va9590jm Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 They are really on the cusp of something great this year. Depending on the mood of the corps they could really bump up. I watched them rehearse this past weekend and I get the feeling they are under a lot of pressure from the alumni move up in placement. I really hope that the kids are enjoying their summer. Having a great show design is only part of the equation, if everyone is miserable by the end of the season it will take it's toll. I have to agree and disagree with you here. Yes, they really are on the cusp of something great. If they were to end up at the top of their neighborhood, they could be as high as 8th potentially. Only time will tell. I agree that there probably is a lot of pressure from the alumni to move up. 3 of 4 years in 12th place would make any alumni group want the corps to have a breakthrough year and move up. But I also feel that the same happened in 2012 as the season progressed and they saw what was happening. But I know that the corps had a blast that entire season, regardless of the pressure from alumni. I'm sure it is much the same this year. From what I've heard so far, they are having a great time and loving the new staff and the approach they bring. If anything, I think some pressure might be more on the admin/design side of things with the staff change. It was controversial and curious when it was announced only a week or two after last season ended. I think it would be more pressure for the new staff to produce results and not be another staff change after only a couple seasons of slow progress upward. This corps has gone through way too many staff changes recently. It would be nice to see what a staff can do that is in place for more than 2 or 3 years and actually truly build something. It can take time to get things moving. Slow and steady wins the race. Hopefully they have patience with the new staff, even if there is only marginal competitive improvement this season and next. But that could all be null if they really do have that breakout year that we are talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeatty89 Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 I have to agree and disagree with you here. Yes, they really are on the cusp of something great. If they were to end up at the top of their neighborhood, they could be as high as 8th potentially. Only time will tell. I agree that there probably is a lot of pressure from the alumni to move up. 3 of 4 years in 12th place would make any alumni group want the corps to have a breakthrough year and move up. But I also feel that the same happened in 2012 as the season progressed and they saw what was happening. But I know that the corps had a blast that entire season, regardless of the pressure from alumni. I'm sure it is much the same this year. From what I've heard so far, they are having a great time and loving the new staff and the approach they bring. If anything, I think some pressure might be more on the admin/design side of things with the staff change. It was controversial and curious when it was announced only a week or two after last season ended. I think it would be more pressure for the new staff to produce results and not be another staff change after only a couple seasons of slow progress upward. This corps has gone through way too many staff changes recently. It would be nice to see what a staff can do that is in place for more than 2 or 3 years and actually truly build something. It can take time to get things moving. Slow and steady wins the race. Hopefully they have patience with the new staff, even if there is only marginal competitive improvement this season and next. But that could all be null if they really do have that breakout year that we are talking about. I could be wrong, and I hope I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfrontz Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 I'm not involved in any alumni stuff, but why should there be pressure from the alumni? I think people are excited to see Crossmen put out an accessible, quality product that is hanging with finalist corps and has a great shot to make it in again. I hope that the corps members stay off of social media and just work to max their show. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
va9590jm Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 I'm not involved in any alumni stuff, but why should there be pressure from the alumni? I think people are excited to see Crossmen put out an accessible, quality product that is hanging with finalist corps and has a great shot to make it in again. I hope that the corps members stay off of social media and just work to max their show. Even with staying off of social media, for all corps, there are always alumni around. Especially with a corps like Crossmen who have alumni in much of the northeast, from Virginia up to New Jersey/Pennsylvania, and more recent in Oklahoma/Texas. Members get opportunities to meet and talk with alumni when they volunteer, are at shows afterwards, at rehearsals, etc. It's not easy to get away from alumni in any corps, I feel. Maybe the alumni of any/all corps should just focus on being proud of the work that the current corps is doing, and not care so much about competitive placement as they do about making sure they have a great experience? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barigirl78 Posted July 7, 2016 Author Share Posted July 7, 2016 I'm not involved in any alumni stuff, but why should there be pressure from the alumni? I think people are excited to see Crossmen put out an accessible, quality product that is hanging with finalist corps and has a great shot to make it in again. I hope that the corps members stay off of social media and just work to max their show. Well, I am an active alumni from the Pennsylvania era who has been supportive since they went down to San Antonio. I was supportive when they were out of finals and supportive since they got back in Finals. I've gone down to camp for History Night at least five times, maybe more. We have given marching members scholarships just as much in lean years, as well as strong ones. I'm seeing excitement from the Alumni, but "pressure"? I don't recall any alumnus attending History Night putting any pressure on the MM's to rise in the rankings. These are ambitious young men and women who want to rise in the rankings all on their own. Isn't that what the members of all corps want to do? Many of them easily could have moved on to other corps, but there are over 70 vets and many who are age-outs. They want to build something. No alumnus could pressure them to want to do that. It's their decision. Last week a bunch of us served/cooked some meals for them. There may be other corps whose alumni put pressure on their corps, but I find the Crossmen Alumni to be very chill and always supportive. Whenever I meet a member, I tell them something like, "whatever happens, just have a good time." That's not to say we don't have ambitions or hopes. We're drum corps people and that is what we all do. "When all else is gone, the Bones remain" 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillH Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 Well, I am an active alumni from the Pennsylvania era who has been supportive since they went down to San Antonio. I was supportive when they were out of finals and supportive since they got back in Finals. I've gone down to camp for History Night at least five times, maybe more. We have given marching members scholarships just as much in lean years, as well as strong ones. I'm seeing excitement from the Alumni, but "pressure"? I don't recall any alumnus attending History Night putting any pressure on the MM's to rise in the rankings. These are ambitious young men and women who want to rise in the rankings all on their own. Isn't that what the members of all corps want to do? Many of them easily could have moved on to other corps, but there are over 70 vets and many who are age-outs. They want to build something. No alumnus could pressure them to want to do that. It's their decision. Last week a bunch of us served/cooked some meals for them. There may be other corps whose alumni put pressure on their corps, but I find the Crossmen Alumni to be very chill and always supportive. Whenever I meet a member, I tell them something like, "whatever happens, just have a good time." That's not to say we don't have ambitions or hopes. We're drum corps people and that is what we all do. "When all else is gone, the Bones remain" To further this, in my last three years teaching there, I encountered many alums. Not once did I observe, nor hear of, anyone talking to members about competitive placement. What would be the point? The members of all corps are working as hard as they can. The difference makers are in the designed program and the ability of the instructional staff to get the members to be able to execute to the necessary level. Yes, there can be wildcards like travel problems/food/illness that can have some impact, especially if they reduce rehearsal time, but the members work the same whether they are being told alums want them to win or not. It's all pretty much tuned-out background noise. I have every confidence that the staff and admin team are keeping the members focused on improving their individual performance, which is why I expect them to be very successful this year, final competitive placement notwithstanding. They will be great in 12th or 8th and I don't believe alumni have any influence on that. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeatty89 Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 Just disregard what I said. I'm not involved with the corps and have no idea what I'm talking about. I just want the members the have a positive experience and enjoy the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just_me Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 I just want the members the have a positive experience and enjoy the season. I think that's what we all want. That and no penalty in semifinals this year. I wouldn't mind finally moving up out of 12th though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfrontz Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 Just disregard what I said. I'm not involved with the corps and have no idea what I'm talking about. I just want the members the have a positive experience and enjoy the season. Okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccerguy315 Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 Excited to see how they come out after a few days of rehearsal and travel here :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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