scheherazadesghost

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I know, ILC, you're cool. Just trying to remain clear. Indeed, my chef's kiss to your next faculty meeting in which that laxative image proves helpful to you. 😎

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The combo of Lagola, Sage, and James made that design pretty gentle on the eyes. It's a tough ask to build a color scheme around those Christmas uniforms but they knocked it outta the park. James's choreography definitely stands the test of time and was a big reason why I became a professional dancer. Yes, heard. Sometimes I like to bring an umbrella to the #### storm rather than more laxatives. I never stopped anyone from criticizing anything (except me personally), fundraiser included. Not pointing out a storm isn't the same as stopping others from commenting on it. The fundraiser is very public so anyone could've brought it up. Funny, I'm kinda into expressing critical views, even forcefully if needed. But I can't in good faith facilitate every storm cause that would make me a troll... and more importantly, it would degrade the trust of other alum that I've so painstakingly nurtured. So I have to prioritize specific storms. 🤷🏽‍♀️

It's def not a myth. It's just not one sided either. 2003. 💖 Love this and thank you too. Just imagine my surprise putting all this together in the last year.

NP. 👍🏽 Because I loved it. And still do. Because my HS teacher was a very good educator and Cavie champion who designed many of our shows after SCV's: Red Poppies, Carmen, RCM, Tenderland. I loved SCV before I'd even heard of them. And I became an educator and professional dancer as a direct result of my time with them. And because I care a lot about the alum. Even when they disagree.

I'm just sorry to read about your and your son's experiences. It never should have been that way. My final three interactions with the org as a young person in 05, 06, and 08 were also quite unpleasant. You'd think I could take a hint....... Ultimately, how can we learn from the past if we refuse to accept that something(s?) unpleasant happened... or seemingly refuse to show respect to, and care for those who brought it up in good faith? I'm gathering that the tendency across the industry is for admin to listen to stories like yours and mine as few times as possible just to say they did, then improve their policies and procedures on their own, and never acknowledge us again. I'm still waiting to hear back from two higher placing corps when they assured me they would do so in Dec/Jan, for example. This should all be Golden Rule-level stuff. The only corps I've interacted with that's come close to getting it right is SoA. On the other end of things, Vanguard hasn't updated its whistleblower policy since your son marched.

I cautioned them against posting about their fundraiser on DCP. Comments like those you mentioned on other social media, as well as those in this thread are good indicators of why.

Don't even get me started on how dang proud I am of that cymbal line. I was sad to see that performer pull back their hair during the season though... hope it was his choice. So but that makes me so happy to read about your son, esp as someone who struggled with my multiracial hair every season, validation is sweet. Personally, I just love seeing all the preformers' hair and faces so much I can't imagine going back to headgear for good. That change in the activity alone made me weepy a couple times this past season. That said, nothing beats the super clean FJM era of uniforms for me, aussie and star on for every show. Uniform but somehow still bespoke on all body types. The aussies were a powerful symbol. And I think they reinforced group chemistry. But IIH they were way too hot for shows like Phoenix, Memphis, Houston, etc... melting Vanguard is no bueno.

The cymbal players at SC used to be required to shave their heads all season. And take a hard slap across the face before each show, sometimes from staff. Ah, times. How they change. Was glad to see both practices die off.

Hyup, sure. There have got to be tons of creative solutions here. 🤠 My small cross section of alum knows exactly what to recommend for how to use time when it's too hot/rainy/lightening-y out: REST! Our poor shoulders these days. Outdoors at night would certainly be tricky. But if overtraining is genuinely unavoidable, I'll admit that our silent/singing visual rehearsals in 03 are what taught me the most about how to get through that #####in' show. They were super zen and great for developing interpersonal synchrony/creative chemistry in a way that playing rehearsals couldn't be. It's funny to look back on the times our DM just had to hang onto that show however he could....... Honestly, though, I was thinking more about moving everything indoors at peak temps (easily 10a-6p in DFW in July) or altogether avoiding long legs in regions with the most peak temps. If those regions want drum corps so bad, then help facilitate/strengthen partnerships with indoor rehearsal facilities. Easier said than done, I realize.

It's also okay to take seriously the effects of summer weather, high temps and overtraining on young, underdeveloped marching bodies. 🙂 ...whether people like reading it or not.

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You don't have to draw blood for there to be lasting effects that don't just stop: https://www.performancelab.com/blogs/fitness/the-dangers-of-overtraining https://www.irunfar.com/overtraining-syndrome-part-one 30+ hrs in rehearsal a week are enough to call it overtraining. Add unreasonable temperatures on top of that and it just cooks the effects. Indeed. Now, their solution is to rehearse kiddos starting as early as 630AM, which is also not good for teenage bodies.... but you win some you lose some.

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Many of us corps failed in the past to provide basic food, housing, medical care, and/or protections from harmful staff for our primary beneficiaries and stakeholders: the young marching members. LOLwhatareyagonnado? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, amirite? Now give us more money or it'll continue. (And in some cases, we'll charge you more and still not provide some of these thingslol.) 'Cause we simply can't make heads or tails of the long-established nonprofit model and raise the money needed to meet even the most fundamental tenants of our mission statement or basic costs of operation.... so pay up, kiddos.