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Recruitment Problems, Financial Stress, and Poor Leadership, Oh My!


How will you support drum corps?  

67 members have voted

  1. 1. How will you support drum corps?

    • Do Volunteer Work for Corps
      18
    • Make a Financial Donation
      41
    • Recommend a Friend to a Drum Corps
      8


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3 hours ago, MisterA said:

It does seem that so many corps have gone "inactive" for the one season, but then never return. And other than Magic of Orlando, who was successful their first year back(but still ended up folding again several years later) , most corps end up disappointed in recruitment, and are only a shell of what they used to be. In the last 20 years, we have had returns from Velvet Knights, Emerald Knights/Nite Express, Troopers, and several others, and unfortunately they never quite hit the level that they were at before they folded. Once a corps goes inactive, it is so hard for potential members to commit, as they are always a little unsure of how things are going to go. It is really sad to see a corps fold after a great years performance with 110-150 kids, and then try to return a year or 5 later with 30-50 kids. And while we would all love to see Teal and Glassmen return to the field, many would probably be disappointed when they aren't immediately up to their previous level.

3

Magic's problem was a great come back at a cost. They made a lot of the same mistakes, quick fixes, and empty promises and in a short time, it catches back up.

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The corps that have grinded it back to the top all seem to have one thing in common- a solid business foundation and plan to ensure the long term viability and stability for the organization as a whole. They also appear to take their time to put everything into place to ensure they're around for years to come- not just be very good for a couple of years, then go broke again.

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7 hours ago, BigW said:

The corps that have grinded it back to the top all seem to have one thing in common- a solid business foundation and plan to ensure the long term viability and stability for the organization as a whole. They also appear to take their time to put everything into place to ensure they're around for years to come- not just be very good for a couple of years, then go broke again.

So, so true, @BigW.

1) It takes a small country to create and maintain a stable, competitive, drum corps. 

2) Competent, ethical, leadership/management is crucial. 

3) Diversified funding is also.  Gaming revenue can lay golden eggs, but also can disappear with one law change or major competitor. 

4) It has taken time, but high school and college band directors are seeing the benefits of having members who also march drum corps. 

5) What about the many other non-musical benefits drum corps provides to young people?  Leadership, discipline, accountability, cooperation, commitment, endurance, attention, coordination, mentoring, personal responsibility, independence, problem solving, recovering from mistakes... many of us had opportunities to develop these traits while marching, and have benefited ourselves, and our communities, in adulthood.

6) Bottom line: this is an important and worthwhile activity that is churning out many impressive and capable young people.  It nurtures all forms of intelligence.  After drum corps, most everything is easy.  Part of fortifying this activity's future is to remember and communicate (to non-participants) the differences it has made in the lives of many current/former MMs. 

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17 hours ago, BRASSO said:

 Your point is a good reminder , ie while most Corps that go inactive either never come back, or never to their former performance levels, there are exceptions to this. You reminded us of the ones that did beat the odds, and did come back. ( oh by the way, economists all agree, the last recession period in the US was from 12/07- 6/09 )

it felt a lot longer than 6/09 when you consider how unemployment stayed high

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12 minutes ago, Jeff Ream said:

it felt a lot longer than 6/09 when you consider how unemployment stayed high

 'Brings to mind the phrase... " When it comes to the economy, if you're working, its  " a  Boom,". If your neighbors are unemployed, its " a Recession ".  If you're unemployed its " a Depression ".

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On 5/7/2018 at 5:14 PM, BRASSO said:

 'Brings to mind the phrase... " When it comes to the economy, if you're working, its  " a  Boom,". If your neighbors are unemployed, its " a Recession ".  If you're unemployed its " a Depression ".

I think the start time is right. I think the end time is too soon based on what was happening

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On 4/24/2018 at 7:48 PM, Dchristian125 said:

Teal Sound wants to return. Also, before they make an annoucement on their return, they are looking over all aspects of their plans regarding recruiting, finances, staff members, etc. They are waiting for the right moment to return. 

They want to make sure that they have everything set. .

 If its the same mgt, there, maybe they should wait a bit more. Assuming DCI is still around, perhaps their Great, Great Grandchildren should reapproach DCI HQ. in 200 years for a possible consideration of a readmittance to DCI..

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The inactive corps listed by the OP are almost all A) groups that never really took off to begin with, or B) groups that have already dealt with inactivity in previous years.

The case of MBI is unique: the organization is in stellar shape financially and have two fairly successful WGI programs. Even with their hornline recruiting issues, many people said they were on a better track this year.

MBI's decision not to field was a top-down decision (a short-sighted one, IMO).

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