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xmenjeffb

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Everything posted by xmenjeffb

  1. I am Looking for a Wednesday evening block and we are willing to buy .
  2. To my knowledge every corps staff person runs on yearly contracts .If that is not renewed by end of the season they are free agents .Social media is one way to let the activity know you have moved on or are available .To me it is not a big deal .Staffers get released every season and some just choose to move on or take time off .There is a very good chance that if no one has talked to a staff member about returning by the end of Championships week , they will not be returning . Every corps has it's on timeline of dealing with staff . I do not know of any staff that get multi year contracts or signing bonuses ! ( LOL ) there may be some ...i just dont know them or have i ever heard of it . Now if they had said they were coming back before season's end and the corps found out they had moved through social media ..That would be unprofessional .Same can be said for a corps hiring a replacement before informing the staff the position was open .I know many cases where the latter has happened .
  3. He only marched part of one season with 1984 Florida Wave .Came in mid season and played lead Soprano .But that short time was enough for me to know that I was looking at a wonderful diamond in the rough .He has a wonderful sense of humor and a hunger for knowledge.I was smart enough or lucky enough to hire him to teach Wave in 1985 .I made him do both Brass and Visual to start , telling him if he planned on staying around a while, He needed to understand both sides .He wanted to teach Brass but he learned visual enough to understand how important it was to be able to move well to play well .That knowledge served him well .There he worked with and learned from Jerry Kelsey who arranged for Wave and Randy Isoda who had moved to south florida for a while in 1984 . He rarely watched a show in the stadium besides Wave . He would spend the entire show watching warm ups in the lot .Picking up nuggets of information he could weave into his system of teaching .He worked with Don Hill at 2 high schools in south florida picking his brain for all he could get . He loved sitting and watching Wayne, Gino ,Jack warm up BD .Robert Smith and Frank Williams with Suncoast Sound . Watching Van Matthews warm up Madison Scouts and sharing brass chat over a cold one or 2 after shows .Sharing ideas with Doug Thrower And Dave Tippet Whereever they were teaching. After years of instructing Wave he decided he was ready to go back to college .This time he was on a mission . He graduated from Stetson University , Where Bobby Adams helped him into University of Kansas.At UK he went on to get his masters and Doctor degrees in music . While at Stetson He was teaching the Colts . Building that Line With Chuck Naffier , Brett Hall and others into a DCI finalist Brass line .While at KU he also Taught The Glassmen where he was happy to get a chance to work with Frank Williams . His sense of humor and love for Hawaiian Print shirts are fondly remembered by all that he taught and worked with .He loved playing trumpet . He played for Busch Brass in tampa , Several Salsa Bands in Miami while teaching Wave . He played in numerous Jazz, Combos , Symphonic and Wind Ensembles while attending College . While at Busch Gardens he developed a love for Crossword Puzzles said he needed something to do on the long breaks and this kept him thinking . I am sorry if I left anyone out . So many influenced his teaching from the drum corps ranks .From the Judging world he had great respect and learned from many .Some that stand out ...Don Hill , Jeff Mitchell, Ken Turner , Dave Richards , Andy Poor , Rich Saucedo , Billy Doyle and many others. Who was he . He was my friend and peer for 27 years .We pounded many roads in many tour moods of transportation .He loved life and people . The very best people person I ever had the pleasure to work with .A gift he always said was learned from his father ,who was Mayor Of New Symrna Beach Florida for many years .Once you met Dean you just looked forward to seeing him again . .Dean liked his shirts and his hornlines LOUD. But his greateast gift was his ability to teach and motivate young people .Kids loved being in his lines , loved being around Dean and yes most even loved all his jokes .HE would say up late at night repairing horns or doing a " mouth piece boil"so they were clean and ready for the next day . He was incredible to work with as an instructor . Always with a joke or great insight or both .He understand scheduling and time .He respected other staff and worked close with all to insure the best production during the day .He would make sure the van was full of gas , always had the cooler well stocked . He respected every driver , cook and volunteer .He knew that His day was only as good as the people around him so, he went out of his way to make everyone's day was great !He drove the truck or the van or a bus if needed . He did what ever was needed to make life better for all he taught and worked with . The last Corps we did together was the Crossmen . I was hired as director in 2000 by George Hopkins .I once agained turned to Dean Musson .Very simple question ...Hey Buddy ..Up for one more ride , one more journey in drum corps .Simple answer ...Yes ! He brings in Evan Rogovin , Mick Chez , Al Chez , Joe Exley to help him teach . Teams up with Chuck Naffier and his arrangements .Bam!! Crossmen have a brass line and the rest is a wonderful history . He is survived by His 2 Sisters Nan and Jill and His Brother Neal Musson who played contra at the Colts .His life is survived by all that he worked with and taught. That legacy will last for many years to come .He is my friend forever and he will be truly missed . But , He was a giver and that is what all that he tought and touched will do in his honor .For every person we touch gets a little piece of my wonderful friend Dean Musson .
  4. East - NorthStar and Bridgemen South - Florida Wave and Suncoast Sound Mid West - Star and Sky Ryders West - California Dons and Freelancers
  5. Well Done indeed ! Played well by a a great person !
  6. Thats a lot of hot dogs ! Lets hope they are not made from that horse ! Enjoy My friend ! Talk Soon !
  7. No worries as every show has been different . They are trying to make it balanced until we see full panels . Teal has seen in 4 shows ...2 field percussion 1 Brass and 1 Guard .
  8. Well You see Bozz ....They were making mine and ran out of material . We will have them friday !
  9. Well it is all an interesting debate and all views are welcome . Why change because change is and always will be a part of life . Can you name things in your daily life that have not changed ? If not for change and progress we would not have forums like this . When I marched we had to wait for the weekly DCWORLD paper to come out to see what people were doing . The rules of DCI have changed and it took more than a few votes for that change to happen .No one corps or person can vote change in alone . Maybe it would be interesting if one corps didnt use any of the changes . Still play bugles ( if they can find them ) Color presentation Honor Guard no front ensembe if it is played it is carried . No tonal bass drums Bring back the slings ! rotary and one piston only ! Flags cups on a sling ! on and on and on the list of changes since just DCI started . Would that interest you ? As far as the 2011 Teal Sound Production I promise melody , Brass and percussion will dominate the sounds . It will be mixed with electronic sounds that are legal by rule . Music of all kinds have been mixing electronics , brass and percussion for as long as they have been available . I say it is about time DCI has decided to catch up and it is up to corps to use it well to create excitement.But that can be said about everything we have ever changed or used . Healthy debate and I for one enjoy it !
  10. HEy Bozz , You know Me Would never insult the members by the choices of design and the charts will be from the pen of Chuck . Also hope you are well !
  11. And We will work Hard to sale you on the product as we work to make it better and more entertaining !
  12. Pleased to annouce that the Teal Sound will be performing " Sinvitation 7 " for the 2011 Program . Music will explore a wider range of electronics and the actual titles will be released soon . While awaiting approval I can tell you we will be exploring the likes of Vitamin String Quartet , soundtracks and We do still love our rock ! Teal Sound is setting record numbers for auditions and we are excited to kick off the season ! It is fun to be doing drum corps in Florida again !
  13. Wishing The Crossmen nothing but the best in this transition . I hear great things about Fred and i am sure he will take his time to move forward .
  14. SO you change just to change ? I am really curious what you think would be better with just making a change and what type person would you change too ?
  15. It is a great day for DCI ! Dan comes from the ranks and understands all sides of DCI . He marched , he taught and he was a director . 14 years or 30 years is NOT too long if the person is doing a great job and achieving the goals and directives laid out by the Board . If i had to pick one person i trusted with moving DCI into the future with unity it is Dan ! There are still tough roads ahead and much to be discussed as it relates to the business of DCI . The one thing that is not an issue is Dan and his ability to bring people together for the common good . Maybe now , The Directors can find the common ground and build on the needs that are important to continue DCI and the services it provides . Royer, Jones , Warren , Bonfiglio, Howard , Did just that in the beginning . They some how managed to find the common ground and build on that foundation and i believe with Dan's leadership todays group of directors can do the same in todays DCI .This is a positive step in that direction . Wish them the very best for success !
  16. Agreed interesting moves in the lower half of show . Colts make a big jump and Teal gets by Mandarins ...... But 3 points back of G-Men is a huge gap to over come . I like the watching match ups of the lower end of scale .
  17. Only if they are elecric . But who knows we plug in everything else .
  18. Stop the madness !!! All of the top groups have demand and high levels of resposibility on its marching members ! Field Visual ---- Judge the achievement of individual's vocabulary and the technique used by each member through sampling . Ensemble Visual----- Judge the achievement of the visual composition -( orchestration of the elements ) and the Achievement of the ensemble excellence of the compostion . GE -- Judge the effectiveness of the Repertoire ( The whole body of items that are regularly performed ) And the members ability to communicate said repertoire ...... Not to judge the actual Repertoire which is what many fans do . Always judging the "WHAT " the performers are given to do and the ability of the performers " HOW " they do it !
  19. Thanks Joe . But I am only consulting with Teal . The guys on the road are doing a great job and the corps is growing and just working to get better every day . It is a great start for them in WC and every situation offers a new learning moment for many of the members and staff . I believe no matter where they finish they are having a great year and this will serve as the base on which to build in WC for the future . Most important thing is I am glad you enjoyed the show . I am excited about the identity they are building on and while not for everyone , people are paying attention and that is a Good for Teal . The every best wishes for you my old friend ! JB
  20. Brett Hall was a good man and teacher . He served the members of the Colts well for many years . I miss him but am better having known him . Rest in Peace my friend . JB
  21. One thing has remained consistent over decades of shows and judging . If you want to see change then change the way we reward points and what we reward them for . If DCI wants to change programming then there must be a systems change . When the activity decided that Quality of sound was more important than just being clean the system changed to reward that . ( circa 1979/80 ) When SCV 80 could not be rewarded on the sheets for the what -The system changed for visual ( 1981 /82 ) Somewhere along that time frame i think between 80 and 81 the Gun was gone . Prior to that the excellence judges would leave the field when the gun went off leaving only the Effect judges to judge the end of the shows . Right around 84 =Percussion changed sheets to reward more of the what , leading to major shifts in percussion arrangements as more of whole .That stemmed from the change in 81 allowing the grounding of pit equipment . Not sure exactly what year the pit area was created .Prior to that you ground equipment but it had to be inisde the front sideline . Other changes occured later Like when DCI combined Percussion and Brass ensemble into Music Ensemble . Returning to Overall Effect would actually be a return to complete the Effect Cycle . In the early days of drum corps there was an over all effect judge or judges . Follow the line of change and you follow the development of what is programmed .But it was all driven by the what the activity wished to be rewarded . If Effect is the next line of thought . And if the activity values Effect being rewarded the way an audience views the show .Then you would have to see a systems change to allow that to be rewarded and programming would change as it always has . Now , personally i dont have a stake in this either way . But I would support discussion and trial to see if a systems change would change the outcome . The real proof would only come with a major change in the way things are scored now .
  22. Since you are seeking to get a feel of the Crossmen over time and the history of the corps . I suggest you seek out : 1978 - Year of the capes ,Painted Faces and Russian Christmas Music 1980-82 - Superman - Rocky meet Jazz and Gino Vanelli --How is that for variety 83 or 85 -- To get a feel for where the staff of those corps sought different direction for the corps Any of the fore mentioned 90's shows -- Maybe the trilogy of the "Earth Years " 2001 - Gives you an idea of what the corps was and where it could have gone in the future . All the shows mentioned in other post are very good but this would give you a look at the history of the corps .
  23. Congrats to the Troopers and the entire Trooper family, Long Blue Line and all who have ever been a part no matter how big or small your role may have been . There is nothing like the first time and since time has a way of making people forget this is a new era for the Troopers. Like the Blue Stars , Colts , Bluecoats , Crown , Boston and Glassmen Another long standing Drm corps has returned to the lime light of DCI finals. Corps whos have withstood the test of time and regrouped or rebuilt to make into the Elite 12 . Heres to all who have battled , sweat , cried and remade themselves to be better organizations . Enjoy the night Troop , it is yours to have forever , and nothing says finals better than kicking the night off with an instant classic ! While it has been 16 years since i stood with the Colts at the gate awaiting the cue to enter the field for the first finals in the Corps history , i still have that warm sense of pride rush over me knowing how great you all will feel at that moment for yourself.For 17 magnificent minutes ,the marching world will once again be focused on THE Troopers ! Mr.Jones is smiling along with all the rest of us !
  24. Learn from cleaning drill as you learn to write drill. Sometimes knowing what you dont like will lead you to something you do , It is all lines and arcs simply how you arrange them. Along with what you have been told . I suggest you study some art to see the artist flow of the brush strokes for line. Also push , pull , expand and contract . Every action has a reaction. And last but certainly not least transition transition transition !!!!
  25. If said corps has good records and produce the records showing you still owe them from another season , you would be held out until you pay up .I have dealt with this on many levels and it is one thing DCI directors respect from other corps. If you did not disclose you owed money then it would cast a very bad light on you, for many obvious reasons, if caught marching during the season. In one case the amount was small and the directored payed it on the spot and the member now owed him . In another the member was held out for a week until his mom sent the money in a money order .And in one other case payments were arranged and a note signed by the member and the 2 directors stating that if payment was missed he would be pulled . In all 3 cases they were caught during the summer . IN most cases if you are up front and tell them you owe money else where they will contact that director to varify the amount and asked to be notified when payed .With holding a member ship contract until you are payed up . Chances are you will be caught no matter what size corps you marched . Someone you marched will know you and see you on tour or hear that you are marching . I strongly suggest you make arrangements to pay what you owe prior to auditioning . If the corps has big turn out and you make it that means some one that didnt owe got cut . Make it less stressful on yourself and make arrangements so you can audition with peace of mind .
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