sokkerboie

DCI has no jurisdiction over any corps - each corps is its own 501c3 entity and basically maintains jurisdiction over itself. A non-profit is only accountable to its board of directors and ultimately to the IRS and Secretary of State where it is incorporated. A couple of years ago I was helping a group of former Esperanza students and parents look into their finances with regards to the corps (basically they claimed that donations made on their behalf for their accounts were never credited and they were constantly harassed about paying fees....they claimed to not receive compete invoices and on and on). Anyone in the public has the right to review all of the financial documents sumbitted annually to the IRS These are public information and the board of directors and staff cannot deny you access to these. The ED can freely send them to you - but he wouldn't when I asked him to send to me so don't hold your breath. You can contact him and pay (there is a standard amount per page set by the IRS) a fee to get these copies. There is a specific timeline as well for compliance after your request. If staff and/or families have concerns about breach of contract, failure to pay, misues of funds, etc. you can contact the CA Secretary of State. I'm assuming if there is just one or two that nothing would ever come of it. If there are enough raising a stink then there could be an investigation and ultimately the organziation could lose its non-profit status (and it's HARD to get it back once you lose it). Just some thoughts from my more than ten years of non-profit arts management.

Does anyone think it's odd that over 75% of open guards have made block score the first week in February? Are the shows too easy or are judges being to nice? Love to hear your thoughts.

I think ultimate rifles are the best - tend to be weighted well and balanced. I get mine from The Band Hall.

You certainly can march an independent program while still in high school. WGI stresses that independent programs not actively recruit from high schools where there are programs in place. But if your school has no program I would certainly tell you to get into an indy program to march. I run an independent program and our policy is to steer students to their own school prgrams where they can learn good sound techniqe. But as there are limited performance opps in our area, we have some members who will do the one-two shows in town and I will excuse them from our performances. Of course they know they have to be at regionals and important shows, but we are willing to work with programs here in town. I think it's important for indy programs to really look at their community to help suppliment and build on the school programs in their area. That is the base for the success of independent prorams - the schools where students learn their technique and skill base.

The San Diego Alliance is pleased to announce auditions for the 2004 season. The Alliance Color Guard recieved national acclaim in 2003 for their production "Aguas de Amazonia". The colorguard was recognized for solid technical training, fun and entertaining design of the program. And members were pleased to be a part of a POSITIVE and EDUCATIONAL program. Now colorguard students in Southern California have more than one option for performing with corps providing top technical and artistic quality. San Diego Alliance is known for a fun and positive educational environment for color guard, brass and percussion students. Auditions for 2004 are January 11, 2004 from 8:00am-6:00pm. Members will learn basic technique on flag, rifle and sabre and short combinations. Staff members for San Diego Alliance come from programs such as The Cadets, Santa Clara Vanguard, Lealta World Guard, Esperanza de Luz, Pride of Cincinnati and more. Chad Cornwell the caption head has many years of experience in professional dance, theatre and television (including work in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). Alliance Color Guard members are guaranteed a positive environment in which to learn. For more information on San Diego Alliance Color Guard email cc_dancer@hotmail.com

I'm an independent researcher and PhD Student in Anthropology in Nevada. physically you need to be able to capture quantifiable data - how the body changes. I would talk to some sports MD staff to find out about any standardized tests you can peform perhaps on 2-3 rookies AND 2-3 vets to have some comparable data. I would look at things such as (1) heart rate and working of the heart to move blook through the body, (2) blood oxygen rate and usage, (3) metabolism, (4) blood pressure, (5) body mass index (BMI), (6) general strength - a few standard exercises such as a standing jump, flexibility test, etc, (7) have them track any injuries and recover times through the season. When you are talking psychological effect, there are a few standardized tests that I would use. Tests that measure personality and mental stressors, etc. But again, you probably should conduct these tests on 3-4 rookies and 3-4 vets if not more to have two groups on which to compare your data. If you would like more information or have questions, please feel free to email me at cc_dancer@hotmail.com.

Well since we are talkking $.....what about DCI sporting the bill for an east coast corps to come out west? Shouldnt there also be a West coast corps paid to tour out east in the early season?

Summit Winter Guard will hold auditions this weekend for the 2004 IA guard: Workshops Thy/Fri, OCtober 2-3 from 6-9pm Auditions Sun, OCtober 5 from 10a-4pm at NEvada Performinng Arts, 1295 Greg Street, Reno For more information email ccornwell@summit-youth-arts.org Summit Winter Guard will compete in the CCGC circuit and at WGI regionals in Fresno, Hayward, Las Vegas and at Championships.,

What would be the interest and idea for a corps in the continental US to join forces with a corps in Europe to form ONE ensemble? I know there are several Asian corps who do it, so why not from Europe? Is it possible to compete early season in Europe then finish the season at DCI here in the states? Would there be interest on the part of the European community? I really think there would be here in the states. Any thoughts?

I loved Phantom's sound and listened to them in finals after talking with the sales guy from King. But they sounded soft and warm but never really had that hair splitting push you against your seat sound.....was that because of a decision by their brass staff to hold back or the horns. Is there a horn that you get the best of both worlds (loud and strong as well as soft and gentle)?

Who do you think makes the best horns that has a great combination of soft, melodic and controlled tones like Phantom and the push you back against your seat loud tones like BD. Dynasty, Yamaha, Kanstul, etc?

Audition Workdhops are October 2-3 frmo 6-9pm and Audition are October 5 (Sun) from 10am-4pm. We are recruiting members nationally for this (soon to be ) top IA guard out of Northern Nevada. We are sponsored by Nevada Performing Arts and our staff comes from Vanguard, Cadets, Ezperanza de Luz, Pride, and we have professional dancers and actors on staff to help with movement and performance. We are competing in CCGC (the home of the current WGI Ind and Sch champions) and at WGI regionals in Fresno, Hayward, LV and at Championships in San Diego. Interested in more information? Check our website at www.summit-youth-arts.org or email ccornwell@summit-youth-arts.org. Hope to see you all out there this season!

I think some of the problems with band/business support of non-profit organizations is that the orgs (corps tend to be bad at this) just take and don't look for ways to give back to the community. I know parades are a pain, but that is part of community support. And being willing to offer free clinics for band programs.....I think if more programs were willing to "partner" with other local programs it would be a sign to community members AND potential sponsors that this is an organization to help succeed. Philanthropy has changed from businesses just giving money to expecting (and quite frankly deserving) something in return! And I have seen some of the B***HING that goes on between corps and honestly, this only hurts the activity. I have talked with major business leaders who have made it clear they won't support any organization with a hint of trouble or attitude or conflict....it's just tooo risky for their business. The more creative an organziation is to be an active part of the community, the more likely they are to receive benefits from their community - after all, wasn't drum corps developed to be a source of community support and pride? Why have we gotten so far away from that?

It's great to see an organization who planns and prepares effectively and doesn't give in to the tendency to go overboard and get way in debt. Summit Youth Arts in Reno, NV is much like Eklipse - we have our winter guard out this season, plan to add an indoor drum line after and conclude with a drum corps in 5-7 years. We are looking at purchasing a full line of bugles (used or getting sponsors and conducting a capital campaign for new equipment). But our commitment is to fiscal responsibility - we won't field an ensemble until we can do so with limited overhead debt (basically what you need to produce a season). Sounds like Eklipse is on the ball - we would love to talk with you about what you have learned and maybe you can help the FIRST EVER drum corps from Nevada get on the field! BTW - if anyone is interested in auditioning for our IA guard email me at ccornwell@summit-youth-arts.org

Summit Youth Arts, the producing organization for Summit Winter Guard will hold auditions on October 2-3 (workshops) from 6:30pm-9:00pm and October 5 (auditions) from 10:00am-4:00pm. We would be interested in any European students who would like to compete with an Independent A guard (in the California Color Guard Circuit and WGI) during the 2004 season. We have 16 openings for young men and women. Our staff come from Vanguard, Cadets, PRide of Cincinnati, Esperanza de Luz as well as professional theatre and dance. European members can submit a video tape for auditions. There is the opportunity for schooling while marchign (University of Nevada Reno, and 2 community colleges) and SYA can help with obtaining that information. If you might be interested contact Chad Cornwell at ccornwell@summit-youth-arts.org.

Check out the Summit Youth Arts website www.summit-youth-arts.org 2004 = Winter Guard 2005 or 2006 = Indoor Drum LIne 2008-2010 = Summit Drum and Bugle Corps So we wil be looking for qualified staff as well as members. Interested in marching with the winter guard this season or keeping imformed about drum line? Email me at cc_dancer@hotmail.com

We are excited to announce that soon Reno, NV will have it's very own drum corps - Summit. THis season we are starting out with a winter guard, adding an indoor drum line a couple years after that then following with a drum corps. We are very excited to have the support of Nevada Performing Arts and other important players in our area. If you are interested in the winter guard, drum line or corps, email artistic director Chad Cornwell at cc_dancer@hotmail.com

The San Diego Allinace Colorguard has ONE spot left to an interested person (male or female). Come learn from our staff (with experience from Vanguard, Cadets, Blue Devils, Pride of Cincinnati, Esperanza, Orion WG, etc). Check out our website for infomation www.sandiegoalliance.org or email the cg caption head cc_dancer@hotmail.com if you are interested. Come be a part of one of drum corps newest and most exciting color guards in division II/III!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with the policy. However, I have learned of some programs who use this rule in a negative means.......i.e. making kids and parents sign a contract at auditions (before they are given a spot). What they then do is hold the contract over the kids so they can't march ANY other programs (even though they were cut or decided after auditions they were not interested in marching in that program). I think this is detrimental to the kids and their families. We are supposed to be programs that encourage kids to succeed. When a director won't release a kid (who was never offered a spot or who never made a definate commitment past the auditions), that is discouraging kids from marching at all. If someone auditions for a program I work wtih, decides they would rather march somewhere (this is before they have made a commitment to us for the season or made any financial obligations) they should have the choice to perform with an organizatino where they can succeed. Organizations should NOT make members make commitments (finanaially or other) until the auditions are complete and a spot has been officially offered.

The topic of contracs has come up on many occasions......if you sign a contractg with one corps and are cut or decide to not march there you will have to get a release from their director. SOme corps require contracts signed up front to prevent members from marching elsewhere.......so be weary when you are asked to sign a contract (you or your parents if you are under 18).

San Diego Alliance Color Guard Auditions are this weekend. We still ahve a few spots open, but don't miss out on a great opportunity! Saturday and Sunday May 3-4 9:00am - 6:00 pm El Capitan High School (check the website for address and map) www.sandiegoalliance.org If you need more information email Chad Cornwell at cc_dancer@hotmail.com DON"T MISS OUT ONA LEARNING EXPERIENCE FROM SOME OF THE BEST IN DRUM CORPS, WINTER GUARD, MARCHING BAND, DANCE and THEATRE. ***If you have conflicts with this weekend you can contactg Chad Cornwell for information on additional audition availability. ***IF YOU ARE AUDITIONING FOR OTHER ENSEMBLES THIS WEEKEND AND ARE NOT SELECTED YOU MAY CONTACT CHAD CORNWELL TO AUDITION FOR ALLIANCE. SAN DIEGO ALLIANCE DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE TO AUDITION. ALL MEMBER FEES ARE APPLIED TO THEIR TOUR AND RESOURCE EXPENSES (COSTUMES, EEQUIPMENT, ETC).

When it comes to technique it gets challenging. SOme gorups do things differently than others wtih equipment. The main thing is that the technique is consistent between members of that ensemble (including things like hand placement on the eq, free hand placement when not on the eq, and all variances of boldy position as eq is being manipulated). There is a lot of "standard" technique, but a lot of variances on standard technique also. It's difficult to describe technique in a forum as it would take pages to put to paper the technique for all eq. As far as movemnet, there is recognized techniqe in teh dance community for ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and even hip hop. For years ballet has been a foundational element for all other dance so technique really moves and flows between all styles. As far as ballet for an Eminem tune, I think it comes down to what they are attempting to accomplish from an artistic standpoint........I have seen a professional ballet company perform to Prince music that was AMAZING. The big thing with dance, in my oppinion, is that students should be taught some RECGNIZED tecnique as opposed to just the way some instructor "wants" to teach dance technique - because many are teaching INCORRECTLY! And I would hope that the consistencies in technique with eq would lead to some kind of world standard.......we are close and it's kind of unwritten in some areas but a lot of instructors take a lot of liberty also. Hope that helps some. If you want more info email me at cc_dancer@hotmail.com Chad COrnwell

We also have brass and percussion spots open for this season. Last season Alliance got rave reviews from judges, corps staff, administrators and fans. THis year we are again going out to have a good time, produce a good show and teach great kids........... Alliance is a GREAT place for kids to march because of the philosophy of educating and building into the lives of or members and our community. More information on color guard ? email cc_dancer@hotmail.com ; percussion ? pjcdrummer@hotmail.com ; brass or other ? dlgriffin@cox.net. HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THIS WEEKEND AND/OR ON THE ROAD!

And rememeber even programs with $ out the A** many times tend to OVER DESIGN just because they can................ More doesn't = better!

I work as a consultant with many arts programs throughout the US. THe biggest topic is how to make limited resources work. Here are some things I discovered...... 1. You have to be anal and detailed in how you spend the money. Many guard instructors/designers OVER ORDER things (silk, costume pieces, etc). Measure everything to the penny. 2. Plan ahead, if I design or teach for a fall guard I wonder what silks I can use for winter, costume pieces that I may be able to recycle (in a different circuit or area so that they don't get seen too much). I always keep one season ahead (fall marching band during drum corps, winter guard during marching band, drum corps during wg) so that I can plan effectively. And look for other programs willing to sell equipment at a lesser price. 3. Use your equipment, etc as assets and resources - SELL SELL SELL......like I said in #2 there are programs willing to buy your used silks! 4. Make costumes instead of buying (you can piece together a GREAT costume and get more for your $) check out my designs at www.sandiegoalliance.org, each costume is quite detailed and costs under $90 each. 5. 4. ASK FOR MONEY! Develop a corporate sponsorship program for local business support. Even $100 from 10 businesses is $1000 (and that is a lot of silk and a can be 10 costumes). If you want more info on this I can help email me at cc_dancer@hotmail.com. But a part of this is scheduling and planning for events that showcase you in your community. 5. ASK FOR MONEY! Find a parent out there who is willing to write grants for free money - money for arts programs (ESPECIALLY THOSE DEAILING WITH EDUCATION< COMMUNITY SUPPORT, YOUTH) is out there you just have to find it. 6. MARKET YOUR PROGRAM - what is this activity we are talking about?!?!? A YOUTH ARTS PROGRAM THE BUILDS INTO AND IMPROVES THE LIVES OF KIDS IN "OUR" COMMUNITY. For independent groups, be willing to recruit from big brothers/big sisters, foster parent associations, etc.......be willing to build into the life of a child who needs an activity like this - GREAT for grants too! Here are some great resources for saving money on equipment : 1. Postle Distribution in Elkhart, Indiana - you can get flag poles cut to any size you want and they average $5-7 each. If anyone has questions feel free to email me cc_dancer@hotmail.com