well_actually

nice. You going to show up to finals and cheer on the victor this year. Whoever does win deserves your support.

So just heard that battery warmups are a bus ride away from the Rose bowl, just like in 03 for Orlando. Anyone else heard this and know where that location is?

The theme of your message seems to be that the staff had blinders on and simply didn't step up to help out here... As far as the staff stepping up member wise.... 90% of the kids in the percussion section were from schools that were taught by John or one of the techs. John would drive them down from Orange County. Other techs would pick up people from Train Stations. I even went so far as to drive to Temecula to meet up with a member whose car had broke down. Staff helped paying for equipment, hosting cookouts, and bringing in every single percussion sponsor that was there. Money saved is money earned and Remo, Vic Firth, Zildjian, etc were there becasue of particular staff members. Plain and simple. For the money side, It is simply not the responsibility of the staff to raise money for the corps. Their was an entire Board to help out on fundraising ideas, organizational changes, business decisison, etc. You don't ask the treasuruer of the corps if they think an 8 count or a 12 count hold will be more dramatic, just as you don't ask the tenor tech how to get the money to pay the bills. That is not making the best of your resources. That is why you have the staff you choose. AND even IF it was, that would be explained as a responsibility to that staff member. BUT, what you can do is sit down with that tech and say, "Hey, we are having some problems, can we work something out to keep you here becasue I think we got something going." Not once did Alan EVER share with any staff that there might be a problem with the money, that they were tracking over budget and were running into problems. It was just chug along. For the record, I have not heard one staff memebr say that they hope the corps folds, or that they hope Alan can't rebuild or whatever. This was not a character assassination on Alan or the Corps. Just the stating of what happened. As far as a smart business sense? I am not sure I would agree that saving money by alienating the majority of your volunteers, staff and members in an area that even you admit has enough challenges in fielding a corps is the best overall strategy for securing the longevitiy of the organization, but we will see. Again, plesase remeber that it is not just John that left, pretty much pick a tech, they are gone. You mention that if the parents and the organization were to apply themselves we might not be here. I would argue that if communication had been focused on to the staff and explained not only would we not be here but we would probably be learning the drill for the opener. As far as I am concered this topic is dead. I have already spent too much time on this. Off to see John's many other groups that as usual are in the top of their respective categories in WGI. And since it didn't take him too long to get snapped up again writing for a corps I will gladly wait for the summer for those sweet beats. Everyone on this thread, take care and see you all around.

Few questions/statements regarding this. 1. Do you actually think John is mad about the money... or the principle of this? He put in his years, was moving on and Allen simply decided to try and cut bait with him when he realized it At this point do you think John gives a rat about the money? Do you ACTUALLY think he ever really did. It is the principle of the matter. 2. Who are you to question what he does for a living or what his priorities are? Esperanza has employed people like Rob Jett and Tom Float in various capacities in the past and at no time have they not paid them stating that their priorities were off if they expected money. You argument mind be valid if Esperanza made it clear that they didn't pay staff becasue it was a way to give back, but you had a contract and what you do with admin staff does not matter at all. By the way is all of the admin staff returning this year? Just curious. 3. You say "For me..." OK, that is you, John has done the same and to make it sound like John is only interested in the money and not interested in giving back to kids is an insult to the time he put in with Esperanza for many summers, one winter program and ALL of the high school lines he teaches. With that motivation, John doesn't mind doing his things. You pay for a ticket, he organizaes and recruits a staff and writes a book and teaches, and deals with sponsors. You buy paint, he goes away from his wife for several weeks and teaches. Everyone makes sacrifices, your horse is no higher than his because of what you do for the corps. 4. You say "Running a drumcorps is not a glorious job. It takes a lot of time, causes massive amount of stress, and requires total dedication." Same could be said for running a Div 1 drumline which John did, evidenlty for free. 5. "As part of an organization, sometimes decisions made in the best interests of the whole are not the same as what you would choose, but if you try to keep the kids in mind it make the stuff we deal with day to day a little more bearable." Do you work for the Bush administration??? I actually can't believe you even typed this when referring to someone who stepped in 2002 when Esperanza had NOBODY to run that drumline and saved it and turned it into a drumline that was .15 behind Crossmen in drums in Quarters 2005 and was doing it for less money that techs were making at other corps. This is the biggest cop out I have ever read on this website. You are trying to stiff payment to someone who is leaving the corps. Coming from a guy who sends collection agencies on kids who owe money and go to another corps, you act suprised that a staff memeber would dare and try to do the same to the corps that owes him money???? 6. "Sometimes one side of the story isn't really enough to draw a valid conclusion." Fine get Allen on here and tell the world his side of the story. This is just really sad because I loved that corps, and I liked you all, but this is not cool in any way shape or form and for you to defend this... Maybe you need to change your basis for reality. I hate this more than you could ever imagine because of the corps stupid actions they have very quickly destroyed everything than John, myself and others took so long to build. Allen was not alone in building this corps, but he thought he was. he thought the corps only needed him. Now we find out. You are now starting over. You are now where you were several years ago in every single caption and you have way to many bridges that have been burned. It is really sad.

Just for the record, many of the staff had their own jobs as well and sacrificed vacation time every summer for the good of the kids. That staff that drove the trucks and rv's each night after teaching all day. That staff that were the only reason many of the sponsors Esperanza has even looked at the corps. That staff that paid for equipment such as stick tape and foam and paint without submitting receipts. That staff that was the reason kids kept coming back "despite the director" (and if that is in dispute I will donate 100 dollars for each percussion staff vet that returns to the corps). That staff that Alan Cox took for granted. I was going to stay out of this but you have no right putting this on Mapes. It does not cost anything to answer a phone call or send an email. No excuse.

Yes I was on staff and each year we had seperate meeting with the Director where our responsibilities were explained to us and we signed contracts for the year. This past year's meeting took place during Memorial Day Camp in Temecula CA and was attended by all staff and the director.

I sometimes wonder if dcp.com had been around in the early 80's if we would have seen the same type of posts from those who marched in the 70's.... "I have no problem with the Cadets doing whatever they want to do, but why does the entire activity have to follow? What happened to variety?" I just think it is interesting that many people who thought 83, 84 revolutionized things and now don't want them to be different would be in the same position those who truly support the "new" type of shows are in now. It seems unbelievable to many that there are actually people out there that like amplification just as may have been unbelievable to many that people actually wanted timpani on the sideline... just my random thought....

I would agree if de Luz was still around. Since Esperanza de Luz folded this year, I took the comment as a unwarranted jab. Great and growing organization.....folded.... just my take.

Ahh... the beauty of idiots posting anonymously. Many people like myself post anonymously, but the ones who can do it while slamming a group without any constructive criticism... Those are the true talents.

I think Esperanza got a 16.8 in percussion and is .4 behind Crown and .6 behind SCV??? For a corps in like 20th place overall, that is pretty good....

I think 2005 SCV is not underated. I think it is a great middle of the finals pack show. I think the main reason many people feel it is underated is: 1. It is SCV. 2. It is is classic SCV music. 3. Last year's show was som awesome that there was hope/expectations that were higher for this year. They are a young corps that will definitely get better, but they are dirty. The drumline is still really dirty. I have seen them in the lot and from the stands about 10 to 15 times this year. They just cut another snare drummer... you don't do that with a few weeks to go if you are clean.... Love the show, love the corps, but not underated.