WGI 2009 Fall FOCUS

fall 2009

focus the official news of wgi sport of the arts

Fresh Ideas for

FUNDRAISING

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color palette and design by: Scott Chandler. carefully constructed with state of the art craftsmanship exclusively by: FJM.

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Riverbank HS at the 2009 WGI Championships

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wgi

the official news of wgi sport of the arts

FALL 2009 Volume 23, Issue 3

Winter Guard International Ron Nankervis Chief Executive Officer Bart Woodley Marketing Manager Aaron Jenkins Marketing & Communications Coordinator Published By: In Tune Partners, LLC

A Priceless Time It’s been a scant six months since the World Championships. Our performers barely had time to unpack from the drum corps season in order to get ready for marching band and winter season auditions. This is the time when everything is possible and instructors are only limited by their imagination and creativity: when groups are formed and shows take shape. Each week, the anticipation and excitement grows. Hands down, it’s my favorite time of year.

Our 2010 season will see an expansion of our color guard championship event to include semi-finals for all classes. For the first time, World Class color guards will have an opportunity to showcase their productions for three performances during the weekend, which hopefully will ease the “all or nothing” feeling at prelims. This will put a whole new dynamic into motion that should bring a new intensity to being the “best of the best.”

These days it is vital to show support for the indoor winter activity. An experience at one of the 49 WGI events or local circuit shows is a great value. Consider what you get for your admission. Unlike any movie or concert, you have access to hours upon hours of performances by dedicated young people doing what they love for your enjoyment. With the economy constantly in the news, you hear the term “ROI” a lot, meaning “Return On Investment.” While we don’t necessarily relate the two ideas, you can easily make the case that the ROI for a ticket to a color guard or percussion event is … well, to use another term from a well-known commercial: Priceless.

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WGI FOCUS is an educational publication of WGI Sport of the Arts. Its purpose is to broaden communication within the family of color guards and percussion ensembles. FOCUS is published three times per year.

WGI FOCUS is a free publication with a circulation of 14,000 copies. All members of the WGI family may submit articles for consideration. WGI reserves the right to edit all submitted material.

If your address has changed, please notify the WGI office. Failure to do this could result in the loss of your WGI FOCUS subscription. We don’t want to lose touch with you!

For advertising information please contact Aaron Jenkins; phone: 937-247-5919; email: aaron@wgi.org

Ron Nankervis Executive Director WGI Sport of the Arts

4 WGI

Irwin Kornfeld CEO Will Edwards President Angelo Biasi Publisher Mac Randall Editor-in-Chief Jackie Jordan Creative Director Robin Stein Production Director Joan Ferrara Business Manager Contributing Writers: David G. Hill, Scott Markham, Melinda Newman, Michael Reed Photography: Jolesch Photography, Robert Cawthorne, Julia Higbe, Dan Scafidi, Linda Unser, and Sid Unser

WINTER GUARD INTERNATIONAL 2405 Crosspointe Drive Dayton, OH 45342 937-247-5919 office@wgi.org www.wgi.org

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wgi

the official news of wgi sport of the arts

Volume 23 Issue 3 Fall 2009

28

The Ventures Winter Guards’ Practice-A-Thons make perfect .

INSIDE 9 ENSEMBLE

World semi-finals debut in 2010 ... The Band Hall helps put the color in color guard ... Video downloads now available on the Fan Network ... Full details on 2009 Championship DVDs ... Drum corps start new winter groups ... and much more!

14 CLOSE-UP

Through 26 appearances in the WGI World Championships, the staff and members of Miamisburg High School’s color guard have stayed true to their strengths.

16 SPOTLIGHT

9

At Spinfest!! 2009, a last-minute change of plan exceeded all expectations.

20 THE ABC’S OF SUCCESS

With a new winter season coming up quickly, what can you do to help make it a great one? We’ve got some ideas, in a handy alphabetical order.

25 WGI GOES TO COLLEGE

Independent performing groups sponsored by a college or university may not be new in the world of WGI, but they are growing in numbers, visibility, and talent.

28 CLINIC

30

There’s no denying it: Color guards and percussion ensembles need funds to keep going. But choose your fundraising methods wisely and you can get great results.

30 SCHOLARSHIP

Music City Mystique’s Rebecca Wiggins has overcome multiple challenges in her journey from a tiny North Carolina town to the top ranks of percussion.

34 WHAT’S YOUR WGIQ?

Test your knowledge of WGI history with these classic performance shots.

Cover photos, clockwise from top left: Riverside Community College, Miamisburg HS, Joey Dowling at Spinfest!!, Pope HS.

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34 WGI FOCUS 7

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Ensemble NEWS FROM THE FLOOR AND MORE

For the first time in the history of WGI, the Color Guard World Championships will feature a semi-finals round in all classes, including Independent and Scholastic World. At the annual Color Guard Advisory Board meeting in May, a majority of directors decided that establishing semifinals for all—which gives World Class groups the same number of performance opportunities that A and Open Class guards have long had—would create more excitement throughout the championship weekend.

The Scholastic and Independent World Class Prelims will be moved to Thursday evening of the World Championships. Scholastic World Color Guards will take the floor for prelims at the Nutter Center while the Independent groups perform at the University of Dayton Arena. Friday’s World Class Semi-Finals will start off with the Scholastic guards in the morning at the UD Arena, followed by the Independent World Class. For a complete 2010 WGI events calendar, visit wgi.org/calendar.

The 2009 WGI Championship DVDs are now available for sale at wgi .org/store. This year, there are eight volumes to choose from, as well as two discs of preliminary performances (one for color guard, one for percussion). The prelims discs are $15 each; all others are $45 each, except for Volume 8, which is $35. www.wgi.org

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World Class groups like Premonition will now have three chances to perform.

When you’re coming up with designs for uniforms and flags, it’s essential to have a wide color palette. The designers at The Band Hall are a case in point. One of the principal reasons for the company’s founding in 1997 was to provide marching groups with as many color combinations as possible. Its color card, which features swatches of all the fabrics it uses, boasts 11 shades of red and a whopping 23 shades of blue, from cobalt to cornflower. And that’s just two colors! To receive a color card of your own, call (800) 398-3064 or visit thebandhall.com.

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Ensemble The Southwind drum corps’ color guard in 2005.

Below: Santa Clara Vanguard’s drumline at the 2009 DCI finals.

Audio Software Makes You the Mix Master More and more color guards are getting involved in mixing their own music, and Sony’s Sound Forge Audio Studio software for Windows provides an intuitive and inexpensive way to accomplish this. Users can record live performances, import music from other sources, and expertly edit recordings to balance sound levels, trim unwanted sections, create crossfades, or synchronize audio with video. Built-in effects like EQ, delay, reverb, and chorus add further sonic options. The files created in Audio Studio are easily convertible to formats ideal for Web streaming or portable music players. For more information, go to sonycreativesoftware.com/audiostudio.

New Cymbal Line Creates a Brilliant Noise Looking for a smoother, glassier cymbal sound? Sabian’s respected XS20 line of cymbals, originally available only in Natural Finish, is now also available in Brilliant Finish.

Line-lathed on top and bottom, then given a high polish, the new XS20Bs have a distinctively bright tone. They come in a complete range of sizes, from 10” splashes to 20” concert band models, including Rock weights for heavier players. A sonically matched performance set (14” hi-hats, 16” crash, 20” ride) and an Effects Pack (10” splash, 18” Chinese) are also available. Visit sabian.com for more information.

James Logan HS

The folks at Fred J. Miller couldn’t have been much happier with the results of this year’s WGI and DCI World Championships. One of the company’s top designers, Scott Chandler, helped create uniforms for both the 2009 DCI World champion Blue Devils and the 2009 WGI Scholastic World silver medalist James Logan High School. This is not the first time that Chandler has met with such success, of course; his distinguished track record as a designer and choreographer for a variety of indoor and outdoor marching groups stretches back more than 25 years. To find out more about his designs, call FJM at (800) 444-3524 or visit fjminc.com.

10 WGI FOCUS

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PHOTOS TOP LEFT: DCI/SID UNSER (2)

Some people look at tough economic times and see nothing but hardship, while others see great opportunities. Count the Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps of Lexington, Ky., among the latter. Earlier this year, the corps announced that it was creating a new winter guard. Southwind Winter Guard will compete this year in the Independent A Class on the TriState Circuit and will appear in two WGI Regionals and in the 2010 WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.

“I think now is a very good time to start an independent color guard,” says Southwind Winter Guard director Marcus Lewis. “The support that I’ve received from the Southwind organization, the TriState Circuit, and the administrative staff of the local schools has been tremendous.” Rehearsals begin in November; for updates, go to southwind.org.

Southwind isn’t the only organization with a new winter group this year. Current IW champion Santa Clara Vanguard has launched the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets Winter Percussion, an ensemble in the PIO Class. For more information, visit scvanguard.org/winterpercussion.

www.wgi.org

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Pearl’s tent at the Worlds is hopping (above); Simon Fraser University celebrates its win.

In addition to sponsoring WGI, Pearl Drums also works closely with many other organizations, including some pipe and drum bands—yes, those guys with the bagpipes and kilts. It was in this capacity that several Pearl representatives were present in Glasgow, Scotland on August 15 for the 2009 World Pipe Band Championships.

Over 200 pipe bands from 16 nations featuring approximately 8,000 drummers competed for top honors at this event, which has been held annually since 1946.

Along with approximately 45,000 other spectators, Pearl’s representatives watched as Simon Fraser University of Vancouver, Canada made history in this year’s “Worlds” (as they’re affectionately known). Not only did the SFU Pipe Band win the championship for the second year running and sixth time overall, but its drum corps also won the Worlds’ separate drum corps title for the second year in a row. SFU is the first band to manage this feat in 50 years. For more details and video footage, go to pearldrum.com/News/Marching-News.aspx.

FROM TOP : COURTESY OF PEARL MUSIC EUROPE; COURTESY OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Ensemble

Fan Network Downloading

With the WGI Fan Network’s new performance downloads, you can watch your favorite color guard and percussion performances anywhere! It’s simple, and you don’t have to be a subscriber. Each download costs $5.95; when logged in, Fan Network subscribers enjoy an exclusive dollar-off discount. Either way, it’s a small price to pay to watch—and re-watch—some of the activity’s best moments. Visit wgi.org/downloads.

12 WGI FOCUS

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Thank You To Our Partners and Sponsors Presenting Sponsors

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10/7/09 5:03:13 PM

Close-Up

Miamisburg High School’s

Show of Strength A Long-Running Color Guard Stays True to Its Identity

By Melinda Newman

T

rophies are nice, but the real memento that Miamisburg (Ohio) High School color guard director Jim Olson hopes his students carry with them after graduation doesn’t fit on a shelf.

“Without a doubt, the one thing I want them to take with them is that hard work pays off,” Olson says. “If you put the effort in, something will be given back to you.”

As one of WGI’s longest-running groups, Miamisburg High School’s color guard knows something about putting in an effort—and creating a winning team. The guard’s first appearance at the WGI World Championships was in 1983. The very next year, they made the Independent A finals. “Back then, the scholastic class was just being started,” Olson explains. “We, along with some others, remained in the independent class.”

If you put the effort in,

truly stronger athletes; they work out and need to condition themselves more and more. “ Although factors like athleticism may change, other aspects of planning a strong program never go out of fashion. They include “being true to yourself and your group’s identity,” Olson says. “Once you have created [a group identity], it’s okay to be true to it year after year.

Even though we try to reinvent ourselves yearly, in the end I want people to know that they are watching Miamisburg.”

For Olson, building a strong, effective team happens long before the group hits the floor and far away from the competitive environment. Miamisburg doesn’t appoint captains, preferring to treat all students as equals.

Therefore, it creates leadership and community by having older members serve as “big sisters” to younger students, and hosting bonding events such as the annual holiday party and slumber parties. “We spend nights at the high school during the winter season to really get them to develop a sense of family and comfort with the guard,” Olson says. The team’s mascot, a toy elephant, even joins in the activities. “But it has to have its trunk up; that supposedly brings you good luck.”

Being part of Miamisburg’s color guard isn’t all fun and games; Olson monitors students’ grades to make sure they excel both academically and athletically. He proudly adds, “We have been very fortunate over the years to have graduated valedictorians, salutatorians, and many students in the top 20 of their class.”

to you. something will be given back

Since its debut, Miamisburg has appeared in 26 World Championships—winning three gold medals, fi ve silver medals, and four bronze medals—and has consistently been at or near the top of the Ohio color guard circuit.

Olson took over the program in 1998 from Cathy Barnes, who now focuses on Miamisburg’s younger student programs. During the past 10 years, he’s noticed an increased focus on athletic ability in the color guard activity. “The talent level of the students involved has changed immensely over the years,” he says. “It is completely unbelievable what some of the students can achieve today with their equipment and their bodies. The students are 14 WGI FOCUS

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www.wgi.org

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Spotlight

Spinfest!!

Offers Insights and Inspires Joey Dowling Helps Make Third Color Guard Conference Memorable

Choreographer Joey Dowling

By Aaron Jenkins

T

he magic that guests at the Walt Disney World Hilton were feeling on September 18 and 19 wasn’t just coming from the nearby resort, but from the open atmosphere at WGI’s third Spinfest!! Guided by Color Guard Steering Committee Chairman Karl Lowe, more than 250 color guard instructors attended classes taught by 18 of the activity’s leaders, covering all aspects of managing, designing, and teaching a winter program.

So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Joey Dowling and assistant Jakob Karr grabbed the opportunity to jump into the world of color guard after special guest Mia Michaels was forced to miss the

movement to the next level. Color guard instructor Lawrence Rebillot said, “For not knowing what to expect from all of us, Joey well exceeded all of our expectations.”

On Saturday, 60 WGI judges, who had been in their own set of instructional meetings, joined to watch the four guards perform again and discussed how they would critique the performances. Color Guard Advisory Board A and Open Class Representative Jeff Bridges said, “It was long overdue that we put the instructors and judges together in a non-competitive environment. The opportunity to meet and exchange information that we can all apply is truly enlightening and simply the best part of the whole experience for me.”

Each day started with a class by the legendary Scott Chandler about putting together a program. Dancers Carol Abohatab, Michael James, and Michael Rosales demonstrated their methods of teaching and creating movement.

Equipment experts Kathy Aruda, Jill Brennan, Robby DuFresne, Rosie Queen, Daniel Riley, Ann Marie Valeri, and Daniel Wiles led participants in an exploration of flag, rifle, and sabre manipulation from basic to advanced levels. And masters of management and design Jeff Bridges, Michael Gaines, Chris Raichle, Michael Raiford, Adam Sage, and Jon Vanderkolff shared their theories on the activity.

“It was gratifying to see a total learning community, instructors and judges, come together to be inspired by the outstanding faculty at Spinfest!!,” said WGI Executive Director Ron Nankervis. “This type of informative, collaborative effort is something to be enlarged upon in the coming years.” The next Spinfest!! will be held in 2011.

change x e o t y it n u t r The oppo can all e w t a h t n o i t informa st part e b e h t ly p apply is sim e. m r o f e c n ie r e xp of the whole e event due to an injury in rehearsals for the MTV Video Music Awards. Friday night’s proceedings culminated in a master class with Dowling, whose work can currently be seen in the Broadway production In the Heights. Four ensembles—Blessed Sacrament, Braddock Independent, Northeast Independent, and Santa Clara Vanguard—performed for Dowling, Karr, and the audience. Each group received specific feedback on how they could take their 16 WGI FOCUS

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Pope HS

Want to have a great winter season?

Learn this alphabet.

By Scott Markham 20 WGI FOCUS

WGI_p20_SuccessREV.indd 1

Plainfield HS

Plainfield HS

10/8/09 10:04:28 AM

and marching band is well underway, which means one thing: Winter season is right around the corner. That means it’s time for directors to get their P’s and Q’s together to assure that the groups they oversee will have a successful season. What better way to do this than with an alphabetical list of ideas to consider and actions to take?

As you read the following list, one thing is important to keep in mind: The beauty of WGI is in the diversity of its groups. Each competing program strives to perfect its own way of operating to ensure the best possible outcome, and what works for one group may not work for another. But experience shows us that organizations with consistent competitive success in the national arena— such as the ensembles mentioned below—have unmistakably figured out what works best for them. the performers in a way that is A Audition conducive to your specific program. David Duffy,

director of perennial finalist West Johnston High School color guard, notes that the approach at WJHS is to set standards during the audition process so that the students can thoroughly prepare and know what’s expected. the program from the ground up. ReB Build member that all groups started somewhere. Set-

ting goals and timelines for the students, as well as the entire staff and production, is essential.

to the design process. Planning of C aCommit successful winter production often begins in the

Father Ryan HS West Johnston HS

summer and fall. “Beginning the design process early grants you the time necessary to fully develop all aspects of the show,” says Caleb Rothe, former director of Ayala High School’s percussion ensembles. duties. Brian Giddens, director of D Delegate the Pope High School color guard, which has rapid-

ly worked its way back to World Class, says that he is “not afraid to use parents as a support system, and constantly delegates those things that can be handled by them.”

Expose yourself to different types of educaE tion.

A variety of resources are available through

WGI to give instructors and designers assistance with choreography, training, and design. the students to have an open mind.

F Force Spring High School color guard director Chad

Berkstresser, who has years of experience preparing for indoor season, makes sure his students are familiar with a variety of different choreography styles: “I may even use videos of past performances of color guards so that they understand the level of performance they should reach.” ideas. Most often, an extraordinary G Gather production will come to full fruition only after all

avenues have been explored.

certain skills for the students to H Harvest add to their warmups. Chad Berkstresser notes

that around May or June, he makes decisions about much of the movement and equipment he wants to incorporate wgi focus 21

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is key. Set plans for rehearsO Organization als and for the entire year. Facilitating times when

changes can be made to the production will help the season run more smoothly.

Prepare with regards to equipment, floor P designs, music, and staging. This will allow staff and

students to focus on the other details of production when the time comes.

Quality of instruction and ideas should always Q be considered and constantly refined.

Respect the time of the students. Brian GidR dens reports that the Pope High School color guard’s

motto is “Rehearse less, produce more.” Many groups find that, more times than not, quality of rehearsals outweighs quantity.

time for recruiting. David Duffy S Schedule notes that visibility in the community and school dis-

trict has benefited the color guard program tremendously at West Johnston. “We do recruiting at the middle schools and make it quite clear to the students what the program is about so the interested students know what they are becoming a part of.”

Ayala HS (PSW)

Transparency about expectations almost T always results in more productivity from students.

“Communication is paramount,” says Caleb Rothe. “The more your students understand your goals, the more engaged they’ll be.” into the winter show, and begins to train the performers on specific skills related to that movement and equipment.

Incorporate technique into all the skills I asked of the students, and also be sure to use those

same skills while teaching the technique. West Johnston High School spends much of the marching band season polishing and addressing basic technique.

Judge what has worked for your group in the J past and use that knowledge for the future.“The first

step in our process has always been to list strengths and weaknesses from the previous year,” Caleb Rothe says.

into what the performers need to be sucK Key cessful. Different students require different teaching

techniques, and all groups have styles and methods that work best for their environment and situation.

Live within the means of the program. Set budL gets, fundraise, and make certain that a realistic

financial plan is in order.

Manage the staff. Consistency in staff training M between seasons allows students to become familiar

with expectations and teaching techniques. All staff members should be clear about their roles.

can ruin the progress of a wonN Negativity derful production. An affirmative and pleasant learn-

ing environment can and will ensure success.

Use all of your resources. Few programs are U successful without a support system in place, like an

administrative team and staff members to help with particulars such as instruction and finances.

of success for the program will ensure V Visions that goals are being set and competitive ambitions

are being fulfilled. While most groups are doing their best to provide an entertaining and educational environment for the students, it’s also healthy to concentrate on what needs to be done to produce a positive outcome. with the knowledge that nothing happens W Work overnight and no process guarantees immediate re-

sults. It takes time and effort for a program to succeed.

other programs to learn what works X eXamine and doesn’t work for them, and consider how these

things might be successfully applied to your program.

is just as important as today. At Y Yesterday West Johnston High School, the performers are very

aware not only of the history of their own program, but also of the many leading instructors and students elsewhere who helped to create what the activities are now.

Zero excuses for anything less than the best from Z both performers and staff creates an intensely moti-

vational atmosphere, ensuring that all involved are consistently pushing the program to be the best it can be.

22 wgi focus

WGI_p20_SuccessREV.indd 3

10/8/09 12:23:51 PM

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“The ability to enhance our sounds and add depth to our productions was possible because of our Roland electronic instruments. It was one of the components that helped give us our edge to win!”

WWW.ROLANDUS.COM

- DAVID GIBBS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – BLUE DEVILS

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The number of collegiate winter ensembles is getting bigger— and so are their accomplishments.

BY MICHAEL REED or as long as WGI has existed, the ensembles in its Independent divisions have been underwritten by a fascinatingly diverse array of organizations. Drum corps, churches, and a plethora of youth groups have all sponsored ensembles throughout the activity’s history. And now there’s another kind of trend on the rise: groups sponsored by colleges.

College-sponsored groups are not a new idea. The first one to make finals was Fantasia, based out of Riverside Community College, back in 1991. However, what has become particularly noteworthy in recent seasons is the number of college ensembles in the World Championships, which has been growing steadily over time.

Just as there are different types of higher-ed institutions—from Big 10 megaschools to more affordable community colleges—there are also many ways to set up an intercollegiate winter program. At some schools, such as the University of Louisiana, the indoor program is taken as a class for which members get credit. At others, such as Michigan State University, home of the 2009 IA Champion State of Art, winter ensembles are Registered Student Organizations, but members do not earn college credits for participating. www.wgi.org

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It may seem logical that an enpose its own set of challenges.

University of Louisiana semble affiliated with a college would One obstacle that the majority only be open to students enrolled at of non-collegiate groups do not the school, but the reality is that many have to contend with is the colof these groups are set up to serve lege football season, which can the needs of the community outside run as late as December, not the campus boundaries, and are open including bowl games or playto any person who is not over the WGI offs. “We attend every football age limits and can make the dues paygame,” McCool explains. “This ments. Kimberly McCool, director of means we cannot start our seathe FIU Performance Ensemble (from son until December, while most Florida International University), notes independent ensembles in our that “of the 20-member unit FIU fielded circuit start during September/ last winter, 10 students came from loOctober.” cal high schools who were not fortunate One further element that enough to have programs of their own.” can challenge the design team One primary difference between is the differing talent levels of a college ensemble (or any indepenstudents who come from myrident group) and a scholastic one is the ad backgrounds. According to amount of rehearsal time. Many high Cork, “Our biggest chalschool-affiliated groups are lenge is the wide range FIU Performance Ensemble Penn able to rehearse four to fi ve of talent. We try to find State times per week. Between a place for each student the rigors of academic life that is interested in and availability of rehearsal our program, which is space, intercollegiate groups why we have developed in most cases have to get two A Class groups.” by with two to three eveThis remark touches ning rehearsals during the on another emerging week; when not competing, trend; many colleges they may only rehearse on have found that the best weekends. way to deal with talent Another major difference disparity is to start a involves money, which is second group, which critical for the success of an gives more performers intercollegiate winter group. Items such as insurance, the opportunity to hone equipment, entry fees, and transportation can become their skills. obstacles if group leadership is not diligent in raising While a collegefunds and paying attention to how based ensemble does by nature have those funds are spent. According to an older base to draw from, this does Kimberly Fullam of Penn State Indoor not always mean that its members have Drum Line, “a scholastic group typiprevious experience competing in WGI. cally gets 100 percent of its funding For example, of the 21 members of State from its school or boosters. We get a of Art, only three had performed at small percentage of our budget from Championships prior to last season. At our university and must either fundFIU and University of Louisiana, the situraise the rest or collect it from dues.” ation was similar, with 20-25 percent of Setting up a budget is crucial for members having WGI experience prior any independent ensemble, especially to joining the group. At Penn State, the in a college setting; operating without number has been near zero in the past. one threatens the future of the group.

Given all these unique challenges, Equally important is having a realistic —Kimberly Fullam, is it worth it to start an intercollegiate idea of how much money a fundraiser Penn State Indoor Drum Line guard or drumline? According to unit diwill raise. With a well thought-out rectors, the answer is a resounding yes. budget, attainable fundraising goals, and motivated Perhaps the most thorough advice comes from Kimberly members to help raise those funds, the costs to the stuFullam of Penn State: “Before you start, know it’s a lot of dent can be kept affordable. James Cork, of the Univerhard work. Be organized and get your name out there. You sity of Louisiana color guard, describes the process for will find more talent than you think you will. Next is fundhis group: “We set fees based on the entire season. We ing. Don’t be afraid to sell candy bars out of your dorm create an initial down payment, and the students make room. Establish a relationship with your school’s marchmonthly payments. We do offer fundraisers to help offset ing band. [Note: Nearly all directors interviewed for this their cost as well. Our goal at the end of the season is to story stressed the importance of being on good terms be able to pay students back part of their fees.” with the school’s music department.] Once it becomes Of course, being in a university environment does successful, you realize all the hard work was worth it.”

,,

BE ORGANIZED AND GET YOUR NAME OUT THERE. YOU WILL FIND MORE TALENT THAN YOU THINK YOU WILL."

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DARK SKY PERCUSSION DEPENDS ON YAMAHA. “A                                              

Photo courtesy of Jolesch Photography.

-Seth Woodard Music Arranger & Composer

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©2009 Yamaha Corporation of America. All rights reserved • www.yamaha.com

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Clinic

Gates Chili has raised funds through a bingo game for 15 years.

From Bingo to “Spaghetti Idol” Ensembles Find Creative Methods for Fundraising

By David G. Hill

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or nonprofit youth organizations, fundraising isn’t just a means of staying solvent. It’s also the single best way to keep a group engaged and vital in its community, within its membership, and among its alums. But in these troubled economic times, how do you best go about asking people for money? We asked three WGI-affiliated ensembles what approaches they’re taking to this never-ending challenge.

“We have a very profitable bingo game that we’ve run for 15 years,” says Gates Chili (Rochester, N.Y.) scholastic color guard director Dick Hoppe. “We pay all of our guard expenses from this—there are no dues or fees. We also support the school music program by purchasing equipment needed for the field and parade bands. Each family is obligated to work a certain number of bingo occasions.

We do not get, nor do we ask for, any assistance from the

A FEW MORE TIPS Here are three other fundraising ideas that any nonprofit can use.

1. SHOW NEED THROUGH THE MISSION STATEMENT A strong, action-oriented mission statement states precisely what the need is, and who exactly will benefit when that need is met. Make the need manageable so that supporters will feel that they can make a difference.

2. ANNUAL GIVING TURNS EVERYONE INTO DONORS Focus on asking for annual 28 WGI FOCUS

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school district, other than the use of practice facilities.”

Hoppe knows the value of this funding, and is able to budget charter coaches and hotels for Gates Chili’s trips with extra effort.

Tony Lymon’s Petal Indoor Percussion Theatre in Mississippi raises money the old-fashioned way: through folks’ appetites and entertainment. “We sponsor a spaghetti dinner/karaoke night; we call it ‘Spaghetti-oake.’ One year we did it American Idol-style and called it ‘Spaghetti Idol.’ The parents all make potluck spaghetti and bring it to the event.

There is virtually no overhead because of this. We sell tickets for $10 a plate. The students, parents, and community sing karaoke for fun and prizes. It’s a great night of great fun and it turns a pretty decent profit.”

Ontario, Canada’s Ventures Winter Guards—Cadet, A, and World—raise funds by involving their members in Walk/ Practice-A-Thons. Director Jacquie Renaud says the events “raise thousands of dollars in a gifts to support general matter of hours. Although the pledge sheets are operations. Target alumni designed for people to sponsor our members members, volunteers, and past by the kilometer or hour, most sponsors simdonors through direct mail, ply give a lump-sum dollar amount. Many even personal solicitation, or via the pay ahead of the event, which makes collection organization’s website. easy.” Renaud uses a fundraising “best prac3. CONSIDER “CAUSE” RATHER tice” for all of the organization’s events: “SponTHAN “EVENT” FUNDRAISING sors over $10 receive a charitable tax receipt.”

While they can be a lot of fun, Renaud says that the Ventures’ most sucspecial event fundraisers often cessful fundraiser “provides adult labor at cost more than what they net— Kitchener-Waterloo’s Annual Oktoberfest, the and take more human capital. largest festival of its kind in North America.

Use your mission statement to Profits are equally divided among all partnering ask potential donors for support. groups. It is a wonderful opportunity for small You’re changing lives; that’s a organizations like ours to earn money for our great reason to give! operational budget.” www.wgi.org

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Scholarship

Overcoming Life’s Challenges Percussion Is Key to One Student’s Continuing Evolution

By Rebecca Wiggins Music City Mystique Nashville, Tennessee

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ome people say that everything happens for a reason. That has some truth to me. The other day, I was feeling pretty down and happened to stumble upon a sentence that definitely was meant for me to read. It was something to the effect of “Without chaos, you will not evolve.”

I have definitely evolved, and still am evolving. I have been through some difficult challenges in my life, and it has been extremely hard at times to not give up. But then I remember that everything will work out if you just keep your head up and work through it.

I am one of 12 children, and that’s fairly rare nowadays.

Financially it was difficult, and I would often get discouraged when I’d see kids in high school with expensive clothes and other luxuries that I didn’t have. I realize now that it helped me be humble. It also helped me to make things happen, no matter the circumstance.

I had a strong desire to pursue my love for music. I grew up in Robbinsville, North Carolina. It’s an isolated town in the middle of the Smoky Mountains. There wasn’t much opportunity for youth like me. My high school was small, approximately 300 students. It was an athletic school and I was in band, so I didn’t really fit in. But my band director

could see that there was something different about me, that I had promise in my future. He and I searched for the closest accessible teachers to help me become a better pianist and percussionist.

Every week I drove 30 minutes to my piano lesson. Two to three days a week I’d drive to the nearest university, about an hour away, and take percussion lessons. The teachers were really understanding and worked with me on payment plans because they knew that I struggled financially. My school couldn’t afford a marimba for the band, although my audition piece for all state auditions required one. Luckily, the university where I took lessons allowed me to use its marimba, and I drove there as often as I could to practice.

Who would’ve thought that I’d make first chair in my state, coming from a little town in the middle of nowhere?

Growing up in a small town resulted in my missing out on some early opportunities. I was oblivious to what drum corps and WGI were until I came to college, but I didn’t let that stop me from auditioning for the indoor drumline that I wanted to make: Music City Mystique. It’s normal to be scared, and I was definitely scared of auditioning, but that was my ultimate motivation to practice and take the risk. I’m so glad I did. My first year of indoor drumline was wonderful and I look forward to the next few years.

I’ve shared these few personal experiThis has been a lucky year for ences because I have an important point: Rebecca Wiggins. Not only has she won two 2009 scholarships through Regardless of the situations I was in, I WGI—the Yamaha Dennis DeLucia Scholarship and the Bob Wiles Memorial never let those situations take control of Scholarship—but she is also the recipient of the 2009 Jim Ott Scholarship, what I needed to do and what I desired. granted by the San Joaquin County, Calif., nonprofit Sponsors of Musical Life throws challenges at you and unexEnrichment (S.O.M.E.). Created in memory of drum corps brass arranger pected things happen, but you have to and instructor Jim Ott, the scholarship is awarded to a current drum corps make the best of it. member pursuing higher education in the music field who demonstrates leadership qualities. Wiggins’ membership in the front ensemble for the Visit wgi.org/about/scholarship for more Bluecoats qualified her for the honor. Congratulations, Rebecca! information about the WGI Scholarships.

Rebecca’s Trifecta

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SFNP DPN

Riverside Community College

Dartmouth High School

Rhythm X

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Music City Mystique

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DCI Recruitment Ad_FOCUS 09.qxp

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DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL

Become a member of the world's most elite and exclusive marching music ensembles.

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The The World’s World’s Largest Largest Percussion Percussion Resource Resource Rudiments Rudiments. .Publications Publications Scholarships Scholarships. .PASIC PASIC Marching MarchingPercussion PercussionFestival Festival More More

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Santa Clara Vanguard Percussion Section, PASIC 2006 Santa Clara Vanguard Percussion Section, PASIC 2006

10/6/09 2006 3:41:14 PM Santa Clara Vanguard Percussion Section, PASIC

What’s Your

WGIQ? ENSEMBLE 1] Ponderosa HS 2] Lassiter HS 3] Union HS 4] Winston Churchill HS 5] Center Grove HS 6] Northglenn HS 7] Blue Devils 8] Onyx 9] Music City Mystique 10] Nolan Independent 11] James Logan HS 12] North Coast Academy

YEAR —————— —————— —————— —————— —————— —————— —————— —————— —————— —————— —————— ——————

The history of WGI now stretches over more than three decades. In that time, we’ve seen countless gifted performers take the Sport of the Arts to new heights. These pictures from our archives capture 12 classic performances from years past. We’ve identified the groups, but can you guess when they were taken? To find out, go to wgi.org/wgiq.

1 3 2

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www.wgi.org

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Winner of 13 DCI Championships & 11 DCI Drum Titles The Blue Devils consistently strive for perfection. Many say they have already achieved it.

It’s great to have a partner that shares your obsession. Pearl and Adams welcome the Blue Devils.

Let the competition begin.

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Download

Your Favorite wgi Indoor color guard & percussion Performances

wgi.org/downloads wgi.org/ downloads WGI Fan Network subscribers enjoy an exclusive dollar-off discount per download. The convenience of downloads lets you travel with your favorite shows!

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