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eastcoastjazz

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Posts posted by eastcoastjazz

    Instructor's caucus

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    There was a reply to the restated question. It was not ignored.

    Sorry, after reading that it was a little nebulous who said, "Outside the 40's?" I just put "he", but that was Hopkins answer to the first question Tim asked. Then, when Tim qualified his question, Hopkins ignored him. Is that the answer you heard?

    Garry in Vegas

    Instructor's caucus

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    The response was a direct audio quote from Marcel Marceau in Mel Brooks' film "Silent Movie" :rolleyes:

    Realizing that, without a recording or a transcipt, this is all "He said/He said", it kind of bothers me that, assuming good faith on both sides, there was such a lack of focus in this meeting. Either debaters were unable or unwilling to make themselves heard, the room was so unforgiving to making speakers heard, or the others there presented too much distraction for such talk to be unaudible.

    I think we can all agree that observations like whether the group was closed- or open-minded to Tim's presentation are subject to interpretation and a reasonable argument could be made either way, but whether George made an audible, nontrivial reply to Tim's question surely should not be open to such interpretation. While the truth may lie somewhere between the instructors gave Tim the cold shoulder and warmly greeted him, there is nowhere "in between" the truth of whether George answered or not.

    There are 3 options:

    Someone is lying.

    George did answer, but only some people heard him because he mumbled an answer.

    George did answer, but the room was too noisy for him to be heard by all.

    This is all curious.

    Instructor's caucus

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    That's odd. I was there and did hear George reply. I am surprised you did not Garry.


    Hopkins was discussing the development of Cadets show for the crowd. He was asked about the changes made to the narration, crowd reactions, etc. Tim asked him whether the design staff spent anytime outside the 40s when developing the narration. He asked "Outside the 40s?". Tim responded, "Yes, the 40 yard lines, where 2/3 of the audience is sitting, (pause) and cannot hear the narration." He did not respond, and the judge leading the session said that he guessed he (Hopkins) answered the question.

    So, I guess Hopkins has selective hearing. He heard the first part, asked for clarification, then evidently didn't hear the second part.

    Now, it's irrelevant who the characters are in this example. But to simply ignore a question tells me that there's no answer, or the respondant can't answer because they don't know.

    I'll take staging for $2000, Alex.

    Garry in Vegas

    Instructor's caucus

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by eastcoastjazz

    guess you weren't in the percussion caucus when he blew up at an instructor.

    I was there, so here's my perspective. Friday night I didn't think he was angry and confrontational. He presented his proposals just like Ron and George. He raised his voice to try to be heard in a large room without a mic, and his voice didn't project as well as Ron or George. I didn't take it as angry. Never saw him storm out of a room. Never heard him threaten to sue DCI. He asked some blunt questions. Could have been better, but gotta admit he was not in friendly territory. Honestly, I didn't see anyone really take the proposals seriously. In the instructor caucus, we were all ready to just move on past them and not discuss them cuz they didn't have a chance. The results of the vote prove that out. Lotta folks did blow him off, and I heard a fair share of remarks at his expense all weekend. The guy was pushing proposals that were unpopular with the crowd in Orlando. TerriTroop hit it IMO. Everything colored by perspectives.

    Instructor's caucus

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Well that's one way to decribe the session. Having been there I would say I have a distinctly different impression.

    Got a chance to talk to someone at the caucus, and asked him specifically about when Tim's proposals were introduced.

    Basically, they ignored him. There was little to no discussion unless it was instigated by Tim. Even then answers and comments were few or not at all. People were giving him dirty looks and avoiding talking to him. They were not willing to discuss any of the financial ramifications at all. Basic costs of operating a corps are skyrocketing, fees are rising to compensate, but let's blow a few grand on amplifiers, speakers and electronic devices. I'd call that irresponsible at best.

    When one judge raised a point regarding pits being "too hot" last summer, Tim asked why the scores didn't show it. When asked what he meant, Tim defined it further by asking if a corps is having blend and balance problems why it's not reflected in the scoring. When pressed further for examples, Tim mentioned BD at semifinals. Hoppy shut the discussion down right then.

    My question: What do they fear? Why can't they tackle this discussion head-on? If they're so sure of their reasons for introducing new rules they should be able to debate the points and defend their position. Instead they run away or try to ignore any challenge. IMO, they can't defend their actions. Poorly written proposals are submitted and the "creative" people rubber stamp them.

    I have a feeling this isn't over yet. The precedent has been set. Tim's proposals should be reintroduced, year after year, until they either start listening to the fans or can reasonably discuss the issues and convince everyone why this is good for drum corps.

    Now we know how they feel about us. They don't give a rat's behind. Why should we? Because we're more passionate than they are about the history and traditions of drum corps, about fiscal responsibility, about respecting those that perpetuated the activity so they could have a chance to march and teach.

    If I treated my guests in my restaurant like the instructors treated Tim, I wouldn't be in business for very long. Unlike them, I listen to my guests and work hard to perpetuate their patronage.

    Garry in Vegas

    PS Tim if I ever meet you, the beer's on me!

    Sweeny Todd

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Program announcement from Citations forthcoming.....

    Promises to be a very cool show!

    Fred Ford

    Jersey Surf - Program Coordinator

    Citations - Program Consultant

    The MB I arrange for did a Sweeney Todd show in 2003. It was probably the most fun I have had arranging ever...plus my daughter was one of two DM's.

    The Next Great American Band

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by eastcoastjazz

    Close, but no cigar. "Shorty" is Tim Bartholomew, who marched in the Garfield Cadets in the early 80's. He then went on to teach Cadets, Troopers, Crossmen, Star and is now the Director of Education for Jersey Surf.

    By the way, Scott Steward's next appearance after the finale of Next Great American Band will be Dec 21-23 at the Jersey Surf December Camp. Scott is the new brass caption head for the corps and we are all very excited to welcome yet another famous trumpet player into the Surf family!

    Fred Ford

    Program Coordinator

    Jersey Surf

    quote name='corpsvalues' date='Dec 15 2007, 02:07 AM' post='2100961']

    Is this the soloist they used to call "Shorty" ??!

    New Design For Spartans.

    in DCI Open Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Not quite true.

    The Citations had a wonderful Open House and first rehearsal. Over 60 new members, along with a large amount of returning veterans attended. To date there have been no staff additions from 2007 other than Ed Devlin as visual designer and myself as a program consultant.

    Stay tuned for more official information coming from the Citations.

    Fred Ford

    Interesting to note that Lennie went to the Citations, and they ended up having 90+ members at their audition camp, if I remember correctly.

    So cal Corps

    in DCI Open Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    and

    Absurdity is making absolute statements with no facts to back them up.

    Class A, A & A/60, Div 2/3 history is filled with corps who did not build it right.

    quote name='GuyW' date='Oct 3 2007, 03:59 PM' post='2040137']

    Inanity is describing a discussion as "whining". <**>

    And, whatever else it might be - "whining" is not proof of insanity.

    I also find it hard to believe that the majority of the Open class corps are not "building it right"....

    Bluecoats hire Rick Subel

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Rick is a wonderfully talented and creative designer. Not a bad singer either.

    I am sure he will do a great job.

    Fred Ford

    From the Bluecoats' Web site ...

    Rick Subel to lead Bluecoats Color Guard Program!

    (Canton, Ohio) - 9/19/2007

    The Bluecoats are pleased to announce that Rick Subel has been named Color Guard Designer, Choreographer and Caption Head for the 2008 season. Rick brings a wealth of high school, winter guard and drum corps experience with him to the position.

    Here's the link:

    http://www.bluecoats.com/news_detail.asp?news_id=240

    Being a Bluecoats alum, supporter and major "honk", but also a brass guy, I don't know much about this gentleman but would love to ...

    anyone care to talk about him (nice things, hopefully!!)?

    Here's hoping he improves and expands on what have been excellent "story-telling" guards, if not the best "guard work" guards.

    CURRENT STANDINGS

    in DCI Open Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I do not believe the poster in question is a current member of Jersey Surf.

    Fred Ford

    Program Coordinator

    Jersey Surf

    I know I need to change my screen name!

    Why? I am not sure we need to flame an individual who can be misinformed if he is actually a young member of a corps. We all know the words written are not the philosophy of the Surf.

    I am just looking out for the good of the activity.

    Top 5 Spine-Tingling Moments of All-Time

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    In no particular order - and all of a personal observation.

    1. 1994 27th Lancers first hit in Crown Imperial

    2. 1989 SCV company front push at end of Music Of The Night

    3. 1992 Crossmen brass re entry after perc break in Rain Forest

    4. 1987 Cadets ending

    5. 1984 Suncoast Sound, the balloon goes up in the air

    and not on the field, but by far the most spine tingling and emotional moment I have ever witnessed in drum corps....

    Kansas City 1989 Madison Scouts singing You'll Never Walk Alone to alumnus who was injured in an accident the year prior

    ECJ Inactive

    in DCI Open Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    The members of the 2006 East Coast Jazz are very intelligent young adults who are more than capable of making an informed decision on where they would like to continue their marching career, if at all. They are more than aware of the fine programs offered by the areas corps at all levels of competition and I am sure decisions to march will be made based on a lot of factors, none of which will be offers made on this, or any other, thread on a newsgroup.

    Div II/III Scoring from the past

    in DCI Open Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Thecorps were all on the same norm. Mandarins were the top scoring corps in Div 2/3 that season. They deserved it.

    quote name='Latrobe's Finest' date='Aug 22 2006, 01:17 PM' post='1550100']

    Hopefully this will make sense: Today in 2/3, the corps are scored on the same 'sheet' so a corps score can be compared across divisions, ie: a division 2 corps with an 80 has a lower score than a division 3 corps with an 81. Now, my question is, back in the day, early 90s, was this the same way? I was looking thru my DCI program from some years ago and saw that on a couple of occasions, the D 3 champ had a higher score than the D 2 champ ('97 for example). No offense to the D 3 champ, but I found that hard to believe considering the level of the scores (mid 90s) and the obvious size difference. Does someone have any insight? Thanks!

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