Advice...

[who the?]

I would love to march in drum corps. However, I have almost no one to ask about advice, because I have a relatively difficult background....

First off, I am still in high school (entering junior year). I am prepping to learn French Horn this fall, with plans to march mellophone next year. I have extremely heavy background in alto saxophone. Hence, the decision to switch to mellophone. I march with a strong state power (and I am not bragging here) in Indiana, so I feel like that my marching experience will be covered. However, it's important to note that I did not march with this school for both freshman and sophomore year (I actually moved to the school the past summer). My parents are difficult about drum corps. They unfortunately do not support my decision to march in DCI someday. My college plans are not so forgiving either. I plan to major in the engineering field, which won't allow much time for drum corps (I have to study constantly over the summer, and I cannot afford to skip a semester just for drum corps.) Money..... is just not coming to me. My parents are paying for my college education, but absolutely have desire really at all (other than a few hundred dollars) to help/fund me for drum corps.Also, I have profound deafness. I wear 2 cochlear implants for each ear.

So.....

1. Is it alright for me to march, even though I may risk breaking my cochlear implants? They are extremely costly. I still have DCI in my interests anyway.

2. How in the world do I get money? I've heard about sponsors, but never really understood how this works.

3. Which corps should I try out for? I plan to march for possibly two years (may 2015 and definitely 2016). I know Blue Stars and Madison Scouts have camps in Indianapolis (which make them the first corps of my choice), but it depends on the university I go to (which is kinda useless information....). Really, money issues is a must-check for me.

4. Is it even possible for me to try out for a World Class corps with 3-4 years of mellophone? Should I try Open Class instead?

Any other advice is SO MUCH appreciated!

Thanks for taking the time to answer! I appreciate it very much!

[glory]

My advice?

Don't focus on the last step of the journey. Focus on the next. That way, no matter where your journey ends you'll be somewhere.

Too many people focus on the final step only and thus never take the first. You have some issues to resolve. And you have time. Get your answer to question No. 1. If your cochlear implants won't be an impediment, then the work you're doing to improve your playing will be the essential step toward that final leap. And even if the answer is no, you will have accomplished something worthwhile. Take the first step. Then the next. Don't worry about the last until you're there.

HH

Edited August 18, 2011 by glory

[xmarcoestradax]

Again like other people have said in another post, make this decision on your own. Not marching because of your parents is a decision you may regret. Don't let engineering be a negative for you. Our drum major was an engineering major, and many other people were pursuing tough degrees. I say audition where you want and wherever your means will allow. Go and even if you don't make it you will received valuable information that can be used in upcoming camps or future years. Get the experience and just soak it all up. Saving up by means of a job is always a good thing, and sponsorships will be discussed at camps and any other fundraising opportunities that corps has. Best of luck and keep working!

[hrnguy500]

My advice?

Don't focus on the last step of the journey. Focus on the next. That way, no matter where your journey ends you'll be somewhere.

Too many people focus on the final step only and thus never take the first. You have some issues to resolve. And you have time. Get your answer to question No. 1. If your cochlear implants won't be an impediment, then the work you're doing to improve your playing will be the essential step toward that final leap. And even if the answer is no, you will have accomplished something worthwhile. Take the first step. Then the next. Don't worry about the last until you're there.

HH

This is great advice. Be sure you can master the horn first. It is notoriously difficult and I'm not sure how your implants will affect your ability to match pitch. You may find that you can't play the horn well at all and then you'll need to find another instrument to try.

Check with your doctor about your hearing concerns. They should be able to tell you if you can handle it or not.

Parents tend to come around after a while. See if you can make some friends that have marched corps (In the town you are in). Maybe they could come over and talk to your parents about drum corps and the rewards it offers.

[garfield]

I'd be most concerned about your implants. I have no idea what potential damage you're speaking of, but replacement costs, should damage happen, should not be discounted. Costs may eat into your parents' ability to fund your education, and that is imminently more important than marching.

Is it possible they are covered by insurance? Either your parents' medical insurance, or could they be covered as an "asset" by a third-party home-owner's insurance policy? You should inquire with your folks.

We got any insurance P&C people on these boards?

I've got other thoughts on your situation but will wait for other posters...

Edited August 18, 2011 by garfield

[Turnadot]

First off, you need to find out if you are actually good at mellophone and ask your doctor if it is possible.

Secondly, take your parents to a drum corps show. That is how I convinced mine to let me march.

[MetalTones2012]

I would love to march in drum corps. However, I have almost no one to ask about advice, because I have a relatively difficult background....

First off, I am still in high school (entering junior year). I am prepping to learn French Horn this fall, with plans to march mellophone next year. I have extremely heavy background in alto saxophone. Hence, the decision to switch to mellophone. I march with a strong state power (and I am not bragging here) in Indiana, so I feel like that my marching experience will be covered. However, it's important to note that I did not march with this school for both freshman and sophomore year (I actually moved to the school the past summer). My parents are difficult about drum corps. They unfortunately do not support my decision to march in DCI someday. My college plans are not so forgiving either. I plan to major in the engineering field, which won't allow much time for drum corps (I have to study constantly over the summer, and I cannot afford to skip a semester just for drum corps.) Money..... is just not coming to me. My parents are paying for my college education, but absolutely have desire really at all (other than a few hundred dollars) to help/fund me for drum corps.Also, I have profound deafness. I wear 2 cochlear implants for each ear.

So.....

1. Is it alright for me to march, even though I may risk breaking my cochlear implants? They are extremely costly. I still have DCI in my interests anyway.

2. How in the world do I get money? I've heard about sponsors, but never really understood how this works.

3. Which corps should I try out for? I plan to march for possibly two years (may 2015 and definitely 2016). I know Blue Stars and Madison Scouts have camps in Indianapolis (which make them the first corps of my choice), but it depends on the university I go to (which is kinda useless information....). Really, money issues is a must-check for me.

4. Is it even possible for me to try out for a World Class corps with 3-4 years of mellophone? Should I try Open Class instead?

Any other advice is SO MUCH appreciated!

Thanks for taking the time to answer! I appreciate it very much!

I completely understand where you're coming from. Look at my "Corps Fees" thread.

I don't know how accessible Open Class corps are for you, but if you can march in one do so. Drum corps is MUCH different from any marching band and previous experience looks really good when you audition for World Class. Also, depending on the corps it's usually cheaper and has a less demanding schedule so it's a good negotiation between you and your parents. If you really need help with tour fees, check out helpmemarch.org

As for your mellophone experience, it all really depends on how good you are. I played sax before I started marching too, although I've only done Open Class and DCA so far. A better example would be a friend I marched with for one year. Previously a clarinet player, picked up a bari for the first time when he joined the corps I was in, the following year he was marching World Class. The same thing happened with another friend of mine who switched from pit instruments. It all depends on the player and his drive to achieve.

Unfortunately I don't know much about your implants, but the drum major for Blue Saints a couple of years ago was also deaf and he may have had implants too.

Edited August 18, 2011 by MetalTones2012

[JimF-LowBari]

I'd check with your specialist about what kind of beating the implants can handle. Never did a tour so no idea how much or how hard the side of your head with be mashing into bus seats, floors(?), etc, etc. Know a few people with them but none of them can relate to Drum Corps or other music and no idea if their implants are similar to yours.

Dang... no All Age or other type corps that I know of in Indiana to get a taste before trying DCI.

[Beckham]

There is a pair of twin brothers that marched with Madison from 04-08. I know that at least one of them (if not both) is deaf and has cochlear implants. You should probably still check with your doctor to make sure it would be ok but there being a precedent of people marching corps with cochlear implants should help.

[PioneerWebmaster]

1) I would strongly encourage you to check (and double check) with your physician regarding your cochlear implants. This a question that none of us can realistically give you the best advice about.

2) Every corps approaches sponsorship a little different. Pioneer has a program called "Sponsors of Pioneer Youth" that provides you with materials to hand out to family, friends, teachers, local businesses and so forth in an attempt to raise money to cover your dues. Some members in recent years have raised enough money to cover the entire dues amount. We also have a new Sponsor Board on the Pioneer website that allows our corps members to post their picture and a short bio. This board is then searchable by alumni and fans, and sponsorship can be arranged that way as well.

3 & 4) I would strongly encourage you to consider Pioneer as you venture into World Class competition. All of our camps are held in the Milwaukee area, which is only a couple hours and maybe a tank of gas away from most of Indiana. Our dues are fairly reasonable and the experience is one you won't forget. Don't worry about your experience on Mellophone. We've had people switch instruments on many occasions and come to us with very little experience on a brass instrument. As long as you're willing to work hard and get Better Every Day, we've got a spot for you!

Edited August 19, 2011 by PioneerWebmaster