Prop. 10 – Proposal To Remove Age Limit In WGI PIW (Poll at the end!!)
Proposal:
Proposal to Remove WGI’s Independent World Class Age Limit
Rationale:
Everyone involved in WGI shares a passion for the activity. Hard work and long hours make each season something very special, year after year. WGI Independent Percussion ensembles consistently innovate and push the activity, and all of its related art forms, at a growing rate.
Yet despite all the activity does to foster growth and innovation in marching percussion, an age-out rule eliminates, every April without fail, one of the activity’s most valuable assets: experienced, passionate performers. (continued)
Eliminating the age rule has been proposed before. In fact, we are used to hearing several arguments supporting the current age-out rule. The most popular argument is the desire to preserve WGI as a youth activity. This is a matter of personal preference, as WGI’s own mission statement makes absolutely no mention of a desired or intended age-based culture. It reads “WGI Sport of the Arts exists to foster positive experiences for all who participate, by promoting education, creativity and freedom of expression through the unification of pageantry and the performing arts.”
Simply put, WGI is about providing an experience through art regardless of age, race, gender, or any other orientation.
It is also important to consider the existing culture in Independent World class groups. Approximately 90% of members in the top six Independent World ensembles are at least 18 years of age, which means they are either enrolled in college or have entered the workforce. But even more importantly, it means they are legal adults.
These post-high-school environments are not bound by any age restriction, nor can they be accurately described as exclusively youth oriented. Put another way, most members of Independent World ensembles have already transitioned away from youth cultures and are now living in an adult oriented environment. The argument that the culture of Independent World Lines is exclusively youth-oriented is inaccurate in 2009.
Another popular argument is that groups will be overrun by older members. International ensembles such as Aimachi testify that groups without age restrictions are not overrun by older members and do not dramatically stifle the current culture. In his eight months with Aimachi, Chris Leone (member 2007-2008) can only recall positive experiences and observations associated with having a diverse age group. Being able to not only instruct, but also perform with younger members fostered a very positive and effective educational environment. Also, despite the age diversity, the culture within the ensemble was not unlike anything he had personally experienced in American ensembles bound by an age limit.
Another very important reality is the physical rigors demanded by the activity at the top level. If current productions already push performers to their limits, both musically and physically, there will not be many older members who can physically keep up. This alone will limit participation to those in their physical prime or close to it.
Some observe that professional percussion opportunities exist once a performer has aged out of WGI. While there is no denying this, it is important to recognize the indoor percussion art form as an activity that requires unique skills and performance abilities to produce a unique result. One would not throw away Monet’s brushes and paints and tell him to make do with Photoshop.
Another concern is there would be a shortage of instructors without an age out rule, implying instructing is the next logical step after aging out. However, an educator who is not passionate about teaching does not remain an educator for long. If someone wants to teach, they make the choice to do so, as should a member who’s heart lies in performing.
One last argument we often hear is that it’s time for members to “move on.” This implies that the marching activity is somehow a developmental hindrance.
Because rehearsals take place only on weekends, WGI ensembles are able to provide a high quality recreational outlet to full-time professionals and educators who are still eager to perform in the indoor marching activity but are still focused on developing their careers. Other international groups, composed almost exclusively of full-time students and professionals, manage to lead career driven lifestyles while still committing to their ensembles.
Similarly, Wayne Gibson, section leader of Rhythm X’s pit in 2009, worked full time as an engineer at a nuclear power plant in southern Maryland and still managed to fulfill his responsibilities to the ensemble. International members and people like Wayne choose to march because they are passionate about participating in WGI.
Finding true happiness and passion in something we do is nothing short of a gift and it should never be forcefully taken away from anyone. Period.
Indoor percussion on the whole will benefit in many ways from an all-age class.
First, and most obvious, will be the overall increase in talent among groups. Members are only beginning to peak when they age out. By giving them the opportunity to return, we are welcoming back our activity’s most talented and experienced performers who can continue to set the example for younger, less-experienced members. As a result, overall participation will increase. Groups that struggle to fill membership will have access to a much larger talent pool, and new organizations will have a greater chance of success. Also, having more groups will open more doors for less experienced members looking for an opportunity to perform and learn.
Finally, a practical point: organizations run on money, not love. Financial obstacles are omnipresent. By opening the doors to older performers, who are more likely to be employed full time, organizations will have better financial prospects leading to more financially stable organizations.
In any activity or organization that evolves remarkably from one year to the next, it is important that those in charge don’t suppress growth. WGI’s world-class performers are the best the marching percussion activity has to offer. They are ambassadors of the art. They push the activity year after year, they set the example, and they are mentors to younger members. That being said, groups will still have full discretion over the culture they choose to foster within their organization and who they choose to invite into it. With the elimination of the age rule, groups are simply provided the option to tap into a larger resource pool.
Every WGI performer is very fortunate to have found a passion that fuels a determination to be great. Without fail, the activity continues to bring out the best in people season after season in an environment so special and unique that it’s nearly impossible to duplicate. Giving everyone the option with the ability, talent and passion to continue performing would only be a positive step forward for everyone involved.
It was the student’s passion that pushed them to work hard, practice incessantly, make sacrifices, and push themselves through walls to perform at such a high level. They have earned the right to choose, for themselves, when it is time to walk away from an activity they have come to love so well.
Financial Impact:
Organizations with members employed full time will have better financial prospects potentially leading to more financially stable organizations.
Increasing eligibility could potentially lead to more competitive groups in the WGI circuit.
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Now it’s your turn. Cast your very unofficial vote and leave comments. If you like the proposal and haven’t already, join the Facebook Group to show your support.
Loading ...Source: 2009 WGI Percussion Advisory Board Proporals
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Two questions…
1) Why not remove the age restrictions on all Independent classes? (i.e. What makes PIW so special?)
This question makes sense for various reasons, most of which are already in the proposal; a) age is not part of the WGI Mission Stmt, b) will increase the talent pool (and financial pool), c) there’s more geographic availability and talent opportunity for people to march PIO/PIA than there is PIW.
2) What happens if a PIO organization is promoted? Having started with a smaller talent pool would be a huge disadvantage. (Also, what if a PIW gets demoted?)
Lastly, I think the “physical prime” section isn’t applicable in regards to the front ensemble. There’s plenty of adult percussionists that could handle the “physical rigors” of a PIW pit.
I think it’s a great idea, especially considering how most drummers do peak towards the age-out time, and allowing them to continue more during/after this peak would make for great things.. and it’s just real annoying to finally become real good and have only 1 season left or so.
I 2nd the question above my comment: Why doesn’t this count for other classes? It would be equally as beneficial for PIO. In fact, it would be very good for PIO. I also agree with there being more geographical availability to march PIO/PIA. Also, even with older, experienced members in, for example a PIA line, it doesn’t mean they have to be promoted to PIO for being so good, it just means that’s a really good PIA line, unless the ensemble wanted to be promoted.
I’m all for this poll for PIW, it’s a great idea, but would be even more for it if it were extended to PIO and hopefully PIA.
Jeff,
Devil’s Advocate (James) posed the same question on the Facebook group. This was my response:
“Your points are all solid. My guess is the proposal only applies to PIW because it’s easier to make a small change rather than a big change (at least at first), i.e. less shock to the system. Besides, if it passes (crossing my fingers) and it’s successful, someone can propose the entire elimination of the age rule across all classes next year.
For those who are apprehensive of this change, they can take comfort in knowing it only applies to a portion of the ensembles. Once they’ve seen it in action, they will have a much better idea as to how it would affect the A and Open classes.”
Chris,
“Once they’ve seen it in action, they will have a much better idea as to how it would affect the A and Open classes.”
I see, good point.
if you’re good enough to be in a PIW group you show you have the determination to keep marching, and do it well for what that’s worth. why would you want to have 10 new PIA lines made completely of age outs for the casual drummers who sort of miss their percussion days. i say pass it, and F*&k the Devil and his Advocates!!!!
sincerely, your favorite jerrrrrrk!!!
Why not make a separate class or (this is really a stretch here) even a separate circuit? There can’t be THAT much of a shortage of performers to where it wouldn’t be competitive. It would give the age-outs a chance to continue perfecting their craft, while keeping PIW from becoming a drafting war for the first year (which it already is, to a point). The age-outs typically have better skills, so PIW could turn into a “who can have the most age-outs?” game, forcing all of the potential PIW performers down to open. This would really mess with the status-quo of all of the PIx groups.
Allowing age-outs to continue playing is a fantastic idea, in my opinion. I just feel that the balance of PIW and all of the PIx classes must be kept in mind here.
Maybe it wouldn’t be that huge of a deal. I guess none of us really knows, huh?
I really agree with Sean. I would love to see guys continue to march as they are hitting their prime but I have been in PIW since my freshman year in high school and I always gauged myself on the talent level of age outs. I would always look to how many years a member has been in a group and judge talent (in an abstract way) that way. I also would like to see some other class for them because I feel like the can of worms that could be opened might really cause some issues for people wanting to get into the PIW thing. There is nothing like being in a PIW line. It is almost indescribable, the feeling you get when you play in a good PIW line. I want everyone to work hard to get to that point and then pass the baton. That has been a tradition for a long time. A section leader almost trains another person to take the reigns at a later point. Without an age limit we could see someone sit in the center snare spot for a decade. Like I said I really want these guys to have the opportunity to march but in a different class so as to continue the tradition of age outs being the leaders of an ensemble. I almost think of it as a rite of passage.
Kerry,
First, thanks for you thoughtful response. I’ve been monitoring the interweb channels discussing this proposal all week and yours is one of, if not the most, substantiated argument I’ve heard yet.
I did some thinking about this while in the shower (I get my best thinking done there), and the best response I can give is: you’re right. This would likely have an impact on the leadership dynamic you’re referring to.
But the question is: would it affect it in a good way, or a bad way?
Both? It probably depends on the group more than anything else (by group I don’t mean how they run their ensemble, but the chemistry of the players within it).
My experience being in a leadership position was invaluable. It even shaped my life. But when you’re learning how to lead, one of the best things you can do is observe those who are damn good at it.
I’ve been in drumlines that were only held together by the leadership of the drum sergeant. His leadership kept the line intact. Unfortunately, I can recall more times in other lines when it was the poor leadership that held the group back. These people were given leadership positions because there was no one else to do it. Everyone else had aged out.
Of course you can argue that an age limit would filter these guys out. But if the leadership position isn’t working for someone, the staff will intervene and do what’s right.
To borrow Tim Jackson’s argument from DrumHard, not having an age out rule would only give PIW groups some sharper tools to work with. This doesn’t only apply to just hands, but also to the leadership.
Being a good leader is about putting your faith and trust in others so they can reach their full potential. If someone is coming up in an ensemble and displays good leadership skills, a good organization will give them the opportunity they deserve.
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I still don’t anticipate guys staying in lines for “decades.” Priorities in life change and the physical demand of PIW shows isn’t getting any easier. People’s bodies and responsibilities will tell them when it’s time to leave.
Which is also why I don’t think a new class would work. The demand would have to be there to create a new class, and no one can say with confidence if it’s there or not. Even more importantly, a new class would be a huge undertaking for WGI in terms of money, time, and resources. I don’t think this is something they’re interested in pursuing.
I can understand that stance. It makes sense to me why you would want to get rid of the rule. It seems to me like there is really no good thing to do. I guess we can just look at which is “less bad.” Both arguments are faulty and I think we need to figure out a compromise probably. How do you guys feel about an extension of maybe four or five years? That would still have bad things but it would be a great middle ground for the arguments. We as drummers are in between a rock and a hard place it seems. lol.
I don’t think that the age-out rule should be removed. I think it should be extended maybe into the mid-twenties or so, where it just hits the peak, right before the down slope.
Thank you for the article. It helps me a lot on my college research.
a dca version of wgi maybe…..
i always participate in youth activities because it is good for socializing with other people.**:
*sigh* I typed out this whole big thing, all well-written and junk, and my computer decides it doesn’t wanna work…
Essentially, I vehemently agreed with Chris’s notion that players not capable of performing in the sport at a desireable level, or players taken from the sport due to other responsibilities, will leave or be removed appropriately. This is the assumed solution to most to most of the proposed problems.
Most of the arguments behind this, though, are supported by the notion of PI access due to geographical restrictions. I participate in a top PIO group, though I have no realisitic access to a PIW group. By placing age limits only on PIA and PIO groups, players with no access to PIW groups that wish to continue competing are cheated.
I propose a limit to the number of players beyond the age of 23 on each PI group. For example, there can be no limit applied to PIW groups, a limit of 6, say, to PIO groups, and a limit of 3, say, to PIA groups. This would ecourage youth performance as well as provide opportunity for performers of all ages to compete, provided they have the talent.
I explained this in great detail, but that post has since dissapeared. I’ll have a decent computer one day. I’ll explain the rationale if readers desire.
youth activities are always centered on enjoying the day and socializing with other teens”:~