rmurrey74

Got it. Cool

DCI corps all have to adhere to the training guidelines. If one is not, report it. Alumni corps now have to take the same Safesport training. I had friends that participated in the Bluecoats alumni corps. Feel free to confirm with any of those 500 people. I’ll base my knowledge on actual experience of actively teaching in the activity right now.

That policy is already in place. I have to sign my employment agreement with that specially spelled out and covered in training.

The safe sport training is activity wide. As a staff member, the amount of training I receive is far and beyond what I have to do for any other activity I’m involved in. (Coaching youth baseball and volunteering with the high school musicals for set construction). It’s also far more than our 15 minute sexual harassment training taken yearly for work. It’s probably never enough, but there’s frequent reminders, spelled out in my teaching contracts, in separate policy documents. It’s taken very seriously by the two drum corps I have recently taught and I’ve heard no different from my friends and past members teaching across the activity. There’s some people that will never be satisfied or convinced that it’s enough. That’s fine, but it’s a huge improvement over what existed five years ago. I’m not sure what more could be done right now but making the minimum age 18 would be best in my mind.

I agree 18-22 or 23. Will never solve everything but at least handles the minor/adult relationship issue better. An 18 year member cannot have a relationship with a 17 year old member. Think back to your marching days and about how that dynamic has changed. I’m not saying it’s wrong to have that strict line but it’s much different than what used to be acceptable

Guard members are very loyal to staff and instructors. Probably at the same degree or higher than percussion. Watched the majority of my corps’s guard follow their caption head to their new corps twice in the mid-nineties and have seen it so many times since. I’ve also seen new guard members show up to spring training in recent years with barely any following or knowledge of the history of past of the corps they were about to join which is surprising. They are following that staff that recruited them throughout the WGI season.

Can’t wait to see what they bring in their return. I would love some hard-hitting, aggressive, angry SCV.

Agreed, but those biology students aren’t away from home, practicing all day and living on a bus for half of that time.

Lots of difference in maturity from 16-21. I would always pick the oldest if two people are in the same talent range.

Bluecoats also make a HUGE amount of money based on their success now and popularity. There’s no shortage in the activity of members that will pay $5000+ to march, but those same kids are selective and want to be at the top of the activity. Over 1,000 kids auditioned for them last year. That’s a huge profit center based on the audition fee and audition materials purchased.

What’s the average staff on the road level? That ties into vehicle space. If you eliminate sleeper coaches, you reintroduce the previous problem of having to find staff housing where school classroom space was becoming limited. You’re probably still looking at two staff vehicles. is this the typical or ideal size today? 3 admin 2 medical 5 brass (4 techs plus caption head) 5 visual (4 techs plus caption head) 6 percussion (5 techs plus caption head) 4 guard (3 techs plus caption head) 2 electronics (1 tech plus caption head) 3 merchandise 4 food truck 2 media 3 designers (not the full team on the road at once) 3 costumes/production team 8 drivers? 50 total Am I missing anyone?

I heard a Glassmen 2005 story, can anyone involved confirm it's true? Robert had the entire show completely written at one of the first camps (New World Symphony). He had the brass all sit-down concert style and play through the entire book. I just thought that was an interesting way to approach/learn the show. He'll be missed!

I’m sure it’s not perfect. It seems comprehensive to me but I’m not an expert. It reviews signs to look for, mandatory reporting, multiple scenarios with questions/quizzes throughout. To me, I had to pay attention throughout. It’s a 3rd party and yes, it’s enforced. It’s also a WGI requirement and probably for other circuits as well. I also had in person training/policy review early in spring training, reminders throughout the season, reiterated through member and staff contracts and DCI did a full town-hall event for all drum corps on the topic last year. I’m sure it could be much more, but It’s far and beyond anything I’ve ever had at any of my non-band/drum corps related jobs that I’ve held during my career. I work for a Fortune 500 and it’s a 15-20 minute training video once a year for Managers/Directors.

90 minutes. Mandatory for all members, staff, volunteers, drivers, etc.

It already is the same, consistent and mandatory through SafeSport.

https://cavaliers.org/news-blog/2024-ensemble-specialists?fbclid=IwAR29iW_oVwL-clwaouDiMVQDufyAYE3mAYWIx5n6DUdKr0RC1si5gzy3Ll4_aem_AURqw4lrnX8O8Z8gk4yKG7YMqPAUUfj36omBlntVYFvIlSJDvEx9SjzD_LWZrDWFen8&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Bluecoats changes https://bluecoats.com/news/2023/9/13/jaycee-wilson-to-lead-colorguard-caption-kathy-pearson-amp-samia-vanderkolff-promoted-to-new-roles?fbclid=IwAR115hlPYwaEQsN0RtFsynK7bV44TX5_SqdpGKGfQaohB-iZTWnR6Wlr0Ys_aem_AbdtD5qQlBLnFETOaTLboV0ElNIQroPiSdNVt_klB7O3PRQGllu1ADEe9XppTgxcCX4&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

I'm more reassured from my friends on staff that have committed to the summer based on the information that been shared with them and the work that's been done behind the scenes. Can't wait to see them return to the field! If it doesn't work out, and they completely fold, then a bunch of people on here can celebrate that they were right! I'm going to ignore this thread today and just make a donation to hopefully help the cause.

I'll take a shot Bluecoats Blue Devils Boston Crown SCV Cavaliers Phantom Mandarins Cadets Troopers Colts Blue Stars Spirit Blue Knights Pacific Crest

Some were definitely still on the payroll all year.

I can’t wait to see what this design team has come up with after an extra year of planning.

Are DCI corps actually required to be a non-profit? Lots of independent WGI groups are not although I know that’s not the same.

Yes