Drum Corp$ (Yes that's a dollar sign)

Three things come to mind when I think of Drum corps.

1. The amazing shows that these Corps produce year after year.
2. The desire I have to want to participate in this activity while I still can.
3. Money.

The one thing I strongly disagree with in drum corps (other than George Hopkins) is money. I understand the costs it takes to run a drum corps, and I am in no way claiming that corps 'charge' too much. What I want to elaborate on is the fact that a corps shouldn't have to charge anything.

DCI is often quoted as 'Marching Music's Major League', actually, I'm pretty sure that's trademarked by Drum Corps International. (it is, in fact) I do not fault DCI for calling Drum Corps that, I actually believe it's quiet a truthful statement. But let's for a minute review some other 'Major Leagues' in our culture today, shall we?

1.MLB (Major League Baseball)
2.NFL (National Football League)
3.NBA (National Basketball Association)
4.NHL (National Hockey League)
5.Golf (not sure if it even has a Acronym attached to it) [probably does]

Now, what's different about these 'Major Leagues' compared to the activity that we call drum corps? What's that, a little louder?

Money

The people who participate in the 5 groups I listed above get paid millions to do what they do. They demonstrate some talent in the field they are in (i.e. I can make this little ball go in this little hole on ground, now where's my check?) All this happens for what reason, what purpose? Entertainment for the public?

While this is happening, there are youth from 14-21 who are wanting to participate in the activity called Drum Corps. They demonstrate a talent in the field (i.e. I can play my horn and move my feet at the same time) however, instead of, 'now where's my check?' the kids are asking 'who do I write the check to?' It now cost upwards of 2,000-3000 dollars to march a drum corps in today's world. And yes, corps do fundraisers to lower this cost, but lets face it, the time the kids have to put into fundraising, they could have been working and making the same. (but who wants to pay taxes, right?)

I think the real person to blame for this is the government. I include public education in the same field as the government because...well...it is. We pour our tax dollars and money into the entertainment factor that sports create, but when it comes to music, our government turns it eye and tries to push it under the rug. It's not fair, and something should be done about it. While we cannot snap our fingers and make millions appear to the DCI headquarters, we can do our part to help. And how is that?

Sponsor someone to march. Whatever amount you can, even down to $10 can add up to someone desperate to march before they 'age-out' (no I don't believe in the term graduation from drum corps) If you're well off money-wise, sponsor someone fully. You have no idea what you would mean to them. I know when I begin my career as a music educator, I will help someone march. So I ask you, what are you doing to help Drum Corps stay alive?

Stay Classy, interweb.