CreativeType

Apparently there is a God... It didn't skip once during Madison Scouts.

I really love this idea, for all the reasons you stated! Although it might not go far in the "getting the guard to look more masculine" department.

Having been tangentially involved for the past few years, I think it boils down to these few things: ~ Uniforms are cool but don't make up for a poorly designed show. ~ They need to get rid of the poorly designed shows. ~ Bad behaviour isn't surprising when you have a good portion of the staff that are undisciplined and disrespectful to the members and volunteers. ~ They really need to get their staffing situation in check because from what I can see, the guys aren't able to get better because they frequently receive contradictory instruction from the different instructors. The techs work and work and then have their successes undone by designers sweeping in from out of town to "fix" things. The big-shots may be big names with great awards with other corps but if they can't put in the time, I say don't put them under contract at all. ~ I sure hope Chris Komnick has a thick skin cause there's more vitriol to come from all sides as they work these problems out over the next few years. And I'm really hoping they can work them out.

Although the NEA was a very controversial body to begin with, the gutting of that program has had a real (and really brutal) impact on the scope of arts projects across the country, especially nationwide projects in schools. Instead of funding for one school to develop a program and widely disseminate it for other schools to use across the nation, we have each school and each teacher struggling to come up with the skills, time, and funds to do these programs on a local level. If having a cabinet-level position can get some of these types of programs approved and launched more quickly than the NEA is able to do now (standard wait time for grant proposals is 12 months to 2 years), I am all for it. Additionally, it would help to have a "fall guy" if more controversial decisions need to be made.

Bump Don't forget to vote today in the Credit and Tic FINALS, Version III! Scouts are still in it! Go Scouts!!!

10 - Blue Stars - 17 - Carolina Crown 19 - Madison Scouts + 23 - Phantom Regiment - 18 - Santa Clara Vanguard 21 - Troopers Cred Madison Tic Stars, Phan

4 - Bluecoats- 18 - Blue Stars 24 - Carolina Crown 31 - Madison Scouts + 25 - Phantom Regiment - 25 - Santa Clara Vanguard 25 - Troopers

Yes, please leave your children at home. The performances may be taking place at a football stadium but this is not a football game. And to some of you parents (and grandparents): No it is not okay to give your kid your keys to keep them entertained or stop them from screaming. The phrase is "More Cowbell" not "More Car Keys"! While childbirth may be a miracle, it sure isn't rare. We don't need to see how accomplished your reproductive capacity is. Thank you for not breeding.

When I opened this thread, I thought it was going to be about how this corps' or that corps' drill or snare line was 'sick'... you know the way the kids say nowadays? <------ GETTING OLDE BUT GOODE

Right on! That is one of my favorite shows of all time! I haven't seen them since early July so I'm so stoked to see them in Bloomington this week!

This year is so awesome.

16 - Blue Devils 28 - Blue Stars 21 - Bluecoats 27 - Carolina Crown 26 - Crossmen 31 - Madison Scouts + 30 -Phantom Regiment - 29 - Santa Clara Vanguard 27 - Troopers Cred: Scouts, Tick: Phantom

I think the type of language you reference here has more to do with the way that drum corps needs to be "sold" nowadays. Unfortunately, the nonprofit sector (along with all sectors) has become more and more competitive off the field, with everyone scrambling for the same few dollars to fund their church, social service agency, or corps. There is so much pressure nowadays to define and prove quantifiable outcomes that these organizations really DO need to spell out everything that makes the activity great. It's no longer enough to simply say, "It's a great character builder!" Now you have to say HOW it is a great character builder, WHOM the activity is for, and how the character building can be demonstrated. It's basically corporate speak applied to drum corps, and it's mostly about spin. Sad but necessary.

As much as I have enjoyed some of those discussions, even I think it would be beating a dead horse at this point. (As I ironically bump the thread by posting.)

What?!? No Kevin Gamin?!? Where's Whiskey when you need him/it?