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Scores for the 2008 drum corps season can be found here (DCI) and here (DCA).
(via Dunner’s)
My very good friend VKGARRY sent me an e-mail today to let me know that the Purple Lancers of Auburn, NY is being reborn. That’s excellent news. For those of you not as well versed in your drum corps history  , the Purple Lancers started out as a senior corps in 1949 (as most corps of that era did), with the senior corps eventually folding in 1957. However, in 1960, the Purple Lancers were revived as a junior corps and became very prominent among the many, many New York State corps of the late 60s and early 70s, winning the state’s American Legion championship in 1974 (which was a very big deal in those days) and placing tenth in the DCI Open Class finals that year. The Purple Lancers were and still are the only New York State drum corps to have ever placed in the 35 years of DCI’s Open Class/Div. I finals. (Those were the days when making the DCI finals was truly an achievement, where you had 56 other corps to compete against in the 1974 prelims to make 12 spots, compared to the measly 22 corps competing in 2007 for the same 12 spots.) And then the corps collapsed that winter, and all of us in New York drum corps were stunned.
Link: Purple Lancers Drum & Bugle Corps
of Auburn, New York, Inc.
(dci.org)
Corps will not participate in 2008 DCI World Championships
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 9:02 PM
From a Cascades press release:
The Seattle Cascades will remain in the Northwest for the 2008 season, choosing not to embark on the broader national Drum Corps International Summer Tour as a member of the World Class. The corps has decided instead to field an exhibition unit, providing a regionally-focused drum corps experience for returning and new members rather than withdrawing from the entire season. This approach will assist in the support of additional drum corps shows in the Northwest during the course of the summer.
Cascades administrators felt that although a scaled-down 2008 national tour might be possible, it would not be at their desired level. “Fielding a corps that is marginally financed, touring with some questionable equipment, and deficiencies in the number of brass players is simply not good enough for us,” said Mike Bujnowski, Board President of Northwest Youth Music Association (NYMA), the parent organization of the Cascades. “A World Class drum corps needs to be supported by a world class organization. We are on track, but we are not there yet.”
The decision to eliminate their participation in a 2008 summer tour follows a difficult year in 2006 and a successful rebuilding year in 2007. In 2006 the organization endured a change in management, budgetary over-expenditures, and was forced to close its bingo operation after declining revenue. By season’s end, the corps faced accumulated debt of nearly $250,000. From that low point, the Cascades have effectively rebuilt their organization, culminating in an 18th place finish at the 2007 DCI World Championships in Pasadena, Calif. At the same time, debt has been nearly eliminated through the efforts of a number of committed supporters and board members. The organization’s 2008 donation/grant drive has thus far raised financial commitments of $146,000.
According to organization officials, “2008 will be used to get ahead of the game.” The Cascades will retain the majority of its staff through 2008 leading to its projected return to World Class competition in 2009. The organization will use this time to sell marginal vehicles, upgrade remaining vehicles, explore uniform enhancements and accumulate financial reserves.
“We are disappointed to cancel our 2008 national tour,” said Michael Leone, Corps Director for the Casdades. “We are taking this opportunity to introduce drum corps to a greater number of students this summer at a very low tuition cost. We feel that we must find ways to make drum corps more accessible to the young people in our region. As such, our goal is to significantly reduce tuition fees for the 2009 season.”
The Northwest Youth Music Association remains active in the community, sponsoring a winter guard, the “Seattle Brass Attack” all-age performance ensemble, the Portland Summer Music Games DCI sanctioned event, and the Seattle Summer Music Games (a non-DCI event). NYMA is also a partner with Seattle Public Schools and Rotary District 5030 in the “Rotary Music 4 Life” program to provide more than 1,100 musical instruments for elementary students in the Seattle School District.
Link: seattlecascades.org
(dci.org)
Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 10:30 AM
On Saturday night at the Drum Corps International Annual Meeting & Conference Weekend, the instructors’ caucus voted to send on four proposals to be considered and voted on by the DCI Board of Directors.
Those four proposals include for the allowance of water to be used on the field, for the allowed use of horns to be amplified, for electronic instruments to be allowed in the front ensemble and for the judges’ general effect panel to be doubled for the World Championships week.
All four proposals are the same as originally proposed except for the following: The DCI Judge Administrator has the option of using double general effect panels at DCI regional events and only soloists and small ensemble of 12 members or less may be utilized should the brass amplification proposal pass.
The current DCI Board of Directors voted on the proposals. The new board that came about as a result of the new governance structure will become effective upon the close of the DCI Annual Meeting.
Double the adjudication effect panel for the World Championships
This proposal was passed unanimously by the instructors’ caucus. The DCI Board of Directors also passed it unanimously. It will become effective for the 2008 season.
Allow for use of water on the field (for 2009 implementation)
George Hopkins, the director of the Cadets, was asked to explain the proposal to the board prior to the vote. Hopkins explained that as currently written, the rule prohibiting water also includes a prohibition on use of water in the front ensemble.
The proposal passed 17-4 in the instructors’ caucus and passed 16-2 by the Board of Directors.
Amplification of brass instruments (for 2009 implementation)
George Hopkins explained that this proposal would allow for soloists and small ensembles up to 12 members.
The proposal passed 16-5 in the instructors’ caucus and passed 11-7 by the Board of Directors.
Use of electronic instruments (for 2009 implementation)
In discussion prior to the vote, George Hopkins spoke of a presentation offered on Saturday by the Tarpon Springs High School band, which demonstrated the possibilities and logistical concerns of electronics on the field. Greg Orwoll of the Colts addressed concerns about the financial and competitive aspects of the use of electronics.
The proposal passed in the instructors’ caucus 20-0-1 and passed 11-7 by the Board of Directors.
Instructors recommend four rule proposals to board of directors
(dci.org)
Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 9:59 PM
On Saturday night at the Drum Corps International Annual Meeting & Conference Weekend, individual brass, percussion and visual instructor caucuses met to offer their recommendations to the session of instructors’ representatives. One representative for each eligible corps voted on which proposals would be recommended to the DCI Board of Directors for a final Sunday morning vote.
Those eligible to vote on the proposals to be passed on for the Sunday vote included all of the 2007 Division I corps and the 2007 Division II & III
finalists.
Double adjudication effect panel for use at the World Championships
All three captions voted yes. The voting caucus of corps representatives approved the proposal to be sent on to the DCI Board of Directors.
An eligible corps member must operate the soundboard
All three captions voted no. The proposal will not be sent on to the DCI Board of Directors.
Amplification limited to front ensemble percussion
All three captions voted no. The proposal will not be sent on to the DCI Board of Directors.
Amplification equipment of any kind may not be used
All three captions voted no. The proposal will not be sent on to the DCI Board of Directors.
Change age requirement to allow for 22-year olds
The percussion caption was evenly split. The brass caption voted no. The visual caption voted yes. In the voting caucus of corps representatives, the proposal was defeated and will not be sent on to the DCI Board of Directors.
Allow for use of water on the field
The brass caption voted no. The percussion and visual captions voted yes. The voting caucus of corps representatives approved the proposal to be sent on to the DCI Board of Directors.
Adding a minute to the allowed time of performance
The brass caption voted yes. The percussion and visual captions voted no. In the voting caucus of corps representatives, the proposal was defeated and will not be sent on to the DCI Board of Directors.
Amplification of brass instruments
The brass and visual captions voted yes. The percussion caption voted yes and asked that the proposal be modified to allow only for soloists or small ensembles up to 12 members. The voting caucus of corps representatives approved the modified proposal to be sent on to the DCI Board of Directors.
Use of electronic instruments
All three captions voted yes. The voting caucus of corps representatives approved the proposal to be sent on to the DCI Board of Directors.
View all 2008 proposals in their entirety.
(dci.org)
Rules Change Process
Ten rules change proposals will be considered at the Drum Corps International Annual Meeting and Conference Weekend from Jan. 24-27 in Orlando, Fla. Instructors and corps directors during a series of caucus sessions will deliberate on these proposals according to a series of considerations including educational, creative, logistical and fiscal impacts. Those proposals that make it through the caucus sessions will be passed through to the DCI Board of Directors who will vote for a final decision.
Full set of rules proposals
Yay! Timothy Kviz
Boo! George Hopkins
(dci.org)
The 2008 Drum Corps International Major Events will include:
Dates and locations subject to change.
Bloomington-Normal, IL
Illinois State University
Friday, June 27 | Madison, WI
University of Wisconsin
Saturday, June 28 | Pasadena, CA
Rose Bowl Stadium
Friday, July 4 | Kalamazoo, MI
Western Michigan University
Saturday, July 5
| Denver, CO
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Saturday, July 12 | Orlando, FL
Stadium TBA
Saturday, July 12 | San Antonio, TX
Alamodome
Saturday, July 19 | Murfreesboro, TN
Middle Tennessee State University
Friday, July 25 | Atlanta, GA
Georgia Dome
Saturday, July 26 | Allentown, PA
J. Birney Crum Stadium
Friday & Saturday, Aug. 1-2 |
(dci.org)
Friday, November 16, 2007 - 1:32 PM
Drum Corps International (DCI) today announced it will suspend the national television broadcast of its World Championship event on ESPN2, effective with the 2008 season. The DCI World Championship program has aired on the ESPN2 cable sports network for the past three years and was viewed by an audience of more than one million annually.
“This was a very difficult business decision, but one that was necessary in light of the sizable economic challenges facing DCI and its member corps,” said Dan Acheson, Executive Director and CEO of Drum Corps International. “Both DCI and ESPN anticipated continuing the program for 2008, but as operating expenses continue to rise for the corps, we are forced to look at the core activities and needs of our organization. After exhausting every other option, we have decided that it is in the best interests of the member corps to reallocate the tremendous resources dedicated to the television program to sustain other initiatives that will ultimately improve our collective prospects.”
The organization hopes to resume a national television broadcast in the future.
Acheson continued, “Although the broadcast is a very significant component in our ability to share our performances with the world, our non-profit organization simply can’t cover the expense of producing and airing the program, even with the very generous support of a substantial number of advertisers and corporate partners. We’ve been quite pleased with the viewership of this world-class event and are grateful to the number of sponsors who have helped us offset a portion of the production and airtime costs. In the end, we simply must make a responsible business decision on behalf of the corps.”
Prior to its three years on ESPN2, Drum Corps International World Championship broadcasts ran for more than 25 years on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS).
“We know our fans will be disappointed with this announcement and are likely to feel as badly as we do,” Acheson continued. “We also anticipate that some fans will want to know if we can shift back to PBS in light of this decision, but that is not possible at this time. We hope that our loyal fans will continue to support Drum Corps International and its corps by attending and enjoying our live events, and by taking advantage of our audio and video productions, our cinema events and our ever expanding Web-based media.”
(regiment.org)
The Phantom Regiment is pleased to announce that the 2008 program will be entitled: SPARTACUS
(southwind.org)
Dear friends,
Due to financial difficulties, Southwind will not field a competitive drum corps for the 2008 DCI season. The organization will take a year to raise money, build on business and community relationships, and move forward with plans to field a competitive corps for the 2009 season.
We have a responsibility to each member to provide the best drum corps experience possible, and with our current financial situation we cannot guarantee that would happen in 2008. We will use the next twelve months to re-evaluate our operations and strengthen our organization at all levels.
This is the right thing to do for us at this time. We look forward to coming back as a stronger corps, on and off the field, for the 2009 DCI season.
Although Southwind will not perform this summer, the Bluegrass Youth Performance Corporation will still sponsor Drums Across The Bluegrass as part of the 2008 DCI Summer Music Games Tour.
Thank you all for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Mike Loeffelholz
Executive Director
Link: Southwind
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