Crossmen will add to show music repertoire

[xbones7480]

Crossmen will add to show music repertoire

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

By: Caryn Goebel

 

Baritones, mellophone players still sought

 

It will be a terrific start to the month this weekend in San Antonio, Texas, as the Crossmen add another two minutes of music to their 2007 program "Metamorphosis" while, at the same time, staff continue auditioning baritone and mellophone players to fill out the hornline.

 

The Crossmen will meet Feb. 2-4 at Ronald Reagan High School for its fourth rehearsal camp of the season and one that will likely finalize membership of the corps that will make its historic and memorable debut season this summer from Texas.

 

Corps' Director Mark Chambers said the brass staff is still seeking skilled and competent players to fill positions in the baritone and mellophone sections. As rehearsals come to a close Sunday afternoon, the corps will be very close to being determined, he added.

 

The Crossmen brass and percussion sections will also continue learning music for its parade and encore performances. Selections include "Semper Fidelis," and "Russian Christmas Music," Chambers said. Music included in the program has yet to be released by the Crossmen Creative Team. But be assured, this program title personifies the incredible feeling among members as they prepare for their exciting 2007 adventure from the Lone Star State.

 

Drum major auditions were completed during the January camp and Chambers expects an announcement this weekend on who will stand alongside Crossmen veteran and Drum Major Jarrett Lipman. The duo will lead Bones on a journey these members will never forget as only three camps remain before the Crossmen move in for several weeks of intense Spring Training. Then, it's tour time with their first DCI competition on June 23 in Toledo, Ohio.

 

Since the corps' first camp in November 2006, the talented brass and percussion players that have come out to audition is generating great excitement among staff and supporters of the corps. Interest in the Crossmen now hailing more than 1,700 miles from their birth home on the East Coast has been astounding, proving that this legendary corps will not only flourish, but come out of the gates in June with much fanfare.

 

For Chambers, the camps just keep getting better as the Crossmen learn more music and start utilizing the technique and advice offered by a truly gifted staff. This weekend will be no exception. There's plenty to do, he admits. But as the corps gets set in membership, music is taught and mastered, and confidence builds, the results will be more than ever imagined for this splendid drum corps.

 

The Crossmen meet Feb. 2-4 at Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas.

 

RSVP HERE

http://www.yea.org/site/Calendar/153975891...3Dcrossmen_tour

[Valsair]

still considering hopping on as a euph--

 

haven't decided yet.

[xbones7480]

Feb CAMP NEWS from YEA's! SITE

 

Crossmen click at camp as opener stirs emotion

Monday, February 5, 2007

By: Caryn Goebel

 

Drum major, horn sergeant announced to corps

 

San Antonio, Texas - There's no question these intense young musicians have made a commitment to carry on the Crossmen legacy. So many fresh new faces mixed with nearly 30 veterans, their hunger evident as they absorb everything possible during two days of rehearsal.

 

The Crossmen flourished this weekend during their fourth camp of the 2007 season. Eager to learn, grow and bond, the brass and percussion sections met at Ronald Reagan High School, the corps now having been taught more than five minutes of music for their break-out program "Metamorphosis." The corps also took on the mechanics of marching technique during an in-depth session with DCI Hall of Famer and Visual Coordinator Marc Sylvester.

 

Two minutes of music was added to "Metamorphosis," and the corps continued working its parade and encore tunes, "Russian Christmas Music" and "Semper Fidelis." The productive weekend ended Sunday morning with the battery, front ensemble and hornline confidently coming together on an impressive opener that beautifully combines musical elements of both old and new Crossmen.

 

And while music and marching prevailed during the weekend, leadership and friendship followed close behind as a new drum major was announced, a horn sergeant named and rookies and veterans continued to foster the cross-country bonds of the Maltese Cross.

 

Leadership team announced

 

Crossmen veteran and baritone player Garrett Dillon of Virginia Beach, Va., was announced as the new drum major for the corps. The business management/marketing major at Old Dominion University in Virginia Beach, Va., will stand alongside returning Drum Major Jarrett Lipman in guiding the Crossmen on their 2007 adventure.

 

Eighteen people auditioned for the second drum major position, according to Crossmen Director Mark Chambers. This cross-section of veterans and rookies began the audition process during the first corps' camp in November 2006. Throughout subsequent camps, they were required to conduct, attend leadership training and undergo interviews by corps' staff. By the February camp, Chambers had narrowed the search to two perfectly qualified individuals.

 

"Garrett was the perfect choice," Chambers said. "He's a multi-year vet and will still be able to march next year, giving the corps continuity. Much like Jarrett has given this year."

 

Also, Crossmen veteran Jamie Tucker was named as the corps' horn sergeant. In his final year with the corps, Tucker plays the baritone.

 

The weekend also solidified much of the corps' membership. With the huge turn-out of nearly 400 hopefuls back in November, it was a lengthy process selecting the finest musicians to fill the ranks of this legendary corps that will this year make its debut from San Antonio. Now, several camps into the season, Chambers and his staff are seeing skills and techniques taught in sectionals beginning to catch on within the hornline and percussion section.

 

Even with the 1,700 mile move to Texas, the Crossmen veteran alliance remains strong. In the hornline, 22 vets have returned, according to Chambers. The percussion section has seven returnees and 10 colorguard members are expected back in April.

 

That veteran influence is crucial to keep this corps' history and traditions intact, Chambers recognizes. And new members are soaking up all they can from these seasoned members of Bones.

 

Trumpet player Arnie Hernandez of San Marcos, Texas, has attended every camp since auditions. Hernandez is a music education major at Texas State University. He admits he was intimidated at the first camp with so many horn players seeking spots in the corps. Now, several camps in the bag, things are coming together.

 

"I like the way it's progressing. The corps is getting better every time and everyone is gaining more confidence," Hernandez, 18, said. "It's starting to click because we seeing the same people together now."

 

Michelle Buescher of Austin, Texas, agrees. The 17-year-old trumpet player knew she would march with a corps this summer, but when the Crossmen announcement to relocate came, there was no doubt she wanted to pursue a place in this hornline.

 

"Things are now going at a good pace. The music is challenging, but not over the top," Buescher said.

 

For Justin Hudson, 19, a baritone player from Arlington, Texas, the tradition and field presence of the Crossmen prompted him to pursue a spot in the corps. Hudson marched with Capitol Regiment in 2005. Two camps under his belt, the music education major at University of Texas in Arlington has gained instruction in music technique he knows he will carry with him into his adult career.

 

"I have already grown as a musician. Breathing, slurring, have improved for me already," Hudson said. "The techniques taught by this staff are great."

 

Summer kick-off

 

Fans will no doubt embrace the musical styles coming from the 2007 corps. Chambers expects to announce many more show details in the coming weeks as he and the visual team meet and continue to develop "Metamorphosis."

 

The corps first appearance in uniform will be June 16 at the Texas State Capital for the Lone Star Preview, an exciting gathering of Texas-based drum corps as they unveil their summer repertoires. More information on the event will be released as it is made available.

 

In the mean time, final arrangements are being made for the Crossmen Spring Training to begin May 25. Several college campuses in Texas are being considered and an announcement on location should come soon, Chambers said.

 

"There are so many details leading up to the summer," Chambers said. "Right now though, we are seeing great results from the corps. They are working hard and it's really getting exciting."

[Danpod]

Is the general public allowed to view the rehearsals?

[Moose]

Yes.

[Danpod]

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