GetOFFmyDot

We need to talk about the lack of batons, featured twirlers, and majorette lines. This is the year to bring them back. I predict that 2021 will be the year of the baton. Embrace the baton, DCI. Do better.

Although much is unknown about what the state of COVID will be in the late spring and summer, one thing is certain: most schools will not allow a large group of out-of-town young adults to rehearse or sleep in their gym. Hard stop. Many schools aren't even allowing in-district activities to take place. Anyone who thinks that this summer can happen, even in a modified form, is dreaming. I absolutely love Drum Corps I'm on also on a school board. I would not support or allow any drum corps to use our facilities. The risk, although much less than the past year, is still too high.

For those that aren’t aware, there have been a wide range of issues the Troopers have faced the past few years, which have increasingly become more severe. Why was law enforcement not contacted as soon as a member came forward as being sexually assaulted? All Drum corps staff are mandatory reporters. I’m not sure how they will be able to recruit members until this is addressed. Many music teachers were reluctant to recommend them - and now, many are adamant that they will advise their students to avoid the Troopers.

Yikes. That is how NOT to write a statement. If you didn’t question the leadership of The Troopers before, this press release should seal the deal. This is bad.

MAASIN (Marching Arts Access, Safety, and Inclusion Network) has released a report on concerning allegations at The Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps The report can be seen at www.MAASIN.net Edited title to better reflect the contents in the report edited to correct web address (thanks JimF-LowBari

A majority of California high schools do not have marching band. Outside of a few major programs, there aren't many school with marching bands.

I don't want to kick something that is already beaten up, but... Every time you donate anything to The Cadets or YEA, you are helping subsidize the settlement they made with George Hopkins, who did awful things to too many people. There are many other corps around who have protected children and youth are who are more deserving of your money. I am truly sorry if that hurts anyone, but it is the truth.

Oh, ok. Bye! can this thread end?

Mandarins have released the 2020 tour...

I know most of the country feels this way, but Northern California gets completely hosed when it comes to the DCI tour. Think of this: BD, SCV, and Mandarins are all located within 2.5 hours of each other and represent one-forth of World Class finalists the past two years. We only get TWO world-class shows! (Spoiler alert, there are some changes coming this year - the former Stockton/SOME show which was moved to Sacramento last year is no longer. A "new" show is taking its place, which is more "earlier" than "new." I want finals in California again. Sigh. I know, it won't happen any time soon.

The challenge with that statement is that the overwhelming majority of caption head and design team staff openings aren't advertised - there is no merit-based system for recruitment, selection, and hiring. You can't be hired if you aren't asked. It's literally the old-boys network. And for those asking why pick on the Blue Stars? Fair question. It was the first corps I noticed who have listed all of their caption heads and design team - have others? If so, I would gladly compile a list. Wasn't there a committee of women in DCI working on this exact issue? I will gladly compile a equity report once more staffing decisions are announced.

Wow. People get super uncomfortable when inequality is pointed out. Reminds me of that quote... "When you're accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression." The state of California finally passed a law forcing organizations to address sexist and discriminatory behavior. The state now requires all publicly-held corporations whose principal executive offices are in California to have at least one female director on their boards by Dec 31, 2019. This law will soon apply to non-profit corporations. There is a big difference between a BOD and governance, but are y'all actually saying there aren't any capable females to be a caption head or serve on a design team? Or are you saying Blue Stars has a right not to have any females in leadership positions? Fact: one of the most important youth organizations can do to protect youth is have a diverse group of adult leaders so youth have an increased liklihood of having an adult to talk with/confide to. Y'all can get angry all you want. Speaking out against inequality is important to do. I hope you reflect on your discomfort and spend some time thinking about why someone pointing out gender inequality makes you so uncomfortable. Bless your hearts.

I find it rather disappointing (to put it mildly) that the Blue Stars do not any female caption heads or any women serving on the design team. Yikes. Is it 2019 or 1949?

Two separate, but related thoughts from “things” happening right now. 1. A lot of people moving around California, but not leaving the state. 2. There have been some interesting conversations taking place in Las Vegas this weekend. If you are friends with folks on social media, you can probably put the pieces together. Not trying to vaguebook, but respecting the process the corps have laid out. While I’m a wee disappointed in a few things, I think almost all changes are for the better. (I think).

Wow! Such a great discussion. Thanks everyone for voting and sharing your thoughts. I think DCA will have a very hard path to survival/viability if it remains a strictly NE activity.