normy diploome

Fran, I don't want to get into a spitting contest with you, but what I cited was still in the announcer's book I was handed for the show this past summer where I had to do the mic! Might have been an older book, but believe me as I travel the nation each summer and am at at least 20 DCI shows nationwide, it is still a format used. As I cited some units have used a pretaped announcement or tried to avoid an announcement if a pre-show segment was done. I agree with you though, it is a minor problem. But don't be another DCP dictator. I was answering the question the OP asked.

And here I was getting Schickmeister to start practicing again. The joke at Coats and Surf was that he played his tuba like a bagpipe. Turned out he was an actual pipemaster in his hometown band. Next Boo will be against woodwinds too. :w00t:/>

Grand! It seems that Pioneer and the Green Team aren't the only ones with lepruchans afoot. Cead Mile Failte (A Thousand Welcomes!) even though Hopkins is a bloody English name. http://www.yea.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=21854&news_iv_ctrl=1002

Well, since you asked. re:competition procedures It's bugged me that DCI hasn't bent with the times and the performances presented before them. As 99.99 per cent of the corps start their shows already on the field, the announcement process is out of date, whether done live or by tape voice over. Why couldn't Brandt Crocker, Potter, and crew simply say, "..(from so and so, wherever, (name of unit) THE FIELD IS YOURS for DCI (preliminary/semis/championship) performance,[rather than "You may enter the field for competition."] Yes, tradition is nice but this seems oxymoronic. And it wouldn't change the budget or cost anything...! Just a thought...

Nice tie-in and what an experience for your first year with AAG. Hope you were given frequent traveller miles for all your jaunts. It's seemed you've crossed Canada and the US more than even an NHL team! Seems like you're an inspiration to BD travels too. :-)

History has shown time and time again that self-proclaimed prophets rarely are.

The Cadets posted this yesterday on their website and FB, sent the same out to alums, volunteers, supporters and donors. http://www.yea.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle<emclass='amp'>&</em>id=21852&news_iv_ctrl=1002 To cut to the point it states, "Over the years, the number of donors from outside the alumni has risen, while the percentage of donating alumni has decreased" (emphasis is my own editing) While many causes may be speculated (move from Garfield which was a close blue collar town, move mainly to music majors who make limited salaries while incurring large educational costs , burning bridges by Hopkins, displeasure with administrative decisions and movement of the activity, disagreement with the focus of activity from core values of youth formation to an arts experience funding professional staffers, etc., etc.) the fact that this weakness is publicized underlines the requirement of other funding sources and the inferred acknowlegement that G7 corps administrators are changing their target audience in order to subsidize their perspectives and livelihood. The statement further demonstrates that the current situation is not merely adding other funding sources and maintaining alumni giving, but that the alums are seeing other places to donate their monies (e.g. Hurricane Sandy victims, soup kitchens, the unemployed, the increasing homeless, health charities, arts programs in their neighborhood and other programs more akin to the traditional values of an originally church-based corps.) Some corps like the Legends with their Nursing Home concerts and Jersey Surf with its Hurricane Sandy outreach, are benefitting due to their altruism on and off the field. their altruism. For the last several decades I have been involved with linking disgrunted and disenfranchised alums with current marching members, particularly age-outs, needing sponsors to march this and most World Class corps in the East and Midwest. With this economy, even those generousities have become more difficult as recent, modern, and aged alums do not feel the same allegiance to their corps or the activity. Huge corporation funding may be a requirement for the maintenance of the requirement, but at what cost to the activity itself as this World Class multi-time Champion now acknowledges? Bottom lines are oh so important but money is not the only bottom line which is in danger.

While "the Other Mike" might have been ever so subtley linking G7, infallibility, and certain Allentown personages in a back handed way, There already is a thread, Drum Corps at the Vatican, Who knew? http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php/topic/155556-drum-corps-at-the-vatican/ sTt ONE change! no pontificating, just specificsno pontificating, just specifics and with Fred's other thread, "Just one change...and no PONTIFICATING" http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php/topic/155558-just-one-change/ we seem to have our theme for the week. Oh how we stay so current on DCP. :-)

Perhaps, but it was by Michaelangelo of Caesar's town, not Michael Cesario. Besides, if you had those uniforms, wouldn't that make two corps with the nickname of 'The Chrome Domes?"

Sir, with all due respect, if you are so infallible, why weren''t you chosen in Rome? Mistakes in the objective data you have presented have been shown more than once by others in this thread. In my counselling office, your rigid outlook is known as an Ideologue whose favorite tune is "Johnny One Note" (played by the Caballeros for many years.) Are you really any different from the VFW and Am. Legion nationals show directors DCI was formed to forego? I really wonder.

We watch NASCAR for the crashes, and football for the collisions. Incorporate that into the shows, and left turns... We tried that already. With due respect to each unit, see Crown at Lucas stadium previously and Cadets at Whitewater a few years back.. :shutup:/>

How sad...Maybe Christmas came too early... (The Other Mike George and the staff have been busy in Rome. That was the other time, when the pastor of Most Holy Name sold out the corps' unis to The Cardinals (of Beverly, Mass., St. Mary's parish.) who wore the Cadets unis which is why Garfield wore the white shirts and shorts to defend their national title in 58 with borrowed horns and drums. Actually, although I too have noticed how empty my emails have lately been from the Allentown mendicants seeking daily donations, maybe that office is learning some prudence. Last winter that corps saw both drum majors, most section leaders, and a whole snare line resign between February and Spring training. This winter the rumors seem to be more positive. Perhaps the lesson learned is "One never has to apologize for words not said." The Schickmeister is right as usual. Corps this winter is doing a lot of smart music cyber camps to assuage costs and college commitments with the next full corps camp in late April. However, most of the percussion just had a camp this past weekend, minus those doing the indoor gigs.

Should be pretty amazing with Thomas Baker on Viz staff!!! Great guy, relentless tick hound. Make sure he gives you your "beverage" breaks.

It seems that even Vatican City, just about as small as the Village of Rosemont, has it's own drum and bugle corps in the Swiss Guard! With uniforms designed in the city of Caesar by Michaelangelo, namesake of one Michael Cesario, they use valve-less real bugles and roped drums. Yes, presumably the percussion is Swiss rudiments, ha, ha. Acheson and Board, as an act of restoring International in DCI, might make them honorary strategic partners as the Swiss Guard holds its annual public concert on August sixth, just when we are celebrating the highlights of drum corps on this side of the Pond. I was fortunate to be able to see some of this corps' performances a few times while visiting in Rome. Besides several Italian drum corps who compete in DCE, one of whom wore The Cavaliers' style uniform except in blue, our own Cavaliers draw one of their current visual staff, Taylor Townsend, FMM of the Denver BK and Cavaliers, DCI mellophone I&E champ one year, all the way from the Swiss-Italian border where he is doing graduate work at the Conservatory in Lugano. Rumor has it he is the Vatican's drill man as well which explains the bicycle style marching the Swiss Guard sometimes do. Plus somehold that it is this Vatican connection that allows the Cavaliers to do their spring training camp and contest at the Benedictine Abbey property in Lisle. Sometimes truth is stanger than fiction.

The Cavaliers have been known to dust off their epulets/shoulders in more than one season, e.g. last summer, 007, etc. That's besides the Chinese dragon/snake move that comes alive every few seasons, the jump overs and step overs, and boxes and boxes and boxes...

Delaware??? (that was Crossmen territory for awhile!) Even within Bergen County days there was the move to Hackensack and then Paramus headquarters. Imagine Mr. Crocker announcing "from Hackensack, New Jersey" three times quickly. You're point is well made though. Most people know Gibshopkins as an avid Phillies phan. Actually, I think he more mimics the Braves (Boston, then Milwaukee, now Atlanta....)

Slingerland, Besides my previous comments about the difference in winter camp and spring training provisions for food (PR as compared to Cadets and Cavies,) there is also a difference among DCI corps about transportation costs to camps for auditionees and CMM's. Troopers send their buses to Denver Airport in Colorado, not Wyoming to pick up members. Phantom shows members where to buy tickets for the commercial bus routes to Rockford and Beloit if you fly into Midway and O'Hare, the nearest major airports. Cadets and Cavies deliberately pick camp sites near major airports for the ease of membership (Philly airport and Rosemont's O'Hare.) I think Crown does similarly with their camps at Nations Ford and their bus to and from Charlotte airport. Cadets even sent buses some seasons down to Virginia and up to Syracuse, NY to ease the cost to membership. I know they send their own buses to Pittsburgh airport to bring their members to Springtraining at UPJohnstown, quite a trip away from Pittsburgh airport. All these costs and different approaches influence not only what budget costs are for the corps as corporation but what is the real cost for the individual member to march any particular DCI corps beyond the posted tour fees/tuition. I think this is a great thread with a well needed discussion not only for appreciating the business side of DCI but for educating future participants and their families as well.

Correct info from White Dawn, including camps unless there has been a change this season. Besides the lack of sleep area provided for camps, certain corps have different policies regarding meals and snacks during camps. It is my understanding that BD members have to provide their own sack lunches at camps and some rehearsals. Regiment had a system where the individual kids were given time to go to local fast food joints at their own expense or pay for a meal at the Rockford College cafeteria at their own expense. Again there may have been a recent change. Cadets and Cavies provide everything to members within the camp fees charged. Yup Cadets do charge more than the usual and the kids get excellent cuisine and plenty of it. But they pride themselves on moving more than many. I am not absolute on what Crown is currently providing for the diminished 2.60 vs. Cadets 5K. Ironic comments about Cavies' insurance as founder Don Warren is a professional insurance man. Ditto with Kevin Smith, one of the founders of Carolina Crown. I would presume that they would have the best insurance for their corps and organization. Most of the corps participate in the insurance plan sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America. Almost every kid who signs a DCI corps contract becomes an Explorer/Venture scout member to get that insurance package.

Yup! Brainfart moment. One tick. I have done my lap and am now doing my penalty push-ups. Funny thing is that last year I worked for six months down the block from NorWELL in Scituate of seasonal Weather Channel fame.

I am not sure this qualifies as a "parade pile" but the effect was rather similar. The Cadets (Garfield/Bergen County/Holy Name/whatever) were honored to be chosen for the rededication of the Statue of Liberty in '86 you may remember. The first day of that weekend involved taking a ferry boat from Red Hook in Brooklyn to Governor's Island in the middle of New York Harbor. The mellophone soloist, Chris Lewis, didn't swim so she wrapped her self against a center pole of the small ship convinced she was going to drown and got seasick in the process. Finally ashore in this year when they played On the Waterfront, Cesario had the hornline play Christopher Street rather than the planned Shenandoah in the presence of President Reagan and the nation/world watched on TV.(The alumni were far from pleased and by "coincidence," Cesario was let go at the end of the season.) The next morning of the Operation Sail weekend, the ferry headed to Liberty Island. Same result with the mellophone soloist. For the second day in a row, because of the corps' proximity to the First Family, the Secret Service and FBI took apart every instrument, poking wands in and out of every crevice including each individual tube of the pit equiptment and down the bores of the horns. But as the corps played Shenandoah in front of the statue which Mrs. Reagan would re-christen, 50 trained pigeons were to be let go from their cages, circle Lady Liberty's torch, and head to the heavens. Well, Mrs. Reagan broke the bottle of champagne, the Cadets played and the pigeons were released. But they went from their cages and flew above the corps, only to nest on the ledge above the Cadets. Yup, poop, poop, poop and more poop on the unis, the shakos, the instruments, and plumes. Four to five washings before all that stuff came out of the wool unis. New plumes had to be provided. All the corps seemed "seasick" on the ferry ride back.

Kudos to our friends in Norwood (Mass., not Illinois) http://on.today.com/YcGpZ6 American Story: How a 390-year-old family business avoids layoffs todaynews.today.com

Re: Splat a tat tat's response to Crownisking... Agreed. At first, I thought I had a pretty good idea what the theme would be but now I'm not so sure. "It might have everyone up in the air over it?" ...Up in the Air over it? = Space!!! No? Seems like it is going to be an enjoyable show for the ears again.

Of course, these violent incidents are not restricted to just pre-DCI days or other centuries. There is the hushed up incident at the 1983 DCI championships in Miami which the (Garfield) Cadets won for their very first DCI championship. The corps was filing out of the stadium after the victory run through, in typical Cadet 2x2 manner only to be met by some very drunk Hawthorne Muchachos alums who tried to take the DCI trophy away physically from the Garfield chaplain who was holding it. The drunks were bitter and complaining that they should have been the first Eastern corps to carry a DCI trophy. As the chaplain tried to quiet them down while keeping the trophy secure, the Cadets' Major circled the corps still in formation around the chaplain and Hopkins stepped in to move the Muchachos to disperse in the shadows of some local cops in the lot. Nothing further occurred. More recently (this century) there was the infamous incident in the parking lot at Murfreesboro the one year Bruno was the director of the Cavaliers, the Samurai year. The Blue Devils and the Cavaliers had been going at it all season, as they had for most of that early decade. (One might remember a Cavalier from Texas even stealing a Blue Devil uniform one of those years at the DATR; Gibbs tried to have the Cavie arrested; Rosemont sent the member packing home for the season and the whole corps did push-up penalties.) Well comes Murfreesboro, it's the night the Cavies were going to do their annual "rookie run" after the show for their infamous initiation The rookies would take a lap of the lot totally in the nude and race back to the busses, startling everyone and supposedly proving the rookies were worthy to be inducted as Brothers. Well the route went past the BD busses and the Devils lay in wait. As the Cavies streakedd past, the Devils appeared at their windows with Supersoakers (extended water-pistol rifles) loaded with urine, water and/or tennis balls and small stones. The older Cavaliers raced to defend their noobies as the Devils lived up to their name. Adults and campus cops brought a more mature intervention and sent both corps back to their busses before the situation got worse and so it didn't hit the media and become a DCI public relations nightmare. The tradition of the Rookie run was shortly officially ended by statement of the director and the corps founder. But not all is concord and no love has ever been lost between these two corps, as witnessed by the phenomenally supportive ovations the Cavies have given the Cadets and Carolina Crown in the tunnels at Finals the last few years. I think it was a Cavie who coined ABBD.

Sooo... Hopkins, Gibbs, and Acheson walk into a bar. And Danielray lectures them that.... ...and then....

What?!!! He had a pivotal role at the Pasadena Rose Bowl with Hashgate!