DCA Spring Meeting A Success

Saturday, April 26th, all corps and executives from Drum Corps Associates met in Scranton, PA for their Spring Meeting. President Gil Silva, opened the meeting with the roll call. The first thing noted was that after polling all corps present, Business Manager Dick Eschenmann, advised that currently we expect at least 25 or 26 competing corps to attend the DCA Championship Prelims in Rochester August 30th. He also reminded all corps that if they wish to compete at the Championship in Class A, they must declare so no later than June 1st. Proper procedure for doing this is provided in the rulebook. Other notable items from the meeting included:

· Vice President, Larry Hershman advised that DCA Championship ticket sales (pre-sale and on line) are progressing well. He was particularly pleased with a sharp increase in Canadian sales. Phone orders will begin June 3rd.
· President Silva advised that the DCA Contest Committee is currently encouraging bids for the 2010 DCA Championship. Anyone knowing of an interest in hosting this event can get further information by contacting prdirector@dcacorps.org who will forward the necessary requirements to bid as defined by the Contest Committee.
· The draw for positions took place. An excel spreadsheet reflecting the draw for positions in 25 sanctioned DCA contests is available by contacting prdirector@dcacorps.org. Competing position in the Championship Prelims is determined by seeding rules and will not be known until after the last regular season contest of the year. Everyone was extremely pleased with the number of DCA Central and DCA South contests and congratulations was offered to all the groups involved and regional directors Amber Roeker and Vic Kulinski.
· So far, 5 corps who did not compete in 2007 have either completed the evaluation process or are close enough that a positive completion is imminent. They were allowed to draw for positions in the shows they are participating in. They include 2 returning DCA former member corps, Kingston Grenadiers and Carolina Gold. Joining them are newcomers Austin Stars, Sun Devils and Excelsior. President Silva noted with regret that Sunrisers and Skyliners will not be competing this summer. It is still possible that other new corps could be evaluated prior to the season. Evaluation is necessary to compete in any sanctioned DCA regular season contest.
· DCA Rochester Chairman, Allen Buell, advised everyone of the progress toward Labor Day Weekend. After some questions of ownership of Paetec Park over the winter, all has been resolved with the sale of the Soccer Club and the Stadium to a new owner. Among other things, a new stadium concession operator was chosen and they have advised a much-improved stadium food situation is expected.
· Judging coordinator, Rich Templin, advised that the Judge’s Clinic for 2008 will be June 7th in the Allentown, PA area. He also was pleased to announce that the General Effect portion of the clinic will be conducted by well known Hall of Fame personality, arranger, instructor and soloist, Frank Dorritie. This news was very well received by the membership.

DCA adds Mini Corps Champion to Sunday Finals

At the April 26th DCA Spring meeting, President Gil Silva announced that the winning Mini Corps from Friday night’s DCA Mini Corps Competition will be invited to perform at the DCA Finals Competition on Sunday night of Championship Weekend, August 29, 30 and 31. While time is precious during the long evening, President Silva welcomed the opportunity to honor the Mini Corps – one of the fastest growing activities under the “Drum Corps umbrella”. The corps will perform during the coveted time slot between the final DCA competitor and the retreat/awards ceremony. This will give them a golden opportunity to show the huge final’s crowd at Paetec Park in Rochester just what the Mini Corps are all about and prove that while limited in numbers they are mighty in quality entertainment.

With groups like defending champion Star United of Bloomington, Indiana, Mass Brass, Ghost Riders, Erie Thunderbirds, West Sayville’s Golden Eagles, San Francisco’s Renegades and a multitude of others all competing Friday August 29th for the coveted DCA Mini Corps Championship, we are assured of a great performance on Sunday night at finals. If for travel reasons, the 2008 winning Mini Corps champion is unable to perform on Sunday, they will be allowed to pass on this great opportunity to showcase the Mini Corps to the next highest finishing corps.

DCA Coming to Boston - Tickets Available NOW!

DCA is coming to Boston on July 26th. DCA President, Gil Silva, announced that DCA is joining with the Citations of Burlington, MA in producing Mission Drums, the first full DCA regular season show in the Boston area in many years. The show will be at Veterans Stadium, Lawrence, MA and feature in competition: Caballeros, Crusaders, Empire Statesmen, Hurricanes and Fusion Core. Exhibitions will be performed by the Citations, Mass Brass and Boston Crusaders Senior Alumni Corps. Tickets are available now through Crown Tickets at http://www.crowntickets.com/. See you there!

DCA Championship Tickets Now On Sale

This morning, April 14, 2008, all tickets for the DCA World Championships went on sale. They are available on line. Don’t wait till the last minute. Get them now. Plenty of excellent seats still available for all shows. Go to the home page and click on the championship logo and select tickets. Telephone orders will be available soon.

August 30-31, 2008 Paetec Park Stadium, 460 Oak St, Rochester, NY.

Click here to order on line.

Order early to get those prime seats.

Bob Cardaneo In World Drum Corps Hall of Fame

DCA would like to congratulate long time DCA Brass Coordinator, Bob Cardaneo for receiving the President's Award from the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame. He will be inducted into the WDCHOF - http://www.worlddrumcorpshof.org/ - at the induction dinner on August 30th in Rochester, NY DCA Championship weekend. Bob has been an adjudicator and brass chief judge for many years and is well deserving of this recognition. From all the DCA Staff and Corps, a big thank you and well done to our own Bob Cardaneo.

Joining Bob in induction to the WDCHOF for the 2008 class are: Art Hylwa, Steve Cooley, Neil Smith, Thom Hannum, Larry Darch and Robbie Robinson. Congratulations to all.