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Showing content with the highest reputation on 07/12/2020 in all areas

  1. I certainly wouldn’t want to lose my sense of taste. Though I guess I could always become a modern DCI show designer.
    4 points
  2. I submitted a plan to my administration on a standstill, music only model for my "marching" band (Virginia) kids. - Sectionals after school with the kids who are at school that day (1/4 of all kids come Monday, 1/4 Tuesday, 1/4 Wed, 1/4 Thurs, and then a teacher work day Friday to contact kids who can't come to school in person) and one combined rehearsal Thursday nights. - Perform in open air venue in town, open to the public. - Parades (if there are any) They responded with requests for more details on specific logistics on how I'd keep the kids safe. Still working on it. So, FWIW, the schools are allowing us to do this marching band thing as long as we keep the kids safe, at least where I am. This is the perfect opportunity to show our education system that things like marching band don't need football to exist. 🙂
    4 points
  3. These are all very important matters for organizations to address. I don’t want anyone to be harassed or excluded or treated unfairly because of their race, gender, orientation, religion, ideology, or geographic background. For these and other reasons, the language organizations use in making these statements is critical. It seems to me you can express a commitment to specifically defined ideals without aligning with a particular movement or organization. Any organization who does the latter suggests to me that they either didn’t care enough to put real thought into the matter or they care more about appearances than the actual people they want to be seen as helping.
    3 points
  4. First of all, the statement posted by the Cadets refers to "changes that will create a Cadets organization that is more diverse, inclusive, and anti-racist". This goes beyond racism and is an attempt to address many discrimination issues. https://cadets.org/the-cadets-establish-equality-and-inclusion-committee/ Second, the Cadets are not the first organization to make an announcement of this type. Just one year ago this month, the Madison Scouts made the announcement they were adopting an "inclusive membership policy", essentially opening corps membership to ALL genders, including women, trans, and non-binary members. http://www.madisonscouts.org/2019/07/madison-scouts-adopt-inclusive-membership-policy/ The Scouts organization also made an equally important announcement at the beginning of June, affirming their commitment to the Black Lives Matter movement and specific steps they were taking, similar to what the Cadets alluded to in their announcement earlier this month. http://www.madisonscouts.org/2020/06/our-commitment-to-the-black-lives-matter-movement/ Whether announcements like these from the Cadets, Scouts, and other marching arts organizations are simply "virtue signaling", as some have suggested, will depend on what actions take place as a result. If NOTHING changes, then, yes, all we have seen so far is virtue signaling. Considering the Cadets announcement is just a week old, it is way too soon to judge. Action is necessary, however. Sexual harassment and assault is still a major issue the activity has not fully addressed, and not just by the Cadets. Recall that Tricia Nadolny, the reporter who broke the George Hopkins story, assisted by very brave survivors of his assaults, also reported on similar issues taking place at the Oregon Crusaders. Issues which, when left unaddressed outside of ACTUAL virtue signaling by the OC admins, led to the staff resigning from the corps en masse after the 2018 season in protest. The Crusaders may never take the field again as a result. Until real change occurs, they should not as membership safety is definitely questionable in that environment. https://www.inquirer.com/news/a/drum-corp-international-sexual-assault-misconduct-mike-stevens-george-hopkins-cadets-20181213.html Speaking of Tricia Nadolny, she also broke the story on Roman Blenski's actions at Pioneer. Blenski not only endangered the membership ("snitches get stitches") but also racially insulted the Mexican and South African members of the corps. https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/drum-bugle-corps-pioneer-cadets-george-hopkins-drum-corps-international-dci-20180823.html As for the Cadets, somebody early in this thread mentioned Sara Bowden, a trans non-binary member of the corps from 2016 to 2018. They have posted their tour journals from all three seasons and are very active on Twitter. They have also talked about how, as a member of the brass section leadership, they were openly disrespected by other members due to their gender and orientation, and how the corps administration did nothing to protect them. They were one of the former members who called out the corps on Twitter for their "Pride" tweet, and their experience with the corps is just one example of why this new Cadets policy is necessary. If you are on Twitter, I highly recommend following them. https://twitter.com/broskivafli Finally, the Bluecoats recently posted an episode of their brass podcast where they interviewed Black members and staff and discussed their experiences in the activity. These interviews are just a small sample size of the kind of treatment BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color) still experience in this activity we love so much. https://bluecoats.com/brasspodcast/2020/6/15/9-the-black-experience-in-dci In my capacity as DCP Managing News Editor, I try not to get involved in sensitive discussions like these in the forums because my goal is to inform and make sure the facts are known. Since this discussion came from one of the front page postings I added to the site, I wanted to put forth what I knew and what I thought, along with some background as to how we got to this point and my current perspective. I hope this adds to the discussion.
    3 points
  5. Who cares? Kids aren’t the only ones who are involved with the marching arts
    3 points
  6. Not trying to start an argument or insult but..... Every Coronavirus case/death IS anecdotal (3m of them) and feeds the data. Difference is if you know someone or not.... As for reading the data.... each week seems like one side or the other... or both changes what numbers are important (cases, death rates, ICU, etc). Just whatever suits their purpose
    3 points
  7. Times are changing, but there is more to do so member safety and well being is more than just lip service.
    2 points
  8. Just thinking of the times comments or questions were made why I wear a mask. When I basically reply “for other people” the response is ?????? as if doing things for others “does not compute”. No idea why.....
    2 points
  9. In case you missed it: "In congressional testimony on June 30, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, addressed questions around children and the coronavirus. 'We don't really know, exactly, what the efficiency of spread is' among children. The NIH, Fauci mentioned, is currently studying 2,000 families to understand the rate of infection for children and 'how often they infect their families.' During the testimony, [CDC director Dr. Robert] Redfield also mentioned that the CDC is currently studying households to understand what role children play in passing the virus on. 'We don't know the impact that children have yet on the transmission cycle,' Redfield said."
    2 points
  10. I think one of our biggest problems in all this the fact that so many of us can't strike a balance between our "rights" and the welfare of the community. We don't actually need leaders or directives for this. What we need are critical thinking skills. This is a pretty good argument for the importance of a Liberal Arts component in everyone's education, but I digress. England, 13th Century, the Magna Carta - this is the legal basis for recognizing our personal rights and liberties, as every schoolkid who has taken a History class knows. When, 700 years later, the Brits were getting bombed by the Nazi Luftwaffe, Londoners made the logical, ethical decision to forego some of their personal prerogatives (socializing in large groups, leaving the lights on, unlimited freedom of movement...etc.) for the welfare of the community at large. Given the severity of the threat to the country, people made the decision to cooperate with one another. I respect the intelligence of those who post here and their ability to draw their own conclusions.
    2 points
  11. I hope we can continue to discuss this topic without becoming too political. Let’s make keeping this thread open a goal of ours.
    2 points
  12. This was my experience with COVID-19 I’m in my 60's. On June 24th I started running a low-grade fever, sore throat, body aches, mild-occasional dry cough, and fatigue. All symptoms disappeared completely two days later, and three days before I could get a COVID test scheduled. My daughter’s test came back positive also. We drove from Waco Texas back to Orange County together. She’s 22, lost her sense of taste, and had a mild headache for a day – that’s it! We're both fine, have no residual issues, and oddly my wife never contracted it and she travelled with us. I know this has been a death sentence for many but it wasn’t, thankfully, for us. I’ve had worse colds.
    2 points
  13. lets see how many after school programs actually run.
    2 points
  14. considering data is getting ####ed with for political purposes, i can't tell what is and isn't real.
    2 points
  15. I don't want to minimize your experiences. But it is not a good idea to make policy based on anecdotes instead of the best available data. And there are very significant secondary effects to these COVID policy decisions that must be accounted for. For example, are the elementary aged children of single parents going to stay at home by themselves and log into zoom (or whatever) while their parents go to work? Suicides are up tremendously, substance abuse has increased, etc Somewhere, there is a tipping point in which the number of lives saved is not worth the other consequences. Good people will likely passionately disagree over where this line is. And that is ok.
    2 points
  16. Dr. Matt Stratton, Mike Jackson, and Tyler Edrington discuss “Songs for the Planet Earth”, with a stellar Mark Thurston drumline, a demanding visual package, and a hornline that matches up to the percussion to great effect. You can listen to us below, or if you want to take us with you, you can download us […] View the full article
    1 point
  17. I think you probably mean zero new deaths.
    1 point
  18. Some genuinely good news: for the first time since March, yesterday New York City reported zero new coronavirus cases.
    1 point
  19. Please, can we dial the snark back a smidge? I would love to keep up the discussion; I think it is complicated and important. I don’t want it to be shut it down.
    1 point
  20. aren't those countries at a few hundred cases verses close to 70 thousand here? I would think thats quite different...just askin...I thought I saw Germany, Norway and others who have re-opend were very low Youre right these Dr.s don;t know everything or where this might go BUT I will put my eggs in that basket verses the alternative.. Actually hard to follow or believe either at this point.
    1 point
  21. 1 point
  22. Zingali when I marched AGAINST them.
    1 point
  23. And that's why I provided the links. 👍
    1 point
  24. I have to say though - It is clear who and where the political points are coming from. It's like bait or it sure seems that way.
    1 point
  25. Keep thinking of when PA closed non essential businesses. IIRC Friday afternoon and no definition of essential. Called local restaurant soon as I heard for one last take out and owner answered. Guy is Greek immigrant and wants to do what is right. So I hear “No No... guv’ner closing us, so we close...”. Hear a bunch of commotion in the background and realizing he is closing NOW. He could have waited until end of day but not sure why he didn’t. Took about 2 weeks for what businesses were essential and what procedures they needed to go thru to reopen. Hope the state learned from that for schools
    1 point
  26. Agree But it's a fine line being we are taking directives etc etc from a certain place We are affected by the real world but I know here how that becomes something different and can be out of control. A sign of the times
    1 point
  27. 1 point
  28. I appreciate that and I wouldn't have offered up my experience had there not be people who I don't think understand why this is so important. I did, in fact, go on to march elsewhere (with a corps that beat Cadets at DCI, no less). It's all good now, but I do remember how I felt at the time. I totally agree with you that most people are good. I've also learned since then that people run their mouths more on the internet than in person (sorry, y'all!) and it's easier to be a "tough guy" when hiding behind a computer. I've also learned how to be tougher in my own experiences. The Cadets are still one of my favorite corps. Hopefully this initiative will allow them to be so for future marchers! BTW, I've sent kids I teach to Cadets and will continue to do so as I truly believe it is a great organization (even more so now!)
    1 point
  29. There is a very simple thing to combat this: mandatory attendance. Or weekly quizzes to ensure students keep up with material. A very simple fix. Our country falling behind in math/science is a result of (in my opinion) 1. Parents not pushing their kids hard enough. I was doing multiplication and division tables by the time I was 5. No reason students shouldn’t be starting that early 2. lack of respect for our educators by policymakers 3. Too high of an emphasis on the liberal arts and large roadblocks to going into STEM (girls feel discouraged, takes like 12 years of post high school schooling to become a doctor, etc)
    1 point
  30. Who said anything about writing off teachers or parents? 1. In case you missed it: 2. That said... individual teachers, parents, grandparents, etc., can and will (and should) make their own choices based on their own situations. No need for panic.
    1 point
  31. What percentage in this scenario are you thinking? I don't think it's gone up very much since children were supposed to go on line back a few months ago. Too many reports by teachers of low numbers of students participating on a regular basis. You go on line Mon. and Tues, then miss a day or two, you're falling behind. For those parents who hardly ever get involved with their children's education, they may not be very active with the child while they are on the computer. The parent/parents might be at work. Our standing in math/science has been dropping over the years, lack of classroom learning might continue that trend.
    1 point
  32. I am interested to see how much people are fixated on the idea of whether people live or die from the disease. With some victims suffering from different levels of anosmia (and as a result, mild ageusia) well after the rest of their symptoms have subsided, as well as reports of permanent lung damage in other cases, why treat this lightly? Just because it doesn't immediately send us to the Grim Reaper? Caution is always the best policy as a leader with the responsibility of managing the health and safety of others, especially kids. Until we know more about the after-effects of COVID-19, why take the risk? Kids are still going to be able to receive an education online and there are more important things in life than marching band.
    1 point
  33. The stories I could tell you about family.....
    1 point
  34. Drum corps is a very tight community, the who knew what when was a hot topic of conversation when this all happened. Many also received e- mails announcing this was in motion way before it hit the internet. Doesn't matter what I think, ask yourself. Just look at other situations that came up and the who knew what when, the ones who ignored things, and I'm not talking GH, ( not to bring up old topics and litigate everything yet again on line ) As far as being a Narcissistic, that for sure wasn't any secret .
    1 point
  35. So how was band practice? Oh grandpas here... stay the hell away from him.... Yeah little grumpy this morning. Turned down an invite to a (extended) family event and some people are po’ed. They have the idea that family can’t pass to family. Even the family members that just came back from a hot spot.... 🤯😖😷😫🤮
    1 point
  36. Well, when you have a marching caption placing in the 20s and everything else is below 12th, that's an impossible hill to climb.
    1 point
  37. oh i know. he's hated me since i discovered RAMD
    1 point
  38. and still couldnt help Oakland Crusaders get in in 77
    1 point
  39. It might be, as long as we're willing to write off their teachers and parents.
    1 point
  40. Everyone is allowed their day in court to defend themselves regardless of the charges. Whats my own opinion and yours is not important. I don't pretend to be a fan of hopkins ever, in fact the opposite. This below is not directed at you. But everyone might want to be careful on the accusations and logic with respect to inclusion. I have struggled to either tell or not tell something that has troubled or haunted me for a very long time ,,,,,,,, and I would think if I did that here , my account would be banned or deleted. That IS the problem right? The victims never felt like they could come forward. There are many more out here and they are not all female vs male or male vs female. Inclusion ??? ok sure.
    1 point
  41. How's this for generalities , Does it matter? Personally I'm a little sick of hearing stats.especially doubting we get the truth sometimes. Sure they are important BUT for all the statters , Have you sat in front of a Covid unit waiting on results of a loved one? Well I have, twice. Every stat mentioned is a human life period, For those who think our children only have a minimal risk, Is that enough or even a smaller risk worth it? We will sit here and want to cut out a cancer of a bad egg in the activity so there is no risk to not even 1 child, even the smallest yet stats would decide with Covid? Well, the stats of some perv. attacking our child I bet is alot lower and easier to get rid of the monster , hopefully. Also even though we can not protect kids from many things and can not live with fear, with this, which changes daily one has to ask themselves KNOWING there is something deadly or something that could make them very sick. Is not dying the bar we have set with some? One just has to personally ask themselves. If it were God for Bid one of ours personally , can we live with that? One has to ask themselves that because I suppose people will have different feelings. I know it sounds like preaching and maybe it is but all I know is twice I know and saw alot as a loved one went into a Covid unit and me being stopped, it's not a good feeling and so many things go through your head when it happens. For me anyway, I see stats now very different. I know they are or can be important IF honest and not political on any side but I don't see numbers anymore, I see humans .
    1 point
  42. I only drink on two occasions: when there is COVID-19, and when there isn’t.
    1 point
  43. You’re saying then it trickles down. Mike
    1 point
  44. Initially, I was a big fan of Denise and what she brought to the Cadets. However, I don't like the most recent announcements from the Cadets. Some of the people who were most responsible for the Cadets disaster of 2019 are being more empowered by the current Cadets management. Not a good trend for the Cadets...becoming social justice warriors is not what this legendary corps needs to move forward. Their main focus should be on creating a show that isn't horrible.
    1 point
  45. I am having a flashback. It was just 14 months ago that a quintet of protected classes (recited twice) and the name Darcie Aungst were all over a show design announcement. Now it is an "equality and inclusion committee". Inclusion? Really? And of all times, this moment of maximum irony? Drum corps WAS a truly inclusive activity, once upon a time. Now, it is unapologetically focused on being an advanced-placement summer camp for experienced alumni of the scholastic marching arts activities, which themselves are based largely in affluent suburbia. Drum corps can no longer even create the pretense of being "inclusive" toward the inexperienced and/or at-risk youth that they used to routinely train from scratch back in the day. And now, the activity faces its own economic challenges - some of which are of its own making. Forgive me if I do not hold my breath waiting to see how drum corps renounces its expensive ways, and instead returns to prioritizing outreach to the socioeconomically underprivileged. Notice that the poor are not one of the groups selected for greater opportunity and inclusion in these virtue signaling exercises.
    1 point
  46. This was the only year from 1987 through 2019 that Bluecoats didn't make Finals.
    0 points
  47. Would have been a short 4 hour drive up I-55 to St. Louis: 😢 Sunday, July 12, 2020: DCI Mid-West Championships: The Dome at America's Center Performing groups: Basically all East & Mid-West corps + BD.
    0 points
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