Leaderboard

Hi, I did not quit Pioneer during the season. I had to leave before Allentown because of a family emergency. The staff we had in place did a great job of filling in when I wasn't able to be there. I would reiterate what previous staff members have said in the past...conjecture is not reality. Please be respectful. Wishing you the best.

Good luck with your new gig!

I knew they would get ‘round to it.

I'm going to sound like a serious noob, which I'm not. Been around the activity since '83, and I'm a big SCV fan though I didn't march there. But I couldn't figure out what Dan Potter and Michael Boo were talking about when they talked about tons of references to past SCV shows in Babylon. Anyone care to educate me?

I won't lie, it's probably the black and white photo combine with the glasses but he looks like someone who might have helped write the Warren Report.

I'm not speaking about anyone specific. I don't recall actual staffers being so touchy about this thread in the recent past. Have we crossed a new threshold?

And Michael Turner comes home to Madison! http://www.madisonscouts.org/2018/09/madison-scouts-welcome-back-michael-turner/

It's probably cymbalic of something...

I've started writing this comment so many times, only to delete it and move on. ...but I took the survey and question surrounding members being required to be 18+ really got to me. Now don't get me wrong, I completely and totally understand the reasoning behind this question and put the safety of members as top priority. However, I also had a member who started with DCI at 14 and marched a top 5 corps at 17. The lessons drum corps brought my MM is something that I think has helped set the stage for a lot of different situations in life and the ability to handle them. I am fully aware that each experience is different and my heart hurts for those who have been affected so negatively by the actions of others. That is in no way acceptable. For my own MM and many that I know, the activity brought them some of the best times in their young lives and some amazing friends who all had the same passion, attitude, and work ethic. It brought them the ability to try that one more time, even when they thought they had nothing left. It brought the ability to grow not only as a musician, but also as a person. It taught them that there sometimes we all need someone to lean on and sometimes we need to be there for others. It brought the feeling of connection with a generation so different than their own. An ability to connect with those 'outside their circle. There were obstacles, broken buses (they happen), a grueling schedule, conflicts (we are human after all), and a whole lot of sun...but there was also leadership, education, comradeship, adaptability, confidence, and ton of support. It has led me to volunteer and continually give back to our music programs. To encourage those kids who may need that extra bit of whatever. Drum Corps changed my MM and we are forever touched by those who have been instrumental in the journey. We aren't done (obviously), but I cannot imagine not having it been a part of our lives for the past 4 years. To all the instructors, staff, volunteers, alumni and members who are the positives of this activity & embody what Drum Corps should be about, Thank you!!

Sorry. I never understood the hype with cymbal lines. It’s an extremely limited instrument and the mms spend most of the show doing silly visuals instead of actually playing. Total waste of field space, IMO.

thank God for my screen name

Nice move to the circumference of the situation.

I mean, I'm not diametrically opposed to it...

That's actually a pretty cool rebrand. Mike

Pretty sure they don't have to keep paying the old staff. Are these not positions that existed before?

wise move

The Gall family of brothers (Josh, Jacob, Luke) have been phenomenal when each marched Cadets, some continuing as techs, and now continuing to be great as adults and music educators. Their dad set the path and has put them in great directions. Great add for Genesis.

Genesis has hired Josh Gall as Artistic Director. http://www.genesisdbc.org/creative-staff.html

.....Staff's use to consist of? We had a drum guy, horn guy, drill guy and a guard girl! Some of the older kids would jump in as "assistants." Today you could start a corps with the size of the staff's! Our last year (1976 Royal Coachmen) we had three drum guys (two would come once in a while), one horn guy (from Toronto every so often) and the drill guy would come from Toronto with the horn guy. Guard was done by a former member. That was our staff!

well that's no fun LOL

Welcome back Michael Turner! I marched with Michael and he's a GREAT talent! He was a part of and taught Madison at a time when Madison's Guards were true innovators and bar setters in DCI!...Welcome home Michael!

I'm pretty sure Savannah is not at all seen as a "token" within the Troopers organization.

Firstly - I had no idea you were related to Gunny! He was a quiet devotee of the Troopers for so long, and I was glad to have met him, if it was just for a few short hours one summer day in 2008. His joy in doing what he was able to do for the corps and some of our drum majors over the years was obvious. Secondly, I'm sad that you feel the tribute to Savannah's historic appointment is not appropriate. I'm not here to try to change your mind. I do hear your point, and I can agree to some extent. Yet, I have to recognize that the Troopers are sitting at an historic crossroads moment as an organization. I assume that Savannah, along with the Troopers family and friends, understands the significance of her appointment in the context of the history of Troopers drum majors. I can't help but be certain that Savannah's accomplishments definitely put her at the top of the list; however, I can see how one might not directly get that from the video. Lastly, we all know that some changes come slowly. For many years it seemed that there was a specific "image" that many people held dear about the Troopers drum major, and that attachment was often tied to the uniform they wore and the unmistakably masculine ethos it projected. I don't think there's any harm in acknowledging that this particular appointment signals a deep commitment by the Troopers organization to set a new course.

Ba dum tss !

Or maybe a crash diet.

That's a bold statement.

On the one-year anniversary of 9/11, members of Crossmen and The Cadets traveled to Richmond, Virginia on Nascar's dime to perform The National Anthem and God Bless America. I remember getting picked up a rest stop on I-95, the police escort into the stadium, rehearsing for a few hours, and the amazing opportunity to reunite one last time with people who I never expected to get the chance to perform with again. Getting together one month after finals was an amazing "one more time" bonus performance, especially for such an emotional reason. The video is titled 2002 Crossmen - God Bless America @ NASCAR for those looking for it...

SCV STAFF: UNREAL. Neither of the ENTIRE DRUM CORPS that I marched in had that many people teaching or ON THE FIELD!!!!!! Elphaba

the problem with the decision for so many places to cut cymbals is this: it's a highly specialized instrument, and those that choose to do it are extremely motivated. These kids have to be kick ### musically and visually and physically.....you carry your arms in the set position for hours a day, master all of the techniques, and then all the visual stuff. There's a lot of kids that dream of being a cymbal player in a top corps...and so few places left to do it. Now, when tubas get cut for low end synth patches, to many that'll be the end of the world. But you can't duplicate what a marching cymbal line can give you musically and visually by cutting them and "letting the pit do it". Why? Can't pull the kids off of the keyboards long enough. Then again, one of the selling points for amplification in 2002 was that pits could shrink as you'd need less of them. Well, yeah about that... and IMO, the caption heads letter about the game evolving is a pure slap in the face to cymbal players. Saying you're outdated. Well they sure seem to be relevant in indoor now don't they? I'd be saying this regardless of the corps. I had the distinct pleasure and joy of learning the art of marching cymbals in 2000 as well as being allowed to tech them for a while. It was truly eye opening, and i continue to seek out more knowledge about this wonderful art that is so marginalized by way too many in the activity. I mean hell, the leads only play 1/3 of the show right? Cut the thirds and let the leads cover their parts when they aren't fracking or hanging releases

As many of you know, Oregon Crusaders is my home corps. My son marched with this corps for five years and had the time of his life. And as a corps volunteer for those same years, I have to say, so did I. The ED and several board members are still people I can walk up to and say "Hi, how are you doing?" All the talk about some horrible thing that went down with OC has been deeply disturbing to me. I know this corps and whatever the nitty gritty details are, I know that at its heart, this is a corps that has always strived to put the member experience first. I know some of what went down this year, but not all. I can only say that OC will learn and grow from the experience. I would like to share this letter sent out by the board president. This is the reaction that I would absolutely expect. The Oregon Crusaders would like to thank the over 200 people who were part of the OC family in 2018. It truly takes a village, and together we have created memories that will last a lifetime. The drum corps activity, and the Oregon Crusaders specifically, is always in motion, as are the Oregon Crusaders. Just as the fleet returns home and the members have said their goodbyes to their friends, it’s time to review the past season and then look ahead to plan the next step in our journey. In evaluating the 2018 season, there were many people, several members and staff included, that didn’t feel heard or supported this season. The Board of Directors and administrators want to provide the most progressive, positive, and fulfilling culture in all of drum corps. In order to accomplish that, we are planning several steps to improve communications channels. Among other activities that we’ll outline in the coming weeks, we will be creating overarching staff and administration sensitivity and cultural training. We will also be chartering a Human Resources Committee of the board that will serve as a common channel for all personnel-related policies, practices, and escalations of staff and member concerns. While many of the relevant human resources policies already existed, the Board strengthened them this past spring in response to Drum Corps International’s efforts in this area (http://oregoncrusaders.org/policies-and-procedures). We have also reached out to other drum corps leaders to ensure that we include the best practices available in the activity. We are pleased to announce that Donna Batchelor, co-chair of the Drum Corps Board Consortium, will serve as an independent consultant with the Oregon Crusaders’ board and administrative leadership throughout this process. We will also re-emphasize the qualities that we as Oregon Crusaders value most -- love, support, equality, understanding, teamwork, strength, confidence, and professionalism. Our OC team will be the first to dedicate ourselves to those qualities, and if you have an interest in being with the Oregon Crusaders for the 2019 season and becoming a part of this renewed and exciting cultural focus, we welcome you! Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you on the road ahead.

Nice music. I suppose whether or not such music would fit would be determined by the Theme for the show thats selected. As I'm sure you know, each Corps first selects what their Theme for the next season will be, then selects the music, visuals., props, attire, etc that they believe will best capture that new Theme they have selected. Thus, all music that might be really great, needs to be first viewed in the context on whether or not it complements the Theme and the Visuals in a" great way ". Boston's staff has done a very good job selecting the music and arranging that music along with the Visuals for their chosen themes the last 2 seasons, since they came to Boston, imo. That said, as a standalone classical music piece I do like your choice here for a Music composition that is probably underperformed by Drum Corps. Has it been performed before ? If so, by whom, and when, PRFan4ever ?

Oh, I’m sure I’ve made a few.

Madison has a new visual caption head: http://www.madisonscouts.org/2018/09/madison-scouts-welcome-mike-hardiek-visual-caption-head/

PETA would certainly have problems with a person marching a spotted cow from flooded Wesconsin to Rocky Mt. Colorado. The cow on grass wouldn't be the same. :-p

Pragmatist - WTF, fill'er up.

No one will ever know.

several corps have reacted to the backlash and kept the cymbals. Rennick was never a big cymbal guy before SCV, and the first question asked in an interview when he got the gig was if he was going to cut the plates.

Me thinks you'll be a busy lady preparing for March 14th.

Marginally related: Pioneer Indoor from Romeoville, Illinois is no more. The new indoor group is Pi Percussion.

Looks like Genesis has a new brass staff and caption head... Congrats to Andy Grindle!! http://www.genesisdbc.org/brass-staff.html

'National Touring Corps'.... wouldn't that include all the open class corps that compete in Michigan City as well? I'm seeing a lot of tiny corps if all members have to be 18+.

Cadets 87. Reprise the melody while playing backfield and the drill puts them into position to march off the field like a boss after the last note fades.

That one's kinda reversed, actually. MotN as a closer was much more extensive of a piece than in the opener. Usually it's the other way around.

this looks like potentially a cool show... but it doesn't seem like a "Crossmen" show to me. But, neither did last year.

Some Valkyries action? I have a title suggestion: Norse Code

Yes, it is OC's fault if they have a homophobic bus driver. There are many things people in charge of OC could do to end it the moment they found out about it. The people running the corps were not innocent bystanders, nor were they victims of circumstance. The gay members were. Period. "What were they to do" is beyond stupid. Any other sentiment is pure cowardice and a pathetic attempt at deflection of responsibility.

You've gotta be kidding me. It seems like you are a little close to the board and staff at OC to see clearly. I don't necessarily put a huge weight on anonymous reddit comments but I will take the words of many actual members with names and faces over a DCP poster with connections to the corps. Seeing all the non-anonymous comments on Facebook is eye opening

I really don't know what " an illusion pass" is. Maybe somebody here might know. I think it refers to the NY Yankees chances of catching the Boston Red Sox in the AL East before the regular season ends... but don't quote me on it.

Flo Marching interviews one of the 2018 Boston Crusaders Color Guard Captains ( Merrily Lyons )... and before She knows where the Corps and Boston Guard would place on Finals Night. Pretty cool now in retrospect, imo. https://www.flomarching.com/events/6180291-2018-dci-world-championships/videos?playing=6245536&limit=60

Here it is.