rpd

uhh, ear stuff is going to kill me in college. I have a damaged ear from ear infections as a child, far from tone deaf, but I notice it is weaker now that im trying to train it. I do amazing in the written part of music theory, but when it comes to dictation, I'm not great at all.

Going to say something totally random, and I'm not sure if its been said yet, but I thought about it today. But did anyone notice how the guy who "shoots" arrows into the stands before Marcus' show, shot one right into where LD Bell was sitting. I got a good laugh out of it.

1992 - Russian Images (not sure on music) 2002 - Red (not sure on the show) 2003 - Need for Speed (Key Poulan Show) 2004 - Circuitry (Key Poulan show) 2005 - Escape from the Labyrinth (Key Poulan Show) 2006 - Russian Images (Not sure on the music)(and yes it was a remake) 2007* - In Times of Change The Light by Philip Glass, October by Eric Whitacre, & Rocky Point Holiday by Ron Nelson) 2008 *- Color, Sound, Motion (On the Waterfront by Leonard Bernstein, Blue by Terry Jolly, and Radiant Joy by Steven Bryant) *Arranged by Daniel Montoya Jr.

No one cares....just kidding. I love freshmen, there the future of my band. On behalf of my freshmen I'm very impressed by them. Our 1st chair clarinet, 1st chair flute, and 2nd chair trumpet are freshmen. And yes that's for the entire band.

Symphonic Movement by Vaclav Nelhybe So far that's all I know of, and that's not even set in stone. However we were given the music for one period and listened to a recording. I like it.

If anyone had to beat bell, I'm glad it was Avon. They are highly regarded as one of the best programs not to win Nationals. Odd that Carmel placed 5th, but still managed to win a caption.

Thats probably it. Most programs do go down for the first couple years in a new band directors reign. I went through a director change myself, I can tell you many kids find it hard to trust the new person for awhile. Granted, we're no PCEP, but kids are kids whether there in Texas or Michigan.

Well it really depends on the level you want, and your price range. But ill assume you want professional and price range. The Yamaha YTS-62 is a great "Lower level" professional horn. I have a 62 and absolutely love it. You can get one for $2500 new, and around $1700 used. The early model purple logos go for more. But those being better is debatable. Its like the 5-digit debate for Selmer Mark VI's. Other Yamaha professional horns are great to, like the 82Z and the 875EX. Those go for around a thousand more. Another good sax company in the Yamaha price range is Cannonball. However they can be hard to find sometimes. A good friend of mine is having some problems with his octave key. From the $4500-$6000 range things get jumbled. Many people think Keilworth is the way to go (I think the Keilworth Shadow is the best looking horn on the market), some will say Yaginasawa, and some will say Selmer. I've never played any horns in this level, so I wouldn't be good to ask. HOWEVER, I have played on a very good Mark VI, and it is amazing. If you have $8000 lying around, get yourself one.

I just had my best week ever. 102 points and one of those was Micheal Pittman who was placed on IR. I didn't get to change him out before the Broncos game on thursday. I would have honestly switched him out with Thomas Jones who scored 32 points. I should have had a whopping 134 points last week. I have a tough match versus AZbolt this week

We just finished our worst season since 1997. We ended up 2-8.

Well for all but three Texas bands, marching season is done for. Yet, there is still one week left in the football season (for some more). So what does your band do to fill the half time show. This saturday were doing a clinic for 4th - 8th graders. The seniors will march with them while the underclassmen play 'Lets Groove'. Afterwards the seniors of the band, dance team, and cheerleaders form an '09 and play the fight song one last time. And of course the dance team has there own segment. Two years ago when we actually made playoffs we had two really cool shows. The first game was us playing Anchors Away and doing Texas A&M style drill. Then our director came on the mic "And now for technical marching comparable to the Texas A&M Band". We all go one way, except one guy. We dressed up a guy in a referee suit and moved us back 5 yards. We did this three times and on the third time we got the smallest guy in band go and tackle him. A stretcher comes up, but the trombone gets on the stretcher, not the guy. Then we finish Anchors Away and finish with our fight song. The next game we did the chicken dance, then we formed "Rams" (our mascot) to a sax trio playing circus music. Although the first time we spells "Arms" then "Mars" then "Taco" while doing crazy dance movements getting to our spots. The 4th time we spelled Rams and marched off to the fight song.

I've never been a UIL basher, but tenth? Really? I was there, and I don't see how anyone can justify higher than third. With that said, I do agree that Marcus was the better band tonight.

I'm also Clarinet section leader. Although I march Tenor Sax. There was a tenor hole, and we had extra clarinets. So one of the Bb's went to my Bass Clarinet spot, and I filled the Tenor void. Don't skip fundamentals at music rehearsals. Long tones are your friend, especially for Bb Clarinets. Get them to breath together, go for 2 counts before the first note. If they can breath together, chances are they will be able to play together as well. And most importantly, lead by example.

I like your reviews. They have a nice tone behind them and sometimes make me laugh. Looking forward to the rest. Im a little confused on the soprano solo on our show. Are you saying that it was to loud, or not enough dynamic shaping, or both? He was amped way to high. Usually the guy running the sound board is much more consistent than that. The low brass wasn't loud enough in the beginning too. When done right it is a really nice contrast of dark and mysterious (low brass) and bright (with the soprano sax). Although on the video, it didn't come out to bad. It really just ended sounding like a nice, long, crescendo.

If that's the case we got 36th. Not great, but not bad considering how young we are. Better than the 53rd the prediction analysis was saying =p Last night we were at finals. We had amazing seats to begin with. It was nose bleeders (which isn't bad for marching band) and it was RIGHT on the 50. Got to see the first three bands but we had to move because they were "reserved". Instead we got horrible seats on the goal line.

Thanks for the compliment. The band feels so good after our performance today. We all realize its a long shot to make finals, but we feel as if it was a great way to end the season. I'm more than happy if that's my last performance with the band. I got to see Georgetown during warm up, which was great for me in case they don't make finals...I just wanted to hear that melody one more time. I LOVE their music. Fun day, went to go see the last block with three friends. I would have came earlier, but unfortunately we got back to school in time for our last period of the day. I saw you guys, but didn't look like there was 4 seats, I didn't want to ditch my friends.

Wait. Taft went to state in 2006. I remember 2006 very well. Finding out we made finals will probably go down as the best memory in my marching life because we weren't expecting that to happen at all. Funny how 2008 will go down as my most dreaded memory.

Ill be there from 4ish to the end on Friday and at finals Saturday. Ill be coming on my own Friday and with my band on Saturday. If we don't make finals we are going to watch them (in all likely hood we will be watching) Where does the TX Band crew usually sit? I would like to meet some of you guys.

I was very close to picking up Suite No. 1 by JS Bach. Its much more difficult, and I must play 3 out of the 6 movements. The more I think about it, the more I think colleges would rather me play something difficult than something easier (still not easy though) memorized. Another plus, the Bach can be unaccompanied. Ill go back and get it. I may try and do both, the Mozart for UIL, and the Bach for colleges. With Bach being my main priority.

I just bought mine today. I got Romanze and Menutto By W.A. Mozart for the Tenor Saxophone. I tried picking something out that wasn't too hard, so I can memorize it and go to TSSAE this year. But after playing it for a little bit, I think its TOO easy. I'm probably going to take it back.

Im actually more of a Tech fan, not die hard though. But in the next three weeks Tech faces UT, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma. So I'm pulling for UT only because if they past tech, there the best chance of a Texas school in the national championship game. Because I don't think Tech will get past Texas OR Oklahoma.

Maybe they will pull a Phantom Regiment, knocking off the Cavs and Blue Devils, conquering one corp each night. CP could knock down one at BOA SA, then one at State. Although I still think the top three will end up Bell, Marcus, CP in that order. I will try and make finals. I doubt our director will have a rehearsal for Fridays football game on such a big day (with the election going on as well)

^I agree with Trumpet Master. I was in the tunnels when you guys were on, so I didn't see you, but your sound was fantastic. Believe me, many bands went home upset on Saturday, but you just have to use it as motivation for the years to come.

I will probably use Selkies in a future show of mine, but not the entire thing. I will probably also use Viridian as a ballad, with a nice euphonium solo in there.

Georgetown and Connally. Saw them at BOA Arlington, and both there shows were fantastic.