SaxoAK

I'll be on around 6pm CST...

Do we need to chat tonight on AIM?

It's anybody's game tonight, and I can't freakin wait!

no bitterness, though - right?

From Section 3: Performance Timing of the adjudication handbook - "3.03 A band is allowed a Performance time of 7 to 11 minutes anywhere on the Performance Field. The timing will begin at the conclusion of the four-minute set-up/warm-up time, following the announcement that “Bands of America is proud to present in preliminary/finals Performance Drum Majors _____________ and ______________ and the _______________ H.S. Marching ‘nickname.’” If the first step or first note of music has not occurred within 30 seconds of conclusion of the announcement, the timer will commence timing. Musical exits will be included in the time of the show. Visual moves with percussion cadence (or silence) will generally be included in the exit timing, and not in the time of the Performance. 3.04 Bands should completely vacate the Performance Field within two (2) minutes of the end of the Performance. We define vacating the Performance Field as being outside/clear of the goal line (the goal line being used for and in the direction of the exit) with all personnel, equipment and props. Penalties shall be assessed only when it is determined by the Field Manager or Contest Director that the band exiting is not making concerted efforts or substantial progress in complying with the rule. Bands that “troop” the stands, exit the field in the wrong direction, or have props or equipment that cannot be promptly removed will be penalized. Any cadence/music used as an exit routine must cease once the Performance Field is vacated or the goal line is crossed. We caution you to be conscious of the microphones, television cameras, etc. while exiting. See also Section 6 below on Equipment & Restrictions." and Section 4: Boundaries - "4.01 The entire Performance including all music must be played from within the Performance Field. Command personnel are exempt. Drum majors may place and retrieve an instrument from any place in the Performance Area. However, if a drum major performs on the instrument, the performance must occur from within the boundaries of the Performance Field. Exception A student running a mixing board (i.e. balancing wireless microphones, etc.) may be located outside the boundaries of the Performance Field, but in the Performance Area, without penalty. 4.02 All boundary lines are now included as part of the Performance Field. Stepping on a boundary line DOES NOT constitute a violation. The crossing of these lines, defined as one entire foot of a performer being placed “outside” of the boundary, will constitute a boundary violation. 4.03 PENALTY: For boundary violation – 0.1 points per flagrant infraction" So maybe they are considering their tag ending as "exit cadence/music"? Or maybe they just don't care about it? Bands have definitely used this kind of ending before (i.e. Broken Arrow '05) Hope that clears things up

Anybody know this awesome arranger's website?

REDLINE TANGO ROCKSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

OMG!! YAMAHA CUSTOM Z!!!! they rock my freaking socks off! (b/c i have one hehe)...but if not, Mark VI's are godly! and same goes for keilwerth shadows

Yeah. um. NO. plastic alto reeds make you sound like a dying duck, especially if you're a true saxophonist during concert season and have any semblance of good tone. for marching - fine, but keep it off the stage.

if you soak them first and break them in with long tones, they last a gazillion times better and produce a lot better sound. Go with like Vandoren 3-3.5 for optimal use, and rotate like 4-8 at a time. When I marched one reed would last a good month or so.

GEORGE PARKS @ SYMPOSIUM!!!!!!! YEAH YEAH!

a lot of this is gonna be a feeling in the dark thing to get the hang of things. it'll be a bit weird depending on how far away the band is from you during sets and stuff but you'll have to get used to the acoustical delay, which throws you off at first, but you have to keep your tempo, otherwise everyone will phase and tear all over the place. also, videotape yourself conducting to a metronome, then watch it with the audio off to see if you would be able to follow the beat if you were in the band, and catch any inconsistencies in tempo.

my BD always says to play to your feet and match your feet to the tempo, rather than step to the music you're playing. if you think about it this way, it seems to work a bit better

lol - our freshman initiation is involved in this process...the section leaders drive their newbies to a local Office Depot/BestBuy/WalMart to stage a "hostage" for those free AOL cds. So basically, your van pulls up to the front of the store, the kids get out run and grab an armful each, and run back to the van as fast as you can and creating as many akward stares as possible. we use the cds upside down/face up to mark the start/finish set. it's fun and kinda quirky but def. a tradition!

I've been marching since 6th grade, but when I started HS, I auditioned for DM for fun and got it, so looks like i'll have a permanent position on Regiment!