RETURN OF "G" BUGLES AND BANNING OF ELECTRONICS IN DCI!

On behalf of the veterans of Drum Corps International, fans and audience of Drum Corps, we firmly request that the DCI and participating Open and World Class Drum Corps return to the history and tradition of the activity we respect, admire and appreciate.  First, we request that the signature sound of Drum Corps return by use of BUGLES in lieu of non-bugles.  The minor intonation improvements, the marketing of used horns is not a justified abandonment of the signature sound and projection of bugles.  The modern audience is forced to listen to concert pitch all year long.  The key of G is a welcome audible pleasure.  Students learning to play G bugles only expands their education and development.  Bb/F limits growth.  Today's brass instruments do not project as compared to G bugles.  This results in lackluster performance and fan pleasure.  Adding 20 additional brass instruments to compensate still does not achieve the projection of 58-64 bugles.  Secondly, the use of electronics is offensive to the musician, the audience and the activity - it's history and it's present.  Unless there is a programming situation that would support it's use (i.e. movie sound clips/Spirit of Atlanta), it is a disservice to music education to synthesize bass lines and dub over the hornline's score.  It adds nothing to the education value or the listening experience.  It's a crutch and cover-up for musicians.  The equivalent to steroids for an athlete.  We would offer that the overwhelming consensus be given it's proper respect.  The Drum Corps audience wants to hear bugles and they do not want to hear electronics.  We urge DCI for the upcoming season to ban the use of electronics and encourage corps to return to it's history and tradition and perform on G bugles as well as encourage manufacturers of those horns to improve upon the bugle's intonation qualities.