What Should Happen to Capital Regiment?

[davidfromthepit]

my only hope is something...anything...happens to change the way the administration runs things...whether it be removal of certain persons...or reprimand...whatever it takes to get this corps that has had design teams rivaling the top 6...back on the field...and RUN WELL!!!

[perc2100]

Being a band director from the Columbus area I have had the opportunity to watch the growth of this corps from the beginning, including the Limited Edition days.

I know there are MANY Limited Edition alumni who would not appreciate lumping their corps with Capital Regiment. While the two entities are both from the same city, and even share leadership (for those who don't know Rick was the cymbal tech for LE in '91, and Asst. Director or something in '92; Capital Regiment founding Board Member Mark Holm was the corp director in 91 and 92; Bryan Tract was the founder and director of LE 88-90), they are indeed sperarate entities.

Just wanted to clarify that point for all of you LE alumni out there ;)

Edited August 27, 2006 by perc2100

[Bandguy]

I, like a lot of other good folks, have an opinion about what should happen with Capital Regiment. I also think I need to give my opinion a bit of qualification.

I've never marched a day in drum corps in my life. By the time I knew about the activity I was to old to be in it. I fell in love with the activity, which was very easy to do because I was a music education major.

I've been a high school band director for over 25 years now and STILL wish I had the chance to march. The reality of it all set in, and I started doing what I could to be as close to participating as I could. In my case it evolved into hosting drum corps at my school. My first corps to host was the Spirit of Atlanta in 1989. That was also my first experience in how a drum corps on the road manages to take any kind of misfortunate and live through it. The first five kids ran off a bus and started heaving up their guts. It appeared that the corps got a hold of some kind of bad food the previous night. The bottom line is the corps' projected 10 hour stay with me turned into over three days. My band room looked like a MASH unit with members who couldn't even sit up, let alone go rehearse and perform. Through that time I watched as every one involved (members, staff, director, volunteers, etc.) helped heal each other. I heard NO complaints - just learn from the experience and move on.

I have been hosting drum corps every year since then. Over the past 17 years I have been fortunate to host over 50 drum corps ranging from D1 champions to D3 survivors. I've seen a lot of different ways concerning the running of a drum corps. I'm also proud to say that Capital Regiment has used my school as it's camp home for the last six years. I have a close relationship with Rick Bays (the director), and I consider him a dear friend of mine. And despite all the negative things I've read about him lately, my friendship with him hasn't wavered one bit.

Do I think the current way of managing the drum corps is the best way? I do not. What has led to the current situation (as more than one person has put it in various ways) is growing pains. The current system of running the corps in essence hasn't changed since the days it was a D3 corps. You will find the same dedicated group of people from 1999 (and even farther back) trying to do all the things that the corps needs done. No one could possibly doubt their sincerity to the corps. However, the corps has outgrown even their best efforts.

I've learned over the years that observance can be a wonderful tool. If what is desired is a revamping of the front office-business-logistics for Capital Regiment, simply look to the other drum corps. It sure looks to me that there are a lot of drum corps out there who seem to be getting it right. For example, simply take a few Cap Reg representatives and see how the business end of things happens with Cavies, Cadets, Phantom, or whoever else would help serve as a model? Perhaps look at several programs, and then pick out the things that will benefit Capital Regiment the best. I would also strongly suggest that they spend some time with D2 and D3 corps. Sometimes I'm amazed at the magic these wonderful people do. Much as it probably strikes fear into the hearts of all the directors and staffs, the new season is not far from beginning (November isn't that far away, folks). Time to get going........

Now that this issue has been addressed I need to get something off my chest. I've read all the posts from both DCP and the Capital Regiment website (when it was available). I have also been privy to several conversations stating several different sides to the issues that occurred last summer with Capital Regiment. I have heard things from the director, from the members, from the staff, from the volunteers, and the front office people. I have come up with a few observations:

1. Trying to make one's self look good by making someone else look bad is a very dangerous thing to do.

2. Discussing the problems with the drum corps can be a healthy thing; turning it into a Jerry Springer-like mud throwing session doesn't do anyone any good.

3. Nothing is as good as it seems, and nothing as as bad as it seems.

4. No one is interested in seeing the corps fold.

5. Like a head football coach, the director seems to get the most criticism for the failures of the group. Unlike the football coach, this director doesn't seem to get the accolades for it's success, except for being named a DCI Director of the Year once.

6. There is only so much one can do for an organization. When one's passion turns into too much work, help is needed or one needs to look into other ways to be involved.

7. There are folks who are like hyenas - they are jumping on the prey because it seems to be the thing to do. Simply ask - is what I have to say going to make the corps better?

If I were in a position to choose a drum corps to go to for the '07 season, it would no doubt be Capital Regiment. It's experienced a dramatic growth in a short time, and there is no reason that growth should not continue. And since all the "family secrets" are out there for everyone to see you can bet all eyes will be on the corps next year. I cannot think of a thing happening (good OR bad) that won't draw major attention. CapReg will no doubt be the safest group in DCI, simply because of all the watchdogs and vultures.

One last thing - to the members - you have forgotten my annual speech to you. When you were in Kansas or wherever and you were experiencing all the terrible things that were happening, you should have called me - I STILL want to march - just one day.......

OK - I'm standing here - let the beatings commence........

Mendell Hibbard

Band director - Walnut Ridge High School

Columbus, Ohio

[drumcorpsguardmom]

1. Trying to make one's self look good by making someone else look bad is a very dangerous thing to do.

2. Discussing the problems with the drum corps can be a healthy thing; turning it into a Jerry Springer-like mud throwing session doesn't do anyone any good.

3. Nothing is as good as it seems, and nothing as as bad as it seems.

4. No one is interested in seeing the corps fold.

5. Like a head football coach, the director seems to get the most criticism for the failures of the group. Unlike the football coach, this director doesn't seem to get the accolades for it's success, except for being named a DCI Director of the Year once.

6. There is only so much one can do for an organization. When one's passion turns into too much work, help is needed or one needs to look into other ways to be involved.

7. There are folks who are like hyenas - they are jumping on the prey because it seems to be the thing to do. Simply ask - is what I have to say going to make the corps better?

...

OK - I'm standing here - let the beatings commence........

How could anyone beat you for such an inspiring, well thought-out post. You made some wonderful points.

[justlittleme]

very well put, as usual you put things in perspective and kept class while doing it.

[btracht]

So many very good people have been associated with and helped this organization: people whom I greatly respect. I think you have seen from some of the posts in this thread some shining examples.

I believe the agendas of many of us are quite the same: We want Capital Regiment to thrive and be a great place for young people to experience this thing called drum corps.

I have specifically stated what I think should happen in order to move on. I am not so naïve to think that simply seating a qualified board of directors who is ultimately responsible for the well being of the organization and the hiring of a new director will suddenly make for a perfect organization. All drum corps have issues and challenges but I am willing to bet that Capital Regiment could be one of the best under a new leadership structure because of all the quality people who have been part of the Capital Regiment family working hard to make it so.

In case you are wondering, I am not trying to become a drum corps director again. As the saying goes, “Been there, done that.” What I am willing to do is help in many other ways but I will not do so again unless the above changes occur. I respect those who have stayed with the organization for the benefit of the members but I hope I am respected for my stance which I believe is for the ultimate benefit of the organization and the young people it serves.

[spitvalve]

CR doesn't have a board of directors?

Yes, but the smallest BOD the state laws allow for a nonprofit, and hand-picked.

They need a much bigger BOD.

You can go to guidestar.org to get 2004 990 form that lists the BOD. Not sure if 2005 has been filed yet.

[PTFrank]

So many very good people have been associated with and helped this organization: people whom I greatly respect. I think you have seen from some of the posts in this thread some shining examples.

I believe the agendas of many of us are quite the same: We want Capital Regiment to thrive and be a great place for young people to experience this thing called drum corps.

I have specifically stated what I think should happen in order to move on. I am not so naïve to think that simply seating a qualified board of directors who is ultimately responsible for the well being of the organization and the hiring of a new director will suddenly make for a perfect organization. All drum corps have issues and challenges but I am willing to bet that Capital Regiment could be one of the best under a new leadership structure because of all the quality people who have been part of the Capital Regiment family working hard to make it so.

In case you are wondering, I am not trying to become a drum corps director again. As the saying goes, “Been there, done that.” What I am willing to do is help in many other ways but I will not do so again unless the above changes occur. I respect those who have stayed with the organization for the benefit of the members but I hope I am respected for my stance which I believe is for the ultimate benefit of the organization and the young people it serves.

[PTFrank]

Bryan,

I look forward to working with you in the near future. I've always enjoyed your persective.

Pat

[jazzinpizazz]

There are a lot of people who think very highly of the time they spent in Capital Regiment. This organization has changed who I am today. I wouldn't trade a day of it, even the terrible days... I know that I would do ANYTHING for this Drum Corps. As a past leader of this corps, some days were really tough, but I would do it all over again.

I hope to see Capital in 07, and I hope to be a part of it in some way, shape, or form.