Minimum age requirements, corps to corps

[perc2100]

18 hours ago, BG984 said:

I still don't "get it', though.  In the past, even though BDB certainly had many more 18+ kids in than many other open corps and kids that even age out there,  they also still had many below the age of 18.    I don't think BDC will ever change, as that is a very young group.  The only thing that I can think of is this.  If BDA overall attracts an excess number of talented candidates,  they could possibly have enough 18+ kids to fill BDB, and if they did that, perhaps actually have enough talent to field two finalist corps eventually.   However, somebody stated that BDB is having trouble filling out with the new 18+ age requirement.  I guess we'll see.  However, they might have created something not intentional.  Let's say you have a kid that is in the 15-17 age range.  The kid is a competent performer and quick learner, but doesn't quite have it to make the "A" corps.  Now, if that 18+ rule is hard and fast for the B corps, they are out there, too.  That kid is not going to march with the C corps, but they are highly likely going to either go elsewhere or sit out.  I am still not sure, and again, I have never seen an open corps with an 18+ requirement.....and as far as I know, even though most of the World Class corps' members are 18 or older, few, if any, hold hard and fast to 18+, and in fact the majority of WC finalist corps have at least a small number of members 17 or under, and there are a larger number in the non-finalists.

I suspect so that:

1) we're reminded BDC isn't a "little kid" corps anymore; merely a 14-17 year old/non-adult corps

2) so BDB doesn't necessarily look like a 'junior' corps anymore, merely not the A/World Class corps: an adult-only corps for the most part (so if you're a 16 year old HS kid perhaps don't bother auditioning here, go to BDC)

3) maybe BDA has zero requirement so if a great 17 year old auditions they have leeway to accept; or maybe conversely if a really good 17 year old auditions for BDA they can slide down to BDB and get a year under their belt and come back to the A corps

4) me, the "generally scrutinize verbiage as part of my union negotiations world" type read that BDC is definitely a 14-17 year old corps, while BDB is merely  

Quote

Intended for performers aged 18 and up. 

I would read that as "we're kind of discourage folks younger than 18 to focus on BDC, BUT if you're an exceptional 17 year old we have room for you.

I don't know if they've rejected, say, a 17 year old for BDB who then went and made SCV Cadets or Pacific Crest of something; do we know that the corps is solely 18+ year olds w/0 under-18 members currently?

Regardless, I'm sure if this policy doesn't work for BDB it will be changed for improvement.

[KVG_DC]

I think the the 18 up for BDB is largely due to its new focus as 'corps that will tour outside of the region' 

Whereas the new BDC is 'local circuit only'

BD Jr (I think is the name) is the wee ones corps now.

BDA may not have a formal cut age on paper because of the occasional Olander situation, they'd not want to lose him at 16 or 17 with talent like that simply because we were telling you you were too young.   For the new BDB, a talent like Olander isn't likely going to choose that level anyway and is looking for a full World Class corps.  

[BG984]

4 hours ago, perc2100 said:

I suspect so that:

1) we're reminded BDC isn't a "little kid" corps anymore; merely a 14-17 year old/non-adult corps

2) so BDB doesn't necessarily look like a 'junior' corps anymore, merely not the A/World Class corps: an adult-only corps for the most part (so if you're a 16 year old HS kid perhaps don't bother auditioning here, go to BDC)

3) maybe BDA has zero requirement so if a great 17 year old auditions they have leeway to accept; or maybe conversely if a really good 17 year old auditions for BDA they can slide down to BDB and get a year under their belt and come back to the A corps

4) me, the "generally scrutinize verbiage as part of my union negotiations world" type read that BDC is definitely a 14-17 year old corps, while BDB is merely  

I would read that as "we're kind of discourage folks younger than 18 to focus on BDC, BUT if you're an exceptional 17 year old we have room for you.

I don't know if they've rejected, say, a 17 year old for BDB who then went and made SCV Cadets or Pacific Crest of something; do we know that the corps is solely 18+ year olds w/0 under-18 members currently?

Regardless, I'm sure if this policy doesn't work for BDB it will be changed for improvement.

I highly doubt that BDC will change format......they have had kids as young as 8 years old, and many between the ages of 10-15.  Very, very few 16 or above.  It serves their purpose well, and gives very young kids an experience.    I would bet the farm that the number of 16+ kids who wish to be in BDC will be very, very few. IF BDB holds hard and fast to an 18+ thing (a first for them, and a first for Open Class, as far as I know)...they will lose their 15-18 age group....unless it is a loose guideline.  BDB alums have ended up in many World Class Corps....in fact, someone told me that more BDB alumni have made other WC corps, including many finalists,  than have eventually made BDA.  Since it is a first for BDB, no news yet if they are turning away all under the age of 18....but if you post the 18+ thing on your website (for BDB), many 15-17 year-olds are going to look elsewhere, unless they think they have what it takes to make the A corps.  I agree with your final statement.  If recruiting for BDB is struggling 60 days from now, my guess is that guideline suddenly disappears.  The only thing that makes sense to me is they may have a goal to inspire to  field two World Class finalist corps.  If they have the talent and bodies to do so, no problem.  If I were them, I would change BDB's name, but still keep them under their umbrella.....juat to throw away the  stigma of a "B" group............They are a smart organization, and will adjust accordingly.

Edited February 27 by BG984

[KVG_DC]

9 hours ago, BG984 said:

I highly doubt that BDC will change format......they have had kids as young as 8 years old, and many between the ages of 10-15.  Very, very few 16 or above.  It serves their purpose well, and gives very young kids an experience.    I would bet the farm that the number of 16+ kids who wish to be in BDC will be very, very few. IF BDB holds hard and fast to an 18+ thing (a first for them, and a first for Open Class, as far as I know)...they will lose their 15-18 age group....unless it is a loose guideline.  BDB alums have ended up in many World Class Corps....in fact, someone told me that more BDB alumni have made other WC corps, including many finalists,  than have eventually made BDA.  Since it is a first for BDB, no news yet if they are turning away all under the age of 18....but if you post the 18+ thing on your website (for BDB), many 15-17 year-olds are going to look elsewhere, unless they think they have what it takes to make the A corps.  I agree with your final statement.  If recruiting for BDB is struggling 60 days from now, my guess is that guideline suddenly disappears.  The only thing that makes sense to me is they may have a goal to inspire to  field two World Class finalist corps.  If they have the talent and bodies to do so, no problem.  If I were them, I would change BDB's name, but still keep them under their umbrella.....juat to throw away the  stigma of a "B" group............They are a smart organization, and will adjust accordingly.

There was literally an announcement about the changes to BDB becoming a national touring open class corps, BDC becoming 14-17 California only tour, and the littles moving to a BD Jr.  

I can't pull up the full announcement but you'll see BDC is now clearly listed at 14-17.

https://www.bluedevils.org/programs/c-corps/

[KVG_DC]

Ah, here's the BD Jr.

https://www.bluedevils.org/programs/bdjr/

[dcifanforlife]

Lets wait and see what happens.  If BDB continues to hold on to the 18+ rule they risk not being able to fill the corps with talented members   Age should not be the first requirement.     When recruiting corps should look at  1)  Talent) 2) Maturity (some 16/17 year old's  have the talent but are not mature enough to survive the rigors of being in a corps) 3)  Ability to pay tour fees.

If one can meet the above requirements when is the best time to join an Open Class or World Class Corps.   For me it is when you are a  junior in high school and going to be a senior after your first season ends.  You audition in the fall, hopefully get a callback or  contract. You attend all the Winter Camps/Spring Training and you are setup for a tremendous experience marching.  At the  end of the season  you can look forward to a great senior year of high school  and you have the option of  marching, not marching with your first corps or going to a different corps after you graduate. If you what until you are older  before you audition all kinds of issues pop up.

Interest in DCI is at an all time.   Audition numbers for many corps are staggering.  Open Class and World Class are filling up fast.

I am looking forward toa great season.

Charlie

[rollinthrurolls]

I don't think BD really needs any help with what they are doing. They are literally one of the only corps still creating new ensembles without folding others. 

[OldSnareDrummer]

If BD keeps up this pace of adding feeder corps, it won't be long before babies march across the crib before they walk and instead of "Mama", their first words will be "dut dut dut". 

 

[Jeff Ream]

1 hour ago, dcifanforlife said:

Lets wait and see what happens.  If BDB continues to hold on to the 18+ rule they risk not being able to fill the corps with talented members   Age should not be the first requirement.     When recruiting corps should look at  1)  Talent) 2) Maturity (some 16/17 year old's  have the talent but are not mature enough to survive the rigors of being in a corps) 3)  Ability to pay tour fees.

If one can meet the above requirements when is the best time to join an Open Class or World Class Corps.   For me it is when you are a  junior in high school and going to be a senior after your first season ends.  You audition in the fall, hopefully get a callback or  contract. You attend all the Winter Camps/Spring Training and you are setup for a tremendous experience marching.  At the  end of the season  you can look forward to a great senior year of high school  and you have the option of  marching, not marching with your first corps or going to a different corps after you graduate. If you what until you are older  before you audition all kinds of issues pop up.

Interest in DCI is at an all time.   Audition numbers for many corps are staggering.  Open Class and World Class are filling up fast.

I am looking forward toa great season.

Charlie

funny i see quite a few open spots on that list that keeps being published

[BG984]

16 hours ago, KVG_DC said:

Ah, here's the BD Jr.

https://www.bluedevils.org/programs/bdjr/

Now that makes a bit more sense.......they are creating "Jr" for very young and inexperienced members.....The C corps for 14-17 year olds, largely HS kids.........the B corps for those 18+ (with perhaps the intention to try to get that corps to finalist level), and then the A Corps.  I would also guess that exceptions will be made throughout.....especially with BDB if they can not get a full corps of 18+ members......they are a smart organization, though, and will figure it out........I think their goal is, "we have a place for everyone interested"