An Open Plea to Roman Blenski
BluDevl86
Dear Mr. Blenski,
Over the past few months, I have had the unique pleasure of becoming a very
proud member of the Racine Kilties Senior Drum & Bugle Corps. I never thought
for a moment that I would join a senior corps, but I have found here in Racine
the very same qualities I loved and cherished in junior corps. However, I have
been made aware of an issue that has deeply disturbed me, and as I have no idea
how to contact you, I wish to address it here.
Last season, before joining the Mad Plaid, I had the pleasure of watching a
video of the Kiltie Klassic show last July. While watching that trademark high
mark time was reason enough to want to leap right onto the field and join them,
I was literally moved to tears of joy in hearing and seeing Dale McKinley,
Kiltie Drum Major Extraordinaire, lead his corps onto the field with bagpipes.
I was HOOKED!!! My mother, who had sworn off drum corps twenty years ago, was
as enthralled with it as I was, and has now even volunteered with this fine
organization!! If you knew my mom, you would know she has held this activity in
disdain prior to her conversion to the Kilties' way of life.
Shortly after joining, I joined the corps in a trip to Plymouth, Mass., for a
parade and indoor show. All the way out there, I kept hearing of the "Kiltie
mystique", and how this corps has always held a special place in the hearts of
drum corps fans everywhere. I withheld judgement, deciding to see for myself
what all the fuss was about.
Sure enough, after freezing our collective butts off during the parade, we were
about to take the floor at the show. I was in the "A" squad, as I had yet to
learn a single note of music. I stood at attention in my Kilt, grateful that I
had decided not to "go true," as I was sure I would have regreted it.
McKinley led us out, taking the floor alone at first with his pipes, and the
crowd almost immediately fell silent, listening to every note. Soon after,
though, as we began to file out, pipes still singing, the crowd began to go
bannanas!!!
I stood at firm attention, wanting, dying to play with my new corps; wanting
desperately to participate in the magic we created that night. Standing O after
standing O, and all I could do was stand there and endure the endless
gosebumps. I haven't felt that way in a very long time.
Mr. Blenski, the point of this rather long, drawn out tome is that I have heard
a rumor that you have forbidden my beloved Kilties from entering the field to
McKinley's pipes! Apparently, you feel as if we are utilizing an unauthorized
instrument, and this is unfair to the other competing corps.
Mr. Blenski, is this true, and if it is, do you really feel as if being led
onto the field in this most traditional of Scottish ways, even BEFORE we have
been invited to take the field for competition, is unfair to our competitors?
With absolutely no sarcasm whatsoever, I have to say I am confused....
I am not a member of the Kilties' Board of Directors, rather I am just a rookie
Kiltie drummer, struggling to hold his day job, pay his bills, learn his music
and pay his dues (not necessarily in that order, mind you). I would just like
to know how being led onto the field to the pipes violates ANY rule of Drum
Corps Midwest, and why we as members aren't told how this is unfair to anyone!
Finally, I would like to know if there is any way to appeal this seemingly
indiscriminate ruling. I don't know much about DCM, but I was under the
impression that although rules and regulations exist for the betterment of all,
no governing body may enact them without the consent of those it represents.
Thank you, Mr. Blenski, for your kind consideration in this regard, and I look
forward to hearing from you soon.
Eric W. Olsen
VCColy
Eric,
Well put!!!!!!!!!! We'll see what type of response you get.
I remember the drum major of the Sky Ryders in the late 70's and early 80's
carrying a saxophone on to the field each show and nt being penalized for doing
so. Even though he didn't play the sax, I kind of see a parallel here.
Let us know what happens.
Vic C.
VCC...@aol.com (Vic Colaianni)
Jet Pi9949
Eric you silver tongued devil you.. I hope Roman answers you, but as he
probably doesn't have a good reason except that he has a vendetta of some sort
with the Kilts you probably wont get an answer Terry Doran Kilts
James Dittrich
What, I missed the original post. Someone quote the original.
-Terri
BluDevl86
Terri, I wrote the thread. Basically, I wanted to know from Roman why the
Kilties would be penalized this year if Dale McKinley, our drum major, would be
prohibited from leading us onto the field to the bagpipes, or else have the
corps face a two-point penalty. Roman says we're using an unauthorized
instrument, and are thus being unfair to the competing corps. My point was that
since it is well before we're even invited to take the field for competition,
how valid is Roman's point? Further, since when did DCM, DCA or DCI begin to
make rulings without the consent of the member corps? Scott Stewart from
Madison, Jeff Fiedler from the Cavaliers and all other DCM members have said
they could care less about this issue. I invited Roman to address this,
although I doubt he will even acknowledge my qeury.
Eric Olsen
hornli...@hotmail.com
In article <19980312212...@ladder01.news.aol.com>,
blud...@aol.com (BluDevl86) wrote:
I invited Roman to address this,
> although I doubt he will even acknowledge my qeury.
>
> Eric Olsen
>
As a member of Pioneer, I will make sure Roman at least sees a copy of the
original post. I am taking a copy to camp this weekend. After that it is up to
him.
Perky
-----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
http://www.dejanews.com/ Now offering spam-free web-based newsreading
David Fisher
Someone can correct me, didn't 27 and Kilties Use bagpipes back in the 60's
and the 70's. I see no problem using the pipes while leading the corp on to the
field. If there is no rule in place at this time, then go for it. DCI, DCA and DCM
have no mandate to make or change them without the approval of those corp
those organization at a meeting duly call. I for one don't care for the pipes, as I
call them cat killers. Pipes belong to 27 and Kilties because that who they are
BluDevl86 wrote:
> Terri, I wrote the thread. Basically, I wanted to know from Roman why the
> Kilties would be penalized this year if Dale McKinley, our drum major, would be
> prohibited from leading us onto the field to the bagpipes, or else have the
> corps face a two-point penalty. Roman says we're using an unauthorized
> instrument, and are thus being unfair to the competing corps. My point was that
> since it is well before we're even invited to take the field for competition,
> how valid is Roman's point? Further, since when did DCM, DCA or DCI begin to
> make rulings without the consent of the member corps? Scott Stewart from
> Madison, Jeff Fiedler from the Cavaliers and all other DCM members have said
> they could care less about this issue. I invited Roman to address this,
> although I doubt he will even acknowledge my qeury.
>
> Eric Olsen
--
Bugleboy Dave
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
David Fisher Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Web Site http://www.globalserve.net/~dfisher
E-mail dfi...@globalserve.net
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LEG at cba
>As a member of Pioneer, I will make sure Roman at least sees a copy of the
>original post. I am taking a copy to camp this weekend. After that it is up
>to
>him.
>
>Perky
>
>
Do you think it is a wise idea to bring up this topic at camp? (Just asking,
not trying to point a finger. Afterall, it is Pioneer's camp, not a DCM
meeting.)
Larry Girard, Jr.
Jet Pi9949
Gee and I thought Roman said last summer that he had no part in the Pioneer
Corps any longer. Terry
Frank Schoenbach
I talked to Scott Stewart today about the Kiltie bagpipe deal. He said
he doesn't care what they do.
Now, what is the problem here?
I see Mac bringing in the corps this way part of the Scotish heritage
that the Kilties are portraying. Plus, it is a pysche-out thing, not
unlike the old Cavalier arm swing or even the Scout's fleur de lis.
I personally think it's cool and see nothing wrong with it.
Now if the pipes would actually be used in the show, then it should be
dealt with the same way if a clarinet (God help us) or something
electronic would be--a sizeable penalty.
I have all the respect for Roman, without him I really believe that the
activity and DCI as an organization would be in very dire straights. If
Roman really said this, I believe he is very wrong.
Frank
BluDevl86
I'm the rookie Kiltie that posted the original thread, and to be fair to the
activity, the people in this newsgroup and to Roman especially, I would like to
clarify one point:
Mac's being prohibited from piping us onto the field this season at the hands
of Mr. Blenski is information I obtained directly from Mac, who I stay with
during virtually every Kiltie camp. It came about when I asked Mac one weekend
whether or not he planned to pipe us on at competitions this summer. He of
course told me of Roman's "ruling" for lack of a better term.
Furthermore, in case I didn't make it clear on my original thread, it has
always been my understanding that Scott Stewart, Jeff Fiedler and others had no
objection whatsoever to this time-honored Kiltie tradition.
The intent of my posting was to simply determine whether or not this is DCM
policy, and if it was, to inquire about the possibility of an appeal.
Thanks for the support you all have shown me and the Kilties in this matter.
WEA WINNEA BEA DAUNTED
Eric
dccr...@execpc.com
Gee and I thought Roman said last summer that he has no part in the
Pioneer corps any longer. Terry
If anyone on God's Green Earth is foolish enough to believe that, I have
a friend who has a friend who has this bridge for sale linking San
Francisco and Oakland.
dccr...@execpc.com
This issue here is not the Kilties' bagpipes. The real issue is Roman
Blenski's immense dislike of the Kiltie organization and certain Kiltie
individuals. It is common knowledge that the Kilties have been a thorn
in Roman's side for many years. This dates back to when the Kilties were
a junior corps and threatening Roman's Pioneers. The pivotal point was,
however, two years ago when Roman and Drum Corps Midwest lost a very
embarassing and financially costly legal battle with the Kilties Board
President, Dennis Hagner. This is fact and not fiction.
Tim Jaberg
Hhmmm...common knowledge? I have never heard of this being a problem.
Why do you beleive that Roman has a problem with Kilties. I find that
very silly. Just last night at the Pioneer alumni banquet, I saw several
members of the Kilties show up, in uniforms, no less!! A little ironic
isn't? If you have such concerns, call Roman, as he is not online.
Tim Jaberg
TFUGH
And your plea would be what?
Todd Fugh
722772331 cservecom
Tim The litagation you mentioned. Isnt it true that the Kilties
were not involved, and Mr Hagner was not representing the Kilties
and it involved an event the Kilties were not sponsoring?
Jordsterr
As I understand it, there is also a rule that you are not supposed to troop the
stands at DCM Championship prelims. We were told we could not. But the
Kilties ignored it and trooped anyway. There was no penalty. The point is,
it's easier to get forgiveness than permission. I say do whatever you want.
Just be careful not to twirl around too fast if you're going commando in those
kilts :}
Jordi Vilanova
94-98 Bluegrass Brass
87, 88 Garfield Cadets
86 Star of Indiana
BluDevl86
Who said anything about trooping the stands, Jordi? If you still have it, go
back and read my original post, in which I mentioned being piped ONTO the field
before the show, not OFF the field after. There is a difference, isn't there?
I thought so.
Eric