DrumCorpsFan03

Thank you! Well said here. I happen to be an alumni of the organization, and I have tried to be optimistic with helping out in the best ways that I can. But it seems to me, the only time I hear from the organization, is when they are in trouble or need this or that. To me, that is a slap in the face. I've e-mailed administration, even the corps director at times to get information on what is going on (not just financially), and I never get anything in response. Apparently, some staff members feel the same way. Not being told what is going on, and being the last to find anything out. It really is a shame when a staff member hears from the members of the corps not touring, or someone is replacing them. Cascades need to reach out to their alumni if they want support. It's a shame that many of the Cascades alumni are still marching, but in other corps! If that doesn't tell you something, it should. If Cascades can treat their supporters with respect, they would get more support year in and out. One of the reasons their corps director took over the Cascades, is because he did not want to see them fold, but it looks as if this is the direction the corps might be going in. A change in leadership is needed, but it may be too late for anything to reverse this quickly. I would help my alma mater out, but I feel like I have been left out over the years... "You don't need to know that."--excuse me, I paid thousands to march here, I aged out, I deserve to know what is going on with the corps I helped build on. With attitudes like the administration is giving, I will not be supporting the organization, and will instead support my students who march in other organizations who respect ALL supporters. Don't bite the hands that feed you. Now the Cascades are need of their alumni base, and they don't have one, because they have lost support and connection with them. Cascades, for the sake of the organization--take a look at Vanguard, Blue Devils, Phantom Regiment, and The Cadets (there are others out there). These corps are a good model of what it is like to have a fantastic alumni base and supporter base. There is no reason why Cascades can't thrive like these corps. Alumni is often what keeps a corps going. Think of all the free food, housing, and other connections you can make. Ever think of calling up alumni who are now band directors (both locally and nationally), and asking them if they have students who could fill spots in the corps. Many kids who are loyal to their directors would probably love to march, if their director had a good experience with the corps. Branch out, this does not have to be a Northwest thing. For years, the corps has prided itself on "we are a Northwest corps...we have special traditions" and that is all fine and dandy, but again--Many of your competitors have traditions in their regions, yet they still are able to attract outsiders in both membership, and support. You have to tap into more than just the Northwest, otherwise the corps is not going to grow. What worked in the "Cinderella" year of 2002, more than likely will not work now. That time has come and gone, and it is time to move on. 2002 was great for all that were involved, but it is 2008 now, and the corps has not been any closer to that 2002 year, since 2002. You don't need our money to start making changes. So with that said, when I see a Cascades administration that I feel can make the right choices and reach out to alumni, then I will send a healthy check. Best of luck!

I think that these type of decisions should have been discussed and announced earlier in the season. I also can't help but think that this is more of a "sugar coating" way of saying goodbye for the Cascades. I sure hope that it is not. Lets face it, many of the corps that go "inactive" today, rarely come back. Troopers has been the only exception recently. Capital Regiment, seemed like a stable corps before they went inactive, and had all these plans on coming back this season--but what happened? The Magic? It may be a little harder to recruit in that area, due to the density being spread out in pockets across the state. With how high the tuition cost have been over the years, a member could go march a top tier corps for the same amount of money (minus plane tickets and such). Our donations may help, but I think the corps will need more than that. Do you think that Capital Regiment, and corps in their situation did not have people waiting to help them? It takes more than a few individuals sending in $40 checks. The administration of these corps have to play a big role in the funding as well. As for the members leaving and going to other corps because of how they were "treated"--I disagree. I think everyone on the 2007 Cascades Staff were in it for the kids. There was no brass caption head at these camps this year, and it is not the tech staff members job to recruit. With no caption head in command, there was nothing in place to get those brass numbers up. Unfortunately, Cascades have developed a bad reputation in the Northwest drum corps scene. Now Oregon Crusaders are starting to make a comeback, and could possibly be the next "Premier Northwest Corps." I thought that there were these big plans to reshape the Cascades, so they would be stronger starting in 2007? The ball was dropped. Doing a limited tour may be good for those members that DO stick around, but usually when someone leaves a corps, and goes somewhere better (not just competitively), they will rarely come back. Division I corps are competitive, and that is the reason why a majority of the members join them. Sure the meeting friends, bonding, and fraternal part of the activity is all part of the mix, but when it all comes down to it, we want competition. If there were no competition, we wouldn't be having these problems that we have today. The Northwest has 3 drum corps, and it might just be that this region can not support 3 drum corps yet. We talk about California, and how it can happen there, but that is a different setup. There is a lot more going on in terms of music education (and marching/pageantry) in that state. The density and location of band programs and corps is just great! Blue Devils and Vanguard are about the same distance from each other as Cascades and Oregon Crusaders, yet BD and SCV do not struggle to fill their corps. Oregon Crusaders is filling up their corps, because of their accomplished staff. Many members of the Cascades (last season) were former Oregon Crusaders who came over because of the staff who went to teach Cascades last season. It should not surprise that they would go back to something more stable, and we certainly can not fault them. From what I was told, a lot of the lead players at Cascades last year, were top tier quality, so it does not surprise me that they are now marching in top tier corps this year. When situations like this occur, the members have to do what is best for them. For all you Cascades alumni and current members out there--you can not tell me that you yourself have not thought about auditioning for another corps, for a better experience OR maybe you have auditioned for another corps. Or, had you made the corps (BD or etc) you can not say you would have turned it down to stay with Cascades. Cascades has become a feeder corps, and to me that has also hurt the corps. Kids show up saying "I will never leave the Cascades" and then turn around and march Blue Devils, Vanguard, Cadets, etc... Why are these kids leaving? Is it the staff? the food? administration? competitive status? who knows... From 2002 to 2003 the vet retention rate was pretty high (given the obvious), and from then on, it seems as if things have been down hill. I have tried to be optimistic, but I honestly do not see anything good coming out of this. I think this announcement is more of a way of saying "we are going inactive"--because like it or not, that is what will most likely happen this season. I'd like to know who actually shows up for this March camp. Doing a limited tour like this, you will want your musicians to be polished and clean--to provide you with a great recruiting tool, otherwise you will not be showing anything that will attract. Best of luck!

There is already a 4 page thread at this link: http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/inde...howtopic=108408

I support many (not all) of George's proposals. He just makes the proposals, there are several other corps who get to decide how they feel... Leave the man alone.

They have a trailer of what appears to be pictures and some dark/scary music behind it. Perhaps this is a foreshadowing of what type of musical selections they may include in the production. As long as it is not like their 2006 show, I think they COULD be in good shape. Lets just hope they can get some numbers to fill up the corps. I say it's a good theme for them. Being from the Pacific Northwest, with lots of green lush forest environments--lots to pull from. I hope they can pull this off! www.seattlecascades.org

I have always enjoyed Kurts drill--it's always been something that the members of this particular age group (corps) can perform well, and clean up. With Lewis Norfleet writing the brass book, and Kurt doing the drill design, I think that will work well for them. I was scared that Mike Anderson might end up being the drill writer for a little bit. And I agree, Marc Sylvester was a great designer for them last year--but I think his drill might have been a bit too demanding for the performers. While they achieved it at a decent level, I think it was just a bit too over their heads. Sometimes effective, and "simple" works just as well--especially when the kids can PLAY their music and MARCH it at the same time. Lewis has proven to get results with his brass books, Kurt has produced great effectiveness with his drill designing for the Cascades, and Becca Sullens in one year proved that the color guard could go from rags to riches--now they need to step it up in the percussion section and the Northwest will have itself a drum corps again. Todd Zimbleman would make a good brass caption head for this corps--but it looks like he is at Oregon Crusaders.

I will ask a staff member or member what they know. I heard that Lewis was still doing the music arranging, maybe that has changed, but I think he is. Lewis has always put out great products for the Cascades. As for the drill designing, I think there are many qualified people to do that. The members always seem to like John Freeman, I hope he can stick around longer if that it is the case. He just hasn't had a good track record with the corps from a stability viewpoint. There are lots of same names on this years staff--are these people related!? Talk about family staffs.

Well Mike Anderson is not the drill designer--who knows if Sylvester will be back or not. But Anderson is not the drill designer.

http://www.seattlecascades.org/drumcorps/4staff.htm It's always good to have someone with his type of experience on a design team. This could be good for the Cascades yet! Nice move on their part! Mike Anderson is a good drill designer and knows his stuff, he is also a solid judge too!

I've listened to all the arrangements you have done before, and I am really impressed with your style. You seem to have a fascination with throwing in dense/cluster harmonies, even if the original piece did not use it--yet, always keeping close to a tonality. I think deviating from the original composers intent is what will take you very far... And it also keeps interest in the tune. I'm not sure what the name of this piece is that you arranged for Tri-Color, but I would like to hear the full version when you are done. Do you arrange for any real music groups? If this is what you do for a fantasy league, I want to hear some of your full out arrangements/compositions! Good luck!

This is not a bashing thread. So what is going on with the Cascades for 2008? I know they went through a big overhaul last season with the administration and instructional staff. And some very inside sources have confirmed to me that an identical situation is taking place this season--only this time, no one is getting fired. Most of the staff currently listed on that site are not coming back, and resigned, for personal reasons (many dealing with the board of directors and their current corps director, Mike Leone) Lewis Norfleet, the man behind the production and musical arrangements has resigned. Lewis was with the corps in the Division II/III years, and the first two years of becoming Division I. Nick Benson, last years visual caption head has resigned, and a few other staff members have chosen not to come back, due to the decisions the Board of Directors decided to make, by not honoring Lewis Norfleets 3 year plan. John Freeman, the visual caption head they let go last year--is now back and filling that position AGAIN. Is this the third time now? What is up with recycling staff from previous years? They either resign, or they get fired--then are asked to come back. Seems like an emotional ride. If it hasn't worked now, try something different. Losing Norfleet was the biggest mistake the corps could have made. When Lewis has been involved with the corps, they have been competitively better, and a higher percentage of vets have always returned. Rumor has it, tuition will go up slightly, and the corps is starting tour around July 7th (about one week later than normal). With that said, if I were a marching member, and saw that--I would weigh my options. Do a full tour, for the same amount of money with a top 17 or higher placing corps. This certainly does not paint a good picture for the vets who were thinking of coming back. How can one attempt to field a full corps, when there is a constant turnover in staff each year. The corps could not even field 135 last year, and ended up fielding 115, now try to field 150 (assuming that is the goal). The members can be positive all the want about how "good things will be"...but so far, it has not been that way. If I were a member, I would not accept these constant turnovers. I know many of the members want to be involved and make the corps better, but there is only so much that they can do. I honestly can see why veterans go elsewhere after 2 or so years now. If the administration is not going to give them consistency in staff--why should they feel obligated to return. Cascades need to get it together, or they will not have the members to field any drum corps. Each year, this corps comes closer and closer to not fielding. I would look into finding a corps director who can devote their time to the drum corps. As Mike Leone seems to run a full band program, and can not run the business side of the Cascades AND his band too. Oregon Crusaders was a different ball game--Running a full time Division I corps is different. Step up or get out!

I guess a resume is all people look at now. I seriously think corps need to do more than just looking at a "name"--there are lot of names out there, who are nothing more than that... a name on a piece of paper. There are tons of people who have worked with Blue Devils, Vanguard, and plenty of the other top 5 corps--does that mean they are "all that" or get the job done. Ron was the person in the position of caption head, but I think many people forget that there were others who were actually getting his job done. Todd Ryan teaches feet much better than Ron Hardin...not sure if they taught together, but a friend of mine teaches feet with someone who was under Ron... and they both agree, that Ron is no good.

Lets just say, those 5 years he spent at SCV, were not the "greatest" years visually. 2000 (in my opinion) was the last good visual book vanguard had, from a design and visual performance standpoint. 2003 was hard, but that doesnt equate to being the "greatest" book, 2005--well, we all know how that turned out... As for him being with Blue Stars--I will let a Blue Star alum chime in there... Ron hasn't had a good track record in a while... Yes, he has done some great things with corps--but his drill design is not anything to clamor for, and his groups havent had clean feet in a long time (SCV 2004 was dirty too). Its time for people to think about what people have done CURRENTLY... Yes he helped BD back in the day, but look at the other talented staff he had working along side of him--he didnt do it all himself. Blue Stars feet and drill design were nothing to write home about this past year... Im actually rather appalled to read that a corps like Bluecoats would make such a move... I know many many many many individuals who have had negative experiences with Ron. See me in a PM if you want to go there. I apologize up front if this post sounds harsh, but I really couldnt word things any other way.

The Cascades have the following brass positions that have recently opened up: 1-Mellophone 2-Trumpets 2-Tubas Positions fill rather fast at this time of the year, so if you think you are interested in marching this summer, please contact the Cascades Brass Caption Supervisor, Lewis Norfleet (lewisnorfleet@yahoo.com) as soon as possible. More information can also be found on the corps website: www.seattlecascades.org

The Cascades have the following brass positions that have recently opened up: 1-Mellophone 2-Trumpets 2-Tubas Positions fill rather fast at this time of the year, so if you think you are interested in marching this summer, please contact the Cascades Brass Caption Supervisor, Lewis Norfleet (lewisnorfleet@yahoo.com) as soon as possible. More information can also be found on the corps website: www.seattlecascades.org