Eleran

Happy "This-Is-What-He-Said" Day

I wonder if they could form a senior corps called the "Bedmen"

100% honest: I still don't know how scores are generated during these off-season seasons.

[pattingmyselfontheback] Nerve-wracking, but I won it one day in 1984!!! [/pattingmyselfontheback]

So I think what we're all saying is that every state should construct a few dozen temporary/emergency housing facilities able to sleep and shower at least 200, which so long as they are not being used in a real emergency (i.e. hurricanes, etc.), would be available for occasional travelling musical groups. If they happen to have additional outdoor grass assembly areas ... say around 120 x 53.33 yards ... all the better. Sound good?

I think CCorps' post citing the capitalized "THEIR" was directed at me, since I made the initial comment, but xandandl already responded appropriately. The specific situation I was talking about relates to use of the gyms by local athletic groups, so in response to JimF-Lowbari's post above, these ARE tax payers, and work directly with the Township's Dept. of Parks and Rec, and the Board of Education - so these groups absolutely have the entitlement to share in the use of the facilities after-hours, so long as used respectfully, and pursuant to whatever policies the township has enacted. As for drum corps, however, I agree with the distinction JimF-Lowbari makes - they are, in fact, NOT local kids or parents who contributed to the taxes (or who will be voting in the next school board election), so they naturally cannot expect the same preferential treatment as local groups. However, they ARE still non-profit educational organizations, so one hopes they would be given some preferential treatment (as opposed to for-profit businesses which also attempt to secure school or other public facilities). However, and this goes back to CCorp's comment above, most of the drum corps use we've been discussing (i.e. while on the road attending competitions) occurs during the summer, so the teachers (gym, or otherwise) can hardly be claiming that the '"invasion" interferes with the teacher's activities, since the teachers are likely not working at that time.

Meant to point the finger only at the specific gym teachers who were doing the behavior I was mentioning. My fault for not inserting the word "these". But as far as my group failing to make allies, it's quite the opposite. I have no opportunity whatsoever to speak with the gym teachers directly, unfortunately, as they are never in the school when we are. They have ignored every offer on our club's part to come in and provide free demonstrations whenever they are trying to teach the sport, or offer any other help. For that matter, they have delayed through inaction our negotiations with the athletic director about upgrading certain facilities for which we would be paying 100% of the costs. The Custodian of the school, however, who is the ONE person there every night when we are using the schools, absolutely loves us, and even suggests to the BOE all the time that we be given more gym time at the expense of some other groups that are more problematic. So in this case, I won't apologize for my club's actions, nor for pointing the fingers at certain individuals. I'll try to be better in the future, however, of making sure I include the appropriate pronouns.

I almost posted predictions today, but then stopped myself. I think I will wait until further details about shows come out. But I will post prior to the first show, so everyone can come back in August and praise/ridicule me for my clairvoyance/stupidity, as the case may be.

That just makes me laugh, because we get similar complaints ALL the time. It's as if gym teachers have nothing better to do than complain that someone moved something 10 feet from where they left it ... because in their mind it's THEIR gym.

As a sports club director who has investigated facility usage for two different sports, those hourly rates are about right whether you are looking at schools or churches with gyms, and if one group is unwilling to pay them, there is always another group waiting in line to do so during the winter. However, to be fair, there is NO competition during the 11:00 pm-8:00 am hours, and I would hope that schools do not try and gouge corps at the regular hourly rate. Also, those hourly rates are market in winter, but much less from April to October, when the majority of sports groups who were lined up in winter have moved outdoors. And I agree with you that I don't think insurance and liability is nearly as big an issue - every group that uses the schools, the town playing fields, etc., have to supply proof of insurance before they can step foot in there.

For the Massachusetts-based folks, they can sell their poop instead and make up to $250/week (provided their poop is up to snuff).

Over the last 5-10 years, many schools/churches, etc., have realized that there is a market for use of their facilities, and they want to make income from their gyms, cafeterias, etc. whenever possible. During the winter, dozens of non-school sports groups like to to use the school facilities for off-season indoor training, so that interferes with the supply during camp weekends. Our particular school system doesn't seem as interested in making money, but they certainly want to cover their costs. So late night/weekend/holiday usage requires fees to pay for the extra janitor time. Events over a certain number of people require security, which costs are passed through. There are issues with allowing groups to use the kitchen facilities, involving the food workers union contracts. There have been issues with using the schools at all during summer, mostly due to the bureaucrat in charge not thinking it is a good idea, but also because high school coaches like to use the facilities during summer to run money-making camps (despite many of them being in direct violation of conflict-of-interest rules) I would like to think that schools would welcome DCI with open arms, but usually they are balancing the use of their facilities by dozens of groups, and yes ... sometimes they are trying to see what the market will bear for finding alternate income to boost their overall budget. I think the only real answer to the dilemma, as most likely it always was been, is to work the relationship side of things to find the most hospitable location.

Jingle Bells, yes. Batman Smells, no.

Sorry if my post came out snarky - just that a lot of folks seem to think "dead white guys", as you call them, are public domain because they're old/dead/irrelevant/"clasical music"/etc., and only the new, hip, cool songs present copyright issues. Most likely, I will not live to see the day that Shostakovich's 10th enters the public domain (in about another 33 years)

Does testing the waters really make sense, though? As if they can skate by if no publisher's legal team is watching? If I am correct, each corps' program has to be submitted to DCI, along with proof that all licenses are in place, in order to compete. They require that even for SoundSport corps.

Who said it was simple? I was merely responding to a post that seemed to be implying that the Cadets have used a lot of public domain works, which thereby allows them to publicize early on. I don't believe that is an accurate statement of facts, since so few of their music has in fact been within the public domain.

Of course, none of Shostakovitch's works are public domain. Nor were any of the Copland works last season, or the Barber the season before.

Well, BAC posted this picture on their Facebook page a few hours ago. I don't know whether this is the same arrangement they played in 1958 [i know, not much help as far as the 2015 show, but you asked "what did they practice"]

The Mirfield Lockmen (show details here) would like to thank the wonderful residents of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, who have been most welcoming indeed to our musicians, as they prepare to begin their American campaign this evening. We hope you will enjoy their show, "Christie".

Given that the life expectancy of a muskrat is only 3-4 years, it's rather astounding that their love lasted 39 years.

So in 5 years they still haven't raised $10 million to build a permanent facility,because they need donors to supply the money. Yet in the mean time, they agreed to pay $11.09 million just to buy out the contracts of their 2013 coaching staff after a 3-9 record. Excuse me for not changing my mind about how screwed up college priorities are.

Would you settle for Captain & Tennille?

Yes, but if the Athletic Department is operating at a loss, then how much of that 35% is simply coming from the general university funds, passing through the Athletic Department? Why yes, I think that pretty much IS the assumption by most people outside the band itself, and maybe many inside.

Only seven athletics programs at public universities broke even or had net operating income on athletics each year from 2005-2009, according to data provided by USA Today to the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. And I don't know how many bands are funded by the Athletic Dept (whether or not they are operating at a loss). As of July 2013, Ohio State's marching band is funded 35% from the College of Arts and Sciences, 35% from the Athletic Department, and 30% from the Development Office of the President.