wolfgang

Do those Universities close up shop one day after people apply? ... and not to belabor the point, but what are the odds not a single person in the entire SCV organization knew on Sunday they were going to announce the very next day they would suspend operations?

Paging Mr. Holland. As someone not involved in the NYC music scene, I don't know if professional actors or musicians are required to pay to audition, but for sake of argument- An off-Broadway troupe announces a musical. Auditions are scheduled at $50 a pop, people show up and try out. The next day, the troupe announces sorry, we've decided for financial reasons the planned production is off. What recourse would the actors and musicians have, and what repercussions would there be for the people that called off the musical one day after accepting cash for auditions?

Great point. If it were to occur, I'd say start it by Labor Day and get it done within a month. That would require hustle and effort, and would need to be completed before November auditions start. The results (whether done internally by DCI or externally by a vendor) would have to be early enough for findings to be examined and any adverse determinations communicated to the corps. Does it guarantee issues won't pop up over the winter? No. However, if accurately done, it would at least put the kibosh on any corps starting auditions when the corps has serious financial issues that would preclude a multi-week national tour.

What was the stated purpose of the audition camps? Is it or is it not probable that somebody in SCV Admin knew on Sunday they were going to announce going inactive on Monday? Was the enticement to the kids (audition for '23 SCV) made with foreknowledge by anybody in SCV Admin at any time prior to the start time @ TCU and MG Johnson on Sunday, 12/11/22, and was any such foreknowledge communicated to either SCV Brass staff or auditionees either onsite or prior to the start of the two brass audition camps? Side question- is it ethical to call a "10-minute time commitment" (their words, not mine) a "camp?"

This may sound harsh, but using SCV as an example, I would not be opposed to a lifetime ban for anyone in SCV Admin who greenlit having not one but two audition "camps" (if you can call ten minutes a camp) in Texas on Sunday, then literally going inactive on Monday. I suspect many instructional staff had no idea, and basically SCV leadership defrauded everyone involved. And... spare me any sanctimony about "...but the kids got the benefit of time with the instructional staff...." Read the announcement below. If they adhered to the timeframe mentioned, any instruction would minimal. The purpose of the camp wasn't a group brass lesson, it was to audition for the 2023 SCV. That's the reason for the camp, otherwise it would not have been promoted as an audition weekend. For context, this is still on the SCV Facebook page, posted 12/7 about upcoming audition camp on 12/11. It says NOTHING about the experience of "learning from a world class staff blah blah blah..." It was to audition for the hornline. AND... considering it says "10 minute time commitment", exactly how much instruction was actually provided? $50 for ten minutes??? That equals $300 an hour. Many attorneys and doctors don't even make that. SCV Brass & Color Guard Satellite & Video Auditions!! You still have time to submit your video entry or sign up for one of our satellite auditions. 1. Brass Satellite Camp at TCU in D/FW at TCU on December 11. $50, play music you already have prepared, 10 minute time commitment. Brass Satellite Audition Link: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdEyCasv9p.../viewform... 2. Brass Satellite Camp in Austin at Moe and Gene Johnson High School on December 11. $50, play music you already have prepared, 10 minute time commitment. Brass Satellite Audition Link: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdEyCasv9p.../viewform... The very next day, 12/12, the announcement was made. Someone in the Admin should have known the shoe was going to drop, or someone advising the Admin poured the cold water of truth sometime that weekend. Anyway, the Admin either did (intentional) or should have (negligence) known the announcement was coming.(Off soapbox now)

Pondering several DCI/financial issues- Back during the financial crisis of 2008, one term in the news a lot was "stress test," meaning (I think) the Fed would audit or look at the financial status of banks to verify if they were solvent. Should DCI do something like this with corps? Even if they should, could they? Who would be the best entity to do this? If external, would it be cost prohibitive? What metrics would be used? How much reserves should a corps be required to have to participate in DCI? ...and there would be other considerations that may arise. For example, in rare occassions when non-US corps come like Beatrix (or Kidsgrove who were supposed to come in 2020), how should/could DCI handle that?

Given the reason for SCV going inactive, the quoted statement is, shall we say, ironic?

FYI, here is a link for the zoom meeting last September when they announced Vanguard Cadets weren't coming out. I believe the first 30 minutes is specific to the Vanguard Cadets situation. Vanguard September Zoom Meeting Let me throw this out there because I see no evidence this has been considered: What if months ago, they decided to pause SCV for 2023, and keep Vanguard Cadets, but do the BDB model (ie- no touring outside California, only kids within 200 miles of Santa Clara). There would still be expenses, but much less than a World Class nationwide tour and Open Class several week midwest tour. Also, as much as possible, local staff (no air fare). With BD, SCV, and Mandarins in the area, I cannot believe there aren't designers and staff members in the area that could have worked with SCVC to operate albeit on a much more limited, in-state basis for a time while big brother is on hiatus. If finances would not allow even that limited, local Open class option, may I add an idea for the rebirth: START with Vanguard Cadets, get that corps up and running (and build a more local presence), then add SCV once the base is built up. He wants local help, but if the Cadet corps never comes back, how are all those Texas kids in SCV going to help with bingo (or whatever additional local revenue sources they utilize). Just a thought. Restart locally (Open), then add nationally (World) only after the local base is re-established.

I feel the same way about indoor drumline. At WGI, all the world class lines work their tails off, yet lots of people who paid for tickets stay in the lot until the last few lines. In both DCI and WGI percussion, there are fantastic groups who aren't in the top 5.

Terri, I recall reading that between 1982 (Montreal, 2nd yr in a row) to 1983 (Orange Bowl in Miami), lots of corps folded. And, maybe someone can confirm, wasn't DCI planning to go back to Miami in '84 and Ga Tech was a last minute substitute venue? Wasn't '83 the year the Knights were on a path to making Finals, some staff said the wrong thing in critique, then their scores tanked? If true, an organization with integrity would have told the judges knock it off, judge the show on the field or you'll be banned from setting foot in any DCI contest for the rest of your lives.

I wonder when his name was removed from the BD website? If there was a way to get an archived webpage from a few months ago...

Different people have different personal thresholds where they say no more, no dci for me this year. I know of some who paid for tix, got caught in the entry fiasco at Finals last August, and decided that was their last straw. No more dci. Others may have seen the ticket price increase and opted out. Others may compare 2022 w/SCV, SCVC,Legends who are not coming out and decided no (though Spirit, Columbians, and last I heard, Cascades are planning to come to Championships). Even in past years, show trends, A&E, desire for different city and other factors caused some people to decide not to come to Indy. If you are/were planning to come to Championships, what would be/was your personal tipping point when you decide(d) no, not worth making the trip any more?

At BOA this year, a certain band from Florida also way over-amplified the entire band when it wasn't needed. Connection?

DCI design meeting circa 1991 "Hey guys, how 'bout this? We're doing Miss Saigon, right? Why don't we recreate the effect of helicopters evacuating frantic people by having the drums play from left to right across the field. It will sound like helicopters flying across the field. It'll be cool!" DCI design meeting, circa 2024 "Hey guys, how 'bout this? We're doing Miss Saigon, right? Why don't we recreate the effect of helicopters evacuatimg frantic people by having a synth player hit a key, triggering a helicopter sound which we can pan across our speakers left to right. It will sound like helicopters flying across the field. It'll be cool"

Fwiw, I didn't hear of any ticket/line issues at BOA last weekend.

“The Cavaliers are incredibly excited and honored to welcome three master teachers whose names are synonymous with excellence in music education” says Program Coordinator David Starnes regarding this team. “Their experience and depth of musical knowledge will create a fresh perspective on the Cavaliers organization that will impact both members and staff alike.” We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Joni, Randy, and Tom on board to help craft our 75th anniversary program. Randy Greenwell is the former Director of Bands at Lawrence Central High School. During his tenure there, the group was an eighteen time Bands of America Grand National Finalists, winning Grand Nationals twice. Randy is an adjudicator for DCI, WGI, and Bands of America. He tours the country as a guest conductor, music arranger, program coordinator, and a Conn Selmer Marching Arts clinician. Randy was inducted into the Music for All / Bands of America Hall of Fame in 2018. Read His Full Bio Here Joni Perez returns to the Cavaliers for their 75th season after having worked with our corps between 2008 and 2011. She has served The Woodlands High School band for over 19 years, 13 of which as the Director of Bands. During her time as director, the program was a Bands of America Grand National Finalist all six times they attended, winning first place in 2013. Joni performed with DCI Champion group Cadets of Bergen County in the late 1990s, as well as the original London cast of Blast!. She’s instructed the Blue Knights, the Madison Scouts, and the Bluecoats. Read Her Full Bio Here Tom Dean taught band with his alma mater, Castle High School from 1993 - 2022. The group was a consistent Indiana state finalist and earned several BOA Regional Championships. In 2016, Castle Bands were a BOA Grand National finalist, and in 2017 they were the class 3A National Champion. Today, Tom works with Music Travel Consultants and is an active designer, consultant, and adjudicator for several performing ensembles. Read His Full Bio Here We will be announcing additional consulting staff for this landmark season in the near future. To see the full talented, world-class staff we have in place for our 75th anniversary season,. Link

They are rebroadcasting each night this week. I actually watched part of last night. Tim is doing his best to do right by everyone. There are 4 options each day, based on time zone. ANNOUNCEMENT For our customers impacted by the outage during the Grand National Finals broadcast. We are pleased announce that BOX5-TV will be rebroadcasting the 2022 Grand National - Finals. This includes all customers who purchased a Grand National Finals, All Grand Nationals and Pro Pass. These customers will have access to view these rebroadcasts as long as they are available. The broadcast schedule is as follows: Monday - 7pm (Eastern, Central, Mountain & Pacific) Tuesday- 7pm (Eastern, Central, Mountain & Pacific) Wednesday - 7pm (Eastern, Central, Mountain & Pacific) Thursday - 7pm (Eastern, Central, Mountain & Pacific) Friday - 7pm (Eastern, Central, Mountain & Pacific) For instructions on how to access these rebroadcasts, please visit - box5tv.com/2022-grand-national-finals-rebroadcast-information/ In addition, we will be offering every customer of the Grand National Finals, All Grand Nationals and Pro Pass a 15% discount on future BOX5-TV broadcasts. That would include any future broadcast or Pro Pass that BOX5-TV offers. Information regarding that coupon will be forthcoming and be sent directly to those customers. In addition, we will be reaching out to each finalist band director and offer our sincerest apologies on the issue that caused their families such disappointment and frustration during the live broadcast. We will also be offering to host a watch party for each finalist band which includes free access to the stream. Subscribers please check your email for important information. While we understand this isn’t a live broadcast, we hope it will help create some goodwill among our customers.”

NFLPA wants turf changes at several stadiums, including Indy Discuss

My understanding from people who have seen bands in the Cowboys stadium is the sound is horrible, as in worse than any indoor stadium DCI has ever had a show in. And, if anyone mentions the Superdome, have you seen how far away the sideline is from the seats there? I don't think that would be a viable venue. Not sure about room for warmup and bus parking in NOLA.

Careful. The forum gatekeepers will jump your case for having the gall to suggest DCI host a show anywhere it gets near 100 degrees, even though it would be indoors, and per a Vegas resident who posted a few years ago on a thread about having a Vegas show, it's during the slow season for conventions and there would be lots of unused convention space that could be adapted for indoor rehearsals.

This isn't DCI, but it is relevant to the extent of illustrating how hosting a big marching event in a major city is fraught with challenges. This coming weekend, Bands of America will host the St. Louis Super Regional at the dome where the Rams formerly played. The dome has hosted BOA competitions for 25 years, and (I believe) there has also been another big show in that dome that draws lots of bands from Missouri and Illinois. The link below is from a local news affiliate on the lots where the bands will park. Granted, the BOA event has over 60 groups, and a DCI event at that site would be lucky to get 10 corps, but the situation would be just as dire for corps as for bands. https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/residents-disgusted-by-eyesore-weeds-trash-at-dome-downtown/ It just goes to show that someone can host an event, get the city on board, get groups to come, sell tickets, and on top of that there can still be logistical issues (7 foot tall weeds and trash in the lot 5 days prior) that cause huge headaches.

https://youtu.be/XDG833QrUWc 30 years ago this year. Judges tape from '92 Crossmen. I can't remember if they won the Sanford that year. I think Mark Thurston line? I can evaluate brass and visual better than drums, so am asking those who would know better: Would this or other top books from that Era still hold up well today (aka is quality writing/performing excellent no matter what era it's from)? What do you consider to be the quintessential lines from the 80s and 90s?

You may want to discuss that with the wineries and other non-political businesses located on your coast that use the term as part of their name... Back to the main point- The Cascades are coming back.

Try an experiment. Go to Google, type "left coast." Scroll down. Look at all the businesses from food establishments, wineries, investments, and even a chamber music ensemble. None of these are political; they use a term as part of their name that describes the side of the map the west falls on. Thank you.

Anyone know if Gold may apply to move to World Class?