GUARDLING

Teaching styles for most are quite known. Bullying can also be viewed quit diffrently in some cases. Was it actually bulling or a staff member being tuff. Is someone bullied or just doesn'tlike to be critized, I've seen both hundreds of times over the years. Actual bulling or degrading is quite different and the corps management needs to be held accountable for their staff in all aspects. If management is not aware of all staff behaviors then they aren't good at their jobs and responsibilities. If management is the actual bully, then that's another issue. As I said earlier, an accusation needs to be investigated not just assume, nor follow someone innocent. If all accusations on all subjects went into a data base I think few peoples names would be off that list.

Often in today's world the accusation even without proof can do alot of lasting damage. Victims all around...sad

Which shows that all possible victims should be heard but only facts should condemn. Think about if social media was like it is now what might have been done to an innocent you.

Drum Corps always have stories and those who create them . Either way it's been 4 years as you say. I remember hearing they wouldn;t make it out the 1st year just to be welcomed and encouraged. Now as far as the rest of the community, I'll leave that to others to decide for themselves. Im sure there are lots of opinions and always those who do things to feed the flame throwers, with very good reason at times PMed you🙂

Sure it has, when many predicted this iconic corps could never survive, no one would join, parents wouldn't support, etc etc. Here they are😉 It shows A successful corps is bigger than any 1 person or any 1 opinion. FHNSAB and yes I do know what you meant DUDE!...lol😝

It's an over used word that many ( especially on cable news ) that got a memo saying " Here's your new word minions , now work it into everything you say "...ughhhhh...lol

I think Drum corps is a very inclusive world for quite some time now. Others hopefully are weeded out or given an opportunity to learn and grow, Hopefully

A good tech is worth their weight in $$$$$$$ Beyond design they make it all work and look great. Never enough credit for them.

I don't think pointing things out or a reason has to mean complaining..Just pointing out the difference today . Cost is far more than just staff . If you are a caption head or a tech. If youre on the road 80 days or 7 doesnt compare to the $$$$$$ to just be on the road period. This is something un avoidable in todays world IMO . As pointed out, even dance programs for kids can cost thousands without, travel, food, lodging etc etc. Just a different world and very different times. Decades ago corps had to sometimes get creative just to get to the next week ( and there were corps who didn't ) Today in that respect is no different, they just need to be more creative ALOT more to survive. Different times You are right though about what can be burn out. It can be grueling to be out on tour after a while, especially with other commitments and that's just another example how different the activity and the world is today.

Yeah, so true.. Don't get me wrong I love todays drum corps. Although I have taught judged , directed through this all , personally I would have loved to perform in todays drum corps BUT you could be right.

I get ya...totally I think accessibility , especially at a high level of the activity could be a thing of the past. Now corps have created programs to help some members BUT the pendulum would have to swing in alot more aspects in the world in general to make a significant change. Sad maybe but true I think. The shoe string many corps existed on is literally gone today

I remember a relative of mine spending thousands ( many years ago ) on their daughters dance classes ( no food or lodging ) to be a 5 year old dancing bumble bee ...lol...as years went on and they went into dance competitions the cost was un believable.

lol i was typing just about the same thing while you did..lol...All true

Staff members BITD got money in alot of ways based off the popularity of their corps. Exactly how the band programs became more drum corps like and added to the merging and blurring of those lines to today. With that said , it is alot different today. Noone will devote what's needed to puit a corps on the field for gas money. Just like " free or minimal charge for a rehearsal facility , sending kids running across highways for Mc Donalds for a meal, school busses, broken down transportation, etc etc. Not just in design or talented staff ( a reason some icons are still involved ) there are professionals needed from medical drivers ( not someones dad driving with no restrictions ) etc etc,. I have no issues forking out money for someone worth it , talented, devoted, there at all or most times BUT the amount of staff because it's not like that is quite alot

It all comes down to specialization . At one time staff need to do it all for the most part. What we didn't know or what we may have been weak at we had to learn. We also needed to be present. We were lucky if we had an assistant to help clean.

I can agree....partially..I think it's not the amount that's paid to some staff , it's the amount of staff that corps have nowadays. In years past we had far fewer staff, staff that had to do more with less help than today and staff that had to manage and still put out a very high quality product. AND NO i'm not talking 100 years ago...lol

and a Narcissistic and Sociopath thrive on attention, They crave it, live by it,will find every way to get it. They can't live without it. They don't care if it's negative or positive attention as long as it's attention. What they fear is the LACK OF ATTENTION. Want to get to them? Don't feed the beast.

Over promised ( staff and members ) under delivered

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I've often wondered if they even listen to their own music. I also agree some this year did at least hit some cues and was very effective.

Very true , but it's also well known among World class where the bread and butter is. Many from that class also rely on those scholastic groups . I remember a time ,and keep in mind, with many of the same in charge when they literallywere selling tickets to the lower classes to finals with 100% obstruction. Not in the way of seeing a bit BUT 100% so nothing could be seen and for ( if I remember correctly ), for like 10 bucks. I personally went to the office at the arena and spoke to the big guns so to speak and said these kids can''t see a thing ,nothing, and how wrong it was, well I was told at least they were in the arena and if they didn't like it there was several exits. That's an answer? Of course I was furious and keep in mind it didn't affect at the time kids I was teaching but #### if you're gonna let them in with not enough space at least let them in free or maybe a minimal. Thankfully, at least the outward support for the lower teams has changed and I think many realized that their salaries and positions depend on ALL, especially, scholastic groups.. There's so many of them..lol. WC will always have the loudest voice BUT I guess when you've been around since dirt and can remember a time when A class didn't even have a voice it's nice to see how the power in numbers and $$$$$$$ can make an impact or at very least demand respect, as they should. DCI can learn! HMMMM being that DCI IS THE CORPS maybe it's just some people need to be willing to learn😉

and the Scholastic units from A to world learned how to leverage their importance years ago. THEY are the bread and butter of WGI

AS there have been older ones who were or have been great leaders. Just saying we will always have issues young or old. As far as recent issues , I can tell you 1st hand there are creepy dirt bags all over, running things, teaching and yes marching . Sad but true, I think it just takes eyes wide open and hopefully trustworthy management. Yes it can be tricky

Would be different ?, not so sure. Many of the issues in the past runs the age range. Just recently it was about member to member. I agree at times the old boys club can be obstruction to many things others would like to see OR it's a protection club of their own self interest BUT I have also seen new people just take on the same role, No different except for the faces