Will DCA be around in 5 years?

[GetOFFmyDot 300]

It feels like DCA has been on a down-slide for the past few years.  After the way the Renegades were treated (another topic, for another day), I stopped paying much attention to DCA.

I was rather shocked to see how few corps are still competing in DCA.  It looks like everyone who goes to championships will make finals?  Wha?!?!

Unless something major changes, I don't see much of a future for DCA.    Am I wrong?   Share your thoughts!

[N.E. Brigand 6,509]

I have no idea, but it's worth noting that while this year's numbers represent a downward shift from the previous fifteen years, it's been nearly this low before.

Here is the total number of corps at DCA championships in the past 25 years:

1995 -- 15

1996 -- 15

1997 -- 16 (13+3)

1998 -- 16 (12+4)

1999 -- 16 (12+4)

2000 -- 16 (11+5)

2001 -- 15 (11+4)

2002 -- 16 (12+4)

2003 -- 17 (14+3)

2004 -- 20 (13+7)

2005 -- 26 (16+10)

2006 -- 23 (16+7)

2007 -- 22 (13+9)

2008 -- 24 (12+12)

2009 -- 24 (13+11)

2010 -- 23 (11+12)

2011 -- 21 (11+10)

2012 -- 20 (12+8)

2013 -- 23 (12+11)

2014 -- 19 (14+5)

2015 -- 20 (13+7)

2016 -- 19 (14+5)

2017 -- 18 (13+5)

2018 -- 19 (11+8)

2019 -- 14 (10+4)

[Fran Haring 7,491]

10 hours ago, N.E. Brigand said:

I have no idea, but it's worth noting that while this year's numbers represent a downward shift from the previous fifteen years, it's been nearly this low before.

Here is the total number of corps at DCA championships in the past 25 years:

1995 -- 15

1996 -- 15

1997 -- 16 (13+3)

1998 -- 16 (12+4)

1999 -- 16 (12+4)

2000 -- 16 (11+5)

2001 -- 15 (11+4)

2002 -- 16 (12+4)

2003 -- 17 (14+3)

2004 -- 20 (13+7)

2005 -- 26 (16+10)

2006 -- 23 (16+7)

2007 -- 22 (13+9)

2008 -- 24 (12+12)

2009 -- 24 (13+11)

2010 -- 23 (11+12)

2011 -- 21 (11+10)

2012 -- 20 (12+8)

2013 -- 23 (12+11)

2014 -- 19 (14+5)

2015 -- 20 (13+7)

2016 -- 19 (14+5)

2017 -- 18 (13+5)

2018 -- 19 (11+8)

2019 -- 14 (10+4)

There also were some years in the 1970s and '80s with 15 or so corps at prelims.

Where DCA is headed... I can't predict the future. I have my opinion, but basically, who cares about my opinion. LOL

[coloradocorp 0]

corp numbers continue to drop for various reasons as do the number of shows.  There was one show night down South with ONE (1) corp.   That aside, I believe that part of the reason for DCA staying in biz has been the Alumni corp performances.  It put more butts in seats esp at Finals Week.  There are now fewer Alumni corps as we all 'age out' and interest dwindles. Relegating the Alumni show to an indoor standstill - pretty bad biz decision.  For those who truly enjoy DCA in its current form , I hope it survives. 

 

[Weaklefthand4ever 777]

2 minutes ago, coloradocorp said:

corp numbers continue to drop for various reasons as do the number of shows.  There was one show night down South with ONE (1) corp.   That aside, I believe that part of the reason for DCA staying in biz has been the Alumni corp performances.  It put more butts in seats esp at Finals Week.  There are now fewer Alumni corps as we all 'age out' and interest dwindles. Relegating the Alumni show to an indoor standstill - pretty bad biz decision.  For those who truly enjoy DCA in its current form , I hope it survives.

True. And as you know, in the South, there are very few performance opportunities regardless of the year. I hope it survives as well. But without enough business acumen to even have an office staff, I don't hold much hope for good business decisions. 

[Terri Schehr 14,724]

I don’t think it’s the number of corps that they necessarily need to be concerned with.  When I was one of the young ones there last year, it’s a problem. 

[Weaklefthand4ever 777]

3 minutes ago, Terri Schehr said:

I don’t think it’s the number of corps that they necessarily need to be concerned with.  When I was one of the young ones there last year, it’s a problem. 

It's hard to imagine that an organization can be WORSE at PR, Advertising and moving the product forward to the next generation than DCI. But...uh....yeahhhh...DCA sucks at it. 

[Terri Schehr 14,724]

2 minutes ago, Weaklefthand4ever said:

It's hard to imagine that an organization can be WORSE at PR, Advertising and moving the product forward to the next generation than DCI. But...uh....yeahhhh...DCA sucks at it. 

I just know that the audience is largely over 50.  

[Weaklefthand4ever 777]

1 minute ago, Terri Schehr said:

I just know that the audience is largely over 50.  

Yep. I'm not too far off myself at 47. But DCA is doing nothing PERIOD to recruit, showcase or even maintain their audience. DCA can be captivating just as is DCI. But it's going to take work that I don't think they're willing to put in. That's why I think DCI should take over the day to day operations of DCA. But that's just an opinion. 

[grenadasmoothie 485]

49 minutes ago, coloradocorp said:

the reason for DCA staying in biz has been the Alumni corp performances.  It put more butts in seats esp at Finals Week.  There are now fewer Alumni corps as we all 'age out' and interest dwindles. Relegating the Alumni show to an indoor standstill - pretty bad biz decision.  For those who truly enjoy DCA in its current form , I hope it survives. 

 

Have you SEEN the attendance at the Alumni show the last few years?!  Maybe 500 people? Look, part of DCA's audience really likes the alumni thing, but alumni corps don't put additional butts in the seats.