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Dear Editor,

Hello. My name is Mark Fosdick. I am a 19-year old contra player for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. I marched for Lake Erie Regiment before that. This will be my 6th year of DCI. I was first introduced to the activity the at age 14. I thought it was the greatest thing ever just as I still do. My life basically revolves around drum corps. I am prolonging my schooling and living with a lot less money than I would if I didn't march. I have not had a summer in the last five years -- from which my friends are never happy with. I am perfectly fine with that, though, because of my great love for the activity.

I love the sound and the look of it. In my opinion, the sound of horns and drums smacking you in the face is the greatest thing anyone could ever ask for, be it in the key of G or Bb. It's amazing the amount of sound and the variety of sound drum corps can produce with the limitations put on it. I think that is one of the greatest things about it.

It has such a unique sound and that is what people love about it. It amazes me how much people complain when they see a band using synthesizers and microphones to enhance singing. In my opinion it sounds terrible, too. Anyone I have talked to, be it in drum corps or just friends that have nothing to do with it, is against the change. They think it is stupid and pointless.

If this change is enacted attendance will drop greatly at shows. If this change is enacted I will also be greatly saddened myself. I have fallen in love with the sound of drum and bugle corps. I listen to drum corps music all the time because I love it so much. Just ask my little sister. I made her listen to drum corps every day on the way to school. I'm very afraid that this sound that I love will be gone. I know I look forward to going to shows until the day of my death and I have always thought that.

I myself have never been to a show as a spectator. I have never gotten to sit down and just watch all the corps at a show. I do not know what I will do if electronics is passed. I know that I will march my last season for sure and I'm sure I will still attend the shows because drum corps is a great activity that I cherish and love.

But I will lose a big part of myself the day that I watch a corps march on a field with a person singing a solo and electronic synthesizers blaring in the background. I hope and pray that will never happen. I also am extremely proud to march for a corps that is against this change and I support them fully on that decision and hope other corps will see the folly in making the decision to allow electronics and amplification.

Sincerely,

Mark Fosdick

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