DCI 2010 Rule Proposals Options

[Danpod]

Here's a link to the first two rule proposals:
http://www.dci.org/news/view.cfm?news_id=3...b8-a27efd2f1a3f

Age Requirements (For 2011 Implementation):
This eliminates the confusing rule already in place stating you cannot march DCI if you turn 22 before June 1st of that year. All you would have to do to march DCI is not turn 23 by January 1st. Okay. You also have to audition, pony up hundreds of dollars in fees, and subscribe to the Gold Bond Powder of the Month Club.

Personally, adding another five months of eligibility to the membership does not seem like that big of a deal to me. When formulating your opinion, you have to put yourself in the shoes of someone who is just starting in the activity. The "young ones" would have to compete against a good chunk of college graduates who were previously not eligible to march. Let's face it. The odds of graduating college in four years are less favorable than ever before. Regardless of what your major is, things really do come together for you in our final semesters. Your life begins to take shape. All of those classes you hated going to start to pay off both in the classroom and in real life. Younger marchers will have a tougher time making the cut of 150. Food for thought: DCI surveyed the average age of each World Class Drum Corps a year or two ago. Many of the top units, specifically Carolina Crown, had a shockingly young average age per marcher.

Sound Engineer In Press Box:
This rule would allow a staff member to be in the press box during their corps' performance and communicate via wireless device with the sound board operator on the field. The idea is to help the pit blend with the rest of the corps.

People seem to be sharpening their pitchforks out on this one. The staff and I have been sitting next to directors during their program's performances for many, many years. Believe it or not, this sort of thing is commonplace at BOA and UIL events. Pit instructors usually carry around a two-way radio or wireless headset that links up with the students running the board. Balance issues within the pit, as well as pit-to-band issues, can be addressed instantly. The "engineer" would be in the press box at larger shows. However, many smaller shows would not be able to accommodate this extra person in their press shacks. The probable solution: Put the engineer in the stands. This could create a problem, especially if you're sitting near the engineer.

Some directors are very respectful about how they communicate with the board operator. They realize that they are sitting around parents and fans, so they keep the communication at a low volume. However, there are those directors who talk quite loudly into their device. Also, if the balance is really out of whack, there is the good chance that the distracting communication could last the duration of the show. Drum Corps fans are some of the most dedicated fans of any activity. At the same token, they are some of the most opinionated people on the Earth, and they would not hesitate to shush a staff member of a corps if that person is affecting the fan's experience in a negative way.