MusicManNJ

Making a lot of assumptions... I curious why it matters what his source is. His reputation for info has been impeccable for the most part. If you have been active here you would know this. Are you suggesting something he has posted here is not accurate?

^^^This... the other point to remember is - these are real people the parent/guardian are making accusations about. This time last year a valued member of the YEA team was sidelined because of accusations that turned out to be false. Not a lot of people came running out of the woodwork with mea culpas once he was cleared by an investigation. It is tough to get your reputation back once it has been dragged through the mud. This lesson should teach us to allow all the facts to come out. In the parent letter there is a lot of "in my opinion" type statements. That should be enough for people to pause a moment.

He's not and has actually be critical of them in the past. Is there a point to your question?

I agree with you as it relates to the discussion of the student. But the behavior of the adults (based on the claims they are making publicly) should not be protected because the originating issue was with the student. That issue is separate and apart from the adult actions. The choices the parent/guardian have made by calling into question the integrity of the organization (one that has already been through the ringer and would be more vulnerable to similar accusations) without any factual proof does, in my opinion, make the adults fair game. That said... I am certain all of the facts will come out in due course and the adults will be called to account for the accusations they make and the motives behind their actions.

You are ignoring the fact that the parent/guardian is making unsubstantiated claims against the director and organization. Claims that are not supported by ANYTHING in the official reports. They are the ones who chose to make tis public and have made claims that are not fact based. This was their choice. Choices have consequences... including opening themselves up to public debate about the underlying motives of the adults. I have not seen one post taking issue with the student or the validity of the students accusations. This is about how the adults are now conducting themselves. They are now fair game.

Were you around April 5, 2018? This is nothing compared to that... and... BTW... the parent/guardian have been the ones distributing the information and details of the case and are making serious claims against an organization in this activity. Seems like something worthy of thoughtful discussion.

Since we are sharing humble opinions... here is mine. I am looking forward to the lawsuits that will be filed based on the false claims being made. This would not be a topic of discussion if it were not for the actions of the parent/guardian and the narrative they chose to create (not the factual documents from authorities but their own representations of facts... one could say their own rumors based on second hand accounts or hearsay with no facts to back them up). They (parent/guardian) went out of their way to spread this far and wide through social media. In my opinion, and based on the reading and some research, they have made claims that they are now going to have to back up with facts or apologize for these statements at best or find themselves in court at worst. If Cadets/YEA did something wrong I would be all over them. Seeing someone trying to prey on Cadets/YEA because of the events of the last eighteen months is just disgusting. That is not being an old guard circling the wagons... it is my reaction as a human being. Calling a spade a spade.

Another nice day for rehearsal in an excellent stadium. I am sure they are making the most of it. Jeff Sacktig posted a video on FB of Crown playing Gabriels Oboe in honor of Kelly Wolner. Kelly played Mellophone in the Cadets in the mid 80s (and has a couple of rings as a result). She has been putting up a heroic fight against cancer. It was really touching to see the corps take the time to perform just for her and for Jeff to make it happen. One thing I love about Crown... always a class act.

I would not assume that everything in the letter is an accurate reflection of the facts. Outside of the independent reports the letter is one version of events. May not be the actual version of events.

This is a completely different set of circumstances than the GH issue. There is no equivalency here. And there is more to the story. Follow the actions of the guardian.

There is much more to the story. The corps did exactly what they were supposed to do... what is interesting is how the behavior of the guardian/parent changed over time. Not victim blaming at all... but questioning the motives of the adults... absolutely!

It is known by those close to the situation that this person auditioned for two other corps before returning to the Cadets and then was cut.

The difference is the issue was reported, the parent and guardian were aware of the issue. The must have been comfortable with how the Cadets handlers things originally in order to allow the member to audition again. It is only after he was cut that all the parent/guardian raised issues.

Completely agree...

In my opinion... you are correct!

Completely different situations. If the organization had done nothing, turned a blind eye, not notified the authorities and tried to sweep it under the rug then I would agree with you. That is not how they handled it. The played it by the book. Reported it to the authorities. The guardian is acting in a very peculiar manner. Asking for a settlement... then spewing this all in the public when they do not like an offer (which could be argued they were not entitled to). I feel really badly for the victim having to deal with this all out in the public while an active member in another corps. Strange way to act as a guardian.

Thanks... they ASKED for a settlement. As @poppycock mentioned... they must not have liked the offer. Seems like a money grab.

Agreed... I am getting the sense this is opportunism.

I was thinking the same thing. There is much more to this story... the Guardian has spoken. Guardian says a settlement was offered. No mention if it was asked for. Would love to know the answer to that question. YEA has not be afraid to admit to mistakes in the past. Let's see what the ultimate YEA response will be.

There is more to the story than how the "guardian" is portraying the issue. Seems to me they organization did exactly what they should do when the situation arose. I find it odd anyone would put the person who was the victim of the alleged assault in the position of having this all aired out in public. I feel badly for the minor who now has this laid out for all the world to read. But the guardian who put this out there... to try to litigate this over social media and emails to everyone in the world... makes me wonder what is really going on here.

I am sure they are working on the changes they have had planned all along as well as some that have become apparent since tour started. And some point before SA will be the new ending. Four days of rehearsal before coming upon SCV and Boston on Sat. This will give us the first true read of where they stand since opening night. The music is strong... brass and percussion are top tier, GE is getting better... and the visual will come. As I have said before... the issue will be what the judges value. Does marching and playing matter anymore? If not then Crown will have to go in a very different direction since they do this more than anyone this year (with Boston and Blue Stars in a similar boat). I personally like the fact that they march and play and the visual design is tied into the over theme of the show. Probably in the minority of opinions on this point.

It's a SHOW DAY! Let's Go CROWN!!!

I do not see why Madison's decision should in any way implicate what Cavies should or should not do. The Cavies are able to govern themselves as they see fit based on their own history, strategy and governance. If they chose to do nothing (stay all-male) they are entitled to that choice. Madison's choice is Madison's choice (made by their board which is their right to do). I do not see this as any grand societal gesture of inclusion and more of a move to try to changes directions on an organization going in the wrong one. The debate should be about Madison's choice. The Cavies have nothing to do with it.

DCI Corps using strategic communications strategies (or if they have them using them well) is not something we have seen much of over the past 18 months.

Yes... by San Antonio.