C.Holland Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Here's the problem with students I've had audition at DCA. They've all come back with the same concern. Age gap. 16 year old kids, did not want to march with 35+ year olds. It really creeped out one female musician of mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamarag Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Here's the problem with students I've had audition at DCA. They've all come back with the same concern. Age gap. 16 year old kids, did not want to march with 35+ year olds. It really creeped out one female musician of mine. That's absolutely a concern, not just for potential members but parents as well. Where I teach, we do have some older folks (really just a handful over 30 in the brass line), but really not that many. We also invite parents to come check out what we do so they can become more comfortable. Sadly, not all corps do that (and most skew higher in age then we do). For us, the methodology and educational environment are paramount and it's allowed us to comfort many a concerned potential member and/or parent. If you're a DCA corps not considering these things, you're absolutely doing it wrong. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigW Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 On one hand I can see the issues with the age difference, though, before I played in DCA I played in local Community concert bands with many older folks and had no issues adjusting and rather enjoyed the experience. It made me a LOT better, it forced me to up my game in a very serious way playing the old school concert band literature... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Holland Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 You might be the exception. I don't see many kids doing that. They also don't have that free time. They've got band, jazz band, choir, lacrosse, art class... But maybe it's different as a guy. I played in a community orchestra in high school and was ok with it. But the brass was all high school kids. There were no 30+ players on any brass part. Only winds and strings had a mixed bag. But again, it could be a different feeling if you're a female. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajlisko Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I don't think Big W is the exception, at least here in CT ... I've visited quite a few community bands where the mix was from teen to octogenarian and all seemed happy and content with each others contribution ... and the youth were always seeking guidance on interpretation from the elders ... guess it's just where you are at the time ... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleran Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 (edited) I haven't marched DCA, so I'm asking, not making a snarky comment: is it fairly standard practice after roadtrips/shows for the members over 21 to go out for a drink? I know most adult recreational sports teams (eg. your company's softball or soccer team) often consider the game and the post-game imbibing as equally important. If so, I think that might be one perceived difference between a young kid joining a DCA corps and joining a community wind band (though I suppose the wind band MIGHT do the same thing; somehow, it just doesn't appear as likely). Edited March 17, 2016 by Eleran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I haven't marched DCA, so I'm asking, not making a snarky comment: is it fairly standard practice after roadtrips/shows for the members over 21 to go out for a drink? I know most adult recreational sports teams (eg. your company's softball or soccer team) often consider the game and the post-game imbibing as equally important. If so, I think that might be one perceived difference between a young kid joining a DCA corps and joining a community wind band (though I suppose the wind band MIGHT do the same thing; somehow, it just doesn't appear as likely). Most members stay within their own age group for any activities outside the performance and formal group aspect, both DCA and DCI sectors. Remember, there are adults (18 to 22) performing in DCI corps (plus staff) and as adulthood allows............there are legal privileges of age; no matter DCA or DCI corps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grenadasmoothie Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I'm sure that still varies from corps to corps, but my observations on alcohol enjoyment are: If you're a good distance from tomorrow's rehearsal, all you want to do is get packed up and on your way to some sleep; If you're far enough away that a hotel stay is involved, yeah, maybe those who can will want to knock back one or two, but they'll do that with other adults at a nearby watering hole or in their hotel room; And, lastly, it's always away from those who are under aged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigW Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 BITD we tended to congregate in our groups, sometimes age-defined, sometimes by who travels with whom and backgrounds. I had a lot of different groups I hung with depending. I can see where a young lady would be disturbed, that's where your people like the Guard Captains/Horn Sergeants need to communicate with them, think about solutions, and help make for a positive experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajlisko Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 >>I haven't marched DCA, so I'm asking, not making a snarky comment: is it fairly standard practice after roadtrips/shows for the members over 21 to go out for a drink? I know most adult recreational sports teams (eg. your company's softball or soccer team) often consider the game and the post-game imbibing as equally important. If so, I think that might be one perceived difference between a young kid joining a DCA corps and joining a community wind band (though I suppose the wind band MIGHT do the same thing; somehow, it just doesn't appear as likely).<< Standard practice? ... Not in my opinion ... does it happen ... of course ... like someone said, the age groups gravitate towards each other ... but, it's not the wild, wild, west like generations ago ... read The Drinking Life by Pete Hamill ... I grew up in the throws of it ... and trust me ... it's gone ... the social aspect of drinking goes well beyond drum corps ... we of the 50's and 60's were just part of the culture ... so was drum corps ... and the culture has changed ... and so has drum corps I probably make light of it far too often during my MCing gigs ... but, that's my schtick ... no worries moving forward though as I'll be heading South to FL and be virtually invisible to DC ... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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