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PioneerWebmaster

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  1. It's camp week! Also have to mention that even though color guard isn't required to be back until March, new guard people not involved in WGI are welcome to come to our winter camps where they can grow in their skills and get a feel for what the corps is about! If you're planning to attend, please register at the following link: January Camp Info & Registration We hope to see a lot of you there!
  2. Since a couple people have asked... We are marching tenor drums this season! If you're a tenor player still looking for a spot, come on down to our next camp to try out for a spot in the line! January Camp Registration & Information
  3. One week to camp! What are you doing with your summer coming up??? We were trying to get the rights to play music from U2, and as many predicted... it couldn't be done. However, we've come up with a pretty interesting substitution: I’m Shipping Up To Boston - Dropkick Murphys
  4. As Tom said in the post above, there can be some awkward dynamics when mixing 18-22 year olds with 14 year olds. That said, it can be done... and done successfully depending on the circumstances. I started marching with Pioneer when I was 13, so I completely understand the awkward part of things. Luckily, there were some awesome vets that took me under their wing and helped me adjust to the corps activity my first year. Given the family atmosphere found within most corps, I think it's natural for older members to take on that role as somewhat of a mentor/leader. At the same time, it may not always be possible with every corps to have that nurturing/fostering relationship at the same level. Going to camp and feeling things out for yourself is probably the best way to go. If it seems like he's going to be outcast/isolated due to his age, there may be other corps that are a better fit for him the next season or two. Otherwise, if everything seems good, I would let him say "have at it!".
  5. As Tom said in the post above, there can be some awkward dynamics when mixing 18-22 year olds with 14 year olds. That said, it can be done... and done successfully depending on the circumstances. I started marching with Pioneer when I was 13, so I completely understand the awkward part of things. Luckily, there were some awesome vets that took me under their wing and helped me adjust to the corps activity my first year. Given the family atmosphere found within most corps, I think it's natural for older members to take on that role as somewhat of a mentor/leader. At the same time, it may not always be possible with every corps to have that nurturing/fostering relationship at the same level. Going to camp and feeling things out for yourself is probably the best way to go. If it seems like he's going to be outcast/isolated due to his age, there may be other corps that are a better fit for him the next season or two. Otherwise, if everything seems good, I would let him say "have at it!".
  6. I know that the individual in question had been separated from the corps, but managed to find his way to the stadium. Basically he waited until the entire corps was off to warm up before sneaking onto the truck to get his uniform and drum. Event staff didn't think anything of the fact that a drummer was running onto the field at the last second, but the corps' staff was blindsided by his presence.
  7. Our horn line will be fine with the staff we have listed. Michael, despite all of the negative attention that he receives, did provide usefull instruction to some of our members during his time on tour and we appreciate the time that he spent on tour with us.
  8. It's been 20+ years since Ken Norman last wrote anything from us. We were still playing a couple of his standstill charts when I came to the corps in 1992, but those were a couple years old at the time. Not sure on the Kilties at the moment, but I believe he has been putting together charts for several groups on the DCA level and also SDCA. On the whole, the staff is looking to be pretty solid for the upcoming season. We've also got a handful of alumni that are helping tech/instruct at the camps that aren't reflected in the list above. As I've stated in previous threads, there's more interest in the corps right now than there has been in probably 15 years. We have to capitalize on that interest and make the best of it for this upcoming season. Our biggest challenge at the moment is recruiting members. There's been a lot of interest in the corps during the fall and early winter, but we would like to convert more of those "prospective" members in actual marching members. We've got an awesome tour schedule laid out for this upcoming summer and would love to have 100+ members on the field to experience it. I would encourage anyone in the Midwest who has considered marching in 2012 to at least give us a chance. Fill out our online application for more info, give our office a call, drop by our Facebook page or hit us up on Twitter @PioneerDBC. Either way, we want to hear from you and we want you to hear from us!
  9. The staff for 2012 does look considerably different than previous years: Brass Staff Arranger - Ken Norman Caption Head - Lansing R. Dimon Low Brass Consultant - Dr. Jason S. Ladd Brass Consultant - Dr. Cecil Austin Brass Technicians - Christopher Reid Percussion Staff Caption Head - Tyrell Carver Technician - Lukas Snyder Guard Staff Caption Head - Seth Pearson Visual Staff Visual Designer - Rick Morey Visual Caption Head - Sean McDermott Obviously, there are still some spots that need to be filled as spring approaches, but that's the core of our staff for the 2012 season.
  10. Pioneer is still seeking members to fill out the 2012 corps! Our 2012 production "Irish Immigrants: The Hands that Built America" is starting to shape up nicely, with the horn line already having learned the opener from Dvorak's New World Symphony. The drum line has been busy learning technique and working on the street beat. The guard has been strong at the first couple camps, but is not required to be back at camp until March due to many of them participating in WGI. Overall, attendance at our November & December camps has been better than previous years, but we can definitely use more members! If you're still considering marching in 2012 or are looking for a corps you can call home, I would encourage you checking us out! Next Pioneer Camp: January 13th - 15th Cudahy Middle School Free Camp Transportation Information Pioneer provides free transportation to camp from Chicago's O'Hare Airport (Friday-6PM-Terminal 1-Lower Level "Baggage" - Carousel #1) and Milwaukee's Mitchell Airport (Friday-7:15 PM- Lower Level (Baggage-South end of building "Delta Airlines"). After camp is over on Sunday at 4PM, you will be taken to the same airports (Milwaukee before 5PM) and (O'Hare before 6:30 PM). Please schedule your flights to arrive at the airports early enough on Friday so that our buses can leave promptly to get you to camp on time! When scheduling flights back home, please schedule your flight late enough in the day on Sunday so you do not have to leave camp early (and so we don't have to make a special trip to the airport). If you wish to take a train or bus to Milwaukee, let us know in advance and we will make arrangements to pick you up! Click Here For More January Camp Information and to Register for Camp Citgo Fueling Good Program Pioneer will be participating in the next round of the Citgo Fueling Good Program with a chance to earn up to $5,000 in gas for this upcoming season. In 2011, the Fueling Good program gave 24 charities, including the Racine Scouts, $120,000 in gas prizes. Voting for the latest round begins on January 12th! More Information on Citgo Fueling Good Program
  11. I actually would tend to agree that Indianapolis offers more than some might think, and way more than the people who repeatedly indicate that there's "nothing to do in Indy". I know several people that were in Indianapolis for the Big 10 championship game last weekend and all of them were impressed with the city. In fact, a couple people were so impressed that they're already looking for Super Bowl tickets in anticipation of the Packers making it that far. I would strongly suggest that people actually do a little research about places they're visiting before bashing them as "nothing to do". What To Do in Indianapolis
  12. The DCA/weekend/limited touring model may work for select corps, however the truth of the matter is the majority of the membership base wants to participate in a full tour. Jersey Surf's decision to migrate to an extended tour this season in place of the limited touring that they have done in past seasons highlights this fact. Their marching members voiced their opinion and the corps reacted appropriately. If we (Pioneer) made the decision to go to a weekends only schedule, I suspect that we would have even more difficultly recruiting quality members than we already do. We hear repeatedly that the kids that march with us do so because of the opportunity to participate in 25-30 shows. If we came out next year and said that we were only going to participate in 12 shows, I suspect that many of those members would choose to go to corps that were going on an extended tour. I also envision a scenario where even more kids end up on the couch because they can't get a spot in one of the top touring corps, but they don't want to do the weekend thing.
  13. I've voted in past rounds of Chase Community Giving and haven't received any information/solicitations from Chase as a result. That said, giant banks like Chase have more than enough access to info about anyone with a credit history that it's unlikely that they're going to glean much additional substantive information about you from your Facebook profile. You can read their privacy policy below:
  14. Pioneer definitely could use more votes! We have been reaching out to alumni and supporters, but can use all of the additional help that we can get to stay in the running! There are a lot of people on this board that want to see Pioneer do well, both now and into the future. This grant money opens doors that at this point in time are currently closed due to a decline in our primary source of fundraising. This is your opportunity to step forward and help the corps in a meaningful way! I can assure that any grant money that we get will be used to further educate our members in a similar way as we have been for the past 50 years! Vote Now for Pioneer: Chase Community Giving
  15. Pioneer is up to 55th place, but can use more votes! Please take a moment to support a corps that has always been financially responsible, but can use the extra money now more than ever. Your votes are sincerely appreciated!
  16. We're a little late getting to the party, but Pioneer can use your votes too!
  17. I don't have the 1995 numbers, but I do have 1993! Dues for the 1993 season were $350 plus a $25 equipment deposit. Dues for the 2012 season are $2,200 plus individual camp fees of $60(new members) or $50 (vets). While that would seem to be an astronomical increase, the truth is we're still one of the least expensive corps to march in world class. In an era where corps charge $100+ each for registration, audition packets, camp fees, uniform fees, spring training fees and other fees in addition to their dues... Pioneer comes off looking fairly reasonable. I think the success of the percussion section boils down do math more than anything. There's a lot of talented percussionists out there and nowhere near enough spots in drum corps overall to hold all of them given the relative small size of the drum line in comparison to the potential size of the horn line. As far as how to get more horn and guard members... we're working on that and are open to suggestions! Interesting stats... definitely something to consider. We try as much as possible to reach out to prospective members and add a personal touch to the recruitment process. We're trying to work on both sides of the coin. Coming out of the 50th, there is more interest in trying to help the corps and we're trying to tap into resources that these folks may have access to or are skilled in. At the same time, it's critical that we still live within our means and cut costs wherever possible without sacrificing the experience for the members and the end product.
  18. Constructive criticism has always been welcome from the corps itself. We've actually discussed some of the stuff that's been brought up on DCP during meetings over the course of the past year. A big area that was harped upon in previous years was transportation/break downs. That was an area that was targeted for improvement in 2011 and by all means that goal was met. Is there always room for improvement? You bet. That's why the corps is taking an even closer look at the 2012 schedule to make sure our travel plans are the most practical possible.
  19. You keep citing this supposed "hype" every year. You have been for a couple years now. Maybe we're reading different message boards, but it's been quite a while since anything that I would consider "hype" has been posted. We hardly posted anything at all about 2011 outside of basic Press Releases. If that's what you consider "hype", we might as well just crawl under a rock and go away...
  20. As frustrating as it is, this is the way every single one of these threads about Pioneer ends up going. I tried to keep the peace in one of them earlier this year and people jumped all over me for interrupting their bickering and personal attacks on one another. There's been a lot of positive insight shared in all of these threads if you read between the nonsense and personal attacks. Much of this insight has made it back to the people who can make a difference. More importantly, there is a growing interest from various alumni to try and make a difference in the direction of the corps. There are several fundraising ideas in the works and we're exploring ways to get more people involved in the corps. Brighter days are ahead...
  21. Actually, there were some things that we have recognized as being broken, and we are working to fix them. Contrary to popular belief, nobody within the corps has been satisfied with the results in recent years (Roman included). It's not an overnight process, unless you want to break the bank and put the corps' future at risk. Even then, there's no guarantee that you will succeed as money can't buy everything... including success. One example of improvement, which was an area that was brought up repeatedly last off season, was quality of transportation. Outside of the one published mechanical issue involving our food truck, the season pretty much went off without a hitch. Baby steps! We're at the point where it literally is about being Better Every Day!
  22. I would second this concern. Most places would require you to have a food dealer license for the cook truck(which can run several hundred dollars), a temporary permit to do business at the stadium itself, and then you can still be subject to random inspections as the health department sees fit. That means being aware of the various health codes within that jurisdiction and following them to a "T". Also have to factor in the liability issues that are associated with serving food to non-corps members.
  23. The plans for 2012 are still in the works. Watch for staff and program announcements in the coming weeks. A lot of people have reached out to the corps over the past year and offered to help in a variety of ways. The biggest thing is trying to piece all of those people together in a way that is actually beneficial to the corps (i.e. consistent staff on tour, at camps, etc...). We also asked for program ideas from our members, fans and followers and have a lot of great ideas that have been submitted. We're still working through those as we try to prepare a program for our 51st season. The corps received a lot of positive feedback about our 2011 production and we're happy to report that many of the vets from last year are returning for 2012. Recruiting is in full force throughout the upper midwest (Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana) as we look to build off of last year. We're seeing a lot of activity coming in through the website and have been in touch with every single one of these people who are looking for a place to march. First Camp: November 18 to 20 Cudahy High School 4950 S Lake Drive Cudahy, Wisconsin 53110 Click Here for Info and to RSVP
  24. I sort of answered my own question with a little research of the LOS website: Out of that 41,000 seats that are available, how many are seats that people would be willing to pay for? I would assume that at least 10,000 of those are end zone seats and I can't imagine those selling for much, or anything at all.
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