Saturday, January 26, 2008
The Band Party was Amazing!
We had an incredible party last night at Pappa-Razzi! With over 100 students coming, (some had conflicts) we had a great time hanging out, reminiscing and dancing till 11pm! This was simply a party to be together, no presentations or formality of any kind. Thanks to the "Band Fans" for sponsoring and paying for this great event. The food was great, the staff was all there and we had a blast!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Marching Band January Update!
Things are going great with the Marching Band. We are now auditioning for the Pit, Battery, and Colorguard and will be doing that through to the February break. The talent looks great. Frank Mauriello has been working with the pit and is doing a great job. The show is great. The staff has been meeting and getting everything ready for the new season. We are very much ahead of most bands on Long Island right now. Many bands don't even have a show picked out yet! Usually we have ours picked for the next year prior to the dome. I will continue putting all of the music up on the website. I have to scan each part and attach them together by instrument so it may take some time.
On a personal note, I have now been going for the first time through the college process with my daughter Stephanie, a senior at Mineola. It sure is a roller coaster ride trying to figure out where to go and this is incredible for me as a parent to actually go through it.
Once again, things are going great. Our new staff members will surely help us be amazing and better than ever this year. We should be beating alot more bands this year, that's for sure!
On a personal note, I have now been going for the first time through the college process with my daughter Stephanie, a senior at Mineola. It sure is a roller coaster ride trying to figure out where to go and this is incredible for me as a parent to actually go through it.
Once again, things are going great. Our new staff members will surely help us be amazing and better than ever this year. We should be beating alot more bands this year, that's for sure!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Captains, Colorguard, Staff, and a Golf Cart
Those additional captains
So here it is, why did I add three pit and drum captains a week and a half after I originally put the list up. Many people are reading into all kinds of things, saying “why did he add captains? ” Well here it is, I made a mistake. I changed my mind and added three captains. Simple. No ulterior motives, no public pressure, no reacting to the outside forces in the district. In this case, an apple is just an apple, that’s all. I tell the students that sometimes you read too much into something, looking at every blemish and dent on the apple, trying to break it apart and dissect it, examining it and trying to figure it out. It is just an apple, that’s all.
Anybody who knows me well fully understands that in a million years, I would never add positions due to political pressure from anyone. It's not in my fiber, never was, and never will be. I live and breathe by my conviction and integrity. Anyone who knows me really well knows this about me. I do make mistakes, will “flip flop” on things to a fault at times, but I spend hours and hours choosing the student leadership team for the band each year. I do my best. Sometimes mistakes are made and the wrong people are chosen. I never really know that until we get into the next season, when the person rises or falls in the position. I am confident that I have chosen an incredible team of leaders for next year.
Colorguard
We are going to make the colorguard larger this year. Kerianne McMahon will be running the guard, she is already starting some casual rehearsals. Ms. McMahon is incredible and has already started to recruit! We have 26 colorguard members and will probably go up to 40 this year by the time we add the incoming 8th graders. The new uniform has been chosen and is on the band website. It is amazing, check it out! We will be adding rifles this year in a few tunes. I have always avoided the weapons, however the judges are telling us to add them. We are not in support of firearms, they are pieces of wood that are used as twirling batons and we will be trying them in a few places in this year’s show. I am totally thrilled that Ms. McMahon will be on our staff!
Gene Bennett
We will have a major addition to our staff this year once we get approval from the administration and the board of education. As you know, Jonathan Schwartz became very busy this year with his personal life and was unable to come to the last 5 rehearsals and events. With that said, we have landed one of the best visual directors and drill designers to join our staff. Gene Bennett has been with Huntington and Sachem for many years and now will be on our staff. Gene will be writing the drill, retooling our marching basics, and helping our band to become a National Class band. He has numerous 1st place band wins under his belt and has been the main reason that Huntington has been a dynasty since 1979. As a director, I have taught drill and ran basics with our current drill instructor, Jim Downey, in Gene Bennet’s style of teaching, Hoping we would get him on board at some point. Mr. Downey and Mr. Bennet have been working together for years now, making an outstanding team and ensuring a seamless transition. We have also been doing basics using Mr. Bennett’s technique as a model. I cannot tell you how excited I am to get this gentleman on our staff, running the visual program. His being here will enable Ms. Miller, Mr. Gazzo, and myself to do what we do best, music. We will take full responsibility to work on breathing, tone quality, articulation, and music basics while Mr. Bennett and Mr. Downey teach the drill and marching. Mr. Bennett will be writing what I call a “real drill.” My drills are good for a good band. We have done well by my drill but now it is time to move on. In other words, the band has outgrown my drill. We need to have one of those incredible drills that the National Class bands do, more sets, more movement, seamless flag transitions and beautiful, moving forms. My drills had to rely on gimmicks. Also, our band, due to the music staff splitting between visual and music, has not been as well rehearsed as it could have been. Now we can focus on music and leave the visual to the masters. The band will sound better, louder, and cleaner. We will not only march in step, but will have style when we march. Mr. Bennet is magical, every band he works with wins! This is an incredible gain for us. We are adding one of the best names in the business to our staff. You will see an amazing difference with our show this year. Mr. Bennett will be at our entire band camp and at all rehearsals. Of course, this is all pending approval of the BOE and administration.
Band Size and Recruiting
We will be growing once again. I will have to order about 35 uniforms for next year as well as the new colorguard uniforms. The amount of spots in each section has been determined due to drill limitations. When you do a real drill you need to fit into the 8’s and 16’s, enabling the drill designer to make those great forms. This is what the best bands do. I have listed the amount of openings in each section and as we fill them we will maneuver people around to different instruments, to fit the needs of the drill. The list is up at the high school and middle school bandrooms and will be updated weekly on this website. We will have auditions for sections to fill the spots according to ability. We will only accept new members if they pass a basic audition on the new instrument or flag. As always, we will find a spot for everyone who wants to be in the marching band.
Frank Mauriello
We finally have a pit instructor, pending board approval of course. We have procured one of the best pit instructors, Frank Mauriello. He has been running the pit at Mineola and will be running our pit, attend our entire band camp and all our rehearsals. Frank’s addition enables Mr. Gazzo to run the winds with me and help the entire band sound better, focusing on musical basics. Mr. Mauriello’s energy and pit writing is incredible, he will do a great job with us!
Golf Cart
To have a golf cart or not, that is the question. We are contemplating purchasing a golf cart. I have been going back and forth on this for the last few months. In the old days, bands would make a train of carts, put all the pit equipment on them, and pull the train to the field. This process would require one person driving the golf cart and a few parents making sure that the percussion equipment didn’t fall off of them. In the past three years, due to the growth of marching bands in the United States, the pit percussion companies have been making keyboards with the big 8 inch wheels on them so they could be wheeled onto the field. Since all of our keyboards (vibraphone, marimbas, and xylophones) have big wheels since we just purchased them in the past three years, they can easily be moved around without a cart. The timpani drums and small pit equipment is another story. Pulling the old piano cart from the “Piano Lesson” show with the timpani on it is a nightmare. The small pit equipment is also difficult to move. It seems, having a golf cart pulling two carts connected together would make sense, and make it easier for parents to get this stuff to the field. However, after talking to the Long Island band directors at the date selection meeting yesterday (Nov. 29) I am now changing my mind. They pretty much said that there is no use for the golf carts, that they only use them out of tradition and that the parents groups are attached to them. A few band directors said that when they break down they will try not to replace them. Copiague doesn’t use a golf cart. They pull these new carts, from a company called Jarvis, that have 8 and 9 inch wheels on them and are extremely easy for one person to pull a full set of timpani or percussion. The band director said that the golf cart is not necessary any more and becomes more of a problem with trailer insurance, storage, getting the cart to work each year, charging it up, and getting it to shows. He also said that the pit kids pull the two Jarvis Carts onto the field and leave the one with the timpani on it right in place. Of course, the golf cart looks “cool.” In any case, we are still talking about whether to get a cart or not and will do what we think is best. As a side note, at every post contest meeting the judges always comment on how we have the most parents pulling our stuff onto the field and in cheering in the stands, With the purchase of these new carts, which I already have in the budget, we will only need about 10 parents per show to get the pit onto the field. Remember, we are not using the huge speakers and gym equipment this year. We are just doing a music and drill show this year. We are going to let our music and marching do the talking!
So here it is, why did I add three pit and drum captains a week and a half after I originally put the list up. Many people are reading into all kinds of things, saying “why did he add captains? ” Well here it is, I made a mistake. I changed my mind and added three captains. Simple. No ulterior motives, no public pressure, no reacting to the outside forces in the district. In this case, an apple is just an apple, that’s all. I tell the students that sometimes you read too much into something, looking at every blemish and dent on the apple, trying to break it apart and dissect it, examining it and trying to figure it out. It is just an apple, that’s all.
Anybody who knows me well fully understands that in a million years, I would never add positions due to political pressure from anyone. It's not in my fiber, never was, and never will be. I live and breathe by my conviction and integrity. Anyone who knows me really well knows this about me. I do make mistakes, will “flip flop” on things to a fault at times, but I spend hours and hours choosing the student leadership team for the band each year. I do my best. Sometimes mistakes are made and the wrong people are chosen. I never really know that until we get into the next season, when the person rises or falls in the position. I am confident that I have chosen an incredible team of leaders for next year.
Colorguard
We are going to make the colorguard larger this year. Kerianne McMahon will be running the guard, she is already starting some casual rehearsals. Ms. McMahon is incredible and has already started to recruit! We have 26 colorguard members and will probably go up to 40 this year by the time we add the incoming 8th graders. The new uniform has been chosen and is on the band website. It is amazing, check it out! We will be adding rifles this year in a few tunes. I have always avoided the weapons, however the judges are telling us to add them. We are not in support of firearms, they are pieces of wood that are used as twirling batons and we will be trying them in a few places in this year’s show. I am totally thrilled that Ms. McMahon will be on our staff!
Gene Bennett
We will have a major addition to our staff this year once we get approval from the administration and the board of education. As you know, Jonathan Schwartz became very busy this year with his personal life and was unable to come to the last 5 rehearsals and events. With that said, we have landed one of the best visual directors and drill designers to join our staff. Gene Bennett has been with Huntington and Sachem for many years and now will be on our staff. Gene will be writing the drill, retooling our marching basics, and helping our band to become a National Class band. He has numerous 1st place band wins under his belt and has been the main reason that Huntington has been a dynasty since 1979. As a director, I have taught drill and ran basics with our current drill instructor, Jim Downey, in Gene Bennet’s style of teaching, Hoping we would get him on board at some point. Mr. Downey and Mr. Bennet have been working together for years now, making an outstanding team and ensuring a seamless transition. We have also been doing basics using Mr. Bennett’s technique as a model. I cannot tell you how excited I am to get this gentleman on our staff, running the visual program. His being here will enable Ms. Miller, Mr. Gazzo, and myself to do what we do best, music. We will take full responsibility to work on breathing, tone quality, articulation, and music basics while Mr. Bennett and Mr. Downey teach the drill and marching. Mr. Bennett will be writing what I call a “real drill.” My drills are good for a good band. We have done well by my drill but now it is time to move on. In other words, the band has outgrown my drill. We need to have one of those incredible drills that the National Class bands do, more sets, more movement, seamless flag transitions and beautiful, moving forms. My drills had to rely on gimmicks. Also, our band, due to the music staff splitting between visual and music, has not been as well rehearsed as it could have been. Now we can focus on music and leave the visual to the masters. The band will sound better, louder, and cleaner. We will not only march in step, but will have style when we march. Mr. Bennet is magical, every band he works with wins! This is an incredible gain for us. We are adding one of the best names in the business to our staff. You will see an amazing difference with our show this year. Mr. Bennett will be at our entire band camp and at all rehearsals. Of course, this is all pending approval of the BOE and administration.
Band Size and Recruiting
We will be growing once again. I will have to order about 35 uniforms for next year as well as the new colorguard uniforms. The amount of spots in each section has been determined due to drill limitations. When you do a real drill you need to fit into the 8’s and 16’s, enabling the drill designer to make those great forms. This is what the best bands do. I have listed the amount of openings in each section and as we fill them we will maneuver people around to different instruments, to fit the needs of the drill. The list is up at the high school and middle school bandrooms and will be updated weekly on this website. We will have auditions for sections to fill the spots according to ability. We will only accept new members if they pass a basic audition on the new instrument or flag. As always, we will find a spot for everyone who wants to be in the marching band.
Frank Mauriello
We finally have a pit instructor, pending board approval of course. We have procured one of the best pit instructors, Frank Mauriello. He has been running the pit at Mineola and will be running our pit, attend our entire band camp and all our rehearsals. Frank’s addition enables Mr. Gazzo to run the winds with me and help the entire band sound better, focusing on musical basics. Mr. Mauriello’s energy and pit writing is incredible, he will do a great job with us!
Golf Cart
To have a golf cart or not, that is the question. We are contemplating purchasing a golf cart. I have been going back and forth on this for the last few months. In the old days, bands would make a train of carts, put all the pit equipment on them, and pull the train to the field. This process would require one person driving the golf cart and a few parents making sure that the percussion equipment didn’t fall off of them. In the past three years, due to the growth of marching bands in the United States, the pit percussion companies have been making keyboards with the big 8 inch wheels on them so they could be wheeled onto the field. Since all of our keyboards (vibraphone, marimbas, and xylophones) have big wheels since we just purchased them in the past three years, they can easily be moved around without a cart. The timpani drums and small pit equipment is another story. Pulling the old piano cart from the “Piano Lesson” show with the timpani on it is a nightmare. The small pit equipment is also difficult to move. It seems, having a golf cart pulling two carts connected together would make sense, and make it easier for parents to get this stuff to the field. However, after talking to the Long Island band directors at the date selection meeting yesterday (Nov. 29) I am now changing my mind. They pretty much said that there is no use for the golf carts, that they only use them out of tradition and that the parents groups are attached to them. A few band directors said that when they break down they will try not to replace them. Copiague doesn’t use a golf cart. They pull these new carts, from a company called Jarvis, that have 8 and 9 inch wheels on them and are extremely easy for one person to pull a full set of timpani or percussion. The band director said that the golf cart is not necessary any more and becomes more of a problem with trailer insurance, storage, getting the cart to work each year, charging it up, and getting it to shows. He also said that the pit kids pull the two Jarvis Carts onto the field and leave the one with the timpani on it right in place. Of course, the golf cart looks “cool.” In any case, we are still talking about whether to get a cart or not and will do what we think is best. As a side note, at every post contest meeting the judges always comment on how we have the most parents pulling our stuff onto the field and in cheering in the stands, With the purchase of these new carts, which I already have in the budget, we will only need about 10 parents per show to get the pit onto the field. Remember, we are not using the huge speakers and gym equipment this year. We are just doing a music and drill show this year. We are going to let our music and marching do the talking!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Roslyn Jazz Project
The Jazz Band here at Roslyn has been like no other jazz band I have taught. Meeting after school during the 10th period as a class nobody came. I was shocked at the attendance my first year. People always had conflicts. I called Mr. Gazzo, my new friend and colleague who ran the high school jazz band the 2nd half of the 2002-2003 school year and he said the attendance was poor as well. I then went on to rehearse after school with poor attendance, requiring everyone to go but they still didn't. I had a mandatory rehearsal, picked really easy music, and pulled off a concert with a bunch of easy rock tunes and pretty much had a jam session my first year. People loved it, but it wasn't really a jazz band in the way that I was familiar with. The next two years became different jazz bands, including flutes and clarinets, having two bands, a studio and ensemble jazz, rehearsing after school and at night. Attendance was still poor. Now this year we are going to have a "real" high school jazz band. In order to make this band work I talked to Mr. Frey and am using the Chamber Singers, one of the most successful groups in the school, as a model for our Jazz Band. We are now having a standard high school jazz band which includes 5 saxes, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, and 4 rhythm section players, bass, drums, piano, and guitar. We will no longer have flutes and clarinets in the jazz band. This is the standard in high school jazz bands. In addition, we are remaining true to what the jazz band is, a select group of advanced musicians. Through auditions, I have chosen the people who will fill those spots. I am keeping track of the alternates who didn't make it so that they can fill the spots if people cannot make the committment of the rehearsal schedule. Rehearsals will be required. Each jazz band member will need to come to two rehearsals, one sectional and the full rehearsal on Friday during 10th period. Since this is a class, jazz band members are absolutely required to be there or they will have to relinquish their spot in the group. The jazz band will now be called the "Jazz Project." I am sorry that we will not have flutes and clarinets, and that jazz band members cannot be all inclusive, however this is a select group. The course offering for the jazz band has reflected this for the past two years. I will be doing an array of jazz and rock music with the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band to meet the needs of all the band students to learn the jazz idiom.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Four Drum Majors, Positivity, and the Internet
Yes, this year I decided to go with four drum majors. Why? Well because the band is huge, for one thing. And because next year's show has four songs, for another. And we need more drill techs at camp, for another, and that is what the drum majors do at camp, they help teach the drill on the field. As a director, I have spent many hours choosing this leadership team. I stand by them completely. This is an incredible team of people who will be great! Remember, by criticizing my choices you are criticizing the band leadership team as well. People who negatively react to the team are negatively reacting to human beings who are in those positions. Criticize me all you want, I can take it, just be careful not to hurt anyone's feelings who actually have been awarded these positions. They are our teammates. Negativity is not what we are about here at Roslyn, we are a positive group of people. Of course, it is natural for people to be upset that they or their friends did not get the captain and officer positions. I totally understand that and wish everyone could be a captain. Unfortunately there are only so many positions. As we get to the National Class these positions will become even more powerful. Once again, please remember that these people are on our team. Let's have positive interactions. As always, I will talk to any of you at any time I am free to discuss my selections and rationale. Please remember as well, anything you write on the internet (as is the case with this blog and my website) can be printed out anywhere. Only post things online that you would be proud to have seen by anyone, because it probably will be.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
A Sight to Behold!
One of the most incredible things happened today. Let me tell you this story!
Two years ago, prior to my second year at Roslyn, I devised a long term planning grid with the band. Keeping the integrity of the one night rehearsal due to academic demands at Roslyn, we went ahead with our plan. I used the Orchard Park band as a model for building excellence. They started in the novice class in 1987 and built up one of the top bands in the National Class in 17 years. Using their history as a template, I showed the students in detail how they could set long term and short term goals to build something. On Sunday night, Orchard Park won the National Class. They dethroned the West Genesee and Arlington shared dynasty. Today I dusted off that old plan I set in place two years ago. The Junior and Senior classes in the band remembered it vividly. The interesting thing is, and this is why I am writing to you, when I hung it up today outside the bandroom the kids crowded around it like it was their SAT scores. I couldn't clear the crowd! Students started figuring out how our band might get to that goal and reach it even earlier than Orchard Park. I was totally amazed at how a group of kids, who will be long gone when these goals are achieved, attached themselves emotionally to this plan. They saw the "Big Picture." I flew home in my car today, knowing that the "Big Goal," something they won't be here to experience, excited and made Roslyn seem even more special to them. Isn't this what its all about. Getting a group of people excited and attached to a long term goal invigorated me as an educator. I felt humbled by their enthusiasm. It was a sight to behold!
It really isn't about "band" at all. It's about achieving an incredibly difficult goal before you ever achieve it. They won 7th out of 7 in their class, but through vision, they have already won. They will win the National Class, they know it. They are part of this school and it will be a huge part of them forever.
They made my day!
Two years ago, prior to my second year at Roslyn, I devised a long term planning grid with the band. Keeping the integrity of the one night rehearsal due to academic demands at Roslyn, we went ahead with our plan. I used the Orchard Park band as a model for building excellence. They started in the novice class in 1987 and built up one of the top bands in the National Class in 17 years. Using their history as a template, I showed the students in detail how they could set long term and short term goals to build something. On Sunday night, Orchard Park won the National Class. They dethroned the West Genesee and Arlington shared dynasty. Today I dusted off that old plan I set in place two years ago. The Junior and Senior classes in the band remembered it vividly. The interesting thing is, and this is why I am writing to you, when I hung it up today outside the bandroom the kids crowded around it like it was their SAT scores. I couldn't clear the crowd! Students started figuring out how our band might get to that goal and reach it even earlier than Orchard Park. I was totally amazed at how a group of kids, who will be long gone when these goals are achieved, attached themselves emotionally to this plan. They saw the "Big Picture." I flew home in my car today, knowing that the "Big Goal," something they won't be here to experience, excited and made Roslyn seem even more special to them. Isn't this what its all about. Getting a group of people excited and attached to a long term goal invigorated me as an educator. I felt humbled by their enthusiasm. It was a sight to behold!
It really isn't about "band" at all. It's about achieving an incredibly difficult goal before you ever achieve it. They won 7th out of 7 in their class, but through vision, they have already won. They will win the National Class, they know it. They are part of this school and it will be a huge part of them forever.
They made my day!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Dome Wrap Up!
The Roslyn Band today continued it's move to the big time. Today, at 10:30am, the band did the most powerful, incredible, and precise performance of any Roslyn band. Today, the band rose higher into the big time. The energy was phenomenal. Today, the band was the talk of the dome. Today, the band became a professional band with concentration, focus, and energy. We peaked, big time, wow. I am so proud of how the band did. That was clearly a "Championship" performance. Let's face it. Unfortunately, the judges didn't agree and that's ok. They have a right to their opinions, we have to respect that, because.......you've heard me say it before. They will soon crown us champions. We will run through these classes in a record time period. We have already started.
I just happened to stumble onto this very interesting file on my computer. Two years ago, prior to the 2005 season we set these goals. I talked about it to the entire band and hung this up in the bandroom. I showed everyone in the band where we are going. LOOK! We are totally on track. Check it out! And remember, all the Band members are involved in this, from the Roslyn alumni band members, to the kids now in pre-k who will be that national band. Every one of us are involved. Let's be proud of our amazing accomplishments!
2002 - 6th out of 6, SS3, 1st year
2003 - 11th out of 11, SS3 , 2nd year, 1st year with a guard
2004 - 8th our of 10, SS3, 3rd year
2005 - Upper 3 SS3
2006 - Upper 3 SS3
2007 - Win SS3
2008 - Move to SS2
2009 - Middle SS2
2010 - Win SS2
2011 - Move to SS1
2012 - Middle SS1
2013 - Middle SS1
2014 - Upper 3 of SS1
2015 - Win SS1
2016 - Move to National, first LI National Band (well, Copiague beat us here)
2017 - National
2018 - National
2019 - National
Goals are crucial to our existence. We are setting and achieving them. There are setbacks, speedbumps, and detours. We are totally on track to building that "dynasty." Let's be proud and realize where we have come from.
Today was FUN! It's fun to be great! It's fun to win! Today, we will have to settle for one out of the two. Next year we're gonna "Take It." Yes!
Oh, by the way, today was no speedbump, it was a pinnacle!
I just happened to stumble onto this very interesting file on my computer. Two years ago, prior to the 2005 season we set these goals. I talked about it to the entire band and hung this up in the bandroom. I showed everyone in the band where we are going. LOOK! We are totally on track. Check it out! And remember, all the Band members are involved in this, from the Roslyn alumni band members, to the kids now in pre-k who will be that national band. Every one of us are involved. Let's be proud of our amazing accomplishments!
2002 - 6th out of 6, SS3, 1st year
2003 - 11th out of 11, SS3 , 2nd year, 1st year with a guard
2004 - 8th our of 10, SS3, 3rd year
2005 - Upper 3 SS3
2006 - Upper 3 SS3
2007 - Win SS3
2008 - Move to SS2
2009 - Middle SS2
2010 - Win SS2
2011 - Move to SS1
2012 - Middle SS1
2013 - Middle SS1
2014 - Upper 3 of SS1
2015 - Win SS1
2016 - Move to National, first LI National Band (well, Copiague beat us here)
2017 - National
2018 - National
2019 - National
Goals are crucial to our existence. We are setting and achieving them. There are setbacks, speedbumps, and detours. We are totally on track to building that "dynasty." Let's be proud and realize where we have come from.
Today was FUN! It's fun to be great! It's fun to win! Today, we will have to settle for one out of the two. Next year we're gonna "Take It." Yes!
Oh, by the way, today was no speedbump, it was a pinnacle!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Great Day, Great Rehearsal
We had a great day today. Waking up at 8am, we ate breakfast in two sittings at 9:00 and 9:45. We then relaxed and went to the "Carousel Mall" from 11:30 to 1:30, returned to the hotel from 2 to 4 to relax, and then went to our rehearsal site at Central Square High School from 4:30 to 7:00pm. It took a while for the band to get going at first, we had some problems with falling apart and fixed them. The weather was incredible, the stadium beautiful, a turf field, lights, and all. Then the last 90 minutes the band did the best they ever did. We made some major changes to increase the flow of the songs, cutting out the spaces between the movements. Then we did some work on those transitions to make the show perfect in terms of the dramatic content and musical impacts. We ended as it started to drizzle and went to eat at "Old Country Buffet" in Syracuse. Returning to the hotel at 9:15, the band members had free time at the pool until 11pm when they all went soundly to bed. We were incredibly lucky with the weather for our rehearsal, it seemed to stop just for us! We are all psyched about our performance at the Dome tomorrow.
Remember, judging is subjective. Be ready for anything.
Remember, judging is subjective. Be ready for anything.
Trade Offs & Departure Day Trip Update
Let me just say that the trip is going great. The kids, as usual, are the best ever! We had a tiny mishap in northern Westchester. While in stop and go traffic, bus 3 was bumped by a car at about 3:45 and we had to stop for about 20 minutes to deal with that. Only a handful of students on the bus actually realized that it happened and everybody was absolutely fine.
As band director, I am constantly balancing the needs of the students with the academics, marching/music rehearsing, and social aspects. We canceled last night’s rehearsal due to these needs. I felt, and the staff agreed, that a night off would help everyone recharge and rest for the up and coming weekend. It would also give people a chance to pack and get some of their school work done. When it turned out to be a nice night my “band director” side said “oh no, we could have rehearsed” while my humanistic side said “good move, the rest will pay off.”
Balancing the needs of the academics has always been an important goal of mine with the building of this dynasty in an academic powerhouse school district. This is why, when some parents were very vocal about leaving after 9th period so that the students would only miss 9th period once, I went along with the request.
I knew it would happen. Leaving 40 minutes later added about 3 hours to our trip. We usually made a point to leave around 1:30, at the beginning of the 9th period in order to get through the city before the traffic became unbearable. Leaving 40 minutes later was a nightmare. The bumper to bumper traffic caused us to spend 3 additional hours on the busses thus missing our free time at the hotel, our traditional “pool time.” We also had to alter our eating arrangements. We had a great dinner at the “Old Country Buffet” in Vestal, NY (just outside of Binghamton) at 8:15 pm. I feel bad that the kids had to sit on the bus all that time, and lose their social time. The trade off would have definitely been more worthwhile if more than just a handful of students went to the 9th period class.
We arrived at the hotel at 11:50 pm and we all immediately went to bed to rest up for a busy day tomorrow. Check back to this blog tomorrow for another update.
As band director, I am constantly balancing the needs of the students with the academics, marching/music rehearsing, and social aspects. We canceled last night’s rehearsal due to these needs. I felt, and the staff agreed, that a night off would help everyone recharge and rest for the up and coming weekend. It would also give people a chance to pack and get some of their school work done. When it turned out to be a nice night my “band director” side said “oh no, we could have rehearsed” while my humanistic side said “good move, the rest will pay off.”
Balancing the needs of the academics has always been an important goal of mine with the building of this dynasty in an academic powerhouse school district. This is why, when some parents were very vocal about leaving after 9th period so that the students would only miss 9th period once, I went along with the request.
I knew it would happen. Leaving 40 minutes later added about 3 hours to our trip. We usually made a point to leave around 1:30, at the beginning of the 9th period in order to get through the city before the traffic became unbearable. Leaving 40 minutes later was a nightmare. The bumper to bumper traffic caused us to spend 3 additional hours on the busses thus missing our free time at the hotel, our traditional “pool time.” We also had to alter our eating arrangements. We had a great dinner at the “Old Country Buffet” in Vestal, NY (just outside of Binghamton) at 8:15 pm. I feel bad that the kids had to sit on the bus all that time, and lose their social time. The trade off would have definitely been more worthwhile if more than just a handful of students went to the 9th period class.
We arrived at the hotel at 11:50 pm and we all immediately went to bed to rest up for a busy day tomorrow. Check back to this blog tomorrow for another update.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
At least we got a State Champion Banner!
The band was great once again. The best marching we ever did! We received a "State Champion" Trophy in our class and a nice looking banner. I am thrilled with our performance!
We wanted to try the other circuit, the USSBA. We did! I was not happy with the way the event was run. In addition we got hammered by the judges. Our number probably should have been in the mid 80's. Copiague should have been higher as well, along with some other bands. Seems bands that aren't participating in their "All-States" championships didn't do so well with the scoring today. Interesting. And what about the food. They had one small food truck, the kind that pulls up outside a factory, with 2 guys selling food for the entire show. Hundreds of kids had to wait on line for hours to get food. This was totally unacceptable. In addition, the drum majors from all those bands had to stand for a long long time before they were brought onto the field. Again, totally unacceptable. Our performance was great. The way the show was run wasn't. There were many other things that bothered us as a staff but I don't want to get into it. I am trying to get some rest tonight!
To be honest with you I was shocked about the food thing. The kids always come first. Eating is a major priority to kids who have been practicing and sometimes driving in busses all day. The food situation really bothered me. I have never seen anything like it. That in itself is enough to never go to that circuit again. Maybe in four more years, we may try the USSBA. If we do, we will bring a bagged lunch!
We wanted to try the other circuit, the USSBA. We did! I was not happy with the way the event was run. In addition we got hammered by the judges. Our number probably should have been in the mid 80's. Copiague should have been higher as well, along with some other bands. Seems bands that aren't participating in their "All-States" championships didn't do so well with the scoring today. Interesting. And what about the food. They had one small food truck, the kind that pulls up outside a factory, with 2 guys selling food for the entire show. Hundreds of kids had to wait on line for hours to get food. This was totally unacceptable. In addition, the drum majors from all those bands had to stand for a long long time before they were brought onto the field. Again, totally unacceptable. Our performance was great. The way the show was run wasn't. There were many other things that bothered us as a staff but I don't want to get into it. I am trying to get some rest tonight!
To be honest with you I was shocked about the food thing. The kids always come first. Eating is a major priority to kids who have been practicing and sometimes driving in busses all day. The food situation really bothered me. I have never seen anything like it. That in itself is enough to never go to that circuit again. Maybe in four more years, we may try the USSBA. If we do, we will bring a bagged lunch!
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