On Saturday, April 25th, DCA President, Gil Silva, brought together all competing corps for the final preparation meeting prior to the 2009 DCA Season. 27 competing corps were represented which may be the most ever at a meeting. This meeting was held in Drum Corps Mecca – the trophy room of American Legion Post 199 – Hawthorne, NJ. This is always an awe inspiring experience – even for those of us who have been there many times, but looking at the representatives of the many new corps from around the country and watching them stare in amazement at the trophy cases and tradition that this room represents was particularly gratifying. If you’ve never been to a post show party at Hawthorne Post, put it on your calendar. It’s a MUST see for all drum corps fans. A large “well done and thank you” to the Caballeros for hosting this meeting.
The primary purpose of the meeting was to finalize all DCA sanctioned contests. This included all the necessary ingredients of where the show is, who is competing and drawing for the order of appearance. The order of appearance and show location information will be available very soon at http://www.dcacorps.org/.
The first announcement was that the first show of the year will be exhibition only. Canastota, NY on June 13th is now a 4 corps exhibition at Canastota High School – “The World Boxing Hall of Fame exhibition”. The following contest clarifications were made. Crusaders show on July 11th will not be in Batavia. It has been moved to Auburn, NY. The Caballeros Grand Prix, also on 7/11 will be at Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, NJ. Music City Legends 8/1 contest has been moved to Antioch, TN and the 8/23 contest in St. Peter, MN has been moved to St. Peter High School Stadium.
We’re pleased to advise that three new shows have been added to the schedule: 7/25 in Merrill, WI, 8/15 in Toms River, NJ and 8/22 in Secaucus, NJ. This brings the number of sanctioned DCA contests to 23 - 2 in DCA South, 4 in DCA Midwest and 17 in DCA Northeast. One of the big differences between DCA and any other organization is that of the 23 sanctioned shows prior to the DCA Championship, 20 are sponsored by DCA and/or its member corps. Your support by attending these shows represents a direct support of the DCA Member Corps.
DCA will sponsor two contests again this summer. “Mission Drums” on July 18th at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, MA continues the historic revival of one of drum corps’ most celebrated contests. 5 competing member corps along with exhibitions from The Citations, Mass Brass and Boston Crusaders Sr. Alumni Corps will complete a full evening of Drum Corps. On August 1st, DCA continues its longest standing tradition with the “Parade of Champions” in Scranton High School Stadium in Scranton, PA. This show takes on new meaning this year with the passing of its show chairman and one of the founders of DCA, Dr. Almo Sebastianelli. His life and dedication to the drum corps activity and his beloved American Legion will be celebrated that night in a special remembrance. For further information, go to our website http://www.dcacorps.org/.
Prior to the draw for positions, reports were received from the various department heads. One significant change this year was clarified by President Silva. For the first time, DCA Prelims will be two separate classes: Class A and Open Class. Finals on Sunday night will consist of the top 10 Open Class and the top 4 Class A corps. In past years, the rule had been that if you finished in the top 10 in prelims you MUST compete in Open Finals. This is no longer the case. If you declare Class A by May 30th, you will compete in Class A prelims for one of the spots in the Class A finals. If you do not declare Class A, you will compete in Open Class Prelims for a spot in Open Class Finals on Sunday evening. However, the top 10 highest scoring corps in either preliminary competition will be the voting members for 2010.
Much discussion followed centered around the economy and the concerns it brings to everyone as well as how to control costs this summer. DCA Vice-President, Larry Hershman, advised that championship ticket sales were brisk and on target. This was very encouraging news. Concerns over how the economy will effect both recruiting and the turnstiles this summer were voiced. Several corps discussed recruiting issues and the consensus was that although it may have slowed recruiting – overall – all corps are on target for a successful summer. Recruiting is a 24/7, 365 days a year item for all DCA corps. Anyone interested in performing should stop by the rehearsal of your choice. If you have the desire and proper attitude, you will be warmly welcomed. Check out the corps websites at http://www.dcacorps.org/ and click on “corps”. You will find all the information you need to contact them.
In concluding the day’s business, President Silva pointed out that the number one way the drum corps fans can support the activity they love and offset any negative effect the economy may have this season is to attend as many shows as possible in 2009. Every person coming through the turnstile at every DCA show is critical to the existence and growth of their favorite corps, the organization and the activity as a whole. “Support your local drum corps” takes on new meaning in these difficult times.
