Well, Of course, this is still something that kind of suprises everyone. Even if you've seen this coming, it's still a sort of suprise. Aungst has a 13 year old and... A 5? year old I think. I would be willing to say it will only be a few years, Right now he wants to spend time with the family, But hes been with the cadets since the 80's, he's going to miss it. Once the kids grow up, I would Imagine he would be back, and he's always been with the Cadets, I would'nt be suprised if he came back as a tech or something.

That may be over-reaching, But I just can't see Aungst staying away for long from DCI, or The Cadets.

Most profound statement of the century. The change will either turn out good OR BAD!!!!

... maybe by "not leaving the activity" it may mean that he may be wearing a green shirt. He wouldn't be the first caption head to transfer over there.

I think this quote could answer what Neil may be up to... "(I)look forward to seeing you all down the road as a former team member, fan and part of a sponsorship team at Vic Firth."

First off... LOL at the idea of him coming back as a Tech.
Second, I think Aungst SHOULD go somewhere other than the Cadets. He doesn't NEED the Cadets or any other corps gig right now. His job is primarily with Dartmouth High School and he's done a stellar job there, in addition to being a clinician throughout the country. He's taking some time off, and good for him. I hope he can spend some time with his family. If he comes back to corps in a year or more, I hope its with someone else.

Change isn't necessarily a bad thing.

DCI was pretty constant in the late 90s to early 2000s as far as corps staffs and success. I'd love to see him complete the mix up that has happened in the past 3-4 years. Why do I say complete? Casella went from SCV to Cavies, McIntosh going to Bloo, Scott Johnson is doing less with BD... and there are more to mention. Aungst leaving Cadets is pretty much the last changing of the guard for this new era of DCI. I would love to see Aungst go to a corps like Boston Crusaders or Glassmen and see him build a program to be a championship contender like he was a part of at the Cadets year in and year out.

Thats how I view it, atleast.

Thank you 9Volt for retyping the article. :-D I think that Tom leaving is going to be a great thing for the Cadets. We haven't seen another style or writing from them in a long time. If McNutt takes over, which is looking like it will happen, it could be a sort of older scouts/new cadets writing style. I would really enjoy seeing this as I'm sure most of you would too. I will join in on the laughter of Aungst coming back as a tech in years to come. Considering he has been one of the largest parts in the Cadet's percussion for well...longer than I have been alive. Nevermind, I'm not wasting anymore time talking about something so ridiculous. In conclusion, we have to realize that this stuff does happen. It has happened tons of times and with corps just as big. Changes only allow for something new to arise. I think we all can agree with that. Have a nice day!!!

Scammy I was with you up until the old scouts/new cadets writing style reference. I have no clue what that even means considering McNutt doesn't write like old scouts (Jeff Moore as the example in my head). 90's/early 00's scouts was some seriously fun stuff to play.

I really like the writing style there. Most years anyway. I don't think a new style of arranging or Tom leaving is a great thing. What they've been doing seems to have worked well for them over the last couple of decades. It's always inevitable that people will leave their positions but I hate to see someone go who has been such an integral part of the activity for so many years.

I can't imagine Tom would "tech" anywhere. That would defeat the purpose of taking some time off to spend with the family. I'm sure he'll latch on with somebody to do some consulting or play some peripheral role down the road.

Remember that we all said the same thing when Bret Kuhn left Cavies and Jim Casella took over. Cavies had how many Sanfords under Kuhn? And yet, Casella came and reworked the percussion program, and they've developed an entirely different and successful style that still fits the breed of drum corps they perform.

Sorry, I should have said Scouts before the big move and new Cadets. So like 2006 Scouts and 2007/2008 Cadets. I'm young so my "old" scouts is a bit different than yours. Haha. My bad.

Two.


Different? Yes. Successful? Up for debate. The 2008 version of the Cavalier Drumline was the first year I would consider remotely "successful" under Casella.

Agreed