mjoakes

If DCI staff and board members knew of this for some time – enough time for investigations and the 2-year probation arrangement – what's the deal with BD bringing on board a staff member involved in this? That may be unfair. I don't know the details and timeline. Don't know how wide spread the knowledge of the staff member's involvement was. Perhaps he was given a post by someone at BD who truly was not knowledgable about the allegations and broader situation. This kind of speculation (by me) is part of what makes much social media bad stuff. I just can't help myself from typing and submitting. Plus, please BD: Don't be complicit in this mess.

FWIW, the 2-year probation seems pretty weak to me, but isn't necessarily an awful idea. Knowing more details from investigations could change my mind on that. Not making the investigations and probation public is a terrible idea and is not doing anything to indicate that there is "no higher [DCI] priority than protecting the safety, health and welfare" of current or potential members.

I keep waiting (hoping!) for a post or few with evidence that events did not unfold as badly as described by the member who originally posted. Or with evidence that Spirit staff and leaders acted much more appropriately than is indicated. Looks like those posts are not going to appear.

Nice clip. Thanks. I liked watching the turn. But I couldn't stop thinking about the money involved in sending OSU band members to Pasadena for the parade and game.

I'm sad to hear of this and sorry for the reporter if things were as negligent as described. But I am also scratching my head. Given all that has happened, or been revealed, in the last 3 three years regarding harassments and sexual assaults, in DCI organizations and elsewhere, how is it so many at Spirit appear to have responded as poorly as described? I understand that there must be a few people out there who are still jerks enough to behave unacceptably (maybe even illegally), and some others who also may not take complaints or allegations as seriously as they should, even today. But up and down the organization? No one in a leadership position at Spirit could recognize the apparent errors? None of them could see that the activities of Rookie Talent Night maybe were things worth squashing in 2021? Without more info, that just doesn't make sense to me. If true just as described, however, then I agree with @greg_orangecounty that Spirit warrants suspension, and its staff and leaders should have no future roles in drum corps. Aside from the offenses, they're apparently just not intelligent enough to be in charge of a corps.

Great story. You likely survived because you were, you know, young.

I saw that show at its Whitewater premier and can still recall the struggle to want to like it vs major head scratching.

Kind of sad that in discussions like the one above Madison is out of it. Not even credibly on any cusp. They've fallen back so much. Here is hoping rebuilding actually happens and takes only a few years.

@DrumCorpsRadio, very much appreciate the work that went into this. And it was an interesting read. Thank you.

I predict that throughout the 2022 tour I will remain always baffled over how DCI presents its "Schedule & Tickets" pages on the web.

Thanks. It is a pretty cool video. And good for Troopers for not playing the last-minute reveal game.

Off topic a little: I don't see much lodging near J Birney Crum Stadium. Any suggestions for a first-time Allentown attendee?

I liked the Dome and location. I'm not discerning enough to get upset over indoor drum corps. And when travel and a hotel stay is required, I don't want the chance of ugly weather.

A lot that looks familiar, and many things a little different. Looks like a few good shows and then a lot of rehearsal time for the CA corps in the early weeks. Stanford is always great, and there's no worries about rain. Fire, earthquakes, Nordstrom mobs, yes. 😀 But no rain. Had plans to see the small show in Caspar, WY in 2019, but cancelled last minute. Now maybe no more shows there.

A few years ago I had to leave Indianapolis on Saturday morning, after seeing the shows Thursday and Friday. Watched the Saturday night runs at home on Flo. I liked it - the comfort of home things, as you note. A caveat: I had also seen most shows multiple times during the summer. That helped enhance what I was seeing and hearing (sometimes poorly) on Flo.

I sat in 240 for several years and the view and sound were great. Met a good group of fans sitting in same seats each year. For 2019 and 2021 I had last row in 140. I like it, too.

No problems on my end. Just not a very smooth or graceful process. Web formatting circa 2006.

Increasingly, any of us could be involved in situations as leaders that require our navigating tough circumstances and making tough and multiple decisions. Some decisions must be made quickly, some are worthy of good discussions and thought for a bit. I'm not expecting anyone to be flawless and wish others could be at least slightly more tolerant before implying that, due to a bad person's actions under our charge, heads must roll.

No, I don't think that. I don't see how the article you gave us - Thanks! - leads to thinking Compton-Allen should not be hired by Vanguard.

I judge a corps' arrogance or humility entirely on how the staff members behave while the corps is performing 🙂. Such as whether any of them stand right in front of my seat and either scream a lot or talk to each other about what's working and not working. No problems with BD from me.

Nice idea. Some, yes, but fewer of them would work for me.

Plenty of corps do great, entertaining shows under whatever scoring system is in place. Even some lower-placing corps put on great shows that fans and members a like love. It's always a package of things that matters: design, music, teaching, talent, execution, etc. A bit of vision, too. Madison just hasn't put a good package together for a while. I don't think the scores, or judging, is as big a deal as some of us here think.

I've noticed an important pattern over the years: When the scores align well with what I'm thinking, the judging is just fine. When they don't align, there's invariably some kind of judging problem.

Pretty sure no one in Northern California would touch either of those. Especially not when MedMen delivers.

I agree. Nicely said.