The DCI Executive Committee, made up of corps directors, the executive director and a few at-large board members, sat in a room in November listening to members of the Magic of Orlando staff present its case for why the corps should be allowed to compete in division I and travel on DCI's most marketed tour.

Magic hasn't fielded a full corps for two years and was up against a 1997 rule passed by the board.

"There's a policy known as the 'Quarterfinalist Policy' that deals with a corps' transition from division II and III to division I as well as corps that have been inactive for one year," DCI Executive Director Dan Acheson said. "The policy doesn't state that a corps can not come back as a division I corps, but it doesn't state you can. If you're a DCI member -- top 21 three consecutive years -- and take one year off, you may participate on the division I tour as a 'quarterfinalist.'"

"Quarterfinalists" receive less money than the member corps, but more than a division II or III corps, Acheson said. The reason for the policy, Acheson said, is to ensure that the transition of a new corps or reemerging corps is focused on building a foundation first.

The Magic representatives discussed the new management team they have in place, including Syracuse Brigadiers Executive Director Dennis Cappello as Magic's executive director and former Crossmen staffer Rod Owens as the corps director. They outlined how they revamped the board, have a powerhouse staff, have support from the community, would not have any problem drawing 135 members and have a financial plan in order. These were the issues Owens said were the reasons why the corps and the committee agreed that it was best to shut down the corps in the spring of 2000.

Still, the executive committee turned them down.

The Magic of Orlando will have to watch division I competition from afar until and unless they qualify for Quarterfinals DCI week. (1992 photo by Karen Sunmark)

"One of the key issues," Acheson said, "is one of the long-term funding pieces is not going to start generating money until the spring." In other words, the committee wasn't sold that Magic had enough money to finish the summer.

Cappello said, "Between now and when we start taking money from the bingo hall the first or second week of March it will be a little tight." Cappello said a restaurant owner from Syracuse is investing in the hall and keeping the corps afloat until then.

"It's our saving grace," he said. "Our goal is to get this bingo hall in Florida going and make Magic self-sufficient. I don't want people to think this is a Brigadiers project, because it's not. Magic has a solid board and the alumni have really stepped up."

Cappello did say that the Brigadiers helped Micro Magic financially last year, and made some initial staff payments this year.

"I don't think we got a fair shake," Cappello said. "Magic was a division I corps when DCI pulled them off the field. I think Rod (Owens) is capable of getting the corps up and down the road."

The corps hired the Blue Devils design team to arrange the music, lured Jeff Sacktig and Gino Cipriani from The Cadets to write the drill and teach the brass line, signed Michael Cesario to create new uniforms, bought new Dynasty drums and plans to purchase a cook truck and give the old one to Micro Magic. Those are all positive moves for the corps, and Owens said no one should blame the corps for getting the best people available. But obviously it all takes money, and that's before the corps hits the road.

"Right now (the staff payroll) isn't bad," Cappello said. "I think we're well within the DCI average. I think the corps is going to be very, very good."

The corps, indeed, had a successful camp, with 192 tryouts. Acheson said that was never in doubt, even back in November at the meeting.

"There was plenty of speculation that they would be capable of recruiting a significant amount of kids," Acheson said, adding that the ruling follows precedent. "Southwind left as a member corps and came back as a quarterfinalist. We are being asked to make a big exception, based on rules that have been set down."

"I understand where they're coming from," Cappello said.

On occasion, fans and drum corps observers speculate that the DCI Executive Committee is an "old boy's club," one that wouldn't want new movers and shakers on the block to stir things up. Not the case, Acheson said.

"I've never witnessed any member trying to hold another corps back," he said.

Acheson said he realizes that Magic could outscore a top 12 corps.

"Absolutely," Acheson said. "That would be terrific, if they were able to rise above this."

It's just that it takes a lot of money and human resources to pull it off, he said. "DCI wants them to be around a long time. They're serving 135 kids. What difference does it make (what division) they're at?"

The answer, of course, is the amount of money the corps gets per show, the time they perform each night and the prestige of being a division I corps at DCI regionals. People who are 20 or 21 often want to march in a division I corps before they age out, and they are typically the stronger, more experienced performers. As a division II corps, Magic will have to perform throughout the week at the DCI Championships and earn their spot in quarterfinals.

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