2011_cascade_member_information_packet

8/7/2019 2011_Cascade_Member_Information_Packet

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2011cascadememberinformationpacket 1/9

2011 Member Information



What is Drum & Bugle Corps?

Each summer, approximately 20,000 young people through age 21 participate in drum and buglecorps across North America and Canada. This unique activity provides a maturing environment withina musical setting.

Corps members work diligently, dedicating much of their time during the winter and the entire summer

to rehearsing and performing. They travel approximately 12,000 miles each summer by bus, sleepingon gymnasium floors and eating from chuck wagons. Their travels take them across the country tocompete against corps from the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Far East. They are judgedon musical excellence, technique, and visual effectiveness.

Drum Corps International is an international organization dedicated to the promotion of drum corpsworldwide. DCI is composed of two divisions, Open and World Class, depending on size and level oability. Each year, DCI sponsors the world championships. This year, the championships will be heldin Indianapolis, IN on Aug 10 - 13. During the weeklong activity corps from around the world willcompete for the top spot in their division.

Who Are The Cascades?Founded in 1958, the Cascades is the oldest and only nationally World Class touring corps in thePacific Northwest. The Cascades has members mostly from all over the Northwest; Washington,Oregon, & Idaho. Last year there were also members from several other states and Holland.

In 2009, the Cascades returned to World Class competition after taking a year off. Severalaccomplishments were made during that year such as reestablishing a world class staff, renovatingtheir equipment, establishing ties with regional schools and recruiting a great group of members. In2010 the Cascades continued their positive growth with the purchase of brand new King horns, a newpercussion battery, and multiple infrastructure improvements. There is no doubt 2011 promises to b

a great year with most of 2010 staff and members returning. The Cascades intend to build upon theirastonishing success during the past year as they continue their commitment to improve each year.

Objectives of the corps are:

To provide an opportunity to develop individual potential & perform at the highest level To teach lifelong skills such as discipline, teamwork, commitment, dedication & achievement To foster teamwork, friendship and the respect for others and property To serve as an ambassador of the Pacific Northwest To entertain our audiences To have a rewarding and enjoyable experience

What is Expected of Me as a Member?

We do ask that to you come to camp ready to work. We pride ourselves on the dedication andmotivation of our members. Remember, we can teach you to be the best in the world; you may not bethat way when you arrive.



A Positive Attitude The work can get hard and there will be frustration. However, if you are willing to work as a team andget things done, you are the type of person we want. If you are the type that makes a hobby out ofcomplaining, criticizing others or causing general unrest, we don’t need you, no matter how talentedyou are. We can have fun and be good. If you don’t want to work at both of these, then we don’t needyou. Attendance

Being a member of the Cascades is a big commitment. All members are expected to be at all campsand rehearsals. Failure to attend camps is cause for dismissal without tuition refund. If you live out ofPacific Northwest, we ask that you attend all 3-day camps and all rehearsals in June. If youparticipate in a winter guard program, we understand that there may be some conflicts in the wintermonths. We do expect you to come to the camps as soon as you winter guard obligation is over.During the summer, you must remain with the corps during the entire tour. Members may elect toleave the corps after the championship finals at DCI. Membership Fee We expect that you will stay on top of the payment schedule. Anyone falling behind without a validexcuse may be dropped from the roster,

Talent All we ask is that you give 100% at rehearsals and that you commit yourself to practicing at home.Your development and progress over a period of time will be the determining factor as to whether youwill make the Cascades. Please note that the Cascades is a drug, smoke and alcohol free organization. All members will refrain from these activities while attending camps and while on the national tour.

Do I Have to Audition to Become a Member?

Yes, all potential members and returning vets are expected to attend at least one audition. To make itmore convenient, auditions will be held throughout the Northwest during November and December.The first audition will be held in Seattle on November 13th followed by Portland on November 14th,Spokane on November 20th, and TriCities on November 21st. Again this year there will be auditions inBoise, ID on December 4th. Be sure to check the website for updates as times and locations aresubject to change. There is a $20 fee for the audition. We do expect a lot of tryouts so it would begreat if you could bring your own instrument. If accepted into the corps or asked to come back for a‘call back’, there will be a one-time $50 registration fee and a $200 tuition deposit that are due at thefirst camp. The registration fee is waived for last year’s returning vets. The registration fee and tuitiondeposit are non-refundable. The audition is a good opportunity for you to get to know the Cascadeorganization, and an opportunity for our staff to assess your abilities and future needs. If for anyreason you cannot attend an audition, we ask that you send in an audition video to the appropriatecaption head and you notify Ron Comfort at [email protected].

The selection of corps members is based on four basic areas:

1) Attitude2) Performance Requirements for each caption. See web page for details3) Ability to attend the rehearsal and performance schedule4) Ability to pay your tuition and required fees



We strive to bring the best possible people into the Cascade organization, not necessarily the most talented. Therefore, our selection process is exactly that, a process, and it may take several campsto evaluate your skills and attitude. Unless you are very young and/or are significantly below thenormal skill levels, you will be asked to return to our December camp. In December, we plan to listthose individuals that are qualified and those who are alternates. We will encourage all alternates toreturn to our future camps as we always have qualified members who drop out for several reasonsincluding injuries, personal emergencies, and inability to pay. As an incentive to our alternates, wewaive the camp fee for camps in March, April & May. If you are willing to work hard and are

perseverant, you have a very good chance of making it into our corps. For more information about the audition process including audition materials, please check ourwebsite.

What will it Cost Me to Join?

The tuition for 2010 is $1999 for all sections. The tuition fee only pays for a small portion of the cost ofrunning our entire program including show production, rehearsals and our national summer tour. Youmay pay your tuition in installments but it is very important that you are able to keep current with your

tuition installments. Failure to do so can jeopardize your position in the corps and will result in latepenalties. Please refer to the web page for more details on tuition. There are some additionacosts such as a $20 audition fee, a new member $50 registration fee, marching shoes, gauntlets,color guard equipment, gloves, and fees for camp. The average cost to run our program is ove$4000 per member. The vast majority of this cost is paid by tuition supplemented with performancefees and fund-raisers. If you plan to check out corps equipment such as horns, flags, or weapons, youmust have paid at least $500 of your tuition as a deposit for the equipment.

One of our major fund raisers is the annual auction and it is mandatory that all members participate.This year’s auction will be held on Saturday, June 25 th during the corps All-Days rehearsals. Thelocation has not yet been determined. All members are asked to sell 2 tickets ($50 each) to the event

and to solicit at least $100 worth of auction items. If a member chooses not to participate, therewill be an additional $200 surcharge added to their tuition. Additional information will be handedto the members during the winter camps.

Tuition Installments

The first tuition deposit of $200 is due from all potential 2011 members no later than December15th. You can pay this online. The initial tuition installment will secure your performance spotin the corps and we will no longer spend recruitment resources and effort on that spot. Thtuition installment is non-refundable, UNLESS you are removed from your performanceposition due to talent considerations. A total tuition payment of $550 allows you to check ou

a horn if you are a brass player.

Tuition Installment Due Date AmountDecember Camp $200January Camp $350February Camp $350March 31st $350April Camp $350Memorial Day Camp $399Total $1999



A late fee of $200 will be charged if all tuition is not paid by the date of the final installments.Registration and camps fee are non-refundable. Tuition is refundable until February 28 th . After March1st , tuition will not be refunded for any reason unless the staff dismisses a member due to lack oability. Dismissal for misbehavior, failure to pay fees, injury, lack of attendance, or any other reasonwill result in loss of tuition.

What if I Cannot Afford the Tuition?

The corps has also developed a program to solicit sponsors that will help pay for the member’s tuitionand fees. We have developed a request letter that can be customized. All you have to do is to mail100 of these letters to your friends, relatives and neighborhood businesses and the money will roll inSome members have paid their entire tuition using this technique. A donation made to the Cascadesby a third party (friend, relative, business) in the name of a member will be applied toward thatmember’s tuition and fees. After the total tuition and fees have been paid, you may keep up to $10in excess of your obligations towards the purchase of a corps jacket. Any money received beyond thisamount will be retained by the corps. This money cannot be used for personal spending money souvenirs while on tour. Should you not tour with the corps, the money donated by your sponsors wbe retained by the corps.

Can My Parents or Friends Volunteer to Help?

The Cascades is a non-profit youth organization that depends on volunteers to help provide supportservices for the corps. All parents and supporters are encouraged to help. If we had to pay for theseservices, the cost of the tuition would be astronomical. Volunteers are needed for the following:

Chaperones: Adults are needed to sleep and ride with members at camps and on tour.Equipment managers: Help maintain, store and inventory equipment utilized by the corps.

Desired skills include carpentry, electrical, mechanical, metal work and welding.Seamster/seamstress: Assist the uniform coordinator preparing the corps uniforms andvisual equipment.Cook Helpers: Assist the cook for camps and on tour.Drivers: Drivers are needed for our vans and staff vehicles while on tour and at camps. Nospecial license is required.Souvie Sales: We are in need of two individuals to drive and work in our souvie trailer while ontour.Show Workers: Each year, our corps sponsors at drum corps competition in the Northwest.Our 2011 shows will be held in the greater Portland, Seattle, and Boise areas. This is amajor income producing event for the corps. Parent and support volunteers will be needed to

help sell tickets at the gate, sell programs, and do various chores during the show.

If you would like to volunteer for one of these tasks, please e-mail Sal Leone at [email protected] orRon Comfort at [email protected].



When and Where Do the Cascades Rehearse?

The Cascades rehearse approximately once a month through the winter starting in December, andbegin all-day rehearsals starting as soon as school is over on approximately June 19th. At that time,all members must be ready to stay with the corps and travel. Food and housing will be provided to amembers.

The winter camps are held once a month at various sites in the Yakima area, which will becommunicated to members via the web site. Registration for all camps begin at 8:00 PM (rehearsalstarts promptly at 9 PM) on Friday and continue until about 4:00PM on Sunday afternoon on two-daycamps and Monday afternoon on three-day camps. Members are expected to stay at the rehearsalsite for the entire weekend.

Our first camp for the 2011 season will start at 8 pm on Friday, December 17, 2010 and end at 4 pmDecember 20th. Watch our web page for the exact location of this and our future camps. Twoadditional three-day camps will be held on Martin Luther King weekend in January and Memorial Dayweekend in May. The remainder of the camps will be Friday – Sunday. The schedule is listed below

All of our camps are overnight camps, so come prepared to sleep on a gym floor. We will have plenof food available to feed you. The cost for each of the FIRST FOUR camps you attend is $100. Eachcamp you attend past four camps will be FREE.

2011 Camp Schedule

December 17 – 20 (Fri – Mon)

January 14 - 17 (Martin Luther King Weekend) (Fri – Mon)February 25 – 27 (Fri – Sun)March NO CAMPSApril 29 – May 1 (Fri – Sun)May 13 – 15 (Fri – Sun)May 27 - 30 (Memorial Day Weekend) (Fri – Mon)June 17th – All Days Begin

What if I Have a Conflict With a School Activity?

Although we ask for perfect attendance, we realize that this is not always feasible. If you have aconflict, you must contact your caption head AND Ron Comfort ([email protected]) at leasttwo weeks before the camp that you will miss. Remember, mandatory high school and collegeactivities always take priority. However, waiting to the last minute to finish you homework or yoursenior project is not an excuse. Drum corps takes a lot of time and you must stay organized and

ahead in your schoolwork.



What Should I Bring to the Rehearsal Camps?

Once the camp begins, each member is required to stay at the rehearsal site for the entire weekend.

You should bring:

- Completed and Signed Registration Form (Due December 17th at camp registration)- Registration Fee (1st Time Member): $50 (Due December 17th at camp registration)- Camp Fee: $100 for each of first four camps you attend. Additional camps are FREE after the firstfour camps are paid.- Tuition installment if not paid earlier online ($200 Tuition Deposit due NLT than December 17th atcamp registration.- A tuition balance of $550 due to check out instrument.- Sleeping bag, air mattress and pillow.- Toiletries including a bath towel, soap, etc.- Comfortable clothing (no jeans) for both outdoor and indoor rehearsals

- Tennis shoes required for marching / movement sessions.- Personal equipment for rehearsals We expect a large turnout for our first few camps this year. We ask that if you are trying out for thebattery, that you bring your own drum, harness and stand. If you are in the color guard, please bringyour own equipment. In addition, there are other "personal" rehearsal items that you should plan tobring to the camp.

Brass Players: Mouthpiece, white gloves, pencil, 3-ring binder w/ sheet protectors, sm. notebook Color Guard: Appropriate dance clothes, sneakers/dance shoes, and notebook Percussion Players: Sticks, mallets, notebook.

How Do I get to Camps If I Live Away From the Northwest?

NEW FOR 2011 – Bus Transportation to Dec-Feb CampsThe Cascades will be providing transportation to and from our winter camps in December, January,and February on a FIRST COME / FIRST SERVE basis. This transportation will be provided at nocost and will be provided to assist members in getting to the first three winter camps. Updatedinformation will be posted on the website, so check back often. The routes are as follows: Bellingham/Seattle to Yakima (Charter Bus)Salem/Portland to Yakima (Charter Bus)Spokane to Yakima (Passenger Van)Boise to Yakima (Passenger Van) Check the website for exact pickup locations and times.



Drive or carpool: Hook up with someone from your area who may be driving. We can supplydirections and some contacts who may be coming from you area.

Air: There is a small regional airport in Yakima, WA serviced by Horizon Air. It has several flights inand out of Seattle. On Fridays’ you should plan to arrive on the 6:15 pm flight. On Sunday or Monday,you should plan to leave on the 6:45 pm flight. They have a 2:40 pm flight for those camps that end at

1 pm. The corps can pick you up or take you back from the airport but you must call or e-mail RonComfort at least 72 hrs in advance.

There are also regional airports in Spokane and the Tri-Cities and much larger international airports inPortland and Seattle but the corps is not able to provide you with transportation from these airports. Ifyou need to fly into those airports, you should make arrangement with another corps member to car-pool to the camp.

What Will I Need to Purchase for the Summer?

REQUIRED Gloves: We provide you with your first set of gloves. You will need to purchase additional sets.($2)

Black crew neck T-shirt: 6 pair(Individual Purchase)

Black Socks: 6 pair(Individual Purchase)

Gauntlets: Each member can keep theirs as a souvenir.($40)

Shoes: We will supply further info as the summer approaches.($40)

SUGGESTED Section Shorts: Members like to purchase shorts that their entire section will wear to rehearsals.(? Determined at winter camps by section leaders)

Corps Apparel: Members like to purchase a corps jacket and other corps paraphernalia.($100)

Spending money: For souvenirs, CDs, photos, etcJunk Food Money: We will provide the member with 95% of your food during the tour. The memberwill be responsible for food on free days and the occasional stops at fast-food restaurants.Amusement Park Fees: If the corps elects to stop at any other park that has user fees, the individualmember will responsible for his/her own admission fees. Members who cannot afford these fees willhave a free day. (Amusement Park amounts will be made available before we leave on tour.)



2011 Summer Tour...

The Cascades are once again planning the summer tour that will have the corps "on the road" forapproximately 60 days during the months of June through August. The 2011 corps will be competingthroughout the United States, and appearing in DCI Regional shows in Texas, Atlanta, Allentown and

an exciting finish in Indianapolis, IN, the site of the 2011 DCI World Championships. We plan to returnto Seattle on August 15th. Members may choose to fly home from Indy.

What if My Parents or I Have More Questions?

We encourage all of our members to gain access to the Internet and e-mail. Most of the informationthat you will need will be posted on our web page at www.seattlecascades.org. It is important tocheck our page on a weekly basis, as we will post last minute changes on the page.

If you have the need to talk to a human, please call either the Director/CEO, Sal Leone, at 425-478-7181 or the Assistant Director/COO, Ron Comfort at 904-316-2828 and they will be happy todiscuss any aspects of the organization with you.

Senior Staff 2011

Sal Leone Director/ CEO E-mail: [email protected]

Ron Comfort Assistant Director/COO E-mail: [email protected]

Patrick Davis Assistant Director E-mail: [email protected]

John Freeman Assistant Director E-Mail: [email protected]

Kurt Jull Design Coordinator E-mail: [email protected]

Steve Menefee Artistic Director E-mail: [email protected]

Michael Leone Program Coordinator E-mail: [email protected]

Zachary Smith Brass Caption Head E-mail: [email protected]

Ronnie LaGrone Percussion Caption Head E-mail: [email protected]

Ben Adams Color Guard Caption Head E-mail: [email protected]

2011_cascade_member_information_packet

Documents