ImperialSound_Director

Here's what you'll need: 1- Passion. Lots and lots of it. 2- Resilience. To get you through times when your dream seems dead and buried. 3- Practicality. To know your bounds, and what is truly doable. 4- Failure. To teach you what success is. 5- Honesty. To keep the high ground in all situations. 6- Flexible Morality. To be able to put your own ideals aside from business decisions. 7- Originality. How can your product be different or include different ideas not employed by other corps. Beyond that you'll want people with experience in business, corps management, and legal work to serve as advisers.

I would agree with that, but to the end that new corps bring in a new point of view and thus a look of things from outside the box. In every company or major corporation, looking outside of the box to achievable and marketable ways of doing things, is seen as the holy grail of leadership and visionary quality. So let it be for new corps. Give them a list of problems and ask for creative solutions. Give them a history of the activity, the present nature, and all the in-between. Let it absorb and see what can be new and what can be brought to polish. These next questions are directed toward everyone: Give them a stepping stone, where they dont have to be a million dollar company to start, like GSC or PennAtlantic. Impossible to do, or a failure in marketing strategy on the individual corps and who they recruit to? And, while we are on the subject, when has a corps last played a great arrangement of a pop or rock song? Impossible, I beg to differ. Good arrangers can turn a lemon into iced tea.

Bill Cook is a great man. He knew what it took to run an automatically competitive drum corps back in the late 80s and 90s. While in the end it is always about money, running a corps today is different than back than, and honestly, are you really thinking about going World Class out of the gate? It's illegal to do anyway. Start a parade corps and help get a local corps circuit in your area. Once you have that, you begin to see corps repopulate, and the costs are dramatically lower. Have hand sewn uniforms like the old days and for shows, make it an all day thing. Have a parade, invite up colonial williamsburg's fife and drum corps, have carnival rides next to the stadium, and make the drum corps show the big event. Charge $5 for backfield seats not used for people just curious about it. New fans, a solid corps, and a foundation for the future.

Please march open class. They are really outstanding corps and the instruction that you will find there is some of the best in your local area, maybe regionally, or nationally. Plus, it is what drum corps used to be. It has a family vibe to it. They will support you and your endeavors to march whatever corps you want and train you in the process. In addition, its not all about playing. Where else would you receive the marching credentials? Think about it.

Bump: Two Days Away If you live in the area, and are unsure, send an email to ra657657@wcupa.edu or call (856) 472-2090.

Hello- My name is Robert Azzarano, Executive Director of the Imperial Youth Arts, Inc. and Imperial Sound Drum & Bugle Corps. Currently, our status as a non-profit 501c(3) organization is tentative to the approval of the State and IRS. However, we are currently in operation as a start-up non-profit. If you live in the Greater Philadelphia area and are looking to help a new corps, or would like to see what the organization is all about, we are having a meeting on Friday, September 25th at 7:00 to answer all questions and help steer our new volunteers in the right direction. The meeting will be held in the Swope Music Building (SOMPAC) of West Chester University in West Chester, PA. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the program, or if you need specified directions to the Swope Music Building, please call 856-472-2090. Directions to the orientation site: From Philadelphia: Take Schuylkill Expressway (Rt. 76 West) to exit #328. Follow Rt. 202 South, West Chester, for approximately 20 minutes. Take High Street exit and keep a lookout for the electronic billboard for SOMPAC, and turn right into the parking lot. Or take West Chester Pike (Rt. 3 West) to Rt. 202 S. by-pass.Follow Rt. 202 S. to High Street exit. From Western Pennsylvania (Pa. Turnpike): Take Pennsylvania Turnpike to exit #312, Downingtown. Follow signs for Rt. 100 South. Shortly after the intersection of Rts. 100 and 30, follow the signs for Pottstown Pike. Route 100 S. will become High Street in the borough of West Chester. Stay on High Street until you come to Rosedale Avenue where the cornerstone of the University is located. Turn left onto Rosedale and right into the parking lot for EO Bull Center and Swope School of Music. From New Jersey Turnpike (North or South): Take Exit #6 for Pennsylvania Turnpike. Follow Pennsylvania Turnpike West for approximately 35 miles and take exit #326, Valley Forge. Go about 1/4 mile to exit #328, to Rt. 202 South, West Chester, and continue for approximately 20 minutes. Take High Street exit and keep a lookout for the electronic billboard for SOMPAC, and turn right into the parking lot. From Commodore Barry Bridge (New Jersey): Coming from either North or South on New Jersey Rt. 295, follow signs for Rt. 322 West. (Bridge is on 322 W.) Cross bridge and continue on 322 W. to Rt. 1. Turn left on Rt. 1 to Rt. 202 North. Turn right on Rt. 202 N. and continue for approximately seven miles. At the Holiday Inn proceed straight ahead under the overpass, following the signs for the Business District, Rt. 322. Continue north on High Street and keep a lookout for the electronic billboard for SOMPAC, and turn right into the parking lot. From Delaware Memorial Bridge (and points south): Take Rt. 95 North through Wilmington to the exit for Rt. 202 N. (Concord Pike). Continue north on 202. (From the intersections of Rts. 1 and 202, it is approximately seven miles to West Chester.) At the Holiday Inn proceed straight ahead under the overpass, following the signs for the Business District, Rt. 322. Continue north on High Street and keep a lookout for the electronic billboard for SOMPAC, and turn right into the parking lot. Once parked, enter the building through the main, non-theater entrance. From there, there will be signs for the meeting space. Thank you, Rob Azzarano

Looks like its already been sold. Ebay is fast and furious. We're looking for those who would donate an old G sop that they no longer play. Trust me, it will be cared for greatly. However, should Imperial ever fail, we would give it back to you. So, you can think of it as a loan of sorts. Of course, if you have one that you are adament on selling, I would be happy to hear a reasonable price for a valveless, piston-rotor, 1, or 2 valve sop.

Hello All, The Imperial Sound Junior Drum & Bugle Corps from West Chester, PA is looking for 2 or 3 valved G bugles and 3 valved Bb brass. We are working on an experimental mix of bugles and brass to widen the timbral register and give an extra openness and volume depth to the sound. Currently, we are also looking for any variation soprano bugle in G, from valve-less to three-valve, for our horn sergeant. The horn sergeant will carry the bugle on/off the field via string, announce the beginning and end of day with reveille and taps, and perform at military funerals and services with it. It may even be utilized for solo work. If you are interested in helping us, please call 1-856-472-2090. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Robert Azzarano Executive Director

I dont get it. How would a junior corps division change anything in taste?

If you're storing the horns in a place where it is cold or keeping them out a while, without playing, then I recommend you pull out all the tuning slides (make sure the valves are compressed while doing so) to prevent expansion and damage to the tubing. Also, pull out the valves, and put them back in on their side or remove them altogether if storing them overnight in frigid temperatures, to prevent sticking to the casing. I recommend Al Cass, but the Remington sounds interesting. I would want to confirm that before use, as it may be corrosive. Of course, be sure to clean the valves and casing thoroughly if you mix oils, in order to ensure that the valves do not stick like glue. It is never a good idea to mix synthetic oils (Blue Juice, for example) with "organics"(?) like Al Cass.

I'd also like to point out the horrible acoustics. This stadium sucks. It actually appears to be the worlds largest donut parking garage that has seats added to it. Sorry, just my 2 cents...

Because, if someone breaks your ranks, you might be the one who is missing teeth. This of course means horn players primarily, but injuries can still happen if rank-breakers are not stopped, meaning hospital bills, which could lead to lawsuits against whomever is responsible.

If you are chartering, I would say: $800 per bus, per day (Through Elite Couch) So, say you have one bus and a staff bus: $1600X14= $22,400 for two weeks. This, of course doesn't cover an equipment truck and a van or mobile kitchen. BTW- This topic is highly amusing, much better than 99% of corps-bashing and ignorance that goes on around here.

Dude, finding that extra 50k is the hardest thing to do. Current operational costs for drum corps total anywhere from 250k-more than 1M. To refit a corps with uniforms costs about $35,000. 50k is a lot, but I highly doubt that this was a "last minute" event. As I'm trying to plan a gala event myself, I can tell you that plans would've needed to be laid out well in advance of the corps departure. Whether the corps was willing to let on as much, I do not know. Speaking to reporters is tricky business. I think the OC knew what they were doing. Peace.

Sorry, I seem to have overlooked your post, accidentally. We plan on having a corps in 2010 for parades and concerts. We don't plan on fielding until 2012, once we are able to get the proper tools to do it, although we are looking at the possibility of doing an exhibition show for 2011. It would be a great experience for you. Imperial Sound plans on doing a retro show for its first exhibition tour which would include drum corps favorites and a look back at the 70s, 80s, and 90s. More info to come.

It could be that someone from a music licensing corporation saw it online, maybe even the company you purchased the rights from, because you probably needed to get the New Media Performance/Master Use/Mechanical License. They have people who work for them, whose only job is to look up possible cases of copyrights violation via a search engine or youtube.

Ok, here's my spiel: Need to file: Articles of Incorporation 134A SS-4 1023 2848/8821 990 And a 990-T if your business gets more than $1,000 in income unrelated to its business. Food Costs: They tend to vary, especially among bigger corps where there is a greater variety on the menu. Typically, for a small corps (less than 50) it costs about $200 per day (not taking into account leftovers from previous meals) and $400 per Camp Weekend on the pre-season. Insurance: Most non profits are covered already from liability, but added coverage is smart, yet expensive. Accident insurance for FMMs, staff, volunteers, and workers-for-hire wouldn't be too bad. Typically, a small group can be covered for no more than $300 a month (this is performer's insurance, not liability coverage). After all this, you need to move at high speed to ensure that you can comply with DCI's list of requirements, including licensing to arrange, a full roster for staff and members, birth certificates, a copy of insurance documentation with DCI listed as a secondary, volunteer base, full menu, plans for transportation, assets, accounts payable/receivable, etc. Mucho work.

Your first step should be to march. Your second step should be to become a member of an admin or support staff to learn about the finance and structure of a million dollar organization, and in some cases, multi-million.

Mileage?

Try to stop the bickering and just enjoy what both corps have to offer. If you enjoy one over the other, than great. We don't need to get angry about it.

Imperial Sound is not dead. The website has been down but will be back up in a few weeks. More information to come, following talks with a sponsor and endorsement for the creation of a parade corps for the 2010 season. Stay tuned, and if you think you can help, just shoot me a message. -Rob

Hey acn, is that avatar from 92?

Hello, I'm the director of the Imperial Youth Arts organization, situated in West Chester, Pennsylvania. We have the eventual goal of starting a Drum & Bugle Corps in the area. Currently, we are in need of the following positions for board-level positions: Financial Director - Someone who has experience with finance and budgeting and loves drum corps. Legal Advisor - A paralegal, lawyer, or anyone who has experience with NPOs or wants to learn. Must be able to look over all documents, assess liability protection and protection of assets, and assess risk management concerns as they arise. Organization Manager - Someone who would like to coordinate fundraising activites and have a hand in the creative aspects of the organization. We also need fundraising volunteers, if anyone out there would like to help, as well as someone to head up the fundraising committee. This is an important area of our organization that needs to be ready ASAP. If you want to help, please reach the director at the email address provided below. As per our status, we are unincorporated as of yet, the reason being that our constitution is still being drafted, and we have yet to fill our Board of Directors. We have all documents signed, filled, and pending filing. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the director at galenct@msn.com Resumes are preffered but not required. We want everyone to feel like they are a part of the team and have a voice. Especially on the creative and business side of the organization, we want people to express their interests and abilities through sale and design. If everything goes according to plan, we will have corps jackets available for our volunteers and board members by the end of our first year as an organization. Remember, by helping us out, you are ensuring that another drum corps remains off the list of folded corps. You are promoting the growth of the activity, and the great things that drum corps does to the young men and women who are involved. That is why the jackets will be available. The people who help in the first year have the hardest job: trusting a new organization with their time and effort. We will be open to opinion and new ideas. That is how we move drum corps forward. That is what we wish to promote. Our mission statement reads as follows: "To promote achievement of both individual and group success, and music education, and to support the arts and their many roles within the local and global community." Thank you for your time. We hope that you will consider volunteering for the positions listed above. Sincerely, Robert Azzarano galenct@msn.com Executive Director Imperial Youth Arts

Its about time. I met Sam Hazo. He's a good guy, and he likes drum corps! Somebody should invite him to have him give his reactions to a show.

bump