brassensemble

You have nothing backing up what you say besides your opinion.

I am very proud of the work that Seth Pearson has done as our Guard Caption Head for the past seven seasons. There is no more of a dedicated person than he was for our Pioneer Corps! He has done a whole lot more than teach! He has been a great positive role model and mentor to every person he has been with in our Pioneer family. I am also very proud of the great work that Mike Marcantano has done as our Staff/Program Coordinator this past season. He is a great organizer and his attention to detail was very evident. Mike also helped the guard and was not afraid to go the extra mile for us. The entire staff and management would like to thank both of these great individuals for their extra hard work and their positive influence on those they worked with. And to answer someone's speculation, Pioneer will continue to have a coed guard! OK, I am not finished! 107 of us have acknowledged these two great instructors, but there is one other person who has done much for our Pioneer Family. He is LANSING DIMON! Lanse has spent several years with us in both teaching and management roles. He has been our communication guru and has done a lot helping me to learn and benefit from his technology experience. He has kept our Pioneer Parents, as well as Members and Staff up to date. He was also right on with our Prospects. He is an unsung hero who did more behind the scenes than anyone can realize. I guess it hasn't hit me that he will no longer be with us. But his work as head band director of WSMA and BOA's Waukesha North's Northstar Marching band, a full time plus responsibility and use of his talents, is really showcasing what Lansing can do as I witnessed a week ago at their home show! Lansing, thank you so much for what you did benefiting the many members, staff, and management that you have served these past several years. Sincere Appreciation! Murray

I would like to personally thank all 132 hardworking members of the 2015 Pioneer Corps. Your Better Every Day attitude proved to be successful and was very evident from the progress shown from show to show. The highly entertaining Exodus production became a crowd favorite. Our goal was to be as entertaining as possible, and it is my opinion that you succeeded.Your dedicated staff did an excellent job of bringing the entire corps with many rookies and loyal vets together givng their best for 80 days. Kudos to the entire staff. and also our management team of Roman Blenski, Charles Miericke, and Mike Marcantano should be complimented for their untiring efforts to make sure that the members were well taken care of. Last but not least a very special thank you to Daphne and Pete our great food service helpers as well as our Pioneer Drivers. Yes Pioneer Family, BE PROUD ! You truly are a WINNING CORPS. Don't let any subjective numbers "scores" rain on your parade! What you have done to beef up your corps was amazing. I, as many, am extremely proud of you! md

You are making some pretty bold statements about Pioneer's staff. Can you back them up with facts??? It's almost as ridiculous as judging teachers' performance and skills by the results of standardized testing. How could Pioneer's staff inhibit members from growing? How can you objectively know anything about our teachers' abilities or lack of? What do you know about the corps' recruiting efforts? What do you actually know about Pioneer's rates of retention? Sorry, but I feel that your careless accusations do nothing more than kicking someone when they are down.

Because Pioneer is a DCI World Class Corps since 1997 and has earned that right. Nothing against the Open Class Corps. We were in "Division II/II" for several years and are proud to have been part of it, as well as of our accomplishments there. We have put on highly entertaining performances for World Class contests, and have every reason to be proud of the products we have turned out. We dwell on being Better Every Day. That has very little to do with existing for the sake of numbers on a recap. So to answer your question: 1) We were proud to be part of DCI and yes, DCM's Divisions III/II/and I, and are and will continue to be proud members of DCI's World Class Division.

HAND-BELLS ANYONE ???? The Pioneer Corps is looking to borrow, rent, or accept donations of some large bells! Our summer show, "JOY" needs to have bells rung by hand on the competition field as well as a HUGE STATIONERY SWINGING BELL . Perhaps some school's band or orchestra has some from a previous production (1812 Overture) that we might be able to use!Yes, we are serious about this! We want to ring in some loud JOY this summer.....Can you help??? Roman Blenski: 414-327-2847 or 414-333-2235-or dbcpmilw@execpc.com Thank you!

Pioneer Corps is in need of FOOD SERVICE HELP We need food serving help in early June in the Milwaukee area. Also we need food truck help on the road....1 day....or 1 week...or 1 month. Enjoy being with extraordinary youth in a life-changing experience for everyone involved. Contact Pioneer Corps Director, Roman Blenski at 414-327-2847 or dbcpmilw@execpc.com DRIVERS FOR HIGHWAY COACHES OR SEMI TRUCKS Drivers are needed for late June until mid-August. We have good equipment and a busy but enjoyable schedule through the Midwest, South, and a bit of the East Coast. 1 day....1 week... 1 month...any help that you could give would be much appreciated. Contact Roman Blenski, Pioneer Corps Director at 414-327-2847 or dbcpmilw@execpc.com

Yes, Pioneer still uses the King horns. They have held up very well with very little maintenance other than the normal preventative keeping them in good shape. King (Conn-Selmer) has been very good to us and their customer service has been a definite plus

Pioneer began its relationship with the field Band Foundation and its Director, Retha Cilliers in 2001. Since that year they have sent the corps some of its finest members. The brass players from South Africa are trained by music major students from the University of Norway. Several of the students who came to Pioneer were given a scholarship to attend the University of Norway after their stint with Pioneer. Several former South African Pioneer members are now teachers for the SA Field Bands. Our very first member from South Africa, now teaches brass technique and music theory. It is a true pleasure to watch these young people with their love for music, develop into fine young musicians as well as very decent and respectable young men and women.

OK, I hate to be a pest, but TOMORROW is the LAST DAY that you can vote to help the Pioneer Corps win a $5,000. CITGO Fuel Card! PLEASE, if you can spare a couple of minutes, help our kids get down the road this summer by Voting TODAY and TOMORROW! Just go to www.fuelinggood.com and vote for us. Scroll on the following: "education" "Wisconsin" Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps" Thank you for your extra efforts! RB You can use the link above by RDevil12 that will make it even easier!

There is just 2 days left in Citgo's FUELING GOOD program. The top non-profit organizations getting the most votes will receive a $5,000. Fuel Card. That would be a great boost to help get our kids down the road this summer. Would you please make the effort by voting for us, once each day until this Thursday, February 9th. It would sure help and we would appreciate it a lot! www.fuelinggood.com "education" "Wisconsin" "Pioneer" Thanks!

Cheap shots like that only tend to hurt those young people who are giving it their all. Is that your intention?

Whose Board of Directors are you referring to? If it is Pioneer's Board, I, as a member, personally invite you to come and state your case! What are your "objective" reasons to support your calling for any change at the top? Are they based on how you were treated as a member of the corps? Are they based on your current knowledge as to today's internal functioning and operations of the Pioneer Corps? Are they based based purely on the numerical placing of the corps? If you were or are ashamed of having been a Pioneer, I pity you! The thought of you questioning Roman's ability to lead makes me wonder your real objectives. If you really cared, wouldn't you be helping out your corps and showing positive support rather than back-stabbing the very one who gave you so much, who for you and many others has gone way above and beyond the norm? If you actually saw the corps performance in quarterfinals (DID YOU???), I do not know how you could ridicule the corps director's leadership abililty of successfully putting together a highly respectable and entertaining product. He developed an excellent teaching staff, and under his leadership we recruited a corps made up of many new members who bonded together giving it their all as Proud Pioneer. We are so very proud of them. Roman's leadership by example is the glue that secures that bond. I am sure that our members are highly offended by a Pioneer alumnus biting the hand of the very person who gave him the many opportunities to learn and experience drum corps, both musically and socially. Yes, Bal, our members are very disappointed that the scoring did not reflect the the musical and visual progress of your Pioneer Corps, but they are exteremely proud of each other and their Pioneer Corps Family. Degrading statements about any of our staff, members, or management, only serve to try and break the bond of our (your) Pioneer family. I hope that is not your intention. I am sure that our members are highly offended by a Pioneer alumnus biting the hand of the very person who gave him the many opportunities to learn, grow, in an experience drum corps environment, both musically and socially. What is the "800 pound elephant in the room" that you refer to? If it refers to all of Roman's fine efforts of sincerely caring for each and every member, giving them a fine instructional staff and an entertaining show for them to perform, you fail to see the corps activity primarily being that of a musical youth activity for the benefit of each and every one of those young members. That is more important than mere numbers or standings. Don't get me wrong, we value being competitive, but the prime focus is on each and every member, far more important than status or numbers. So please, if you have anything constructive to say, please do. Would you like to be part of our alumni association? Would you like to come and offer some positive ideas to our board? Would you like to come and be of help during camps, everydays, or during the season? If so, call or email me. I would like for you to see and witness for yourself what our current staff, management team, and members are doing to make your Pioneer Corps truly, "Better Every Day!" Murray dbcpmilw@execpc.com 414-327-2847

To say that the Drum and Bugle Corps Activity is a fraternity of youth organizations that look out for and each other, was reinforced this past evening. The Pioneer's food truck was having some mechanical problems, and had to be left behind for some needed repairs. So the corps and its equipment proceeded to Charleston to compete. The Phantom Regiment, hearing about Pioneer's dilemma shared their evening meal with Pioneer. That was definitely an unselfish, brotherly act on their part. Pioneer and the Regiment share resources when the need arises. Pioneer makes one of their buses available to the Regiment for their use at winter camps. Pioneer's members and staff want to express their sincere thanks to the Phantom Regiment Corps for a wonderful and unexpected supper! Music City Corps, also finding out about Pioneer's challenge gave the corps food for today's lunch in case our truck is still in repair. Wow! this is an overwhelming expression of the "togetherness and friendship" that many of the corps share. And oh yes, an Executive Angel from the Michelin Tire Company from Greenville, SC has donated tires for our food truck to be installed as it is being repaired! People such as have been mentioned, not only make the Pioneer, but every corps, "Better Every Day!"

Yes, it is true. The 2011 music for its 50th Anniversary is an original work by Nicholas Golding. So far the audiences have been pleasantly surprised with this fast-moving upbeat show. The members are having a great time with it as you can tell watching them perform.

Howdy, on 30 June 2011 - 07:25 PM, said: In my opinion I do not think that Pioneer has a very good chance to make semifinals. Call them a 50 -1 longshot to do that. I hear this same hype repeated year after year, without seeing the changes that are needed to get them there. Many have said that the kids in Pioneer get great experiences. My issue with Pioneer is that in my opinion so many bad experiences also go on there (that should not go on there but do, and are often repeated over and over again year after year). As for Pioneer doing an excellent job recruiting in their backyard, we will have to agree to disagree about that, but I do not fault them for trying. So Mikey,in your vast knowledge of the Pioneer Corps and its inner workings, you know for a fact that there are many bad experiences taking place in Pioneer today? I'll bet that if you asked any of this season's members about that, they would wonder what in the world you are talking about! I never expected you to be so verbally abusive about the Pioneer Corps, its staff, management, and direction. As a Christian, (I assume that you still are), whatever grudges that you have had about the Pioneer Corps, its staff and management, past and present should be forgiven and forgotten, correct? Don't you think that our kids read this? As for recruiting, I take that as a personal insult since I am responsible for it. As far as recruiting in our own back yard do you even have a clue as to what I have been doing? Do you have any realization as to where I have gone, who I have spoken to, and what band directors that I communicate with on a regular basis? How many corps today have a majority of its members from within their own back yard? Do you have any idea of how many proud new Pioneer members that we have this year? Since there are so many positives happening within the Pioneer organization today, the kids, their staff, and yes, not even Roman deserve public negativity based on your past experiences. Within our staff/management today there is no drama, but lots of cooperation focused on our strong desire to give our members the best musical,visual,and social experiences possible. They are not doing it to fulfill their own egos! Please Mikey, if for nothing else but for the sake of our young impressionable members, try and accentuate the positive and let bygones be bygones. You certainly have a right to all of your opinions, but trust me, being away from Pioneer since 2008, so much that you have not witnessed is taking place. I, for one, am so very proud of our eager members, our very dedicated and caring staff, and Roman who has given it all for the past 50 years and continues to do it for all the right reasons. Better Every Day!

The Pioneer Corps received a special surprise after the Indianapolis show. Troopers Corps Director, Fred Morris, orchestrated a cake and ice cream social for both the Troopers and Pioneer Corps to help celebrate Pioneer's 50th Anniversary. This totally unexpected act clearly demonstrates "Class" on the part of the entire Troopers organization. The Pioneer members and staff were extremely happy and surprised with this act of kindness. These two corps with a lot of history behind them continue to produce fine programs and activities for the benefit of their members. Thanks again Troopers! We will always remember this!

Hello Jim F. Please check your email for our response. Thank you!

Roman Blenski has hired some credible instructors to give the membership a strong musical and visually educational experience, as well as the development of a competitive program. Here is a link to the facts behind the above statement: http://www.pioneer-corps.org If you take a look at the 2011 production and listen to the mp3 examples, you will see that it has been designed with competitiveness in mind. The arrangements alone testify to that. If you look at the bios of the staff, there again are some facts that show Roman is being proactive and not a hindrance to the competitiveness of the Pioneer Corps. Those who experienced the December audition/rehearsal camp weekend will testify to the serious commitment that the staff has, under the leadership of Roman Blenski, to raising the competitive bar level of the corps. OK, this is my opinion, "I feel that Roman is making every effort to boost the level of the corps. He has hired a very good design and teaching staff as well as an excellent Staff/Program Coordinator to man and be responsible for that aspect of the corps.") Having been part of both Drum Corps Midwest and DCI Open (II/III)'s operational staffs, I have gotten to both know and appreciate the dedication of many corps directors. I guess it is my instinct to be protective of them and their reputations, mainly because of their genuine caring about the success of their young members, as well as the direction of that the corps activity takes. There is kind of a fraternal bond of many corps directors, offering whatever they can to each other for the benefit of all. So to you and all readers, I just want to let you know that efforts are definitely in place, as well as the freedom to implement these efforts, to make the Pioneer Corps, "Better Every Day!" Yes with Roman Blenski at the helm. Just 2 more opinions from me: 1) Roman is doing all that he can to insure the success of Pioneer. 2) As you stated, "Roman does not smell." He uses IRISH SPRING every day! :-)

So it is opinion rather than known facts. The Blue Star and Colts organizations exemplify class, something that should have rubbed off on you. The leadership of both of those corps have a long standing mutual respect and cordiality towards Mr. Blenski. Who are these staffers that you are referring too? What specific facts do you have to stand behind your allegations? Corps gossip is not a valid substitution for facts! Changing of staff members is done for various reasons by all corps, as you should well know. There are some top competitive corps that are constantly changing staff members. Your opinions are just that. Gossip does nothing but destroy. Your motives??? Facts, Mr. Bozzly.

And what exactly, Mr. Bozzly is your premise that the person who has kept the corps alive for the past 49 years should be removed from his position? What specific knowledge do you have that you would state that Roman's continued involvement would not have any bearing as to its competitiveness or "inability to be competitive"?. Are you going on hear-say? Are you going on your own biased opinion of the Pioneer Corps? What exactly is your motivation for blasting Mr. Blenski in the manner you have? Do you think your continued degradation will have anything but a negative effect on those young prospects who might want to be part of the Pioneer Corps? Do you have personal experiences with the Pioneer Corps that give you any validity to make such damaging statements? Despite you, the Pioneer Corps will succeed at being competitive. If you had an ounce of concern for the corps, you would check the facts before making rash statements. Your affiliation with the Blue Stars and Colts certainly do not give you the right to pontificate as to who should be removed for the benefit of the corps. What corps have you successfully administrated for the past 50 years? What do you know about the leadership of a youth organization other than maybe a caption that you were involved with or considering a subjective numerical score to be the judge of the corps' success? If it is just placement that you are concerned about, then you are forgetting that there is so much more to the educational and social foundation of a youth activity such as drum corps. Don't try and destroy what you know nothing about. Look at the credibility of the corps' instructional staff. Look at the possibility being helpful. Intentional attempts at destroying an individual's image never produces a positive result. There is no perfect corps director. They wouldn't give their heart and soul into an activity for the benefit of its youth, unless, even with their human limitations, they were able to be successful by surrounding themselves with others whose abilities and talents make for a healthy and meaningful program.

OK. Fill me in please! What do you know about the Pioneer "Board of Directors?" Please tell! I am extremely curious about your knowledge! Oh yes, and what about your expertise and willingness to help in a fund-raising effort that you said you would contact us about? We're all ears!

Thanks Tom for the Alumni ideas. We should have 50 years worth of them and hopefully some would be willing to help make it a reality for some young person to experience what they did. I remember the PRC / Legion days and if I remember right you had a lot to do with their image and success. Maybe it's time for you to come back and help another corps :-)

My biggest concern is for the Pioneer Corps Members who are reading all of this. There is a lot of negativity concerning the corps, staff, and management being thrown out on this site. How does that benefit these young members who have worked so many hours to make their corps better? Where is the encouragement to these kids to hang in there and help their Pioneer Corps become Better Every Day? Retention of our members is not helped by stereotyping them as being in a "training corps." Pioneer Members, "You have every right to be proud of, and not ashamed of, your Pioneer Corps." You should be proud that your performances were worthy of several standing ovations given by the many audiences that you entertained. Other corps that were higher up the competitive ladder did not receive nearly the applause that you did. Let it be known that you were all important and vital members of the Pioneer Corps Family, and not just numbers to fill out the ranks! The awesome music that you played was arranged by Donny Allen. Be proud of that! He gave that show his all! Your percussion music was written by Adam Hill. No one worked harder than he did to make this show sell to the crowd! Be proud of David Crook who did so very much in developing your guard and its design. Be proud that you had Jeff Wroblewski design your visual show. As we all know, he is among the best drill writers around. Add to that Chad Quamme and his visual staff who spent all of those hours with you teaching and refining the drill. Yes you had an excellent staff. Is there room for improvement? Of course there is! Are there steps being taken to accomplish improvement? Yes there are. Is it worth the effort? Proud Pioneer Family, you know it is! Bashing the corps, criticizing the show's theme, scrutinizing the corps' traditions, etc. are definitely counterproductive and sometimes reflect the forgetfulness of the purpose of drum corps, "ITS MEMBERS." They deserve the best we can give them. It is my hope that with all of your support we can continue to do that. Constructive criticism is always welcome. You can email your ideas directly to us at: dbcpmilw@execpc.com You can also mail your ideas to: Pioneer Corps 4601 W. Holt Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53219 Or...you can even call me at: 414-327-2847 To offer ideas is one thing. To help implement those ideas is ideal! BETTER EVERY DAY!

After talking with the DCI Housing Coordinator, what was said above is true. We have had our Indianapolis housing changed to: CRISPUS ATTUCKS MEDICAL MAGNET SCHOOL 1140 W. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ST. INDIANAPOLIS Thank you "Copyright" for the heads up!