OVER AGE 40 STEREOTYPES

[bill]

My follow up question:

Could a corps filled entirely with 40-and-ups (in a fantasy world where we don't have families, jobs, etc. to worry about) physically run a full World Class DCI tour at the same level as those half their age?

Sure, 40 year olds (and up) are doing these type of demands all the time; and one area is the performing arts. Where the challenge may be is in the non performing members of the organization and if they show the respect to the performing members; and vice versa. When you have a organizational membership (performers, teaching, designing, administration, etc.) that may all be skilled, seasoned and experienced in their areas of expertise (and/or life); it's a collaborative effort. Any collaborative effort with the same goals generally equals to, or out produces, any ego based self serving format. One has to define success; in the case of a drum corps (actual) performance....is it playing to the critics; or the fans? Is it a quality life experience for all those involved? Age is simply a number.

[koldsilver]

[quote name='hardcoremello' timestamp='1323834902' post='3105117'

Ok, I tried to stay away from this one but I just can't.

SO, we have:

DCI B Corps which seems to be for members who aren't quite in their "prime" yet. They're young or just starting out but they get a great education getting them ready for the DCI corps.

DCI which is for members who are, what I would consider "in their prime" for HIGHLY ATHLETIC formatted drum corps and more importantly for members who can dedicate a whole summer for conditioning and touring.

"All Age" for those who love the sport of Drum corps but can only do it on weekends or who are over age.

Alumni corps for those who can't commit to every weekend but who still want to be involved in some capacity

Parade and Mini corps for those who have even less time to commit but love to play

THANK GOD for all those categories. There's something for everyone. Just because your in your 40s (or above for some very few but very dedicated individuals) does not mean you should hang up your uniform. It's not, for the most part anyway, about age. It's about dedication and commitment. If you are 45 and you're willing to put in the time at home that's needed to ge the job done, you WILL be successful. If you're 25 and lazy as all heck and not committed or dedicated to what you're doing and you just think you can show up on weekends and do your thing........guess what.........that 45 year old that's marching next to you is going to march circles around you..........probably literally.......ever womder why you're always the one who is gets the spot that everyone else rotates around........that's probably why........hahahaha.....j/k, but you know what I mean.

Now, do we have to work harder.......yes.......PHYSICALLY!! Mid age bulge gets in the way and its harder to lose which may hinder our abilities a bit but our 30+ YEARS of playing can REALLY help out a line. For the past five years I've been marching in the mello line with two girls who I consider my best friends and who I love like sisters. Every year I remind them and myself that I'm old enough to be their mom!!! I hurt more at the end of the day...I may not be able to get down on my knees as much, maybe I don't play as good as I did when I had more time to practice but I'm no slouch and I may not be able to do a handstand and play my horn upside down but hell...I couldn't do that at 20 either but if they were doing that when I was 20 you bet your behind I'd have figured it out!!!

Yes, I agree, some people should not be on the field, but not just a select group of people in their 40s, I actually can think of more young people than old that shouldnt be on the field. On the flip side, there are some people that I believe could do DCI if they were able to go on tour and be on the field every day practicing and training. Grant it, they'd have to be healthy BUT it would not be impossible for the right person.

Now aside from just playing and marching, the experiences that younger members have from marching with members who are older than them are probably some of the greatest experiences they'll ever have. My kids for instance are, in my opinion, great, well rounded kids and I attribute that to all the people who have been a part of their lives from drum corps. Lily Woo, Don Derisi, Lauren Kulich, Cyrus Maddockse, Tommy Martin, the Sky ladies...........just to name a few. They learned so much (life lesson type stuff as well) from these people but most importantly they learned how to work TOGETHER towards one common goal. We compliment each other. I've learned so much from our younger members and I LOVE THEM!!

IN LEARNING YOU WILL TEACH AND IN TEACHING YOU WILL LEARN!! The beauty of all age.......multi generations working together towards one common goal!!

Ok, off my soapbox.........thanks for bringing up this topic!!

YOU are very very welcome!!!! I felt that it was a topic needed to boost the morale of DCAs older/mature members. I also wanted to let the newer and younger members know that we are with them and not against them. I love all the feedback I'm getting on this topic, Responses are great!!! It lets anyone reading those words "THIS IS DCA"know what they truly mean..Way to represent all age corps!!! Keep It up dcp family....

Edited December 15, 2011 by koldsilver

[goalieguy]

With all this talk of physical demand of older marchers, I'll repeat what I say when anyone asks 'How can you keep up with those kids being that you're over 50'

My reply:

'It's not the physical as much as it is the mental game. Memory isn't as good as it once was. Brain farts on the field mid season happen, and it is key to stay more focused and eliminate as many distractions as possible. I can't gaze up into the crowd during a show without risking missing a step off or a visual. I must remain completely in the game and fully engaged in the performance or I am asking for trouble.'

Now, there is sure physical issues. I marched in 2003 and blew out my ACL 3 weeks before DCAs. I re-habbed my way to Prelims and Finals, but had surgery later that fall. Although I didn't have any issues during the season this year, that knee is acting up again. God may just decid when I am done with marching, rather than me.

20 years on the field between 1978 and 2011 with at least one more year left in me, God Willing.

Flash

E-Hem.......I hope you're not implying what I THINK you're implying Jeff!!!

I was one of those "over 40" people....not in the 50+ range, but in the 45+ range. After not marching competitively for 11 years (2000 was my "retirement" year), I can honestly say for me it wasn't about the physical demand. It was more about my mental approach to that demand. By no means was I in any kind of physical shape to do competitive year (just ask Doc!), but my mental approach was a different story. Going to bed early, waking up full rested for the new day, eating right, drinking plenty of fluids, resting when they gave us rest. And I can honestly say, our drill was one of the most demanding drills in 2011. I was not a "pit soloist" either (Or a "lawn chair king")...I played my share of solos, BUT....I marched the FULL SHOW.

AND...I'm gonna attempt it again in 2012!!!!

All I am saying, is if you approach it the correct way, anything is possible for the "over 40's".

These are two of many who continue to perform at a high level..I am proud to know them both.

Frank is a legend, glad he came back - can't say any more...Now Flash? H'mmmm

I could dig up plenty of dirt..but he's doing things I could only dream about doing now..even WITH his ACL issue a few years ago..

Roger Grupp is another of 'those guys'..he has only done the 'pit' thing the last few years..He was 'in the line' up to about 2004 or 2005..and nearly 60 then..

I guess I'll always be jealous of guys like that..It wouldn't be the same without the 'older' guys..I guess it's mind over matter...If you don't mind, it don't matter..

Viva the geezers!!

Pat

[hairbear]

The day I begin to think like a geezer, I will BE a geezer.

[JimF-LowBari]

The day I begin to think like a geezer, I will BE a geezer.

I heard that one.... And I have people around me who are shocked that I do parades (marching AND playing?) at "my age" of 54.

Did save me from getting a stress test last year. Doctor was grabbing the pad to write the orders and asked if I do any physical activity (And I do look like the stereotype as I gained from bad eating this year.)

Me: Well I march parades.

Doc: Not bad, any problems?

Me: No... and I play a horn that weights about 6-8 pounds.

Doc: Any problems with that?

Me: No, usually feel better from the exercise except for the arthritis.

Doc: (putting pad down) Well, let me know if any change.

Should have seen the look I got at my hernia operation follow up. Doc said I was healed and I asked about playing the horn. Hernia was a "belly button" one, went up and down above my naval, and pulled like Hades when I'd get a gutful of air. Doc got this "Wow.. something new" look and a smile on his fce. Had to wait another month but the look was worth it as this guy has been around a while. LOL - last month he was featured in a local news article for going to Central America to do free surgery.

Edited December 18, 2011 by JimF-LowBari

[bandmanwalt]

E-Hem.......I hope you're not implying what I THINK you're implying Jeff!!!

I was one of those "over 40" people....not in the 50+ range, but in the 45+ range. After not marching competitively for 11 years (2000 was my "retirement" year), I can honestly say for me it wasn't about the physical demand. It was more about my mental approach to that demand. By no means was I in any kind of physical shape to do competitive year (just ask Doc!), but my mental approach was a different story. Going to bed early, waking up full rested for the new day, eating right, drinking plenty of fluids, resting when they gave us rest. And I can honestly say, our drill was one of the most demanding drills in 2011. I was not a "pit soloist" either (Or a "lawn chair king")...I played my share of solos, BUT....I marched the FULL SHOW.

AND...I'm gonna attempt it again in 2012!!!!

All I am saying, is if you approach it the correct way, anything is possible for the "over 40's".

I'm with you Frank. Marched 6 years(2005-2010)with Bucs ages 51-56. Marched 5 of those years with 2 screws in my Right big toe, and 4 with a total knee replacement(back jazz running 11 weeks after the operation). It was the mind set that let it happen.(and hitting the gym 5 days a week)!

[RP Doyle]

I’d like to chime in on this one given that my other two fellow old guys in Caballeros (Doc and Ponzo) already have. I’m 55 and have marched with the Hawthorne competing corps for the past 3 years: I had a bit of a break last year because I had a solo and got spared 20 or so drill pages but still, like Frank said, we really moved the rest of the time! And I did all this after driving 7 hours from Canada (and 7 hours back on Sundays) every time. A buddy of mine who marched junior with me in the seventies decided to return to active drum corps duty like me: he marched Empire last year, which for him meant a 6-hour drive each way from Montreal and back.

He and I spoke at length about our experience last week: we agreed age alone is not a factor, as physical fitness was regained by the time the season started. For example, from the end of April on, I could jazz run while playing as handily as my 17-year old son who was on the line with me (and my mello is heavier than his trumpet!). However, learning and remembering (the mental game, as was mentioned earlier) were more of an issue for me and my Empire friend. While my son would be able to learn and remember 30 sets a day, I’d start forgetting after 15: the mind just never seemed to be as nimble as the limbs.

That and, of course, having to put in a full day of work every Monday after a weekend of rehearsals and competition and 12-15 hours of driving: that was always the challenge!

[oldschool1180]

I've seen people of all ages in DCA but I never gave it much thought. I've always looked at the overall Corps and not one particuiar person. What the hell they all wear the same uniform.

personally i am 53 years old have cancer & can still run circles around these young bucks i am a pit member with the bushwackers d&b corb & the Bracken Cavaliers & look forward to the our next adventure your only obsolete when you say your obsolete im not ready to say that as long as i can help out my corp family that been said long live the Bushwackers look ahead not behind we will prevail

Edited December 21, 2011 by oldschool1180

[oldschool1180]

What's this old fart talk about members over 40 .......... I won 2 DCA best soloist awards ..... my first at age 28 and my second at age 45. And I marched a Michael Gaines written drill at age 46.

hey curt you tell them I know exactly what your saying we all get better with AGE just like Bourbon tell kent vince from WWHS said hi & keep on rolling with Hawthorne

[Roger Ellis]

My follow up question:

Could a corps filled entirely with 40-and-ups (in a fantasy world where we don't have families, jobs, etc. to worry about) physically run a full World Class DCI tour at the same level as those half their age?

That is really not the point. I could pick out a group of 18 year and 19 year-olds who would not have a PRAYER of marching that show because they are lazy and out of shape. The point is - it is not about age, it is the ability to get the job done - period. You have to be able to walk the talk, no matter what your age is.