Iplaytimpani

I'll say it before someone else jumps on it and trys to turn it negative. They won money from chase a couple of years ago. I'm not involved with the finances of the corps but I have no doubt that money was used wisely and probably paid off some debt back then.

I just meant this shouldn't turn into an electronics debate. That is not the issue here. And Glassmen have used different charter companies based on price and availability, not owed deficits.

They have no way of borrowing the money and will not put themselves any further into debt is my interpretation. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Please try and keep it going!

I now I personally appreciate everyone's thoughts on this. But can we at least TRY and have a decent conversation on dcp that doesn't get into our own personal thoughts and agendas. A fine drum corps is asking for help. And as far as "electronic costs" and all that, that's not really part of this equation or is very minimally. They've had their electronics through their sponsor Dynasty since they've had electronics. That's not what has caused this.

I do not believe this announcement in any way dooms the corps. In fact, for some jt should serve as a sign of the corps truthfulness and make people want to be a part of be fix. Many corps over the past few years have undergone a very successful regroup and it's merely the Glassmens turn. They opted to be forward with their need for assistance though as opposed to keeping it internal and failing its members mid season. By doing it now, there's time to find financial stability. The corps will be fielding this summer. I have little doubt of that.

It's a great thought Smitty. Have any connections there?

There's a few things in here that I would like to point out. While I know you're merely thinking out loud, much of what you're saying is already the case. I know many on the Glassmen staff. I can guarantee you, not a single one of them is there for the money. Many of them do work for nothing, and those that are paid, are definitely underpaid for what they actually do. I believe that to be true with any drum corps staff really. As a band director yourself, you should know on your own scale how underpaid you were. Now multiply that by the same difference of band to drum corps, and you're in the ballpark. As far as using public domain, it still needs to be properly arranged. The Glassmen had a lot of original music by Key Poulan and Rob Ferguson this year, that not only worked incredibly well in my opinion, but was new material. Even if they were using public domain, someone still is arranging this for a top level drum corps. That's not a project for a college kid looking to get their feet wet. Even with that, I'm sure they are taking less money than they probably deserve for their work. The biggest factor in the operating budget is traveling safely and taking care of the members. This is something that when it's not done to the highest degree, corps keep strung up by the neck. The Glassmen have ALWAYS been and will always be a MEMBER FIRST organization. That is why they've come forward now asking for help, not mid-season as the busses are about to pull away and leave people stranded. The corps simply needs help. It's learning to refocus it's fundraising with the loss of a very successful Bingo and Monte Carlo operation. But in it's own learning, it needs help. That's where us, the drum corps fan, comes in.

Thank you to everyone who's already said they would do their part. I guarantee that less than 2% of the drum corps population could have an issue with this corps, so please, spread the word. This fine drum corps needs help. They're always private and people have an issue with how they're keep the public out of the loop. Well, they've gone public with the type of the thing in the past they would have tried to handle internally.

It seems every year this is becoming a trend. It also seems to always be said that if people knew they would have helped out. Well, the Glassmen are publicly saying they need assistance. Www.glassmen.org This is a top notch group in need of help. They always have been a class act, whether ensuring member safety or saving summers of members from other organizations that couldn't finish. Please. Take a moment and donate. A dollar. Two. Ten. Anything will help ensure we don't lose another drum corps. And not the Glassmen.

There's a lot of work to be done behind the scenes I feel, but the great thing is this work can be done without having a negative impact on the corps on the field. The 2013 Glassmen will be another example of 150 kids coming together to put on a world class DCI show. They will be welcomed into a loving alumni and family environment, whether it's from an "organized" alumni association or not. The Glassmen family is strong and being built backwards, from recent age outs and down. When the oldest people realize that this corps is terrific and maybe they don't always know best, is when it will thrive. Smitty, certainly not a shot at you. But there needs to be trust especially from the eldest Glassmen family. And I feel that's what has lacked. Maybe a change in guard will offer the organization that privilege. They deserve it. The talent and staff are there. What's missing is a trust from the people that should stand firmest behind it.

No clue. Could be that's all he's interested in currently. Maybe the corps is just waiting to ask me to take the reigns.

Thanks guys!! I stand by an organization that means the world to me. Maybe Janet will bring me in as a PR guy haha. BUT... New news outta Toledo after just posting last night. There's a new interim director!!! David Stinson has been brought in as an Interim Director. Looks to me like a great asset in the Ohio area which is a major recruiting area for the Glassmen. They are still a local based corps primarily and he has a lot to bring to the corps in this capacity. Look forward to seeing the ball roll into November auditions.

I don't believe I'm revealing anything too earth shattering, but merely passing along some information that helped assure me things were continuing in the right direction for the corps. As was mentioned, Sal seems to be running things currently, and that's okay by anyone who's EVER been around him. The loss of BH, like any time an organization goes through a change, is met with different opinions. Personally, I've always gone out of my way to speak to Brian, and pick his brain, and I appreciated the way he ran the corps. I used to thank him as a member for running my corps until I was ready to take it over from him. So far, nobody from Toledo has contacted me about it being my turn to run the corps. Things seem to be headed towards another solid year for the Glassmen. Sal and many familiar names are meeting and doing some design work. For me, it was many of the names I feel have been important for the Glassmen over the past few years, and will present a stability and workman like attitude that the corps is accustomed to. Things will be the same or better for the Glassmen. I feel confident in that. \^/

C'mon Glassmen!!!!!

Huh. That just... Wasn't it for me from the cavaliers. They play well. They move well. Then... Uh...? It just wasn't it.

Incredibly solid show from crown. But... Didn't do as much or me as Coats did. Well executed, although the guard seemed to have a case of the drops.

Loves bloo. Will elaborate more in a review. Now crown. Holy timpani. Can't wait!!!

Beer and DCI is a win. :o) ready to see Coats.

Good start to the first half of the show. I feel like with only two corps and intermission the Bluecoats will have to wake the crowd up. I'm sure they will

Nice way to open the show from blue saints. Young corps keeping Canada's drum corps scene alive. Wish them the best and hope the kids are having a fun summer!!

Cheater....

Right. I was shorthand trying to say that. Knowing Kevin is here (hi Kevin!) my thoughts will be less since I know he's cheating and using a real keyboard.

Brad Bell on the call tonight. We had a postponement for timing reasons. Anthem time then show!!

Yeah. I'm not a twitter person so my own biased thoughts will have to do. :o)

And I'm settled into my seat for the show. I don't know how to post pics but I'll post quick thoughts between shows! Excited for some drum corps.