Leaderboard

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.

??? Having to provide one's own housing for auditions plus transportation and food is not unheard of in the activity. For years Regiment members at auditions and some camps were released for a time to walk into town and buy their own meals; great bonding time among mms according to many. Recent faculties noted the lost practice time and the current process is different. The Colts had a deal with Hampton Inn where auditionees paid for their own rooms. This went on for several seasons. BD has mms arrange and pay for their own housing during ST and I'm told, some camps at times. This is still the current practice, no pun intended. As early as SCV's time under G. Royer and as late as 2005, the corps made arrangement with local motels who charged auditionees discounted rates. Many corps having out of town auditions follow this practice of auditionees paying for housing; this is true especially recently as schools are loathe to allow overnight stays particularly to groups who aren't local or who have almost no relationship to the school district. Cadets for a few seasons of Texas auditions used a mega-church's auditorium and participants slept elsewhere.

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.

Start like everyone else, at the bottom, do anything, look, listen, learn and never stop, IF you want longevity in this activity. Actually, it is like your 1st job, just because one marches does not mean they can teach, mistakes like this are made often and no different than it's ever been. HS programs can be a start BUT even there often the best is sought after. Patience, like in everything is needed and desire and never think you are beyond learning no matter how long one is doing this. It's the only reason for longevity. Without this most come and go.. Just my opinion as someone who has been around. Another thing, many think they are designers BUT need to know the talent is also a Tech. A good tech is worth their weight in gold and many more and sought after positions there than for designers. Not everyone needs to be the creator BUT the creator needs those who can make it happen.

clarification: on DCP, borg is only to be used with the Cadets. trademarked oh, 2002

My nephew was a trombonist with Mucca Pazza a few years ago.

You're really swell at cutting and pasting. But like I said in the other thread. You're saying you dislike BD more now because this gentlemen CHOSE to apply for an open position at BD, but it's somehow BD's fault. #logicalposts

https://www.lostandfoundtobe.com/have-you-ever-heard-brass-techno-watch-meute-creating-history/

I want 2 of them or more

IIRC, Troopers have had Rennick percussion charts for six years now.

I suppose another credible accusation was, sadly, inevitable.

True. I merely pointed out what one particular DCI Corps does now ( that I'm familiar with ). As I'm sure you're aware X, not all, nor even most, DCI Corps in World Class/ Open Class operate the same when it comes to Transportation,. Housing, Feeding. Safety, Touring, Fund Raising, Tuition, etc issues. Not BITD..... and not now either.

He heard Northern Thunderous applause!

Boston Crusaders now have current staffers and/ or alums that are employed at their schools/ colleges that they have most of their auditions and move ins at, so currently they are able to provide transportation. housing, and the feeding of their auditioneers/ marchers. Boston has busses that pick up and return the auditioneers at airports, and also alums/ long time volunteers make airport trips to and and fro audition/ move in sites. Last season, Boston was able to secure ( and pay for ) the Univ. of Castleton's Dining Services Div. for the feeding of its marchers at May Move ins. It wasn't always this way at Boston though. Some years .. in the 70's/ 80's... the Corps basically did what it had to do to just survive some seasons, including transportation in their own cars long distance sometimes by mm's to summer competitions, sleeping in those cars, or out under the stars at shows, and feeding themselves pretty much all the time, summer tours included, for awhile there.

I was hoping it was McCormick’s the spice company. I’d love to think every time I sprinkle a bit of Montreal Steak seasoning on a sirloin or add a bit of Perfect Pinch to my Shepherd’s Pie I was supporting the Cavaliers!

Just an interesting aside to the situation. This is now the second time recently that BD has gone to other corps and not hired from within nor have BD admins been notably hired elsewhere.

Oh, don't be so borgeoisie.

First the Troopers need to recruit members. For Percussion auditions Nov 23 -Nov 25 and Dec 14-16 at Poteet High School, Mesquite TX. (You are required to provide your own housing, transportation and meals for these audition events) This is unheard of in the activity. Brass auditions are in Cheyenne which will be difficult for potential members to attend. Troopers recruitment area shrinks to a small area not known for supplying marching members. The untold story of the 2018 season was how noncompetitive the Troopers were. Fred deserved to be fired. New team has a tremendous task ahead of them.

Newbie question. Is there a shortage of talented designers? God bless the designers working for 2, 3 or more corps yet, how does the young designer get a shot at the DCI level if you don’t let them work at that level? Its like not being hired for your first job because you don’t have enough experience.

now Troop needs to be sure they have the people to clean it

and again, these things don't happen overnight.

Umm, no. This is a promotion, of sorts. Some people strive for career progression, and a great opportunity arose and he went for it.

I hate when people ruin the joke by not getting it...now I hate that I'm one of those people

I could see that happening because the Patriots haven't won anything in a year or so. LOL

When do we yell "Vanguard!" ???

Thought I'd mention 2019 season news in the 2019 thread. Shaun Gallant is the new Executive Director in Concord.

and they did have something...continued slipping on the tarps!

Because...you know...the entire color guard will want to take time off to go shopping or watch "The Notebook" or something. Yes, as Brian mentioned I was channeling the Flo commentator as a joke: The commentator (who was later fired), said during the Eastern Classic that as an all male corps, the Cavaliers have something up their sleeve for finals week because the fact that they're all male means the staff can push them harder than normal.

Oh do tell. What was Clement Clarke Moore really saying about Santa's third reindeer?

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.

Forget the kids who wanted to play cymbals or the guys in the guard. The designers ego is the #1 priority. Welcome to today's DCI.

And who said they should just fire them without having a replacement? Why the deflecting? I am saying it plainly. I think CK and DP need to be replaced. If you disagree, fine. But don't try to turn the discussion into a strawman that doesn't exist.

It appears he and DP are still firmly ensconced in the organization. Head scratcher.

not the guys

Is CK still employed my the Scouts? Why? Can you imagine his performance appraisal? Ouch. He should have been put on a PIP a few years ago & terminated by now.

As directors, we've all used a little spit and glue from time to time to get the corps down the street. That means driving a truck if you're a little short to pay a driver. That means floating a few kids' fees on your own credit card because they promised to pay by Friday but showed up without the check. That means, sometimes, trying like hell to look at the big picture of 100 people and doing what you darn well hope is the right thing so you don't let people down and throwing up a Hail Mary that things will get sorted out on the fly. Is that always super-prudent? You know what? Probably not. And one's heart in the right place sometimes runs counter to what's available on the balance sheet. If you've run a group, you've been there. There is no doubt about it. "We can get caught up with Thursday-Saturday Bingo" is a familiar phrase. It is what it is. They got there. They did pretty well. They looked the part. They got past some real drama to get there (and the expectation of payments due that did not come in left them in a tough spot). We go on. It isnt the first time we've seen it. It won't be the last. Understanding it means to do something positive (like we did with Bushwackers), make it right with the Corporate people (I'm sure Allen is on top of it and the Williamsport people are pros and will go to bat for the event), and let the new people at Sun build on the momentum that it looks like they created in short order.

Thank you, Fran. This is our 4th season back and we're having a good time. Each year gets a bit better, a bit more sophisticated... but still fun. We're embracing contemporary/thematic show design, but without some of the trappings of contemporary drum corps. We're using unplugged G Bugles and it's glorious. The best of both worlds.

Jason, glad to see you guys are still out there getting it done!!!

I think the Cadets did a good job of analyzing their weaknesses from last season and they made changes as needed. Given the extreme situation last season, I feel the current design staff did a really good job and deserves another shot. I'm excited to see what this staff can do with a normal off season and no George Hopkins!

That might be a pretty good bet. Perhaps not full payment... but a good-sized percentage.

More drill, more drill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Meh-adison Scouts? I'm awaiting the announcement that Chris Komnick is no longer the ED. Until that happens we're just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. In my opinion.

No, he was on top of the mountain and chased the $$$. BD was second last season, something they disdain. Get used to it! It was Michael Gaines that made SCV into the BD Nightmare. The lead horse has now got another viewpoint...and the scenery won’t change.