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All right, let's just squash this unfounded, fictional invention of the mind like the insect that it is. Fred was not fired. Period. Any suggestion that he was, is a slander. By the way, the signups for the first audition camp are coming in just fine, thank you. You know, the Troopers could hand out $100 bills to fans at every show, and someone would find a reason to criticize them. For several seasons they ran all their camps out of Dallas and several other non-Wyoming locations, and they got roasted for not being Wyoming enough. Now they hold camps in their own state and they get roasted for being, you know, Wyoming, which apparently no one is able to find without a Sherpa. For goodness' sake, Cheyenne is a 2-hour bus ride from Denver International Airport, which sits smack in the center of the North American Continent. I mean, you can't find a major airport that is more geographically centered than Denver. They know about buses in Wyoming. They have running water, too. Kids who go to BD camps have to fly into SFO, then ride BART -- by themselves -- for 1 1/2 hours to get to Concord. Then they have to Uber themselves and their bags to the hotel, and then carpool/taxi their way to the audition site. At least with Troopers, you meet the bus at the curb at DIA, climb on with a bunch of other Trooper hopefuls, and it takes you directly to the rehearsal site. And back. I fail to see how that is somehow more "difficult for members to attend" than any other audition camp.

Chuck is an ideal hire for scouts imo not just a talented brass guy but also a well suited arranger should he end up helping with that as well my interactions with him over the years have been quite positive and professional- frankly just seems like a great guy personally as well as an enthusiastic and focused teacher the slam on here about his “real job” is extremely inappropriate and speaks more to character of the person posting the insult than it does to Chuck

Hi, sitting in the Theatre at the IAM headquarters in Hyde Park on the 3rd day of our annual retreat weekend. All too often I read about the negative things going on in our activity. It is worth sharing that what we do on an annual basis as it is a very positive and motivating weekend. We tie in our annual Golf tournament on Friday when people are arriving ahead of the meetings. We have moved the meetings to the Marriott in Quincy to accommodate the majority of the 50 Board members coming in from out of state. The Golf tournament was a huge success despite battling through the rain. We maxed out sponsors and players and raised over $60K net. The Board retreat is run on Saturday 9 - 6 at the Marriott and today a half day at our building in Hyde Park. Last night we hosted a IAM volunteer appreciation night at the House of Blues in Boston - this was a first and a huge success. The Board covers numerous topics during the weekend including: reviewing & updating our strategic plan, 2018 year in review, getting a view of the business plan for the next 3 years including a focus on the 80th anniversary, a coaching session on raising money and "how to ask", review of the budget for 2019, approval of strategic plan adjustments, M&A update and finally Health & safety update. Today at the building we review the Board survey, all program updates including BAC, and a focus on our largest Asset - the Building. Running a successful non profit is a huge commitment and we are fortunate to have a great BOD.

Ridiculous post award!

It is finally done. https://www.dci.org/news/dci-membership-removes-george-hopkins-from-hall-of-fame

My girlfriend is a high school director. She was moved into the job because she was a very good middle school director. Administrators think everyone's end goal is to have a high school job. It is not. She wishes she could have her middle school job back because she prefers teaching the younger kids and frankly because high school kids think they already know everything and can be extremely difficult to deal with. Additionally, no high school program anywhere can truly be great without top notch middle school feeder programs.

so because he's a middle school band director means he is unqualified? The guy helped make the colts a finalist, and in fact, they haven't been as good since he left. His work at Crossmen stands out as some of their best years since the 90's, as well as some work with DCA corps. So yeah, he's a middle school band director. He's also earned his reputation as one of the good brass people in the activity

Hey guys, I have some good news.... I just rescheduled my audition for the school of music at SHSU. I admit I am nervous about this audition and reapplying for school (not completely confident about that). I guess I am mostly posting this here because of how welcoming the dci/dcp community has been towards me (especially The Cavaliers). Still not exactly sure how this is going to go down, but here we go!

Yes I think so. More women in leadership positions is a message drum corps needs.

I'm currently an administrator at a middle school. Our teachers are a godsend. It takes a special person to deal with young individuals who are on the cusp of knowing who they are as individuals. Middle school age is the 2nd most productive time of brain growth and development. Middle school-age children began moving from concrete to abstract thinking and to the beginnings of metacognition. To have an individual like Chuck on staff will benefit the Scouts greatly. Educators make some of the best instructors in the activity.

Maybe all time... The best teachers I have EVER SEEN are Middle School teachers. Period. Fact. No credible argument can be made unless you are galactically ignorant. I guess that’s how some judge quality teachers. What grade they teach. Stupid. Dazzlingly stupid.

I recall that Santa Clara did ok under Royer, and his music specialty was strings. Chuck Naffier enjoys the greatest respect among his peers. The Scouts have scored a real coup with this acquisition. P.S. I won the Dream, but only once.

Chuck's resume in drum corps is bulletproof. Hiring him at Madison is a *great* call, and you have no idea what the heck you're talking about.

Excellent choice. Great credentials.

Gail Royer was an elementary school music teacher.

Clearly you aren't familiar with all he has done in the activity.

Looks like a new leader at the YEA! House! https://yea.org/news/2076-youth-education-in-the-arts-announces-new-executive-director

this name has been a hot topic for a long time, and some posters here were bashed for being whistle blowers. I am sure they feel vindicated today.

In what ways should the Cavaliers be held accountable, as ML was involved with a group that they sponsor? I understand Scott not being on the board any longer, but shouldn't the Cavaliers be looked at under the same microscope?

Yikes. Too bad he can't be extricated from the organization. Was this a decision of the new interim board? I have provided financial support to Pioneer in the past (donations and souvenir purchases mainly) and was prepared to donate to them again. However, not while he's in any way associated. I hope this is a rumor.

they arent already?😇

Why is this news? Women have been drum majors in Drum Corps for some time now. Are we moving back to women's suffrage? Everyone is a victim in today's America.

Ah, so clearly you interviewed him and he stated it's for the money. I see now that you have complete and total first hand knowledge of his salary at both organizations, and that you were able to get so far ibto Mr Gallant's mind to see that he's a money hungry, money grabber. As for BD, yea they were historically bad in 2018 by only getting 2nd so something had to give. I'm sorry I had forgotten just how much panic and jack of sleep BD is now getting due to Michael Gaines being at SCV. Thank you for all the brilliance and clarity brought out by your post. It's so refreshing to see such clear thinking and logic is in there.

nope, otherwise (as in color guard under current system) only one judge is deciding who is best. Average is also the opinion of more than one person and limits rigging by bias. Unless of course you have suddenly become a fan of infallibility...

Big tactical error for the Crossmen, because when they get towards the end the season then the staff can't push them harder than normal.