LabMaster

Another consideration for not revealing may be that many corps have a lot going on, and very likely see doing their day to day work, as a higher priority, than letting me/us know what the show is. They’ll get to it. As it was mentioned earlier, years ago, bitd, we didn’t know what most corps were doing and we were ok with it. And not all corps are very good with media production. At least not as good as a few corps sho are quite good. Quite a high level of media production for a small few.

Well that’s the point of guessing or predicting, using only what we know, hear, read or feel. It’s not exact. Not meant to be. You’re not winning prizes here. Or medals. You can wait til the first show. You’re not on the clock. It’s just a fun thing that in the past has been done long before now. The only 2 things we are certain of; Mandarins won’t be in the top 12 and Jeff Ream will be right once again.

Here is last years finals/semi placements and score. Based on what is known, rumored, hoped and wished for; what is your best guess predictions for the results in Indy on Friday and Saturday night. Take a crack at top awards too (brass, perc, guard, vis) if you dare. 1. BAC 98.425 (B,P,G) 2. BLOO 98.25 (V) 3. SCV 96.7 4. BLD 95.788 5. CAR 94.8 6. PHA 94.3 7. MAN 92.825 (not active) 8. BLS 91.175 9. CAV 90.8 10. TRP 90.05 11. COL 88.05 12. BLK 87.95 semis listed below 13. SOA 86.8 14 . MAD 85.35 15. PAC 84.825 16. ACA 83.313 17. SPA 82.275 18. CRS 82.225 19. GLD 79.9 20. BAT 79.125 Good luck. Explaining choices is your option. Enjoy the year.

Based on double occupancy.

And posting it 3 times no less.

The bus drivers I saw with Boston a couple of years ago, were independent drivers and were not part of the organization to any extent. They drove at night from show site to show site, or rehearsal site. Then they were gone. To their hotel. They had no interaction with mm’s for the most part, other than being friendly and being sure the traveling was done safely. I don’t know for certain how the behaviors on busses were managed, but it wouldn’t have been by drivers unless there was a safety issue. I can only assume there was some adult supervision on busses and Bostons zero tolerance policy kept mm’s in line. And rest assured, mm’s were sent home from ST and tour.

Hotel rooms for drivers comes at a cost to corps. And the increased costs to a corps is part of the cry about increasing costs. BUT, the cost of hotels for drivers is a health and safety aspect on two fronts. 1. Driver rest for overnight drives between shows and availability when there are longer stays for rehearsal time on tour. 2. Safety for mm’s while housed on tour. Keeping contact between adults and mm’s managed.

The training, if I remember right, takes 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Then if you volunteer or work with a corps similarly the following year, the training is to be repeated. Single day only volunteers or workers with corps, do not have to take the training. It is for an adult would be staying overnight with a corps at the same facility as corps members. Corps may have additional requirements too, independent of Safesport training.

Staying in the same facility as corps members, requires any adult to have taken the Safesport training. If any adult stays overnight in the facility the training is mandatory and must be taken 2 years in a row. Caveat is if the Safesport requirement is still in place. It def was in 2023.

Bus drivers, if hired from outside the corps community (independent drivers) can’t stay with the corps unless they have taken training like all volunteers are required to. Safesport I think it is. They also have rest requirements like the semi drivers do. Bus drivers stay in hotels.

A separate thread to discuss show meanings? What could possibly go wrong there? How about reading/listening to what the designer teams say and taking time to ponder it by oneself and come to one’s own conclusions or interpretations. Not being snarky. There are enough arguments on DCP without creating a thread that would be stoking the fires of “I’m right, you’re not”. Or “I know better because I’m an insider and I was told….” Think for yourself. Enjoy a show or two or more.

Boston’s ST begins today; move in/check in. ST is done on June 23. Expecting the full show to be on the field by then, all sections done, or at least 95% of it. Field performances will be 8&9 days later at Bostons show in Lynn, MA (the former Manning Bowl) on July 1, and in Nashua, NH at the Spartans show (Holman Field) on July 2. The first competitive show is July 7 in Sevierville. Also on the Fourth of July, BAC is performing with the Boston Pops in Boston on The Esplanade. Eat em up Boston. #BAC2BAC

If your contract isn’t going to be renewed, but both parties end up agreeing to part ways early, is that really being fired? Or just disinvited? Just guessing.

I remember that event. It was a full New England style Clambake. Everyone in the corps had the choice of a lobster and many had never had seen a lobster before. It was funny watching reactions and the struggle to eat them.

Well Vermont IS near the Arctic Circle. They should get fed American Chop Suey and Frappes and get the whole New England cuisine experience.

My condolences to the Blue Devils family. It has been a tough year. RIP Pete Emmons. One of the very best this activity has ever had.

Maybe you’re not old enough to know. In the 70’s, no one was announcing shows or reps as that wasn’t a thing back then. So I’m not so factually incorrect. Maybe a few put the word out, but it was not typical. Plus it wasn’t expected or almost demanded as it is these days.

It is a process. It’s not that they don’t know what they are playing or are not expecting they won’t be playing music. Rights are not given immediately upon requesting. Even then music can be denied at the last minute. This happened to a tile contender recently as late as May, one year.

Just a couple of considerations as everyone’s anxiety ramps up. Announcements may be less timely than desired, as corps still may be securing music rights. It is possible they prefer to announce ALL music they are including in their reps. Years ago, bitd, that some posters fondly remember and long for, because it was sooo much better, we should remember, no one knew what a corps rep was or show was, until the first show of the season. No social media existed to instantly get the word out. No one got to critique a show until they actually saw a corps perform. Patience is non existent. In about 5 weeks, the first show will be in the books. Then, next level critiques can begin. Enjoy the year all. I think it’s going to be a good one.

Some BOD members may be able to assist financially more than others. But I don’t know for certain, that info is held pretty tight. What is sought out for BOD members, is their life experience and expertise in a field that can be beneficial to the organization. Their backgrounds are diverse to enable and promote variety of points of view. ALL BOD members have an equal say/vote for any items that arise for any groups under IAM. The role of the BOD was well established several years ago and works very well as has been proven over these many years. Egos are set aside. The groups needs are the priority.

Trying to be polite.

No need to comment on nonsensical hypotheticals. Not sure where you are headed with this and tbh, don’t care

It is/was a full time job. Like regular folks work. Year round. His efforts are/were for the summer competitive season.

For the CEO, it’s a 52 week season.

I’m sure posters can confirm. I believe DCI may have show requirements for EMS staffing. There are very likely local community safety requirements for EMS/Police/Fire services in addition to DCI requirements. And corps that have touring med staff, have them with the corps through the corps presence on site.