seen-it-all

He's gone and he ain't coming back. Ever. Rejoice that the old YEA properties are now under new leadership and can forge their own paths independently, without all his BS. 😁

If kids are being allowed an opportunity, any opportunity, to perform and compete, even if it's not the most ideal of circumstances, I'm all for it. JMHO

Take a look and see... https://youtu.be/huQWtCAFFlM

Lack of. From the top.

From what I heard a few days ago, it ain't pretty.

I was watching a clip of the scores being announced from finals last year and I had to laugh that the one corps that could even remotely be recognized on just the quickest glance was the Blue Devils. They always seem to have that Blue Devils BLUE that just pops to the eye, as well as bits of recognizable shapes and design elements that are distinctly identifiable to them, and only them. A visual identity. It's a valuable thing that shouldn't be so easily discarded IMO. It certainly hasn't prevented them from being innovators in show design. Edit: (Looking at the clip again, the Cavaliers still look like the Cavaliers as well.)

Oh there have certainly been claims made against USBands that have been true over the years. This one, however, is not. And I've been very critical of that part of the YEA organization for a long time. Truth is, there are very good people working there right now who are thrilled to not have to deal with GH anymore or worry that the funds they generate were helping to keep the Cadets in operation. From what I've heard, they are working very diligently and doing the right things for the bands, directors, and adjudicators they serve. As far as something sure as heck is happening, let's wait a week and see.

It's also bull####.

Jackson's WGI HOF page has been taken down.

This one should have waited to induct him for those investigations are over. I'm pretty surprised at WGI because I know they usually take this stuff very seriously. It seems very short-sighted of them to go ahead with his induction, knowing about the allegations. IMO

Ayala's principal has posted a message on the school's website And for those who haven't read the posts on IG... - The Mandarins have launched an investigation into these matters and have placed Jackson on administrative leave pending the results. - Jackson has stepped down from the SCPA board of directors - The superintendent of the Chino Valley United School District is conducting an investigation and have reported the allegations to the Chino Hills Sheriff's Department - Still nothing from WGI (that I can find)

I'd like for people to watch the video in the following link. It made the rounds on twitter and was deeply moving to me. One may think that this is completely different because it's a father and son, the son being younger than most kids in HS marching band. This is true. But I post this because the father's approach to training (IMO) is exactly right. Even with the most successful band/indoor programs, there will be kids each and every year who are new and they struggle. Some don't know how to handle it because it is, in a sense, an emotional overload. This video resonates with me because I've experienced it many times as a teacher working with struggling students. As a teacher who knows that introducing advanced technique to kids who have never done this kind of thing before is challenging and requires the proper approach from the very beginning. Setting realistic goals. Yes, being critical because there are so many details, but not to the point of crushing their spirits. And rewarding and praising their efforts when they demonstrate certain levels of achievement. And often even when they fail because you know that it's only a matter of time before they do get it. Being strict is fine, but only when you know they're ready to take that step. If you lay the proper groundwork on day one with a positive and supportive attitude, you build a level of trust with the students that means everything. Don't get me wrong, I think it's important to have a disciplined approach to instruction and rehearsals. Discipline is not a punishment. It's a means to an end. But discipline which leads to verbal and emotional abuse and establishing an environment of fear and anxiety, especially with kids at this age, is a recipe for disaster. Even it it wins you a big shiny trophy that will gather dust in a trophy case somewhere.

Just saw the video on IG. This guy should NEVER be given another job being around young people. EVER. 😡

That WGI knew about these allegations and said they were not responsible for investigating them so they decided to go ahead with their plans to induct him into the WGI Hall of Fame is deeply troubling to me. I get that they technically may not have the power to investigate, but they certainly could have pressed the organizations involved to get to the bottom of this IMO. It would seem like the wise thing to do *before* going ahead with plans to give him their highest honors.

California has postponed high school fall sports until 2021. https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2020/07/20/cif-postpones-football-other-fall-sports-because-of-coronavirus/amp/

Uhhhh not so sure that's a good idea. There are rumblings.

Well injuries happen to all corps. Can't really expect or plan for 3 snare players going down. It's a shame too because it prevented an excellent overall percussion section from potentially finishing in the top 3 or 4 in drums. And that front ensemble. Superb! As for the brass, I thought that all things considered they watered down as much of that book as they could have without totally ruining the integrity of the book. If they had gone past that point and really gutted larger sections of it, I think we're looking at the corps finishing 9th or 10th instead of 7th. Jeff Sacktic's drill is what it is. If you're gonna play First Circle and really try to do it justice, you gotta move and the tempo is around 180ish. It's a beast any way you slice it. If you stand still too much, it loses the inherent momentum of the piece. (They did finish 6th in overall GE so I'd say the risk was worth it) Just my 2 cents

I love this show. A couple points... The opener is structured to sound almost exactly (after the fanfare intro) like the live version of Third Wind off The Road To You album. Even the soprano solo mirrors Metheny's solo during the shout-like ending almost exactly. Check it out on youtube and you'll see. First Circle does peter out but that's more because they didn't have the horses to really max it out. But the overall drill/color guard design and musical arrangements were so exceptional for that production, I admire the fact that even without the horses, they really gave it all they had at finals. Seventh place with mediocre talent (at best) in the brass and a badly injured snare line is pretty darn good if you ask me. The one Pat Matheny show in drum corps that actually sounds like Metheny. Not chopped up into little pieces, and about as faithful to the originals as could be possible for an 11.5 min drum corps show. Then again, that's Hannum/Klesch for you 🙂

Maybe don't make the vile leap of accusing me of being in any way akin to the freaking Klan just because I used a descriptive adjective that was describing a drum corps show I hated. A drum corps show. As in nothing of any real importance. Thanks. Much appreciated.

I know I'm in the minority on this, but I hate hate hate the 1992 Blue Devils show. Easily my least favorite from them (by far). A nothing show among some far more interesting and forward-looking show designs. When they were announced in 4th place, it was like nobody even cared. And honestly, I thought the closer was cheesy as hell. Oh well, to each their own I guess.

Whoa, cool your jets, daddy-o. No need to interview your brain about it. Them K-dets are all jungled up right now noodling it all out. Hopefully it won't be too off the cob or else they'll be slated for crashville. You dig? <finger snap noises>

Which corps might not make it to 2021? I hate to say it, but it wouldn't surprise me ☹️

It's happening. Expect an announcement very soon

Virginia schools closed for the rest of the school year.

Correct. Also correct that there are corps (plural) who were seriously considering removing themselves from the tour over a week ago. They consulted with their own medical/legal experts as well as members of DCI's Medical Advisory Team who advised that going ahead with a tour, abbreviated or otherwise, would be unwise.