prodigal bari

I will have to say that in my experience, this is quite unusual, especially in the area where I live (Tennessee), to have the district actually paying for instruments, guard and percussion staff, and the writing/flags/props. And at most districts, even transportation. Actually, the $500 fee seems to be reasonable compared to the average BOA band fee I have seen here. There are several school boards in this state starting to rumble about these student fees, however...and some legal precedent developing that could make them illegal in the public scholastic activities that are connected to a class.

True..I was answering to the assertion that the school district paid for the expenses I mentioned. However, the band programs (usually through the boosters) are charging their students band fees (many times in the four-figure range) to cover expenses. Even with the option of 'working it off' I am not sure this is ethical for the public school arena. I know, OT...forgive me. I haven't taken my Mydol yet...

I would sure love to know of these places that cover instruments, other equipment, and transportation. I taught for many years and am familiar with practically all the programs in my state; and I do not know of ONE program which as a budget for any of the above I quoted. NONE. And rarely do you get a one-time outlay for instruments from the various boards (and fortunately, one of them was mine. But that was through a wealthy businessman...). And frankly, as a taxpayer, I would have SERIOUS problem with taxpayer money paying for some of the superflourous costs that are almost expected of the BOA (or other major competitive circuit) band in order to compete. Scholastic bands should be about education FIRST. The gravy for competition needs to be made somewhere else than the districts' budgets.

Frankly, I know way too many band directors and educational professionals in my area (me included...) that would applaud the demise of BOA (or whatever they are calling it these days)..it has become the tail that has just about broken the dog's neck in marching band. It's unlimited, unbridled approach to the development of what was the marching arts into a multi-diciplinary aural/visual performance art has pushed an escalation of the cost, scope, and complexity of marching programs way beyond what a lot of teachers feel is right in the educational venue. It has promoted the have/have-not mentality which is apparent within the local and regional circuits...where unless you pay the price to have the larger staffs needed to write, teach, and perfect (which is a misnomer, since at BOA, book...not performance excellence....increasingly counts) these shows at the expense of the rest of the instrumental programs, the kids' lives, and the overall reach and health of the scholastic programs. I remember one of the top educators in our area saying at a conference one time that the competitive band circuits are not about the kids...it was about 'building the reputation of the directors and their programs.' There has been a cottage industry of instruction and designing that has been built upon this sandstone foundation that will probably fight to keep this going...but bluntly, with the emerging economic disaster that appears to be progressing somewhat unabated, there are more important things right now than propping up (no pun intended...lol) BOA. And I find it curious that the man who started it all with the McCormick's enterprise is making the clarion cry. He stood to benefit by BOA (he did by the sales of equipment); and and he stands to do so again. Interesting...

Actually, they do. And I have been around long enough, and KNOW THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING THE THING to know how they sense things. So I do not put any validity in what you say, except to sense the sour grapes you put into your mouth. remember..YOU got cut. And your actions just proved my point.

WOW. Jupiter must have got its act together. I cannot see PR using these horns without knowing how they play; and whether they would be befitting a defending DCI champion. I can remember in the early 90's seeing Jupiters in the hands of band kids..and immediately falling apart. Apparently they have pulled together their production and design processes. I am going to be watching this...

I sense...an attitude problem? Could it be that the auditioneers sensed it too? Corps do not like whiners...and frankly, this is what is sounds like.

I was there for both shows...in another corps you beat...and was amazed at the change!! THAT was the beginning of the move of Garfield to the pinnacle of the DC activity...

I know a lot of the people who are involved with this corps start-up; and I think some of you naysayers better check yourselves. This is NOT a fly-by-night beginning...these guys not only know the area, are highly, HIGHLY successful, and have been involved in corps before (and two of them even have written and instructed as caption head a DCI class champion)...but they know the lay of the land, and KNOW and are directly involved with the students they are recruiting. This is the local model that everyone bemoans is no longer prevelant; and it has a strong chance of succeeding. I KNOW students who are auditioning, and they are serious about this getting off the ground, and getting off right. The senior and up model will work under these circumstances. I suspect, and know in one instance, that the students getting involved are being directly recruited by their band directors at both the high school and collegiate level. AND with this staff it will be as good as it gets...believe me on this. And I was not sold on this until I saw the names involved...

I could roast a steer with all the flamebait here...(unintentional rhyme...just in time...)

I noticed that in some promo pics from BOA that there is a very, very big curtain that is dropped in front of the back stands (much like a stage) that goes almost to field level...is that changing dramtically the acoustics of the site to make it more suitable for corps/bands? (I would imagine that is HAS to; and in a big way.)

And, according to Karel, that was EXACTLY what he intended to do with the work. And, under his baton in particular, he pulls it off very well. BTW; funny you should mention Husa and McBeth at the same function...Mr. McBeth was also at the same event as Mr. Husa; and there was a kinda funny story concerning those two..I was with a couple of other friends talking to both Francis and Karel when another friend of mine came up with his 4-yo son...he introduced his son to the composer...and his son PUNCHED Mr. McBeth in the stomach!!! Karel's eyes went to saucer-size...we were all between being mortified and biting off our entire faces to keep from bursting out; my friend started to pull his soon-to-be-unable-to-sit-down son and was apologizing profusely! Mr. McBeth's response....'Nice punch!' What a character!

I was actually in a community band in Tennessee when Mr. Husa reheaarsed and conducted the group in concert with Music For Prague. This is one of the nicest men I have ever met in the business...and told about his hair-raising escape from Prague when the Soviets invaded. This piece is truly an emotional statement; and was even more so under this great man's baton. Probably one of the most memorable experiences in my musical career.

Copyighting F TUNING??? Bloody he!!...the ballscrubbing lawyers have gone amuck! What will it be next...royalties for air usage (although certain politicians want to tax it... ); water rights (Oh wait...that DOES happen... ).... If this keeps up a person will have to get copyright clearance and pay a royalty to even be BORN!!!!! I need duct tape for my head now...($1 to Glenn Beck...a friggin' ROYALTY PAYMENT! ARRRAAAGGGHHHH!!!!!!!)

.....they hired a new guard instructor... Ginger Lynn...

Hate to ba a party-pooper, but what exactly is CR's current status with DCI? Have they been accepted for competition for the 2009 season; and in what division? Are there evaluations scheduled for this corps' financial and membership health (as well as administrative)? It is only reasonable to be skeptical, since we have heard nothing from DCI concerning reacceptance into competition and touring. I would love to see the corps come back; but gosh, this looks like it is coming out of thin air. Frank, open, and comprehensive information with the scrutiny that it would entail would comfort a lot of us out here....and make it possible to recommend students to try it again.

Dave Ramsey would be very unhappy. I'll send a straight donation instead....

There is another reason why this will not (and should not)fly: Most D1 collegiagte marching bands are funded by the athletic department for the sole purpose of creating atmosphere and a home-field advantage for the football games. They are expected to perform that function without interference by other marching activities (i.e.; competition) and therefore are geared solely for that aim. There is at least one collegiate band director from a MAJOR university that was told by the athletic director, in no uncertain terms, to not worry about woodwinds or fancy movement; but to up the amount of sound (i.e.; brass)- OR ELSE. (And this is a well-known program!) Frankly, I am one who thinks the HS band competitive activity is getting out of control, though...

OK...I almost feel like a traitor, since the Trooper Sunburst is 'always perfect'....HOWEVER... 1980..we were at Michigan City; and I do not remember whether we had just added a 8-ct segment of battery before the burst or just a brain fade; but somehow Side 1 and Side 2 got EXACTLY 4 counts apart in the explosion. I remember hearing the other side behind up and thinking...WTF??? So was John Masterson, who was on the verge of pulling his pistol. We got it back together in the break before Ghost Riders...but man, it was pretty bloody in the huddle after the show...

I think there is another angle here that needs to be considered....If those corps mentioned disappear, would the DC activity lose its viability as a competitive activity and even come apart as a performing medium? What is the minimum number of viable corps needed in order to have sufficient audience in order to survive as an activity similar to what we have now? Back to the OP... I don't think the performance level would change as a hypothetical situation. The so-called 'top corps' get the highest-end talent as a rule and max out thru the 150-member limit at present...and a lot of it has to do with instructional/program stability and ability as much as the talent pool. That's why those corps are always at the top of the activity.

Actually, if you integrate it into a regional specifically for the ongoing Games audience (i.e., a DCI Olympic regional somewhere in Chicago on Friday at one of the venues that have closed out their sport) ; practice Saturday; then the Sunday performance for the Closing Ceremonies would not be a problem at all (except for the housing logistics...). The COOG could even get a special dispensation from the IOC to use the Olympic name for the event as a part of the cultural exhibitions that are required of all Olympic cities; and in a sense, DC would be an actual participant in the Games. It would be landmark for the activity.

Some (not all) of this shift has occured by the competitive band activity replacing the community-based corps as the marching outlet for the average high-school aged particitpant. Although there are many similarities in both corps and band activities there is a LOT less time demand and travel pressure for the band participant; and the so-called blue collar crowd (which are in actuality parents and casual community fans and alumni) has followed with the bands. This also partially explains the demise of the local corps...they have just turned into the competitive band activity. DC has evolved/is evolving into a collegiate activity with some top high school participation (and the programs reflect this); and I do not see it reverting anywhere near what it once was. With that the fan base has changed; and in many ways, shrunk in both size and scope. The base more resembles one that merges the artistic/athletic /younger alumni demographic interests rather than the community/parental/ legacy alumni demographic of the 70's. IMHO....

Now...might that have something to do with the fact that no one from the Blue Stars' management got on here and said that he was...what was the words that were use with another corps staffer, hmmm??? "LET GO?????" ps..before someone on here without rhetorical skills gets on here and says anything about this being an insinuation by me about BS's director....THIS DOES NOT REFER TO THIS TOPIC ABOUT SABACH. So there.

Some Spirit of Disney. DCI ought to give Disney back their yearly award......where the sun doesn't shine.

I am not connected with CR; or had a kid there. I have just observed what had happened; and put two and two together. It is easy to connect the dots on this one. Also remember....DCI had to send someone over to CR to make certain that the corps was being TAKEN CARE OF in the middle of the tour; after 18 kids went to the HOSPITAL. There had to be enough concern with what was going on during that tour to take what I understand was an unprecedented move by DCI to protect the kids (and I suspect also reduce legal liability to DCI...). Again, since the leadership of the corps is essentially the same now as it was then; I could not recommend this corps to anyone under these circumstances. Tough if this is unpolitic...but it is reality. (ps...Note the person who had to 'bail' CR out....Fred Morris. Also note that the corps he eventually took over (Troop) CLEANED HOUSE before restarting...including the corps director. You have to do that in cases like this even if there is no fault...otherwise you have concerns and the resulting recruitment morass you have here. Again, reality hits, folks.)