Michael Cesario - genius or crackpot?
Stuart Rice
criticism to M.Cesario, although it is also (covertly)
anti-crackpot-drill-writers. I'll try to be objective, stuff my
disgust, and be as nice as possible, but you can expect some caustic
humor.
For those who don't read most of the other RAM newsgroups, here's
something I found interesting:
>From: Bands of America (net...@bands.org)
>Subject: BOA/DCI Clinics this weekend!
>Newsgroups: rec.arts.marching.band.high-school,
rec.arts.marching.colorguard, >rec.arts.marching.percussion
>Date: 2001-07-26 07:57:49 PST
>
>
>
>BOA and DCI Present Festival Workshop Series: Marching Leadership for
>Students
>
>Your ticket to these DCI Summer Music Games is also your ticket to
the
>workshop series, presented by BOA and DCI and hosted by the world
>renowned marching music designer, educators and clinician Michael
>Cesario.
<snip>
>------------------------------------
>Bands of America
>http://www.bands.org
(800) 848.BAND
I'd like to better understand the contributions of "world renowned"
[usually hyphenated] ... "educators" [usually singular, when referring
to one individual] ... Michael Cesario to 'marching music design,' but
this presents some problems.
First, I can't tell if his contributions are to marching or music. He
served as a Design Consultant for the Spirit of Atlanta that year (not
analyzed). I also notice last year he served as a Visual Consultant
for the Boston Crusaders, who finished 5th in GE Visual and (for any
PA fans) 12th in Planar Analysis (out of 12 corps analyzed) based on
my own research. Can I assume from this that he is a more "visual"
than "musical" educator(s)?
Second, I can't tell if his "visual" work is that deserving of
celebration. Based on last year's Planar Analysis results, I might
have assumed that his renown was not commensurate with his
accomplishments. However, going back to the PA data I have for
pre-2000 shows, the data suggests he *could* be the 'greatest drill
writer ever'. Let me explain:
Based on about 2 dozen drills analyzed from 1986 Prelims, and 1995 and
1996 Finals, Cesario's collaboration with one (Brett?) Mascaro for the
1986 Troopers (15th overall in Prelims) produced *the* highest ranked
PA scores analyzed from those three years (sans 2000), ranking above
the products of both Brubaker (86 Cavaliers) and Zingali (86 Star of
Indiana) that same year.
So, all other things being equal, I must either assume that Michael
Cesario is deservedly world-renowned, or that (Brett?) Mascaro is
equally or more deserving.
Throw me a bone here: is Michael Cesario the genius DCI, BOA, and PA
suggest he could be, or not?
Stuart E. Rice
ser...@juno.com
http://www.geocities.com/marchingresearch
TPW
"Stuart Rice" <ser...@juno.com> wrote in message
> Throw me a bone here: is Michael Cesario the genius DCI, BOA, and PA
suggest he could be, or not?
In a single word.....NO!
George Zingali is and will always be the BEST drill writer the activity has
and will ever see. IMHO
-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
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Thom Lambertson
> Throw me a bone here: is Michael Cesario the genius DCI, BOA, and PA
> suggest he could be, or not?
>
You can add Program Coordinator for Glassman '01, DCI Hall of Fame '96 and
the fact that just about every other Corps is wearing one of his uniform
designs
Cesario mc'ed the Dev's clinic at Orlando and did an adequate job...though
he
should have acknowledged the presence of Jerry Seawright in the crowd.
Genius??? All the way to the bank!
Nikk Pilato
<snip>
Boy, now you have done it. This morsel is certainly tasty enough
to get Ken Mazur into this boat in a hurry. And he won't be alone.
For what it is worth, let me tell you about my recollections and
feelings concerning Mike Cesario.
In 1991, I was a hapless rookie, so everything was wide-eyed wonder to
me. When I first saw Mike, I thought "Hey! That's the guy from the DCI
Broadcast!" Then he started talking about emotions and the intent of
Nessun Dorma and the rest of the show, and we were awash in a sea of
positive reinforcement.
However, I always noticed that some staff members were very critical
of him, although they only muttered under their breath. I'll never
forget at the Memorial Day camp in 1991, Cesario was telling us the
story behind Nessun Dorma, and he explained that this Princess wouldn't
marry anyone, and have suitors' heads cut off. He wrapped it up with
"Talk about a bitch...now, I have had some hard women in my time..."
Whatever else he said after that was lost to me because one of the
staff members commented somewhat under his breath: "You have? Shyeah,
right!" This staff member, by the way, is now a judge.
He wasn't alone...I saw that many of the staff who had marched
Regiment in the past were also snickering. Not all, mind you...I do
not want to give that impression. When i asked this staff member later
on that night what he thought of Mike, I was shocked! Because,
frankly, I liked Mike Cesario. And it was apparent to me that many
staffers did not. And I could not understand why not. I spoke to some
of the older vets, and some of them did not like Cesario's influece on
the Regiment, but had no problem with him personally.
In 1992, after a year of marching behind me, I started to pay
attention to staff dynamics a little more. It was apparent that some
staffers had left on bad terms, and although I do not know what those
terms were (perhaps they resigned, or perhaps they were fired, but I do
not know, so do not ask), I do know that many of them were not thrilled
with the influence of Mike. Some of the older vets whom I had
befriended were also not too happy with all the fabric we seemed to be
using that year...it appeared as if everything was made of lame (add
emphasis on the "e"). Even Rondo noted on the broadcast that we must
have run the fabric stores in Rockford out of business.
We were also not happy because, as we started to slide into
what would eventually turn out to be an 8th place finish, we saw less
and less of Cesario. Many people believed he did not want to be
associated with our sinking ship. In fact, there was about a month in
which he was not there at all. As I look back over my corps diaries
from 1992, I see the following line in there:
July 1: Canada Day and Oshkosh, Wisconsin- We pulled into Oshkosh
around 3:30 AM for eight, count 'em, eight hours of downtime. We were
staying at the local YMCA, and the chaperones must have mistaken us for
the local high school band because they pulled up the partitions in the
gym to separated the men and women (or should I say boys and girls?)
What fun! After saluting the Canadians at the practice field with pink
bellies, we worked on emotions with Michael Cesario (the big ham).
Now, why would I have written that? It certainly is not
complimentary...maybe some stuff had already happened that started to
turn my opinion of Cesario south. Anyhow, as we finally started to
climb out of our hole (before our final plunge), Cesario re-appeared.
We were not all happy, most of all some of the staff. Anyhow, the year
ended, and that was that.
I don't recall much about Mike in 1993, but I do recall 1994. The
whole "Black and White" Joan Miro motif was annoying to me and some of
the remaining vets, and we always got as little annoyed with Miek when
he would go off on his gigantic stories. But something that I
overheard stuck out during that summer, and I think this was the final
nail in the coffin.
I had a very difficult summer that year...and as sometimes happens,
I got into a fight with a friend...a fist fight. Tim and I had been
friends since day one, so I don't know why this happened...tour
pressures, I suppose...anyhow, it happened. I was sorry about it, Tim
was sorry about it, we both felt crappy for letting it come to that.
As I sat alone behind the equipment truck later that night, I
overheard Cesario talking with the corps director. I won't say what I
heard, but it certainly was not complimentary about me, and it sounded
to me like Cesario was trying to get me out of the corps. I was
shocked, and this just added to an already-crappy summer.
A few minutes later, after talking it out with Tim, I met my
girlfriend at the food truck...Mike passed me by. He then proceeded to
ask me how I was doing, gave me a friendly pat on my shoulder, and said
"Hang in there."
This was the same guy that had just said some very uncool things about
me, without knowing I had overheard. This two-faced jackass was acting
as if the words he had just uttered had never been said. Needless to
say, any respect I had for Cesario as a truthful, honest individual
disappeared right there. I saw him in Rockford 2 years later...some of
you might recall Martha Leeson-Garcia's thread about Mickey Mouse
poking Cesario in the eye...well, Mike seemed to think I had written
that, and proceeded to give me some shit about it.
I should have unloaded on him, but the past is the past, and why get
it out when you can let it fester, right?
Anyhow, I have alot of respect for Mike's designs as far as uniforms
are concerned, although a lot of them have started to look very
similar. I have every confidence that he can really help a drum corps
by spicing uptheir image, and adding some flair here and there. But as
a person, Mike failed me when I needed support, and I am sure I wasn't
alone.
I don't think he is a design genius, but he is more than competent,
and sadly, this is all it seems to take nowadays.
++
np
www.nikknakks.net
nikk@nikk#nospam#nakks.net
"This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper"
-T.S. Eliot
BucsBari2
was affentionately called "Father Time" because he was responsible for making
sure the corps was were it needed to be at every camp and while on tour. He
also worked closely with George Zingali and the Entire Visual & Musical staff
in refining the drill and overall show concept that we presented. I know he
went on to do other things after. I believe he also is with NYU in NYC.
Robert G Mayer
1972-1976 Townskids/Townsmen
1977-1980 Royal Brigade
1981 Caballeros
1982-1983 Garfield Cadets
2000- > Reading Buccaneers
Gead9063
>I don't think he is a design genius, but he is more than competent,
>and sadly, this is all it seems to take nowadays.
>
>++
>np
Mike is a guy who loves the activity and has devoted a good portion of his life
to it. But he is a person, and like all of us, has faults. In remembering
those faults, let's all give the guy the benefit of the doubt. We'd all want
the same for ourselves.
Someone has already referenced another design legend: George Zingali, in this
thread. Read on Star's website about the 1991 season, while Zingali was dying.
Bill Cook talks about a rehearsal where Star was learning changes to the
show... and George inspired them to the greatest performance in their (short)
history, from his wheel chair. The magical cross-to-cross sequence was born
out of that genius... I witnessed that rehearsal, and the performance that
followed. THAT, my friends, was a genius.
My point is this: Cesario loves the activity. His "genius" is a matter to be
left for the history books. He's designed some great looks, and been involved
with some great performances. That much we know.
But IMO he deserves the benefit of the doubt, and doesn't deserve this thread.
No one does.
George D
Ryan H. Turner
First, at the end of the VK performance in 1987, it sounds clearly that he is
excited, but almost too excited, to the point of having a major
stroke....toooooo cooooool VK!! Or the other famous comment...It's like
putting on a stack of 45's and going for it! WHAT???
And second, I was VERY fortunate to be referred to the Puget Sound Marching
Band Championship back in 1991 as a Visual Judge. So there I am, in all my 26
year old glory, judging right next to Mike. He was VERY nice to me, remembered
me from the days of yore, and we had a great time.
Is he a genius? Stuart Rice's way of analyzing drill (Planar Analysis?) is
completely and utterly foreign to me. I would love to learn more about that
and wonder how my drill stacks up. However, if Planar Analysis means anything,
and the numbers are true (which I would assume they are because of Mr. Rice's
integrity), then I guess he's just good...but not a genius.
But to me, when a person gets to that level of where Mike is, and has a lot of
accomplishment and history behind him, I think the term "genius" gets thrown
around maybe too liberally.
I agree that someone like Zingali Brubaker or Rosander, from a drill design
standpoint (and yes, JOHN BRAZELLE...just look at 89 Phantom!!!), are genius'!
That's my humble opinion...
Ryan H. Turner--"The Voice of Southern California!"/Former VK Drum Major in
1986 and 1987
Designer, Instructor, Motivator, Adjudicator for ALL pageantry
And a proud papa to boot!! Just don't boot too hard!!
Nikk Pilato
> But IMO he deserves the benefit of the doubt, and doesn't deserve this thread.
> No one does.
You're right, and I am sorry to have offended anyone.
Ryan H. Turner
>
Who are you apologizing to? If he was a two faced jackass to you, then you're
not supposed to discuss it because?
I enjoyed reading what you wrote...don't apologize.
GSNewell
Michael is not a drill designer. Some of the comments seem to imply that he is.
Greg
ps. Michael's brother, Greg, is a drill designer. He wrote Regiment's 96 drill.
Michael's brother, Jeff, is a comedian (just a point of interest).
Nikk Pilato
> >
> Who are you apologizing to? If he was a two faced jackass to you, then you're
> not supposed to discuss it because?
It was something that i should've bitten my tongue on. One of
those posts that, upon second, third, and fourth reading, does not appear
as good an idea as originally thought.
> I enjoyed reading what you wrote...don't apologize.
Well, thank you, but it was not one of my shining moments. I
should've written it to get it off my chest, and then deleted it.
Randy Gardner
>The Force is strong with you, Ryan H. Turner, but you are not a Jedi yet:
>> >You're right, and I am sorry to have offended anyone.
>> >
>
>> Who are you apologizing to? If he was a two faced jackass to you, then
>you're
>> not supposed to discuss it because?
>
> It was something that i should've bitten my tongue on. One of
>those posts that, upon second, third, and fourth reading, does not appear
>as good an idea as originally thought.
>
>> I enjoyed reading what you wrote...don't apologize.
>
> Well, thank you, but it was not one of my shining moments. I
>should've written it to get it off my chest, and then deleted it.
>
I agree with you here, Nikk. For one of RAMD's all-time best posters, I was a
little surprised to see this. It's understandable that an incident such as the
one that happened to you (the 2-face incident) could rankle you for years, but
I thought your first, unstated, point was the one which should not have been
made.
I'm referring to when you overheard one of the staffers make a
derogatory remark when Michael referred to having relations with a woman. The
unstated undertext was that Michael is gay, so any relation with a woman was
patently unbelievable.
First of all, that's not a valid criticism of anyone. Gay people
feel compelled to make similar statements all the time in this society.
Imagine the reaction in America's heartland if he had referred to a
relationship with a man instead at that moment.
I don't even know if Michael is gay, and don't care. I just take exception to
criticism of a person on that pretext.
I can't speak to your other criticisms of Michael because they
were Phantom - specific, and I wasn't there. You were.
Randy Gardner
Nikk Pilato
> feel compelled to make similar statements all the time in this society.
> Imagine the reaction in America's heartland if he had referred to a
> relationship with a man instead at that moment.
> I don't even know if Michael is gay, and don't care. I just take exception to
> criticism of a person on that pretext.
For the record, I did not criticize him on that point, I merely
stated that experience because it was the first time I heard someone say
something derogatory about Mike. It was an eye-opener for me...I don't
care about nor do i have opinions on others' sexuality...that is their
business.
But yes, another example of why I should have just bitten my
tongue and not posted. Not a good day to be me. Maybe it will get better
after Tennessee scores.
Jeffsjetta
A. Murray
ASUcaliBOY
saying "better to remain quiet and thought a fool than to open your mouth and
remove all doubt".....well Mikey fits this perfectly, hehe. He knows what hes
doing, but on those videos he schmoozes everything so much its sickening to
listen to!
Benny
Highland HS '96-'00
Riverside CC '00-??
Sharcast2
Doesn't art imitate life? Someone like Cesario put a dent into the lifeblood
of drum corps. Good thing that some thought drum corps is better without.
IMHO!!! Let me say.
The guy was part of a faction that almost brought drum corps to it's knees.
Actually, I think that the businessmen of DCI are doing a good thing for drum
corps. Changes are happening. I'm being pleased again. I hope that some kind
of equanimity will happen. One can only hope.
Sharon
PS: Mr Cesario isn't a genius. He just hoped that all of us would think he
was George Zingali's reincarnation. No?
Michael Cahill
Genius - that's a pretty strong word. So is crackpot.
Anything in between?
Mr. Cesario is however often listed as a Broadway designer.
This means he has designed things, and has been to Broadway.
MC
Fibonacci161803
I respect but think is as flawed as any of us) came from the whole '87 thing.
'86 was a low point for the corps, not just placement wise. The corps got food
poisining right before finals from rusty pipes and a mellophonist even lost her
tuning slide at the beginning of the last show. In '87, the corps went through
a lot of changes-Brazalli started writing the drill, the uniforms changed (a
BIG break with Regiment tradition), the music changed. As in all changes,
resentment formed. Regiment still had a lot of old corps people on their staff
around the time you marched, and a lot of them probably didn't like the
changes, even though it resulted in better morale and higher placement. I'm
sure it didn't help that he was from outside the corps, namely the mid-80's
Garfield, who Regiment had a big dislike for. I can remember a story of them
hitting a Garfield the cat doll when they got off the bus for shows in '84.
Anyway-enough drum corps ancient history. I liked Mike (don't sit on the front
row or you get spit on!) and his brother Greg, too. I'll never forget Greg
chewing out Erin Mulkhey while he was teaching us movement. "You can just shut
your little Canadian ass up!" A classic. Hasta la vista, and have a good rest
of the summer.
Sharcast2
Sharon
GSNewell
>sure it didn't help that he was from outside the corps, namely the mid-80's
>Garfield, who Regiment had a big dislike for.
Are you aware Michael was involved with Regiment BEFORE he was involved with
Garfield?
Michael has been in PR's corner for a long, long time.
Greg
TomAllen2001
And stop making the Zingali comparisons. They were friends with shared
experiences; some public, some private. You're being pretty presumptuous to
think that you have the right to even "go there."
Can you think of any drum corps that Michael made worse? Me either.
I think that some of you want to show that you can be critical of Michael as a
thinly veiled chance to "name drop."
And...
You should NEVER EVER "name drop" ...
Michael Cesario told me that personally.
Michael Cahill
TomAllen2001 wrote:
>
> How do any of you know that he ISN'T a genius? Have you tested his IQ?
Judging from the post he made a few years ago from a resort
in Vermont, I wouldn't put him in the MENSA category.
> Can you think of any drum corps that Michael made worse? Me either.
Here's a beautiful Catch-22.
If you can, you're evil for dissing the members and all their hard work.
If you don't, Mr. Cesario clearly betters everything and everyone he
works with.
> I think that some of you want to show that you can be critical of
> Michael as a thinly veiled chance to "name drop."
Huh?
No one is saying they had dinner with him and he told them "xxxx".
That would be name dropping.
> You should NEVER EVER "name drop" ...
> Michael Cesario told me that personally.
LOL
MC
Manny Mendoza
Catherine
From: "TomAllen2001" <tomall...@cs.com>
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2001 8:54 AM
> I think that some of you want to show that you can be critical of Michael as a
> thinly veiled chance to "name drop."
>
> And...
>
> You should NEVER EVER "name drop" ...
> Michael Cesario told me that personally.
This is difficult to criticize. Yes, commenting on some other people
is the only way some have to be a part of those lives. Entertainment
and celebrity rags makes lots of $$$ off that desire to live
vicariously.
Making such an observation is a cheap bit of rhetorical criticism.
After all, such things go on all the time, don't they? (or so I'm
told...) I worry more about a perception that criticizing our
"leaders" will be seen as "negative", and that the evolving drum corps
hierarchy is becoming more stratified when "drum corps hierarchy"
ought to be an oxymoron, IMO.
Accusations of "name dropping" don't always reflect either reality or
a particular person's motivation in commenting about a person or on
that person's reputation/position in this activity. It worries me
more that "name dropping" can even be seen as a serious issue, given
all the laughing about such worshipful attitudes ever being taken
seriously I have done and heard over the years...
Nor do I know anything more about Mr. Cesario other than what I've
witnessed on DCI telecasts. I have my own opinion based upon his
company and what happens in this activity. Zingali I remembering
observing at a rehearsal, and a colorful character he certainly was...
But I certainly can't tell more of either person's motivations without
a lot more data, let alone tell the intention of a particular poster.
Given the status of this activity, it's too bad we can't be more open
and have more dialogues with the man himself - and others. It seems
to me that criticism of the issues - as opposed to Mr. Cesario's
personal traits <as perceived> - is important to where we are and
where we're going.
Even so, those last two lines of yours are rather amusing. I can't
tell if you intedned what you wrote, or if it shows what you think of
Mr. Cesario's advice, or something else...
-- Catherine
Steve B
Must not be a very funny comedian. Lee is funnier than him. ;)
- Steve B
Honest Poster
be. I have NEVER heard him say a bad word to or about anyone.
Why does this have to be a board which always slams the people who are
trying so desperately to make the activity better?
Flame away!
Honest poster
"Steve B" <sbur...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c76017cb.0107...@posting.google.com...
The Central Scrutinizer
> welll swash his buckles
Spherical balls....
(from the 1994 video - referring to Glassmen's props)
---
James A. Chappell | http://www.amon-hen.com/jac
St. Louis, MO USA |
"Give a man a fire and he's warm for the day, but set fire
to him and he's warm for the rest of his life."
-- Terry Pratchett ("Jingo")
The Central Scrutinizer
Anyone care to post his Broadway experience?
Scoop
"3-Dimensional Spheres"
which is redundant (and stupid)
"The Central Scrutinizer" <rlrr...@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:61b3739.01072...@posting.google.com...
Ron Allard
But, but... there's a gRAMDie category for that!
Heh...
--
Ron in Vegas
mailto:ron.a...@att.net
"Because there was always something about the Skyliners...
and that music..."
- Donnie Solinger
Senior Corps History site:
http://www.SrCorps.com
Ron Allard
>jeffs...@aol.com (Jeffsjetta) wrote in message news:<20010726231248...@ng-ft1.aol.com>...
>> welll swash his buckles
>
>Spherical balls....
>
>(from the 1994 video - referring to Glassmen's props)
"They're actually three-dimensional spheres..."
Jay Mendoza
Bogey, bogey, bogey....
--
JayM
Jay Mendoza
The irony here....heh.
--
JayM
"Honest Poster" <honest...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:FUg87.64168$JN6.11...@news1.rdc1.mi.home.com...
<snip>
> Honest poster
Fibonacci161803
The '78 show also seemed to have that "Cesario glow."
Glen Hazelwood
>Must not be a very funny comedian. Lee is funnier than him. ;)
Lee is funnier than most people.
Glen
Uncle G Productions
Digital Photographic Enhancement
http://members.tripod.com/jth1206kp/
Jason Fund
CorpsVets Drum Corps
2250 Cheshire Bridge Rd. #320
Atlanta GA 30324
The Central Scrutinizer
That's it! I knew it was something like that.
>
> which is redundant (and stupid)
>
So is spherical balls.
--
James A. Chappell http://www.amon-hen.com/jac
"I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and
blows.'"
-- Bartholomew J. Simpson
Stuart Rice
>Gead9063 wrote:
>
>>But IMO he deserves the benefit of the doubt, and doesn't deserve
this >thread. No one does.
>
>You're right, and I am sorry to have offended anyone.
Belay that apology. Nikk's firsthand experience, impressions, and
reflections were retrospective, and written in an honest and
straight-forward style. They described what he thought of Michael
Cesario. We are entitled to give our objective and gut impressions
about anybody here - particularly the famous. I don't believe it is
fair to criticize one's account of historical perception. As to what
I believe Nikk's articulate remarks about what he thinks of Cesario
*now* is that the were tame, fair, and did not warrant an apology. I
appreciate the concern for netiquette, but good oral history is
*off-limits* to criticism.
Michael has friends here. That doesn't surprise me. I suspected that
he was good at making friends, and contributing to a corps visual
identity is something that will make friends who will defend you as
they do their own corps.
I have done my best and not found an example of Michael's
contributions to drill. I have not found his contributions to music.
I have not found his contributions to guard. I have seen programs
advised and visuals consulted, whatever that means, but from
appearances and all documentation available to me, his specific,
direct contribution to the marching arts is indeed limited to uniform
fashion. Thus, I question the importance of the message this "world
renowned marching music designer, educators [sp] and clinician" will
deliver for DCI and BOA this weekend.
In fact, I cannot even find evidence of his having instructed or
marched anywhere in his life. I enter "michael cesario drum bugle
corps" and I get 14 hits pertinent to the man. Here is his mention
among the first 10:
Northern Lights - Teaching Staff
>Michael Cesario
>
>Michael is a Professor of Design at Purchase College in New York. He
works >with the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps from Toledo, Ohio.
>
>Michael has revolutionized pageantry with his Cesario Collection of
uniforms >available at Fred J. Miller Inc. (800) 444-flag FJM is a
proud sponsor of the >Northern Lights Youth Programs.
>The President’s - Mission Statement
>
>A conceptual corps uniform has been designed by Michael Cesario which
retains >some of the old corps design and the colors of green, white,
and black.
>Star of Indiana 1985 (10)
>
>Uniforms Michael Cesario (Designer), Kirsten Streib, Carol Brown,
Allison >Lendman
>History of the Phantom Regiment
>
>After a difficult 10th-place finish in 1986, the corps took a fresh
new >approach. The corps made a dramatic change inspired by Michael
Cesario, with >new all-white uniforms more closely resembling
costumes. This new look and >approach led to three years of dramatic
improvement, culminating in 1989 with >a second-place finish and the
second highest score ever, 98.4.
Spirit
>Design Consultant Michael Cesario
Brigadiers Staff 2001
>Visual Consultant - Michael Cesario
Bluecoats 1996 Year in Review (7)
>STAFF
>CORPS DIRECTOR: Bill Hamilton; Asst. Dir.: Jay Wise
>PROGRAM ADVISOR: Michael Cesario
Fred J. Miller Cesario Collection
>Imaginative
>
>No one can duplicate the imaginative designs of Michael J. Cesario!
In concept >and craftsmanship, these are the uniforms that redefine
design and durability >for contemporary bands. And nobody but Fred J.
Miller, Inc. can build a >uniform so unique in fit and flexibility. We
have an Image just for you.
>
>Recognized as a leader in design for performing and pageantry arts,
Michael is >currently the Director of Design for Theatre and Film at
New York's Purchase >College. Known as a Costume Designer for
Broadway, Television, and Las Vegas, >he is in demand as an instructor
and adjudicator of high school bands and drum >and bugle corps. He is
a member of the DCI Hall of Fame.
>
>
>Cesario style. Miller Service.
Whup Troy! News – Southerners Headlines
>JSU Announces Summer Music Camps
>7 May 99
>The 1999 "Summer Explosion!" is directed by Ken Bodiford and Spirit
of Atlanta >Executive Director Bill Duquette. Some of the finest
clinicians in the United >States will be on hand, with staff from both
the Marching Southerners and the >Spirit of Atlanta, such as DCI Hall
of Fame member Michael Cesario, wind >clinician Dennis Laorenzo,
Crossmen and SOA drill designer Eric Kitchenmen, >and many more!
Colts History 2000 (14)
>The new uniforms, designed by Michael Cesario, added to the new Colts
attitude.
Is a clothes designer qualified to headline a joint DCI/BOA clinic on
anything but clothes design? If not, why is he going to do it? I
believe it is because the "who you know" aspect of DCI has eclipsed
all sense of "what you know."
I combined DCI prelim/finalist Planar Analysis scores from DCI
prelim/high cam performances from 1986 (4), 1995 (11), 1996 (7) and
2000 (12). These are all finalists from these years, representing the
entire Top 6 of each, except for 1986). Ranked together, here are the
results (place, corps/year, drillwriter(s)):
1 - BK00 - Billings
2 - CB00 - Sacktig
3 - CV00 - Gaines
4 - BL00 - Templin
5 - SV00 - Roseander
6 - GM00 - Thompson
7 - BD00 - Murphy
8 - MS00 - Zeier/Koele
9 - CC00 - Bambauer
10- TR86 - Mascaro/M.Cesario
11- XM00 - Devlin
12- SI86 - Zingali
13- CV86 - Brubaker
14- PR00 - Hildreth, w/May
15- CV95 - Poklacki
16- MS96 - Loeffelholz
17- PR96 - G.Cesario, w/Hall
18- SV96 - Roseander
19- XM96 - Soules
20- BC00 - Ford (M.Cesario, Consultant)
21- GM95 - Acheson
22- CV96 - Poklacki
23- SS86 - Raiford
24- BD95 - Murphy
25- CB96 - Sacktig
26- BL95 - Sanchez
27- PR95 - Smith/Hegemeier
28- BD96 - Murphy
29- 2786 - Sylvester
30- SV95 - Roseander
31- CT95 - Bridges
32- MS95 - Loeffelholz
33- CB95 - Sacktig
34- XM95 - Degroff
35- CC95 - Ford
You'll noticed the progress drum corps drill writers have made in the
last few years has been solid, according to PA standards.
However, I still found it interesting that Michael Cesario's name does
not appear more often. I decided to look into the spectacular 86
Troopers show (way ahead of its time, in spite of the drubbing it took
from more recent efforts) at the following link:
http://www.troopersdrumcorps.org/years/1986.htm
Michael Cesario's name does not appear listed with that corps' staff.
So basically, I have only the 20th place finish (out of 35) from the
Boston Crusaders to suggest Michael Cesario has any positive influence
on a corps' expertise in Planar Analysis criteria, with details on the
technical criteria measured available at the following link:
http://www.geocities.com/flatland/pa2000dci.html
Obviously, DCI judges enjoyed Boston's show. However, Planar Analysis
reveals an opportunity to increase in technical merit, due primarily
to the relatively smaller percentage of the show which demonstrated
marching.
Obviously, people like Michael Cesario. Indeed, he sounds like a nice
guy. Maybe walks around with a smile on his face everyday. What
concerns me is his ability to lead (or mis-lead) the marching arts as
a "world renowned marching music designer". What Michael Cesario know
about music? Nothing, from what I can determine. What does he know
about marching? Nothing, from what he has demonstrated. What does he
know about design? Uniforms, apparently. Clothing. However, I'm
less concerned about his uniforms than I am about what he has to say
on BOA and DCI's behalf this weekend. What do tommorow's drill
creative staff need to know about uniforms that commands DCI/BOA
headlines?
My point is this: there are many more people in the world who are
more qualified and deserving of the opportunities Michael Cesario has
been given, aside from seamstress work. People waiting for
opportunities to prove themselves. They cannot do so in an
environment more interested in fashion that marching. More interested
in design than choreography.
For RAMDers, drum corps fans, DCI and BOA: Stop coddling the
priviledged and well-connected. Give the well-studied and qualified a
chance to challenge our present obsession with appearances. Give them
a chance.
Stuart E. Rice
ser...@juno.com
http://www.geocities.com/marchingresearch
VKGARRY73
>Lee is funnier than most people.
Looks aren't everything!
VKG
><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸.
·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>
Tasi Xenofos
BALLS? =)
"The Central Scrutinizer" <rlrr...@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:99628168...@nntp.accessus.net...
Tasi Xenofos
"Stuart Rice" <ser...@juno.com> wrote in message
news:d12adb54.01072...@posting.google.com...
Stuart Rice
> How do these scores relate to anything?
Click on the link you deleted to find out:
http://www.geocities.com/flatlandpress/pa2000dci.html
Stuart E. Rice
ser...@juno.com
Kevin Ivers
There is a definite undercurrent to the conversation, but people are
afraid to upset PC standards. The fact is that over the last couple of
decades, homosexuals have influenced drum corps more and more through
elaborate guard routines. That is just the way it is. A lot of staff
and members are really internally pissed at this but feel required to
respond "oh, I couldn't care less about so-and-sos lifestyle". But in
reality, it is causing a lot of resentment that people are afraid to
confront. I believe that a lot of the disagreements could be solved if
people would just be more honest and talk about how Cesario and other
gay staff creep them out. Yes, we all need to get along. But isn't it
better to just tell a person to their face that you find their
lifestyle freaky, rather than smile to their face and then later stab
them in the back? No one seems to be able to explain how gays became
so prominent in guard routine development and then in the whole theme
of drum corps. I just think some people need to be more honest about
their displeasure with this fact.
Stuart Rice
> I think a lot of people are afraid to talk openly in this thread.
> There is a definite undercurrent to the conversation, but people are
> afraid to upset PC standards. The fact is that over the last couple of
> decades, homosexuals have influenced drum corps more and more through
> elaborate guard routines.
1. People around the world are afraid to talk openly about many
things.
2. This thread isn't about homosexuality.
3. This thread is about Cesario's qualifications (or lack thereof).
4. Zingali was gay. That had nothing to do with his experience and
competence.
5. If Cesario is gay, that has nothing to do with his apparent lack
of experience and competence in brass, drums, guard, drill, and
marching technique - his subsequent lack of qualifications for
high-visibility clinics in these areas.
Otherwise, I appreciate your points, and have taken the opportunity a
few months ago to be "honest" about this topic in another thread.
As an aside, why do I get the feeling Cesario's clinic was covertly
"motivational," and why do we settle for motivational instruction when
we so badly need good methodology and technique?
Stuart
