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Dear DCW Editor,

The following is a copy of what was sent to dci@dci.org. Feel free to
reprint it. Thanks!

Dear DCI,

Hopefully I am one voice among many that is very discouraged at the
prospect of allowing electronics and amplification into DCI sanctioned
competitions. Members of my family have been avid drum corps fans since the late '70s attending several drum corps shows each season including the World Championships in some of those years. The cost has steadily risen, yet I still feel that drum corps shows, including the 2002 Finals at $75 a pop -- not to mention quarterfinals and semifinals -- are a good bargain because I enjoy the experience.

However, I can assure you my family will cease attending drum corps shows because I will no longer feel that I am getting "bang for my buck" if electronics and amplification are introduced. It will essentially ruin what I enjoy about this activity that we can barely still call Drum and Bugle Corps. The hundreds of dollars in DCI merchandise and tickets that I purchase each year would be spent elsewhere.

I am only in my 30s and still consider myself open to many of the
changes the activity has seen over the past 30 years. I was generally
positive in my response to the recent Drum Corps World survey, but my
views would have been dramatically different with these changes. Our
activity has diminished in fan support enough and I fear will eventually
no longer exist in an organized manner if these changes are ratified.

Please encourage voting members to reflect the voice of the fans, instead of solely directors and instructions, and vote no on this
proposal. Thank you.

Brad Small and Family
Drum Corps World Subscriber
Urbandale, IA

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