brucerobertt

http://www.wlwt.com/news/24228478/detail.html Gotta love accurate reporting.

From an article on the New York Department of Heath's website ( http://bit.ly/7UKlyp ) : "Synthetic turf fields absorb heat, resulting in surface temperatures that are much higher than the temperatures of the surrounding air. In June 2002 at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah, the average surface temperature on a synthetic turf field was reported to be 117°F while the average surface temperatures on natural turf and asphalt were 78°F and 110°F, respectively. A maximum surface temperature of 200°F on the BYU synthetic turf field was reported. A turfgrass specialist at the University of Missouri reported measuring an air temperature of 138°F at "head-level" height on the university's synthetic turf field on a sunny 98°F day. The surface temperature of the field was reported to be 178°F. A study conducted at Penn State University measured surface temperatures on experimental plots of nine different types of infilled turf. Temperature measurements were made on three occasions. The average air temperatures reported were 79°, 78°, and 85°F. The corresponding average surface temperatures reported for the synthetic turf plots are 120°, 130° and 146°F." As the number of stadiums with synthetic turf increase, the amount of time corps are practicing on synthetic turf is on the rise. Is the practice of a long afternoon practice on turf a counter-productive strategy? Yes, drum corps have to practice in the heat, but doesn't it make sense that a corps that doesn't get totally drained from the heat in the afternoon will perform better in the evening?

Corps hold the DCI seats, not the directors.

But the way the system is set up, board members can be removed and any "executive decisions on the "structure" of DCI" can be reversed by a new board. Power still is in the hands of the member corps.

I remember the Kilties adding females to the guard (don't remember about the horn and drum line) in I think 1979. Their feeder corps, the Kiltie Kadets were all male. There was a corps form Ohio in the late 70's and early 80's, General Putnam's Men that start out all male before becoming coed. I am sure there were many more. Was the reason we had the all-girl corps was because there were limited opportunities for females in the activity?

You are kidding, right? Your first comment is pretty wacked out. My son needs to get booed because he marches in a G7 corps where some director has made a really bad decision? I think not. And how does the G7 directors and their menions exactly "rule the roost"? The DCI governance system works. Each member gets a vote on competitive issues and has the authority to vote for board members and even recall them. I think there is pretty much a collective rule although there are some directors with other directors in their pocket. Second comment. Okay. I will bite. How do staff and management make a buck off the kids yet "hide" behind them every chance they get?

We are not the government. We are a little niche activity, a fraternity. Its not like these guys get tons of letters on various issue. And how often do you think a board member gets a letter from a concerned fan or alumn? Imagine Phantom's board discussion after they receive a bunch of negative feedback from their fundraising direct mailing.

You are kidding, right? Don't take your frustrations out on the kids. Be respectful. Please.

In the press release that was published on each of the G7 corps’ websites on May 19, the G7 stated - “Efforts to develop the proposal’s new touring model will continue through the summer with the hope that events and future plans can be announced in September 2010 for the summer of 2011. During the coming months additional discussions will continue as the seven organizations create a plan that includes detailed implementation timelines, analyzes financial implications, develop show formats, marketing concepts, and adjudication framework, with the goal the long lasting sustainability of the activity.” One can only assume that this is indeed happening and one can likely assume the many of the event concepts that were listed in the G7 PowerPoint are the concepts that are likely being included in the “New Tour Model” plan that they are working on. These concepts include” - Only the G7 participate in the events. - The G7 are the financial beneficiaries of the events. - 10 Events are being planned for 2011. - The events will be managed by the G7. - The G7 will participate in fewer during the week events. While there are certainly many more items that can be added to this list, for the purposes of this posting, five are plenty. In the report from the DCI Board of Directors, which was released on May 27, it was stated that the agenda at the July board meeting in Minneapolis in conjunction with the DCI Minnesota Premiere Event “is scheduled to include a presentation from a group of corps wishing to propose alternatives to the currently approved strategic plan.” Let’s assume G7 makes a events proposal at that meeting whose content is very much like what was presented at the May meeting of the board of directors and includes the five above concepts (and many of the other concepts they have already proposed). What are the possible outcomes? The board says “yes” to the proposal and the events concept becomes part of DCI’s plan. Why would the board vote “yes” to a proposal with the concepts that have already been presented? They have re-evaluated their position and think it is a great idea. They just want to keep the G7 happy. They are afraid if they don’t keep the G7 happy, they will walk. While I am sure a longer list of why the board would vote “yes” could be produced, I really cannot fathom that a proposal that looks like the original proposal will pass at the July meeting for any reason. So the proposal gets voted down. What happens then? A committee composed of G7 and other corps reps agree to make the plan more inclusive. Really don't think this will happen. The G7 just drops the idea and things return to normal. Don’t think this will happen. The G7 goes ahead and creates their own little special event circuit and plans to do their own events as well as DCI events. Are the other corps just going to sit back and let this happen? Personally, I think not and this is going to be the place where the war could really begin and get ugly. In my opinion, it is the G7 who are in the wrong on this thing, not that certain points that they have made are worth considering. But the fact that they are so “We are allowed to create our own little club. We are allowed to meet in secret even if 4 of us have fiduciary DCI board responsibilities. We are the best. We bring in the money. We should run the activity. Etc. Etc. Etc.” and so much more makes them wrong in my book. It is the G7 that should be the ones who “give” and I think it is up to us to help them realize their errors, help them realize the importance of being a team player, and "encourage" them to reconsider their position and quit being so #### self-centered. Wouldn’t it be nice of no presentation is made in July and the G7 decide to proceed with planning for the future the proper way - openly and with the participation of their colleagues? I think it is up to us to help avoid the war. Fans (and music educators especially – you have some special clout) and Alumni, if you have not yet let the G7 know of your opinions, write letters. At the shows you attend, drop off respectfully written letters addressed to corps directors at their souvenir booths. Write a letter or email and send it to the board members of G7 corps. Tell them what you think. Tell them what you will and won’t be doing under certain scenarios. I like how someone posted they sent a email about their thoughts on the subject in response to a fund raising solicitation from a corps. And lets not wait until we see the outcome of the board meeting that is occurring on July 17th to get started. I believe Margaret Mead’s famous quote holds true for this situation. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does.” Let’s not just sit around and ##### and post on Drum Corps Planet. Let get active and change the direction of this thing.

Sorry. Bad choice of words on my part. Shows that are run by TEPs that are corps, the profit helps the drum corps directly. Shows that are run by TEPs that are not corps, any profit helps some other entity. In either case, the corps are indeed helped indirectly by having a performance opportunity, earning a performance fee, selling souvenirs, and have housing. Just saying in this era of declining revenue for the corps from other sources (bingo, local support because the groups really isn't local. donations down due to the economy, etc.), that I think there is the opportunity to take a look at the TEP model so more money ends up in the corps' pockets. Corps are increasingly taking advantage of hosting additional events so they are the TEP so they can be beneficiaries of the profits. The Bluecoats added a show this year. Phantom hosts shows in Rockford and Charleston WV. Boston hosts two shows. Glassmen host two shows. The list goes on and on.

The brass judge's comments during SCV's big push last summer. "Nice full controlled triple forte push here. Synthesizers are certainly pulling their weight and blending well with the horns." I hate brass effect that is created with one finger on a keyboard. I do like many of the non low-end synth usage things. Corps should have enough pride in their hornlines to know where to draw the line. For some reason the whole low-end synth thing reminds of the Andy Griffith episode where Barney is singing a solo with a group at a competition. The group turns off his microphone during the solo and some ringer is actually singing the solo from the side. Same thing here for me. Fake.

I would imagine that most TEP shows pay DCI about $20K - $25 depending on the line-up. The rest of the expenses for most TEP show probably run around $10K (depending on how much is spent on the stadium, ticket sales costs, advertising, etc.) So lets say that Ewing's total show cost was $35K, they would need to sell 1750 tickets to break even. In very simple terms, every additional $20 ticket generates about $20 in profit after the break even. 1000 more tickets sold, $20,000 in profit. Some TEP shows generate a huge profit netting $50K or more. So lets say corps are getting $20K of $25K paid to DCI and a show is making a $50,000 profit. Corps really do need money to operate. Why not revise the TEP show model so that more money is able to directed toward the corps instead of ending up in a sponsor's pocket? We should first and foremost be in the business of supporting our units. Making money for other organizations should very much be secondary. ( Yes there are many TEP events where corps are the ones running the event and making the profit, but most are TEP events are making a profit for other organizations. )

Just because a photo was published in which there were 7 contras doesn't mean they have seven contras. At spring training most corps have people coming and going finishing with school, getting fitted for uniforms, etc. Don't panic! The only reason to panic is if they decided that with 7 contras and a synth they can get the same sound as 12+ contras!

Assertion - a positive statement or declaration, often without support or reason Facts and data would have been nice.

15 pages of the presentation were devoted to the format of the proposed Friday and Sunday shows so that could be #6. Personally, I think the contest layout concept presented is almost laughable. There is what I believe is a perfect formula for a drum corps show. I have attended many that used this formula in years gone by. I have brought newbies (old folks and band kids) to shows like this who were totally blown away by what they experienced. While a bit “old school”, it is a formula that has worked and can work again. A summer evening in an outdoor stadium. Each corps performs an exciting warm-up - performs 11 ½ minutes of accessible/rousing music, in your face brass, unbelievable drumming, tight guard work, and drill/marching that is precise. (No woodwinds or electronically support ever, ever, ever desired or required ) - troops the stands following the performance to a kick-### cadence. Only a short intermission. After all corps perform all the corps immediately return to the field for retreat and once assembled on the field the scores are quickly announced without a bunch of announcements. Each corps plays a corps song and leave the field. Encore by the winning corps, home corps, or other designated unit (I always totally enjoyed a standstill of the show during which I usually was totally blown away by the shear power of the unit.) Simple but very effective.