Concert Band Members at Countryside

On Friday, December 10, members of the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble (and one of our 6th graders!!) met at Countryside to play some Holiday tunes for the students as they got on their buses. It was a cold time, but a good time. Some of Miss Soukup's (aka Miss Cup's) kinders LOOOVED seeing and hearing the instruments. "Uh, Miss Cup, what was the big shiny thing that kid was holding?" "That is a tuba." "Wooooow." THANKS TO ALL WHO TOOK PART IN THIS FUN LITTLE "CONCERT"!

COUNTDOWN: 1

I cannot believe that this season is OVER! What an absolutely incredible season guys! I am so proud of each and every one of you! I will fondly remember this season as a successful one on ALL ends. Thank you for your time, your dedication, and your passion.

Countdown: 54321 is complete.

Check It Out...

Can we say holy woodwinds? Awesome impacts? And WOOOO for Adagio for Strings? (Thanks to BH for passing this along.)

Otsego :-)

Rockford Reaction

CONGRATS!!!
photo credit: Jennifer Shride

FOCUS ON: A NYC Public School Children's Choir

EVERYONE CAN SING. EVERYONE CAN SING IN HARMONY. They are elementary aged students. Watch how they are ALL totally into this performance. It is simple, but true performance. (And yes, this is one of my most favorite songs, thanks to my Dad.)

SOOO Moving!

Thanks Brad!

FOCUS ON: batterie

From time to time, I will be posting fantastic clips that include specific sections from marching bands, DCI, BOA, WGI, DCA, etc. Please watch them--even if you are not a part of the particular section featured. First up: batterie. All things percussion will be coming from Brad, so major thanks goes his way! Check it out...

Chills!!!

PS--Thanks BH!!!

FOCUS ON: Basics

I am still learning. I am still learning how to better explain basics to all of you. I am still watching other groups I respect to see how they run their basic blocks. I am still learning. They have a different style than we do, but we can still learn. Watch this (NO we will not be doing high mark time). :-)

Please Read. Outstanding.

http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/s/940/Bio.aspx?sid=940&gid=1&pgid=1241

FOCUS ON: A Standstill Performance

Ladies and Gentlemen...welcome to a standstill--a true standstill. The Avon High School Marching Band had JUST won their 2nd National Title in a row, so their hearts were on fire, but CAN YOU FEEL THEIR ENERGY? And it's a STANDSTILL! Notice what they do as they are playing--the do EVERY visual in a very serious, full-out way, they take EVERY single step-off like they are actually marching. Why is this important?

SPOTLIGHT: Marian Catholic Marching Band

Where do I even begin? Marian Catholic is a BEAST in the high school band arena. They have been around for decades, are still on the cutting edge of the music/band world, and do not seem to be letting up by any means. Their director, Greg Bimm, is a band director I admire and have looked up to for many, many years. Growing up in BOA land, I grew up watching them compete each November at Nationals. Looking past their marching band, they are AMAZING musicians that have AMAZING concert groups as well. I met Mr. Bimm in June in a VanderClass I took part in. He was one of our teachers and man--did I learn! We have students coming into the High School from West, local Charter schools and local Christian schools. He has students coming in from 55 schools. He has NO idea what instrumentation he is going to have each year. There are students who come to him who have no idea how to play a scale...and by mid-November, they can march and play Bartok, Stravinsky, or anything else he puts in front of them. Does he teach them? Yes, BUT it is his LEADERS that make it happen!!! He has a unique, but very cool way he runs leadership. I will be talking about this at our meeting during pre-camp. I wanted to upload this Chicago Tribune interview/vid because it includes a couple of things we are going to try this season. See if you can figure out what they might be...

Countdown: 54321 - Centerville

Here is the original version of our show for this year. Our music will be a tad different, we will have different guard uniforms/flags/equipment, and of course our drill will be different. :-) I LOOOOVE the last chord of the ballad. Is it bad that I listen to the final part of the ballad over and over and over and over...

DCI...WOOOO!

Are you getting bored with summer already? Do you feel like a zombie...sitting in front of the TV playing video games (BOOMSHAKALAKA!) or feel like you need a break from practicing? Then let me give you a little kick of marching band! Or DRUM CORPS to be exact!!! DCI will be making its annual tour stop at WMU on Saturday, July 10!!! If you have NEVER witnessed a live drum corps show...you are missing out! Although there are no woodwinds (blah), they are AMAZING!!! If you are interested in going, click here and find the WMU date on the schedule. That will have more info. Also, one of our own is marching! Mark Holtz is a part of the Legends corps (which WILL be at WMU...along with other outstanding corps)! WOOO! I leave you with Brad's favorite DCI show: The 2006 Cavaliers. (It is in two parts because DCI shows are long). Enjoy...and FIRE UP!!

What I Have Learned Thus Far...

Ready? I am a geek. I will ALWAYS be a geek when it comes to music, learning, and especially learning about music. I LOOOOOVE being a student! My grad class this week (so far) has been amazing. And I am PUMPED about tomorrow...one of THE best conductors/teachers/arrangers/professors ever will be here (H. Robert Reynolds...look him up!). Today we watched a youtube vid that is of a truly OUSTANDING brass group called The Mnozil Brass. They look like a bunch of "misfits" but are taking the music world by storm! My prof, Dr. Menghini, went to see them live in the Chicago area recently. Who pulled up in the car next to him? The one and only Christopher Martin, principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Menghini asked him what he was doing there. Chris' reply? 'These guys are some of the best out there! Even us brass players need to have some fun sometime!' Aside from fun...they blew me away! Check them out and let me know what you think!

Don't Forget...

...to call your section this week! If their phone number doesn't work, please let me know! I have already made a few mistakes on it. :-/ Thanks guys!!!

Windy City Summer...

Hey All--I am leaving for Chicago on Sunday. I will be back in a week, stay for three weeks, then gone for two, then back for pre-camp, then back to Chicago for graduation, then back to BC for band camp...crazy summer. Please keep me updated on how your social sectionals turn out! E-mail me pics and I will be happy to post them for you. Let me know how leadership meetings go as well. You guys ROCK! I am SO excited for this season! --Miss Soukup (PS--Yes, I took that pic above. It is a view of the city from my rooftop at VanderCook. No, no one tried to steal my camera after I took this pic...)

Picnic at West Middle School

Today was the 2nd Annual Picnic with the 8th graders! The Drum Majors organized this picnic on this gorgeous afternoon. It was GREAT! Food, games, sun...pictures to come!

Our First Meeting!!!

The 2010 Marching Band Leadership Season began this week with our first meeting! Many activities took place including: a personality quiz (see fruits below), some friendly competition, mirroring exercises, non-verbal exercises (see signs below), and a great discussion. We are SO excited for this season! Countdown: to band camp: 2 months!!! Completing the quizzes...
Yup--on our marching field for the 2010 season...
Of course..."homework" on their first half day. The results show what type of "fruit" each person tends to be. Meet:

The Bombshell Melons

Team Orange-i

The Platanos

The Non-Threatening Grapes of Wrath

Non-Verbal Game...

Explain the cards without saying a word...

...and Wes. What a good sport! :-)

Our fearless Drum Majors! Amber, Tori and Wes.

Um...'nough said?

:-) Matty

...and the flutes have their season slogan already!