DCA’s Much Ado about Fewer Primed by the overall successful DCAssociates Championships in Rochester, DCPlanet was abuzz with posters mere days after the Labor Day weekend gala, optimistically discussing how DCA was set to explode across North America (from Canada to Mexico to Panama?) and inspiringly beyond. Threads even dissected opinions about where and when […]
Welcome back to the "Land of All Things Brass." This installment of Brass Advantage will focus on developing strength and control of the muscles of the face with the use of Lip Isometric exercises. Isometric exercise is a form of exercise involving the static contraction of a muscle without any visible movement in the angle […]
Another weekend; another audition. I had no access to a mellophone over the holidays, so I had no idea what to expect. I brought my French horn for a second time. I carpooled with the same people as last camp, minus one who is probably not marching this summer. We actually left earlier and stayed […]
The Great Debate ….. Mylar vs. Kevlar As I travel throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe and Africa visiting hundreds if not thousands of marching bands and drum corps I am constantly listening to all kinds, shapes and sizes of drums, drum heads and drum accessories. I listen, watch and then I hear the […]
In his recent bestseller, “The Tipping Point”, Malcolm Gladwell makes reference to the theory of “Six Degrees”, the idea that everyone on earth is connected by acquaintance in no more than six steps. This is a fascinating notion, and I wonder if it’s true. (I suppose it really depends on how one defines a connection.) […]
Time has flown by this semester. It’s another drum corps season, and I was very anxious to return. Over the past couple months I’ve been insanely busy being a music major and participating in college marching band. I had to miss the first Spirit audition camp due to the big rivalry game between FSU and […]
VK, Troopers, DCK, Excelsior, NCR et al. are joyous! Hark, the new clamor forth! Embrace the comeback corps! Happy holidays! Hopefully, your holiday shopping will include checking out these and other fine corps. The holidays are much cheerier to have open houses and rehearsals for new names and never-forgotten corps. For Drum Corps International, check […]
Welcome back to the "Land of All Things Brass." With marching band season coming to an end most performers are finding themselves involved in drum corps, local, district, regional and or state honor band auditions. To help those involved in these auditions I thought it a perfect time to discuss how to achieve a high […]
The stars of the Bands of America Grand National Championships held every November in the "RrrCccAaa" Dome are the youth of the approximately 535 bands which are whittled down to 92 of the finest. These regional contenders caravan to Indianapolis to select class winners and 12 finalists that joust in a battle of the bands […]
In the last few years there has been a fair amount of discussion on drum forums about whether or not today’s drum corps, marching bands and indoor percussion sections are playing anything difficult in relation to what was being played 10, 20 or even 30 years ago. With all these discussions happening I thought it […]
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