PioBrass18
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Posts posted by PioBrass18
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2017: 9 trumpets, 8 mellos, 6 baritones, 5 tubas...28 Total
2018: 12 trumpets, 10 mellos, 12 baritones, 10 tubas...44 total (still looking for 2 trumpets and two baritones)
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@Old Corps Guy this weekend was still considered a camp because there are still many members not there yet due to school finishing up. I don't get there until next week because I'm finishing up teaching middle school band. Hope you enjoyed what you heard!
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Hey DCP!
It's your friendly neighborhood Pioneer brass caption head. If you know of any tuba or baritone players still looking for a home this summer, please feel free to have them contact me to get set up to march. There are a lot of exciting things happening with the corps this year, and I would love to provide even more opportunities for motivated brass players to experience drum corps.
New horns, uniforms, progressive show design ... it's going to be a great year for Pioneer!
#GrowPio #BetterEveryDay
AG
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We are currently sitting at around 46-52 brass for the season. I expect that we'll end up around 48 for the summer. A big improvement from 28 from last year.
Thank you all for the support. Our students appreciate it!!!
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On 2/14/2018 at 6:57 AM, corps8294 said:
How much creative freedom was the design team allowed?
The design team is creating a very exciting and aggressive show. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what you see and hear.
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On 2/7/2018 at 10:42 AM, Brian Tuma said:
Are these numbers all contracted members?
Go Pio!
Brian, yes they are! Thanks for your support! I will post pictures and a video from the March camp/Chicago Irish parade!
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Super proud of the work our members are doing to recruit new people to join Pioneer this year. Here is some insight into our original goals, and just how our students are rising to the occasion to achieve them and push to new heights!
Trumpets:
Minimum 18 (94.4% achieved at 17)
Maximum 24 (70.8% achieved at 17)Mellophones:
Minimum 14 (114% achieved at 16)
Maximum 16 (100% achieved at 16)Euphoniums:
Minimum 18 (72.2% achieved at 13)
Maximum 24 (54.2% achieved at 13)Tubas:
Minimum 10 (90% achieved at 9)
Maximum 16 (56.3% achieved at 9)
____________________________________________________________Total Hornline:
2017 Total: 28
2018 Minimum: 60 (91.6% achieved at 55)
2018 Maximum 80 (68.7% achieved at 55)
_____________________________________________________________TRUMPETS, BARITONE/EUPHONIUMS, and TUBAS! If you are still looking for a place to march this year, consider joining Pioneer as we march the largest hornline in corps history! We'd love to help you reach your goals. #GrowPio
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9 hours ago, dcifan1999 said:
My point is with a better recruiting effort you could easily double your numbers.
I appreciate the advice. Considering we have doubled numbers from last year so far (by focusing on who is already close to camp), you would be correct in your assessment that our numbers benefited from doing so.
I understand that you feel that nothing will be different, and I'm not here to tell you it's going to be a certain amount better this year. I'm telling you we are doing our best to make the experience the best it can be for the students. The students do not owe "being better" to anyone but themselves. I'm so proud of the way they are working right now. I look forward to sharing clips from the Chicago parade in March to share our progress with everyone.
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2 hours ago, dcifan1999 said:
Maybe instead of useless hype, it would be wise to work on your recruiting efforts.
For example-you're 1 1/2 hours from Chicago and there is ZERO effort.
Might be better than social media false hype.
Nearly 40% of the hornline is within two hours of Chicago :-)
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Here is our entire brass staff ... very proud of the team we've put together to teach our students.
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Hey all, my name is Andy Grindle, and I am the new brass caption head with Pioneer this year.
If you received a callback or were cut this weekend, feel free to reach out for free Google Hangout lessons to help you prepare for the next phase of your audition journey. Whether you are interested in marching with Pioneer this year or not, you deserve feedback that is going to help you reach your goals; you also deserve to be somewhere that values who you are as a musician and person. We'll help you develop the skills to prepare you for the next steps in your musical journey.
Feel free to share with anyone who is in need of help. Thanks!
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Thanks, all! We're looking forward to helping these students be the best they can be. We appreciate the support and constructive feedback; both are equally important to reaching our goals. See you on the road!
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5 hours ago, dcifan1999 said:
Thank you for the info, and congrats on the position. My questions rise from the fact that you posted that Pioneer is further along than they have ever been, and based on your reply, your opinion is hard to take seriously.
I'm glad the kids are hungry, and that you have the 31 registered for January camp, but the truth and fact of the matter is this does not show that Pioneer is further along, nor does it show that Pioneer is growing, as that number is actually concerning in my opinion. I can tell you for certain that the number is lower than it has been for Pioneer many years, and the fact that the kids are hungry does not show growth or greater progress.
I'm all for being excited, but I'm also for being realistic and factual.
The fact of the matter is Pioneer currently has similar numbers they've had for January camp in the past, which is still less than half of virtually all other world class corps, and even many open class corps. In addition, Pioneer is once again typecasting themselves in terms of show concept, as well as continually missing many opportunities for recruiting. As someone that lives in Chicago, and works with a number of programs, I have yet to see any efforts to get kids to come to Milwaukee from this area. When I walk into various schools throughout the Chicago area, I see posters and info for many other corps, from all across the country, and nothing from Pioneer.
Keep going with the optimism, and I hope you find success there, but I'm not holding out hope that things will improve much, if at all.
I appreciate your insight and candidness of what you think is/isn't happening.
Please know that we are doing everything we can to give these students a great experience. I'm sorry that you do not feel that our efforts are making a difference.
The kids feel great about what is happening, as there were only 21 brass in attendance for the January camp last year. To be 10 students higher than that with 36 days left until camp provides a lot to be proud of. I know I'M proud of them.
Again, thank you for your opinion. I look forward to keeping everyone updated as we accomplish our goals...no matter how unrealistic or outlandish you may think they are.
Andy
Brass Caption Supervisor
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17 minutes ago, dcifan1999 said:
I appreciate your optimism, but one argument I have always made, and feel strongly about is the whole commitment to the Irish theme, and too often done in a forced way.
That said, it's a pretty bold statement to say that Pioneer is further along than they have ever been. Through the 90's, and even some years since their success in the mid 90's, Pioneer has been very strong.
However, based on what the corps has done the past number of years, coupled with the fact that it's only December 6, having only held a few auditions/camp type rehearsals, I'm curious what makes you say this.
This makes me have a few questions. Since things are further along than they have ever been:
1. Are numbers greater than they have been at this point of auditioned and accepted members?
2. Is the talent/experience level greater?
Having been around the activity a long time, and having spent some time on the brass staff, as well as being at camps, I'm very curious to see what your response is.
For example, in 1997, Pioneer went Division 1, and had a full hornline, but that wasn't the case until almost the season, and even then many of the members were barely playing the show, if it all. I was dating a member of the hornline that season while I was marching in another corps, and was able to learn this information first hand.
Also, in 2005, we averaged about 30 members of the hornline at camps until about April, when the numbers went up.
Based on the size the corps and hornline has been in recent years, and their talent level in performance, I'd love to know.
1. Yes. We have 31 brass registered for January camp with 36 days left until camp. This number is not including members who have previous commitments (so they can't attend camp) and those who have just been cut from other drum corps that we will be reaching out to.
2. This is my first year with Pioneer, so I couldn't say for sure if the talent level is higher. What I can say is that these students are hungry, and they have been pushing the staff for instruction. We are currently making our way through our brass fundamental program through videos and will begin Skype private lessons shortly.
Our goal for the January camp is (and has been since September 12 when we started) 50 brass members in attendance. I have no doubt that we will reach this mark, and I look forward to sharing pictures (and maybe even a video) of what they accomplish.
At the end of the day, this is not about comparing specific years of the past to what we are doing. The students are focused on making great sounds together, moving together, and being the best version of themselves that they can be. Bold statements are made when you believe strongly in what you're doing, and in this case, what the students are doing.
I can't wait to share their work with everyone. #GrowPio
Andy
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As with any corps, things tend to develop as the season goes on. The name, at this point, is what it is. I can't wait for you to hear the MUSIC. It doesn't sound like anything Pioneer has ever played thanks to our new Brass Composer/Arranger, Rob Stein.
I know everyone is worried about the title and the use of "Irish," but I think you'll find that this program will bring a darker sound and feel than what you are used to hearing from Pioneer, and perhaps a different side of what "Irish" can be. Our brass staff has already begun developing our signature sound with the current members, and they are further along than they have ever been at this point in the year. We're working hard to prepare our students to blow you away at the first show in Whitewater, Wisconsin on June 23.
We appreciate the support, everyone!
Andy Grindle
Brass Caption Supervisor
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Yep, must have been a mistake. We will be there!
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Thanks, Brasso! We are doing our best to make it a reality for these students. They work very hard and deserve a quality product and education!
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Registration for Pioneer's January camp is now live! We are looking to march a full horn line (80 people) and drum corps (150 people) for the first time ever! Join us for an incredible weekend where you can be a part of the largest drum corps in Pioneer history!
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Join us in Indianapolis on December 16 to audition for the Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps! Only $50 and an immediate answer regarding membership opportunities based on your audition. This is your chance!! #GrowPio #ExcellenceBeginsWithYou
Share with someone who is looking for a great opportunity!
https://pioneer-corps.org/calendar/256-butler-workshop-2018.html -
@Cadevilina Crown we're excited to release more in the coming weeks!
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On 10/02/2017 at 2:47 PM, dcifan1999 said:
Just curious for some students, will the show be a departure from the past few years? Thanks
:-)
Pioneer Brass Caption Head discusses 2018 brass program
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
2015 was probably the biggest they had been in the last 10 years. We'll be just a bit bigger than that corps, which we are thrilled about. While bigger does not necessarily mean better, it means more students get to experience drum corps. We're excited for you to see and hear the difference!