arrangerx

I have requested that my name be removed from the Genesis Website. While I respect the efforts of the members, and was so happy to have met and worked with so many of them, much of the current production no longer reflects the creative process I was involved in during the winter. That is neither praise nor condemnation. I merely prefer not to take credit for something that isn't mine. I wish all the members of Genesis a safe and successful remainder of the season! You are truly wonderful people and musicians - make the most of your remaining weeks! Sincerely, Chuck Naffier

To the members of The Academy: Thank you for a beautiful and entertaining performance in Denver! You are my favorite show of the season! Best to you all and enjoy the ride!! Chuck Naffier

Film Documentary "No Boundaries", a film about the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps experience, with footage of the 2012 season interspersed with interviews with former directors Jim Mason, Greg Orwoll, many members from that season, as well as some other former members (JJ Miller, Chuck Richards and yours truly) is premiering in Dubuque next weekend. Look for opportunities in the near future to get posters, DVDs, etc.... for more information, head over to http://julienfilmfest.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzH2ndpL6d4 Chuck Naffier

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evYgJ9We60c#t=852 Moderators, I'm sure there's a place for this. The intent is to start a conversation, or at the very least, recognize the similarities we have with other types of musical entertainment. And yes... I've been discovered. I had all the KISS albums as a kid. Chuck Naffier

The drum corps activity isn't broken. Maybe a little worse for wear, and a couple of bloody noses... but not broken. Yet. The touring model and amount of money we're charging for the experience is broken. When the organizations involved start to realize how many more kids/adults could be helped in their own back yards with the millions of dollars being raised, rather than paying bus companies, fuel conglomerates, and the like.... then we'll start to see the emergence of something more sustainable, and in the long run, more valuable to our culture and society. If one accepts this model: (Lose money touring) ---> (Lose corps for lack of money) ----> (Keep current tour model) : then we are going to experience a very predictable demise. To do the same thing over and over... and expect different results... (fill in the blank as you wish). Until the cost of doing business is more sustainable, (food, insurance, equipment, facilities, travel, fuel, staffing) we have a problem. And the mention of performance fees is CENTRAL to the existence of that famed G7 group, that needed more and more money to feed the beast. Let's not pretend there's a more altruistic reason. The scheduling of shows by DCI that favor the "haves" is directly related to generating more performance fees to be split among the participants at that show. This is why I mentioned performance fees. I find drum corps an amazing vehicle for growth... musically, spiritually, physically, intellectually, aesthetically, experientially... but we need to find a smarter, more sustainable way to offer those opportunities for growth without killing ourselves off in the process. "Fair game" isn't the issue... debate and throw daggers until the cows come home. Whether or not one agrees with George... the future is coming... hope we're ready. It's a beautiful thing we have here, but there's no guarantee we're going to pass along a viable activity to the next generation... and they should really have that chance if at all possible. Perhaps instead of fighting over an ever-shrinking piece of pie, we should figure out how to make more pie... and THAT... is what forward-thinking people are trying to do on all sides of the issues. best, Chuck

The "crisis" is this: It costs too much to march in a drum corps now. It just does. It costs too much to tour. The "design" costs at most drum corps are under 10% of the budget. Seems like a pretty reasonable idea that the actual development of the product that is basically the engine that allows the experience costs less than 10 cents on the dollar. However... George is right in a lot of ways. The current drum corps model is unsustainable. We've known that for a very long time. Regardless of what goes on behind closed doors in a board room, the energy wasted on castigating one passionate man seems misplaced. Replace the current touring model. If corps are surviving on the modest performance fees they are receiving (they are not) then the model works. If they can't, then the model is broken. Chuck Naffier 35 year Participant

I used Mysterere of Bulgarian Voices for multiple marching band shows in the 90's. Always tried to introduce it to drum corps through either the Colts or Crossmen in the 90's and 00's. Never any takers... :) Someday... Chuck

Hi Kate, Go to www.crossmen.org and ask for information. Always go to the source - second-hand information is usually inaccurate. best, Chuck Naffier Crossmen Brass Arranger

Just playing devil's advocate here, but I was the brass arranger and caption head for the Colts during their first break into the Top 12. Made it 3 times including an 8th place brass finish BEFORE I finished school. Pieces of paper mean little. Ears, knowledge and passion do. While I will not put the cart before the horse, I expect very good things from Anthony and the staff/consultants he'll be surrounded with. Best, Chuck Naffier

I don't recall it being a synth for Boston -- it was the use of batteries to run the resonators on the vibes on that Herbie Hancock tune.... wasn't it?

A band here in Illinois, Naperville North, did a show titled "Festivus For The Rest Of Us" in 2012. Dan Moore, the director, was the Geneseo Knights soprano soloist the 1985 season and later taught that brass line. Chuck Naffier

Let's leave Ray alone now. All is good.

Ray, Thank you. There is no tone to the written word. Thus, you and I probably sound more hyped up to everyone here than we really are. Let's go make some drum corps better now. All the best, and say hello to your daughter -- Chuck

Hello Ray, I'm a professional music arranger. That's what I do to pay the bills. My passion is to arrange and compose. This isn't about playing "favorites" or some odd concept of competition. The Colts and Crossmen are not guaranteed to be competitive in the future. Far more than brass arrangements will be the difference there. Do you honestly think Jay Bocook consciously thinks about how he'll write a better book for the Cadets than the Blue Knights? How about Robert Smith writing for Madison and the Troopers? Think he tanked one for the Troopers so Madison wouldn't have as much competition? Do you even know me? My mission is to provide the best for the members, regardless of color of the uniform. Do you think I would abuse my trusted position for something as meaningless as a score or placement? Kind of insulting my friend. Chuck Naffier

Fact is -- no two books are equal, and no two corps have the same level of talent in every section. And no two judges see/hear with the same experience, tolerance or knowledge. Let's just hope they both have cool shows!!