Why no Division 1 Corps in Texas ?

[Piper]

I've pondered over that question for YEARS now, and I just can't figure it out. This is the first time in 5 years that the Cavs had more kids audition from the state of Illinois than from the state of Texas, and I'll bet they STILL have more kids from Texas than from Illinois. Ditto Madison, Phantom......the list goes on and on. When it comes to potential Drum Corps talent, Texas is loaded for bear! DCI doesn't come to Texas just to say hello. They want those kids, and they're getting them! I've never seen a state in a position where circumstances forced it to export that amount and level of talent - at least not musically. I certainly don't know the answer, but I'll bet money would help - in Drum Corps it always does. If, as someone had previously suggested, some bando directors are an impediment, then maybe it's time they were put in their place. It's a downright shame, because Texas has more than enough talent to produce one of the greatest D-I corps that DCI's ever seen. I'm not even from Texas and I can see that. Good luck.

[Studio Tan]

With BOA, and now DCI, headquartered in Indy

I thought the headquarters were still in Addison.

[madscout96]

i think the real factor when it comes to a competitive div 1 corps is the "feeder" colleges.. its great to have a lot of good high schools in the area, but to be competitive in div 1 (im talking top 3).. you cant rely on high school kids, you need the talent, maturity, experience.. of college or 18+ members. now thats not saying a corps based in a big marching band area wouldnt be successful.. there is definently talent in those states (indiana, texas, etc)

i also wonder about how those states (in general) feel about drum corps. are directors in indiana and texas typically pro or anti drum corps?

Most colleges don't put out shows anything like what the top high school bands produce. Yeah, they usually play better, but there's a huge difference in the visual. I think if DCI is the marching major leagues, the minor leagues are definitely the high school bands. I mean, just look at the bios for about every corps designer. You'll find far more positions with high schools than you will with colleges.

As for how Indiana feels about drum corps, it seems that they are very welcoming. Carmel HS is Cavaliers Lite, when it comes to staff, and Avon is tied in pretty close with Carolina Crown, Matt Harloff is assistant director there. There's a DCI regional here every year, and corps have regular housing at schools that welcome them back every year. With BOA, and now DCI, headquartered in Indy, I think there's no question that the city is very welcoming, even at the high school, level of drum corps.

I'm not sure if that's what cire meant when he asked if band directors in TX and IN are pro or anti drum corps. Sure they do corps style in those states, and compete, and hire drum corps staff to work with their bands. But would they allow their students to march drum corps before graduating high school? Would they allow them to miss all that summer rehearsal so they can march with a corps? If they did allow them, would they say, "top 6 or not at all"?

[CallipygianKing]

I concur with this question. You can't just BECOME a DI corps anyway. I am not familiar with Trinity but Revolution is a very good corps, which nurtured properly could make its way through the ranks.

Trinity is a new corps out of the San Antonio area. They're also exhibition only at the moment... Looks to be that numbers might be holding them from competing. Their roster shows 23 kids. But, it's an established program that, with promotion, can grow. After looking at their website, it appears that they've had a much later start than other corps, and that they will make it to compete in Madison. So, their roster probably isn't up to date (ie, there's more than those 23). But, much luck to them!

With the right management and promotion, either one of these two could be the next DI corps from Texas.

Edited July 25, 2006 by CallipygianKing

[ajlemm]

I thought the headquarters were still in Addison.

I believe there are lots of rumors that they were moving to Indy. There were several posts on here back when the Indy regional took place.

[Matt_S]

I thought the headquarters were still in Addison.

I thought I read that the rumored move had taken place, it just hadn't been announced yet.

[Dave]

On TX band directors: as in every state, everyone is different. Many directors I've encountered have been supportive of their students marching corps, provided that they knew they were getting quality instruction. There are plenty of directors down here that still have the "drum corps teaches bad habits" mentality. I think a lot of them maintain it because they don't like the idea of "losing" their students to another program, even if it is one that will improve them. You can't really pigeonhole all directors here into one mentality or another, but those that oppose corps generally do because they have some fear that it will negatively impact their own program in some way.

Revolution is certainly in a position to build itself into a good Division I program; they seem to be operating with the patience and perseverance necessary to succeed. There is no quick and easy way to create a program short of having an enormous sum of money to pour into the effort, and thus far efforts to tap into those who have such sums have fallen through. There has been success building up what we have right now, and the Texas corps are working together to build up the region so that some day we might have our own circuit, allowing us to hold competitions without forcing us to travel thousands of miles to the nearest show.

If, as someone had previously suggested, some bando directors are an impediment, then maybe it's time they were put in their place.

Unfortunately, there's really no way to do such a thing. The only thing that will really work is education, and making your program successful and known in your area. Frankly, in my opinion Texas is much more ripe for success by a community-based program like all-age corps than for junior corps--not to say that it's impossible for a junior corps to succeed, but there's a lot more working against it than for an all-age corps that can be more versatile and run on a much lower budget.

[mobrien]

As someone else previously noted, every corps has one individual who made it happen or keeps it happening. If there's someone in Texas who has the networking, fundraising, and organizational skills to build a major corps in the Lone Star state, it'll happen. Until that person comes along, it won't.

BTW, weather in the summer is meaningless. Once mid-June hits, you're on the road anyway, so who cares about the temps in Houston - unless you're performing in the show in Houston... :P

Edited July 25, 2006 by mobrien

[jdheere]

A Perot corp might not have the overall tone that drum corps want. A giant sucking sound gets low brass scores :)

OK - Now THAT's funny! b**bs

[wesleyrp]

Hey gang let me put my 2.50 cents here. As for Revolution, I had helped with a couple of camps and have had a couple of my studens go march both last year and this year. This is the strongest corps that Texas has fielded since the Skyriders. The differnce is that GM Kuzma who has been around the activity in a variety of ways knows drum corps and its business and is running this corps well. And I do mean very well!! He and his staff have contracts with Aramark entertainment to fundraise at Spurs games through concessions and other arena and Alamodome events. He is very creative and is very business savvy. On top of that he has hired a good staff that cares about educating their students and running a tight knit corps. I will say it now, Revo. will be a Div. 1 corps in the future. As long as GM is running things they will be successful.

I don't buy the bit about Band Directors not supporting the activity. If that were true then why would there be such an influx of students going to march in other states? I have heard that for years and have yet as a Band Director myself for 7 years ever heard of a director that thought they were better than a corps or didn't support their students going to them. We just finished the Texas Band Masters Association Convention the weekend DCI was down here and DCI has a great partnership with Band directors down here. In fact many times clinics by different corps are held in the convention and are well supported and recieved. If directors did not support the drum corps then the attendance at the Alamodome would not be nearly what it is for the show. That goes for the other smaller shows throughout the state as well. The directors many of them bring their kids or encourage them to come and learn about the activity. Are there some ignorant ones out there? Sure, but I guarentee the vast majority of Texas Band Directors are pro any thing that would give their students an opportunity to do something greater than can be done in the high school band circuit.

The biggest problem in our great state for Div. 1 corps has been the financial side of things. Now that there are more a more shows that are throughout the state in all the areas of the state, maybe the activity can attract a Perot or someone to dive into our activity. But the issue is that gambling laws and Bingo in particular is hamstrung very much here. I love my state, but go figure how the state allows you to gamble on racing and the lottery but Casinos and other types of gambling ventures are outlawed. i am not saying that thet is the best or only way to get revenue, but the bingo ventures are very successful for many corps.

After running recruiting camps here in SA for BK and watching other corps do he same thing throughout the state I can say that corps defianantly recognize the talent levels here and are eager to land many great students. In BK alone I believe this year there are 40 kids for the lone star state. They recieve quite a few from the El Paso region and New Mexico as well. I think because there are so many corps in the midwest, Texas has become a competitve ground for the big corps to come and seek out talent. It is a huge state with something like 500 5A (large- 2000 students and up) high schools. So many of the more rural places have very good talent that has yet to be discovered. In addition to the SA, Dallas, and Houston areas, the Valley down in South Texas has incredible musicians that rarley get the respect and looks that other area do, so people and corps are starting to figure this out and are making it easier for these kids to march in the drum corps.

Overall, I think Revolution is the big corps that Texas has been waiting for. i highly encourage anyone throughout our state that want their kids to get a great corps experience check them out and get involved. I will continue to send my kids to them and they have been great.

Wesley Perkins

BK '97 '98