CrunchyTenor Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 Really? I don't know about that. Even though Clark County has 1.8 (I think it's a little smaller than that) people they aren't drum corps type people. The town is very transient, very uneducated, and not into art activities. Then how would you explain kids going to march Blue Devils, Santa Clara, Cascades, Bluecoats, Phantom Regiment, Troopers and others? Have you seen the marching bands in Vegas? They aren't the most note worthy bands I've ever seen. Remember, only 3 times has a Vegas band made BOA Regional Finals (LVHS '95, GVHS '96, SVHS '04) Now, there are some very good band directors in Las Vegas, and most of them want their bands to be great. However, they are handicapped by the type of town Vegas is. Talking to some band directors, bands were larger back in the day. There were also a lot less schools. Most of the high schools out there have between 2500-3000 kids in them, but the largest band program is only 170 (Coronado). This is due to the horrible Middle School band situation and the type of kids that are in Vegas. You should have about 10% of your student body in band. NO ONE does in Las Vegas. Inferior middle school programs are a problem for secondary programs everywhere. But as administrators trim the budgets, they usually start with the arts. It sucks, and has for decades. But I've also noticed a tendency to attempt to play arrangments way over their heads. Also, Vegas is turning into California. Housing prices have risen nearly 75% in the last 3 years. People there are having a hard time paying their property taxes, so a $1000 fee for a drum corps isn't a possibilty. Then how do the kids in California do it? Moot point, IMO. Just remember, Las Vegas isn't a town or a city, it's just casinos in the desert. The strip and downtown are small parts of the community, though they are able to generate enough revenue for the state to keep you and I from having to pay a personal income tax. Otherwise, it's not too much unlike other communities of it's size, except we have gaming at the grocery store and gas station. Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profhill Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 Then how would you explain kids going to march Blue Devils, Santa Clara, Cascades, Bluecoats, Phantom Regiment, Troopers and others? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> There are kids who do it, but they are the exception. Talking to some band directors, bands were larger back in the day. There were also a lot less schools. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> There were also a lot less people. Certainly, spliting a high school 4 times in the first 13 years it is open doesn't help the sustaining a stable band program. Inferior middle school programs are a problem for secondary programs everywhere. But as administrators trim the budgets, they usually start with the arts. It sucks, and has for decades. But I've also noticed a tendency to attempt to play arrangments way over their heads. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's not the administration. I have never seen an adminstration that is as commited to funding the arts programs as CCSD. It is the people teaching the middle schools. There is a huge disconnect between what goes on in the middle schools and the high schools. Many of the middle school band directors set up the programs as the end-all-and-be-all of band. The kids think they've done everything that can be accomplished in band at the end of 8th grade, so they do not go on. The strip and downtown are small parts of the community, though they are able to generate enough revenue for the state to keep you and I from having to pay a personal income tax. Otherwise, it's not too much unlike other communities of it's size, except we have gaming at the grocery store and gas station. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> No, it's not!!!!! It's nothing like a town of nearly 2 million people. I currently live in a metropolitan area of about 250,000 and there are many, many arts events here. There are other things to do than go pay someone to let you play a game. I grew up in a town that size and there were arts events, community events, a feeling of community. There's none of that in Las Vegas. It's way too new, with too many people who didn't grow up there for the sense of community. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 Really? I don't know about that. Even though Clark County has 1.8 (I think it's a little smaller than that) people they aren't drum corps type people. The town is very transient, very uneducated, and not into art activities. I guess that explains why the quarter finals broadcast of DCI was sold out. They were turning people away at the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drum Corps Driver Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 From Las Vegas, Nevada, STAR OF NEVADA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Featuring their topless color guard! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 Star of Nevada is actually the name of the UNLV Marching Band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrunchyTenor Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 There is a huge disconnect between what goes on in the middle schools and the high schools. Many of the middle school band directors set up the programs as the end-all-and-be-all of band. The kids think they've done everything that can be accomplished in band at the end of 8th grade, so they do not go on. Sounds like DCI's version of drum corps. After 21, you're all done! No, it's not!!!!! It's nothing like a town of nearly 2 million people. I currently live in a metropolitan area of about 250,000 and there are many, many arts events here. There are other things to do than go pay someone to let you play a game. I grew up in a town that size and there were arts events, community events, a feeling of community. There's none of that in Las Vegas. It's way too new, with too many people who didn't grow up there for the sense of community. Kinda emotional there, aren't ya? :P Yes, Las Vegas is a relatively "young" city when it comes to the concept of community, but it is making improvements. Adding a drum corps sure couldn't hurt! Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profhill Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 Kinda emotional there, aren't ya? :P Yes, Las Vegas is a relatively "young" city when it comes to the concept of community, but it is making improvements. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It certainly is making improvements, but for Las Vegas to become one of the great cities in the US will take many more years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skywnch320970 Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 Sounds like DCI's version of drum corps. After 21, you're all done!Kinda emotional there, aren't ya? :P Yes, Las Vegas is a relatively "young" city when it comes to the concept of community, but it is making improvements. Adding a drum corps sure couldn't hurt! Garry <{POST_SNAPBACK}> gotta back up the hubby on this one. we've been to plenty of shows, exhibits, a few museums and such here in vegas. heck, my yoga classes are held in an art gallery. if you believe las vegas is without culture, you're buying into some prepackaged vision of what las vegas isn't. there's plenty of culture around here! las vegas is much more than the strip. i've lived here for going on 9 years, and i don't gamble or drink. i'm hardly ever in a casino. i'd rather go hiking at red rock or valley of fire than sit in a smoke filled casino playing blackjack. but hey, if you want to believe what the movies sell you..... Ü jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jocko the Wonder Llama Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 I've said for years.............If Troopers moved to Vegas they would be back in the top 12 within a matter of years! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yeah, but the commute would be a doozy! :P Seriously there are 2 corps starting in Reno. 'Bout time! b**bs Where were they when I was growing up there? (30+ years ago) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jocko the Wonder Llama Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 From Las Vegas, Nevada, STAR OF NEVADA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Featuring their topless color guard! :) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Topless??? If they are a senior corps that might work. Junior corps? Waaaaay too many legal (and moral) issues there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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