Norwood Park Imperials Alumni Forum
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Gosh.. here is another thought...
when I marched in drum corps, there were approximately 300 junior drum corps in the US. Yes, most were really small COMMUNITY corps (which was really the whole point of it all!). 
Some of these small corps became really good! And we enjoyed that.
There also a LOT of senior drum corps .. often related to Legion and VFW sponsors due to their sponsorship. That sponsorship thing gradually changed, but there were still a lot of senior corps.
Now, we have only about 40 junior corps and perhaps 20 senior corps in the US.
Some would say that the QUALITY level has improved, at least in musical performance, but I find it hard to say that the overall contribution of drum corps has improved. 
On another thread, alumnus Bob Shreffler added an interesting insight...
I think I've figured out a better description for where drum corps has gone. What we called 'drum corps' became (in the late 80's and 90's) something that was still 'drum corps', but it wasn't always entertaining. Now, it is entertaining again, but not necessarily 'drum corps' by our definition (with the electronics, pit, etc.). But after seeing a show in Orlando this summer, I can finally speak with some recent experience that it is entertaining, and the kids work hard like we did - it's just different.
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Well, I have to agree .. it is WAY different. And, to me, it sure isn't drum corps. Maybe, to some people, it is entertaining. But, as for me, I can leave it with no regrets. 
And, as the number of corps continues to decline .. it may be over soon. Turn off the lights. 
