OG84

In 84? I don't recall a clinic with Sandra Opie.....please refresh my memory. And oh yeah, who is Sandra Opie? OG84

This is all true. No brass player learns how to move air like one playing a 2v G bugle, 3v G bugle, or even the most efficient Yamaha Xeno. ”Breathe to protect the end of the phrase,” was something that Tim Salzman said to us a thousand times in 84. But what he really said was that on his tombstone he wanted these words, “He said, ‘breathe to protect the end of the phrase.’” That’s how important it was to him, or at least that’s what he told us. OG84

It was on SCV’s Facebook page and should still be there. OG84

It was indeed truly inspiring. That event was created by the members and supported by staff like Mark Nichols and a bunch of people behind the scenes who made it happen. It reinforced the fact that despite the “skill set” of performing a 12 minute show on a football field, what drum corps really does is teach life lessons to young people. The only thing sad about that right now is that at least for a year, young people won’t be learning those skills with our beloved Vanguard. OG84

Apologies for that. I’d originally composed my response before I was “accepted” by the moderator, and had to cut and paste it in to Notes. I didn’t know that it ended up being transmogrified in to that font until just now. OG84

Unless you know, you don’t know, and precious few of the contributors to this thread don’t know because they didn’t wear the uniform, and didn’t or don’t live in the Bay Area. I’ve been close to the corps, organization, and leadership for many years, and have tried to come up with solutions to the financial challenges for those many years. There’s no doubt the organization has made mistakes (name one that hasn’t), but the fact is that operating a 501(c)(3) in the Bay Area is almost impossible. It’s incredibly frustrating that despite being the primary economic engine and generator of wealth in a state which is the world’s 5th largest economy, the population here cares very little about the arts. We have no commercial jazz radio, classical went down dial a decade ago, a dwindling interest in the San Jose Symphony Orchestra (I attended the Opening Gala a few months ago…the house was 60% full at best) and the majority of residents here don’t even know what the Santa Clara Vanguard is. Any number of even the small cap companies here could donate money to VMAPA that would constitute a rounding error, but that would not solve the problem and just upset the rest of DCI. Ultimately there are many reasons why there will be no 2023 Vanguard, but ultimately the blame for that fact rests squarely on the leadership. That’s the crappy part of being a leader; in the end, you must bear the criticism and blame, even if it’s not a direct result of your action or inaction. There are no easy answers to the manifold challenges that VMAPA as well as the activity en mass face, but it’s very clear some significant changes must be made if it’s to be saved. On a personal note, and this will “out” me to some of you, I am an alumnus who has been rather close to the organization for the past 10 or 12 years, and have submitted my resume for candidacy for several top leadership roles, especially in the BB era. My cover letters called out what I identified as existential threats, not just to the Vanguard, but to the activity itself. My suggestions involved several controversial remedies, including mergers, and even more inflammatory branded corporate sponsorship, even commercials on uniforms and in shows. Bingo has been dying for years (does anyone have demographics for the souls in Bingo halls here in the Bay Area?) and it alone will not sustain us. I know, I know….but would you rather have no drum corps at all? OG84

I was in that horn line too…..blowin’ notes on a soprano bugle. I have one tattoo, a Vanguard shield encircled with the lyrics from the Hoedown; “the air is free, the night is warm, the music’s here, and here’s my home.” I had it inked when we did the 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps. What has yet to be acknowledged are the costs of running any organization in the Bay Area, and the exponentially higher costs of starting tour from the West Coast rather than, Rockford. I was just commenting, last night, to my family, “I mean, who plays Bingo? Where is there growth in Bingo? Young people don’t even play board games or cards, much less Bingo.” I’m not criticizing VMAPA for continuing to operate Bingo when able, because I don’t see any obvious ways to generate revenue sufficient to “move the needle.” I want to Believe that my beloved Corps has not entered the field for competition for the last time. -OG