nhsalan

They aren't out of debt totally yet I don't think (don't quote me on that, as I'm not privy to the specific financial end of things recently) but with that track record, I feel confident they will be soon. More importantly, they have established solid business relationships with vendors again which will serve the corps well moving forward. AA

the last time I had talked to any of the folks associated with the admin of the corps, they had paid off something approaching half a million dollars of the previous administrations debt AND run the corps in the black for two consecutive seasons. While they are not where they want to be financially, they are laying a very solid foundation for the long term future of the corps and they are doing just fine in securing the corps financial position in the short term. The administrative team in place now is made up of business people, not musicians who want to be involved in drum corps and have to do that pesky business stuff in order to do so. That is not to cast aspersion on musicians. I'm one of those musicians who loves to teach drum corps, but I am well aware that my strengths do not lie in the administrative side of running things. I have been asked on multiple occasions by multiple different organizations to take over administrative tasks and positions. I was quite flattered to even be offered a job as a corps director at one point. I turned all those opportunities down because I am self aware enough to know my strengths lie on the instructional side of things not administrative. As an alum of the corps, I'm proud of and thankful for all of the staff, members and volunteers who are moving the corps in a positive long term direction. Hope that eases any of your concerns. AA

Atlanta CV will celebrate our 20th anniversary this season with fans and friends alike. We hope you'll join us for another exciting season. Till then, enjoy a little sneak peek at our show for 2017. AA

Celebrating our 20th anniversary season in 2017, Atlanta CV is excited to announce our program for the summer "Through the Glass Looking...." Movement I -- Shattered Glass Movement II - Reflections Movement III -- Stained Glass Movement IV -- Prism We look forward to sharing this program and our 20th anniversary celebration with fans and friends throughout the season. More details to follow soon....... Atlanta CV 2017 -- "Seeing is Believing" Alan Armstrong Staff, Show and Instructional Coordinator Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corps

http://atlantacv.org/2016/11/02/jeff-sacktig-joins-atlanta-cv-design-team/

While I'm not bent out of shape, consider this. 47 percent of the corps competing at finals this year were from OUTSIDE the Northeast. Only 22 percent of the shows last year were held outside the Northeast. it would be GREAT to see some of the Northeastern corps travel to the Midwest or the South to compete in a show. There has even been talk of hosting a show in a "centralized location" (Maybe Ohio or Indiana area?) and having all the corps converge. Would be great to be able to see everyone go head to head with without anyone having to spend $25,000 for a single trip. AA

Jeff is the right person, at the right time. His business savvy (he rescued a revived a failing business that is now one of the leaders in the industry), his corporate experience before that, his drum corps experience and his passion for his "home drum corps" will serve the corps well. It is very much not a "toy" to him. He's stepped in because he loves the corps and loves the activity. I look forward to seeing where the corps goes moving forward under his leadership for the board. AA

I was part of the instructional staff with Spirit that played his work in drum corps the first time back in 1989 and then was part of the design team for the corps that used it again in 2013. I'm not sure how much of what he shared was on a one time basis because of the ties to the previous incarnation of his work or how much he would be willing to share now. He specifically asked us not to share those things with anyone else and we have and will continue to abide by his wishes out of respect for him. As for details of what he'd be willing to share now, I'd rather you speak with him. As an arranger and composer, I don't want to speak for anyone else concerning what they are willing/able to share of their work as those things can be very individual or very "corporate" according to agreements he may have made since that time due to the re-release of the recording. We simply went through his website and the people that responded there and they passed on the contact to him and he reached out to us. We moved forward from there. Not trying to be a pain, just don't feel comfortable giving out others personal email/contact info without their permission. AA

We played several segments of the Suite with the All Age corps I teach during the 2013 season. Amin Bhatia was an absolute joy to work with concerning rights and giving us access to the music and recordings of his original material for our staff to work from. I would suggest you contact him directly through his various websites for his work. On a side note, he loves the fact that drum and bugle corps feature his music !! AA

Sounds fun, look forward to seeing it ! Have fun MBI, looks like we all will watching you ! AA

Ed, I replied privately to your other topic, but you continue to spew forth your opinion as if they are facts so I'll ask you publicly here to back up your claims and statements. Can I ask a couple of questions.... Based on what first hand information do you base your statement above? Were you present at any DCI meetings or DCA meetings? Have you been involved in personal conversations with the directors or staffs of multiple corps that have informed you that they want woodwinds as you state? Could you please recount those and when/where they occurred if that is the case? Just count me as curious........ Thanks, AA

Awesome idea ! I think it's cool you want to "reach out" to expand opportunities and exposure to a portion of our activity where many would think their members would not want to participate in DCI. Not every member of the HBCU community will want to participate, but the fact that one of the best hornlines in the DCI activity is opening a door for at least ONE of their students to do so, is very cool !! Good luck with it ! AA

AMEN BROTHER !!

Just got a note this morning from one of our former "Court of Honor" parents. Told me that his stereo was on shuffle at work and the parking lot run through of their 2004 show came on this morning and brought back fond memories. it's been 10 years since the 2nd and final season of the corps. From non existent to fourth in their division in two short seasons. What a great bunch of kids, staff, parents and volunteers. Many of those kids went on to wonderful careers in many other Open and World Class corps. Just another example that the "business side" of the corps is (at least in MY mind) more important than the instructional side. Some corps can languish for years putting out "mediocre" shows, and others will have some real 'hit or miss" years along the way performance wise. To survive in the long term however, no matter how "well intentioned" they might be, the management can't be "mediocre" and there really can't be "hit or miss years". Management has to be "making it happen" consistently over time and have long term vision and plans for survival. You look to those corps that have been at the top for decades....Blue Devils, SCV, Cavaliers, Cadets and you see consistent management... Crown is the most recent example of the gold standard in figuring that out over the years. They didn't do it quickly, but WOW, they have done it well !! Here's hoping that all those CoH kids and parents have as fond of memories as the instructional staff does of the time we spent with them. AA

How fitting we rotate back around to this day for DCI finals. As we finish the DCI season, and fans argue about anything and everything, Members celebrate or mourn their final performance, staff's fret and worry trying to find another tenth or two, people struggle for hours over the words they will need to incite that "inspired performance" that will take their corps to the next level.... Just remember, no matter how frustrated you might be, how tense it all may seem, how self important we might allow ourselves to get......there is someone, somewhere that would give anything just to have the chance to do what we are all doing. I don't know that he ever set out to teach lessons about life to so many people, but he taught thousands of people he never knew to remember not to take it all for granted. Enjoy the view buddy and Rest in peace.... you are never forgotten. AA