An Invitation to “Inside the Arc”

I’d like to invite you to visit "Inside the Arc" – a new feature column, written by Frank Dorritie. The column will feature essays on the marching music activity by a person who has been a performer, instructor, and arranger – from the ’60s to the present. Frank’s unique perspective for Inside the Arc will be historical, educational, and ultimately ….. personal. He’ll explore the state of the activity, offer a look back at its growth and the people involved, and paint his essays with anecdotes from his long and storied history in the activity. I’m looking forward to this journey, with Frank as our guide …. and I’m confident that you’ll find this insightful new column entertaining and thought-provoking.

For those that may not know the details, Frank Dorritie has been playing the bugle and trumpet since the 1960s, and has performed with artists like Billy Cobham and Maynard Ferguson. He has instructed and/or arranged for the Blue Devils, Cadets, Santa Clara Vanguard, Cavaliers, Chesterton and Tenri High Schools, the Bushwackers, Bridgemen and a host of others.

His audio production credits include CDs with Wynton Marsalis, Johnny Otis and the National Cast of Phantom of the Opera. Frank’s honors include 9 Grammy Nominations, 2 Grammy Awards and membership in both the World Drum Corps and Buglers Halls of Fame.

He is active internationally as a clinician and adjudicator, holds the DCA Soprano/Trumpet/Tenor Individual titles for 2003, 2005 and 2006, and has served as music consultant for Fox Network programs. Frank also chairs the Department of Recording Arts at Los Medanos College.

His popular brass method book, "Power and Endurance", is available from Xtremebrass.com

Watch for the first installment of Inside the Arc in the next few days – here on Drum Corps Planet.