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I think it will be fine. If you consider that Gino as the teacher interprets the writing that Ryan does, then Ryan's music is certainly in good hands. I'd also be pretty confident in saying that if Gino chose to go to Boston, he is aware of the way Ryan writes, and if there are areas that he has suggestions, Ryan is definitely humble enough to take those suggestions. Just as Gino is a true professional, and I don't believe would overstep his role in trying to control what Ryan does. We're talking about 2 very talented, well-respected, and mature people that will be having this working relationship. I wouldn't be concerned.

I have just a few thoughts to share on this topic of fundraising. To my knowledge, all of this is in the public domain now so I don't believe I am betraying any confidences. I think one of Boston's first steps was to increase dramatically the size and scope of their BOD. I think it is at or close to 50 members now, and it is a great mix of Boston area drum corps people and movers and shakers from the corporate and financial world in the city of Boston. The corps established Inspire Arts & Music, with the mandate of increasing the organization's outreach in the city. Staring first with establishing a series of high school music festivals, then on to acquiring other, existing festivals, establishing a FREE brass program and a FREE percussion program for local city kids run out of the new corps hall in Hyde Park, aligning itself with the Blessed Sacrament WGI organization, and more recently, 7th Regiment and acquiring the recording studio and Fleetwood Records business. They also opened their own musical instrument store, which is not just a mail order operation, but is actually a physical walk in retail space in the same building, which also houses a working community theatre. Now, you might ask where does the money come from if most of these activities are free to the local kids? That's where the corporate involvement comes from. You can't just ask a successful company for money...you have to SHOW what you do with it. So, if you, say, are able to present a powerpoint to a ABC Investments, XYZ Mutual Insurance Group, John Smith Financial Group, the City of Boston, etc and SHOW how you are impacting kids on a local, regional and national level, that yields results. So much results in fact, that several other drum corps ask you to show them what you have done (and some folks here would be astonished to know which corps). When I was last involved directly with the corps, I remember working the bingo in Cambridge. That was fine for simple cash flow at the time, but the folks on BAC's BOD deserve tons of credit for their work in diversifying both Boston's financial reach and operational depth. I have seen on other threads comments about BAC "coming into money". Nothing can be further from the truth. It has been a painstaking, multiyear process by the BOD who literally have the motto "We will never die". There is nothing wrong with car washes and bake sales, but at the end of the day, it is all about community outreach and engagement. It is the long game that matters.

Back in my day, there were 14 corps just in my neighborhood, and 10 more in the next town over. Seriously... I agree with you, it's great to see those Open Class corps coming onto the scene!!!

10-Cent Beer Night at a drum corps show. Since it worked so well for the Cleveland Indians back in the day.

I think it was supposed to be a joke haha

I wonder if it has something to do with the music rights stuff.

The Bluecoats director said the show title they posted is not correct. This is from DCW staff.

Nah the visual staff is the last to sleep and first to rise ;) lol

Well not the first time of course, but a departure from recent years' style. BD making a stylistic shift is exciting as they take risks and do innovation well.

After my experience with Flo for the BOA season I am COMPLETELY ok with DCI sticking with the service they used last year. DCI is a small enough organization and there are enough people on these forums with connections that we can surely flood the people in charge with our feelings on this issue, right?

We are so spoiled with the productions from Tom Blair...anything else is an amateur showcase...

Thanks for posting this. Nice piece and I agree with you that it has lots of sections that would shine with a good corps.

I believe the two events listed showing Flomarching are a test. They have not improved at all since BOA. This gives them the opportunity to show DCI what kind of production capabilities they have. WGI productions have been terrible. DCI has three years left on a contract with their current provider for all the major DCI events. My predication is that Flomarching will fail in their attempt to get DCI to switch. We will see.

Angela Markel's face. Lulz. She's actually cringing.

Boston also has an investment type club that purchases their musical instruments. When they sell the items, the investors earn a dividend. At least I think this is the short version of what is done.

Go find lots and lots of people with lots and lots of money, and appeal to them in an emotional and practical way for a large, annual, donation for " a worthy, youthful cause ". Then do something for them in return that makes them believe their donation was personally ( or financially ) rewarding for them to do so. This tried and true method of raising needed money is still better than any new, fancy, " novel " way to raise money ( that could dry up.. and disappear ) that I can think of at the moment, anyway.

so sorry Jim I missed this online. Our condolences. I'll let Horner and Brock know

Left a note with the Funeral Home, Jim. Condolences, man.

Sorry for your loss Jim, thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

Oakland Crusaders 1977. Thirteenth overall, top drums in semis. (A Tom Float line.) Although they were top twelve in prior years.