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!