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Iplaytimpani

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Posts posted by Iplaytimpani

    Save the Glassmen

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    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.

    Save the Glassmen

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    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.

    • Like 1

    Save the Glassmen

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I sure do hope that they can pull this off. I have ALWAYS loved the Glassmen.

    I wonder often though, if it would help many of these corps if they could maybe get some of their staff/designers to write and teach at a lower fee.

    I know when I was marching with a little corps form Dane County, Wisconsin, that our corps director, who is now running a corps with people in Kilts, had a staff full of alums that basically worked for the love of the corps and activity. This might save some money.

    I also wonder when I see corps using copyrighted music all the time, the fees are outrageous. Many corps-like Madison in 2012, and the Glassmen themselves back in 1995 have used public domain music and that might also help.

    I know that there are many facets to these problems, I guess I am wondering out loud how often these types of things are taken into consideration.

    I mean, I am sure the Glassmen could find some very quality designers and staffers that would work for next to nothing or even free.

    Couple that with hot shot planning, and I think they could reduce their operating budget to well below the $850,000 mark.

    When I first started teaching I had a budget of $3,000 and had to run an entire HS music program. Might not sound difficult, but my kids had the same type of experience as groups that had $200,000 operating budgets.

    Just some thoughts.

    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.

    • Like 1

    Save the Glassmen

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    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.

    Save the Glassmen

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    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.

    Glassmen

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    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.

    • Like 1

    Glassmen

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    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.

    • Like 1

    Glassmen

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    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. :tongue:

    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. \^/

    • Like 1
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