There are many ways to measure whether a band program is on the rise or decline.The easiest and most obvious measure is the number of members enrolled,and decidedly membership in The Pride of Arizona has steadily declined over the last five years.
Another measure is Alumni support.This is displayed in various ways.The most apparent from the outside looking in,is the size of the Alumni Band at Homecoming.Now there has not been a lot of longevity with the band director position which has a negative affect,but then again as the current regime continues it would stand to reason that those numbers would show healthy increases.
One of the most important components of a big time band program is a strong group of band alumni.They are the ones who start the ball rolling whenever there is any band oriented initiative.
In the last couple of years,the Athletic Department has recruited two of the best coaches in the country.Those coaches came to the university because they knew they could sell what the U of A and Tucson have.The atmosphere that exists on a regular basis at The McKale Center,that home court advantage that gives the Wildcats a boost as well as a daunting hurdle for the opposition,should be even more formidable at the football stadium.Creating that atmosphere is the beautiful thing about being in a College Marching Band.
Tucson is the perfect size to make Wildcat Football an amazing community event,and the marching band is in a position to be at the forefront of a truly awesome heritage.There is only one event in this town that brings such a large segment of the community together,and it should be a Tucsonan`s birthright to go to Arizona Stadium and take part in watching highly touted teams` dreams die.
When spectators are elevated to being participants,that is when people are truly entertained,and it is those moments that elevates and galvanizes a community.It is that kind of excitement that is far too big for television.The experience should be so significant in nature that there is no question that it is worth every dollar!
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Friday, August 24, 2012
This summer I had the honor of being a volunteer driver for The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps.45 days,27 states,12,000 miles, a ton of drum corps!I lead a charmed life,to be able to spend a summer like that!The drum & bugle corps activity never ceases to amaze me.The dedication of the corps members is an inspiration,and the quality of people all around the activity is phenomenal.Even after watching 70 corps shows in three days it does not get old for me.
The finished product of these corps speaks for itself.How many opportunities in life,do most people get to be part of something that is world class?Everyone in this activity learns the same lesson,and that lesson can be described many different ways,but basically:never underestimate what can be achieved by a group of people with common goals and a focus,to achieve something far greater than the sum of their parts.Is there a better life lesson than that?These are the people that are going to create a better future.
The finished product of these corps speaks for itself.How many opportunities in life,do most people get to be part of something that is world class?Everyone in this activity learns the same lesson,and that lesson can be described many different ways,but basically:never underestimate what can be achieved by a group of people with common goals and a focus,to achieve something far greater than the sum of their parts.Is there a better life lesson than that?These are the people that are going to create a better future.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Greatest Youth Activity
On June 28,I embarked on a six week national tour as a volunteer driver for The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps.
Our first three stops were in Southern California,at Oceanside,Walnut and Riverside.The Pacific Crest from Diamond Bar,California was the host corps.
The Phantom Regiment was once again rewarding West Coast audiences,but their show,Turandot could not take down The Blue Devils.
The BD are once again blowing minds with a show that raises the art form,reminicent of their" chair"show and their "mirror"show.
The Santa Clara Vanguard have really improved,with a much less esoteric show than their 2011 "Devil`s Staircase."
The Academy is intent on making finals this year.Although currently ranked seventeenth,watch for them to start making their move next week when they become more active between Denver and Minneapolis.
Our first three stops were in Southern California,at Oceanside,Walnut and Riverside.The Pacific Crest from Diamond Bar,California was the host corps.
The Phantom Regiment was once again rewarding West Coast audiences,but their show,Turandot could not take down The Blue Devils.
The BD are once again blowing minds with a show that raises the art form,reminicent of their" chair"show and their "mirror"show.
The Santa Clara Vanguard have really improved,with a much less esoteric show than their 2011 "Devil`s Staircase."
The Academy is intent on making finals this year.Although currently ranked seventeenth,watch for them to start making their move next week when they become more active between Denver and Minneapolis.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Drum Corps Season Begins
Today starts an excellent week if you are a marching music fan in Tucson.Tonight,Monday,June 18th,the Drum Corps Season starts with a show recorded two days ago in Akron,presented at Park Place Mall Cinemas,at 6:30pm,featuring six of last year`s top twelve corps.Fathom.com will provide you with a complete listing of theaters,
On Wednesday,at Mesa,Dobson High School at 7:00pm,Southwest Corps Connection will present Arizona`s only big time corps show..Featuring:The Academy,Santa Clara Vanguard,Phantom Regiment and The Blue Knights.At this time there may still be some decent seats left.Ticket information can be found at:Drum Corps International website.
On Wednesday,at Mesa,Dobson High School at 7:00pm,Southwest Corps Connection will present Arizona`s only big time corps show..Featuring:The Academy,Santa Clara Vanguard,Phantom Regiment and The Blue Knights.At this time there may still be some decent seats left.Ticket information can be found at:Drum Corps International website.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Post Football Season Reflections
Football and marching music are the perfect marriage for our modern times,much to the chagrin of Corps purists as well as football purists.Despite what The National Football League wants you to believe,College Football is this nation`s most popular spectator sport,and not by a little.At most,the NFL showcases 16 games in a week,played in much smaller stadiums than college heavyweights.Of course the NFL is gold when it comes to television ratings,but that is because the best seat in the house,is actually in your house.Now on the other hand,there is no way that College Football on television can compare to actually attending.
Last summer I was lucky enough to go to a Drum Corps Event featuring six of the top twelve Corps,and relegated to watching the quarterfinals at a movie theater,knowing that it was not going to be nearly as good as the live event.Then out of the blue,an opportunity to drive for The Academy fell into my lap and I actually attended finals!There was no way the cinema could duplicate the feeling of 70 Madison Scouts horn players bringing home Empire State of Mind,or convey the emotion of Juliet slitting her neck,on final`s night,on top of the Drum Major`s podium.
Emotion is the key ingredient.The fervor of College Football combined with the fuel of huge marching bands is an amazing combination.200 million fans may watch The Superbowl on television,and slightly more watching Madonna at halftime,but those fans are not having anywhere near as much fun as the 95,000 at The Rose Bowl,who got to see The Badger Band at halftime.I know this to be true,because no one in 500 theaters across America watching quarterfinals,had as much fun as I did.
The NFL produces television shows,and they are masterful at it.That is why they made the decision to go to huge pop stars for halftime instead of marching music.The Irony of having professional football`s feature event in the same venue that Drum Corps International had theirs is comical because I managed to have the best seat in the house for both!So if you want to experience a great event go to a College Football Game or check out a Corps Show because it is a lot more fun than watching television.
Last summer I was lucky enough to go to a Drum Corps Event featuring six of the top twelve Corps,and relegated to watching the quarterfinals at a movie theater,knowing that it was not going to be nearly as good as the live event.Then out of the blue,an opportunity to drive for The Academy fell into my lap and I actually attended finals!There was no way the cinema could duplicate the feeling of 70 Madison Scouts horn players bringing home Empire State of Mind,or convey the emotion of Juliet slitting her neck,on final`s night,on top of the Drum Major`s podium.
Emotion is the key ingredient.The fervor of College Football combined with the fuel of huge marching bands is an amazing combination.200 million fans may watch The Superbowl on television,and slightly more watching Madonna at halftime,but those fans are not having anywhere near as much fun as the 95,000 at The Rose Bowl,who got to see The Badger Band at halftime.I know this to be true,because no one in 500 theaters across America watching quarterfinals,had as much fun as I did.
The NFL produces television shows,and they are masterful at it.That is why they made the decision to go to huge pop stars for halftime instead of marching music.The Irony of having professional football`s feature event in the same venue that Drum Corps International had theirs is comical because I managed to have the best seat in the house for both!So if you want to experience a great event go to a College Football Game or check out a Corps Show because it is a lot more fun than watching television.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)