DCI going forward . . . .

[Fred Windish]

Hello, all!

I continue to be an avid daily reader of your posts here.  Good stuff! 

Like most, I fear what contemporary outside challenges might mean for DCI's longevity. To expand on the recent 'Cadets' topic, I offer one specific scenario that COULD come into any survival play for the organization. I fully understand it is somewhat 'G7- like' and will be repulsive to some. Cadets were involved back then, but maybe for all their management faults, perhaps they really were a little prescient for their time.

________

Eight (8-10) Elite Touring Groups. Each selected ‘State of the Art’ for what we do in any given year. Obviously, each organization will first be deemed financially capable of participation.

Ten (10) City Nationwide Tour. Each tour stop includes 3-4 full performances over a 2 or 3 day encampment within each city. Separate Matinee and Evening ticketed shows at the same venue. 

In effect, a ‘Broadway National Road Company’ for DCI.

 

Smaller, less established organizations will continue to exist. Every region, in any city of the nation can provide a less ambitious version of similar product as developed naturally within those areas. Such groups take part independently in whatever size and format they design.

A final DCI Championship Multi-Day Convention continues. A variety of other groups may apply to perform.

Drum Corps International, Inc. is independently operated by the 8-10 Elite Touring Groups. It remains available to all others for guidance and limited support, but NOT for actual management, rule making, nor obligation for direct funding of any other groups.

_________

Please slice, dice, call me names at will. I can take it!  More importantly, add your own thoughts. I'll appreciate them!

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all  ! 

 

😀

 

 

Edited December 23, 2024 by Fred Windish

[Old Corps Guy]

We are all concerned with the future of this activity.  I appreciate your input and ideas.  However, this comes across as G7 with a new make-up job.  For example, if G7 had been successful in the past, would we have Boston Crusaders competing at the level they are at now?  I don't know if that would be the case.

Again, I appreciate the ideas. I just fear for corps that are currently moving up the chain and knocking on the door of finals would be left behind.

Edited December 23, 2024 by Old Corps Guy

[greg_orangecounty]

What is "G7"?  I've seen it referenced several times here and don't know what it is/was. 

[Fred Windish]

Hello, fellow Old Corps Guy!

No doubt, this has many shades of the G7 proposal.

My thinking is, the ‘Best of the Best’ of this activity DOES ‘sell’ what we are doing to  all observers. Putting our strongest acts Center Stage does this most effectively. To me, it is from this that all else is inspired and, hopefully, developed.

I can tell you, from it’s very beginning, DCI was focused on creating an elite group that would operate under its own terms, not affected by others, including The American Legion, VFW, etc.  DCI, at that time was all about its self-created ‘Top 12.’ Keep in mind, back then we had hundreds of corps competing.

I met often with both Don Pesceone and Don Whiteley, DCI’s original key Administrators. Both knew they were expected to serve the Top 12. Making 7 of those 12 corps unhappy could cost them their jobs!

Over time, DCI took on many more responsibilities, obviously. To me, some sort of forced ‘downsizing’ is now required for our ‘guide star’ to continue on into the future.

 

Edited December 23, 2024 by Fred Windish

[Old Corps Guy]

12 minutes ago, greg_orangecounty said:

What is "G7"?  I've seen it referenced several times here and don't know what it is/was. 

An idea by Directors and pushed by he that can't be named of the Top 7 corps with a different status.  Far too many details of exactly what the plan was for me to try and state.  I will trust others to provide a better explanation.

[Fred Windish]

22 minutes ago, greg_orangecounty said:

What is "G7"?  I've seen it referenced several times here and don't know what it is/was. 

To put it at its most basic, 7 top DCI corps made a case that they deserve the lion’s share of all revenue.  This proposal came at a time when DCI was essentially being managed by 25 corps. It was voted down by a majority. Bad feelings created.

Edited December 23, 2024 by Fred Windish

[greg_orangecounty]

9 minutes ago, Fred Windish said:

To put it at its most basic, 7 top DCI corps made a case that they deserve the lion’s share of all revenue.  This proposal came at a time when DCI was essentially being managed by 25 corps. It was voted down by a majority. Bad feelings created.

Thanks, Fred!  Based on current trajectory it looks like "G7" will happen by default.  

Sad. 

[cixelsyd]

1 hour ago, greg_orangecounty said:

What is "G7"?  I've seen it referenced several times here and don't know what it is/was. 

To summarize, seven of the DCI corps banded together (calling themselves the "G7") and threatened to leave DCI, start their own circuit, and run DCI into the ditch unless DCI gave the G7 a much larger share of the money, show access, and other benefits DCI provides, at the expense of reduced services to the other member corps and the elimination of non-member corps show access.

[greg_orangecounty]

7 minutes ago, cixelsyd said:

To summarize, seven of the DCI corps banded together (calling themselves the "G7") and threatened to leave DCI, start their own circuit, and run DCI into the ditch unless DCI gave the G7 a much larger share of the money, show access, and other benefits DCI provides, at the expense of reduced services to the other member corps and the elimination of non-member corps show access.

Hmmmm.  Sounds familiar (full circle). 

[cixelsyd]

2 hours ago, Fred Windish said:

Like most, I fear what contemporary outside challenges might mean for DCI's longevity. 

Some degree of concern is justified.  But what you see here on DCP now is a cyclical discussion series.  A few people pile on with doom and gloom for awhile.  But try proposing we change the status quo, and the pushback is so obstinate that pretty soon people are piling on about how healthy the activity is, just to defend their own sacred cows.

Check back in a month, and you will see exactly what I mean.  Mark my words.