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264.825 easily

That would certainly qualify as "something I wouldn't know." Awsome that you're doing corps. Sounds to me like you have a lot of the "life" part actually well in hand. Best wishes in your future, whereever it leads.

I won't pretend to know you or your needs and desires or to pass judgement. It is not at all unusual to feel burned out after several years marching, especially if you are preparing for a serious change in life (and going to university would fill the bill nicely). I wouldn't recommend leaving a corps you have committed to already unless there are other factors at work here that I wouldn't know. A couple of suggestions: talk to someone with the corps if there is one you have identified who seems like they would understand and help (I notice from your sig that you seem to be in a new corps this year, so also consider others you have had an understanding relationship with in past years); talk to someone in the university music program if you are worried about musical preparation (perhaps a trumpet exercise regimen can be devised that can make both you and the univ comfortable); do what you have done (contacting others for advice) and make your own decision about what is right for you. Drum corps is, indeed, about life. That won't make it easy, but it is your life and your decision. Feel free to contact me directly if you think talking to a stranger (parent/instructor) will help.

Extensive list at: http://www.madisondining.com/ by location: Downtown [state, Regent, University, Johnson, Monroe streets are around stadium] Enjoy!

Thanks for the laugh. Whole show is on the field. Raise a glass for us and come see it.

If you want to see an absolutely complete show, wait until the beginning to middle of July, or better yet, go to championships! The problem with this approach is that the sponsors don't get a cut of championship revenue and "Aunt Flo" may not have the option of coming back later.

No to booing. That said, I feel that part of my responsibility as an instructor (and, by extension, ours as a corps) is to do everything possible to get a quality, complete show on the field for every audience we play to throughout the season. I don't subscribe to the "come back later" school of audience, because that person may not choose, or be able, to see another performance that year (or another). If we fail you, please come tell me (If we please you, make sure you tell the members.). I have a pretty thick skin if you are civil about it. I won't guarantee that I will agree with you* (or that I can change the way things are even if I agree). I will give your opinion full consideration and pass it on where appropriate. It is not an adversarial relationship, or at least doesn't have to be. See you out there. *WARNING: You may be asked to help!

I won't say we (in my case, Pioneer) expect more, but we certainly don't expect less. Among other things, being in a smaller corps means there is no place to hide (visually or musically).

All too many before and after I marched, including my youngest brother. The tympani he carried was bigger than he was when he marched Des Plaines Vanguard. I occasionally remind Pioneer members how lucky they are, and to savor it, because life does not come with a guarantee.

Dot? Form? The simple answer is yes. All right dots equal right form. All right form equals right dots. I teach both since different people learn differently. I expect both because drum corps marching is about being consistently correct. Individuals working as one.

The truth of the matter on the Irish/not Irish portion of the discussion is "###### if you do, ###### if you don't" so I won't even go there. The deeper issue raised is whether Pioneer "wants to win" which is somewhat absurd. Of course we do. What, though, is winning when it comes to drum corps as a learning experience for youth. First place is a nice definition, but fairly limiting if you think the activity should include more than one corps. Keep adding placements until you get to, What? Or, for me, When? Does winning through drum corps stop at 22? I think I am still winning 33 years after aging out. Never did win a national championship, but I got to be with, learn from, and teach some of the best people in the world (and still am). I can say that Roman, the staff members (present and past), the members, the volunteers, and everyone else connected with Pioneer wants to win. We are not "only Irish," but we are about being and creating what Roman calls "superior human beings." The corps has changed and will continue to evolve, but that is, to me, what drum corps is about, and that is why I keep coming back year after year. I appreciate your interest in, and support of, the corps. Come see us this summer, even lend a hand. See you out there.

Pioneer hasn't done Danny Boy in years. 2005 show was all original music by Rick Kirby, et. al. We have considered Irish rock (isn't the Blarney Stone one?) and various Irish struggle themes (even quietly done them). Pioneer Irish isn't just the old chestnuts, but we've found audiences sometimes like the old, familiar tunes.

I marched with one of my brothers. Two years younger, he got me into corps in the first place. Then I taught the much younger one. Then I taught all three of my daughters (in different corps). Now the whole family is touring. I teach visual, as do the two older girls, the youngest is still in corps, and my wife (who never marched, but is a strong supporter of corps' value) is managing souveniers. I've enjoyed it all. Sharing something that means so much with people who mean so much is great.

First, thank you all for caring. I mean that seriously. If you didn't care, didn't want to help, then I would fear for the future of not only Pioneer, but drum corps in general. I don't mind, and I think the corps and its members can handle, criticism of all kinds. Just bring solutions and support along too. As to this year's show, and several in the past as well, please don't stop by looking at the title or the "liner notes." See the show, take a breath, and ask your self: "Did I have a good time? Did the corps have a good time?" If yes, very cool, but even if not, please come over and let a staff member know. It won't be the first time I've gotten a comment. I have been lucky over the years to get more positive than negative, but believe me, there have been plenty of both. I haven't liked everything I've seen (or done), but that doesn't mean everybody (however defined) agreed. Value comes in many packages. Looking forward to seeing and talking to all of you on tour this summer. I"ll be out with Pioneer. I'm the '73 age out in the white hat.

How to respond? I am in my fifth year on Pioneer's staff, but I don't speak for the corps officially. I've marched in pre-DCI and DCI. I've taught at all divisional levels. My take is this: Dropping to Div. 2 would be a mistake, financially and recruiting-wise. The average age of corps members over the last several years has been around 17, so yes, we are young. Teaching is a large part of what the corps staff is about. If someone wants, really wants, to march, we do not turn them away. It may not be the primary instrument, as witnessed by the number of drummers who have marched Pioneer brass over the years, but the focus is about learning and growing as a person. I believe that leads to winning, if not in the drum corps years, then in the many years after drum corps. The design staff is totally new compared to four years ago. Rick Kirby, Oliver Bullock, Paul Rennick, Dean Adamczyk and Kyla Smith are bringing new ideas into the fold. Is Emeraldscapes Irish? yes/no. Is the string ensemble Ethyl Irish? A piece they do is the inspiration for significant parts of the show. Roman and the corps (true, they are nearly synonymous) continue to evolve, musically and in other ways (yes, though it pains me to say it, am**** the pit is coming - reality bites, sometimes). Do members march Pioneer, then go elsewhere? Yes, some do, and we are proud of their accomplishments. Others stay their entire drum corps career. We are very proud of their accomplishments. Others march a year or more, then life intervenes (as it always has). Guess what, we're very proud of them, too. In all cases, they come to us, we work with them to become "Better Every Day," and they leave us better than before. Top 12 in five years? Who knows? Seems unlikely to many, but who thought there would be so little drum corps in the country back in 1972. Hang with us, good people, and amazing things can still happen. Enjoy the show!

Outside Madison (MSN), Milwaukee (MKE) is closest - about 1-1/2 hours drive, then Chicago O'Hare (ORD) - 2 hours, then Chicago Midway - 2-1/2 hours. Minneapolis is a longer drive, but if the price is really right, not impossible. Enjoy.

Many good posts. If you are one of those whose primary instrument is not brass, don't despair. There are corps, even at Div. 1 who will teach you (Pioneer's horn sergeant in 2005 was a clarinet player who learned soprano and marched four years.) Wanting to do corps is the first necessity. Finding your "home" is very desireable.

DCM's "A drum corps show in your city" used to be true and that meant local fans (average and outstanding joes) who would come out year after year. I have told members of corps I have taught not to dismiss "little shows in little towns," because "this town (be it McHenry, Kenosha, Gurnee, or hundreds of others) used to have its own corps and supported it for decades. The people in the stands will know what you are doing and appreciate it in a unique way, not because they necessarily know music or have been "taught" what drum corps is, but because they have seen it and its impact on the young (and no longer young) in their (your) city. The farther we get from them, the less real impact drum corps really has. No show in DeKalb this year, or Woodstock, or Charleston. Sorry local people.

A good discussion. Is there a reason for top Div. 1 to split as (essentially) the Combine did - not likely. Do the lower division 1's and 2 and 3 get as much out of the current structure - not really. The real question is whether the fans would be there to do this at any level. They might be. There is a base of interested, involved people who can't get to and/or afford where DCI has gotten to right now. Enough of them to support a small budget circuit? I haven't explored that enough to say, but maybe. I will say that my parents attended pre- and DCI shows for many years. They had three children march - and two instruct and three granddaughters march - two now instructing. Without DCM, it is highly unlikely that they will get to any shows this year, partly because there are not any scheduled close enough for a 90 year old to get to, partly because of cost. I am glad the "other circuit" existed as long as it did, because they would most likely never have seen their grandchildren march without it. There is a cost to drum corps that happens outside our tightly knit community. There are friends and fans that will fall by the wayside or never know the activity we love exists. That is a shame no matter how we feel about the trappings of the activity. I lose, you lose, Hoppy and Roman lose, society loses. March in peace, my friends.

Pioneer 03

A high box 5 proposal Nick! Very similar to my thoughts over the past several years.

As a parent (including an age-out), staff member, and connected with souvies, not a single good thing to say about this venue. In none of my capacities (or my family's -- five of us were there marching, teaching, and/or volunteering) was any of the experience pleasant. Not DCI's fault -- they seemed embarrassed by the whole thing. I truly hope we don't go back any time in my next 35 years in the activity.