Jump to content

pito'evil

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    2,015

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by pito'evil

    The Lords of the Ring......

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I think this might be what you are looking for...but not sure

    And so it begins.......

    There is a disturbance brewing amongst our ranks.

    And to you, I offer a cautionary word: Beware.

    Legions of young men and women march across our great land.

    They delight in such virtues as honor, dignity, and integrity.

    Some march with the forward ranks of the VANGUARD,

    while others assume the guise of a PHANTOM, a BLUECOAT, a CADET, a SCOUT.

    Some men wear shields of GLASS, while other men cover their heart with a CROSS.

    A few are CAVALIER in their approach,

    while others rely on the pure MAGIC OF ORLANDO and carry the SPIRIT of JSU.

    There are DEVILS of blue that rise from the west, CRUSARDERS who battle from the east,

    BLUE KNIGHTS and the royalty of the CROWN, who will scratch, fight, and claw in their relentless quest for their holy grail.

    Who amongst them shall rise as the conqueror?

    Who amongst them will unleash the ultimate performance?

    Who amongst them will be crowned victor?

    It has begun...

    Nice. Once of those was written back in 2004 for DCA

    It has been a year....

    I remember it well. One year ago the BULL took his place upon the throne as the others kneeled at his feet. Many thought that the majestic BULL would reign supreme for years to come. But, as with all immortals that have awakened that may not be the case. The lines are being drawn and a fierce battle is about to commence. Many have some to challenge the BULL for this throne. There are BRIGADIERS who bring a caravan and STATESMEN that believe in a City of Angels at the forefront. Their battle is fierce yet so close in play that no mortal can perceive a victor. From the sea come BUCCANEERS ready to strike at a moments notice with their weapons of innovation .

    Those who line the SKY and those who ambush from the BUSH join the fray as they are reinforced by GRENADIERS from the north. From the south come VETs from Georgia and those searching for more than GOLD.

    Brewing in the Midwest lurks A Corporation of BRASS looking to take over. Along with the highlanders who scream WEA WINNEA BEA DAUNTED before battle. GOVENAIRES attempt to take over the MON VALLEY while the SOUNDS of SHENANDOAH and the GULF COAST combine to create a song so grand that even the immortals of the far east are INSPIRED by it.

    The frays of the immortals stir the lands and sea. The SUNRISEs as HURRICANES are met by HEAT WAVES. The winds howl as all morn the loss of those bent on their holy CRUSADE. But fear not... for they will return.

    And from the west a shadow creeps across the land. The dark lords come to invade the hearts of all the immortals. Their force is a power of such EVIL that only those that dare to DREAM currently walk among them.

    The day draws near as all the immortals will gather for their final battle. The arena has been set... Scranton, PA. The immortals... WE, the corps of the Drum Corps Associates shall once again sing, dance and battle to the very bittersweet end. Perhaps the BULL shall be dethroned. Perhaps he shall continue his reign as we again sit at his feet. But, when all is said and done, when all the smoke clears. We shall sleep again. The mortals....our FANS shall have stories and songs of a lifetime to tell. And then all shall wait....For another year.

    DCA 2004 the showcase of the immortals.

    2009 Rankings

    in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions

    Posted

    What about a DCA show in Indy on the Saturday afternoon before DCI Finals? It could be run with the DCI Open Class Finals. Have as many of the DCA Top 5 or 6 as possible.

    Some of the DCA corps could also do exhibitions on Friday and Saturday. The DCA corps members would go to the DCI events increasing ticket sales for DCI.

    This would allow all four regions of DCA to split the distance and get a chance to go head to head if they wanted. It also would help to bridge the divide between the two circuits.

    Probably just a pipe dream, but i think it would a very cool way for the DCA corps outside the NE to get a read with the other top DCA corps. I bet many of their members go to DCI anyway.

    Sounds like a good plan but would DCI be all for it?

    DCA Business Direction question

    in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions

    Posted

    So thanks to posts from the Fan Network thread and convos I’ve been having on twitter

    (*cough*@blksuitbouncer...follow me*cough*)

    I came up with the above question. I only mentioned those three men because of their Business capabilities. Now this is on a STICKTLY BUSINESS standpoint. They would have NOTHING to do with the artistic direction.

    So no #####ing about AMPS, Woodwinds, Synths, Getting rid of Honor Guards, Not being real drum corps or ANY OF THAT CRAP.

    This is about business. Marketing, Sales, Expansion, Stability of the organization, Publicity, Contract negations, Dollars and Cents.

    I’d love to hear any good why or why not reasons for your votes or better yet, since I know I left out quite a few forward thinking guys and gals working with DCI and WGI go ahead and drop them names.

    DCA Fan Network

    in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I like the idea.. would broaden the arena... and it has been discussed as Tom said.... BUT!!!>>>>>>>>>

    Until you have full time - paid administrators, doing nothing else EXCEPT running your circuit, like DCI-WGI-and BOA have, and not do this part time ..plus have a regular full time job and family, ... It could be easily worked out and set up..... so right now, till someone steps up (maybe one of you?? :grouphug: ) and makes an offer to take it on..... its just a discussion amongst those online !! :peek::peek:

    1) How much would the pay be?

    2) where do I send my resmue?

    3) would I HAVE to move to the east coast?

    WGI Prop 10

    in Percussion Planet

    Posted

    Another yes of rule proposals is upon us. And again The proposal to to Remove WGI’s Independent World Class Age Limit is on the table. IMO it's high time this passed. IW over on the guard side has it. Why can't we? There's been a facebook group set up for those who support such change. If you feel that PIW should be all age, please join the group.

    Proposal:

    Proposal to Remove WGI’s Independent World Class Age Limit

    Rationale:

    Everyone involved in WGI shares a passion for the activity. Hard work and long hours make each season something very special, year after year. WGI Independent Percussion ensembles consistently innovate and push the activity, and all of its related art forms, at a growing rate.

    Yet despite all the activity does to foster growth and innovation in marching percussion, an age-out rule eliminates, every April without fail, one of the activity’s most valuable assets: experienced, passionate performers. (continued)

    Eliminating the age rule has been proposed before. In fact, we are used to hearing several arguments supporting the current age-out rule. The most popular argument is the desire to preserve WGI as a youth activity. This is a matter of personal preference, as WGI’s own mission statement makes absolutely no mention of a desired or intended age-based culture. It reads “WGI Sport of the Arts exists to foster positive experiences for all who participate, by promoting education, creativity and freedom of expression through the unification of pageantry and the performing arts.”

    Simply put, WGI is about providing an experience through art regardless of age, race, gender, or any other orientation.

    It is also important to consider the existing culture in Independent World class groups. Approximately 90% of members in the top six Independent World ensembles are at least 18 years of age, which means they are either enrolled in college or have entered the workforce. But even more importantly, it means they are legal adults.

    These post-high-school environments are not bound by any age restriction, nor can they be accurately described as exclusively youth oriented. Put another way, most members of Independent World ensembles have already transitioned away from youth cultures and are now living in an adult oriented environment. The argument that the culture of Independent World Lines is exclusively youth-oriented is inaccurate in 2009.

    Another popular argument is that groups will be overrun by older members. International ensembles such as Aimachi testify that groups without age restrictions are not overrun by older members and do not dramatically stifle the current culture. In his eight months with Aimachi, Chris Leone (member 2007-2008) can only recall positive experiences and observations associated with having a diverse age group. Being able to not only instruct, but also perform with younger members fostered a very positive and effective educational environment. Also, despite the age diversity, the culture within the ensemble was not unlike anything he had personally experienced in American ensembles bound by an age limit.

    Another very important reality is the physical rigors demanded by the activity at the top level. If current productions already push performers to their limits, both musically and physically, there will not be many older members who can physically keep up. This alone will limit participation to those in their physical prime or close to it.

    Some observe that professional percussion opportunities exist once a performer has aged out of WGI. While there is no denying this, it is important to recognize the indoor percussion art form as an activity that requires unique skills and performance abilities to produce a unique result. One would not throw away Monet’s brushes and paints and tell him to make do with Photoshop.

    Another concern is there would be a shortage of instructors without an age out rule, implying instructing is the next logical step after aging out. However, an educator who is not passionate about teaching does not remain an educator for long. If someone wants to teach, they make the choice to do so, as should a member who’s heart lies in performing.

    One last argument we often hear is that it’s time for members to “move on.” This implies that the marching activity is somehow a developmental hindrance.

    Because rehearsals take place only on weekends, WGI ensembles are able to provide a high quality recreational outlet to full-time professionals and educators who are still eager to perform in the indoor marching activity but are still focused on developing their careers. Other international groups, composed almost exclusively of full-time students and professionals, manage to lead career driven lifestyles while still committing to their ensembles.

    Similarly, Wayne Gibson, section leader of Rhythm X’s pit in 2009, worked full time as an engineer at a nuclear power plant in southern Maryland and still managed to fulfill his responsibilities to the ensemble. International members and people like Wayne choose to march because they are passionate about participating in WGI.

    Finding true happiness and passion in something we do is nothing short of a gift and it should never be forcefully taken away from anyone. Period.

    Indoor percussion on the whole will benefit in many ways from an all-age class.

    First, and most obvious, will be the overall increase in talent among groups. Members are only beginning to peak when they age out. By giving them the opportunity to return, we are welcoming back our activity’s most talented and experienced performers who can continue to set the example for younger, less-experienced members. As a result, overall participation will increase. Groups that struggle to fill membership will have access to a much larger talent pool, and new organizations will have a greater chance of success. Also, having more groups will open more doors for less experienced members looking for an opportunity to perform and learn.

    Finally, a practical point: organizations run on money, not love. Financial obstacles are omnipresent. By opening the doors to older performers, who are more likely to be employed full time, organizations will have better financial prospects leading to more financially stable organizations.

    In any activity or organization that evolves remarkably from one year to the next, it is important that those in charge don’t suppress growth. WGI’s world-class performers are the best the marching percussion activity has to offer. They are ambassadors of the art. They push the activity year after year, they set the example, and they are mentors to younger members. That being said, groups will still have full discretion over the culture they choose to foster within their organization and who they choose to invite into it. With the elimination of the age rule, groups are simply provided the option to tap into a larger resource pool.

    Every WGI performer is very fortunate to have found a passion that fuels a determination to be great. Without fail, the activity continues to bring out the best in people season after season in an environment so special and unique that it’s nearly impossible to duplicate. Giving everyone the option with the ability, talent and passion to continue performing would only be a positive step forward for everyone involved.

    It was the student’s passion that pushed them to work hard, practice incessantly, make sacrifices, and push themselves through walls to perform at such a high level. They have earned the right to choose, for themselves, when it is time to walk away from an activity they have come to love so well.

    Financial Impact:

    Organizations with members employed full time will have better financial prospects potentially leading to more financially stable organizations.

    Increasing eligibility could potentially lead to more competitive groups in the WGI circuit.

    DCA Fan Network

    in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Submit a bid ($1 to Ream)

    Seriously, it would be fantastic for DCA to do it, especially with the growth in the activity...but the roadblock will always be the funding to pull it off...don't forget it would have to cover not just the Opens and Class A corps, but also the alum corps and even minicorps to truly serve the Sr community....concerns DCI doesn't have.

    That's just it. If DCA needs a marketing edge wouldn't this be a start. I *think* the Fan Networks all have a link to each other some how so If I was watching Allentown from last year or RX in Dayton and I see an add for DCA Fan Network. I'm gonna go check it out. My bet is others would to.

×
×
  • Create New...