, I know one of the cornerstones of the Music City organization has been keeping fees low and affordable. I think it just reached a point where they realized that fundraising by itself was simply not enough to continue fielding a corps, and the directors of the organization refused to push that projected shortfall back on the kids in terms of higher membership fees in future seasons.

[MetalTones2012]

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with Music City and have no inside information.

That said, I know one of the cornerstones of the Music City organization has been keeping fees low and affordable. I think it just reached a point where they realized that fundraising by itself was simply not enough to continue fielding a corps, and the directors of the organization refused to push that projected shortfall back on the kids in terms of higher membership fees in future seasons.

How low were these fees? There are some Open Class corps that get away with charging their kids over $2,000 and nobody complains. I understand what they're trying to do and have a tremendous amount of respect for that, but I think from an actual member's point of view it would be worth a few hundred more dollars to keep their family around (and for many of Music City's members, march close to home).

[camel lips]

Nashville seems to be a very hard area to build and sustain a corps from. RIP yet another Music City Corps.

[IMcomguy]

How low were these fees? There are some Open Class corps that get away with charging their kids over $2,000 and nobody complains. I understand what they're trying to do and have a tremendous amount of respect for that, but I think from an actual member's point of view it would be worth a few hundred more dollars to keep their family around (and for many of Music City's members, march close to home).

Music City's fees were already $2,000 in 2013.

http://www.musiccitydrumcorps.org/default2.aspx?p=membership

Edited August 15, 2013 by IMcomguy

[Mike78Mello]

In the Northwest, the Columbians from Pasco Washington in their first year had a published tuition of $500. They may have only competed in 3-4 shows, but they had about 70 members, and I understand that maintained a balance budget.

The Thunder from Spokane Washington, has sustained tuition of about $1,000 for the past several years. With its 80 members, Thunder toured the Northwest and continued to the Rockies to finished the season at Denver.

Hopeful more Open corps can exists within their means, even if the tours do not span an entire season, nor end at Championships. The measure of success should be serving the community, not placement at Championships.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Mike78Mello

[N.E. Brigand]

So sorry to hear this. My third favorite Open Class show this year.