Leaderboard

Excellent choice. Great credentials.

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

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!

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.

Hope she does well!! On the surface it seems like a very strong hire! G.

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.

There are divided opinions regarding Roman Blenski and the issues last summer with Pioneer were serious matters, no question. While many want him out and banished, there are some who do agree it was time for him to go and believe he was not up to the task of directing a drum corps, but believe his past contributions should not be ignored. If his being involved in fundraising turns out to be accurate and he is involved in decision making or handling funds, that could be problematic. If his being involved with fundraising activities such as being present at golf tournaments, putting the current board in touch with donors, etc., that should not be too much of a problem. True some may be angry and may not give, but there are others who might not give if they believe RB was pushed out the door. People who do fundraising for a profession are usually pretty savvy and do consulting. Give them the history as well as the most recent issues, and they can make a recommendation regarding RB’s participation that would be objective in a short period of time. This is often what is done with private schools when an administrator who was problematic is removed. I know we will never be putting Roman Blenski in the same category as Bill Cook, George Bonfiglio, or Gail Royer, but he’s not in the same category as another infamous director either.

With all due respect to these other posters. Please remember this drum corps is here before DCA, DCI through the dedication and hard work Roman and Sue we may not agree with Roman or Sue in the all aspects of this great Organization, but it has fulfilled the dreams of many young kids including me and I am forever grateful for the experiences that they gave me. There are literally thousands of kids who have great memories and experiences please remember that because you don’t agree with him does not mean he’s a great man and wife. Roman and Sue are getting older now we must look for solutions to continue this great organization not be hurtful to these great people they have made mistakes and we must help them with solutions to continue the pioneer family I truly believe that if you cannot make any positive statements or help us find solutions please keep your negative opinions to yourself. It is very helpful if you can respectfully disagree with in our family and if we can’t solve the problems then you must utilize the means of DCI. Let’s all move together forward in a positive and loving way because we are truly a negative world and we don’t need that better every day remember I think we take this for granted may God bless Roman and Sue and his family in thank you from Jesse Reyes ❤️

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.

Update: Scott Stewart was removed from the board. ------ Scott Stewart, who was the director of the Kilties (DCA) & currently serving on Pioneer's interim board of directors, allowed Morgan Larson (former member of the Madison Scouts in the mid 80s, infamous director of the CapitolAires and a lifetime registered sex offender) to march in the corps in 2011-2013. https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-73191042.html https://www.wicourts.gov/ca/opinion/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=11254 https://www.offenderradar.com/details/wi/10906/morgan-c-larson https://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/6136979602/in/album-909548 https://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php?/topic/145606-give-a-big-shout-out/ https://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php?/topic/146995-my-slightly-late-drums-on-parade-review/ Larson's arrest and conviction would have clearly been known to Stewart, considering Madison Jr. Scouts absorbed CapitolAires to form Capital Sound. https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.arts.marching.drumcorps/I9UbKVE_pMI Concerns about Larson's participation with the Kilties were raised at the time by members of the drum corps community. Those concerns were summarily refuted and/or ignored. The Kilties performed at several high schools in Wisconsin during those years, and also at several DCI-sanctioned events in which children were present. There were also minors in the corps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Yh5FIa0mo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggfqLqN0nf4 Here is a link to more information on Morgan Larson, including his involvement with a Soundsport group sponsored by the Cavaliers in 2018 (that's right, 2018....THIS summer). https://www.reddit.com/r/drumcorps/comments/99j37v/come_on_roman/e4o5ihk Pioneer was suspended for employing a registered sex offender, among many other things. Now I don't know about you, but if I'm rebuilding a corps' board of directors who was previously a rubber stamp for the wishes of a man who knowingly and willingly employed a registered sex offender, I'm not going to reach out to someone who knowingly and willingly allowed a registered sex offender to participate in his all-age corps, and then ask him to serve on the new board, even in an interim capacity. At best, the optics are horrible. At worst, it's grounds for immediate and permanent disqualification (especially on the heels of the reveal that Roman Blenski is still involved with Pioneer). Everything linked above is public record.

Wearing my smart aleck hat I can say if you are thick skinned enough to survive DCP, you can handle any audition and reapplication process! Now my serious advice. People I know who either have taught at the college level or are currently teaching at the college level always say adult learners are more serious minded and enthusiastic. I have never taught on the college level but I have taught in adult education settings. Believe me, even for non graded classes, I have to do my homework in preparation. They’re serious! You’re nervous, that’s because it’s important to you. Lack confidence? It’s never easy going back to the classroom. I taught for middle school for six years before returning to the classroom so I could do what I do today. I love to learn and read all the time. It was a huge adjustment going back to school. You’ve also mentioned work in previous posts. That’s life experience. That’s huge. All the best!

In through the nose, out through the mouth. Piece of cake Hook'em.

Wow... best wishes to my fellow Longhorns fan!!! You will knock it out of the park!!!

Very welcomed news, IMO.

It's one thing to admit mistakes but another to say what those mistakes are. Until I hear specifics I'm not sure he knows what the fuss is about. And more than ONE grave mistake imo.

Other than Scott and Steve....it's still the old Pioneer. RB still making decisions in background.

thats my concern. I am sure his heart is in the right place. But given all that came out, perception is huge....is having his name involved really that good of an idea?

First and foremost.. member safety... I would propose that each corps must have a dedicated, full time safety and compliance officer. Someone completely independent of instructional or design staff. I would also propose that this individual reports DIRECTLY to DCI and not corps management. If an issue of member safety arises, this individual should be compelled to report findings to DCI and the relevant legal authorities if required and have the authority of the sanctioning body to shut down a corps if compliance issues are not addressed in a timely and satisfactory manner. Enough is enough. It is time for draconian measures. It isn't 1989 anymore. Also on the safety front... Modern drum corps is a very physical activity. A fully qualified sports medicine professional should be required on all staffs as well as a fully qualified dietician. If we can afford high cost equipment and instructors, we can afford that the members are properly fed and cared for. On the competition side of things... Separate field percussion judges... Battery and pit are two completely different beasts. All shows MUST have full judging panels. The members pay a lot of money to be taught by and evaluated by world class level educators and the fans pay a lot to watch. This is the least all should expect. On that same token... Minimum show length of 10:00. The fans pay a lot of money to see what corps do. It is ripping them off to only see half a show. If a corps has less than 10 minutes on the field, I would assess the penalties at five hundredths (.05) for every second under the minimum time, ie... If a corps came out minus their closer and their show was only 7:30 in length the penalty would be 7.5 points (150 seconds x .05).

The choice of metaphor in your original post distracts from content.

As a BIG BD fan it was a bit hard to see them in grey uniforms. But after the first hit it was all forgotten .One of the BEST horn-lines EVER in DCI. Sophistication and elegance was this show. Man...I miss just hearing actual horn lines with out the amps.

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...