Skywatch1

Your comments are right on target. I don’t see any posts, anywhere on this forum, or Magic’s WEB Site, posted by the "management" delineating their PLANS for a successful Tour/Corps Season. Previously, see post of: (10/22/06 @ post #194, “Magic’s 2007 Info Meeting”) I asked the following: (1) who is the Board? Who is in charge of the "Corps" and "finances" now that Bruce has stepped down from Magic? (2) Does Magic have the support of DCI, Tour commitment? (3) Best guess/estimate Magic will be able to Tour with adequate staff, volunteers, financial acumen? The Magic Web Site depicts Two Chief Executive Officers: CEO: Bruce Ziegler (# 1 Man) CFO: Gerry Barrieau (# 2 Man) reportedly, (Bruce) has stepped down. Does this Corps’ fate now rest on the lone remaining member? If so, does he have the savvy to see this Corps to a successful 2007 tour? This is a "Youth Activity" is it not? Don't parents deserve to have adequate information when they confer and decide on their child's future? Why isn't Magic's WEB Site posting timely updates and keeping possible volunteers, staff, philanthropist, and most importantly, "Perspective Marching Members" informed? It all boils down to one thing: COMMUNICATION! People are likely to be skeptical given past practices and experiences. People/parents have a natural instinct/desire to be kept informed, especially when they are "entrusting" their child to others. Please "open" and honest communications from the TOP, regardless of its contents (positive or painful.) We (Drum Corps Community) deserve no less. (P. S.) This post is not necessarily exclusive to "Magic." I, for one, encourage more transparency in this community called, "D.C.I." After all, this is a YOUTH ACTIVITY, not-for-profit organization with tax exempt, 501 © (3) status. Lastly, what does “DCI” (Drum Corps International Executive Director Dan Acheson) say about Magic’s (so called) Plan? Hasn’t the Drum Corps Community seen this “Play” before? When are the “Adults” going to put the proper emphasis on “DEVELOPING THE YOUTH” as their paramount objective? I feel sad for the staff, volunteers, alumni, parents, friends and Youth who have relentlessly given their time, talents, money and devotion to a Corps apparently, not even willing to address their legitimate concerns. Wake UP community. Smell the coffee. (IMHO)

First off, I've been following this post since its inception. Some well thought out questions and some unwarranted speculation has thus far been posted. Overall, this "thread" has been upbeat and positive Yet, few if any tangible results have thus far been achieved, to my knowledge. The gist of what seems to spill into most comments is simply, COMMUNICATION! "Mouthpiece, the BoD and now "They." People are being asked to "blindly follow" or "participate" but yet have NO idea who they are following. (Possible exception, a few local Orlando insiders.) (1) Who is the Board? Who is in charge of the "Corps" and "finances" now that Bruce has stepped down from Magic? (2) Does Magic have the support of DCI, Tour commitment? (3) Best guess/estimate Magic will be able to Tour with adequate staff, volunteers, financial acumen? This is a "Youth Activity" is it not? Don't parents deserve to have adequate information when they confer and decide on their child's future? Why isn't Magic's WEB Site posting timely updates and keeping possible volunteers, staff, philanthropist, and most importantly, "Perspective Marching Members" informed? Again, it all boils down to one thing: COMMUNICATION! People are likely to be skeptical and have a natural instinct to be kept informed, especially when they are "entrusting" their child to others. Please "open" and honest communications from the TOP, regardless of its contents (positive or painful.) We (Drum Corps Community) deserve no less. (P. S.) This post is not necessarily exclusive to "Magic" I, for one, encourage more TRANSPARANCY in this community called, "D.C.I." After all, this is a YOUTH ACTIVITY, not-for-profit organization with tax exempt, 501©(3) status.

Don't Give Up On "MANDARINS" Just Yet !!!! They WILL PREVAIL!!!!!!!!!! WOW! HOT! HOT! HOT! Way to go MANDARINS! I say "Go West Young Person" Seems MANDARINS are on the move UP, while unfortunately Corps with "THE" are not. So What's in a name? Moved UP from 17th, (2003) while others Moved DOWN from 11th. Keep up the hard work. In the end Truth, Justice & Hard Work Shall Prevail!!! KEEP UP THE DRIVE!!! Texas in with you all the Way! 2003 SCORES and REVIEWS AUGUST 9 - DCI FINALS - ORLANDO, FL (AUGUST 2003) 98.80 - Blue Devils 97.25 - The Cavaliers 97.10 - The Cadets 94.75 - Phantom Regiment 94.70 - Santa Clara Vanguard 90.95 - Boston Crusaders 90.75 - Bluecoats 89.55 - Madison Scouts 86.90 - Crossmen 86.65 - Carolina Crown 85.60 - Magic of Orlando (11th Place) 84.40 - Spirit from JSU 80.30 - Mandarins (17th Place) AUGUST 7 - DCI QUARTERFINALS - ORLANDO, FL 2005 SCORES and REVIEWS JULY 26 - TROJAN SUMMER MUSIC GAMES - TROY, AL 92.050 - The Cavaliers 90.850 - Blue Devils 86.800 - Carolina Crown 83.100 - Spirit from JSU 80.200 - Colts 75.100 75.100 - Mandarins (July 25 - Baton Rouge, LA DCI Red Stick Thunder Pageant) 74.100 - The Magic July 25 - Baton Rouge, LA[/b] DCI Red Stick Thunder Pageant of Champions 70.950 - Troopers 66.500 - Kiwanis Kavaliers

WOW! HOT! HOT! HOT! Way to go MANDARINS! I say "Go West Young Person" Seems MANDARINS are on the move UP, while unfortunately Corps with "THE" are not. So What's in a name? Moved UP from 17th, (2003) while others Moved DOWN from 11th. Keep up the hard work. In the end Truth, Justice & Hard Work Shall Prevail!!! KEEP UP THE DRIVE!!! Texas in with you all the Way! 2003 SCORES and REVIEWS AUGUST 9 - DCI FINALS - ORLANDO, FL (AUGUST 2003) 98.80 - Blue Devils 97.25 - The Cavaliers 97.10 - The Cadets 94.75 - Phantom Regiment 94.70 - Santa Clara Vanguard 90.95 - Boston Crusaders 90.75 - Bluecoats 89.55 - Madison Scouts 86.90 - Crossmen 86.65 - Carolina Crown 85.60 - Magic of Orlando (11th Place) 84.40 - Spirit from JSU 80.30 - Mandarins (17th Place) AUGUST 7 - DCI QUARTERFINALS - ORLANDO, FL 2005 SCORES and REVIEWS JULY 26 - TROJAN SUMMER MUSIC GAMES - TROY, AL 92.050 - The Cavaliers 90.850 - Blue Devils 86.800 - Carolina Crown 83.100 - Spirit from JSU 80.200 - Colts 75.100 75.100 - Mandarins (July 25 - Baton Rouge, LA DCI Red Stick Thunder Pageant) 74.100 - The Magic July 25 - Baton Rouge, LA[/b] DCI Red Stick Thunder Pageant of Champions 70.950 - Troopers 66.500 - Kiwanis Kavaliers