Everyfan

Yes, yes yes. You have beaten us over the head with your "private beaches" story, but those were never actually "private." People assumed they could control access to the beach, but it was NEVER their property. Their property lines were defined in many public records and did not included those beaches. Is there any actual case law that says a publicly owned facility like a community center or school cannot be "closed to the public?"

Cool. I am headed out to wander around my local police department. I hear they have a cool armory and shooting range that they must let me access...it is a "publicly owned" facility and all. I get what you are saying, but I believe that the government (federal, state or local) has the ability to make these "public" spaces unavailable to the general public. I have never seen any court ruling that says otherwise. Next stop...Area 51!!!

So, can I demand that my city unlock the doors to the city owned center where many public events are held so I can walk indoors when it is raining? Am I allowed to just walk in and wander around the place when it is rented for a fundraiser or even a private wedding? You are saying that as a "public" place, I should. Just because a place is owned by "the public" does not mean it is open to the public. There are may publicly owned places that are not open to everyone for many reasons. I agree that if a place is open to the public, you cannot discriminate regarding who can use the facility, but if it is not naormally open to the public (even if publicly owned) you CAN limit who has access.

Agreed. Note that the DCI West show at Standford had to move this year also due to a conflict. I would think DCI would be planning its major events FAR in advance to avoid this type of thing...ESPECIALLY events that happen at the same venue on the same weekend EVERY YEAR. Wasn't this supposed to be one of the benefits of having finals in the same place every year? So the tours would be roughly the same every year?

Also, the "Sneak Preview" event for donors is on May 21. They always announce before that. So "soon" seems like a reasonable estimate.

In California, you will find that most public schools now have tall fences around all school facilities and expressly prohibit use of any of their facilities without prior approval (for safety and liability reasons). I expect that if a school or corps wanted to prevent people from entering campus, they could. That said, the Blue Devils and the Vanguard have always been open to observers. If one has never been to Mars, you should make the visit to a rehearsal if you ever have the opportunity. In fact, this Saturday, they are looking for people to help work at the site (mostly pulling weeds and other "yard work"). What better background entertainment while working than both the A and B corps practicing. It would certainly be better than working at home, right?

So, maybe the law should have just prevented pedophiles from using the bathroom. That would have had the same effect.

In the interest of knowing more, it would be nice to know what kind of $$ amounts we are talking about. I understand one band director said almost $2,000 per season for arranging rights. What about sync rights that DCI pursues? Can a low budget high school appeal to Tresona or directly to the composer for a discount? It might be easier to see which side is being more rational if we had more information, though I expect that Tresona also has non-disclosure rules as well.

Just curious. What would bother you more? A man who is transitioning (taking hormones, dresses and looks like a woman but has not had the surgery yet) or a woman in the same state of transition. Based on your statement, the one with a ##### is not allowed, even though they likely have no interest in your daughter. Even if they did like women, being LGBT does not make someone a pedophile (most are heterosexual, actually).

I am actually surprised at how well the Blue Devils keep a lid on show information until they decide to announce it. There are a lot of people who attend rehearsals (mostly alumni), yet nothing is ever leaked.

*yawn* Give me something new and innovative. If I want to watch an old show, I'll get out my DVDs.

I highly recommend anyone who can attends a rehearsal during the season. It is so much easier to see what is being required of every member when they are not in uniform. This goes for every drum corps.

Yes. The release already mentioned that the corps staff would have access to detailed recaps during the critique.

As long as you have your sheets and your tapes to back you up, I see no issue here. Scores fluctuate all the time based on individual performances. Did you miss finals last year?

Agreed. I will not mention the school, but I recall a road trip where one of our band's 15-passenger vans was stopped by police with stolen road signs and an open keg. After these were confiscated and all personal info was taken, the band members were allowed to continue on their trip. A complete report was sent to the campus police to handle the matter. They handed the report to the band director and took no other action (no action was taken by the band director either). It happens.

The original Stanfurd mascot was the indian. They later became the "cardinal" (the color, not the bird). I don't know why they use a tree as a mascot, though there is one on the college seal. They have often been referred to as the "Stanfurd Farm" which is kinda funny thinking of their Rose Bowl show. Personally, I think of them as the Leland Stanford...Junior University. The best "Junior University" in the Bay Area.

I agree 100%. If they at least sounded good, some of the rest might be more forgivable.

You clearly have not spent much time around any top corps recently. I live near two and see the opposite of what you are saying. The members not only understand but are at time parts of the creative process.

No thanks. I'll just watch the DVDs if I want to see this.

The Blue Devils' ballads the last two years were amazing.

Uhhhh...no. I'll have to dig out my old copy of Jack Meehan's book, but these were a custom designed and manufactured horn by Zig Kanstul. They sounded NOTHING like a flugel (especially live). They were rich and loud as hell, but they had a limited range.

Yep. I didn't hear a single podcast this year, because I rarely have time to sit at my computer to listen. If it doesn't download to my iPod, it doesn't exist. I e-mailed earlier this year about it, but I never got a response.

Some of the best jokers and practical jokers I know.

I heard that they played snippets of the planned music for the members and supporters, BUT... ...wait for it... ...it bombed.