HoltonH178

I myself have been curious about what, in particular, seems to make financing a Florida corps so difficult. Is there anything specific, i.e. state laws regarding nonprofits, that has contributed to Florida's inability to sustain a home team?

Like most scenarios, there is never one singular cause. Speaking as someone who was of marching age, majoring in music, living in Florida and considering both Boston and Magic as options for the 06 season, this was just my impression regarding one factor. I didn't mean to imply that I had perfect or complete perspective on the matter.

Speaking as someone who just a few years ago came from a highly competitive BOA GN Finalist group in the midwest... There are a lot of correlations between the Midwestern cluster of OH, MI, IN, and IL and TX in regards to the structure of the educational establishments there. To a degree, I would say this phenomenon has a corollary in the dynamics between the Boston Crusaders and Magic of Orlando near the end of Magic's existence. Many of the performers and instructors in Texas are of the highest quality, and as such are not as regionally limited. Further, there is a certain expectation among students in high-achieving competitive programs that their participation in a high-quality HS program translates into being a more qualified performer, thus these students will be more interested in a World Class corps with a proven track record than a local startup. I would argue that we saw this happen in Florida on a smaller scale regarding Magic and Boston. Magic's lack of competitive success after 2004 certainly hurt their ability to recruit and retain quality membership, staff, etc. Many of the individuals who might have otherwise helped promote Magic's success instead participated with the Crusaders, largely because the level of talent in Florida engenders a certain expectation of achievement. Similarly there is much more appeal for a TX prospective MM to be part of a storied, established tradition like Crossmen as opposed to, say, a Revolution-type drum corps. I also believe that Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment, Glassmen, Boston Crusaders, Madison Scouts, and others held remote auditions in Texas, allowing prospective talent to face a smaller financial loss should they audition for the corps and not earn a spot. Unfortunately here in Florida, despite the large population and significant talent, corps do not seem nearly as eager to promote satellite operations as they are in Texas, which is problematic; lacking a strong local body, we need all of the support from outside influence we can get.

This is my all-time favorite topic. As an active music educator in central Florida, one of my biggest personal frustrations has been watching DCI wither away in the Sunshine state. We are very lucky to have the Boston Crusaders rehearse in-state, but this is also problematic from the perspective that while much of our state's best talent goes there to perform, BAC is still almost entirely Boston-based on a financial and leadership level. The lack of a strong corps based in Florida, to a degree, prevents synergy that might otherwise develop were it not for BAC's near-monopoly on Florida's top drum corps talent. In fact, I would say that the wisest course for encouraging Florida's DCI development would be to organize a sort of second home show for BAC in Orlando or perhaps Miami. It would be great if Florida stopped being considered "out of the way" through having events in Orlando, Miami, and elsewhere. It would be wonderful to have corps spend a few days in the state like they did in the days of the Orlando regional. When the Glassmen started holding auditions in Florida in the late aughties was the last time I saw any significant development opportunity for World Class drum corps in Florida. There is a huge financial and talent pool here that has not been properly developed, and I believe that it is ripe for an organization that is willing to invest. I personally corralled many educational and commercial resources together in the interest of expanding Glassmen activity in Florida, but unfortunately, the corps ceased operations before this could be brought to fruition. I would love to see another group explore this possibility. Basically, we need Howard Weinstein to work his magic on a Florida-based drum corps ;). If there were a World Class corps that had a vested interest in a Florida show every year, one that made money and promoted the development of said corps, I believe we would have much more activity in the state. Sadly, I don't see this happening soon. If any entity is in a position to do something great for the Florida DCI community, it is probably BAC. I don't see many other viable scenarios.

Okay, yes, there is this surface answer. But the truth is that there are many opportunities, some of which i personally furnished, for the corps to begin a process of digging itself out of this position. The Glassmen brand has considerable valuable to this day within our activity. The boards perpetual inactivity, refusal to engage in serious fundraising opportunities, and general all-around malaise was far more responsible for this than the economic situation that was revealed in the fall of 2012. There were (and are) many individuals who were thoroughly committed to furthering the organization, if only the board had been willing to engage. It seems to me that there was compelling motivation to file for bankruptcy all along, and the long slide to this swamp of failure yielded only the "Glassmen Twirlers," an organization rendered by an immediate family member of a board person. Comparing this with a multi-thousand fundraising opportunity, partnerships with scholastic and charity organizations willing to assist the organization, leaves me with a sick feeling in my stomach. I am mystified why so little was done in the effort to prevent this ultimate, abysmal fate. The board clamped down, quietly, did next to nothing for two years, and did not actively engage at any point the myriad opportunities that members served up on a silver platter. Things did not have to end this way. I am mystified as to why the board let it happen. I am mystified as to why more was not done. I am, truthfully, angry and the board for squandering the efforts of hundreds of alumni who created cookbooks, reached out to their resources for the sake of this corps, only to have the board continue to fiddle-fuddle and let a 60 year legacy that meant so much to so many go out with a whimper. The only good thing I can glean from this occurrence is that the board will no longer be able to send its alumni down misguided paths and wild good chases. For shame.

Suncoast Sound was a uniquely powerful presence on the DCI Field, creating revolutionary programs that continue to be emulated to this day. Marching in the last decade under the instruction of Frank Williams and performing a book composed by Robert W. Smith, I always felt there was a special connection between my drum corps experience and the ghost of this great corps. Tampa Bay, and Central Florida, have been without a Division I/World Class corps presence for many moons now. I would say one could make a case for MAgic of Orlando being a direct descendant of Suncoast. In many ways, the Glassmen also carried their legacy, employing a nearly identical instructional and design staff in the mid-2000s in addition to holding audition camps in Central Florida. The Boston Crusaders broke into DCI finals under the direction of a crew of Suncoast Sound alums. Have the Crusaders co-opted the Suncoast dynasty? Has there ever been a true heir to this corps? Why was their entry into Div II/III ultimately unsuccessful? Will there ever be an organization that lives up to the greatness of Suncoast Sound? Why did we have to lose this great corps? Why do we continue to lose so many great corps? To me, this bears a strange resemblance to the "Aprile curse" of The Sopranos...

I am still mystified as to why this was necessary, and crushed that it came to pass. Still, I suspect that the ugliness that rendered it inevitable would only serve to make my heart heavier....RIP, Glassmen. You bored into all our hearts.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a bigger proponent for DCI activity in Florida than me, but I really don't think the issue is going to be solved by a soccer Stadium. At the end of the day, the professionals here need to get their house in order to really bring the activity back. The Boston Crusaders do absolutely wonderful things for us, given all of the mismanagement and setbacks that the community has endured, we are extremely lucky that a World Class organization like them chose to site their winter rehearsals here. What really needs to happen, though, is for a group of professionals to dedicate themselves to building an organization that is able to put a product on the field that demands attention, an organization with its financial and executive structure in place locally to perennially organize a DCI event, and one with a weather-proof (read:in a dome) performance venue. Until we get to that point, I do not see DCI as a whole being able to view Florida as a worthy cause. EDIT: There is talk of the Rays moving out of Tropicana Field in the not-too-distant future. My understanding was that conflicts were related to the pro baseball schedule at the site? Having attended many successful events in the arena, it would be wonderful if DCI could host an air-conditioned, rain-proof event at the Trop, perhaps even sponsored by Tampa Bay Thunder or FMBC. There is such potential here, it just needs to have a truly solid support structure, something that has eluded Florida corps for decades.

I continue to be very impressed with the decisions that the Boston Crusaders have made and continue to make, doing an excellent job of providing their alumni ample opportunity to support and invest in their organization and possibly make waves in the community at large. BAC deserves significant commendation for their continued investment in their professional family, and furthermore in their success of maintaining their historical roots and identity while pushing the envelope of design. I hope that this organization can break through and hang with the "new kids on the block" such as Carolina Crown and Bluecoats and perhaps, in the near future, begin to contend for a medal. Kudos and best wishes to the amazing Crusaders family!

This is all too true. I wish I had answers, personally; even more so, I wish I had $300,000 to give to the corps. I can't claim to possess either, and if that makes my opinions invalid, then do me the favor of ignoring them. I simply am at a loss after bringing in my contacts from the John Sykes Foundation for a potential charity partnership that could have given the corps a great channel in Central Florida, with the chair of the music department at UT expressing personal interest as well. The University of Tampa has just constructed a new intramural field on West Kennedy Boulevard here in Tampa. Whenever I drive by there, I can't help but dream of seeing a Glassmen corps rehearsing there...maybe someday we'll get to see a corps there. I am, obviously, a dreamer.

Touché.

I am very, very proud of the work many of my past associates have been doing in the Troopers' drum and bugle corps. It's really wonderful to see people come together as they have with this organization. To think of where they were when I competed against them in 2005 and where they stand today is really mind blowing. I will be watching them very closely in the 2014 season, and can't wait to see what they put out this year. They seem to be a wonderful organization that's doing wonderful things. Go Troop!

Hmmm. You know, I think it's a pretty severe indictment of the corps' leadership that despite the massive amount of talent that has gone through the organization, the corps is still underwater. I had the blessing of experiencing many different corps' leadership when I was a MM, and while the Glassmen will always be where my heart is, on the whole the experience has been very frustrating. I do not know what it takes to engage this corps' leadership on any level; despite coming to them with many different opportunities for fundraising and sponsorship in my area, with ample opportunity to create activity and engage much of the professional music education fixtures, the organization didn't even bother to swing at the ball, instead letting it power right by over home plate. This experience has ultimately served to further alienate and frustrate myself and leave the opportunities that could have been provided to many of my current and former students completely missed. It's a shame that the corps made practice of relying so heavily on individual personalities and not expanding the Glassmen professional family to include more persons. I think the corps is most guilty in the dimension of the hornline, which ultimately has the largest number of participants each year. If the brass line had been given the same priority and had the same expectations for excellence and development as the percussion and guard programs, this organization would have been much, much better off. I had every intent of becoming the sort of multi-faceted professional as the leadership in Carolina Crown's brass line, but I was never provided the opportunity by this organization, despite the many resources I am fortunate enough to have access to and which, sadly, I brought to the Glassmen to absolutely no avail. This organization, despite being a "family" drum corps, never developed the kind of institutional hierarchy that has been so rewarding to the organizations I saw many of my counterparts go through, be they Cadets, Cavaliers, Bluecoats, Blue Devils, Madison Scouts, or Carolina Crown. I have never seen the kind of grass-roots regeneration that has served to establish these other organizations so well. I believe in the Glassmen family, but I also believe that a family needs to expand and regenerate, else it is doomed to, well, this. Complete and total nactivity and irrelevance. I am left wondering, is it my fault that I feel so far outside? I am human and I have made mistakes--I'm fairly certain that I will one day feel this post has been one such (but also fairly certain that the feeling will pass)--but given that I have performed with the corps, sent many students to participate in the organization, should I feel like any less of a family member than others who have provided for and promoted the corps to the best of their ability the same as I? I have been accused of being loyal to the point of it being a fault by persons whose opinions I greatly value, specifically in regards to this organization. Given that the corps is nowhere in sight, a full year since finally reaching out to cultivate its' external resources in, what in hindsight, now appears to have been a rather callous and shallow act of desperation, I feel quite used. I feel quite, again, frustrated and saddened. The Glassmen Alumni Association has become more active than I had ever seen it during the days when there was a corps on the field; I suppose this is only appropriate now that, as alumni, we can't simply look the other way while the organization continues to provide opportunities for marching members...but having either been an active member of this organization, or had classmates or (former) students in the corps every year since 2002, it is very saddening that all the opportunities that presented themselves over the past year were simply *not* taken up to any degree by the Glassmen BOD, no matter how much I tried to promote them. I am very sad to say this, but I have become of the opinion that the corps has opted not to fully focus on re-fielding ASAP, despite declarations to the contrary whenever it comes time to open up your wallet. I am not sure who or what the corps is working to protect, but as a professional, I feel that my best interests--and what I have viewed as the corps' best interests--are not among them. Which from my perspective is, as I have said, quite saddening. Not only for my lost opportunities, or my students' lost opportunities, but most of all for the corps' lost opportunities to head down the road to restoring activity and relevance. In my heart of hearts, yes, I am self-interested, but never in such a way that the corps was simply a means to an end. In my heart of hearts, the well-being of the corps has been the overriding priority to my professional compass. This organization needs to do better work seizing and developing the opportunities that have been brought forward if they are ever going to field again, but in my mind, fielding again is simply not as much of a priority as has been espoused. I just wish I felt like I knew how to best be of service to the organization, but given how things have taken shape, I feel that my efforts have been in vain because the have been in service to "marching forward," which is really just a flag being waved for fundraising. Should I be organizing a small booster chapter to sell candy bars? This BOD does understand that you don't get something for nothing, does it not? This BOD has stated its desire to field ASAP in press, loudly and often, but the actions have not matched the rhetoric, and I feel that there are many who are feeling less and less that this is a viable avenue for the junior corps activity to develop. This organization has shaped my individual identity and development to the point of where I bear the corps' insignia permanently on my skin. It's the only ink I have on my body and it may well stay the only ink on my body. If I am personally experiencing a crisis of confidence, I hate to imagine the crises that have been ongoing with other professionals in regards to the Glassmen, ones who do not have the same sort of skin in the game and whose aid and promotion have been critical fir this organization in the past. Who the heck is driving this bus?

To be honest, this may just be my humble opinion; but in order for "Drum and Bugle Corps International" to truly represent "Marching Music's Major League," consist of "World Class" members (none of whom are from outside of the United States, ironically) and to have "World Championships," it needs to be a truly international competition. It's always cool that the corps seems to attract at least one group from far, far away, be it Japan, Thailand, Italy, or Sweden. But if Drum Corps International starts to find friends in the single largest polity in the world, well, that would be a great leap forward (heh heh, little political pun in there for my fellow supernerds), and the educational system of the People's Republic of China starts to recognize the benefits, I would view it as a huge leap forward in terms of fulfilling the Drum Corps International premise, and would also help to re-establish DCI as Marching Music's Major League (3ML?) in a way that BOA, USSBA, et al. can never be. I think expanding the reach of Drum Corps International, Inc. into other countries is an absolutely brilliant move, if true.

How I wish a GOOD show could SAVE a corps! In fact, Glassmen had a really wonderful program last year; why not throw them a few bucks for it?

I cant help but notice how opaque administration of corps is, particularly the ones I've been closely involved with. Is it your belief that a corps does well do keep its cards close to the vest, or is it important that transparency in the administration and clarity in errors, staff changes, staff errors, etc. helps maintain a healthy drum corps?

Absolutely shameless bump. I can't wait for this to happen! It's so exciting to see that the Glassmen are turning to their alumni for support, and that the efforts are so effective that the GAA even has fires cooking at the Glassmen's secondary audition sites in Florida and Texas. I think it's a great sign for the Glassmen's future. What do you think?

The Glassmen Alumni Association will be holding an event in Plant Park on Saturday, May 18, 2013, to kick-off the association's efforts in the Sunshine State. If you've never been, Plant Park is a safe park in the heart of Downtown Tampa on the Hillsborough River, a public park owned by the city but secured by the University of Tampa as part of campus. This is a Glassmen Alumni Association, Inc. event, not to be confused with a Glassmen, Inc. event. It has been approved by the alumni board of directors under its prerogative to organize and coordinate events for the alumni. It has been organized under the purview and prerogative of Glassmen Alumni Association, Inc. and with the approval of the GAA Board of Directors. Glassmen, Inc. is not involved beyond giving the Alumni Association the authority to organize events; the organization, and its board of directors, are in no way accountable or responsible for this event. This is a very casual get-together in a free location. In many ways, it is a test-run for those of us involved with the Alumni Association can get our sea legs organizing and coordinating amongst our alumni to ensure that the legacy of the Glassmen is upheld from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. I would recommend eating dinner prior to attending (or perhaps bring it with you as a picnic) as only light refreshments will be available. This event has been being planned for over a month, and we are trying to reach as many alumni, family, and interested party members as possible in the last few days before the event, so if you are just hearing about this, please do not mistake short notice for lack of preparation. Several family members who have RSVP'd by Facebook, e-mail, and phone already, and there is plenty of space for those who can make it. We are very excited about this event and will be giving out information on how to donate to the Glassmen Alumni Association, inc. and Glassmen, Inc. to further the causes we all dedicate ourselves to. Additional information can be found on the GAA website, and in particular, in the events map section. There is also an official Facebook event where you can RSVP, ask questions you may have, coordinate carpools, etc.

You make it sound like an epitaph! Although I suppose that we still haven't seen a drum corps show here in four years now. Maybe it is con te partiro por amor di Orlando...which is a shame, but also an opportunity. A corps that dedicates itself to tapping some of the pent-up energy in Florida, particularly in Winterguard, will be rewarded richly. For instance, having audition camps by Phantom Regiment in Tallahassee, GlassCrossmen in Tampa, Boston Crusaders in Bradenton/Sarasota, Santa Clara Vanguard in Orlando or Gainesville, and Blue Devils and Cadets in Miami would be much more appropriate for the 4th largest state in the country--I don't see any good reason for such a large market as the state of Florida to not aspire to a level of drum corps activity comparable to a major city in the activity like San Antonio or Indianapolis, let alone the major states of Texas and Indiana. Further, the restricted market hurts the growth of professionals from a culturally unique area of the United States. I remember having a conversation with Brian Hickman where he noted the great groups and programs to come from Florida. Florida still has a role to play in the activity, and I thank the Boston Crusaders without whom Florida would be a drum corps desert, but there needs to be changes, there needs to be investment, and there needs to be competent management on a level larger than a single corps can affect in order for competitive outdoor pageantry to not lose out to Florida GatorSeminole Halftime Style.

Orlando, 2005 has a lot of special memories for me; 2008 as well. The 2009 rainout was a crying shame. It would be great to see BAC, Glassmen, or any corps looking to maintain an active and healthy Florida presence put a little muscle behind the brand. In fact, maybe I've just stumbled across the answer...a show organized by both the Glassmen and the Boston Crusaders for the sake of Florida's competitive marching arts programs which are vastly underutilized in the DCI market. But the rot needs to stop. DCI may lose an important contributor to the creative culture of outdoor pageantry, one that has defined a very unique identity, pushed the creative envelope further than any other group, carried on the legacy of the third-longest DCI legacy, shattered Division rankings to make finals, and defined itself as a creative powerhouse at the high school and indoor levels with smashing WGI and BOA as well. Howard Weinstein, Kevin Ford, Robert W. Smith, Frank Williams, and quite a few other guys cut their teeth at Suncoast Sound, coming in 2nd in brass in '86 with a hornline that averaged 15 years old. There are many Floridian members of the Hall of Fame. I know that the generation of instructors I had the privilege of would be proud to see competitive outdoor pageantry make a stronger mark in Florida. Florida could be just as relevant in DCI as Texas, which despite San Antonio's relative distance, is no further logistically than Orlando. Not to mention that travel to Florida in the summer months is CHEAP, meaning many corps fans can consider making a real vacation out of a large central Florida show. Maybe we can talk them into letting us use the Trop At any rate, FL is a smart investment for DCI relative to where it's at now. There is a large population of high school students who could be converted to a more competitive marching arts approach, and to supporting DCI as part of that. I would love to see a smart organization take advantage of the opportunities of the 4th largest state in the union having 1 World Class drum corps rehearse in-state.

If anyone is interested in increasing DCI activity in Florida, please PM me! This is an active project of mine and MANY others .

So when can I sit down and pick your brain?

The Glassmen Alumni Association is cooking up some stuff in Central Florida for our alumni, members, family, former staff etc. that are very exciting, involve some very big names in the area, and hopefully will help with a few smackaroos :) so G-Folk in Florida, please keep your eyes peeled because there will be events happening where we will NEED your support!

Pardon the double!

Re: JimF-LowBari Speaking as a music education professional who is interested and invested in promoting the DCI brand, it was critical to me that my drum corps experience included a top-notch design show, staff whose names would impress future prospective employers or students, and that I be surrounded by people who had similar needs in regards to the corps. There has been tremendous growth in quality in these ranks of the corps in the last few years, and I do believe that someone who marches a 17th place corps in 2013 will have an experience quite like marching a 12th place corps in 1999 in these regards. This is not to say that anyone has a lesser experience based on what their corps scores out of 100, but that I think this person can find what they are individually seeking without setting the bar at "top 12".