Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Game of the Week,Sabino @ Catalina Foothills,10/08/2010
Last Friday I went to my favorite local football venue,Catalina Foothills,to get my first live look at The Sabino High School Band and the first performance of the entire Foothills Show.
The Sabino Band does some excellent things.I love the all-brass approach,and have often wondered why more marching bands don`t do it.The use of electronics is very nicely integrated with the ensemble and I really like the proper use of tonal bass drums.
With a small band,when the brass players start spreading out,they really are on an island,and very exposed,so they need to play with the same confidence,as when they are in close ranks.Also,if the brass players crescendo slightly on long notes through the full value of the note,it will provide more "drive" to the sound and avoid a "tired" sound from notes not held for their full length.When this band packs together in the stands,it sounds great!!Overall,this is a very enjoyable band,congratulations.
The CFHS Band amazes me.They truly elevate marching band to an art form.Their kaleidoscopic,non-stop,abstract show is incredible.This was the first time they performed the whole show,so naturally the ending was not as polished as the rest.With such a challenging program,and the abstract nature of it,the musicians need to be very aware of their feet matching the appropriate notes.The left feet need to anticipate," one" so that their feet hit the ground with the downbeat.Good luck at your upcoming contests and keep up the good work.
The Sabino Band does some excellent things.I love the all-brass approach,and have often wondered why more marching bands don`t do it.The use of electronics is very nicely integrated with the ensemble and I really like the proper use of tonal bass drums.
With a small band,when the brass players start spreading out,they really are on an island,and very exposed,so they need to play with the same confidence,as when they are in close ranks.Also,if the brass players crescendo slightly on long notes through the full value of the note,it will provide more "drive" to the sound and avoid a "tired" sound from notes not held for their full length.When this band packs together in the stands,it sounds great!!Overall,this is a very enjoyable band,congratulations.
The CFHS Band amazes me.They truly elevate marching band to an art form.Their kaleidoscopic,non-stop,abstract show is incredible.This was the first time they performed the whole show,so naturally the ending was not as polished as the rest.With such a challenging program,and the abstract nature of it,the musicians need to be very aware of their feet matching the appropriate notes.The left feet need to anticipate," one" so that their feet hit the ground with the downbeat.Good luck at your upcoming contests and keep up the good work.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Ironwood Ridge,Oct.9th Results
Division IV
Catalina Magnet II
Division III
Santa Rita III
Maricopa III
Higley III
CDO II
Sabino II
Vista Grande III
Pinnacle III
Division II
Ironwood Ridge II
Desert Mountain II
Tucson II
Sahuarita III
Marana III
Division I
Desert View II
Flowing Wells II
Mountain View II
Rincon/University II
Catalina Foothills II_
Catalina Magnet II
Division III
Santa Rita III
Maricopa III
Higley III
CDO II
Sabino II
Vista Grande III
Pinnacle III
Division II
Ironwood Ridge II
Desert Mountain II
Tucson II
Sahuarita III
Marana III
Division I
Desert View II
Flowing Wells II
Mountain View II
Rincon/University II
Catalina Foothills II_
Ironwood Ridge @ Tucson High
The high school football experience in Tucson is really pleasant.Last Friday,under the lights,I ventured over to Tucson High.In the late `70s, when I was going to Catalina High School, I don`t think I would have gone there alone.There was an enormous crowd ( Homecoming may have been a factor).Other than the parking problems,it was a very enjoyable evening.I`m really impressed with the respect offered to the away teams and bands.I was really happy to see The Ironwood Ridge Band there.
Of course they made me feel right at home,when I realized that they use The Michigan State Fight Song,a song I grew up on because my older brother played trumpet in The MSU Band.These games really are a showcase of a huge number of young people doing positive things. Between the teams,bands,cheerleaders or classmates there to support their friends, a lot of good things are going on.here.
Of course they made me feel right at home,when I realized that they use The Michigan State Fight Song,a song I grew up on because my older brother played trumpet in The MSU Band.These games really are a showcase of a huge number of young people doing positive things. Between the teams,bands,cheerleaders or classmates there to support their friends, a lot of good things are going on.here.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
What makes a great marching band?part 1
Let me start by saying that two of my favorite things in the world are marching band and drum corps.These two activities epitomize what can be accomplished by a group,when they focus on common goals.The final product can be truly profound.These are two of the most worthwhile activities any young person may participate in,and I applaud everyone that does.
The origin of marching music is military in nature.That means power and the impression of invincibility,are at the foundation.Whether it is the trumpets at Jericho,the drum cadence driving soldier`s feet in unison,bagpipes scaring the enemy,or tribal drums inciting the natives,marching music is meant to be powerful.
Modern marching band`s largest stage is college football.Anyone who says that it is just a game,has never experienced big time college football.When two large institutions of higher learning clash on the gridiron,complete with two large marching bands and throngs of supporters clad in the appropriate colors,there is a clash of cultures on the level of a war between Greek City States.When The Michigan State Spartan Marching Band entered The University of Michigan Stadium last Saturday,to face over 100,000 maize and blue spectators,it had to feel like The Spartans of old, facing Xerxes at Thermopylae!But when MSU went to U of M outnumbered more than ten to one,you can bet they were going to lead with the power of their 300+ member marching band!
Pound for pound,no group of equal number,should be as powerful as the marching band,even when it comes to yelling.The band should use its precision and air support to be the loudest yells in the stadium.The band needs to do everything within the rules to give their team an edge.This means knowing when and when not to play and rallying the fans at the appropriate time.Sometimes it is as simple as the drummers playing the accents to a defense chant,or not playing when their team has the ball and is trying to call signals.
There were two or three moments during The Oregon State at Arizona Game last Saturday,where the band and crowd failed to disrupt The OSU Offense.With OSU backed up into the closed end of the stadium,the band did not play and the fans were not able to force OSU into any false starts,that could have changed the outcome.It is at these times that the band and fans are elevated from spectators to participants.That moment,the band becomes a conduit that creates a universal bonding experience for the entire community!That is when you have a great marching band!
The origin of marching music is military in nature.That means power and the impression of invincibility,are at the foundation.Whether it is the trumpets at Jericho,the drum cadence driving soldier`s feet in unison,bagpipes scaring the enemy,or tribal drums inciting the natives,marching music is meant to be powerful.
Modern marching band`s largest stage is college football.Anyone who says that it is just a game,has never experienced big time college football.When two large institutions of higher learning clash on the gridiron,complete with two large marching bands and throngs of supporters clad in the appropriate colors,there is a clash of cultures on the level of a war between Greek City States.When The Michigan State Spartan Marching Band entered The University of Michigan Stadium last Saturday,to face over 100,000 maize and blue spectators,it had to feel like The Spartans of old, facing Xerxes at Thermopylae!But when MSU went to U of M outnumbered more than ten to one,you can bet they were going to lead with the power of their 300+ member marching band!
Pound for pound,no group of equal number,should be as powerful as the marching band,even when it comes to yelling.The band should use its precision and air support to be the loudest yells in the stadium.The band needs to do everything within the rules to give their team an edge.This means knowing when and when not to play and rallying the fans at the appropriate time.Sometimes it is as simple as the drummers playing the accents to a defense chant,or not playing when their team has the ball and is trying to call signals.
There were two or three moments during The Oregon State at Arizona Game last Saturday,where the band and crowd failed to disrupt The OSU Offense.With OSU backed up into the closed end of the stadium,the band did not play and the fans were not able to force OSU into any false starts,that could have changed the outcome.It is at these times that the band and fans are elevated from spectators to participants.That moment,the band becomes a conduit that creates a universal bonding experience for the entire community!That is when you have a great marching band!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Game of the Week,Cienega @ Catalina Foothills High School,Oct.1,2010
Catalina Foothills High School is a spectacular place to watch a football game.The home stands give the crowd views of the sunset,and the city.
The scene was almost matched by the 250 piece Falcon Band.In 1977,I was a member of The Nunamaker Award winning Catalina High School Band(64 pieces).It must be really cool to have a band of that size.The nine minute non-stop halftime show was really a sight to behold.The scope of the show was something way beyond anything we did in high school.Of course,that was a different era,where we did a different show for every home game(a la Bill Moffitt),as opposed to the corps-style that seems to dominate everywhere now.
Once again I was disappointed in the lack of an away band.If anyone knows what the general rule is about bands traveling,I would really appreciate that information.
At first I was really upset to find out that The Ironwood Ridge Invitational is next Saturday,instead of this week,while The U of A has a bye.But then I found out that the game is starting at 4:00pm,so I maybe able to attend both.
In two ways the CFHS Band outdoes The U of A Band.It is one of my pet peeves that The Pride of Arizona does not play The National Anthem,and the chaotic way they enter the field at halftime.Major Kudos to The Falcons for the way they did The Star Spangled Banner and the orderly way they take the field at halftime.There is one other thing that The POA never does and that is nine minute non-stop drills!Your band is an amazing source of pride for your school and community.I look forward to seeing this show in a month when it is really perfected.There were a few phasing problems when the band was spread out,everyone has to really be aware of the beat and the subdivision,and really feel the pulse,when everyone really has a sense of the beat,it will really have "punch."Bravo band,very impressive.
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