Halftime Magazine May/June 2012

May/June 2012

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2012

Volume 6, Issue 3 www.halftimemag.com $4.95

WGI Winners Navigating Social Networks Joplin: One Year Later

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$5.95 Canada

ISSN 1939-6171

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Music Enlistment Option Program..There are few truly great career options; serving as a Marine Corps Musician is one of them. If you have what it takes to become both a Marine and a Marine musician, you will play at some of the world’s most honored events. Precision, discipline, and honor will be represented in every note you play. And as a Marine, you will distinguish yourself from the rest. To schedule an audition, call 1 800 MARINES or visit MARINES.COM.

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Volume 6, Issue 3 May/June 2012 ISSN 1939-6171 ®

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Features

Christine Ngeo Katzman christine@halftimemag.com (310) 594-0050

Art Director

Navigating Social Networks . . . . 12

Jana Rade, impact studios

With social networking now being a significant game changer in the entire world of communication, marching arts organizations must ensure that this medium is being understood properly and being used in a manner that benefits—rather than hurts—them.

By Jeremy Chen

Assistant Editor/Web Editor Elizabeth Geli

Editorial Interns Jeremy Chen and Lydia Ness

2012 WGI Winners .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

COVER PHOTO Sid and Linda Unser Courtesy of WGI Sport of the Arts

This year’s WGI champions included a few newcomers and many old favorites, fitting for the celebration of the organization’s 35th anniversary. Some groups won by very slim margins while others raced far ahead of the pack. New aspects of WGI this year included lighting and multimedia videos for the percussion groups though few of the winners delved into that arena.

Photos by Ken Martinson/Marching.com and Sid and Linda Unser

Contributing Writers Lane Armey, Chris Casteel, Haley GreenwaldGonella, Matt Jones, Chase Sanborn, Andrew Schlaf, Jim Snyder

Contributing Photographers Gil Garcia, Amie Graham/CNU, Graham Hunt, Ken Martinson/Marching.com, Sid and Linda Unser

Joplin: One Year Later. . . . . . . . . 22 Though rebuilding is still taking place in Joplin, Mo., following the devastating tornado in May 2011, the marching band plays on— with instruments for every student and more performances than previous years—thanks to community support from near and far.

By Lydia Ness

Web Developers Mike McCullen and Jeff Grant Integrated Communications

Advisory Board Dr. Arthur C. Bartner, University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band Tony Fox, University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band Anthony L. White, Los Angeles Unified School District Charles F. Whitaker, Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism Peter G. Riherd, Entertainment Weekly Steve Goldberg, University of Southern California Marshall School of Business

Chief Technology Officer Joshua Katzman

Logo Designer Timothy Watters, Teruo Artistry

Subscriptions: Halftime Magazine is published six times per year.

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Hope: Rick Castor, Joplin (Mo.) High School’s director of bands, poses with one of several eagle sculptures carved out of damaged trees by local artist Sylvia Cooke.

Photo courtesy of Joplin Band.

I

s it spring or summer? Mother Nature doesn’t seem to know. In fact, the past 12 months have set several heat records, including the warmest 12-month period from May 2011 to April 2012, the warmest March and the warmest first four months in a calendar year.

With the warmth have come other weather phenomena, such as tornados and hail. In May 2011, a tornado destroyed the city of Joplin, Mo., while a more recent one this past March affected the city of Henryville, Ind. Both areas lost their high schools as well as band instruments, equipment and music. In this issue of Halftime Magazine, we look at “Joplin: One Year Later,” page 22, and celebrate the triumph of the human spirit as well as the spirit of giving.

Unlike the less predictable weather patterns, this time of year brings us an expected switch between winter and summer marching activities. WGI champions have been crowned in winter guard and indoor percussion competition. For the fifth consecutive year, we provide a

photo spread of the gold medalists. See “2012 WGI Winners” on page 16.

With WGI now over, we experience a short hiatus for the marching arts before the start of drum corps. You may want to use the opportunity take a break from your daily routine and think about your ensemble’s marketing and communication strategy. How do fans and members stay engaged? With the power of Facebook, Twitter and other social media, keeping in touch has become easier.

However, the ease of social networking can also open up a Pandora’s box with a host of problems. “Navigating Social Networks,” page 12, gives do’s and don’ts for instructors as well as members on how to make social media your friend.

For now, we wish you a smooth transition for the end of school and the ability to stay cool this summer.

Halftime Magazine is proud to partner with the following organizations:

Musically Yours, Christine Ngeo Katzman Founder, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Departments

22 Web Exclusives

Publisher’s Letter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Need more marching band Noteworthy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 material?

Read online-only articles at East-West Fusion Band in 2013 Rose Parade; Stephen F. Austin Rocks Out With Mumford & Sons; Tournament of Bands Turns 40; MLK Riverside Kingsmen in “Harry’s Law”

Sectionals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Developing Your Sound; Summer “Reading”; Performance Prowess; The Summer Insurance Policy

Gear Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Clubhouse Trailers; “Harry Potter” Marching Music; MyBandStaff.com Regionals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Calendar of events organized by region Direct From. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 RCC and Mission Viejo Front Ensemble Behind the Baton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Captain of the Backfield Fitness to the Max. . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Turning Off For Fun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Crossword: We Can Network It Out

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Next Issue • Paying for Drum Corps • Drum Corps Associates: Through the Generations • Lighting Effects • And More ……

Tournament of Bands Turns 40

By Elizabeth Geli

The 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade will feature a very unique group, the East-West Fusion All-Star Band, a combined band made up of the Valley Christian High School (VCHS) Marching Band from San Jose, Calif., and the Bejiing China No. 57 High School Band.

“It’s been a dream of mine for many years to have our band march in the Tournament of Roses, and we wondered what it would be like to team up with a marching band from one of the Asian countries,” says VCHS band director Troy Gunter, whose band has traveled to Thailand and Cambodia in recent years.

The VCHS students have a collective fundraising goal of $250,000 to pay for the trip to Pasadena, Calif., and for the spring break trip it took to China from April 9 to 16 to meet and rehearse with the Chinese students.

“It was great watching them interact— especially at the very beginning, there was a lot of awkwardness and silence, but when we started to play music, the barriers started to come down,” Gunter says. “Although there was a language barrier and many other challenges, when it came to music, we found out we had a lot in common.”

In December, the No. 57 Band will travel to San Jose to rehearse for several days and then travel to Southern California for performances at Disneyland, Bandfest and finally the Rose Parade.

“The marching band activity as a whole is still very young in China, so the students and staff were very eager to rehearse with us and learn the processes and what we do as an American marching band,” Gunter says. “The faculty and staff were like sponges trying to take in and learn all they could about how to run and coordinate rehearsals.”

Previously, the VCHS Band was the first American marching band to ever march down Main Street at Hong Kong Disneyland.

The Bejiing China No. 57 High School Band performed at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the 2008 Beijiing Olympics Opening Ceremonies.

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Stephen F. Austin Rocks Out With Mumford & Sons Photo by Gil Garcia.

East-West Fusion Band in 2013 Rose Parade

The Stephen F. Austin High School Marching Band from Richmond, Texas, made some very famous friends—the critically acclaimed British folk rock band Mumford & Sons.

The marching band performed live with them twice and appears in the documentary “Big Easy Express,” playing the group’s hit song “The Cave” in what has been touted as the film’s most moving scene.

“They called us ... and said they were looking to collaborate with a high school band,” says Brian Frock, assistant band director.

Mumford & Sons jammed with the high school students during a rehearsal in April 2011 and then invited them to join them in concert that night as part of the “Railroad Revival Tour” Austin stop. The band played onstage for the grand finale, “The Cave,” which also featured the two other touring groups, Old Crow Medicine Show and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. The documentary followed the bands as they traveled by train from San Francisco to New Orleans.

“We were flying high for a few weeks,” Frock says. “High school bands routinely march in front of big crowds, but they don’t respond the way this crowd did.”

The group members interacted with the high school students and even brought along their personal friend, Academy Award-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal.

“The band members came out to greet us and took the time to sign autographs,” Frock says. “They’re like big kids. The documentary makers knew they would be the best band to work with our students. They’re kind to them and treat them with a lot of respect.”

Almost a year later, the group again contacted the band to invite them to play with them at a free screening of “Big Easy Express” and a subsequent concert in conjunction with the film’s premiere at the South by Southwest Festival.

“The additional attention and having so many YouTube things out there is cool; it exposes them to a different level of performance opportunity, backing up professional musicians,” Frock says. “It was remarkable and a lot of fun. Each time we played, they let us play one of our own songs. They treat us like we’re the feature. They really do give us plenty of opportunities for the band to shine.”

The Tournament of Bands celebrates 40 years of Atlantic Coast Championship events in both spring indoor and fall marching band competition. The organization, founded in 1972 by the National Judges Association, consists of more than 400 competing schools and organizations mostly in the northeastern United States.

“We’ve really developed an educational program for instructors and directors that allow them to become a part of the judging process,” says Jeffrey Dent, director of Tournament of Bands.

“The directors develop the rules for Tournament and help change them and modify them as needed every year.”

To celebrate its 40th, TOB will award $40,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors. At each event four students will receive a $1,500 scholarship while14 students will receive $1,000.

“They went through an online application process, and a committee of educators are reviewing the applications and scoring them based on a rubric of academics and participation in school music activities,” Dent says. “For the past 15 years, we’ve done $500 scholarships, so this is a huge investment in students that we’re presenting for the 40th anniversary.”

The indoor championships took place May 3 to 6 in Wildwood, N.J., the event’s home since the 1970’s. About 250 groups in color guard, twirling, dance, percussion, jazz and concert ensembles from more than nine different states performed. A few special events highlighted TOB’s anniversary. These included an alumni reception and historic display of costumes and memorabilia from past champions.

Fall championships will be at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pa. “We see [TOB] continue growing and educating directors and students,” Dent says. “Part of the scholarship program is our investment in the future to allow students to go to school and hopefully become music educators and come back and participate.”

MLK Riverside Kingsmen in “Harry’s Law” The Martin Luther King High School Marching Band from Riverside, Calif., played costar to Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates in the April 29 episode of “Harry’s Law” on NBC. Titled “And the Band Played On,” the episode is a rippedfrom-the-headlines story loosely based on the hazing and death of drum major Robert D. Champion, Jr. at Florida A&M University last year. The Kingsmen play an all-male college marching band charged with murder and defended by Bates’ character.

“The episode deals with hazing, and the court scenes had to deal with the students who were on trial,” says Charles Gray, King band director.

Despite the sensitive material, Gray had no doubts about his band appearing on the show, created by David E. Kelley. “It was an important subject matter to deal with, and I liked the way David E. Kelley wrote it,” Gray says.

Ten students appeared in the courtroom scene and 60 for the gymnasium scene, where they performed some simple drills and fight songs. The students were chosen based on seniority and GPA since they had to miss class.

“They had a great time meeting Kathy Bates and the actors,” Gray says.

Over the years, the band has filmed several other projects, including TV shows, commercials and movies such as the 2010 film “Valentine’s Day.” “Harry’s Law” gave the band a monetary donation, which it will use for music, instrument repair and transportation.

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May/June 2012 5

Your sound. It is what distinguishes you from all the other clarinetists. How would you describe it? Is it bright and lively or dark and moody? Is it open or compact? Focused or spread? Sweet and soothing, or round and robust?

How about breathy, clear, woody, reedy, gentle, shimmering, piercing, dramatic, expressive, melodic, edgy ... aaauuughghgh! Too many adjectives! But all are relevant in assessing your sound.

Believe it or not, even if you’ve been playing for a short time, you already have a clarinet sound in mind. You’ve subconsciously picked it up just by listening to other players. And the more you listen, the more your sound will take shape.

Listen to Yourself. Be aware that the sound you hear when you play is not totally what your audience hears because you have the vibrating reed inside your mouth, generating most of what you hear through the skull. So record yourself and describe what you hear.

Educate Yourself. Dig around on the Internet for proponents of the German school, the French school, the Austrian school, the English or Italian schools of playing. Look for Klezmer stylists and Turkish and Greek and Armenian musicians. There are jazz styles of New Orleans (Johnny Dodds, Jimmy Noone), and of Chicago (Frank Teschemacher, Benny Goodman).

You’ll hear versions of clarinet sounds that are reflections of the many cultures and regions of the world. And you’ll discover that there’s really no single “right” clarinet sound.

Equipment isn’t going to create your sound. There are many types of mouthpieces, reeds and clarinets that’ll assist you in the nuance of a particular style, and a good teacher can help you wade through the options. But I discovered that after two hours on about any setup, I start sounding like me. Our bodies just seem to naturally do what it takes to create what we wish to hear.

Hop to It. So here’s your assignment for this month: listen, imitate, describe what you hear, and see if you can add to that list of adjectives!

About the Author Jim Snyder has been the busiest jazz clarinetist of the last 30 years, performing in clubs, concert halls and jazz festivals in the United States and abroad. Jim played for many years in New Orleans, where he was also a member of trumpet virtuoso Al Hirt’s band. He is regularly featured as a guest artist in concerts and recordings and is a staff musician for the Walt Disney Company. His solo CD, “Coliseum Square,” was released on the Apple Jazz label. Visit www.theclarinetguy.com.

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By Chase Sanborn Summer’s coming—don’t slough off! Having something new to practice could be just the thing to draw you to the practice room.

Here is a list of etude books.

Arban’s Complete Conservatory Method. It’s the bible. When you’ve mastered it, check out the equally massive St. Jacome Method.

Technical Studies and Characteristic Studies by Herbert L. Clarke. Clark’s Technical Study #2 is probably the most familiar trumpet exercise of all time. The Characteristic Studies provide an etude in each major and minor key, plus some of Clarke’s famous cornet solos. They are staples of the repertoire.

36 Etudes Transcendantes by Theo Charlier and Vingt Etudes by Marcel Bitsch. Charlier is considered a hurdle for

every trumpet player: challenging yet compositionally superior.

The Bitsch etudes are angular and intervallic.

Daily Drills and Technical Studies by Max Schlossberg and Routines by William Vacchiano. Schlossberg offers a wide

variety of exercises, divided into eight sections. Choose one or two from each section to create a complete routine. Vacchiano (a student of Schlossberg) has done the organizational work for you, providing nine practice routines containing many short pieces in a variety of styles.

Etudes for Trumpet by Vassily Brandt. The Brandt etudes are terrific for developing articulation in an orchestral style.

Lyrical Studies by Guiseppe Concone. The Concone studies are so well known that his name has become generic to mean lyrical style.

The Complete Harry Glantz. Includes memoirs and pictures as well as some exceptionally musical etudes.

Top Tones for the Trumpeter by Walter M. Smith. This is not a book of high-note exercises, but a collection of tough but good-for-you etudes.

Trumpet I, 100 TrumpEtudes and Piccolo Trumpet Studies

by Phil Collins. Phil Collins is the former principal trumpet for

the Cincinnati Symphony. In his books he presents technical challenges within a musical framework, offering golden nuggets of advice along the way. For intermediate to advanced players.

About the Author Chase Sanborn is a jazz trumpet player based in Toronto. He is on the faculty at the University of Toronto and is the author of “Brass Tactics,” “Jazz Tactics,” “Tuning Tactics” and “Music Business Tactics.” Chase is a Yamaha Artist. Visit his website at www.chasesanborn.com. Questions about all things brassrelated can be sent to info@chasesanborn.com.

Performance Prowess

By Lane Armey

As I’m writing this column, the indoor winter percussion season is just wrapping up—and, wow, what a great season it has been for schools across the country and the activity in general. One thing that becomes more and more apparent every season is that your non-drumming performance qualities are often just as important as your drumming qualities. In other words, how you move, act, connect with the crowd and portray a character is immensely important and only growing.

Raising the Bar. When I first became involved in indoor winter percussion, every ensemble wore their marching band uniforms and marched with “normal” size steps around an arena with no specialized floor or props. It was still an exhilarating activity but nothing like the elaborate productions that are put on today. Music is entertainment, and people want to be entertained when they watch today’s percussion groups. Drum lines are playing roles in everything from movies to Super Bowl halftime shows—which is amazing but is also raising the bar on what “entertainment” means for marching percussion ensembles.

Observing Others. As a performer in a marching band, drum corps or especially winter percussion ensemble, you need to understand the large role of your overall presentation as it will help you and your group be successful. The great news is that you can log on to YouTube as well as the WGI or DCI Fan Network to see what others are doing. But like with everything else, it takes practice to become a good performer. And performing is much more beyond just your technical drumming skills.

Taking Risks. The performers that are most successful are the ones that take some risks. Don’t be afraid to get your head up and make eye contact with your audience. Also be open to ideas from your instructional staff—however uncomfortable they may be at first. Using your entire body to convey the music you play is not easy for most performers. The more you trust your instructors, practice movement as seriously as music, and experiment with your own ways to connect with an audience, the more you will set an example for your ensemble. And ultimately, the more entertaining your show will be.

About the Author Lane Armey is the battery percussion coordinator for Homestead High School in Cupertino, Calif. During the past 10 years, he has worked with various groups including Northwestern University and the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps.

guard

By Jim Snyder

Summer “Reading”

percussion

Developing Your Sound

brass

winds

Leading instructors provide practical tips for each section of the band.

The Summer Insurance Policy

By Chris Casteel Let’s face it: In the activity of color guard, it all boils down to good, solid technique.

When mastering this technique, summer training is the best insurance policy to invest in. I guess performers can consider it

a sort of “pay it forward” concept.

Basics Block. As you toil through the heat of summer in basics block after basics block after basics block, it is important to think of every repetition, every across the floor, every detailed breakdown of a carve, spin, toss, etc., as valuable insurance that you will need come performance time.

HomeWork. But wait—there’s more! Performers, you need to invest at home too! Yeah, I know that means standing in your backyard while your neighbors watch you and wonder what in the world you are doing. Believe me, we have all been there. Just ask any performer on a successful color guard, and they will tell you that they regularly work out at home.

Picture This. Since I’m a visual person, I like to think of things in terms of mind pictures. Picture this: Every time you enter into a performance, you have your insurance policy with you. When you beautifully jazz run for 10 yards while precisely and expertly delivering every count of equipment choreography, consider it a payoff on that insurance policy you invested in over the summer. The list can go on and on when thinking this way because every single thing you work on in summer will be utilized in performance—I guarantee it!

Pay Day. Here’s the bottom line: There is going to come a day very soon when you are waiting to perform your first show of the season. At that moment, one of the many things that will race through your head is: “Am I prepared for this? Did I work hard enough?”

Even though you may have butterflies in your stomach, that is when you take out that insurance policy and say, “It’s Pay Day!!”

Practice hard, prepare hard, and be passionate!

About the Author Chris Casteel has been involved in the color guard activity since 1981 as a performer and an instructor. She has a master’s degree in education. She has instructed several medaling guards for the Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC).

Currently, Chris is an adjudicator for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association and the WGASC as well as a guest adjudicator for many other circuits. She also holds the position of education coordinator for the WGASC.

May/June 2012 7

Clubhouse Trailers

By Elizabeth Geli

Y

our equipment should travel in style! Clubhouse Trailer Company based in Edmond, Okla., specializes in custom trailers for marching band and related activities.

Band booster dads Jeff Hadley and Drew Taylor took their assignment

MyBandStaff.com

“Harry Potter” Marching Music

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s your band “the chosen one?”

Musicians and groups from all skill levels can now battle the Dark Lord through performance with Alfred Music Publishing’s “Selections from the Harry Potter Complete Film Series,” available for concert and marching band, solos for wind and string instruments, and more.

“Since the film series is over, now people are having a new sense at how great the music was,” says Michael Story, marching band editor at Alfred.

Alfred has published “Harry Potter” sheet music during the last 10 years, but this latest collection features highlights from all eight films, including the original score by John Williams

A

new website helps marching arts professionals network, find jobs and teach workshops all from their computer. MyBandStaff.com, created by drum corps alum C. Marcus Brown, aims to be “the centralized channel where decision makers of the musicand marching band-related activities can find quality instruction.”

Check out the following cool products before your next practice, show or competition.

to research and build a trailer for the Edmond Memorial High School Band very seriously.

“We started talking to other bands and learning what they liked and did not like about their semis,” Hadley says. “We spent about four years asking and evaluating to determine what would work best. We sought out and found a suitable trailer and started game planning what needed to be in there and put an awful lot of sweat equity into it.”

The result was the “Bulldog One,” a semitruck trailer featuring special customizations such as pull-out guard equipment drawers, a “tubavator” electric lift, sliding stairs,

uniform racks, barn doors and a director’s perch. Word quickly spread about the Bulldog’s cool new trailer, and soon more bands were asking where they could get one. Hadley and Taylor began to help other bands build their dream trailer.

“We have created a very flexible interior to the trailer,” Hadley says.

“As the band grows and the section sizes change, they can adapt the inside of their trailer very easily.”

Clubhouse also offers a line of percussion racks, a tailgate or spirit sales trailer, and the director’s perch kit as an add-on to existing trailers.

Visit www.clubhousetrailers.com for more information.

and music by Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper and Alexandre Desplat.

“Movie music has become the new classical music,” Story says. “People have gotten away from going to the symphony for new music. Movie music and video game music—people are identifying that as the new ‘classical’ music.”

This year Alfred celebrates its 90th anniversary with more than 100,000 active titles. “As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, we smile on our past as we look to the future,” said CEO Ron Manus in a press release.

“Alfred continues to create the great educational products people have grown to expect from us.”

Visit www.alfred.com for more information.

For the job portal section, the team at MyBandStaff works as recruiters, reviewing submitted resumes and matching up employers with potential candidates for their needs. The site takes a per-candidate fee that is worked out with each employer.

This summer, MyBandStaff will launch a new Workshop section of the site. Pre-screened clinicians can offer online workshops and consulting services, incorporating features such as desktop share and media storage.

“Instead of paying for travel, hotel and food, a consultant can

manage their business and still help bands around the country,” Brown says. “Programs can come and view profiles of experts in drill writing, arranging, composition, woodwind, brass, percussion, and they can solicit advice and select a consultant and then request a workshop with them. It goes to the consultant who accepts or rejects, and they then provide an online workshop remotely in the comfort of their home, school or office.”

Visit www.MyBandStaff.com for more information.

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Woodwinds

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AndÊsoÊmuchÊmore!

Major Events by Region West Drum Corps International June 19—Albuquerque, NM—Drums Along the Sandias June 20—Mesa, AZ—Southwest Corps Connection June 22—Clovis, CA—MidCal Champions Showcase June 23—Stanford, CA—DCI West June 24—Sacramento, CA—Moonlight Classic June 26—Santa Clara, CA—Pacific Procession June 28—Medford, OR—Beat of the Rogue June 29—Oceanside, CA—Corps at the Crest San Diego June 29—Hillsboro, OR—Portland Summer Music Games June 30—Renton, WA—Seattle Summer Music Games June 30—Walnut, CA—Corps at the Crest Walnut July 1—Riverside, CA—Western Corps Connection July 1—Tri-Cities, WA—Drums Along the Columbia July 6—Ogden, UT—Corps Encore July 6—Casper, WY—Drums Along the Rockies Casper Edition July 7—Denver, CO—Drums Along the Rockies July 7—Sacramento, CA July 8—Pleasant Hill, CA—Loudest Show on Earth July 12—Salem, WA July 14—Southern CA July 15—Bellflower, CA—So Cal Classic Open Class Championship

Midwest Drum Corps International June 16—Akron, OH—Innovations in Brass June 20—Battle Creek, MI—Legends Drum Corps Preview June 22—Madison, WI—Drums on Parade June 23—Woodbury, MN—River City Rhapsody Woodbury June 24—Sioux Falls, SD—Sioux Empire Spectacular June 26—Mankato, MN—The Thunder of Drums June 27—Fairfield, OH—Summer Music Games in Cincinnati June 28—Merrillville, IN—Merrillville Music Festival June 29—Muncie, IN—DCI Central Indiana June 30—Michigan City, IN—Pageant of Drums July 1—Muscatine, IA July 2—Eagle, ID—Boise Summer Music Games July 3—Cedarburg, WI—Rotary Music Festival July 6—Whitewater, WI—The Whitewater Classic July 7—Kalamazoo, MI—DCI Kalamazoo July 9—Centerville, OH—Souring Sounds 32 July 9—Omaha, NE—Drums Across Nebraska July 10—Waukee, IA—Celebration in Brass 10

July 11—Bowling Green, OH—Glassmen All Star Review July 11—Metamora, IL—River City Rhapsody Metamora July 12—Davenport, IA—Music on the March July 13—Lisle, IL—Cavalcade of Brass July 13—La Crosse, WI—River City Rhapsody La Crosse July 14—Minneapolis, MN—DCI Minnesota July 15—Rockford, IL—Show of Shows, a Tour of Champions Series event July 16—Olathe, KS—Brass Impact July 28—Paw Paw, MI—Drum Corps in the Village July 30—Spring Valley, IL—Music to the Core July 31—Dublin, OH—Emerald City Music Games

Miscellaneous May 31-June 2—Columbus, OH—CBDNA Athletic Band Symposium June 23-30—Muncie, IN—Music for All Summer Symposium June 24—Alexandria, MN—Vikingland Band Festival

Northeast

M

Y

MY

June 29—Ft. Edward/Glens Falls, NY—Adirondack Drums June 30—Lynn, MA—The Beanpot Invitational July 1—New Haven, CT—Connecticut Drums at Southern Connecticut State University July 3—Bristol, RI—Summer Music Preview July 6—Quincy, MA—CYO Nationals Tribute July 7—Jackson, NJ—Drum Corps: An American Tradition July 8—Chambersburg, PA—Drum Corps: An American Tradition July 15—Manchester, NH—Fiesta de Musica July 30—Erie, PA—Lake Erie Fanfare I July 31—Johnsonburg, PA—A Blast in the Burg

CY

CMY

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Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous May 17-18—Gorham, ME—Maine Music Educators Association

July 12-14—Nashville, TN—Summer NAMM July 20-23—San Antonio, TX—Texas Bandmasters Association Convention/Clinic

DCI June 17—Louisville, KY—DCI Louisville June 20—Martin, TN—Sounds of Summer June 21—Dothan, AL—Deep South DCI June 23—Orlando, FL—DCI Orlando presented by DeMoulin Bros.

Each Camp Includes Interactive Sessions with the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps, Dormitory Housing and Meals:

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Drum Corps International

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June 25—Ft. Mill, SC—FirstBEAT June 26—Sevierville, TN—Drums Across America July 17—Bentonville, AR—Music on the Move July 18—Broken Arrow, OK—Drums of Summer July 19—Denton, TX—DCI North Dallas presented by Red River Thunder July 19—Round Rock, TX—DCI Austin July 20—Houston, TX—DCI Houston presented by THE exSIGHTment of SOUND, a Tour of Champions Series event July 21—San Antonio, TX—DCI Southwestern Championship at the Alamodome July 22—San Antonio, TX—DCI World Class Individual and Ensemble Championship July 23—Odessa, TX—Thunder in the Desert July 23—Lafayette, LA—Drums Across Cajun Field July 24—Ocean Springs, MS—Mississippi Sound Spectacular July 24—Dallas, TX—DCI Dallas presented by North Texas Festival of Drums and Bugles July 25—Edmond, OK—DCI Central Oklahoma July 25—Hattiesburg, MS—DCI Southern Mississippi July 26—Little Rock, AR—DCI Arkansas July 27—Murfreesboro, TN—The Masters of the Summer Music Games, a Tour of Champions Series event July 28—Atlanta, GA—DCI Atlanta Southeastern Championship July 29—Charlotte, NC—NightBEAT, a Tour of Champions Series event July 30—Charleston, WV—Drums Across the TriState July 30—Raleigh/Durham, NC—CrownBEAT July 31—Salem, VA—The Summer Music Games of Southwest Virginia July 31—Warrenton, VA—Drum Corps in Northern Virginia

www.musictreasures.com toll free: 1-800-666-7565 Teaching Aids - Awards - Gifts

Color Guard Camp June 1-3, 2012 - Rockford, IL Drum Major Camp June 4-7, 2012 - Rockford, IL Drum Camp June 8-10, 2012 - Rockford, IL Drum Major Camp June 13-16, 2012 - Akron, OH Drum Major Camp July 22-25, 2012 - Lafayette, LA Drum Major Camp July 29 - August 1, 2012 - Frostburg, MD

By Jeremy Chen

Navigating

Social Networks With social networking now being a significant game changer in the entire world of communication, marching arts organizations must ensure that this medium is being understood properly and being used in a manner that benefits—rather than hurts—them.

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social media can be a friend and a foe. It just depends on how the beast is tamed.

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acebook. Twitter. LinkedIn. YouTube. Pinterest. Google+.

Social media has taken over the globe, revolutionizing the way people interact with each other. The world of pageantry is no exception. Whether it is a small high school band or a worldfamous marching ensemble, everyone is staying connected on the Internet. From Facebook to YouTube, the marching world is being updated in lightning speed reaching out to more people than ever before.

With great power, though, comes great responsibility, as the uncle of a certain arachnid superhero would say. With countless stories of people being careless on the Internet and getting into deep trouble, there are certain rules that are to be followed if you don’t want the world to see you mess up. For marching bands, 12

the Brand The University of Wisconsin Badger Band has started to make its mark with social media in order to engage an audience that was more reachable through this medium in a variety of platforms.

“We recognize that there is an audience on Facebook, and that’s where they spend their time,” says Justin Stolarik, assistant director of the Badger Band. “If we have an event going on, we put it on our Facebook page along with pictures from it, so people can feel more connected. We also link it to our Twitter account, so that people get updates on their smartphones or iPhone, which is an easy and quick way to get information.”

The one aspect about social media that has exciting possibilities is expanding the brand of a company or organization

by reaching out to as many people as possible as well as getting to know people who are influenced by or using the products they are making. One example comes from the Yamaha Corporation of America.

“What social media has done is that it has put a face on our company,” says Troy Wollwage, percussion marketing manager at Yamaha. “We can now speak to the people who are very well using our products, whether they are educators, kids or players. We can seem more like a real person, in that there are real people working at this company who care about music education.”

Yamaha has received positive feedback from its Facebook and Twitter pages, which have more than 10,000 likes and 6,000 followers, respectively, as of May 2012.

Put Effort into Actually Being “Social” Being social may seem like a no-brainer when anyone starts to use a social media platform, but there are many instances in which official Facebook pages are not being updated in a timely manner or having very few tweets on the official Twitter page. There has to be an effort in having a conversation with the targeted people, so that there is a connection that will last for the long term.

“You’ve got to do it every day,” explains Wollwage. “It’s not just about putting things out there in social media about what you’re doing and, ‘Oh! Look at me, I’m over here! Look at me, there’s a picture of me doing this.’ You must have a conversation and be engaging.”

In retrospect, being too social can also have negative consequences as constant-

ly updating posts can quickly become annoying to users and be considered spam. There has to be a balance as to when a posting will be appropriate and timely.

“Say for example you’re posting every four hours every single day; it can actually turn people off to your program or to your organization,” says Andy Bliss, professor of percussion at the University of Tennessee. “It is something that you have to be careful of when you’re using these outlets. Try to share your thoughts and participate in the conversation that may be going on. You don’t have to necessarily feel like you have to be in the middle of a conversation all the time.”

Capture the Audience’s Interest With being social comes the idea that social media needs to engage the interest of the target audience group by offering them something to pleasure their curiosity or generate excitement for a big event.

New content is needed to remain up-todate with what is going on and continue to expand the audience.

“If you’re a drum corps, for example, why are people interested in you and following you?” asks Wollwage. “There are probably going to be people who have marched in the corps who want to know how the corps is doing right now or what’s the new show going to be this summer, so you would give them a little sneak peek or preview in order to entice their inherent interest. It has to be fun, and it has to be engaging to get people to come back.”

Another way to capture interest is through sharing other people’s information through retweets or posting links to a video or website.

“You’re not just broadcasting all the great things you’re doing,” says Dave Gerhart, professor of percussion at Cal State Long Beach. “You’re also going out and following other blogs that do similar things. If you’re a drum corps, you would be posting content from perhaps a major drum corps blog in order to show that you are contributing to the online community instead of just broadcasting about yourself.”

Be Professional Another important thing is to avoid posting items that could negatively impact others or your own public image. A 2010 incident in Alabama highlighted the need to watch what is posted as three girls from the Grissom High School color guard were disciplined for making obscene gestures in a photo added on Facebook.

Though the photo did not go on any official guard page, it did show the floor of the school’s gymnasium and was forwarded to the band director. All three students were banned from two performances; two of the girls went unrecognized at senior recognition despite holding leadership positions as co-captains.

“The harsh reality of the 21st Century is that nearly everyone has a small portable device that records still images and/ or video; therefore, any and all behavior is likely to end up on some form of social media outlet,” says Darcie Gudger, color guard instructor at Columbine (Colo.)

High School. “This issue is something I discuss at length with my students. Don’t do anything you would not want your parents, peers or potential employers to see because the very people you don’t want to see it will. Once it’s out there, it never goes away.”

Gudger further explains that she would take action if any of her students posted something inappropriate online. “I will not hesitate to remove a student from the team if they are creating a threatening atmosphere online that reflects poorly of their school and teammates,” Gudger says. “We have a simple rule: If you don’t have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut online. Positive posts about the activity are encouraged, and the kids do post about their successes and even how the blood, sweat and tears are worth it.”

May/June 2012 13

Build Relationships from Within Educators and students are no longer just communicating with each other via traditional email as teachers are starting to connect in a whole new level. Gerhart mentions the concept of private groups where members can discuss what is going on within the organization in a very accessible but private manner. Students and parents, if desired, can use groups to ask questions, coordinate volunteers and share media. Directors can share dayto-day information as well as educational material—all in real time.

“I think it’s pretty important since the university and my students are using it,” Bliss says. “I try to not necessarily make small talk type of conversations but rather like sharing links with my students, so they don’t have to come to my office to look at my computer. We should be open-minded and use it in a professional manner.”

This professional manner means that while educators and students are becoming closer, separation is still needed, so that conflicts do not arise. “I don’t go out and add any of my students on Facebook,” Gerhart says. “Only the students that add me on Facebook are the students that are my friends on it, and I keep it professional when I interact with them on there.”

The way the world is interacting with each other is forever changed as new mediums bring new possibilities to share information and become involved in conversations. “Get involved, sit back and listen,” Bliss says. “I got involved by observing what other people were doing. Social media is all about sharing ideas.

Any great conversationalist has to know how to listen and how to speak. Listen carefully and see what other people are doing and then imagine what you can offer in order to contribute to that conversation.”

About the Author Jeremy Chen will be a junior majoring in broadcast journalism at the University of Southern California (USC). He marched cymbals for two years at Rancho Cucamonga High School before playing bass drum and snare at Upland High School. He is currently a snare drummer and office staff member for the USC Trojan Marching Band. He aspires to one day become a correspondent for the BBC.

World Class Guard Scholastic World Flanagan HS from Pembroke Pines, Fla. Score of 95.65

Guard Independent World Onyx from Dayton, Ohio Score of 98.75

Percussion Scholastic World Chino Hills (Calif.) HS Score of 96.875

Percussion Independent World Riverside (Calif.) Community College (RCC) Score of 97.088

Project Innocence: Flanagan’s show brings attention to the plight of the wrongfully convicted, with dramatic rifle tosses throughout. An all-ensemble flag feature symbolizes how DNA testing has been used to exonerate many of those serving erroneous life or death sentences. Flanagan, which also won in 2008, stole the show by almost 1 point. James Logan HS from Union City, Calif., came in second, and Carmel (Ind.) HS achieved third.

Blank Canvas: With a totally white tarp contrasted by its dark blue uniforms, Onyx brought color to the floor through creative choreography and strategic use of equipment, laying flags or rifles on the ground. Onyx won by exactly a point over last year’s winner, Santa Clara (Calif.) Vanguard. Pride of Cincinnati came in third.

Predictable: Chino Hills clinched an undefeated season and its first WGI Scholastic World gold medal in an extremely tight finish with only .75 points separating first through third place. Dartmouth (Mass.) HS came in second, and neighboring Ayala HS from Chino Hills, Calif., placed third. Though every day, “you get up, go to work, come home, do it again,” life can—and should— still have unpredictable moments. The show proves this premise with its asymmetrical tarp, non-matching though corresponding uniforms, and an attention-grabbing mix of music that included traditional drum arrangements interwoven with pop music and iconic movie quotations.

The Gift: RCC also had an undefeated season, winning the WGI Independent World gold medal by more than 1.5 points over last year’s champion, Music City Mystique from Nashville. Pulse Percussion from Los Alamitos, Calif., won bronze. RCC’s intense show told the heroic and tragic story of a soldier’s ultimate sacrifice in the fight for freedom. The main battle scene showcased members wielding their sticks like weapons and making deliberate war-like movement, accompanied by gripping music from the front ensemble.

Photos by Ken Martinson/Marching.com and Sid and Linda Unser Courtesy of Marching.com and WGI Sport of the Arts

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This year’s WGI champions included a few newcomers and many old favorites, fitting for the celebration of the organization’s 35th anniversary. Some groups won by very slim margins while others raced far ahead of the pack. New aspects of WGI this year included lighting and multimedia videos for the percussion groups though few of the winners delved into that arena.

May/June 2012 17

That Which We Call A Rose: With an enlarged red rose as the tarp, rose-colored uniforms and rose-colored flags, the Freedom HS guard blossomed in this ballad performance that called out Shakespeare’s famous Juliet. The all-female group executed beautiful full-ensemble rifle tosses and full-ensemble flag features and used a table and chair as a central prop. Lake Central HS from St. John, Ind., claimed silver with Nease HS from Ponte Vedra, Fla., achieving bronze.

Open Class

Guard Scholastic Open Freedom HS from Orlando, Fla. Score of 95.35

Guard Independent Open O2 from Dayton, Ohio Score of 95.15 Memory: Performing to an instrumental version of the song “Memory” from the Broadway show “Cats,” O2 gave a very fluid performance reminiscent of ballet. Though most of the taupe tarp and flags blended right into the gymnasium floor, the center circle showcased key performers. O2 won by just a tenth of a point over second-place USF Winterguard from Tampa, Fla. FeniX Independent from Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz., finished third.

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Percussion Scholastic Open South Hills HS from West Covina, Calif.

Score of 97.413

Percussion Independent Open George Mason University from Fairfax, Va. Score of 94.900

Home: Integrating multimedia, South Hills portrayed the story of a home—the life of a man with his dog, then settling down to a marriage and eventually having to sell the house— showing images on eight television screens. The ensemble also effectively interwove electronic music. Though it won by less than a tenth, the group is not a newcomer to success, having also won the WGI championship in 2010. Victor J. Andrew HS from Tinley Park, Ill., placed second, and Franklin Central HS from Indianapolis placed third.

Go: Based on the adage, “The journey begins with a single step,” the George Mason drum line, known as “The Mean Green,” takes a big leap forward, winning gold by more than a point on the heels of last year’s fourth place finish. Minnesota Brass Indoor from St. Paul, Minn., took silver while Orange County Independent Percussion from Fountain Valley, Calif., took home the bronze.

May/June 2012 19

A Class

Guard Scholastic A Somerville (N.J.) HS Score of 97.15 Broken, Rise, Empowered: Performing to the music “Turning Tables” by Adele, the guard used broken tables as props. A silent rifle toss sequence elicited a deafening cheer from the crowds. The show ended with several guard members lifting the fallen side of one table where a member climbed up triumphantly to rise above the weight of the negative relationship depicted in the song. Andy Dekaney from Houston, Texas, came in second, just 0.6 behind, and Lincoln-Way North HS from Frankfort, Ill., earned third.

Guard Independent A Impact Independent from Northern, Va. Score of 96.05 Moving On: With two hands reaching out toward one another displayed on its tarp, Impact Independent portrayed the dueling urge to hold on and let go as we grow from childhood to adulthood. A key moment of the show involved rifle tosses from member to member, symbolizing the transition. Impact Independent surpassed Phoenix Independent from Sylvania, Ohio, by 0.4 points. Lexis from Lexington, Ky., won bronze.

Perussion Scholastic A Lebanon (Ohio) HS Score of 96.125 Release: Lebanon portrayed the many meanings of the word “release”—to release oneself, to release something we love and to release joy. In the beginning and end, members strapped themselves to each other using retractable material worn on their belts. Lebanon won by a very slim margin, just .025 above Mechanicsburg (Pa.) HS. Freedom HS from South Riding, Va., finished third.

Percussion Independent A Spirit of America from Orleans, Mass.

Score of 95.975 Spirit Fusion: Spirit of America took home the gold in a definitive win, more than 4 points above second-place Chattanooga (Tenn.) Independent.

Vegas Vanguard placed third. The show reflected the recent trip of the organization’s full Field Band to South Africa. One day, percussion members participated in a “dueling drum exchange,” and a local artist created a painting that showed a Spirit of America and South African drummer side by side. This painting was recreated as the indoor ensemble’s tarp.

By Lydia Ness

Photos courtesy of the Joplin (Mo.) High School Band

Though rebuilding is still taking place in Joplin, Mo., following the devastating tornado in May 2011, the marching band plays on—with instruments for every student and more performances than previous years—thanks to community support from near and far.

: n i l p o JOne Year Later

The Manilow Music Project: Singer Barry Manilow donated truckloads of instruments to the Joplin band.

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ne year ago, Monica Reynolds drove her two sons home from Joplin (Mo.) High School, directly after their musical performances at the graduation ceremony. Moments later, the mile-wide tornado—with a six-mile wide path— tore through the city. The high school was flattened, dozens of houses were destroyed, and 116 lives were lost.

The Reynolds family was safe from the destruction by a mere 13 blocks.

“If we would have been running 10 minutes behind schedule, we would have been driving straight through it,” Reynolds says. “I am just very thankful that my family was safe, and I am also thankful because it could have been so much worse,” Reynolds says. “I think as a town, it has been amazing to see people come together, and instead of being just a large city, we have become a community.”

Not everyone in the band was as lucky as Reynolds. Members lost their homes and classmates in the destruction. One year later, several are still learning to cope and move forward. “We have had several close friends displaced and are even still displaced now as they wait for their homes to finish being rebuilt,” Reynolds says.

Bringing Hope In the midst of the struggle, the band has been an integral part of bringing hope and joy to the community. As a result and despite the odds, the group has not only maintained the same amount of performances as past years but has also

been given new opportunities to play.

“We’ve actually probably had more performances this year [than previous years],” says Rick Castor, who has been the director of bands at Joplin for 10 years. “As everything re-opens in town, they want us to come and play for it.”

The band has played for grand openings of businesses like Walmart, Walgreens and Home Depot. Reynolds says her son has played in at least five grand re-openings.

Another unique performance occurred at the Chief’s NFL stadium during one of Joplin’s football games. Joplin and the opposing team’s band played a show together. “They weren’t ‘enemies’ at that point,” Reynolds says. “They were all working together, and they even spelled out the word ‘hope’ on the field.”

Receiving Aid None of these opportunities would be possible, of course, without the incredible amount of support the band has received throughout the last year. While the task of rebuilding a music program complete with instruments, uniforms, music, etc., may have seemed daunting at first, people all over the world made it possible for the band to continue playing music and performing.

Castor said that even though the process of rebuilding has been slow, the amount of support they have received over the last year has been remarkable.

“We’re probably in better shape now than we have ever been, instrumentwise,” Castor says.

On the first day of school this year, the band played at a teacher/faculty event.

“Seeing our band standing there with instruments, able to play the school fight song was just fantastic for us—to see an instrument in every kid’s hand—that was really cool,” Reynolds says.

Celebrities like Barry Manilow donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in instruments and uniforms, and the city of Branson, Mo., held a telethon that raised $45,000 to go toward repairing the instruments that were donated from individuals and schools around the United States.

“There are still so many people out there who are still willing to help,” Castor says. “It is just amazing.”

For example, Castor says that a family from San Diego has started an automatic monthly withdrawal of $50 that goes toward the band program. He also recently received a call from a woman in Oregon who wants to start a fundraiser to hopefully bring the students to the Rose Parade in a few years.

Reynolds has also experienced the extraordinary amount of support for her community. “People from all over the world have come to lend a hand,” she says. “You don’t see that every day. In fact, there are still people here in town who moved here just to help us rebuild, and it is just amazing that people would give up their lives to come and help us.”

With all of the support, the students were able to participate in the band without paying fees, and the band has May/June 2012 23

music files onto the computer, but they had only completed a small percentage when the tornado struck.

Even through this logistical struggle, Castor’s voice rings with optimism and thankfulness for all of the support and encouragement they have received and continue to receive. He hopes that in the next five years, the number of students in the band will increase to the 150’s and that the students continue to get better scores at contests.

The future looks bright for Joplin High School, and with new bonds recently passed, Castor says that construction on a new building begins this month (May 2012), and it will be ready in August 2014.

Could It Be Magic?: Barry Manilow (left) spends time with Rick Castor (right) and the Joplin band.

been able to keep a relatively similar travel and performance schedule as prior years.

Logistical Nightmares However, scheduling daily rehearsals and facilities take a lot of time and planning, and transportation costs have doubled because the students have to bus to and from different parts of town in order to get to the facilities they use for rehearsals.

The freshmen and sophomore students go to school in an old middle school close to the temporary band room, which is in Joplin Memorial Hall—a multipurpose concert and sports venue in the area. However, the juniors and seniors attend school across town in a mall. To account for traveling, freshmen and sophomores start classes at 8:15 a.m. and the juniors and seniors begin at 8:30 a.m.

For the band students, however, the day begins earlier. These students start class at 8:05 a.m., and Castor has a lot of respect for these students because of the amount of time they spend traveling each day and because the length of their day is longer than most students.

The commuting to and from different locations has decreased participation in the band by about 30 members, especially among juniors and seniors. Students need to arrange their own rides to Memorial Hall for rehearsal in the morning and be bused back to school, though not until after second hour. “If their schedule doesn’t work with that, they can’t be in [the band],” Castor says.

Castor spends a large amount of time in his car, driving between all three fa24

cilities daily. “I have put in a little over 2,000 miles just this school year, just going to work,” Castor says.

During the fall marching season, traveling to practice on a football field was another sacrifice of time and sleep.

Four days during the school week, the percussion and tuba students had the following routine: arrive at 6:15 a.m., load all of the equipment onto the truck, drive to the football stadium (which was not attached to any of the aforementioned campuses), unload, rehearse, reload the truck, drive back to the middle of town, unload and put everything away.

As a result, rehearsals were much shorter than usual. “Still, the band did very well this year,” Castor says. “It was one of the best years we’ve had. We had a lot less rehearsal time, but I think the kids worked harder.”

A Bright Future One of the biggest lessons Castor has learned through this experience has been to be very patient, very thankful and keep very good records of everything that you have. The hardest part of the music program to recover has been all of the music that was lost. Before the tornado, the band was in the process of archiving all of its

Help for Henryville and Joplin Joplin High School isn’t the only program that needs your help. In March 2012, tornados hit southern Indiana, with the city of Henryville being one of the worst affected. Its high school was among the buildings that were severely damaged. The twister stayed on the ground for more than 50 miles and generated winds to 170 mph.

Similar to the situation in Joplin, the music industry has banded together to help the high school band with equipment and cash donations.

Carmel (Ind.) Bands, was among the first to provide support, including thousands of dollars and its winter guard tarp. But both Joplin and Henryville continue to need your help.

To donate to Joplin, make checks payable to Joplin High School Band Boosters and mail to: Joplin High School Band Boosters, Inc. P. O. Box 3303 Joplin, MO 64803

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About the Author Lydia Ness graduated from Biola University in La Mirada, Calif., with a bachelor’s of arts in journalism and integrated media and a minor in biblical studies. Lydia has experience in visual, print and broadcast journalism as well as public relations. She has performed in the Glassmen, the Bluecoats and The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps as well as the Riverside Community College indoor percussion ensemble. Lydia is a student at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, where she will be focusing on international human rights.

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By Lydia Ness Photo by Ken Martinson/Marching.com

RCC and Mission Viejo

Front Ensemble

Newly inducted WGI Hall of Fame member Jim Wunderlich discusses his career as a percussionist, teacher and arranger with several indoor drum lines as well as drum corps; his writing technique; and the future of the marching activity. Wunderlich taught writer Lydia Ness in the front ensemble of Riverside Community College, this year’s WGI Independent World gold medalist.

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ew WGI Hall of Fame member Jim Wunderlich has been teaching, composing and arranging in the percussion activity for more than two decades. After graduating from Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School, he has led the group to several WGI gold medals. He currently works as Mission Viejo’s marching program coordinator, music arranger and front ensemble caption head. Wunderlich is also the front ensemble caption head and arranger for the Riverside Community College (RCC) indoor percussion ensemble, which won its fourth gold medal this year, and front ensemble caption head and arranger for the 14-time world champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps.

Other 2012 WGI inductees were Jim Haskell and Scott Johnson.

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Halftime: Why did you become involved in teaching, composing and arranging percussion?

Wunderlich: I really loved being a part of the marching band and percussion ensemble at Mission Viejo, and I suppose that I showed the desire to my instructor to “get creative” with the music, and of course, to teach a drum line. He gave me my first opportunity to teach a group right after graduation. …

I started delving into the front ensemble with Steve Yates at Mt. Whitney High School, picking his brain as much as possible and watching [Drum Corps International] videos ad nauseam!

At the same time, my mom had bought me my first synthesizer and sequencer.

Electronic music, and the process of creating it …, was something I loved to do. At the time, I had seen maybe only one band actually do the electronics and acoustics in a marching band setting with a good quality. I loved the idea of creating a synergy between my “home” music (synths and piano) and all sorts of percussion.

Halftime: How did you get to where you are today?

Wunderlich: I will default to a few words that describe my sign, the Capricorn: strong-willed, serious, cautious, determined and strongly attracted to music.

I remember reading that Capricorns are “not content until they’ve reached the peaks of glory.” I would say that’s definitely true and even after reaching certain peaks in this profession, I am still looking for more.

Halftime: How did you begin with RCC? Wunderlich: Sean Vega took over the percussion program and asked me to be the front ensemble caption head and arranger. [Interestingly], Mike Jackson, [who has taught MVHS with me since 1990], and I taught Sean at John W. North High School back in the early 90s.

It’s very cool for it to come full circle.

Halftime: How is your writing process different between high school and Independent World Class?

Wunderlich: The main difference is in the demand. RCC will occasionally have certain solo players stand out (such as drum set, etc.) that will make me come up with a different approach. On the other hand, MV has typically had the technological edge with electronics due to my long time with the program.

Halftime: How have you seen the WGI percussion activity change?

Wunderlich: The evolution of the front ensemble is the single most-changed aspect. [If you look at a] 15-year-old WGI DVD, you’ll see and hear an amazing difference in the ability of the players and sound production. We’ve gone from ice cream truck to rock concert. I would [also] say that the visual responsibility of the battery is the second biggest change.

The velocity and physicality compared to 15 years ago has greatly changed.

Halftime: What is one of your favorite memories in WGI? Wunderlich: If I have to pick one, I think that the 2007 double gold with MV and RCC was probably my favorite memory.

To see two of your groups peak at the same time is amazing. I can still watch the videos from that year, and it brings me back to those moments, two incredibly emotional productions that I am very proud of.

Halftime: What would you like to see in the future for WGI? Wunderlich: I’d like to see ensembles continue to innovate and bring fresh shows to the table! One of my favorite things to say/feel when watching a show is, “Well, why didn’t I think of that? How cool!”

Regarding championships, I’ve been to WGI in Phoenix, Milwaukee and Southern California. I think it’s great for the kids and the activity to move around. At the same time, I am also aware of the financial burden that it would put on WGI. As far as music goes, I’d love to see WGI continue on the same path. The kids and instruction continue to amaze me. It’s hard to believe and a great honor to be a part of!

About the Author Lydia Ness graduated from Biola University in La Mirada, Calif., with a bachelor’s of arts in journalism and integrated media and a minor in biblical studies. Lydia has experience in visual, print and broadcast journalism as well as public relations. She has performed in the Glassmen, the Bluecoats and The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps as well as the Riverside Community College indoor percussion ensemble. Lydia is a student at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, where she will be focusing on international human rights.

May/June 2012 27

Behind the Baton of the

By Andrew Schlaf

Captain Backfield Photos by Amie Graham/CNU and Graham Hunt

In the Section: When not conducting the back of the field during halftime, Andrew Schlaf (center in photo) plays in the clarinet section.

Though hopes of becoming a college drum major was dashed, being named field commander proved to be just as rewarding.

B

eing a part of the Marching Captains at Christopher Newport University (CNU) in Newport News, Va., has been an amazing time in my life. The Marching Captains will be going into its 9th season this coming fall. In that short amount of time, the band has already performed in the 2008 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade as well as the 2012 New Year’s Day Parade in London.

When I was looking for colleges to attend, having a marching band was number one on the list of priorities. Sure, there are a few schools in Virginia with giant marching bands, but when I found CNU,

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I fell in love with the school and marching program. The school has roughly 5,000 people, and the marching band is approximately 140 people. Coming from a high school band of 65, it was a huge step up.

As a music education major, I was required to be in marching band for two years, and I marched all four years of college. I would have marched even if it were not a requirement.

This past fall was my last season since I am graduating this spring. I was selected as field commander, which meant that I was not just another student leader, but I was also an as-needed backfield conductor.

Going into drum major auditions at the end of the last school year, I was hopeful that I would be selected. When the results were posted, I was upset, but I knew the two people chosen were the best for the job. I was still honored that I was chosen as field commander and went into the job ready to do the best I could do.

the drill and make my way to the back podium. After I was done conducting part of the show, I would make my way back into the drill.

This situation was actually a blessing and a curse all at the same time. I was still able to march in the show, which is something that I love to do, but I was missing for part of the drill and music learning, so I had to do some catch-up work when learning drill. I also missed some section time because I was out of the section to conduct and take care of other jobs.

Being higher up in the leadership chain gave me more responsibilities on top of being a backfield conductor. I also took care of music, such as making all necessary copies and distributing new music. I helped with uniform issues, making sure all of the band’s uniforms and equipment were ready to go for our trip to London.

The extra work, on top of learning what to conduct as well as learning drill and music, forced me to work harder than I ever had for marching band, but instead of backing down and letting it get to me, I rose to the challenges and made it the best season I’ve ever had.

Many people who audition for drum major only see how important the drum major position is and not anything else.

Backfield conductors are also an important aspect of the conducting team. They have to work closely with the drum majors to make sure they are upholding not only the proper conducting style but also the proper leadership style.

Getting up in front of the band for the first time to conduct my part of the show was nerve wracking. I didn’t want to mess anything up, and of course, I did by taking the music way too fast. It was definitely a learning curve that I had

to catch up with, to put me at the same level as the drum majors that had been conducting the band.

On a High Note My marching band career ended on a high note. While I was sad that it was over, I realize that the experiences that I had cannot be changed by anyone. My last performance was marching through the streets of London and playing just up the street from Big Ben, Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

Though I would have loved to be drum major of this ensemble, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything because I was doing what I loved.

About the Author Andrew Schlaf, a senior at Christopher Newport University (CNU) in Newport News, Va., is majoring in instrumental music education.

He is pursuing his masters of arts in teaching at CNU in the fall. He spent four years as a Marching Captain, where he played clarinet and was field commander this past year. He was also a member of Phoenix Blue Percussion, the 2012 Atlantic Indoor Association Percussion Independent A gold medalist. He has played clarinet since the sixth grade and is a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity. In the past, he was drum major with Broad Run High School from Ashburn, Va., and with Shenandoah Sound Drum and Bugle Corps from Manassas Park, Va.

Take a lesson from Carol Abohatab, choreographer for the Santa Clara Vanguard Winter Guard and modern dance teacher for more than twenty years. > Across the Floor teaches you all you need to know about methods of travel, getting in and out of the ground, turns, leaps, and jumps > Technique Class offers a standing center class with technique for the spine, legs, and feet.

A Blessing and a Curse The position is actually a very interesting one; for most of the show, I am on the field playing my clarinet and marching drill, but when a backfield conductor was needed, I would leave

In Synch

wgi.org/store

Available Summer 2012

Fitness to the MAx

By Haley Greenwald-Gonella

Turning Off Unplugging or ignoring all electronics for at least a few minutes a day will do wonders for your psyche and productivity.

W

After dancing since the age of 3, Haley Greenwald-Gonella thought it was time to try a new art. In elementary school, she began playing the flute and was in the marching band in middle school and for the first two years of high school. She also played the bassoon during concert season.

Dance drew Haley back while in high school.

She graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with degrees in dance and English. She recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a master’s degree in Specialized Journalism (The Arts).

Haley is also a certified registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance.

She draws upon her dance and yoga training when it comes to all things fitness and the arts.

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hen is the last time you turned your phone off? Completely off?

Taking a minute for yourself can prove difficult in today’s digital world of non-stop work and multitasking, especially when the internet has provided a multitude of distractions.

However, finding focus and concentrating on your breath is important for your overall health and is something you should find time to do every day.

Engage & Disconnect If your typical day involves phone calls, voicemails, text messages, emails, online chats, Facebook, Twitter and any other vehicle of digital noise you can think of, then maybe it is time to turn off.

Biz Stone, one of the co-founders of the social networking site Twitter has said that spending up to 12 hours a day on the platform is unhealthy.

“I like the kind of engagement where you go to the website and you leave because you’ve found what you are looking for, or you found something very interesting and you learned something.”

Put Away Your Phone Leslie Perlow, author of “Sleeping with Your Smartphone,” says that smartphones “invade our lives and psyches.

More and more frequently these days, people have two modes—on-the-job and on-call.”

This is scary—there is no time set aside to engage our creative selves, let alone to relax, which is very necessary for our bodies to move into a state that is more conducive for better sleep and a normal breath pattern.

Breathe In, Breathe Out

Marching Band has a New Standard

Time to check-in: How are you breathing right now? Is your breath shallow, quick and fast? Or is it even, full, and slow, at a relaxed rate, in time with your heartbeat?

Develop a Routine Merlin Mann, who developed the concept of “Inbox Zero”—the tagline of which is “Your Email, Your Attention, and Your Life”—says that the most precious resources are “time and attention, [which are both] finite and irreplaceable.”

Inbox Zero isn’t as much about cleaning out your inbox as it is about finding a system and developing a routine surrounding daily life occurrences.

Last year the movement Action for Happiness was founded, and one of its earliest supporters was the Dalai Lama.

Advice from the organization suggests that if you want to be happy, you should “elect your boss, take a break from your cell phone and give to charity.”

Even Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s COO, knows when to take a break. She has recently started speaking out about how she leaves the office every day at 5:30 p.m., so that she can have dinner with her children and be involved in her family life.

(She returns to her email at 8 p.m.)

Register for the 2012 USBands National Championships November 8-11, 2012 MetLife Stadium I E. Rutherford, N.J. U.S. Naval Academy I Annapolis, Md.

Rest and Relax Practice actively resting—turning off your phone and closing out your email—freeing your life from distractions and digital noise for at least a few minutes each day. Tune into your breath.

Relax your jaw and let your tongue fall away from the roof of your mouth. Let your breath rejuvenate your body.

usbands.org

I

f a ceb o o k . co m/ u s b a n d s

D R U M

C O R P S

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

P R E S E N T S

By Matt Jones

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Across 1. Out in the country 6. From a long distance 10. “What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing” song 13. “Speed Racer” actor Hirsch 14. Gets up 16. Getting from ___ B (2 words) 17. Social networking contacts for band members who play quick tempos? (2 words) 19. Wee little guy 20. Ear-related prefix 21. Morning bugle call 23. Suffix form for twenty and thirty, but not ten 25. “Heidi” author Johanna 27. One-person performance 28. NHL star Jagr 30. Maker of soft footballs

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32. Old video game company with blocky graphics 33. County on the Thames 36. Getaway for unwinding 39. Failed to achieve 40. With 34-Down, follower of “On your marks ...”

(2 words) 41. Take out ___ (ask for financing) (2 words) 43. Folk rocker DiFranco 44. “It takes ___ tango” (2 words) 46. Basketball game venue 47. Where circular breathing may begin 49. The X-Men, as a group 51. Put your name on the dotted line 53. Computer introduced August 12, 1981 (2 words) 56. Letters after a dentist’s name

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57. Notes in a chord not played simultaneously 59. Slide down the slopes 61. ___ Fighters (Dave Grohl band) 62. Putting up a picture of only the last note of a band performance?

(2 words) 67. Nav. officer 68. Broadcaster 69. Throat malady, for short 70. Letters after Q 71. The Loch ___ Monster 72. Daytime dramas, once

Down 1. Football judger (abbrev.)

2. She was Beatrix in “Kill Bill” 3. “___ for Ricochet” (2004 Sue Grafton novel) (2 words) 4. Mid-range brass instrument, slangily (2 words) 5. Half a set of marching instructions?

6. “Entourage” agent 7. Aflame 8. Ed who voiced a main character in Pixar’s “Up” 9. Licorice twist at a concession stand (2 words) 10. Where all band-related articles eventually appear? (3 words) 11. In any way (2 words) 12. Event with bucking broncos 15. Portland to Las Vegas direction (abbrev.)

18. Singer/songwriter Golan 22. Tel Aviv’s country (abbrev.)

23. Skip dining out (2 words) 24. Report where the solo switches from section to section?

26. Ragu competitor 28. Actress Pinkett-Smith 29. Oven grabbers 31. Down to the last penny 34. See 40-Across 35. Make a lot of noise while stepping

37. Automotive items in stock 38. Insects in a farm 42. Pack dishes, as with a dishwasher (2 words) 45. Check up before a boxing match (2 words) 48. Capitol ___ Bowl 50. Bay Area college (abbrev.)

51. Less dangerous 52. Flattens out laundry, perhaps 54. Pore strips brand 55. Tiny bits 58. Report card number (abbrev.)

60. Rock group with its own “Army” 63. Surgery sites, for short 64. Lyricist Gershwin 65. Back-to-school month (abbrev.)

66. Some printers, by brand

Solution For the solution go to Halftime Magazine’s website at www.halftimemag.com.

Click on the magazine issue on the home page

1. Akron, OH • 6/16 2. Louisville, KY • 6/17 3. Albuquerque, NM • 6/19 4. Battle Creek, MI • 6/20 5. Mesa, AZ • 6/20 6. Martin, TN • 6/20 7. Dothan, AL • 6/21 8. Madison, WI • 6/22 9. Clovis, CA • 6/22 10. Woodbury, MN • 6/23 11. Orlando, FL • 6/23 12. Stanford, CA • 6/23 13. Sacramento, CA • 6/24 14. Sioux Falls, SD • 6/24 15. Ft. Mill, SC • 6/25 16. Mankato, MN • 6/26 17. Sevierville, TN • 6/26 18. Santa Clara, CA • 6/26 19. Fairfield, OH • 6/27 20. Merrillville, IN • 6/28 21. Medford, OR • 6/28 22. Oceanside, CA • 6/29 23. Ft. Edward/ Glens Falls, NY • 6/29 24. Hillsboro, OR • 6/29 25. Muncie, IN • 6/29 26. Renton, WA • 6/30 27. Walnut, CA • 6/30 28. Michigan City, IN • 6/30 29. Lynn, MA • 6/30 30. Riverside, CA • 7/1 31. New Haven, CT • 7/1

32. Tri Cities, WA • 7/1 33. Muscatine, IA • 7/1 34. Eagle, ID • 7/2 35. Bristol, RI • 7/3 36. Cedarburg, WI • 7/3 37. Ogden, UT • 7/3 38. Quincy, MA • 7/6 39. Whitewater, WI • 7/6 40. Casper, WY • 7/6 41. Kalamazoo, MI • 7/7 42. Denver, CO • 7/7 43. Sacramento, CA • 7/7 44. Jackson, NJ • 7/7 45. Chambersburg, PA • 7/8 46. Pleasant Hill, CA • 7/8 47. Centerville, OH • 7/9 48. Omaha, NE • 7/9 49. Waukee, IA • 7/10 50. Bowling Green, OH • 7/11 51. Metamora, IL • 7/11 52. Davenport, IA • 7/12 53. Salem, WI • 7/12 54. Lisle, IL • 7/13 55. La Crosse, WI • 7/13 56. Southern, CA • 7/14 57. Minneapolis, MN • 7/14 58. Rockford, IL • 7/15

59. Bellflower, CA • 7/15 60. Manchester, NH • 7/15 61. Olathe, KS • 7/16 62. Lebanon, IL • 7/16 63. Wichita, KS • 7/17 64. Bentonville, AR • 7/17 65. Broken Arrow, OK • 7/18 66. Denton, TX • 7/19 67. Round Rock, TX • 7/19 68. Houston, TX • 7/20 69. San Antonio, TX • 7/21 70. Odessa, TX • 7/23 71. Lafayette, LA • 7/23 72. Ocean Springs, MS • 7/24 73. Dallas, TX • 7/24 74. Edmond, OK • 7/25 75. Hattiesburg, MS • 7/25 76. Little Rock, AR • 7/26 77. Murfreesboro, TN • 7/27 78. Atlanta, GA • 7/28

79. Paw Paw, MI • 7/28 80. Charlotte, NC • 7/29 81. Charleston, WV • 7/30 82. Raleigh/Durham, NC • 7/30 83. Spring Valley, IL • 7/30 84. Erie, PA • 7/30 85. Salem, VA • 7/31 86. Dublin, OH • 7/31 87. Johnsonburg, PA • 7/31 88. Warrenton, VA • 7/31 89. Erie, PA • 8/1 90. West Chester, PA • 8/1 91. Rice Lake, WI • 8/1 92. Lawrence, MA • 8/2 93. Rome, NY • 8/2 94. TBD, IA • 8/3 95. Allentown, PA • 8/3 96. Allentown, PA • 8/4 97. Niles, MI • 8/4 98. East Rutherford, NJ • 8/5 99. Pittsburgh, PA • 8/5 100. Massillon, OH • 8/6

For tickets, group rates & additional info, visit www.DCI.org

Michigan City, IN Open Class Prelims • 8/6 Open Class Finals • 8/7

Indianapolis, IN

World Championship Prelims • 8/9 World Championship Semifinals • 8/10 World Championship Finals • 8/11

DCI Premier Events highlighted in red.

Tour of Champions Series highlighted in blue.

or “Archives,” then scroll down to “Crossword.”

About the Author Matt Jones is a 1998 graduate of Willamette University in Salem, Ore., where he majored in music education. Since 1994, he has also written crosswords for venues such as The New York Times, Games Magazine and Stagebill.

He currently writes a syndicated weekly puzzle for more than 50 alternative newspapers across the country.

The 2012 Drum Corps International Tour

MARCHING MUSIC’S MAJOR LEAGUE™

Events and dates subject to change. rev 4/12

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