Funny you mention that - with all the "running" the corps do now, I didn't see anybody pass out. Not like the good old days...

Are any of the uniforms wool with satin lining nowadays?

What did you do in the Corps? Tenor, Snare, Ass't Drum Instructor

What years were you a Corps member? 60-69

John.. good questions

1. as for passing out, I think they do a much better job of CONDITIONING and HYDRATING the members these days.

2. good question about the modern uniforms. They are probably MUCH different now.

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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

Yes, the modern uniforms are much lighter. They don't have to hold up as well, since there aren't really any parades anymore (except on July 4), so they get less total wear and tear during the season. Plus, there are no "off season" performances like St. Patrick's Day or Christmas parades. I also don't know how many corps actually pay for much of anything these days - especially the top corps. Those companies make their monies on the high school bands who want uniforms like the corps have. Same thing with instruments.

And yes, the kids are much better fed and cared for than we were back in the day!

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79

After Bob's comments, I was curious about uniforms. Went to the website for DeMoulin Co ... which makes the Cadets uniforms.

As Bob said, the new uniforms are WAY different. Not wool anymore, mostly cotton and polyesters. So they are much lighter. Construction is different and they even have some which are totally machine washable.

Designs are much more varied than in the past too. Their website has many pages of examples.

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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

Gosh, it is really HOT in Texas and Oklahoma ..where the latest DCI shows are. Here is a note I saw on the Cadets site:

These are the days when The Cadets get stronger (not to mention tanner and skinnier). Yesterday was a hotter, synthetic-turf version of the day before with a high of 104 degrees in Bartlesville, OK. But the members got through it. Patrick Duncan practically bought Wal-Mart out of Gatorade so that the corps would have a refreshing surprise after ensemble.
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Not sure WHY doing drum corps in 100+ temps (daytime practice and night shows) makes sense. And, they do this day after day ... for weeks on end. (Are they being punished?)

Just wondering.

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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

REAL Men & Women wear wool and satin

What did you do in the Corps? Tenor, Snare, Ass't Drum Instructor

What years were you a Corps member? 60-69

wool and satin....

What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

I guarantee every member would continue to do it, given the choice - just like we would have.

But on astro turf, it's even worse. Some of that stuff gets so hot, it makes you long for asphalt!

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79