Hops view on the Cadets, Life and well ... STUFF

ONE SHOW — ONE SHIFT — ONE SHIRT 

And many hours of joy, music and fun

As the 23rd season of the US Scholastic Band Association winds down, we are approaching two of the biggest weekends of our existence, and to pull this off, we are asking YOU, the Cadets Fan, YOU, the Cadets’ Alumnus, YOU, the ticket buyer, and YOU, the lover of great kids involved in the world of marching music to get involved. Come to an event. Be a part of the finale to a great and wonderful marching season.

Over the space of these two weekends the USSBA needs 200 people in order for these shows to work.

YEP, 200 VOLUNTEERS! 

On November 5th, we have shows from New England to Texas and many places in between. Over the 12th and the 13th of November, we are managing National Championship events in Annapolis, Md. and Allentown, Pa.  Amazing!  80 bands per location and just a fabulous weekend.

And again, the STATE CHAMPS on November 5th are going to be simply remarkable.

Why should you do this?

Because you are going to love making a little bit of difference in the world.

Listen to these few comments from a few band members about their experience in the US Scholastic Band Association.

” The NJ State Championships were fabulous. To be up against 20 of the best bands in our class, all from New Jersey was exciting. I saw schools I had never seen before and we did a great job ourselves. It was a perfect ending to a great season”.  Jim -  Northern Highlands High School

” I never thought I would be a National Champion. It was amazing. We had a great show and my mom and dad loved it! So exciting. What a great stadium too.” Nancy - Dartmouth HS 

” I loved it! Everyone was so nice and the stadium was so crowded. We ended up with Vic Firth sticks, a Championship sweatshirt and my Dad got the video. Thanks USSBA for all you do for us” Pete -Elizabeth HS

To pull these events off, we need folks to park buses, to take tickets, to assist at video sales and so much more.

Here are the dates, times and locations of the events.

November 5

Union, NJ (12N-12M)                        Bridgeport, CT (10AM-10PM)

Sewell, NJ (10AM-10PM)                  Richmond, VA  (11AM-10PM)

Old Bridge, NJ (10AM-10PM)          Irving, TX  (12N-6PM)

West Chester, PA (3PM-10PM)         Houston, TX  (11AM-7PM)

November 12 & 13

Allentown, PA (9AM-10PM)             Annapolis, MD (9AM-10PM)

SO… here is the deal.

Just register your name, e mail address and a phone number.  REGISTER HERE  

We will call you to work out your shift, your location, and anything else you need.

AND, at the event we will give you a few gifts to say thanks including a USSBA or Cadets Shirt! 

Again, REGISTER HERE to sign in.  We will take it from there.

Our goal, 50 folks signed up before Monday AM and a whole lot more to follow.

ONE SHOW!!!! PLEASE!!!

ONE SHIFT!!! PLEASE !!!!

And yes, a SHIRT FOR YOU!!!

…and more gratitude than you will know what to do with.

Hop

FROM MARK CUBAN …

t doesn’t matter how many times you fail. It doesn’t matter how many times you almost get it right. No one is going to know or care about your failures, and neither should you. All you have to do is learn from them and those around you because… All that matters in business is that you get it right once. Then everyone can tell you how lucky you are. Mark Cuban

Well, I read this and I decided it was time to clear a bit from my head.

I have been stuck in a doing vs, leading conundrum for months now. I have been working harder than ever as YEA! Works to come back from a series of challenges, curve balls and mistakes … yet … clearly, the sense is, that we are spinning.

And I have to look at myself. As I go … so we go.

And that may not be good.

Funny, the board of directors and others have been caught up lately in succession. “ What happens if you get hit by a bus?” Well ..,. I am not dying for 47 years still and that is a little hard to admit. Not that I am afraid of dying, I just have so, so much more I want to do.

But if people are so concerned that YEA! Would flop if I did die … that’s something for me to take care of. Heaven knows after all of this work, the last thing I want would be for a collapse. Heck, I kind of see this really still in the early stages.  Much to do, many break-throughs ahead … and tons of kids to help.  And I mean tens of thousands if not more.

But, we have to stop falling over ourselves. 

And I need some folks around me who truly want to carry the banner unto of YEA! Into the next world! I do not want folks to look at this as work. I never did. And I still do not now. I am sitting home working now and wondering what the heck I am going to do when I run out of gas tonight. I am bummed. I wanted to do more, I am going to run out of time. AGAIN!

Anyway …

I love this quote and I am back here to blog.

And I am back to reflect.

And I am back here to thank all who stick with the Cadets, the USSBA and me.

It’s been a ride and now … it’s getting time to turn up the speed. After all, this Friday I am 55 and yes, my knees feel it but  other than that … I just want to read, learn, grow and experience.

And I want the Cadets to kick ass

I want Cadets2 to fly

I want the USSBA to be far more than it is today

And I want the Phillies to get it together J 

And ok … I would not mind a walk along the Seine River in Paris this Spring J 

Good to see ya all again

one is going to know or care about your failures, and neither should you. All you have to do is learn from them and those around you because… All that matters in business is that you get 

I do far better with young people than those my age. I wonder .. do I love to teach, to I love their enthusiasm, or .. do I just get turned on by the chance to contribute. 

Funny, as folks age, they seem to me to shut off. Folks look for balance, not passion, and being “over the top” is sometimes looked at as less than mature. We can’t all be like you. I do not want to end up like you. You are not normal!!! I get quite the round of comments.

And I am sure that some of my kids see me as odd. I know they do.

But others listen. Others learn. Others begin to think in a way that allows them to create a future to be lived into!! Not a destiny that seems more than probable.

I need to be better at this. I made mistakes this year. But they — the kids and the staff - have created greatness. These next two days are going to be a celebration. and through the adults who want my time, and the adults who are annoyed with my decisions and the adults who stare and wonder … my promise is to be a servant to these kids. Anything to get these folks an opportunity to be just a little bit better — i will do.

Happy weekend. Go Cadets 

Ok … so … we are looking for an angel … and a demon :-) … to sell in costume from West Chester, ( Aug 3 ) through The Meadowlands Show ( August 7th ).

ALSO … Champs .. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Indy! Aug 11-13!!!! We could pay for transportation if you are not on the bus!!! 

Are you happy .. smiling …. and friendly.

Are you willing to meet 1000’s of people for the Cadets? Long days … long nights … and lots of spreading good will???

Come on tour for 10 days …

Mo money … but food … a great time … the Champs .. some great events and just a blast. E mail … availability, and some description!!! We are about to revolutionize the drum corps souvenir sales operation! 

Return to hopkins@yea.org 

Towards the end of the Cadets show, there is a move called … THE ZIPPER! 

For a good 120 or so counts … at 186 Beats per minute, the angels and demons feed into one large arc that builds and grows to the 20 to 20 — it sets up the “quiet” push to the end.

In the move, as Maroon feeds to white, one can sit and watch feet, body, spacing, angles, alignment — it is a judges dream!!!!  There is so much exposed it is really off the chart. It is the move of a lifetime!!!

That said …

When judged from the perspective of achievement the Zipper is a challenge to be remarkable. It’s fascinating what is involved and how much the members need to go through just to be close. Literally … hundreds and hundreds of exposures, all easily read upstairs and down.

But when read from the perspective that there is something wrong … one sees mistakes.

Life is like that. What are you looking for .. the best of the day or the worst. Are you looking to sleep or to lead. And can leading not be about being in front but … about pushing from behind.

Watch for the Zipper … Be the Zipper!!!  Watch as the Zipper becomes our final statement of all that is grand :-)

Hey all … sorry. I have been working as tour manager and CEO for a while again!!! It’s good to know we have good people who forge on when a key participant departs … and it’s good to see I still know how to ascertain generator issues on an RV :-)

So …

Year after year the competitive piece is difficult. We all work so hard …and sometimes the judgement can be painful. What is especially tough is that we know, and by WE, I mean all who teach,  what it takes to get these grand young people to perform. 

Most often the environmental challenges are huge; and I am discounting sickness, heat, tired and well … STUFF!!! Really, just the charts, the visual, the coordination .. it’s crazy!!! And when adjudicators do not make note and understand the challenge … well, there is upset.

Now I get it .. I judge 20 times a year, and when a band tells me what they do is so much more difficult than someone else i honestly do not see it that way. I know they believe it … and it might be true … i just missed it. 

Now, drum corps is different … folks see us many times!! And I have high expectations. Hell, I am on that field every day, I know we spend millions to do this, and I know what these kids do to perform. This might seem trite or simplistic .. or stupid … but I would like to think the judge is working as hard as we did all day :-)

SO …

how do we do it 

what are we doing 

and why are we doing it

This is the foundation of a review that makes me at least understand even if I cannot smile :-)

Thanks DCI folks … the care and concern is clear this year. I know it takes time and we are judging ART — that which cannot be judged … but still, I appreciate the efforts.

A lot ..

Go Cadets —-!!!