Joe Flynn

About a year ago, I was asked as a part of my job to do a little field research on the cost of extra-curricular activities on families. The purpose of this task was to determine whether or not the quasi-governmental entity I work for could fund underprivileged children's participation in youth activities to help level the playing field in areas of education and the obesity epidemic. If funding wasn't possible, then the project at the least would allow us to advocate and create position papers on why it is not only important, but necessary that all children have access to extra-curricular activities. What I came up with was not shocking to anyone who has been around youth activities for any length of time and in fact, much of the research was already done for me by author, Mark Hyman who wrote a book called, "The Most Expensive Game In Town: The Rising Cost of Youth Sports and the Toll on Today's Families." Continue reading at .... http://paradigmwinterguard.blogspot.com/

So I have a question. Why do men dominate the winter guard activity in leadership positions when young women are the primary recipient of the performance art? This is not a blog post about sexism. It's not a war cry for women's rights. It's a look at what is happening and whether our bubble called pageantry is truly sexist or men and women just simply make different choices in regards to the activity and how it effects our young women. When researching this post I looked at all three major pageantry organizations: Winter Guard International, Drum Corps International, and Music For All. For the sake of simplicity and since this is not actual research, I decided to stay focused on winter guard, because dynamics are vastly different between the three organizations and the activities they represent. There are however similarities, and those similarities will be mentioned here. Read the rest at http://paradigmwinterguard.blogspot.com

And for more memories ..... This is what losing the National Dream because of a 2.0 American Flag Penalty sounds like .... http://www.bluerock.us/uploads/1/8/8/9/18897005/1971dr.mp3

The Blue Rock alumni site has been completely revamped with a lot of new music and video links available. Www.bluerock.us

“Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Please turn off all electronic devices until we are safely parked at the gate. Thank you.” Read the rest at: http://paradigmwinterguard.blogspot.com

"Let me see count one again." "...and again." "Again" "AGAIN" "DO IT AGAIN!" "Where are your shoulders?" "Where are your hips?" "Fix your angle." "Concentrate!" "Perform!" "Do it again for Becky." "Do it until it is dropless." "TAKE IT BACK AND DO IT AGAIN!" Read the entire blog at: http://paradigmwinterguard.blogspot.com/

You can do it. You the performer, the instructor, the judge, the parent, the tabulator, the announcer, the board member. We are almost there. It's almost the end. There is an exhaustion that fills the air as the weekend draws near and the time ticks toward April. This journey started at different times for different people, but for most all of us it started somewhere back in the fall. Many of us have worn multiple hats and have become experts at multi-tasking and juggling life. We have drug flag bags to the gym and suitcases to the airport and most of us are so sleep deprived that holding a thought in our heads for longer than 5 seconds would be a gift. Read the rest of the blog at: http://paradigmwinterguard.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-exhaustion-of-march-push-to-end.html

As the season starts to wind down to the end .... it's always good to remember what is really important. http://paradigmwinterguard.blogspot.com/2013/03/twenty-five-yearsperspectives-on-day-in.html

"Growing Up Pageantry" The first in a series of blogs from Paradigm Winter Guard Daytona Beach, Florida http://paradigmwinterguard.blogspot.com/2013/02/you-may-take-floor-for-competition.html

The Board of Directors of Paradigm Performance Ensemble, Inc., would like to formally announce that we will be going inactive for the 2013 season. Paradigm is proud to be an organization that strongly believes that financial soundness is critical to long term success. Ongoing issues with rehearsal facilities have made that financial soundness impossible for us for 2013. With this, we have chosen to go inactive while we strategically plan for the longevity of the program. Paradigm will return in 2014, not just as a winter guard but as a 501c3 with a strong mission of a focus on community involvement while using pageantry and the arts to improve the lives of youth in Central Florida. Paradigm will miss performing in 2013 but will be at the shows in support of all of the young people who choose the marching arts as a way of life.

Paradigm will kick off our FIFTEENTH competition season with auditions over the weekend of September 15 and 16 at LOCKHART MIDDLE SCHOOL 3411 Dr. Love Road Orlando, FL 32810 Doors will open at 9:30 on Saturday for registration. Auditions will run 10am - 7pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. Equipment is available for audition use (or feel free to bring your own). Our 2013 staff features the return of Ron Comfort as designer. Paradigm Alumni Ben Adams (2001 - 2007) and Jenn (Chapman) Lopez (2003 - 2005) also join the Paradigm team for 2013. Staff returning from 2013 include Richard Horton, Rodney Fuller, Mike Marcantano, Erik Nordstrom, Heather Rothman, and Shelba Waldron. Visit our website at www.winterguard.com to register and for more information!

Get ready for the start of a new guard season with PARADIGM's ORLANDO Spin Camp Saturday, August 18th Lockhart Middle School 3411 Dr. Love Road Orlando, FL 32810 Doors Open at 9:00am Camp Begins at 9:30am $30 at the door (includes lunch!) $25 if pre-paid by August 14th Visit www.winterguard.com to register!

The Blue Rock VFW Post was formed "only" to sponsor the corps .... it was named after the corps, not the other way around. The "post" itself was actually an empty lot!

Any word on Cadets and Teal's numbers?

Register today at www.winterguard.com for the Paradigm Spin Camp! July 21st - Belleview High School, Belleview, Florida!

To my knowledge, no recording exists of the 1975 corps but I believe that they played mostly pieces from the 1971/1972 seasons.

The Blue Rock Alumni website has been updated at Www.bluerock.us Lots of photos, scores, history, and music are online!

Same here ... but, then again, we didn't have to pay a couple / three thousand dollars a year to march back then either.

Actually, Garfield had a theme show back in, I think, 1971.......

As we prepared to re-enter the floor for 2012, we've updated our staff information (along with bios) at http://www.winterguard.com/about.html Auditions will be held Sunday, September 18th, at Marion County Juniors Volleyball Gym, 1433 SW 15th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474 More information is available through our website or by contact guard director Joe Flynn at "paradigmwg@yahoo.com"

Plan to join us for a PARADIGM SPIN CAMP Belleview High School Ocala, Florida July 23rd 9:30am - Registration 10:0am - 5:30pm - Camp Instruction provided for Beginner Intermediate Advanced In any two areas of Rifle Sabre Flag Movement All instruction provided by PARADIGM staff and alumni! REGISTER AT http://www.winterguard.com/spincamp.html

Four seasons ago, it was announced that Paradigm would not return to the floor. While that decision was the right one for the time, events have unfolded to cause a re-evaluation of that decision. During this time away, a core group of staff and alumni have searched, without success, for the "something special" that we found at Paradigm. A dedication to and emphasis on training. A focus on family. Unique and distinct programming allowing performers to experience a wide range of artistic and stylistic choices. With that, the decision was made to return Paradigm to its place in the Winter Guard world. With plans to base out of Ocala, Paradigm will now be centrally located to performers, less than 60-90 minutes from Gainesville, Orlando, or Tampa. Watch for more exciting announcements as we progress towards the return of .......PARADIGM! Visit our site at www.winterguard.com

How about TWO titles lost due to penalties .... and both being for the same thing. In the prehistoric days of 1971, Blue Rock lost the Shriners International in Toronto, and the infamous Dream in Jersey City due to 2.0 point American Flag violations ...... both shows to 27th Lancers.

I'm one of those who, in the past, built a vacation around DCI Championships. Travelling to Indianapolis annually for only the drum corps show isn't something I've done (more than once). Into future years, I'll be satisfied attending the regional shows.

Blue Rock never performed at finals at a DCI show. The 1972 corps likely would have been in the top 6 (based on scores throughout the season) but failed to make it to Whitewater that year due to financial issues. As a side note, DCI levied a $1,000 fine against the corps for not appearing ... doesn't sound like much today but it was a large amount back in 1972 when corps dues were running in the $75 - $100 range! I believe Blue Rock was 23rd in 1973 and 16th in their final year of 1974.